Chapter 1: The Boundary Line Between Heaven and Hell
Introduction
The everlasting summer sea. The boundless blue sky. Perfectly clear air. The rustling of the salty sea breeze that gently wraps around the body.
Here, in the heart of the Pacific Ocean without feeling the sweltering midsummer heat.
Yes, this is really a Sea Paradise.
“OHHHHHH! This is the best AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!”
From the deck of a luxury liner loudly rang the screams of Ike Kanji who stood with both hands raised. Usually, complaints and phrases like “SHUT UP!” came flying from nowhere, but today of all days there was nothing and everyone finally enjoyed a blissful moment. There was a remarkable view from the best place on the deck in the reserved seats.
“What a fantastic view! I’m really super excited!!!!”
A group of girls led by Karuizawa showed up from the inboard compartments. She pointed at the ocean and with a ear-to-ear grin said: “Really, what a terrible scenery…”
Kushida Kiky?, one of the girls of the group idling about, was also ecstatic and was sighing while looking at the sea.
After overwhelming hardships, the midterm and the finals we finally welcomed summer vacation. It was waiting for us with open arms.
Koudo Ikusei Senior High School had organized for us a luxurious two-week trip. A cruise on a luxury liner.
“I’m glad I didn’t leave school, Ken. If this trip was an ordinary trip, it would’ve been definitely impossible for me. How does it feel to be someone on the verge of being kicked out, who was in the last place even in the final exam? Tell me, how does it feel?”
Even if this question was instigated by Yamauchi Haruki, Sud? Ken, far from looking blue, just howled with laughter. The fierce and cool appearance of the lone wolf merged completely into the laughing classmate’s figure. “It’s all a piece of cake if I depend on my skills. Didn’t they say I could show my ability of playing the leading role to resolve everything with my intellect?”
Despite being in agony only some time ago, this trip seems to have completely blown everything away. It surely seems like this blue sea washes away all the usual troublesome things and the difficult situations.
“I never would’ve dreamed I could be part of such a luxurious trip. And it’s 2 weeks, 2 WEEKS. When mom and dad will hear it, they will be so surprised that they will piss in their pants”.
As Sud? said, from an ordinary person’s point of view, this is a non-standard trip. In this high school, supported by the country, there’s really no need to pay for miscellaneous expenses or tuition. And naturally, even for this trip. It’s all special treatment.
And needless to say, the exterior of the liner we boarded and the facilities were also very fulfilling. From a first class restaurant and the theater where you can enjoy plays or live performance, to a classy spa fully equipped of anything. If I ever thought of travelling as an individual here, I would need to spend 100.000 yen in the off-season.
Finally, such a marvellous and commended trip starts today.
The schedule will go on like this.
In the first week, we’re going to make the most of our summer vacation by staying at a pension built on a desert island.
Then, the following week we’re going to sojourn on the cruise boat. At 5 am, the first year students will take the bus simultaneously and head towards Tokyo Bay, then the passenger ship will leave from the port where the students boarded.
While eating breakfast in the liner’s lounge, the students could behave as they pleased. Additionally, a very fortunate thing was that all the facilities on the ship could be used free of charge. For us, usually worried about points of shortage and expenses, this was a life-saver.
Suddenly, Kushida turned towards me and gave me a thoughtful look. Backed by the ocean and the blue sky, Kushida looked even more shining and I don’t know why but my heart pounded, despite being ugly.
Impossible, it can’t be that she…towards me.
“Well then, how about Horikita-san? Aren’t you always together?”
I couldn’t allow myself to be captured in the haze of her vision. It seems like she was simply thinking about Horikita.
“Come on, now. I’m not her guardian…”
I can’t remember seeing her on board after breakfast.
“You don’t seem much of a person who enjoys travelling, are you more like one who enjoys staying in the room?”
“I guess so”
“Around noon we can go on the private beach of the island and swim freely. I can’t wait!!”
It seems like this school owns a small island in the south, and we’re heading there now.
“Attention to all the students! Please gather on the deck. You’ll be able to see the island soon. For a while, you will be able to see a very meaningful and splendid scenery”. This curious announcement suddenly reverberated throughout the ship. Kushida and the others paid attention to it and calmly seemed to be looking forward to what was to come.
A few minutes after several students started to gather, the island appeared.
Ike let out a whoop of joy. The students noticed it and they began to cluster on the deck all at once. When a whole mass of people crowded the place, some bossy students came to push us so that they could take our place on the best position.
“Ah so bothersome…Hey, get out of the way! You rejects!”
In that moment, one of the very intimidating boys thrust away my shoulder. In a sudden fluster, I grabbed the balustrade of the deck to avoid losing balance and falling. Those students laughed at me in disdain.
“Hey you, what the fuck are you doing?”
Sud? became extremely upset and intimidated on the spot. Kushida, worried by the situation, came beside me. Another girl who followed behind that student and saw the scene actually had a very miserable aspect.
“You should understand this schools’ system. It’s a school based on merit. There are no human rights in class D. ‘Defectives’ have to behave obediently and submissively, like the rejects they are. This side, we’re all class A”.
The D class then departed from the bow (of the boat) like they had been kicked out. Sud? seemed displeased, still he didn’t give in to a fight and was able to endure with it, which proved that he was becoming a little more grown-up. Or was it simply because he understood and accepted class D’s inferior position?
“Hey everyone, you were all here. What happened?”
Among the students who came flocking, one boy called out to me.
Although we sensed that the situation was displeasing and unfair, there was no need to have unnecessary worries. So better to pay no heed to it.
That boy’s name was Y?suke Hirata. Class D’s Leader.
I’m also the leader of the group to which I belong.
The rooms’ allocation in groups was about to be decided in that moment. While I was just expecting not to be called by Ike and Sud? to whom I was relatively close, the group simply ended up in over capacity.
Just when I remained alone, the entrance of Hirata kind of like a Messiah settled the situation.
“Say Hirata, how far did you get with Karuizawa?”
Ike addressed Hirata who actually never tried to get closer to Karuizawa.
“Why don’t you take the chance of this long-awaited trip and try to be more flirty with her?”
He poked fun like that, having also heard that Hirata hates when other girls look at him.
“We just go to our own pace, huh sorry. I’ll be going now. Miyake-kun seems to be in trouble”.
His mobile rang and Hirata went back to the ship while fiddling. Busy is the destiny for popular people.
“What’s with him? Is he really only worried about his classmates?”
“But Karuizawa is Karuizawa, and apparently they’ve not been much close recently so…perhaps…they’ve broken up? If it’s like that, then it sucks. Kushida-chan will have much more competition”.
Certainly, they could be less close compared to when they started dating. But I don’t feel like they’ve fought or the situation has got uglier. Because indeed they seem to get along well when I see them talking.
“I’ve decided Haruki. I…will confess to Kushida-chan on this trip”
“Well, what the fuck. If she dumps you Ike, it’s gonna be incredibly awkward. Will it be okay??”
“This is only for my selfish reasoning. In any case, isn’t Kushida-chan very cute? That’s why I think most of the boys want to ask her out. However, as she’s out of my and their league, and she’s not used to confessions I’m sure that there’s a possibility that Kushida-chan’s heart will be shaken by my sudden love confession. But there’s only a little hope there”.
“I see…you made up your mind already..”
“Ah…yeah”
Yamauchi wanted to burst into opposition about that, but he did nothing. He was looking over the deck restlessly as if he was searching for something.
“What’s the matter?”
“Ahhh, no nothing…”
After ignoring me absent-mindedly like that, in the end Yamauchi didn’t touch the Kushida subject anymore.
“Hey hey Kushida-chan. You got a minute?”
“Uhm? What is it?”
Ike immediately approached Kushida who was calmly looking over the sea nearby. Obviously, that was a suspicious move.
“Well…how shall I say…Hasn’t been about 4 months since we met? That’s why, before long I wonder if it’s okay to call you by your first name. You see, it sounds cold and distant when I call you by your last name”.
“Now that you mention it, Yamauchi-kun called me by my name before I realized it”
“Eh, I guess it’s bad if I call you Kiky?-chan, after all”.
Ike exclaimed a bit deflated but Kushida beamed nonchalantly.
“Of course, there’s no problem with it! Should I call you Kanji-kun too?”
“UUUUUOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH KIKYO-CHAN AAAAAAAAHHHHHH”
Ike cried out and screamed assuming a pose of one who was going towards heaven or of someone who just received a package with Platoon the Movie.
Kushida laughed softly. I guess she saw him as strange and funny.
“First names uh?…come to think of it, what is Horikita’s first name?”
Sud? naturally asks me if I know it.
“It’s Tomiko. Horikita Tomiko.”
“Mhm Tomiko…it’s a cute name. As expected, the feeling is perfect.”
“Ah no, I was wrong. It was Suzune”
“You little…do not make more mistakes. Suzune uh? It feels perfect like Tomiko, but 100 millions times more”
Whether Horikita’s name is Sadako or Sam, it would be selfish to feel it or say it without permission.
“During this summer vacation, I will also call you by your first name. Suzune, Suzune…”
Well, it seems like the boys want to get closer to the girls during this vacation.
Meanwhile, none of the boys calls me by my first name nor I call them with theirs.
“That’s right. Hey look here, Ayanokoji. You made me try practicing. Now you practice saying Suzune’s name too”
“Practice? Why? Practice, you say…That’s not normal”.
You can’t do something like practicing saying a person’s name… unless you do it before the person himself.
Don’t tell me that the simple-minded Sud? intends to make me out to be an imaginary Horikita.
He was staring at me intensely.
Probably because he’s imagining the opposite sex, but that gaze is awfully gross.
“Say, Horikita, you got a minute? I need to talk to you a little”
“I’m not Horikita”
I became immediately disgusted and turned away with a face of disapproval.
“YOU IDIOT! It’s practice. I also don’t want to do it, but it’s necessary for me, mhm maybe or maybe not. Because if I don’t practice I can’t be good. It’s important I give it a shot either way.”
I really don’t want to hear such a horseshit talk.
Ahhh, since it can’t be helped, I’ll just go along with it and be patient.
“Horikita. It isn’t strange that we’re always treating each other as strangers? We’ve been acquainted for a long time. And it seems like others are calling each other nicely with their first name. How about we do it too soon…. gradually?”
[……………………………………..]
Unconsciously, I wanted to hit Sud?’s head so much. But I endured it with patience and mentally just like an adult would do. Just like an adult would do.
“Say something! Why are you not practicing with me?”
“No, no…What do you want me to say?”
“Just something that Horikita is likely to reply. Since you’ve known her for a long time, you must know what she’d say, right?”
Our level of acquaintance is 4 months, so it’s impossible for me to know such things.
Even so, Sud? insisted that I played the part of an imaginary Horikita. I clenched my fist unconsciously as to threaten someone.
“I’m one step from becoming an adult and I should do something like this on behalf of Horikita? Feel free to practice by yourself”
Instead, Ike acted as a substitute.
While looking a bit shady, Sud? said: “Horikita…is it okay if I call you with your first name?”
“Um well…Sud?-kun is not really a handsome guy, isn’t he? I mean, it seems like he doesn’t have much money either. He isn’t really my type, can’t you see? I mean, sorry sorry, isn’t he an outcast?! ”
Ike was acting as a gyaru[1] high school student who, on the contrary, looked nothing as such. So Sud?, even while being on the deck, decided to chokehold him and making him writhe in agony.
They’re always full of vitality, these fellows. Just by looking at them, the fatigue builds up and accumulate. Still, it seems funny.
After a while, all around the gasps grew louder.
The students’ enthusiasm also increased greatly when the island could be clearly visible to the naked eye and the distance shortened more and more. I thought the ship was directed to the island, but I don’t know why we passed through the pier and the ship began encircling around the island. The area lent by the country to manage the island is 0.5 km. The highest altitude is 230m. It’s a very tiny island if seen from the perspective of Japan’s totality as a country, but if seen by a hundred and a dozen people on a cruise like us, it was even too big.
Somehow, the liner circumnavigated the island and showed it entirely. It continued to go round and round the outer perimeter without changing speed. Although the ship barely made a splash of water, it actually navigated at an unnatural high speed.
“It’s a very mysterious sight… I’m impressed. Don’t you think so, Ayanokoji-kun?”
“Oh? hmm yeah true.”
I looked at Kushida whose eyes were shining while looking at the desert island, and my heart pounded a little. Again. After all, Kushida was really cute. I wanted to protect that smile and that child-like behaviour.
“From here, we will land on an uninhabited island owned by the school. Students should change into their jerseys, check their prescribed bags and luggage properly and don’t forget to bring out their mobile phone. After that, please assemble on the deck. Please keep all your personal belongings in your rooms. Since there’s a possibility that you won’t be able to go to the toilet for some time, please settle it properly now.”
This announcement rolled around. Apparently, the docking point on the private beach is near. It seems like Ike and the others are going back to change with high spirits. I also turned my feet back to the group room. Then I dressed myself in a jersey I used during physical education class, returned to the deck and waited for the boat to reach the island. As we drew closer to the island which was directly ahead, the enthusiasm of first-year students reached its peak.
“From this point onward, starting from the students of class A, we’ll begin to descend in order. Moreover, it’s forbidden to bring mobile phones on the island. So please, hand them over individually to your homeroom teacher and go down the ship”. With the teacher’s voice on the loudspeaker, the students went down the stairs of the ship in order.
“Whew, please hurry up! Even though we’re thinly dressed, we’re all sweating here”.
?
The deck of the anchored ship was too exposed to the sun. No wonder many complaints came out. Class D was standing on the ship ready to go down while enduring the heat, and in the end Horikita joined them too. At first glance it seemed like a usual situation, but something has shifted. There was like a feeling of discomfort and uneasiness. Even Horikita who is usually a methodical and scrupulous person seemed to be anxious about outward appearances. Nevertheless, she kept her black hair tousled not changing completely her own aspect. She looked a bit cold and unconsciously she rubbed her arms while waiting for the landing on the island.
“What have you been up to?”
“I’ve been just reading a book in my room. “For Whom The Bell Tolls”…. You wouldn’t know”.
C’mon. It was one of Ernest Hemingway’s representative works, wasn’t it? An unparalleled masterpiece, no doubts about it. I thought about it for a long time, but Horikita’s hobby of reading this kind of books is amazing…But, I wonder about the priority of reading even during this wonderful trip. Well, in these circumstances I’m also dubious on whether I favoured the room as a good place to read books or not.
Let’s just forget about it. The person herself won’t say anything about the topic and to pry inquisitively from here would be rude.
“I’m anxious about the sequel, but if it’s forbidden to bring personal items, then I can’t do anything about it”.
Regretfully and awkwardly, I clear my throat.
These are not things that people commonly say while going down to the beach.
Going ashore and leaving the boat took longer than I thought. Probably because the teachers divided and compacted the students in two sides, and they were proceeding to check their luggage.
“Hey, strangely aren’t they being too guarded or, how should I say, careful? They should confiscate mobile phones during a test, not now. It looks like it’s even forbidden bringing too many personal items”
“Definitely. If people are only playing in the ocean, I also feel like they don’t really have to go to the extent of doing that”.
By the way, abaft there was a helicopter. Speaking of unnaturalness and strangeness, that one was unnatural too. Well, it is true that it was a little suspicious, but maybe I was thinking too much. If students brought a mobile phone to the sea, probably some of them will end up getting it wet or broken. Bringing extra personal things could also imply that all the garbage will pollute the beach. If someone suddenly fell ill, the helicopter’s dispatch could be useful and probably it wouldn’t be such an unlikely story to tell…right?
Soon our turn will come, and we will get off the ramp after receiving a rigorous inspection.
At that time, I didn’t realize yet this place was going to be the borderline between heaven and hell.
Notes
A woman adhering to a fashion trend usually marked by brown or blond-dyed hair, gaudy clothes and accessories. [?]
Part 1(A)
Fierce words arrived from our homeroom teacher as we came leisurely chatting.
“From now on I will be calling the roll for class D. Students who have been called, please reply firmly.”
We were instructed to form a line at the same time as our teacher started checking the attendance for the class while simultaneously holding a surfboard in one hand.
Ms. Chabashira wore the same jersey as the students. Rather than summer vacation, the atmosphere was closer to training camp.
Still, there were no signs of tension in most students.
“Oh c’mon, give us free time already. The sea is stretching in front of me, you know.”
Ike, who was right behind me, annoyingly muttered. It seemed like most of the students wanted to run off to the sandy beach impatiently.
Shortly after, a tall teacher came forward, getting up to the prepared white platform.
It was Mr. Mashima, the English homeroom teacher in charge of A class, famous for being a stubborn person. He might seem beefy at first glance due to his pro-wrestling-like physique, but he was quite smart and taught special subjects sometimes before.
“First of all, I’m happy that you arrived safely to this place today. However, it’s unfortunate that one student couldn’t take part due to sickness.”
“Ah, there’s one sick guy who couldn’t join this trip, poor thing.”
Ike said in a low voice so that the teachers couldn’t hear.
But I totally agreed with him.
If it were a half-baked trip then that would be okay, but it’s a different thing with this much luxury. I wonder if he’ll regret it after hearing about the trip from his friends later. I think he should have participated despite the fact that he was in a somewhat poor physical condition, even if he pushed himself to the impossible.
Nevertheless, the facial expressions of the teachers were rather severe for a trip.
Could it be that while for us students this is a vacation, will supervisors only treat it as a job?
No – it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be just that.
While Mr. Mashima was finding students in silence, I saw some adults wearing work clothes who started setting up a special tent a bit farther away. I could also see a laptop on a long table.
At the urban sounds that didn’t match the rippling waves, the students began to look bewildered.
Mr. Mashima only uttered a cruel word, as if he was waiting for the air to change.
“So, Let’s go ahead with this academic year’s first trial.”
“Eh? Trial? What do you mean?”
In that moment, when this matter popped up, it wasn’t just those around Ike. It seemed like all the classes were ready to burst.
Till just now, no, even now, the students thought that it was just a class trip. They were gathering like they had been attacked unexpectedly. Our vacation in the summer holiday depended on the benevolence of the school. But this was, as I thought, just an illusion.
The change from relief to tension was too much.
“The duration period will be of one week. It ends at noon on August 7. From now on, you are going to live on this deserted island for one week. It is a test to see if you can live all together as a group. Furthermore, this special trial has been designed in reference to real life corporate training. Even before we start I am going to give you hints about what it takes to win this special test.”
“Since this island is deserted, there are no ships or boats, what will we do about accommodations?”
Class B and Class C that were close to Mr. Mashima hit him with this question.
“That’s right! Boarding a ship is not allowed without a justifiable reason. Living on this island requires you to consider everything, from sleeping place to meal preparation. The moment the test starts, each class will separately receive 2 tents and 2 flashlights. You will be provided with one box of matches. There is no restriction in supply of sunscreen cream. Each person will receive one toothbrush. As an exception, sanitary good are allowed without restriction only for girls. You can ask anything to your homeroom teacher. That’s all. What’s left now is to distribute the provisions.”
“Whaaaat? So to win this deserted island trial, I have to turn into a survivor? Now, it’s not the time to talk nonsense! This is not an anime or a cartoon!”
“We can’t sleep all together in just 2 tents! And what are we going to do about food? I can’t do this!”
Ike made a fuss in a loud voice so that everyone could hear.
Developing self-sufficiency while living in a desert island. Hunting wild animals for food, taking a bath in the river and streams and building our beds with tree branches. It was seriously like watching a movie or reading a novel. Who would have expected that it’d come the day in which our school prepared this kind of test? But there was no sign from Mr. Mashima that this was some kind of a joke. No! It seemed to me that he was no astonished at all. And then came his next words.
“It may not be to your advantage to know, but I will tell you a small piece of trivial information. This deserted island belongs to a big enterprise, the same that designed this very test. It is a top-secret operation, so nobody else knows what is happening on this island.”
“No…… way!!!!! So … This is not just some special operation. The island itself plays an important role in this whole thing. This is why it exists, being a test ground.”
“No way!! This can’t be happening!”
“Now, because it is against the rules, let’s stop.”
“So what Mr. Mashima told us about this island, only a part of it was true. In this world, there are many other forms of enterprises like our school that exist, and the training course can be changed suddenly. Your place in work is not just your chair on the office but also your ability to move forward by the cast of your dice, just like when your salary is decided.The world is much wider and deeper than you know.”
Watching Ike’s reckless moves, Ms. Chabashira said this in a voice like she was hurt and continued.
“In other words you get to draw the thin line between reality and unreality.”
Many students, not able to grasp the realisation of the situation, had a glum look on their faces.
“What is the meaning of this test… I bet you guys are thinking like this, now. Or you may doubt the very existence of this training program, but, students who are thinking like this will become adults with no possibilities in the future. You may think… Is this talk a basis to criticise with words like ‘You’re impossible’, ‘You’re ridiculous’? But you guys are just students. You are still nobodies and your worthlessness is equal among yourselves. Are you going to criticise the methods of a top class corporation? That would be ridiculous. To give you an example. In order to control a corporation, you have to rise to the top as the manager. If you were the president who runs a higher-ranking company than the one I cited, you may have the right to deny it. However, there shouldn’t exist a basis that seeks to deny lesser human beings, in the first place.”
Each of us, still in shock, having just heard only fragments of these words. Wishfully thinking that this whole thing is just a lie. But it was exactly as Mr. Mashima had said before. There is no point into being in denial. Starting to think selfishly, I realised my situation. I have to pass the election part of the trial first and stop thinking that ‘This is ridiculous’ or ‘This cannot be happening’. I should start by trying to understand the people near me. Should I approach them with humor?
“But, teacher… It’s supposed to be the summer holidays. And we came here with the pretext of a trip. Don’t you think taking part in a training survival test instead is foul play?”
Some students of the class finally remembered how to protest. This was followed by the others, too.
“I get it. You are not wrong about this point. I also understand your discontent and grumbling.”
Unlike with Ike, Mr. Mashima recognised a part of the objection by the students but did not make any trivial remarks. At that point everyone’s dissatisfaction was obvious. The process of arriving at this point, the sense of objection. The point that the viewpoints of the students and the teachers were different.
“But, do not worry. In this cruel every day life, to be coerced into rigorous criticism is quite common. When we say that this is a special trial test do not think of it too deeply. From now on during a week, you will swim in the sea, you will also have barbecues. I think it will be nice. You will be able to sit around campfires, talk with friends and develop relationships. That’s not too bad, right? The theme of this special test is ‘Freedom’.”
“Eh?? Eh??….. Freedom is the theme?…. We can also make a barbecue then???? And all this, is a part of the test? I feel confused…”
Even though it is a test, they chose ‘Freedom’ as the theme. As soon as the students heard about the theme, they felt more perplexed.
“This survival test on the deserted island is supposed to be of major importance. It has been decided that each class will be provided with 300 points. If you decide to spend these points wisely for one week, there is a possibility that you will enjoy this test like you are being on a trip. For this very reason we have prepared a manual. Mr. Mashima has made this manual by gathering info from various teachers for years, until it was big enough to be turned into a book. This book contains a list of how you can obtain points. Advises about every day necessities, drinking water or finding food, also about how to make a barbecue. About equipment, ingredients and how to prepare a meal, how to catch food from the sea, how to have enough food and water, how to fully enjoy your everyday life, how to gather various tools and how to use them in many occasions.”
Gradually the stern look on the students’ faces started to change.
“In other words, with these 300 points we will be able to have whatever we want? That’s right! We can obtain what we need by accumulating points! We may make it. If we make a proper plan of how to spend and how to accumulate points for one week, it’s not impossible! If we can live with these points for a week then truly this test will be like a vacation. More like it will be the closest thing that we can have to vacation.”
“But, teacher… You said this is a trial? Isn’t it supposed to have a level of difficulty?”
“No, there is no difficulty, it will not even affect the second semester, I guarantee it.”
“So… We just have to enjoy ourselves here for one week?”
“That’s right. Just enjoy yourselves freely. Of course, to live a community life with the minimum necessary, there must be rules you have to abide, so that this won’t be a difficult thing for you.”
“Should we assume that there is really no risk?’ If that is the case, then we should find out the real purpose of this trial…”
So we pretended like it is a simple summer vacation, like a class trip exchange in a loop. What is the meaning of this. I wonder… Thinking this and that. I do not think I have realised yet the meaning of school. But the next few words by Mr. Mashima made the purpose of this test more obvious.
“When this special examination is over, the points of each class that are left, will be added into each class’ general points. The points will be reflected when the summer vacation is over.”
These last words sounded like a gust of wind blowing into a midsummer beach. A cloud of dust soaring up to the sky.
There was no mistake, Mr. Mashima’s last words were the biggest blow today and it let us all thinking about them. A written test calculates the literary ability, in this test the superiority is determined by the class as a whole. Every time D class divided the points was put in a really tight place. That’s why this time we have to implement the rules perfectly, so that we make a difference. It seems that there is no significant disadvantage between A and D class.
“If we can endure for a week, then could we see our ‘pocket-money’ increasing substantially?”
That’s right, this is not a test in scholarly abilities, we compete for endurance in a form of a battle. While not rejecting the desire to win, we must endure patiently. So we must be able to reach high in the class rankings. Even Ike’s words were not just a dream.
“Each class will receive one copy of the manual. If somehow it is lost, a reissue is possible, but it will cost points. So, keep it safe. Again, there is one absent student from A class. Since this is a test that requires physical ability, even though the student retired due to poor health reasons we will extract 30 points from A class as a penalty. So, A class will begin with 270 points.”
A class was present, but they accepted the merciless blow. The students were trembling already with the sudden state of affairs. The other classes though, were surely looking surprised by the extraction of the 30 points.
The end of Mr. Mashima’s words signaled the end of the announcement. Each homeroom teacher was holding a megaphone and calling their respective classes, while trying to give supplementary explanations. We were gathering around our homeroom teacher Ms. Chabashira. The distance between the four classes became clear.
“From next month 30,000 points, From next month 30,000… From next month 30,000… Let’s do it!!!!!”
Ike and the others were building a triumphant pose. The girls looked delighted as they were discussing what things were needed. The biggest desire of D class is to accumulate more points. We just have to ignore living in luxury for one week. It is really simple in words.
“Now to all the members we will distribute wrist watches. You will wear it for one week until the end of the trial. You are not allowed to take it off. In case you take it off a penalty will be implemented. This wristwatch has not just an instant time-table, it can track body temperature, your pulse rate, it detects your movements and your senses, it also has GPS. It is equipped that way so that you can use it even in a state of emergency. If you find yourselves in a state of emergency, please push this button. These were given to us gracefully by the manufacturer thanks to Ms. Chabashira.”
As Class D was taking their tents, Ms. Chabashira brought the box to distribute the watches.
“When you say in a state of emergency… like when a bear appears?”
“To give you an example… This is a trial, you have to look left and right, then, there is a possibility that you may find the answer to your question.”
“Hmmm… telling me something like this, it is quite scary.”
Part 1(B)
Fate? Ms. Chabashira completely ignored Ms. Hoshinomiya’s significant words and their hidden meaning.
“Shut up! And quickly go back to B Class”
“Oh! Isn’t that Ayanokoji-kun? It’s been a long time~”
I didn’t have many opportunities to meet Ms. Hoshinomiya because unlike other teachers that I saw regularly in class, she was also the doctor of the school. I bowed lightly and replied:
“Summer is the season of love. If you want to confess to a man you like, maybe it could be effective if done before this beautiful sea?”
“The sea is beautiful but I can’t afford to do this during class”
She cried out. In view of the current situation, since everybody was staring, I wished she would stop getting involved with me.
“I have to take it easy”
“Oi, should I report this as a behavioural problem to the school upper authorities? There is no more time left”
“Ok ok, don’t glare at me like that…I understood, I really got it. See you”
She took her leave from Ms. Chabashira with a sad face. Just when Ms. Hoshinomiya went back to B Class, it was the only suitable time for Ms. Chabashira to bring up the subject.
“So, let’s explain the additional rules”
“Additional rules? There’s still something else…?”
“Shortly, you will be granted permission to roam freely, but several spots are provided in each part of the island. These spots will be recognized as places simply called ‘Rights of Possession’, and the class that will have them is entitled to exercise its own rights there. How to use them is a prerogative of the class that got the right. However, the right of possession has validity only for 8 hours from when it takes effect first after which the right is automatically revoked. It means that every time, you get the right to acquire another class. And you can get one bonus point each time you occupy one spot once. Even so, this one point is provisional and cannot be used during the trial. So, it will be settled and added up only at the end of the examination. Due to the school constantly monitoring the situation, there is no room for fraud regarding this rule. It’s better to pay attention to this last point”
“Well, then, isn’t that important? It’s fantastic to come to the point. Leave it all to us!!!”
Sooner than later, Ike begun to ask Yamauchi and others to go searching.
That’s also written in the manual in minute details. And various devices that indicated the right of possession were always prepared near the spots. We don’t know how many spots are on the island, but it can be said that they should be important factors in the trail. Still…
“I understand that you’re impatient, but this rule has a big risk. It’s about whether to make use of that risk, take it into consideration and check it. All is written in the manual, including that risk.”
As Ms. Chabashira suggested, the manual was written to clarify the special rules and additional rules all organized in bullet points.
An Exclusive Keycard is required to occupy a spot
You will get 1 point for each occupation. Occupied spots can be used freely
If you use a spot occupied by another class without permission, you will get a penalty of 50 points
The use of Keycards is restricted to the people who became leaders
Leaders cannot be changed without justifiable reasons
The above-mentioned are the general rules. Subsequently, there has been also Ms. Chabashira’s explanation, but it’s written that there will be a cancellation of ‘possession rights’ once every 8 hours and if some spots are unoccupied they can be seized simultaneously in several places, even if it’s the same class that holds them down repeatedly. It’s all permitted.
If one successfully occupies three spots repeatedly every 8 hours, he can get more than 50 points at the end of the trial. However, there is a big risk there.
Up to here, the rules are on a first-come-first-served basis. It seems to be a good mechanism if one possesses the same spots repeatedly by force. But, that’s impossible. There’s a rule written in the end about the reason.
On the 7th and last day, during roll call time, we’re entitled to the right of guessing another class’s leader.
In addition to this the classes, whose leader was caught, will lose all the bonus points they’ve accumulated so far. It was a rule that would make people hesitate in participating to the “occupation battle”, unless they had very great confidence.
“Without exception, you all get to decide one person who will be unquestionably the leader. However, you have the freedom to take part or not. If you’re not greedy and ambitious enough, you won’t become known as a leader and you will probably be over soon. When the leader is decided, please report it to me. In that occasion, we will provide a Keycard stamped with the leader’s name. You have a time limit, until today’s roll call. If you don’t decide by that time, we will decide at our own discretion here. That’s all”
In other words, even if you only stole a glance at the card, the embossed leader’s identity will surely be brought to light. With this, Ms. Chabashira’s explanation was over. The die was cast and then entrusted to the students. Hirata immediately set in motion.
“Later, there will also be time to think about who you should pick as a leader. But first, where will the base camp be? Whether we’re going to be on the beach or in the forest…we should think carefully about the spot”
Attached to the manual, was a simple map of the island. Only the size and the shape of the island were written there. The area and the inclination of the forest were absolutely unknown. I’d say this was more a blank piece of paper.
“It seems like we have to fill in the necessary parts by ourselves”
This was confirmed by the fact that a ballpoint pen has been prepared especially for this.
“It’s okay to have a spot near the ship where all the teachers are, right?”
“No, don’t be too sure. As I suppose, there are only few spots, so near here you won’t find anything”
If there’s no water, there’s no food too. Building a base here means that it’s possible it’ll end up being the farthest position from the place where we’ll get the resources. To make matters worse, during daytime the sunlight is very strong and the environment is rough. On the other hand, it seems like there’s also the risk of going too far in the forest.
“More importantly. First, I need a toilet. I can’t hold it anymore”
Sudou grabbed the simplified toilet assembled by Ms. Chabashira.
We assembled a one-touch tent, set it up at a short distance and then we went inside. Shinohara and others were looking at the situation while sitting huddled together, impossibly close. Ms. Chabashira took a step backward. She probably won’t take part in this anymore and we may now do as we like.
“Hey, Hirata-kun. Isn’t it better to decide ahead of time about what to do about the toilet?
Before long, things including the toilet will be necessary to other students too. The girls’ thought is reasonable.
“We could decide but, don’t we just have to grin and bear it now, do we?
“No, it doesn’t mean that there’s no other way”
Hirata, who had dropped his eyes on the manual, raised his face while saying this.
“In the manual it’s written that temporary toilets can also be purchased with points and then installed”
At those words Shinohara and others gathered together around him all at once and looked into the manual. The functions of a provisional toilet seemed to be impeccable, and seeing the reference pictures it compares favourably to the toilet at home because it’s flushable. If this is the case, the girls will consent enough. But the problem is that it needs 20 points per temporary toilet? It’s really difficult to judge whether it’s expensive or cheap.
“Absolutely Not! I mean I don’t really like that too…Even that, for me it’s impossible!”
A lot of girls, triggered by Shinohara’s remarks, agreed to that. For the girls, the presence of the toilets, may be better than food and water’s. They communicated well enough to show their intention of not budging an inch from there.
“Wait, wait a minute. You guys want to spend 20 points? Only for a toilet?”
Reacting acutely, Ike ached to tell that he was against it and wanted to save points. Just like other guys who could bear with the cardboard box toilet. It probably means that we should refrain from useless expenses as much as possible.
“About the toilet, yes it’s a good one. But we get this one too. Look! We have a lot of time to use points. It’s a bad idea not to save points now”.
“You can’t decide, because it’s Hirata-kun that will collect all the opinions and decide. Hey, Hirata-kun”
Ignoring Ike’s talk, Shinohara pleaded Hirata to buy a temporary toilet.
“That’s right…to have at least a decent toilet for girls would definitely be……..”
“You have the freedom to gather opinions but you can’t decide arbitrarily”
Ike looked at Hirata, who wanted to approve the toilet’s purchase, and hurriedly stopped him.
“AHH, STOP BUGGING PEOPLE. Karuizawa-san say something. We have the temporary toilets here”
Shinohara called out to Karuizawa, representative of the girls, asking for consent.
“Is that so? That’s going to be pretty rough. But I want the class points. It seems like I’ll have to bear with it too”
Unexpectedly, Karuizawa, who was likely to complain first, agreed to use the simplified toilet.
“The school will prepare the minimum necessary. I will endure it. There’s a river where we can bath, and if we use well this place, don’t you think it will come out okay?”
“That’s……Karuizawa-san!!!!”
If Karuizawa said so, there’s no way of going against her face to face, even though Shinohara is very self-assertive. That’s because majority of the girls is more attached to Karuizawa, so the influential voice has been by all means restricted only to her. Yukimura suddenly joined in the fight between Ike and Shinohara.
“I don’t understand the girls’ feelings of wanting a provisional toilet. However, I don’t accept that we use the points indiscriminately and/or arbitrarily object our opinions. If you want a provisional toilet, I’d want to tell you the decision after collecting at least the majority of the votes”
Sliding the glasses up his nose, he vented (his anger) with severe voice towards Shinohara.
“I….I am just making a natural request as a girl. Boys should mind their own business”
“A natural request? Mind our own business? That’s impossible to understand. Isn’t that simply discrimination?”
“WHAT! Discrimination….Ahhh my head hurts. Hirata-kun, get him off my back, ok?”
Probably they will never yield on the toilet and Shinohara, by herself, refused to back down.
“This test is a rare opportunity. A chance to fill in the points difference with other classes. Valuable points cannot be used for temporary toilets and such. I have no intention of staying in D Class forever. It’s out of question to follow whatever one would like to do personally like Shinohara. So here, I want to decide on a secure plan”
“Eh? About that, do you mean to suggest I wasn’t thinking about anything or the consequences?”
“If even a monkey can do it, one should be able to work here following the natural instinct. I hate that women operate according to emotionally charged arguments”
“Huh? It doesn’t mean that I want to use all the points indiscriminately. I meant that there has at least to be the minimum necessary things. Do you have the intention of only speaking in theory?
“Both of you calm down! I understand what Yukimura-kun is trying to say but if you talk so belligerently maybe you won’t resolve anything, will you? More calmly………..”
“Calmly? Under no circumstances should we use the points at our discretion?”
“That’s…”
Hirata-kun, who was caught in a dilemma between two people whose tension was rising, was desperately attempting to settle and organize things while trying to not to show his troubled face as much as possible.
“For Class D that has no leadership, the future is going to be unpredictable and dark. Besides, Hirata-kun who is a pacifist can’t decide on one thing decently, right?”
While I was watching over the situation from a little distance, next to me there was Horikita who sighed a little too heavily, after realizing that the situation wasn’t going to develop at all.
“It seems likely that this trial is going to be much more complicated and difficult to understand than we thought.”
Unusually, rather than being perplexed Horikita showed signs of being embarrassed.
“It’s a great opportunity to get points – and you’re okay with enduring it, right?”
Seen from profile, Horikita’s expression seemed to be a bit irritated rather than complex.
“I wonder. I’m not optimistic enough to say that it is easy at this stage. I’m the same as the others. I’ve never lived in such a place before so I can’t predict anything. I’m realizing the trial that seemed to be simple at a glance has changed greatly. I want to save the points we all share, but I can’t find good resolution. What an obscene trial.”
There were groups who decided to use points, groups who decided not to use points and groups who’ve decided to use every important point.
Even if they’re divided in a very simple way, the classes fell into these 3 categories. Furthermore, a small difference emerged from there as well. In other words, there was a strategic pattern which envisioned only the number of students in substance. It won’t be easy to face that fact in a class of over 30 people.
About the thick manual, as much as one can adjust himself according to those pages, at the same time, it also seemed to represent the difficulty of the class to be united.
From far away, Ms. Chabashira looked persistently at the confrontation between boys and girls with cold eyes, but not to the point of assessing them. After all D Class was a gathering of defective goods and was only going to fall.
Was it a suicide?
“What do you want to do?”
“I want to leave as much as one point like Yukimura-kun too. But I’m not confident I can live a week without satisfactory equipment. That’s my honest opinion. I think we should challenge ourselves, but how far can we bear it… How about you?”
“Mainly the same opinion. Everything is much unknown.”
“Look. By any chance, did A Class and B Class already settled with a story?”
We turned our heads to the voice of a flustered girl.
Although only a few minutes had passed, I could see several students from each class gathering together and going into the forest. Perhaps, they were going to look for spots or the best base-camp area. As if symbolizing their quality, we in D class and C class are still lacking in finding resolution. We couldn’t even properly make a start.
“Oh, shit. This isn’t time to be leisurely talking about toilet! I’m gonna do anything to protect my points. I’ll go find camp areas and spots. Yukimura, Shinohara and the others – don’t use points by yourselves.”
“Got it. We won’t.”
You couldn’t say that Ike and Yukimura were usually good buddies, but it looked like they would cooperate together if they had the same goal.
“Wait a bit Ike-kun. It’s dangerous to go inside the woods without a plan.
“Would staying here worrying solve everything? It won’t right?”
The feelings of going and staying were clashing with each other.
However, Hirata didn’t meet with the basis of persuading Ike and the others to stop their actions.
“I’ll come back as soon as I find a usable spot or site. After everyone moves there we’ll talk to each other. Easy-talk, right?”
Do Sudou and Yamauchi intend to search for a spot as well?
They had gathered around Ike who was losing his patience.
“Is Ayanokouji also coming?”
Sudou called out and met my eyes. I lightly shook my head and refused.
“I want the three of you to never act alone. If you get lost, it will be hard.”
It looked like Hirata realized it’s useless to stop overflowing vigor.
“I see. Well, find various things!”
Even so, it became hot with nothing blocking the sunlight.
Seems like we’ve dried up discussing in this place for a long time.
“At least, it seems tough to build a base here…”
Classmates started occasionally shrieking due to the heat and it looked like Hirata felt the toughness of making a base camp out of a beach as well. If this were a genuine camp, we’d have ways of setting up a parasol and turf tent, having fun swimming in the sea and protecting ourselves from the sun as much as we like, but in this condition even that was hard.
“Shall we move until we find a place with shade for the present? We can also talk while moving.”
Hirata took the initiative and started carrying the tent. The other guys jumped too.
“By the way … Did Sudou tidy up that toilet properly?”
One girl pointed at the toilet anxiously.
Someone said that when Sudou came out after doing his business, he was empty-handed.
At least inside that …
The sun was blazing down on the toilet left. The inside of the tent was certainly a steam bath.
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