After the roll call, everyone started doing their own thing. I approached Hirata because I wanted to suggest an activity for the whole class.
"That's a great idea, Ayanokouji-kun. It might take away some stress for everyone," he said.
Every single student of Class B, apart from Kouenji, gathered around Hirata. Ibuki was watching, as well.
"Everyone, Ayanokouji-kun suggested something for the class to do later. After lunch, we would have a swimming party."
Our classmates gasped in surprise. A lot of the guys were visibly excited. We came to this island under the impression that we were going to have a luxurious summer vacation, so all of us brought our bathing suits.
"Hirata-kun, wouldn't it be cramped, though? There are too many people in the class," asked Karuizawa.
Forty people (including Ibuki) wouldn't be able to enjoy the river, especially if they wanted to go in at the same time. And besides, the shallow parts of the river aren't big enough to occupy all of us.
"Yes, you're right, Karuizawa-san. That's why we'll divide the class into two. Fifteen students will be here to play in the river and the remaining twenty-four will be swimming at the eastern beach," he replied.
"Hirata, Ayanokouji, you're not suggesting that we'll be spending points for this, right?" asked Yukimura.
His concern was absolutely valid. If that were to be the case, then we're no better than Class D.
"Don't worry, Yukimura-kun. We won't spend any points on this. That's also why we wanted everything to be ready by lunch. Since our base camp is looking pretty stable now, I want everyone to gather in groups so most of us can go search for more food. Ike-kun and the others will focus on fishing. Although we won't be able to buy anything to make things more fun, I think it'll be alright as long as we get the chance to play in the water. We'll have a lot of food to eat, as well. I wonder if everyone is okay with this?" With that explanation, everyone who was stressed out for the past couple of days should be down. A little bit of relaxation isn't too bad after all the hard work we put into making our base camp.
"I'm in!"
"Yeah, swimming time!"
"Let's do it~!"
Our classmates cheered and started forming groups. Hirata will be the one who'll lead the class to the beach with Makida and Okitani since they know the way. Meanwhile, I will be in charge of the group that'll swim in the river while guarding the campsite.
"Ibuki-san, do you want to come with us to the beach?" asked Hirata.
"I'll stay here," Ibuki answered curtly.
"I understand," he nods. "Then, we'd have fourteen students who will stay here, including Ibuki-san."
I instructed Kikyou to invite Ibuki in advance, mostly to keep an eye on her. But of course, any new information would help along with the things that Karuizawa has told me. Their group was assigned to search around the central parts of the island-- far away from my group.
"Ibuki-san, do you want to help us find food?"
"Huh, me?" Ibuki asked in surprise. "Sure, I guess. I owe you guys a lot by now, so I'll help."
"Great! Pleased to have you in our group!" Kikyou replied with a wide smile.
After they left, I immediately registered my name back on the device by the river. When the search party came together, I told everyone that I'll handle the spots alone so they could spend all of their time searching for food.
"Are you sure, Ayanokouji-kun?" asked Matsushita.
"Yeah. I'll be back at the base camp with you guys, so wait for me at the place I told you about."
Even Horikita agreed without a word. She knew that forcing herself to keep up with me will tire out her recovering body.
Without wasting any time, I ran towards the southeast. It's a completely new area to me, so I decided to explore it first. Unlike yesterday, I can finally run around without worrying about anyone else.
It didn't take too long before I reached the marked location on the map.
"It's not the most accurate pin, but it'll do," I muttered as I started walking around the huge live oak tree.
This place was a pretty obvious spot, but it's not an ideal place for a base camp. The forest area around it was filled with trees, but none of them were fruit-bearing. Not only that, you'd have to cross a steep rocky terrain if you want to reach the ocean without taking a long way around or opting for the eastern beach.
"There it is..."
I finally found a small wooden plaque that wasn't too far away from the tree itself. After registering my key card, I made haste towards the edge of the island.
Following the way up north, I ended up on the beach and sprinted full-speed. Upon reaching the rock tunnel, I reinvoked our right of exclusive possession on the device.
After trailing the same path we took yesterday, I coincidentally saw Karuizawa and some of her friends along with Hirata and a couple of boys. As expected, they were trying to find food like the others. I slipped past them by going around the north and arrived before the hill's foot, just beside the river.
Upon reaching the top, I rested my body as the strong rays of sunlight clashed with the powerful gust of wind. I took my shirt off and stayed there for a couple of minutes.
After settling everything, I rushed back down and ran towards our rendezvous location. I briefly looked at the clock and noticed that three and a half hours have passed.
3rd Day, 12:05 PM.
"Ah, he's here!" Onodera was the first one to notice my arrival.
"Oh, welcome back, Ayanokouji!" said Okitani.
"Man, you look beat..." Makida commented after seeing my drenched shirt and ragged breath.
"Well, I am beat..." I replied.
"Are you alright, Ayanokouji-kun? How many places did you go through to be this worked up?" Horikita asked with a slightly concerned expression.
I observed the decent harvest in their hands while pondering about my answer.
"Hmm... first up was the spot by the river, of course. After we split up, I occupied a new spot near the big live oak tree on the southeast. Then, I ran to the rock tunnel by the eastern beach for the other spot. Lastly, I went up the hill where Horikita and the others found the spring and re-occupied the spot that Ken and I found yesterday," I narrated. "So that's four spots in total."
The five of them listened with dumbfounded faces.
"You... did all that...?" asked Onodera.
"I think I saw the big live oak that you were talking about back on the ship... Wasn't that near the edge of the island...?" asked Okitani.
"Are you serious...?" added Makida.
"We thought that you just went to the rock tunnel and ran back..." Matsushita smiled bitterly.
Well, their shock was justified. But to be honest, the island was pretty small. I took this long due to the natural obstacles. As someone who isn't familiar with the outdoors, they really slowed me down.
After regaining their composure, Horikita gave me some news.
"Hirata-kun and the others took two of the boys' tents. Most of them went back early to prepare their place at the beach."
"I see, that's good. It's already past 12 o'clock. We should head back and eat lunch, too."
We had enough food to last until the swimming party is over. And even if we didn't, we had enough reserve budget to order a meal set, all thanks to the corn.
After we got back, Chabashira-sensei supervised us with her usual expression. Even if most of my classmates were playing around at the beach right now, she was still here. It indicates the significance of our base camp.
Seven boys were left to enjoy the river. The same number can be observed for the girls in our class-- eight if we include Ibuki, who's from a different class.
I didn't change my clothes yet, but of course, I plan to join my classmates soon. It's not a matter of wanting it. I need to join them.