chapter 4
1035 Words
**Chapter 4】
— Loudspeaker: Good morning, students. It’s time to wake up. We will soon reach our destination. Enjoy the view—you might find it… evocative.
— Great. Just great.
I painfully pushed myself up from my bed. I had spent the whole night trying to come up with a plan to stay out of the island’s storyline, to avoid getting dragged into Haruki’s nonsense, and—most importantly—to avoid ending up alone with Ayanokoji.
Result: I fell asleep at 2 a.m., and now the loudspeaker was here to ruin my life.
I got up, took a shower, and after putting on my gym uniform, I headed to the assembly area where everyone was already lined up. Dozens of eyes turned to me—the latecomer—and I apologized before joining the group.
Chabashira-sensei briefly explained what awaited us and asked us to hand over our school terminals.
Of course, I handed over a fake one I bought with my points.
My real terminal was safely hidden in my room. And if anyone tried to break in, I would know immediately—I had placed tiny micro-cameras everywhere.
Once we reached the island, Hirata displayed his undeniable leadership skills.
— Hirata: Alright everyone, gather up. Let’s go over our points.
He summarized our resources and read what was written in the manual. Apparently, we could gain or lose points. And since I knew the anime, I also knew exactly what Rokusuke Koenji had in store for us.
Anyway, the group decided to spend a few points on essential items, while Yamauchi, Ike, and Sudo went to look for a campsite.
I stayed at a safe distance from everyone.
Hirata then suggested we take a break—which I didn’t mind at all.
But then the fatal moment came.
He asked for volunteers to scout for a camping spot.
Of course, Ayanokoji and Koenji volunteered.
But I did not.
Unfortunately, Hirata suddenly noticed me—like he had just remembered I existed—and walked toward me with his warm, benevolent leader smile.
— Hirata: Sakura, why don’t you join Koenji and Ayanokoji? You’ll surely be helpful.
Dozens of eyes focused on my small, nearly invisible self. Some students probably wondered where I had come from, since they had never noticed me before.
Naturally.
Intimidated but resigned, I timidly nodded.
And just like that, I found myself stuck with Koenji the Professional Tree-Climber and Ayanokoji.
If Koenji jumping from tree to tree looked weird in the anime, seeing it in real life was even more bizarre.
— Ayanokoji: Can you keep up?
He asked without any real concern—or at least that’s what I assumed.
I was running behind him at my own pace.
— Sakura: Yes! Keep going, don’t worry about me.
Especially don’t worry. And please get far away from me!
Lost in my thoughts, I tripped over a rock hidden under leaves and dirt, and fell face-first onto the ground.
Ayanokoji turned and held out his hand. He actually looked genuinely nice… too bad he wasn’t. And too bad he also knew way too much about me.
I grabbed his hand, and he helped me up.
Then he turned to Koenji, who was already sprinting further away.
— Ayanokoji: Koenji, wait for us—you’re going too fast!
— Koenji: There is no need to worry! A small forest like this is no match for me!
— Ayanokoji: What is that supposed to mean?
— Koenji: In the daytime, as long as the sun shines, the chances of getting lost in this kind of forest are extremely low.
And just like that, he dashed off.
Leaving me alone.
Alone.
With Ayanokoji.
Just him and me.
The two of us.
Together.
Cold sweat ran down my back just thinking about it.
— Sakura: Uh… I-I think we lost him…
— Ayanokoji: Yeah.
Great.
— Sakura: Let’s keep going. We’ll catch up eventually!
Even though I doubted it.
As I began walking, he suddenly grabbed my wrist. Startled, I turned toward him.
— Sakura: Uh… A-Ayanokoji? Is something wrong?
He looked at me with his usual unreadable calm.
— Ayanokoji: I’d like you to do me a favor.
Oh no. Here we go.
— Sakura: I—I have the right to refuse.
My timidity was taking over, but I tried to sound firm. It was a failure—my legs were shaking.
Why am I so afraid of people?
Was I even worse in my previous life?
— Ayanokoji: If you want to put yourself in a difficult situation, then yes.
— Sakura: That’s blackmail.
— Ayanokoji: I’m not forcing you. The choice is yours.
— Sakura: Fine… What do you want?
— Ayanokoji: I need your skills.
— Sakura: For what?
— Ayanokoji: I’ll tell you when the time comes. Be ready.
You bastard.
We continued walking while I fumed internally.
Who does he think he is? The protagonist or something!?
Does he think I’m his servant!?
Why me!?
It wasn’t supposed to happen like this!!
We soon reached a cave.
It looked familiar.
Yes! It was Class A’s cave from the anime!
— Sakura: Ayanokoji, look over there! It’s a cave!
Without warning, Ayanokoji grabbed me by the waist, pulled me down between his legs, and covered my mouth with his hand as he hid us behind a tree.
My face turned bright red—I was pressed against his chest. Much too close.
After a few seconds, he finally let me go and apologized.
— Sakura: W-What did you do!? Why so suddenly!? You scared me!
My face was still burning under his gaze.
— Ayanokoji: Sakura, I need your help. I want you to spy on Class A and secretly identify their leader for me.
Did he think I was some kind of ninja!? This wasn’t Mission Impossible!!
— Sakura: W-What!? Why me!? What if they notice me!?
— Ayanokoji: You’re the only person capable of doing it. And I’m sure you won’t disappoint me.
— Sakura: … Uh… Fine.
I gave up so fast…
— Sakura: But you’ll owe me, Ayanokoji. I’m helping you this time only.
Alone, you can fight against fate.
- Writer
