The cafeteria buzzed with the usual midday energy—laughter echoing off the walls, trays clattering, and sunlight streaming through the tall windows in golden beams. At a table near the back, Sol Yoshida, Ryker, and Celica sat together, quietly enjoying their meal.
Sol leaned back in his chair, sipping from a juice box, while Ryker flipped lazily through a small paperback, barely glancing at the food in front of him. Celica scrolled through her phone, occasionally smirking at something only she seemed to find amusing.
The peace was short-lived.
"Yo! Sol Yoshida!"
The voice boomed across the cafeteria. King strode up with his usual confident energy, flanked by Shin, Amelia, Hiroshi, Arisu, Saki, and Mio Amagiri. It was like a mini parade arriving at their table.
King grinned wide. "Summer vacation's starting in two days. We're going on a picnic. You in?"
Sol raised an eyebrow. "You're asking me now?"
King laughed. "Better late than never."
Sol gave a light chuckle and nodded. "Yeah, sure. I'm in."
King turned toward Celica. "You too."
Celica smiled but crossed her arms. "Only if they're coming." She tilted her chin toward the nearby table where Aisa, Yumi, and Akira were seated.
King nodded. "Already asked. They're in."
Sol glanced at Ryker, who still hadn't looked up from his book.
"…But what about him?"
Celica glanced at Ryker as well, a knowing smirk on her lips. "That's the real question, isn't it?"
Ryker finally closed the book with a soft thump, leaned back in his chair, and looked at them with his usual unreadable expression.
The Truth Behind the Picnic
The academy courtyard buzzed with summer excitement. Students held umbrellas, coolers, and backpacks full of snacks. Laughter and chatter filled the air.
But then—
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound of heels echoed across the pavement. The students turned to see Aria-sensei, the ever-elegant yet mysterious teacher, walking in with her clipboard.
He stopped at the front of the crowd, eyes scanning every student with her sharp, calculating gaze.
"Hello, kids," Aria said, her voice as smooth as silk but carrying an undertone that made everyone quiet down.
A pause.
he smiled—but it wasn't a normal smile.
"Our picnic… is not a picnic," he said.
Murmurs rippled through the students.
"It's an adventure."
Everyone blinked.
"Adventure?" Yumi echoed.
"Correct," Aria continued. "You'll be traveling through an ancient forest, solving clues, completing survival trials, and working as a team to reach the final destination. No phones, no GPS. Only instincts, courage… and your partners."
Sol looked at Ryker. "Why do I feel like this is going to turn into a death game?"
Ryker sighed. "Because with this school... it probably is."
Amelia raised her hand. "Wait—what if we didn't sign up for this kind of picnic?!"
Aria checked her clipboard. "Page 7 of the permission slip, fine print. 'Adventure-style outdoor activity may replace picnic at staff discretion.' You all signed it."
Amelia: "Tch—Who reads the fine print?!"
Ryker muttered, "I should start reading things I sign…"
Aria gave one final grin. "Prepare yourselves. Buses leave in ten minutes. Welcome… to your real summer break."
The students gathered near the academy gates where several large buses waited, engines rumbling and ready to take off into the wilderness.
Aria-sensei stood before a board, holding a list.
Adventure Begins
The academy gates opened wide as sunlight poured over the courtyard. Students gathered in large clusters, buzzing with excitement. Bags packed, snacks stuffed in backpacks, and hats tilted against the summer glare—it was finally time for the annual "school picnic."
But no one expected what came next.
Aria-sensei, tall, sharp-featured, and notoriously unpredictable, stood before the students with a clipboard in hand.
"Listen up!" he shouted, his voice booming over the chatter.
Everyone fell silent.
"This isn't your usual picnic," Aria said with a sly smile. "This year's picnic... is an adventure."
A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd.
"Adventure?" Celica blinked.
Aria began reading aloud, flipping the clipboard.
"You'll be divided into four groups. Each group will face unique survival challenges in different zones of our destination island."
Cheers erupted. Some students looked nervous. Others, thrilled.
Aria continued, firm and clear.
Group 1 – 'Main Field Team':
Sol Yoshida
Celica
Amelia
Shin
King
Yumi
Akira
Arisu
Hiroshi
Mio Amagiri
Izumi
Tasuya
20 additional students
Amelia raised her hands. "That's what I'm talking about! This is the elite team!"
Shin glanced around. "Feels more like a tactical unit."
Sol smirked. "Guess we're carrying the front line."
Group 2 – 'Exploration Team':
Ryker Tensai
Aisa Nakamura
Ren Sudo
Luna Haruki
Kaede Mori
Reo Kanzaki
15 additional students
Celica turned. "Ryker's not in our group?"
Amelia scoffed. "As expected. They just shoved him into the side group."
But Sol frowned slightly, sensing something deeper. "No… that group's different."
Ryker stood quietly, scanning the group forming around him. Aisa walked beside him, calm and unreadable. The students joining them looked sharp, quiet, and oddly focused.
Aisa looked at Ryker. "Looks like we're not alone after all."
"Doesn't matter," Ryker replied. "As long as you're here."
Group 3 – 'Mountain Trail Team':
Mira
Lu
Daiki
Sakura
Zen
Kana
18 more students
"Ugh," Mira sighed. "Don't tell me we're hiking uphill the whole time."
Lu smirked. "Better than babysitting freshmen."
Group 4 – 'River Route Team':
Botan
Fuji
Nao
Riku
Sayaka
22 students
Fuji tossed his hat in the air. "Water adventure?! Count me in!"
Botan grinned. "I brought floaties just in case."
Aria-sensei snapped the clipboard shut.
"Each group will be dropped off at a different location. You'll regroup at sunset on the final day. Team leaders will receive survival kits and maps."
He paused, then added with a smirk, "Remember—this isn't just fun. It's training."
The buses rumbled to life. Backpacks were hoisted. Team leaders received their assignments.
Sol looked at his group. "Let's make it count."
Ryker glanced at the forest road ahead. "Let's see what kind of game this really is."
And so, the Summer Adventure began.
A thick forest stretched across the horizon—green, dense, and silent. Birds chirped high above the canopy, and the scent of damp earth filled the air. It was nothing like the students expected.
The buses stopped one by one at different zones.
Aria-sensei stood on a boulder, arms folded behind his back, as the wind rustled his coat.
"This is no picnic," he said. "This is a test. A survival simulation."
He gestured to the trees behind him.
"You must build a camp, find food, gather water, and keep your team safe. The forest is your classroom. Fail—and you'll learn the hard way."
Whispers rippled through the groups.
Sol narrowed his eyes. "So it's real training."
Ryker stayed silent, watching the treetops sway.
Aria pointed toward the slope leading into the forest trail.
"Each group is led by a captain. Group 1 – Amelia. Group 2 – Aisa. Group 3 – Mira. Group 4 – Fuji. Captains, you hold the maps. You're responsible for your team."
Amelia grinned, stepping forward with confidence. "Tch. Just give me the map already."
Aisa accepted hers silently, her gaze scanning the terrain.
Aria gave a final warning. "Work together. Or be left behind."
Group 1 – Forest Edge, Afternoon
Trees loomed above as Group 1 stepped into the foliage. The trail behind them faded fast, swallowed by the undergrowth.
Amelia took the lead, holding her map like a general. "We'll set camp near water. Shin, check the compass."
Shin adjusted his glasses, scanning the sun's position. "Northwest. A river's marked about 700 meters ahead."
King cracked his knuckles. "Leave the heavy lifting to me."
Celica brushed a branch aside. "Let's avoid wild animals, please."
Sol scanned the surroundings. "The forest's denser than expected. It's going to get dark fast."
Yumi walked beside Akira, fanning herself. "Ugh… I already miss air-conditioning."
Amelia barked orders: "Yumi, Mio, and Arisu—look for dry wood. King, Sol, and Akira—start clearing space for tents. Izumi, Hiroshi, and Shin—set up the fire pit."
Everyone moved swiftly, though the tension of the unknown loomed.
As they worked, Amelia muttered under her breath with a smile: "This is my territory now."
But deep in the woods, the sounds of snapping twigs echoed unnaturally.
Something—or someone—was watching them.