—"Incredible! I seriously can't believe this..." Matsushita said, clearly irritated by the situation.
—"Although it kind of feels like a camping trip, doesn't it?" Satō commented, her characteristic optimism shining through.
—"Camping? Surviving on an island with no bathrooms, no beds, and bugs everywhere sounds like camping to you, Satō?"
—"Well, I think it's pretty great. I mean... we can buy all sorts of things with the points they gave us! We bought a bathroom! Isn't that wonderful?"
Yes, as you can probably imagine, we were right in the middle of another special exam.
They call it The Deserted Island Exam. The rules were simple... or at least, that's how they seemed at first.
Survive seven days on this island.
Each class was assigned 300 class points, which we could spend on anything in the catalog: food, gear, basic services, luxury items (yes, there's a hammock for 20 points if anyone wants to die in style), whatever.
We could save those points or spend them, but for a class like ours, with few points accumulated during the year, these 300 points were all we had to stay alive... and to win.
Oh, and of course, there were more rules:
Violence is forbidden.
If someone quits, even due to illness, the class loses 30 points.
Each class must choose a leader, who receives a special card.
With that card, the leader can claim zones of the island as control points. Each occupied place gives bonus points, and every eight hours we can renew them for more. But beware: only the leader can use the card.
And here comes the most interesting part:
If another class discovers our leader's identity, we lose 50 points, and they gain 50.
So yes... this isn't just a survival game.
It's a game of deduction, strategy, and of course... deception.
Sounds fun, right?
Well, not for me. I just want to go home.
...
Day 2 since the exam began.
Yes, it's been more than 24 hours since they left us here, and honestly... it feels like an eternity.
There are a few things worth mentioning.
First: we managed to find a place to settle. It's right next to a river that, according to Ike, has completely drinkable water.
He says he's camped many times with his family and can distinguish safe water from explosive-diarrhea water (his exact words)... and well, we believe him. For now.
I mean, the guy spoke with such confidence that he looked like he was born in a tent. I really want to distrust him, I really try, but when your throat is drier than a rice cracker... any liquid starts to seem like a blessing.
Second point:
Sleeping in a group is an experience close to medieval torture.
Did you know Sudō snores like he has a diesel engine embedded in his chest?
And that's not even the worst part. The guy moves in his sleep more than a worm dancing reggaeton. At midnight, I found him hugging Ike, muttering his basketball team's name. Seriously, I want to sleep alone again... for the sake of my sanity.
Now, moving to a slightly... more worrying note:
Matsushita and Satō are having a rough time.
Not surprising.
The environment, the heat, the mosquitoes, dirt under the nails... it's a brutal combo. And even if I sometimes forget, there are things girls have to endure in these conditions that we don't. Like "those" days of the month.
If they happen to coincide, discomfort levels go straight to nightmare mode.
Matsushita is already on her second day with dark circles under her eyes, and she's always been the type to care about her appearance like her life depends on it.
—"I'm going to sue the school for attacking personal aesthetics," she muttered today, looking at herself in a tiny pocket mirror, completely resigned. "I'm not made for this environment. Seriously."
—"Cheer up, Matsushita~! I'm sure no weird bugs will bite you today either!" Satō tried to cheer her up, still radiant as if she were in a magical girl anime.
—"Was that supposed to be comforting or a curse in disguise?" Matsushita growled, fanning herself with a leaf she found nearby.
Despite everything, Satō remained upbeat.
I don't know how she does it. Maybe she's the only one among us actually enjoying this infernal camp.
—"Look at the sky, it's clear. Isn't it beautiful?" she said this morning, smiling and stretching as if she were on a beach, not surrounded by mud, mosquitoes, and an Ike refusing to wash his feet.
Honestly, seeing her so optimistic is comforting... though a bit irritating when you haven't slept at all.
Day 2, and exhaustion is already setting in.
Seven days sounds easy on paper. But here, in the middle of nowhere, where everything costs points, energy, or patience... each day feels like a week.
I wonder how Matsushita will be on day 7.
And me... well, if I survive one more night without Sudō kicking me in the face while asleep, that'll already be a victory.
...
—"Sensei... what does this letter mean?" I asked, approaching Chabashira-sensei while showing her a red piece of paper I had found... at the top of a tree.
Yes, at the top of a tree.
Don't ask how I got up there. When you have too much free time, you start doing things that defy both logic and common sense.
Chabashira-sensei raised an eyebrow as she took it. Her eyes scanned it for a second... and then, to my surprise, she let out a small laugh.
A laugh.
From Chabashira-sensei.
Did I just witness a supernatural phenomenon!?
—"Well... I didn't think anyone would find one of these," she said, smiling softly. For Chabashira's standards, that was basically a chuckle.
—"One of these?" I repeated, confused.
—"Yes. They are special letters placed randomly around the island. Depending on the color, the reward changes. The red ones are pretty rare, so you probably got something good."
She handed the letter back and nodded toward me.
—"Go on, open it. You deserve to know how valuable your monkey-climbing instincts are."
With my heart beating a little faster, I carefully unfolded the letter. Inside, in large, clear letters, it said:
"A three-person tent with mattress included."
Silence.
Then, an emotional explosion.
—"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH, THANK YOU GOD!!!" I collapsed to my knees, hands raised to the sky as if I had just won the heavenly lottery.
—"Looks like you hit the jackpot, huh?" Chabashira-sensei remarked with a half-smile, arms crossed. "Though if you share that tent with Sudō, I'm not sure it'll still feel like a blessing."
—"Don't worry, sensei! I'll sleep alone... with space to stretch like a starfish! God never fails!"
I caressed the letter as if it were a sacred relic. After a night sleeping on rocks, roots, and Ike's knee invading my personal space... this tent was the equivalent of a five-star hotel.
—"I love you, God. I never doubted you. Not for a second."
And so, armed with my new tent, I headed toward the camp after receiving this divine blessing.
Tonight... tonight I will truly sleep like a king.