"I see... then why don't you just withdraw?" I asked, sitting down next to her and crossing my arms. "I don't think anyone would mind. I mean, it's not something you can control."
"Of course I'm not withdrawing," Horikita replied with a seriousness that could intimidate a tiger. "It would be an unnecessary loss of points."
"Yeah, sure, but you could make things worse, you know? The weather's getting colder, and if it rains, your condition will deteriorate. Eventually, you'll end up leaving anyway, just more miserable," I said, pointing at her accusingly.
"I already said no," she retorted, averting her gaze as if simply ignoring me would be enough to close the matter.
I sighed dramatically.
"Sigh~ You're really stubborn, aren't you, Horikita? I should put you in a cage and write a study on human stubbornness."
Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her face pale and sweaty, and her eyes somewhat clouded. No medical degree needed to figure that out.
"Can you take your hand off my forehead already?" she growled, holding my wrist with disdain.
"Sorry, I just wanted to see if you were about to fry an egg or just about to faint," I replied with a half-smile.
"And how high do I have it?" she asked, resigned.
"Mmm... I'd say around 38, maybe close to 39 degrees. Congratulations, you've won this month's fever award. Medical recommendation: withdraw."
"I already said I'm not withdrawing," she repeated, pressing her lips together.
"I knew it. In that case, at least rest. You stay firm, but your body is sending out 'national emergency!' signals," I said, imitating a siren with my mouth.
"I will..." she murmured, closing her eyes for a moment.
I got up from the tent, stretching lazily, and stepped outside. The air was cool, though not cool enough to revive a girl with a fever.
I stood there for a while, looking at the camp. Without Horikita to scold me or glare at me with murderous intent, I felt... strangely bored.
"Well, I suppose I'll visit Class A. Surely they're plotting some elegant conspiracy while drinking expensive tea and laughing with British accents," I muttered to myself, putting my hands in my pockets as I walked away calmly.
...
A cave.
That was Class A's shelter.
"Wow, those bastards are lucky," I murmured, observing from a distance.
It was a strategic location: natural, spacious, with an easily defensible entrance. They probably had some device inside. Perfect for keeping warm, staying dry... and best of all, they didn't need to spend on tents.
A masterstroke for saving points.
But then I noticed something important:
There wasn't a single river nearby.
No pond.
Not even a measly puddle from the rain.
In short: zero access to natural water.
Which meant they had to buy it. And a lot of it.
So, although this cave looked like paradise compared to our floating tents, it also had its drawbacks. Luxury comes at a cost, even when it comes in the form of stone and humidity.
"Well..." I shrugged. "Why not take a closer look?"
I approached the entrance. A tarp hung over the mouth of the cave, probably to block curious eyes and retain heat at night.
Curious, unable to resist temptation, I peeked inside. No one was in sight.
"Are they looking for food? Devices? Playing hide-and-seek?" I murmured.
The cave was completely empty. Unusual negligence for meticulous Class A.
Without thinking much—as always—I pulled the tarp aside and entered.
Dark, cool, silent.
And... full of stuff.
Water bottles stacked as if awaiting the end of the world, cans of food neatly organized in boxes, sleeping bags aligned with almost military precision. Honestly, it looked like a mini survival store.
"But... how the hell do they have so much?" I scratched my head. "They're Class A—they should be trying to maximize points, not spending them on an emergency buffet..."
I stood there for a while, contemplating their little survival empire, until—
"Looks like we have an intruder," a female voice said suddenly from behind me.
I won't lie. I got scared.
Just a little.
...Okay, quite a lot.
A ton, actually.
I jumped so high I almost hit my head on the cave ceiling.
I spun around, and there she was: a girl with her uniform slightly disheveled, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised as if deciding whether to kick me out or bury me alive among the cans.
"Hi..." I said, raising my hands in peace. "Is this the free tour service or am I already in trouble?"
"What nonsense are you saying?" the girl snapped, frowning with an intensity that could split a rock. "Anyway, what are you doing in here? Didn't you see the tarp? Impossible."
Her tone was so cold and sharp that I felt like wrapping myself in a blanket... and running away.
"I'm just an innocent bystander, that's all," I raised my hands as if being arrested. "I was passing by, saw a mysterious cave, got curious... you know, typical stuff. But I'm leaving, don't worry."
I turned to leave with my dignity still somewhat intact, but just as I passed her, her hand gripped my shoulder firmly.
"Wait. You haven't stolen anything, have you?" she asked, her gaze so serious even Horikita would have applauded.
"Me? Steal? Please, with these clothes, it's impossible to hide even a pack of gum," I said, pointing at my tight, slightly dirty, conspicuous uniform. "Unless you want to check my socks, of course..."
"I don't believe you," she muttered, and without warning, began patting me with both hands. "Let's see... the stomach... the chest..."
"Hey, hey, hey!" I complained with a mischievous smile. "I know I'm irresistible, but if you wanted to touch me, you could've just asked me to dinner first."
"Shut up," she replied without flinching, her voice flat as a sheet of paper. "This is an inspection, not a game."
"Inspection? I feel like I'm at the airport, only the security agent is way more attractive," I commented, winking at her.
She didn't even blush. Not a single eyelash twitched.
Imperturbable like an icy Japanese statue.
"Will you finish quickly, or do I have to take off my shirt too? Because if that's the case, I need to know if I charge admission."
"If you keep talking, I'll take it off myself," she said seriously, not removing her hand from my torso.
"Ohhh, so direct. I'm starting to think you actually want me to stay," I smirked, leaning slightly toward her. "But sorry, I usually charge for this kind of service."
"I see... a flirtatious idiot," she sighed, disappointed. "You give me a headache."
"Well, if you need an aspirin, I have some in my backpack. I can give you one... with a smile included."
"Shut up. Go. Before I change my mind and tie you to a stalagmite."
"Sounds tempting. But unfortunately, I have things to do, people to annoy, and less dangerous caves to visit. See you, sexy Class A inspector."
I turned and left quickly before she could hit me with a can of tuna. Though I won't lie... part of me was tempted to go back just to keep teasing her.
Too bad that part of me also has common sense. Sometimes.