"Aha! I spot another ship ahoy!" Yuuki cried out from behind us. His team looked to have finally copied our strategies, as they were all sitting on the edge of the raft now, catching up. Rantaro allowed us to rest from paddling for a while since the water still seemed calm and our arms were getting tired.

Yuuki's raft continued to catch up as everyone paddled at their own pace until we were side by side. "Ahoy there, friends," the hero waved excitedly.

"Yuuki, what are you doing?" Rantaro asked while rolling his eyes and chuckling quietly.

"Nothing, nothing," Yuuki laughed. "We just thought we'd..."

"NOW" Bashira shouted, suddenly dipping her paddle into the water and raising it into the air, splashing our entire boat with cold river water. Their entire raft burst into giggles as we sat there, absolutely drenched.

"Oh, you're on," Saikoro grinned, suddenly bringing his paddle into the water as well, and the splash war had begun. 

I couldn't help but laugh and giggle as we all splashed one another. I even joined in on the fun, reaching my paddle into the water and splashing Ruji, which in turn made the ghostbuster gasp and splash me back. 

The whole scene reminded me of water balloon fights from my sweet, carefree childhood. Everyone was having fun. I even saw a soft smile on Daiki's face as Kichiro splashed at us with more force than I thought possible from a guy so small.

"Alright, alright," Yuuki eventually breathed. "We actually came here to ask you guys about something."

"What is it?" Rantaro asked.

Yuuki took out his monopad and scrolled over to the map. He used his finger to swipe at it briefly, then turned the tablet so it was facing us. "There's a fork in the river. Both sides meet up at the dock eventually, but... I don't know. You're the adventure expert. Which way should we go-"

"Left," Rantaro answered almost immediately. "The river looks generally wider on the left, which likely means less intense rapids. So that's probably our safest option."

"Oh, smart, smart!" Yuuki smiled. "We should probably get going, then. It's a long way to the dock, and I don't want to be out here in the dark!"

"Sounds good," Rantaro. "Everyone, all forward."

Everyone in my raft paddled forward in sync as he left Yuuki's raft behind. They looked at us in awe, as if our speed and responsiveness impressed them somehow.

We ended up getting so far ahead of them that they were nothing more than a small dot on the horizon. When I asked Rantaro if it would be safer to wait for them, he shook his head and said we needed to focus on getting our boat to the dock. Yuuki was a good man and would be able to pull them through if anything were to go wrong. I felt a little nervous about leaving the others behind, but I didn't doubt that Yuuki could take care of them, so we continued forward until the water turned from clear to white.

"These are class two rapids," Rantaro explained. "Nothing too dangerous, but be alert."

"How many classes of rapids are there?" Ahmya nervously asked while struggling to hang onto her paddle. 

"Six," Rantaro explained while steering to keep the raft facing forward. "Class one is smooth water. Class two is moderately easy to navigate. Class three is more difficult, usually featuring larger waves and narrower passages. Class four is considered difficult and it often requires powerful and precise maneuvering. Class five is incredibly difficult and violent. And class six is... well..."

"Bad?" Sora asked, keeping his eyes forward and his paddle in the water.

"Yeah. Bad," Rantaro answered.

Ahmya shivered as her grip on her paddle tightened.

"Not to worry, though!" I added, hoping to put the arsonist at ease. "These are just class two. We're still doing fine. We probably won't have to deal with much worse."

I knew I was lying, though. Monokuma was cruel and heartless. Knowing him, we were probably going to have to deal with class sevens or something, if those even existed. But I didn't want to worry Ahmya any further.

As we continued rowing, water splashed and crashed against our raft. Luckily, Rantaro was able to guide us away from any sharp rocks and lead us down the smoothest paths possible. He made loud and clear commands, which we all followed to the best of our abilities.

We didn't meet anything worse than a class three, according to Rantaro. Sometimes, things got a little sketchy, but we pulled through. It was actually kinda fun if I was being honest. I couldn't help but giggle whenever the cold water splashed my side of the boat, drenching me and Brittany, who was sitting right in front of me. The way she squealed in delight reminded me of a child at a waterpark being shot by a water gun. Although, occasionally her long blue hair did blow into my face. 

Things seemed to actually be going fairly well. The whole outing felt less like a punishment and more like a group-bonding experience. Everyone seemed to be having fun except for Ahmya. Even Sora and Saikoro were singing what sounded like terrible sea shanties at the front of the boat as they rowed. 

All seemed well in the world until Rantaro muttered a quiet "Uh oh."

"Uh oh?!" Ahmya gasped. "Why are you saying uh oh?! There shouldn't be an uh oh! Are we sinking?!"

"Relax," Rantaro breathed. "I just... look ahead. The river splits."

"Oh," I said, my shoulders relaxing. "Well, let's just head left, then."

"That's the thing," Rantaro breathed. "There's... a class five drop in front of it. See the way the river briefly narrows? There's a dropoff-"

"WHAT?!" Ahmya cried, sitting up and looking over at the drop we were heading toward. "NO! NO WAY! THOSE AREN'T RAPIDS. THAT'S A WATERFALL. LET'S JUST GO THE OTHER WAY-"

"Calm down," Rantaro hushed. "The other way is narrow. And it's full of class four waves back to back. I think this is the safest option. Besides... we've all been working fairly well together. I think we can handle it-"

"Easy for you to say!" the arsonist cried. "You're the ultimate adventurer. You do things like this all the time. I don't! I set things on fire. We don't even have life vests! Are you TRYING to get us killed? Is that what this is? Is this your plan for murder? Is-"

"Ahmya, please breathe," I begged. "Just look. The water is a little rough afterward, but it's much calmer than the other way. If Rantaro says this is our best bet... then this is our best bet."

"But-"

"She's right," Sora smiled, turning to face her. He gave her a happy grin and a thumbs up. "Sometimes, you gotta live on the edge a little. Otherwise, you might spend your whole life trapped in choppy water."

"Oh, that's good my high-flying friend," Saikoro grinned. "I'm writing that down when we get out of this. It sounds like a wonderful way to manipulate future contestants into taking a risk."

"Taking a risk?" Brittany asked.

"Yeah. Shows aren't fun to watch unless they involve risk," Saikoro chuckled. "Like this risk we're about to take together. The only question is, will it pay off? Or will we suffer the consequences?"

"It'll pay off," Rantaro said, sounding more determined than he ever did before. "Now everybody listen carefully. You have to do exactly as I say, alright?"

We all nodded and gripped our paddles as we approached the falls. They weren't too massive, but they definitely made my heart start to swell with anxiety. The amount of pure power that flowed over that dropoff was enough to put anyone on edge.

"I don't want to do this, I don't want to do this," Ahmya whimpered, pressing her eyes shut and clutching her paddle.

"You'll be okay-" Rantaro started.

"Burn!" Ahmya cried. "I hope you burn forever! I hate you!"

She was crying now. I wanted to reach over and comfort her, but we had to focus. Besides, she didn't seem like the kind of girl who was comforted by touch. I didn't know how to help her besides staying focused and listening to Rantaro's commands.

"Okay, left forward," Rantaro shouted, ignoring her insults as the rush of the waves began to overpower his voice. He wasn't the quietest, but it was getting harder and harder to hear him by the minute.

I stuck my paddle in the water and began to stroke with all my might. With the water speeds picking up, it became harder and harder. Still, we were all working in sync. 

"Good work, now all forward," Rantaro commanded. "And when I yell to get down, everyone get inside the raft and brace yourselves!"

"Got it!" Sora yelled, informing Rantaro that the front of the boat had heard him. 

We continued to row, going closer and closer to the falls. 

The water was a muddy brown color mixed with white. It wasn't pretty by any means. 

It was powerful, violent, and deadly.

We could all die right here. Together.

Would dying together be better than continuing this killing game? I mean, it was terrible, but at least we'd all be in the same boat, literally. It wouldn't be so lonely...

No, I couldn't think that way. We weren't going to die. We were going to make this drop. We were a boat filled with ultimates. 

The ultimate pilot, the ultimate gameshow host, the ultimate arsonist, the ultimate fantasy football player, the ultimate daydreamer, and the ultimate adventurer. If anyone could make this drop, it was us. 

"Steady," Rantaro breathed, standing up and keeping us heading straight forward using both his paddles to steer. "Steady..."

We drifted closer and closer to the falls until our raft started to point downward.

"GET DOWN!" the adventurer shouted as the raft started to tumble down the falls. 

Everything happened in a flash. I felt Rantaro's hand grasp my shoulder as he shoved me into the boat. I grasped the sides while holding onto my paddle tightly in an attempt to brace myself. 

Less than a second later, the entire boat was submerged in water. Water so cold that it sent a jolt throughout my entire body.

The water was violent and strong. I could feel the currents start to rip me from my seat, but I made sure not to let it. I used all the strength I could muster to brace myself and stay in the raft.

We resurfaced with the front of the raft facing toward the sky. Sora and Saikoro let out a cry as their end of the raft shot up, and I was worried the entire boat would flip over.

"First mates, lean forward!" Rantaro cried.

Sora and Saikoro both nodded and leaned forward, bringing the front of the boat back down to the water with a splash, and that was the end of it.

We made it.

We were all absolutely drenched from being completely submerged in the water, but we made it. 

"Alright!" Sora exclaimed, giving Saikoro a high-five. The two of them stood up and took their places on the edge of the raft again, laughing victoriously. I couldn't help but smile and look back at the falls we just crossed over. It was by no means a huge waterfall. Probably twenty feet tall at the most. But it was powerful. It was mighty. 

And we made it over.

"Here," Rantaro said, grasping my arm and helping me back to my seat. I quickly gave him a smile, then took my place and looked around. Brittany was squeezing some of the river water out of her long blue hair and giggling. 

"I lost my paddle," she laughed. "But that was fun!"

"We'll manage," Rantaro smiled. "Good work every..."

He suddenly paled, then frantically ran his eyes over the raft.

"Rantaro?" I asked, noting the sudden change in attitude. "What is-"

"Ahmya," he whispered, turning around and looking back at the falls.

My eyes widened as I finally realized that one of our party was missing.

The water was still white and turbulent below us, like a raging tornado. We may have been on the boat, safe from its grasp, but that deep water was a force to be reckoned with. Even without any towering waves, no sane soul would dare to take a plunge into that treacherous abyss.

"Here," Rantaro said, handing me both his paddles. Before I could even argue, he dove into the water and started swimming toward the falls.

Sora, Saikoro, Brittany, and I each gasped and watched as Rantaro kept swimming off toward the more violent water. Even the strongest swimmers would surely have trouble in there. 

"Rantaro!" I cried. "Wait! Come back-"

"Keep the boat in place!" he yelled between breaths. "I think I... I see..."

He shook his head, then dove down into the water, disappearing from our sight. The water was too muggy and he was too far for me to even see him. I knew I couldn't go after him, though. I wasn't a particularly strong swimmer, and one of the first rules of pool safety was to never jump in and become another victim. 

"Okay..." I breathed, taking hold of both his oars. "Um... right forward!" 

What was left of the crew seemed to hesitate, but nodded and did as I said. Rantaro had yet to resurface, but I wasn't about to leave him behind. Not like this. We needed him. We needed Ahmya. We needed to make it out of this with everyone.

Once we got the boat turned around so we were facing the falls again, I changed the command to all forward. It was hard to row against the current, but we slowly made our way closer and closer to where I saw Rantaro dive down.

"Alright, row a little slower," I commanded, shivering from the cold river water that soaked my hair and clothes. "We need to try and stay in place for when they come back."

"You mean if they come back?" Saikoro corrected.

"No!" I shouted. "When!"

They were going to come back. They had to come back. 

I couldn't lead this rafting voyage. We needed Rantaro. 

"Rantaro!" I shouted, leaning over the boat and looking into the water. There was no response. I could hear nothing but the thundering from the falls. 

Was the risk worth it? 

I shook my head and began to get teary.

Were we really down to ten students already?

What if something went wrong with the other boat? We'd be down to four. What if Ruji and Daiki were dead? 

What if this was all part of Monokuma's plan? Getting rid of the ultimate adventurer this way probably had him rolling around laughing. He did love to laugh at our despair.

"Rantaro," I whispered. "Please-"

"I SEE HIM!" Sora yelled. "Wait, one second!" 

The ultimate pilot thrusted his paddle into the water and lifted it up. Rantaro had grasped onto it as Sora pulled him above the surface, revealing Ahmya with her arm wrapped around Rantaro's waist. Saikoro helped the pilot pull the two of them into the boat as I let out a cry of relief.

"Rantaro!" I gasped, stumbling across the boat and wrapping him in a soaking-wet hug. "Oh thank goodness, you're alright!"

He coughed out some water and nodded, briefly patting my back before pulling away and kneeling down to Ahmya's level. The arsonist had let him go once she was pulled into the boat and sat in the center, hugging herself and shivering. I was surprised she was still conscious after being under for so long.

"Home..." she whimpered. "I want to go home..."

"Shh," Rantaro whispered. "We're okay now. We're okay..."

She didn't nod or shake her head. She simply continued whimpering about how she wanted to go home.

"Suki, can you lead us away from the falls?" Rantaro asked. "I need-"

"On it," I nodded, giving him a brief salute. "Let's get this turned around. Left forward."

Sora, Saikoro, and Brittany nodded, then started to turn the raft around and paddle forward as Rantaro stayed with Ahmya to calm her down. We were lucky enough to only have to deal with class two and occasionally class three rapids from then on.

"Home," Ahmya kept whimpering, wincing whenever the raft went over waves that were just slightly too rough for her taste. "I want... I'm scared..."

"I know," Rantaro repeated, his voice low and gentle."I used to be scared of rafting too. In fact... I was scared of all kinds of things."

"I'm scared," she shivered, tears covering her cheeks. "I... Bashira, where's Bashira? She doesn't get scared."

"We all get scared. You just did something incredibly brave, though," he nodded. "Something you never thought you could do before. And you survived."

"Survived..." she whispered.

"Yeah," Rantaro nodded. "Survived. If anything, you should be renamed to be the ultimate survivor."

She shivered, then finally looked up at him. A small smile made its way through her tears as she bowed her head and chuckled.

"Ultimate survivor? That sounds stupid..."

"It sounds pretty awesome to me," he replied, smiling slightly as well. "I'd love a title like that."

"It is pretty cool," I agreed. "In fact, I think you both deserve that title. Let's hear it for Ahmya and Rantaro, the ultimate survivors!"