Third Person's Point of View

IKE POPS OUT OF THE RIVER as he sees the others gather around.

"This is it! Don't you think it's the best spot ever?" They didn't need to agree as they all complimented the clean and fresh scenery that's taking over their breath. Several sparkles reflect the glow of the river.

"The water's so clean here!" Karuizawa said and sent them a smile. Hirata smiled as well.

"Thank you, guys! You're pretty amazing Ike."

"I know."

A lot of students began to crowd the river's side. Kiyotaka turns his head to see a tree having a possession device. Hirata then began to announce.

"So assuming we want to set up our base camp right here, we had better discuss taking possession of it."

"We should, shouldn't we? If we do it we can get unlimited access to the river and else we get points every eight hours."

Hirata nodded with a suggestive look.

"Although it isn't quite as simple as that. The leader's got to renew possession to get those points." Karuizawa suddenly got worried then she glanced at Kiyotaka and Axel.

"That's right. If another class sees them do it..."

"Can't we just, like, surround them while they renew it?"

"Good idea! What do you guys think?"

"Yeah, that sounds like a plan!" Karuizawa agreed.

"Last question then, who will be our leader? " Hirata asked his classmates.

"Let's see, I think Hirata should be our leader!" Sato suggests. Most students agree with this statement. Axel just sighed at them. Other students would retaliate with the idea of how the girls put their trust in Hirata, and suddenly Kushida called their attention.

"Hey guys, I have something to say." Kushida said as she motions them to gather to a tight circle just so no one would hear.

"I've been thinking about this a lot. People like Hirata and Karuizawa stand out, even if they don't intend to, and the person we elect as our leader should be someone who flies under the radar, but they need to be responsible too right?"

Hirata nods in agreement.

"Then Is it alright with the class to have Arison-kun as the leader instead?" Sato-san said, making Axel stiffen his posture. All their eyes turn to him. Many of the students agree to it.

"Well he's smart!"

"Yeah I agree he is reliable also!"

"Wait." Their cheer suddenly stopped when Horikita raised her hand.

"Like we said earlier, Hirata-kun Karuizawa and especially Arison-kun should be the last contender for leader. If you're gonna make Arison-kun the leader, other classes will know it, don't you think? It'll be a fairly easy guess for the other classes to come to when they guess our leaders?" Their shoulders drop as disappointment.

"Ahh, well I agree with Horikita. I would love to be the leader but it is probably easy to distinguish our leader if that happens." Axel said while bowing, making the other stop him from doing it.

"Then do you have any suggestions, Arison?" Karuizawa asked him.

"Only one of our classmates fit both requirements. And that person's Horikita. What do you think?" Axel grinned slightly but it was unnoticeable. Silence then occurs after the suggestion. Horikita was slightly speechless.

She didn't expect that Axel would pick her as the leader. Hirata smiled as he agreed with Axel.

"I'm in favour. Horikita, if you don't mind, I'd like you to accept the role if you're happy to have it. What do you say?"

Horikita debates with herself on whether or not to take the position. Suddenly Sudo raises his hand.

"If she won't take the position, I'd be happy to be the class leader–"

"Fine then, I accept the position."

Both Kiyotaka and Axel looked at each other and then laughed. Sudo looked at them too and his ears became red from embarrassment.

'Damn it I want to show Arison what I'm cable off.'

And just that, Sudo ignores the irritating feelings as he runs to the teachers to inform them of Suzune Horikita taking the position as Class D's leader.

Horikita takes charge of the keycard and possesses the river spot while surrounded by students of Class D just so no one from foreign classes would see.

TING

Ike then punches the air as it's decided that they own the river in their area.

"Ok, that addresses the issue of bathing and drinking water for the whole week, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess. It looks drinkable anyway." Hirata said but Karuizawa looked at her reflection in the water.

"Are you sure this is safe to drink? I mean it is a river."

Ike felt offended as he scolded the girls who agreed with Karuizawa's judgement.

"What's the matter with you guys? We found a freaking river! There's no way we're not going to use it."

"We do have some time. There's no need to make a hasty decision about it." Hirata states, making Karuizawa slowly nod.

"Uh, yeah! He's right."

Ike looked a bit dejected since the girls only trust what Hirata says and is considered as dangerous if Hirata said so. To lighten up the mood Kiyotaka and Axel walk to him.

"Ike, you have experience in the great outdoors?" Kiyotaka praised him, Ike just nodded and looked at the water.

"Hm, I come from a family of campers. We used to go every weekend when I was little. I had no problem drinking river water. Sometimes, you can tell if a spring is drinkable just by looking at it." Ike explained as he cupped the water with his hands, a smile started to form on his lips as he took a sip.

"Wow you're amazing Ike-kun!" Axel said while clapping his hand, Ike suddenly blushed as his heart started beating fast.

'Get away I'm loyal to Kushida..I'm begging you.' Ike's mind as he cried out.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

CLASS D THEN STATED TO SET UP TENTS and gives the center space for a fire. Kiyotaka then lifts the requirements for the fire until he hears Hirata calling for him.

"Ayanokōji-kun! Can I talk to you for a second? Before it gets dark, I'd like you to gather some branches for us to use as firewood tonight."

"Yeah ok. I'll get to that right now." Kiyotaka said and nodded.

"Wait! It's too dangerous for you to go on your own!"

"It's okay Axel is with me, he's already enough." Hirata was slightly taken back, He just nodded and looked at Axel. Hirata smiled at him on the other hand Axel just smiled back and waved his hand.

Horikita sat on top of a big rock as she observed the busy students. Axel laughs at her expression.

"Come on, Horikita , help us." Axel said, Horikita shook her head. Axel crossed his arm and his cheeks puffed in anger (not really he was just pretending).

Kiyotaka looked at the face of Axel, he slightly laughed at his cute expression. He pinch his cheek as he drags him away from Horikita.

"Ittai Kiyo huhu." Axel said while holding his cheeks, Axel glared at him but Kiyotaka just looked away.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

KIYOTAKA, AXEL, SAKURA AND Yamauchi then collect branches for the fire at Class D's camp. Suddenly Kiyotaka was snatched on the shoulder by Yamauchi, Axel looked at him and slowly listened to their conversation.

"Listen, Ayanokōji-kun, I think I'm going to go after Sakura. Let's face it; Kushida is way out of my league."

"Yes. And?" Kiyotaka nods.

'No. I think almost every girl in our class – wait, the whole school is out of your league, Yamauchi.' Axel's thoughts. Yamauchi suddenly pulls Axel closer.

"Well a girl like Sakura is convinced that I'm a sensitive and caring guy; I just know she'll fall for me." Currently Yamaunchi's hand is on Axel's shoulder. Kiyotaka removed his hand on Axel's shoulder.

"Is that why you decided to tag along and help?" Axel said while he raises a brow.

As the number of branches is enough, they then head back to the destination of their camp. Yamauchi leaned onto Sakura who was in front of him.

"Hey Sakura, are you tired? Do you need help carrying those? Must be such hard work for a girl, I mean you might hurt your sweet little self."

"Uh, it's fine, I'm ok." Sakura said and she let out a small smile.

Kiyotaka then stopped walking which made the others stop too. Group looks forward and takes note of Mio Ibuki, lying against a tree with a bag in her lap, looking hurt, a punch bruise mark on her cheek.

Yamauchi, a kind gentleman , walks near her.

"Hey, what's the matter?" Suddenly, he is pulled back by Kiyotaka.

"Wha-What, what the heck is your problem? "

"Ahh..Nothing." Kiyotaka replied.

"Hey, everything alright?" Yamauchi asked. Ibuki didn't look at any of them.

"Just leave me alone. I don't need help." Sakura worriedly peers unto the details of the bruice stuck on Ibuki.

"You must be in a lot of pain though."

"You're Ibuki from Class C right? Did your classmates do something to you?" Kiyotaka asked. It really looks like she has been punched all the way where she couldn't stand for a second.

Yamauchi then lends a hand.

"The four of us are students from Class D, you can come back to our base camp with us if you want."

"Yeah!" Sakura nodded desperately. Ibuki face towards Yamauchi as if he's dumb.

"Didn't you hear me? I don't need your help. And I'm in Class C, which means I'm your enemy."

Axel walked towards Ibuke, he looked at her face. He examines her.

"Come to our bases, Ibuki-san." Axel said while smiling, making Ibuki soften. Ibuki looked away.

"We can't leave you out here all on your own, right?" Yamauchi pressed in. Sakura nods in agreement.

"We'll stay right here with you. When you can walk, we'll let you go, OK."

Ibuki finally stands up.

"How stupid can you be? You shouldn't trust me. No one in my class would dream of this."

Yamauchi smiled at her antics and gave a thumbs up to Kiyotaka and Axel. Axel leaned towards Kiyotaka then he whispered something making Kiyotaka nod.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

CLASS 1-D ARE SURROUNDING IKE, who's teaching how to build a fire while Mio Ibuki sits on a log away from the group. Axel stares at Ibuki for a while and goes back to Ike.

The form of the branches that stand on together looks a bit like a tower. Ike crouches down as he observes it.

"You can't start a fire with branches alone, see? But if you build it like this, I think it'll light up nicely!" Ike then builds the sticks in a way after he lights up in the middle, it immediately forms a fire that is enough to last long.

The other students became suprised and sees Ike in a new light.

"And there we go."

"An experienced camper, huh? You sure know your stuff!" Sudo praise.

"That's the most basic of the basics. Anybody can do it once they know." Ike smiles.

"That's pretty cool!"

"Hey, we're back!" Kushida exclaimed as she and a group of girls brought back berries and fruits to eat. The girls then laid them on a cloth. Kushida picks up a vine of berries.

"Do you think this one's edible? They could be blueberries." Ike then suddenly leaned towards Kushida with a grin.

"Hey, those are Bog Blueberries! Are you the one that found those Kikyo? Awesome!" Kushida then pointed to some brown fruits.

"So Kanji, Do you know what those brown things are?" Ike grabs the fruit as he inspects it.

"I'm pretty sure that those are figs, they're deliciously sweet like nothing else. Man, this brings me back." Axel smiled, 'He sure knows a lot in terms of survival.' He looked to his side while Kiyotaka's head is currently on his shoulder.

Students of Class D agree with that statement as they shower him with praises and compliments.

Ike then stopped smiling as he stood up looking at Karuizawa.

"Hey Karuizawa, sorry about before."

"Wha... Where did that come from?"

"I just remembered something. The first time my family went camping, the bathroom stuff was hard. I complained to my parents the whole time. It must be even harder for you girls, right?" Ike asks with guilt.

Kiyotaka stares at Ike while he is still leaning on Axel's shoulder. Seriously, they really look like a couple right now.

'Ike can admit he was wrong without getting worked up, that's impressive.'

Karuizawa giggles as she places an arm behind her head.

"I'm sorry too, Ike, we've got to push our limits now and then if we want to have any points left at the end of all this." Karuizawa said.

Hirata then replaces Ike's temporary spotlight as he raises his hand.

"Hey guys, can I say something? I think it's important to trust and rely on each other as much as possible until the end of the special test. So here's my idea. Of the 300 S-points, let's aim to have 120 left by the end. What do you guys say, is that doable?"

Hirata continues while Kiyotaka and Axel continue to listen. Horikita decided to join as he looked at the 2 boys.

"What do you think, Horikita?"

"He's pretty spot on. I've been turning those exact numbers over in my mind all day." Horikita said.

"Did you share that fact with Hirata?" Kiyotaka asked her, making her shake her head.

"Of course not. You're joking, right?"

"See? 120 S-points is more than you might think. After all, remember the test results from earlier? Think of those numbers." Hirata explained to the others. Karuizawa nods while listening to him.

"Class A's total points changed by how much again? I forgot."

"94 points." Yukimura answered as he pushed up his glasses.

"And that would be the very least. For every day that we can find food and water on our own..."

"We'd be able to save 20 S-points on those days! " Kushida said.

"If we can make it the whole week without buying drinking water, we can save 50 points that way alone.'' Hirata added. Karuizawa nods in understanding.

"Hey, that's good!"

"Let's give it a shot, Hirata!" Ike agreed to him.

"Alright then! Sounds good, let's all do our best!" Hirata said and he smiled. As all of the students finalize their plans. Kiyotaka walks towards the silent Ibuki.

"Sorry about this, just a little bit longer. See, those guys by the fire, they're discussing what to do with you now." Kiyotaka spoke to her.

"You shouldn't go out of your way. It's just a matter of time before they cast me out." Ibuki with a low voice.

"You're name's Ibuki, right? Here, you should eat." Kushida then came in as she brought food. Ibuki let out a scoff in ridicule but it didn't hide the embarrassment fluttering across her face.

"You're all idiots. Every single one of you." Kushida didn't take offense as she leaned onto Ibuki.

"Oh just eat, what harm is there in that? We can talk later too if you're feeling up to it." From a distance, Sudo's scream can be heard.

"Damn that stupid punk! Koenji! "

Class D goes about complaining about how Kōenji has left the test, losing points for the class. Kiyotaka stands up and grabs Axel who is currently having a one on one with the fire, after that they walk to the crowd.

"What happened?" Kushida asked.

"Koenji said he was feeling sick and went back to the boat!" Yukimura said.

Hirata explained.

"According to the rules of the test, the illness alone will cost Class D 30 S-points. Kōenji will be out of the game. He's required to stay on the ship to recover. He can't come back."

Horikita shakes her head. Kiyotaka sighed, Axel also sighed as he looked to the moon.

'The moon is pretty.'

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

KIYOTAKA, AXEL AND HORIKITA ARE CURRENTLY trolling around the forest. It was silent between them but none cared. Kiyotaka took a look at the paper he scribbled as he tried to find amongst the other classes across the island.

"It's rare to see you two taking initiative like this." Horikita spoke up as she followed the two boys.

"It's not like we have anything better to do. This passes the time." Kiyotaka replied as his eyes focus on the paper.

"I don't mind doing recon, but I'd personally rather avoid unnecessary movement. I don't want to waste stamina by wandering around without a clear goal in mind." Horikita feels a bit behind as she tries to steady her distance with Kiyotaka and Axel.

"I understand how you feel, but staying shut up inside won't change the situation. Besides." Kiyotaka paused as he remembered their last encounter with Ryuen, to say such an encounter wouldn't be pleasant.

"He is planning to target us, Horikita." Axel said as he stretched his arms.

"That's true." Horikita said and sighed.

After a few minutes, they encounter noises coming from the shore of the island. As the three went out of the leaves, they spotted Ichinose and figured that the area they're in is the Class B island spot.

"There's plenty of fruit in the forest, and we can probably catch fish in the ocean. We've got the waterfalls for freshwater, too." Ichinose happily said as she brought them in.

"Class B never fails to impress. It's far more disciplined than I imagined." Horikita nods in a calculative look as she observes the carefree students.

"It was really hard at first! But we rigged a few things up, and now we're making it work." Ichinose let out a quick laugh.

"Ichinose-san, is it safe to assume that our relationship is one of cooperation?"

"Sure! That's how I think of it."

"Sorry to interrupt." The four turn their heads to see a male student. Ichinose smiled at the male.

"What is it?"

"I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help."

Ichinose hummed before pointing at a specific group.

"Well ... why don't you help Chihiro-chan and the others over there?"

"Understood. Thank you very much." The male bowed before walking to the requested spot.

Axel observed the male, he put his hand on his chin and he also looked around.

"He seems rather distant, for a classmate." Horikita said, Ichinose chuckled a little bit and answered.

"His name's Kaneda-kun. Apparently, he had a falling-out with Class C and got driven out of the camp. Oh, sorry, I'd better get back to work. Come back to visit soon, okay?"

"Bye Honami!" Axel said, waving his hand. Ichinose smiled at him and she then walked away. Kiyotaka glanced at Kaneda suspiciously. Class C huh?

"It's an upgrade from Class D in every way. I have to admit that." Horikita said before she turned away to walk back to the forest. Kiyotaka and Axel glance at each other before following her.

To the next spot the three have to observe is Class A island spot, they hid within the area surrounded by bushes near the cave. Horikita uses her hand as a telescope as she stares at the one guarding it.

"We can't see what's going on inside from here."

"Let's go have a look." Kiyotaka says as he stands up, he gently grabs the wrist of Axel. Axel waved his hand on Horikita.

"Bye bye~" He said with a teasing tone.

"W-Wait!Y-You guys..." She sighed in defeat as she followed the two boys. Yahiko let out a stretch before seeing three foreign students coming towards him.

"What do you want?"

As the three were close enough to Yahiko, Horikita started to speak up.

"We came here to scout you out. Do you have a problem with that?" She looks at the cloth that strategically closes the opening of the cave.

"How very underhanded. We're going in." She was ready to go inside but Yahiko's hand blocked her.

"What?"

"This place is occupied by Class A. You're not allowed to go in."

"Oh? You've already occupied this spot?" Axel asks as he looks at Yahiko, Yahiko swallows his saliva before speaking up. He was clearly nervous around Axel.

"Y-Yeah so now leave!."

"But there's no rule saying I can't enter the cave. I can't use a spot that's currently occupied, but I have the right to see what's inside. What you're doing is monopolization. I think maybe you're the ones breaking the rules." Kiyotaka started making Yahiko lose his cool.

"Huh?! What did you say!?"

Kiyotaka's sharp argument skewered Yahiko without any trouble. Horikita's hair fluttered as she tried to peel off the veil that hid the cave entrance.

However...

"What are you doing?" A particularly tall boy walked out from the cave. This was definitely.

"Katsuragi-san!" Yahiko said Katsuragi stared down at the boy beside him.

"I don't recall giving you permission to invite visitors." Katsuragi said, giving a glance to the three students of Class D. Katsuragi keeps looking at Axel.

'His vibes are really like Sakayanagi.'

"We just want to see what's inside. I can't imagine how that's against the rules." Horikita said, Katsuragi then turned his attention to Horikita.

"Go ahead and look, then. But be prepared for consequences. One class occupies one spot, and they protect it until the test ends." Horikita, Axel and Kiyotaka looked at their surroundings. Some Class A students appeared from nearby and surrounded us. Some of them were holding some kind of... tree branch as a weapon?

"If you try to break this unspoken rule, there will be war. it's best to avoid that sort of trouble." Katsuragi said. Then, Horikita and the two boys slowly turned and walked away from the cave. Axel smiled at Katsuragi.

"We're very sorry for trouble again, we're now leaving again." Axel said while smirking. Kiyotaka just stared at Katsuragi. They're about to leave, but Horikita looks again at Katsuragi.

"Well, fine. I look forward to seeing the results, and Class A's abilities."

"We are quite capable. We also expect things from you, Class D. By which I mean, you're futilely struggling." Horikita sighed and about to say one more thing but a certain brown hair talked.

"Let's see about that." Axel looked at Kiyotaka with slight shock. Well he basically didn't think that Kiyotaka would say something like that.

"And who are you?" Katsuragi raised his eyebrows. Kiyotaka didn't reply and he went directly to Katsuragi. Katsuragi's composure started to stiffen.

'Wha-What with this pressure...is this pressure coming from him?' He looked at Kiyotaka. His eyes slightly widened.

'Those eyes... ha.'

"Then..I'm looking forward to your performance, Class D."