Ichinose SS: Linked Thoughts

Once the groups were announced, I made my way toward Group 8, a faint flicker of hope resting in my chest.

If I happened to be placed in the same group as Ayanokōji-kun...

Then, in this third uninhabited island exam, I would be able to spend three days together with him.

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But that hope was quickly dashed. Almost immediately, I caught sight of him heading off toward an entirely different group.

“...It can't be helped, I suppose.”

This wasn't something I could control, no matter how much I wished for it. I had to switch gears immediately.

A short while later, I spotted one of the students assigned to my group.

Approaching carefully so as not to startle her, I called out.

“I look forward to working with you, Horikita-san.”

She turned to look at me, her lips pressing into a thin line for a brief moment before she met my eyes.

“I knew there was a decent chance that class leaders might end up in the same group, but to think I'd be paired with you of all people, Ichinose-san.”

Did she view me as an easy partner to handle, rather than a troublesome opponent?

No, honestly, it works in my favor if she thinks of me that way.

“If this were a purely class-based competition, it might have been a bit troublesome,” I said. “But looking at the rules, cooperating as a group clearly leads to mutual benefit, so it's a rather good setup. If you and I pool our strengths, Horikita-san, we might just be able to guide our group to a safe and steady victory.”

From there, we discussed the importance of working hand in hand as allies rather than fighting as enemies, gradually finding common ground. And naturally, during that process, we arrived at a topic we couldn't avoid—

“It seems reaching a mutual understanding and aiming for first place will go smoother than expected,” Horikita-san noted. “However, there is one critical issue that both you and I must treat with the utmost importance.”

“How to handle the expulsions... right?”

As she nodded, I made it absolutely clear that I would not allow a single expulsion from my class. By drawing that line, I knew she would naturally adopt the exact same stance for her own. But that was exactly why my thoughts were already racing a step ahead. Assuming Class A and Class D joined hands to solidify our defenses, how would Ayanokōji-kun make his move? Once he fully analyzed the rules of this special exam, what kind of strategy would he employ?

I knew, deep down, that deciphering his plan would be the most critical factor in protecting my classmates.

Who would be assigned to Ayanokōji-kun's group?

That detail would undoubtedly be the most important. For him, keeping any potential expulsions strictly within his own reach would be the most reliable, controllable method. If that was the case, then all I had to do was link up my thinking with his, matching his pace as I fought through this exam.

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Ayanokōji-kun understands me. And I understand Ayanokōji-kun.

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That is everything.