"There are so many first-year students buying swimsuits these days. And they're spending personal points like it's nothing."
Inside the top-floor student council meeting room of Advanced Nurturing High School's club building, secretary Tachibana Akane drew the curtains to block the increasingly harsh sunlight. Through the gaps, she saw laughing students exiting the Keyaki Mall, many carrying bags emblazoned with the logo of a swimwear shop. She couldn't help but comment.
As a third-year student, she knew all too well how vital personal points would be in the upcoming special exams. Her own Class 3-A was currently desperate to stretch every point. Watching the lavish spending of carefree first-years sparked a sigh.
But that wasn't all—part of her reaction was schadenfreude. Akane knew exactly what the first-years were looking forward to: a luxurious summer vacation on a cruise ship, beachside on a deserted island. She chuckled to herself just imagining their soon-to-vanish smiles.
"Didn't Suzune buy a swimsuit too? You told me this morning, right?"
Turning back, Akane grinned at Horikita Suzune, who was diligently sorting through documents at her desk. Horikita Manabu had been called away by Nagumo just five minutes earlier, leaving the two of them alone.
"Yes, I did..."
"I know Kitagawa Ryo bought it for you. You've 'casually' brought him up three times today alone, haven't you?"
Akane gently bopped Suzune on the forehead with her file folder, smiling helplessly. Despite being two years younger, Akane was fond of Suzune—partly because she was Manabu's younger sister.
"And that's just a swimsuit. If he ever gave you a ring, I can't imagine how you'd react."
It amused Akane. Suzune, normally aloof and cool in student council matters, completely lost her composure when it came to Kitagawa Ryo.
Though to be fair, Akane had no right to talk.
"That's impossible. Ryo's never given a ring to anyone... probably."
Suzune started to deny it instinctively, but her voice softened halfway through. Even she wasn't confident. She hadn't even told Akane that the swimsuit had been gifted not just to her, but to two other girls as well.
"But I never expected to wear it for a real vacation... One look and you can tell this is just another special exam."
She quickly gave herself a rational excuse. After more than two months working with the student council, Suzune had fully grasped how the school operated. She never believed for a second that the school would kindly take them on a beach holiday.
Akane gave a knowing smile but didn't spell it out.
Just as their conversation continued casually, Horikita Manabu returned, looking slightly grim. He glanced at the two girls and said:
"Tachibana, notify all student council members to assemble here in ten minutes."
"Suzune, you'll be in charge of meeting minutes."
Suzune was momentarily surprised. She'd attended several meetings, but Akane had always handled minutes. For Manabu to name her specifically...
Then it clicked. He wouldn't make that choice without reason—this meeting must be related to her, or rather, to the first-years.
As expected of the student council, they moved swiftly. Just three minutes later, Akane and Suzune had barely finished tidying the table when Vice President Nagumo arrived with several council members.
Even Kiriyama, also a vice president, trailed obediently behind him.
"Why's Horikita here?"
Nagumo frowned upon seeing Suzune standing with a notepad, then sat down and asked offhandedly.
"According to student council rules, Horikita Suzune has the right to observe and give suggestions in meetings as a member. She simply cannot vote."
Manabu answered calmly. Nagumo didn't press the issue and turned back.
"Everyone's here. President Horikita, let's begin."
His tone was presumptuous, but Akane, though frowning, said nothing. With Manabu's upcoming graduation, Nagumo's promotion was inevitable. Most members had already started aligning with him.
Manabu didn't react. He spoke calmly:
"According to council bylaws, we are permitted to propose and decide upon aspects of special exams. This meeting is held with full attendance. I, Horikita Manabu, preside. All discussions will be recorded via full-view surveillance and archived."
"Any objections?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"Then we begin."
He opened the file just received from Nagumo, placing copies before each member.
"Please turn to page two. Vice President Nagumo has proposed changes to the upcoming first-year summer deserted island special exam."
Suzune tensed as she glanced at the bolded title on Manabu's file:
"Proposal for Revisions to the First-Year Deserted Island Summer Exam"
Manabu's voice continued, flat and formal:
"Vice President Nagumo suggests altering the format of the exam, shifting from a class-based survival competition to one that better reflects overall strength, enhancing diversity in challenges and giving individuals more room to shine—emphasizing our school's philosophy of meritocracy."
"Based on past exams and school principles, Nagumo proposes a new format. Details are attached from pages three to eight, and the new rules from pages nine to eighteen. Please review them now."
"Nagumo, any further explanation?"
Nagumo grinned and leaned back.
"I'm sure everyone's noticed all the first-years buying new swimsuits, right? Reminds me of last year when we all thought it'd be a vacation."
Laughter broke out among the second-years.
"I bought one too and only wore it twice in the ship's pool." "The pool was smaller than the one at school." "With so many people, it was a hassle."
Nagumo clapped to regain silence.
"So I thought—let's at least give their swimsuits some use. That's part of why I proposed changes."
"Also, this year's class-based setup is boring. Our exam last year split everyone into twelve teams. But now they want full class actions? I get that it's about unity, but I think it'll backfire."
He continued:
"The tasks focus too much on endurance and teamwork. Physically strong students or those with survival skills dominate. New students with good grades or popularity won't shine."
"It's like dropping them from the sky to the ground overnight. Conflict is inevitable."
Nagumo smiled with arms folded.
"Instead, we should test broad skills and small team cooperation. They're still freshmen—step by step."
It was hard to argue. Manabu silently nodded while reading. If he was the most ideal student council president in school history, then Nagumo was second only to him.
Even if school officials were here, they'd likely agree with Nagumo. He was adept at manipulating rules unnoticed—and always stayed within bounds.
"Now, let's review the specific rules. First-years, please leave."
Only Suzune was present. Manabu glanced at her and nodded. She handed the notepad to Akane and exited, sparing one last glance at the file.
"President Horikita should know the penalties for leaking exam info, right? You're almost graduating—I'd hate to see you expelled for something trivial."
Nagumo turned sharply once she was gone.
"Likewise, Vice President Nagumo. I've heard you're quite close to Ayanokouji of Class 1-A lately."
Manabu fired back without flinching.
"He's just a junior I admire."
Nagumo smiled and flipped to the next page.
"Let's continue with the details of the new exam."
Classes remain intact, but students must form teams of 1–4 members. These teams will participate in survival and skill-based events (academic: mental math, quizzes; athletic: swimming, volleyball; miscellaneous: rock-paper-scissors, breath-holding) in a 3:3:4 ratio. Performance grants points, food, and water.
Exam duration extended from 7 to 14 days. A larger Beta Island will be used.
Two ranking systems: class and group. Class rankings total team scores. Group rankings reward individual teams. Both rankings offer class and personal point rewards.
Class Rankings:
1st: +300 class points
2nd: +100 class points
3rd: -100 class points
4th: -300 class points
Group Rankings:
1st: 1,000,000 personal points per member + 300 class points
2nd: 500,000 personal points per member + 200 class points
3rd: 300,000 personal points per member + 100 class points
Last-place group: All members expelled unless they each pay 5,000,000 personal points or their class pays 100 class points per person (no extra -300 penalty).
Second-to-last group: -200 class points
Third-to-last group: -100 class points
Fourth-to-last group: -50 class points
"These are the basic rules."
"The specific rules are as follows..."
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