I came, I saw, I lost! (Classroom of the Elite Fanfiction)

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The cruise ship's name was Speranza.

This ship, chartered by Advanced Nurturing High School, had a total of ten floors—five above ground, four below, and one rooftop level.

The first above-ground floor was a lounge and banquet venue. The second floor served as the ship's deck. The third, fourth, and fifth floors housed guest rooms. Among them, the third floor was designated for boys, while the fourth was for girls and teachers.

Although boys and girls were clearly separated, there were no strict restrictions on interaction—except after midnight, when entering or staying in the opposite gender's floor was prohibited.

Other areas, such as the first to third floors above ground, housed entertainment facilities like a movie theater and a stage. The lowest level, the fourth basement floor, contained essential rooms like the power distribution area.

Meanwhile, the rooftop was a popular gathering spot, featuring a swimming pool, café, and other amenities that kept it lively.

For students—especially those from Class D—who had suffered daily due to a lack of points, this cruise ship was practically a dream. Since Advanced Nurturing High School covered all expenses, there was no need to worry about tuition or other miscellaneous fees, including this luxurious trip.

The ship spared no expense, offering the highest possible quality in every aspect.

To put it simply, this was heaven.

Kumagawa walked toward the restaurant where breakfast was being held, dressed in his Suisou Academy black uniform.

It had been a while since he last wore it.

And to be honest, he kind of missed it.

The dining hall was already bustling with students. It seemed like most students were eager to enjoy their breakfast.

Nobody noticed him enter. Or rather, they subconsciously avoided looking at him, as if their brains instinctively filtered him out.

『Hmm~ smells nice. A meal to start the day, a ritual to affirm one's existence. 』

He muttered to himself as he grabbed a plate and made his way toward the buffet-style spread.

After picking out his food, he went to the nearest empty table and began eating.

"Kumagawa-kun!"

Hearing his name, Kumagawa turned his head toward the source of the voice and saw Kushida approaching, a plate in her hand.

Without hesitation and without even asking if the seat was free, she sat down across from him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

『...Kushida-chan, what if that seat was occupied? 』 Kumagawa asked, tilting his head.

"Then is this seat occupied?"

『Well, no, but—』

"Then it's fine, right? It's not like you have any damn friends to begin with."

It was a sharp, almost venomous remark, but Kushida's voice carried its usual cheer, her bright smile never faltering. She stabbed at her breakfast with her fork, her tone casual, as if she hadn't just spat out something cruel.

『Wow, Kushida-chan, you really don't hold back, huh? You make it sound like I'm some kind of pathetic loser.』

"Well....aren't you?" Kushida said sweetly, propping her chin on one hand,

There wasn't a hint of hesitation in her words. She said it like it was an undeniable fact, like calling the sky blue or the ocean wet.

『Fair enough. 』

Kushida twirled her fork between her fingers, watching him for a moment before speaking again.

"You really don't get mad, huh? If someone said that to Ike-kun or Yamauchi-kun, they'd probably snap."

『Oh, but I do get mad, you know? I'm a very emotional person, Kushida-chan.』

He shoveled another bite of food into his mouth, chewing lazily.

"I don't believe that at all."

Kushida's smile didn't waver, but her eyes were sharp, watching him closely. She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice just a bit.

"You don't really care about what people think of you, do you?"

Kumagawa paused mid-bite, then swallowed.

『Hmm, who knows? Maybe I do, maybe I don't. Maybe I care so much that I decided it's easier to just not care at all. 』

"...I don't understand you at all."

It was Kushida's honest opinion.

For someone who built her entire existence around controlling how others perceived her, Kumagawa was like a defective, brain-dead animal.

He was someone completely and fundamentally different from her.

And she hated it.

She hated his lack of shame. She hated how he could say whatever he wanted without consequence. She hated that no matter what insults or barbs she threw, he never reacted the way she expected. She hated the way he smiled. She hated how he could be so open. She hated his presence.

More than Ayanokōji.

And probably more than Horikita.

She wanted him gone. He knew too much. He saw too much.

But at the same time—

She was scared.

Kushida bit down on her lip, but only for a moment. She quickly composed herself, putting on that same perfect smile.

"Jeez, Kumagawa-kun. You really say the strangest things."

『Is that so? I think I'm pretty normal. It's everyone else who's weird.』

He spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, casually scooping more food into his mouth.

It was frustrating.

"Hey, Kumagawa-kun."

『Hmmm? 』

"Have you thought about what you want to do after graduation?"

Kumagawa paused, then let out a chuckle. 『Ahaha, Kushida-chan, that's a funny one! You're asking me, of all people, about my future? 』

His words were light, joking. But something about his tone made it clear—he had absolutely no expectation of a future.

Before she could respond, an announcement echoed throughout the ship.

— "Attention students. Please assemble on the deck. You will be able to see the island soon. This is a good time to take in some rather significant scenery."

Kushida turned toward the nearest window. A huge island loomed in the distance.

From their spot in the restaurant, they could hear gleeful cries coming from the deck below. Students were already crowding near the railing, taking in the sight.

"What a beautiful island, isn't that right, Kumagawa-kun?"

Kushida had returned to her usual cheerful image. Maybe it was because other students had gathered near the window, or maybe—just maybe—that was her honest opinion.

『...What a significant scenery it is. 』

The ship slowly circled the island, giving everyone a full view.

The island was covered in dense trees that formed a forest that occupied more than eigthy percent of the island, leaving only the edge to resemble a beach.

Kumagawa rested his chin on his palm, watching the students below. There was a noticeable split among them—some were lost in excitement, chatting eagerly about what they'd do first, while others were more composed.

From above, he could see Ryūen standing with his followers, Katsuragi giving quiet orders to his group, and Ichinose chatting with her friends.

Kushida turned back to him.

"Kumagawa-kun, do you think we'll get to explore it freely?"

『Oh, definitely. I bet they'll even let us build treehouses and hunt for buried treasure.』

"...You're making fun of me, aren't you?"

『I'd never do that, Kushida-chan. I respect you too much. 』

Kushida narrowed her eyes slightly but didn't push further. Instead, she let out a small sigh and leaned back in her chair.

They kept chatting, just the two of them, until about thirty minutes later, another broadcast was heard.

"We will disembark in thirty minutes. Please assemble on the deck. All students should have changed into their jerseys. Make sure to check your designated bag and your luggage, and do not forget your cell phone. Please keep all other personal items in your room. There is a possibility that you will not be able to visit the bathroom for some time, so please do so now."

Kushida stretched slightly, then stood up.

"Well then, see you later, Kumagawa-kun."

She waved lightly before heading back to her room.

Kumagawa watched her go before sighing to himself.

『Man, what a hassle. 』

Still, orders were orders. It was a shame he had to take off his Suisou uniform, but it is what it is.

After changing, he made his way to the deck, where the students were already gathering.

—

"We will disembark now, beginning with the students from Class A. Cell phones are prohibited on the island. Please hand your phone to your homeroom teacher as you leave."

Following the loudspeaker's command, the students descended the stairs in an orderly fashion. Four boats had been prepared—one for each class.

The short trip to the island took only a few minutes.

As Class D disembarked, their chatter filled the air. But the moment they set foot on the beach, Chabashira was already there to greet them—with her usual harsh tone.

"I will now start roll call for Class D. When you hear your name, please respond loud and clear."

Chabashira held a clipboard, ticking off names as students responded. Like them, she was dressed in a jersey, making the whole scene feel more like training camp than summer vacation.

Not that most of the students seemed to mind.

"Oh, come on! I want my free time already! The sea is right in front of me!" Ike groaned from somewhere behind Ayanokōji.

Naturally, all attention shifted to Ike.

And in consequence, Ayanokōji couldn't help but feel the weight of everyone's eyes.

Including Kumagawa's.

Kumagawa stared at him.

Ayanokōji sighed. "What is it?"

It was never a good feeling to be stared at by Kumagawa. Whether you realized it or not, a creeping discomfort would settle over you.

『What happened to you? 』

"...What do you mean?"

『You look like someone who's being held at gunpoint. 』

Ayanokōji gave him a blank stare.

"...How do you know what someone being held at gunpoint looks like?"

『Because I've been there. Though it wasn't always guns. Sometimes knives. Sometimes swords. Once, it was a boomerang. Oh, and there was that one time with a rocket launcher—』

Ayanokōji decided not to continue that conversation.

Soon enough, a tall teacher stepped onto a prepared white platform. It was Mashima-sensei, Class A's homeroom teacher. He normally taught English and was well-known for his stubborn disposition. At first glance, he could easily be mistaken for a bodybuilder.

"First, I would like to say that I'm happy you've arrived safely. However, it's unfortunate that one of you was unable to participate due to illness."

Adults in uniforms had begun setting up a large tent, complete with computers and other equipment arranged neatly along a long table.

The students quickly took notice.

The stark contrast between the natural beauty of the island and the sterile, business-like setup created an unsettling atmosphere.

Then, just as the tension grew thick, Mashima-sensei dropped his next words with an almost cruel bluntness.

"Well then. We shall commence the current academic year's first special test."

"..."

For a moment, silence. Then—chaos.

"Huh? Special test? What do you mean!?"

All at once, the students burst into protest. This was supposed to be summer vacation. A test? On an island? What the hell was this supposed to mean?

Almost 156 students erupted in confusion and outrage. A test was the last thing they expected after being promised a luxury cruise. The idea of a "special exam" being thrown at them out of nowhere was nothing short of a surprise attack.

But Mashima-sensei ignored the commotion and continued.

"The test commences now and lasts for one week, concluding on August 7th. This test will determine if you can live on a deserted island together as a group. In addition, I should warn you that this special test is both practical and realistic, designed based on real-world corporate training."

The murmurs turned into outright complaints.

Not only was this a special test, but they were also being told to survive in the jungle for a week.

Kumagawa let out a sigh.

『I really should've broken my own legs back at the school. Maybe then I could be playing pretend with Sakayanagi-chan right now.』

Due to the commotion, no one seemed to hear his disturbing remark, except for Ayanokōji.

"....."

One of the students raised a hand, his voice filled with frustration.

"But, sensei, isn't this supposed to be our summer vacation? We were brought here under the pretext of going on a relaxing trip. Don't you think this test is unfair?"

Mashima-sensei gave a brief nod.

"I see. You're not wrong. I understand why you might be discontented."

His tone wasn't dismissive. If anything, he acknowledged that the students had a valid argument.

"However, please do not worry. It would make sense for you to have complaints if you were being forced into a harsh situation. But, even though we're calling it a special test, there's no need to think of it in such unhappy terms. The theme of this special exam is 'freedom,' after all."

『Freedom, huh? 』

Kumagawa muttered as if tasting the word.

"Yes. You are free to do anything. You are allowed to do whatever you want."

『So does that mean I can give someone a bikini apron? 』

Silence.

All the students turned to look at him, confusion written on their faces. Some outright didn't understand what he was talking about.

"...You're Kumagawa, right?"

『Yes, I'm Kumagawa Misogi. Good afternoon, and pleased to meet you, Mashima-sensei.』

Mashima-sensei glanced toward Chabashira, who stood silently at the side.

She met his gaze, shrugged, and gave him an expression that basically said, "Don't ask me"

Mashima let out a deep sigh.

"...Let me rephrase that. Even though the theme of this test is 'freedom,' it's within the limits of common sense. If you had that level of freedom, it wouldn't even be a test."

Mashima-sensei continued.

"As a major part of this special test, we've decided to distribute 300 points to each class. By using your points well, you might be able to enjoy this week's special test just as you would a normal trip. We've also prepared a manual just for that purpose."

Mashima-sensei received a booklet that looked to be a few dozen pages thick from another teacher.

"This manual list all of the ways you can obtain points. It also explains where to get drinking water and food, as well as essential necessities. If you wanted to have a barbecue, it explains how to prepare the equipment and ingredients. We also have numerous tools for you to be able to enjoy playing in the ocean to the fullest."

"And it won't even have any adverse effects on your second semester. I guarantee it."

Gradually, the students' grim expressions began to ease.

Mashima-sensei let the pause linger.

"But—"

"When this special test period is over, each class's remaining points will be added to their total class points. Your point totals will reflect this change once summer vacation is over."

A gust of wind blew across the beach, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Those words were the biggest shock of the day.

In a sense, it meant that if a class didn't use their 300 points, they would essentially earn an extra 30,000 private points per student every month. For Class D, whose class points barely even reached three digits, this was a heaven-sent opportunity.

But for a certain someone, this exam wasn't just about gaining points.

It was about making up for the losses caused by a certain incident.

Kumagawa suddenly grinned and raised his voice.

『Katsuragi-kun, Ryūen-chan, isn't it great...? 』

His voice carried across the beach, catching the attention of multiple students.

『This test might just be your chance to replace the classmates you lost. Maybe it won't even be in the shape of a person anymore. But hey, a replacement is better than nothing, right?』

For a moment, a strange silence settled over the students.

Kumagawa wasn't just speaking nonsense. He was talking about Yajima Mariko from Class C. Naoki Shimizu and Yasumi Sawada from Class A.

The ones expelled because of him.

Of course, not everyone took it lightly. Unlike Ryūen, who never cared much about their expulsion, the ones who got kicked out had friends. Friends who still held resentment.

And the one responsible?

The worst person in the school.

A few students shot him glares, some whispering among themselves, but Kumagawa just smiled like it had nothing to do with him.

Mashima-sensei, either used to or simply uninterested in dealing with this kind of disruption, ignored the commotion and continued speaking.

"As I was saying, the details of this test will be explained by your respective homeroom teachers."

With that, he stepped back, and each teacher stepped forward to address their own class.

Chabashira-sensei took her place before Class D and got straight to the point.

"I will now hand out wristwatches to every one of you. You are not to take them off until the end of the test. If you remove your wristwatch without permission, you will be punished."

Next to her, a vendor had neatly stacked the watches. One by one, the students stepped forward, took their designated watches, and strapped them on.

The watches weren't just for telling time. They monitored body temperature, pulse, and movement, they were also equipped with GPS tracking, likely to prevent students from getting lost—or doing anything they shouldn't. And, in case of an emergency, there was a button to alert the school.

"If you find yourself in an emergency situation, please do not hesitate to push that button," Chabashira explained.

Then—

A shrill ringing sound echoed from the nearby tent.

"..."

Chabashira closed her eyes briefly.

Then, without even turning around—

"...I don't mean now, Kumagawa."

Her tone was as flat as ever, but there was a barely concealed irritation underneath.

Kumagawa, as if completely oblivious, tilted his head.

『But I am in an emergency. I need immediate help. How am I supposed to live without Shounen Jump for a whole week?』

Kumagawa let out a sigh, shaking his head as if he had just received a death sentence.

Hirata, who had been trying his best to keep things orderly, turned to him with a strained smile.

"Kumagawa-kun... I don't think that counts as an emergency."

『It's a matter of life and death, Hirata-kun. Without my weekly dose of friendship, effort, and victory, how do you expect me to survive?』

"...I feel like you're missing the point of all three of those."

Beside him, Horikita crossed her arms, clearly uninterested in engaging.

"If you have the time to make pointless remarks, you should be focusing on the rules. Or do you plan on wasting your class's points on meaningless violations?"

Chabashira pressed her fingers against her temple, letting out a quiet sigh before addressing Kumagawa directly.

"...Don't waste my time."

With that, the ringing from the tent finally stopped.

Chabashira continued as if nothing had happened.

"Now, I will explain the rules. Hirata, open the manual."

Hirata, still holding onto his composure, did as instructed and flipped through the pages.

"First, I'd like you to read the last page, where the penalties are listed. This is very important information that encapsulates the difficulties of this special test. It will determine whether you live or die."

Hirata's expression tensed as he scanned the page.

The penalties were strict.

If a student was deemed unable to continue due to serious injury or significant health deterioration, their class would lose 30 points, and they would be forced to retire.

Any pollution of the environment resulted in a 20-point penalty.

If a student was absent from roll call at 8 AM or 8 PM, their class lost 5 points per student.

And the most serious one—

"If a student is found guilty of an act of violence toward another class, robbing another class, or causing damage to another class's property, etc., the offending student's class will immediately be disqualified, and the individual will forfeit all of their private points."

The fourth rule was totally reasonable, written to prevent students from engaging in harmful behavior, while the other three rules were clearly there so individual students wouldn't behave carelessly.

Anyone with half a brain could comprehend that much...

And then—

『Isn't that a little weird? 』

Once again, Kumagawa's voice cut through the air. Everyone turned toward Kumagawa, who stood there with his usual carefree smile.

Chabashira already looked exhausted.

『Well, let's take a look at these penalties. If a student gets injured or falls ill, the class loses 30 points. If they pollute the environment, 20 points. If they miss roll call, 5 points per person. All reasonable enough, right?』

"...Yes. What's your point?"

『Well, I was just thinking Doesn't that mean the smartest way to win is to make sure the other classes get sick, pollute the environment, and miss roll call? I mean, think about it. If someone were to, say, "accidentally" spill food near their camp and attract some bugs, or leave a few questionable-looking mushrooms lying around, or subtly mess with their wristwatches while they sleep... wouldn't that naturally lead to point deductions? And it's not even against the rules. After all, if you don't specify why something is considered forbidden, how can I possibly abide by such a tyrannical restriction? 』

"..."

Chabasira and the rest was silent.

For Chabasira, tather than being silent because she was troubled, she was probably silent because of how annoying he was.

It was as if he had just learned the rules of baseball and was questioning the mechanics behind a force out—no, for a closer example, it was as if he was trying to insist that the offside rule in soccer was unreasonable.

What's offside? Why aren't you allowed to pass the ball to a place where there's no one from the opposing team? Doesn't it clearly create a chance to shoot if you pass there?

Something like that.

Chabashira exhaled slowly, as if trying to find patience she didn't have.

"...As long as it does not directly involve theft or violence, we will not interfere. However, if we determine that a student is deliberately attempting to sabotage another class through dishonest means, we reserve the right to impose penalties at our discretion."

『Ah, I see. So it's fine as long as I don't get caught then?』

"...Don't waste my time."

『Understood! 』

Kumagawa gave a cheerful thumbs-up, as if he'd just received an extremely satisfying answer.

Chabashira's face screamed that she wanted this to end as soon as possible, but there were still several rules that needed to be explained.

According to the guidebook, multiple "strongholds" or "designated spot" were set up across the island. A special key card was required to occupy these spots, and only the designated "leader" of each class could use it. Changing the leader was impossible without suitable justification.

Successfully occupying a location granted the class one bonus point, with an additional point awarded every eight hours for continued possession. However, using another class's occupied spot without permission would result in a strict 50-point penalty.

At first glance, it seemed like a simple matter of securing as many strongholds as possible. If a class could continuously occupy locations, they could steadily rack up points. But that was a naïve assumption. The final rule made sure things wouldn't be that easy.

On the seventh and final day of the test, each class had the right to guess the identity of another class's leader during roll call. If the guess was correct, the guessing class would gain 50 points, while the class whose leader was discovered would lose 50 points as a penalty. Not only that, but they would also forfeit all the bonus points they had accumulated throughout the test.

However, blindly guessing wasn't an option either. If a class guessed incorrectly, they would suffer a 50-point penalty. This rule ensured that reckless aggression wouldn't work—there was a balance between strategy, endurance, and deception. If not for this mechanic, the exam would have simply been a test of which class could survive the week with the fewest expenses.

"Chabashira-sensei, can I ask you something? In the event that someone was to retire after we had already used all 300 points, what would happen?" asked Horikita, her hand raised.

"In that case, all that would increase is the number of people forced to retire. Your points can't be changed any more after reaching zero."

"So, in other words, we can't get into negative points during the test?"

Chabashira-sensei answered in the affirmative.

"One person must be chosen as the leader, no exceptions. However, participation is voluntary. Please inform me once you've made your decision. At that time, I will provide you with a key card stamped with the leader's name. You have until roll call today. If you fail to decide by then, we will choose someone for you. That is all."

It was a system that truly reflected the ideology of Advanced Nurturing High School.

"Hand over your phone, and also give me everything you've hidden in your pockets."

Chabashira's eyes immediately locked onto Kumagawa, who casually pulled out several Shounen Jump magazines and a pure white apron.

Ayanokōji, the only one who understood what Kumagawa intended to do with that apron, was momentarily stunned.

'He was actually serious...'

And with that, the first special exam of Advanced Nurturing High School had officially begun.

『END』

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