It had been a day since Suzune and I went to scout out the other classes. Nothing was really happening that was unordinary or worth stressing over. At least not for everybody else.

**I still can't help but feel like Ibuki's up to something. Whether intentional or not, her being here is making me worried.**

I didn't really have anything to do until later that night, so I decided to go check out the tree once more and see if Ibuki had returned the camera or not. As I was leaving the base camp, somebody came running to me. I looked back to see Sakura.

Y/N: Hey, Sakura.

She was panting and trying to catch her breath. It was clear that she tried to get here in a hurry.

Y/N: What's up?

Sakura: What are you planning to do now, Y/N?

**Something that I just can't tell you right now.**

Y/N: I'm going for a walk.

Sakura: Oh, I know I shouldn't come... right- I'd be a hindrance...

I looked around for Haruka. She was preoccupied with helping Kushida and some other girls. With her busy, and me leaving, Sakura didn't feel comfortable sticking around.

**Damn it... I don't have time to be thinking about everybody's feelings right now... There are only 4 more days in this test and we've made almost zero progress.**

Even while knowing that I needed to go alone, I couldn't justify breaking my promise to Sakura. I told her I'd be there whenever she needed me.

Y/N: Did you want to tag along with me?

Her face lit up.

Y/N: I don't know if you want to, though...

I thought about what Yamauchi told me regarding Suzune and myself. I'd been spending a lot of time with Sakura during this test, and there was nothing stopping people from thinking we were dating as well.

Y/N: Aren't you worried about the rumors in circulation?

Sakura: It doesn't bother me. Besides-

She slurred her words and mumbled so I couldn't even decipher what she was saying.

Y/N: Uhm...

She became flustered.

Sakura: Ahh! In other words... this will be different! Urgh...

I was confused by what she was trying to say, but it was funny watching her struggle, so I laughed.

**I'd love to just drop her off with Haruka, but I can't do that right now, huh?**

Y/N: Dang, okay, okay... Let's go then.

Sakura: It's okay?!

She covered her face and peeked through her fingers to look at me. I had no idea what she wanted me to say in response to that. She was trying her best to make normal conversation, but how she fumbled over her words was funny.

Y/N: Yeah, come on.

We headed off into the woods and walked along aimlessly. I couldn't return to that tree with Sakura tagging along, so I just hoped we'd come across something interesting sooner or later.

Y/N: How are things going, Sakura? Are you doing well with the other girls?

Sakura: Nuh-uh, not at all. I don't even talk to them.

Y/N: What about HaHa?

Sakura: Hm?

She was only informed briefly, so of course, she'd forget that's how I referred to Haruka.

Y/N: Hasebe-san?

Sakura: Oh! She's kind and I like talking to her, but... She's sometimes too outgoing. It makes me nervous when she wants me to get involved.

Y/N: She's too outgoing?

**Are we thinking of the same Haruka here..? Outgoing isn't the word I'd use for her at all, but I guess compared to Sakura she was.**

Sakura: She can sometimes talk with the others in class or help them with work around camp. I can't do that how she can.

Y/N: Then I don't mind if you just help me out. That's something you can do, right?

Sakura: Always! If I can, that is. I'm not good at studying or sports. I can't really do much-

Y/N: That's not true. I think you're improving. Even if you don't realize it, you're growing.

I looked back at her to see her smiling. She averted her eyes when I checked back on her, so I looked ahead again.

Y/N: You'll make plenty of friends at school soon enough. Once you get more comfortable and people start to see the real you, I'm sure of it.

Sakura: I hope so.

Y/N: Speaking of, how's your business as a model going?

She hesitated as if she'd forgotten I knew about that.

Sakura: The page is on pause after... what happened.

Y/N: Right... Sorry to bring up that memory... Thankfully, though, the man was removed from anywhere near these school grounds.

Sakura: It's all thanks to you, Y/N.

Y/N: Kushida, Ichinose, and Suzune all played a big role as well. They all care about you, too. Needless to say, I'll fully support you if you ever decide to return to being an idol.

Sakura: Truthfully, I just wanted to take pictures for myself.

Y/N: "Wanted"? Past tense?

Sakura: Sometimes I wish I never started posting them online.

**The encounter with that man from the electronics store scarred her, huh? I'm so glad I was able to be there...**

Sakura: But hey, Y/N?

Y/N: Yo?

Sakura: When we set out on this trip, I was really down at first. I have no friends, so going on a trip wouldn't be fun anyway.

I stopped walking and looked back at her.

Sakura: But... now I'm a little glad I came.

Y/N: Is that so?

She stuck up her fingers in front of her eyes and formed a camera frame.

Sakura: If I had a camera right now, I could take a great picture.

I posed.

Y/N: I have been told I look like a model.

She giggled.

Y/N: We can take photos together when we get out of here if you want.

Sakura: I'd like that. I've never taken photos with a friend before.

Y/N: Sounds like a plan, but wait here for a moment, Sakura.

Ahead of us were thick bushes, and I didn't want her getting hurt in case it wasn't safe to blindly pass through them. I went ahead and looked through the bushes and saw that the other side became a little bit steep. It would be for the best to let Sakura rest before we tried to traverse that. I returned to her.

Y/N: Let's take a break.

Sakura: Okay.

We found a large tree that had plenty of shade underneath it. I sat down underneath it and looked up at her. There was space to sit next to me, but she opted to keep a little bit of distance for modesty's sake. The spot she chose was uneven on the ground and likely felt uncomfortable. I tapped the floor next to me as an "okay" that it was fine to sit closer.

Y/N: Don't be a stranger.

Sakura: Is it okay?

Y/N: It's alright. Not the best resting spot ever, but at least it beats the heat.

She came over and sat next to me.

Y/N: Better?

Sakura: Yes.

She looked around at the forest.

Sakura: Nature is amazing, isn't it? I just like to spend a lot of precious time even only walking around.

Y/N: It's nice to get out like this without any phones or electronics to distract us. I just wish there wasn't a test we had to stress about...

Sakura: Still, at this moment...

In the corner of my eye, I could see her looking over at me.

Sakura: I think it was a good idea that we've come here even if only for a moment. We never got to chat like this back at school.

Y/N: You have my number, you know. I'm legit only one call away.

**The opposite was also true. I guess neither one of us is any good at initiating.**

Sakura: I just wish this moment could last forever.

Y/N: Uh-huh. That'd be nice. It won't last forever, but we can make the most of it. Let's have a heart-to-heart.

Her face went red.

Sakura: H-Have a what?

I noticed that was the first time she stuttered while making normal conversation ever since we left. She really was growing.

Y/N: You've never heard the term "heart-to-heart"? It's like a deep, real talk. I don't know, I just thought the mood was kind of fitting.

She started to calm down as she sank into the ground.

Sakura: N-No, I agree! I'd like that.

Y/N: Then is there anything on your mind?

Sakura: Uhm...

She hesitated to speak. She had been talking to me perfectly fine before, so whatever she was thinking was something she felt conflicted about.

Sakura: Can we talk about Hasebe-san?

Y/N: Sure, what about her?

Sakura: A-A-Are you two dating?

Y/N: Me and HaHa? Not Suzune?

Sakura: H-Horikita-san? N-No- I'm sorry for asking that, you don't have to answer-

Y/N: I just brought her up because everybody else in class assumes we're dating. But no, I'm completely single right now.

There was almost a sigh of relief that came from her.

Sakura: Then how did you two meet?

Y/N: I- uhh... I met her at the pool and we talked for a while. That's all. After that, we just became friends naturally.

Sakura: It's that easy, huh?

Y/N: It is. Trust me, other people enjoy making friends just as much as you want to make them.

Sakura: Then what about the nicknames you have for each other? She calls you Y- Y- Y...

She struggled to drop the formalities and call me by a nickname even while quoting somebody else.

Y/N: Are you feeling left out? Or is it jealousy..?

Her face went red.

Sakura: N-No, it's not that! I-I'm just curious. The nicknames a-are...

Y/N: You want one, don't you?

Sakura: Yes! I-I mean, I don't know.

I looked over at her with a sideways stare. She was sending me mixed signals right now.

**I don't even know what I'd call her if I gave her a nickname.**

Y/N: Well in the meantime, can I just call you by your given name? Airi?

Sakura: Th-That's okay. Yes.

Y/N: Great.

I leaned back against the tree and took in the beauty of nature as we sat there. Despite my desire to come out on top in this test, I had to appreciate just relaxing like this. Sakura was oddly comforting to be alone with, too when she wasn't all flustered and nervous.

**Yamauchi would flip out if he saw us like this... That guy has seriously gotta learn how to talk to women.**

Y/N: You know what, Airi-chan?

Sakura: Yes?

Y/N: I was also a little down about coming on this trip.

Sakura: You were? Why? I thought you had plenty of friends.

Y/N: It's not about that, but... I just wanted to enjoy my summer break, and I didn't think this was going to be fun.

I looked over at her.

Y/N: But I've been having fun-

I paused and looked at the top of her head. Sitting atop her head was a caterpillar. It was big, but also small enough for her to not notice it.

Y/N: Do you like insects..?

Sakura: Insects? No, I'm not good at all with them. I can't even deal with ants.

I sat up straight and faced her. She had no idea what I was doing and stiffened up.

Y/N: Hold still.

I slowly reached over and cupped my hands over her head before picking up the caterpillar. I didn't particularly like bugs, but I wasn't afraid of them either. I brought my hands down and showed her the caterpillar.

Y/N: Haha, this little caterpillar picked you!

I held it in my palms and Sakura looked both intrigued and afraid.

Y/N: A small, timid little caterpillar. Some day it'll break out of its chrysalis and bloom into a great and beautiful butterfly.

**Just like you will. Some day. Just like a butteffly.**

I placed it on the ground and watched it start to move back toward us.

**Stupid stubborn caterpillar, just get out of here!**

I decided that break time was over and we ought to get a move on. I stood up and stuck out my hands to help her up.

Y/N: Ready to go, Airi-chan?

She stared at me with a smile and didn't respond. It was like she had just zoned out. After a moment, she came back to earth and let me help her up.

Sakura: I'm ready.

We started to make our way through the thick bushes and keep going. Still wandering aimlessly, we eventually came to an interesting stopping point.

Y/N: Let's look around this area.

Sakura: Okay.

We were surrounded by bushes and couldn't see much, but they looked strange. Almost like they were placed here purposefully by an outside force.

**These are not natural. Why would they grow like this? Something's around here-**

Sakura: Ah! Y/N!

She startled me with the abrupt loudness of her voice. I looked over and could hardly see her through the bushes.

Y/N: Airi-chan, are you okay? What's up?

I started making my way over there.

Y/N: You're not stuck, are you..?

Sakura: No, but look at this!

I made it over to her and looked through the bushes. On the other side was a bountiful amount of corn. My feeling that this area was unnatural was correct.

Y/N: Wow! This is something amazing you've found!

Sakura: It's corn, right?

Y/N: It seems so, yeah.

I grabbed one of them to examine it. It looked perfectly healthy and edible like it was being constantly managed. I didn't expect to find something like this while walking around with Sakura, so I came unprepared.

Y/N: I wish I brought my bag with me now.

I looked over at her and saw she didn't have hers with her either.

**We could probably leave this corn and come back for it, but another class may find it while we're gone. That's a risk I'm not willing to take...**

I took off my shirt and laid it on the ground before starting to pack it full of corn.

Y/N: Hey, Airi-chan, let's stuff my shirt with-

I looked back at her to see her face was red and she repeatedly looked at me and then looked away.

Sakura: Y-Y/N, that's too soon!

Y/N: What?-

I realized what she meant. I was comfortable enough in my own skin to take off my shirt, but I didn't even think about how this might look to somebody else or how she might feel about it.

Y/N: N-No, hold on a second, sorry!

I put my shirt back on and gestured to her tracksuit. I wasn't wearing mine, but she had hers.

Y/N: Could we maybe use your jacket instead?

Sakura: S-Sure.

She took off her jacket and quickly stuck it out to me. The speed at which she moved kicked up a sweet aroma into the air.

**She smells so nice. That's natural, isn't it? Where would she get perfume out here..? Do females just naturally smell good? The only other person who has ever been close enough for me to tell was Kushida.**

I scrapped those brief and pointless thoughts before taking the jacket. We started to fill it up with corn, but it still probably wouldn't have fit everything that was here.

Y/N: We'll probably have to make more trips. This is a lot for only two of us to carry-

???: Wow, that's an amazing amount of food!

Through the bushes, we could briefly hear and see somebody coming. Sakura was startled by the voice and dropped her corn before hiding behind me. The ones who arrived were 2 girls that I'd never seen before.

**Wonder what class they're from**

One of the girls noticed we were there and looked over at us to see Sakura hiding in fear.

???: Sorry, we did not mean to surprise you. Please forgive us.

The girl who spoke had long silver hair with black ribbons tied behind it. The girl next to her was short, but she somehow managed to make even her look large in comparison.

Y/N: It's okay, there was no bad intent. We were just harvesting this corn here and not expecting company.

???: Oh, don't let us stop you, then.

Y/N: No problem at all.

I peeked back at Sakura who was still using me for coverage.

Y/N: I'm Y/N, and this is Sakura.

???: Hiyori Shiina and Morufuji Rika, respectively.

Y/N: It's nice to meet you.

**We'd be in violation of the rules if we tried to monopolize this corn. We better play it safe and just split it with them to not start any trouble...**

Y/N: We found this corn first, but there is so much that we wouldn't be able to take it all at once anyway. Do you want to split it?

Hiyori: That is very kind of you. I wonder what came over you to be willing to share with people you've never met before.

Y/N: It's only fair. This doesn't belong to my class, after all.

She smiled and shook her head.

Hiyori: The gesture is appreciated, however, we will be dropping out of this test later today, so we have no need for this food.

Y/N: You're dropping out?

Hiyori: Yes. Along with my entire class.

**The entire class..? Wait a second, are these two from-**

Y/N: Are you students of Class C?

Hiyori: You could figure it out from me only saying that?

Y/N: Yeah... I visited the beach party the other day and figured that dropping out is what C Class would do. Honestly, I'm surprised you all even stayed on the island this long.

Hiyori: We simply waited until our resources were fully expended.

Y/N: I see. Well, then I guess this corn is ours.

Hiyori: That's quite a bit of corn. Are you two able to get it back on your own?

Y/N: Hm?

Hiyori: I mean, while we're here, we could help you get it back to your camp.

**Whether they planned to drop out or not, they were still Class C students. I couldn't trust them regardless of how nice Hiyori seemed.**

Y/N: We'll be fine, thanks though.

Hiyori: Of course-

Y/N: Hey, Hiyori...

Now that I knew she was a Class C student, there was something I wanted to get out of her.

Y/N: What's the current state of your class?

Hiyori: The state of our class?

Y/N: One of your classmates, Mio Ibuki. Does that name ring a bell?

Her eyes widened.

Hiyori: Yes, Ibuki-san and I are already acquainted well.

Y/N: We found her out on her own and took her back to our campsite. She was beaten and bruised. What's up with that?

Hiyori: You may find it hard to believe, but I don't know. I've gotten to meet my classmates, but we're not all exactly close. I'm not sure what happened to drive Ibuki or any of my other classmates out.

For whatever reason, I was inclined to believe her. I couldn't tell if it was because she was small and cute and looked innocent, or it was because I wasn't thinking straight.

Hiyori: So Ibuki-san is with your class?

She let out a sigh of relief

Hiyori: I'm glad to hear that. I didn't know where she had gone off to, but I'm happy she's okay.

Y/N: She's doing fine, but...

**If what she said is true, then there's not much I'll be able to get out of her regarding her class. This is probably a lost cause.**

Y/N: Nothing. We'll be fine to get the corn back on our own.

I started stuffing Sakura's jacket with corn again and she got down to help.

Hiyori: Very well, then. We'll leave you two alone. It was nice meeting you Y/N and Sakura.

Y/N: Likewise.

I looked over at the other girl, Morufuji, who hadn't said a word.

**She's timid and meek, just like Class C's version of Sakura.**

Y/N: Later.

They waved and headed on their way. Sakura and I were just about done packing up as much corn as we could.

Y/N: That was something, huh?

Sakura: I didn't think any other students would find this area.

Y/N: Me neither, it's pretty well hidden. We stuffed your jacket pretty tightly. I think that's as much as we'll get for now.

Sakura: Okay.

I tied up her jacket and carried it. Sakura picked up a few more pieces of corn that she could carry in her hands and then we headed off back to camp.

**Class C's dropping out today, but... Did I make a mistake by letting Hiyori know that Ibuki was with our class? Only time will tell.**

[TO BE CONTINUED]