"From victims to perpetrators. Has Israel a right to exist?" ~ Saddam Hussein 2003, two years before death, pointing out 'the result of the holocaust is a terror state'.

What do you think?

~~~~Bonds and Betrayals----

Seventh day and the last day of the first week on this island. Stamina and mentality were pretty much gone for most students in the lower half.

We reached the point where the top 20 will start to distance themselves from the rest.

Not only that but staying in the top 5 is getting harder and harder for everyone else. But, despite the difficulty being increased steadily, Class D has the slight upper hand, and Class B made a comeback.

However, even though Class D was first, Class C was second, which means even if we win this exam, we will not pass them, but simply shorten the gap to Class B. That's all.

However, what is surprising to me is, Class B, is third and closer to us, the first place, than to Class A.

Mostly because Class A is coordinated, they are incapable of finally gaining momentum until the very last days.

Only Sakayanagi's part is performing well since they have suffered from one single retirement, which is impressive.

Speaking of which, not a single duo is expelled. However, the last three places are two Class A duos, who are both part of Katsuragi's team and one Class C duo, which is dead last for some reason.

Curiously, there was someone in Sakyanagi's team who retired, it was Sakayanagi herself. I understand that she retired due to physical problems, but something is telling me that there is much more to it.

Logically speaking, she didn't even need to retire, just stayed close to her original Event hot spot, never moved, and only participated in academic events, such as quizzes and mind games.

But apparently, she has other plans and I don't think her duo mate is having any problems at all. Kitou is ranked 9th(!). Which means he is the highest-ranked single on this island.

Anyways. We were currently approaching the southern part of the island, it was a hot spot for good water sources, which means a lot of teams were sleeping there.

Then there was Alya and me, constantly moving, even now at 2 a.m. Once we reach the south, it will be around 3 a.m. and the next event will be at 2 p.m. means we will still have a lot of time to rest.

But well, until we manage to sleep, it will take another hour because the further you go south, the rockier it gets, leading the wind into some 'tunnels' creating a lot of wind noise.

I am somehow sorry that she has to stick with my plans of constantly moving as much as possible, under-prioritizing sleep, and other stuff.

Because the more we know this island, the more I am allowed to move at the end of the exam.

"...I am tired~" She yawned, barely holding on. Due to obvious reasons, she was walking next to my side, my flashlight broke the other day, and she is the only light source I have.

And guess what? Human loses eyesight once they get into puberty. Some lose the bare minimum, some have huge amounts of eyesight and some people's eyesight improves.

Due to my sudden change in nutrition and condition, my eyes were suddenly losing a lot of strength, and this started like a year ago.

But honestly, considering the average eyes of a human, mine are still far above average, yet not at their peak conditions anymore like some years ago when I was younger.

I do think like an old man, don't I?

"Just a little bit, we almost are there."

"...You said that twenty minutes ago~ What even gave you the idea of suddenly deciding to move from the north to the complete south at 11 p.m.?"

I get a feeling of guilt every time I see that she has slept badly, or not at all because I want to win this exam at all costs, trading information between the teams in our class and giving them advice as to where they should participate in.

It works perfectly, but not for her, her performances started to drop, it's only natural for this to be since humans aren't machines.

She isn't designed to go on and walk for several hours with barely any breaks, barely sleep, and do academic and athletic events at the same time.

That's not how she works. Anyone who goes on to be on a team with me signs a contract in which their life insurance will expire.

It's only a question of time until she can't keep up anymore. But that is okay.

"Exploring and training stamina, flexibility during the night, and hoping that we could travel around without sudden interruption. Also, I need to find Kushida and Horikita since their duos are moving together as a team of four."

"And you couldn't have found a better time than a dead night with a new moon where you can see absolutely nothing...?"

"Sorry about that, but efficiently, I decided to go this time specifically, mostly because they will stop moving and rest, we have enough time to catch up to them. If you aren't able to keep up, tell me and I will set our tent somewhere, and you can sleep alone."

Her look of concern is seriously a deadly weapon. If a woman is concerned about one's well-being, it's a serious matter.

However, this is not a nice situation. Windy nights and bad terrain are making it harder to cross to the south.

The rocky surface is a little slippery due to its flat surface. Slipping up here is fatal, which means, we should be close to each other at any cost, if one drops, the other will catch it.

"Damn your logic...But I don't mind if it's with you~"

"You talk like you only participate because of me. Alya, we are doing this for the class if you didn't know. However...This is where our journey ends."

"What do you mean..."

"I am sorry, but carrying this much weight is slowing us down. You should retire. Your physical conditions have dropped." And to make sure that she isn't able to decline, I planned it some days ago already.

I went on to completely tire and wear her out, to the point she was shortly before the collapse. And one thing is also sure, if she doesn't rest now, it's over.

Her legs were barely letting her stand and her eyes were red to the point it had more red than white and blue in it.

So to end all of this, the time is perfect, the area is perfect as well, we don't have a long distance until we reach the staff in the south.

"I can still..."

"No. Not anymore. Your body will collapse at any minute. The last time you rested was when we were in the hot spring. You missed out on sleep the past few days, aren't I right?"

"How-"

"Do it for your good. As you can see our class is managing. You did great. I don't wanna admit it, but your performance is worthy of the MVP award for this special exam. Every duo is perfectly balanced and our class is widening the gap slowly but surely."

"I-I..."

"Sorry, but pick your poison. Retire now on your own will and you will have a peaceful retirement without bad thoughts, or I have to choose the hard way."

"...Kiyotaka. You think it's a good decision?"

"Surely it is. Because it will only get worse from now on, the easiest part of the exam is done. The hard and exhausting one won't give you a chance."

"I-I don't know..."

"Then..." I sat down, on a bigger and dry rock, patting the free area next to me, signaling her to sit down.

As she did that, she leaned on my shoulder, just like she always did since we entered the huge gates to this special exam.

"Alya, you know, I think I went under a lot of development since I got to know you. I learned to count on others and never give up, all that came from your ideology and motivation. I always wanted to tell you this, but you are insanely important to me, and I can't wait to finally end this exam with the best possible results."

I took some breath and continued:

"To give you back, what you gave me, I decided it would be to reach Class-A together with you at any cost. As my leader, I also decided to strengthen you and give you hope, hope to reach such heights with winning the first exam, setting a milestone for Class D."

"...For me?"

Indeed, this sounded foolish for me to say. But hear me out...

"Yes, for you. If it weren't for you, we would have already dealt with 5 expulsions at least. With you, we went on to maybe achieve first place in this exam. Without any expulsions as well. So, I want you to rest, to regain a lot of energy and motivation to continue to lead us to success. Even if it means to retire. I am not after first place, I am fine with winning this as an entire class. I am also fine with the top 20."

"I-I don't deserve this...honestly."

It just went perfectly and the transitions in the conversation were clean. This means it's the perfect timing.

"If we are speaking about being honest, I wanted to tell you something as well, a thought which was occupying my mind lately. I think...I  understand your feelings."

"W-What?!"

You heard right. For the first time in history, I confessed to a girl. The build-up was pretty intense, to be honest. And well, I hope it will work out.

"Yeah...I am surprised with myself as well. But I think I developed feelings for you."

"H-How and why?!"

"Well, didn't I explain it already? You are cute, beautiful, kind...well sometimes, caring, motivated, and insanely smart."

This was the cutest thing I have ever seen. Her eyes widened in surprise with an 'o' formed mouth.

She couldn't believe what I said, I assume. So, I tapped her on her elbow.

"Ah! S-Sorry. I zoned out"

"I said that I find you-"

"I already heard that!!! Okay...Give me a second to breathe..."

She inhaled like a supercharged engine. Her upper body was in circles and she was a blushing mess like always.

"I love you, Alisa."

"E-EH?!?! I-I...I love you as well..."

"May I claim you as my girlfriend?"

Her face reddened even more, to the point I was a little concerned that she might pass out, so I took her hand, rubbing it slightly.

And her hands were soft as hell. They were like the surface of a new soft leather sofa.

"Y-Yes! You are mine!"

"Huh?"

"I-I mean you are my boyfriend now." She coughed, correcting herself.

But I don't mind if she takes it with a more possessive tone. After all, what she was going through wasn't a children's game in terms of emotional damage.

It was an emotional roller coaster after all. Why should I be mad? Even if it weren't, why should anybody be mad, isn't a possessive girlfriend something nice to have?

"I am glad it worked out. Before you retire. May I?"

As I closed the distance between our faces, she closed her eyes and got a feeling of...love.

Is kissing a sort of making love? I mean...technically...

No. Fuck that technically. Her lips are insanely nice to kiss. No. She was insanely nice to kiss. I got the most beautiful girlfriend in the school. And that by a huge gap.

Except Shibata finally gets his mind together and has the balls to confess to Yuki. But that isn't going to take any longer either. I mean, she is obsessed with him as much as she is obsessed with me.

I don't know if that is good, but it is for guys who have a kink for that.

"Deheheh! I kissed Kiyotaka~"

"If you love Kiyotaka, you should retire and spare him from more stress."

"...Are you going to be mad if you don't get first place?"

"I cannot imagine a reality in which Class D will not win this exam. I fail to imagine that. So no, I won't be mad. Even less at you. So please."

"...I guess I will choose the excuse that you told me to?"

I mean, if the students in our class are going to be mad, they certainly would be rather mad at me than be mad at her. For several reasons.

Mostly because of jealousy once they find out about our new relationship. Secondly, because I am not popular in comparison to anybody in our class.

If popularity could go into the negatives, I would certainly be an individual with a negative amount of popularity. And lastly...

She is our leader, they should kiss her feet just for the fact we won this exam miraculously.

"Yes. Do that. I don't think anyone would care about that if our class gains 300 extra class points due to your help. Ah right...You are tired right?"

"Yeah but-"

After having enough, I lifted her into a princess carry, wasting any time now was going to be a pain to the balls later. We made the perfect happy ending, which means, we should speed up the process.

"I am going to carry you to the staff, they are going to take you to the cruiser again. So relax. Honestly, you are a lot lighter than I thought..."

"How come?"

"I thought your thighs and boobs could easily add up to a ton."

"Have you confessed to me for the sake of making fun of my melons?"

"Yes."

♡□♡□Bonds and Betrayals□♡□♡

[A/N Shortest chappy lmao. And guess what this is!!!

A fucking happy ending to the...Not an ending at all. This is barely the FIRST island exam💀 Means another year of labour of writing.

Or so I think. I did this chapter today and well, you realize now why I took so long for a chapter right? To release two at once.

And well, what do you think of think of the manipulation part?

Two birds with one rock, nice play Kiyotaka. Nice play...

Eliminated Alya to reduce weight and increase efficiency, and confessed to her to make her attached to him emotionally.

♤Also, please don't forget to upvote for the chapters you like. Of course, if you have any advice or critique, I am open to it.♡

Instead of continuing with chapter 15, the next chapter is going to be a pre-story chapter once again. Explaining much more about Kiyotaka's past and what his future is holding.

Have a nice day.

Upvote to keep motivation up:)