Cote: Elite in Action

Proximities and Confrontations: A Day on the Island

—Wow, I thought it would be more uncomfortable sleeping in a tent without a mattress —said Shibata, stretching with relief.

Kanzaki nodded, looking at me gratefully.

—It would have been, if it weren't for Osawa —she commented, casting me a knowing glance.

Shibata laughed, recalling the situation.

—Yeah, who would have thought of using sanitary pads as mattresses? Thanks to that, I didn't get too cold last night.

That had been my idea when they mentioned that feminine hygiene products were unlimited. When I returned from my expedition, I shared the plan with everyone. The girls went to request boxes of sanitary pads, and we used them as mattresses and pillows. Due to their absorbent properties, they retained body heat, helping to reduce the cold of the night and preventing us from getting sick.

I checked my watch, which read 7 a.m. It wasn't my pocket watch, but the digital one that had been given to each student. I forgot to mention earlier, but this watch had multiple functions: body temperature and pulse measurement, GPS for teachers to monitor our location on the island, an emergency button for dangerous situations, and, of course, the time. I really didn't need the pocket watch, but since it only cost one point, I decided to get it anyway.

—Good morning, everyone. How did you sleep last night? —asked Honami, who seemed to have woken up a little earlier than us.

—Pretty well —answered Shibata with a smile.

—Better than I expected —added Kanzaki.

—Not bad, and you, Honami? —I asked, using her first name.

Kanzaki and Shibata exchanged looks, surprising me.

—What's up? —I asked, raising an eyebrow.

—Nothing, just that it seems you've become closer —Kanzaki said with a playful tone.

—If you're saying that because we call each other by our names, I think it was inevitable —I shrugged—. After all, Honami and I have spent quite a bit of time together.

—I guess you're right —murmured Kanzaki, smiling slightly.

—True —interjected Honami—. And to answer your question, I slept quite well, thanks to you.

—You're welcome —I said with a smile—. By the way, I think we should wake everyone up. We need to form some groups to gather food. According to the manual, this island has many edible fruits.

—Good idea —replied Honami—. I'll wake up the girls. You wake up the guys.

I nodded as Honami walked away.

—Shibata, wake up the others —I requested.

—Sure —he replied, heading towards the tents while I began mentally organizing the groups for food gathering.

An hour had passed, and we had already formed the food gathering groups. Those who had gone out on the first round to look for food returned with a good amount of fruit but mentioned that there was much more they couldn't bring in one trip. This made me think that we probably wouldn't need to buy food during this week, thanks to the abundance of wild fruits.

—Hello, everyone! I hope everyone is here and no one is missing, because I'm going to take attendance again —said Hoshinomiya-sensei with her usual casual tone.

The teachers had to take attendance twice a day, at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. If someone was missing at either of these times, 5 points were deducted from the class. I glanced at my pocket watch and noted that time was pressing, so I hoped Hoshinomiya-sensei would hurry. Fortunately, she didn't take long to mark me present, allowing me to leave the camp quickly.