dictatorkoji

The Island of Freedom

The cruise had been perfect. Luxurious meals, dazzling sunsets, and the vast ocean stretching out endlessly around the ship. The students of Advanced Nurturing High School had finally been given a chance to relax after months of academic pressure and intense competition. Class C was no exception. The once-tense atmosphere had dissolved as students chatted, laughed, and for a while, let their guards down.

Ayanokoji sat on the deck, watching the others with his usual unreadable expression. Around him, students were talking excitedly about how they planned to spend their time on the island they were approaching. It had been sold to them as a vacation spot—an exclusive getaway where they could unwind and enjoy themselves. But as the island loomed closer on the horizon, something stirred in Ayanokoji's mind.

A gut feeling he couldn't shake off.

"Too good to be true," he murmured to himself, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at the staff and teachers who were surprisingly quiet.

As they disembarked from the ship, the excitement in the air was palpable. Students were discussing which beach they would visit first, what games they'd play, or how much time they'd spend lounging in the sun. But Ayanokoji's sharp intuition was telling him otherwise.

Soon enough, the calm was interrupted by an announcement. The students were instructed to gather in the main hall set up on the island. Class C moved along with the rest of the school, their expressions still carefree, unaware of the shift that was about to occur.

As they entered the hall, they were greeted by Chabashira-sensei and the other instructors. The mood had changed, and even the most oblivious of students could sense something was different. Chabashira's voice cut through the room.

"Everyone, please pay attention," she began, her tone firm. "The vacation you were expecting has come to an end."

Confused murmurs spread across the room. Some students let out groans, while others exchanged uneasy glances. Ayanokoji remained silent, eyes locked on Chabashira, already predicting what was to come next.

"Starting today," she continued, "you will be participating in a special exam. However, unlike the previous ones, this test will have a unique theme: freedom."

The word "freedom" sparked mixed reactions. Some students blinked in surprise, unsure of what it meant. Others, like Horikita and Kushida, narrowed their eyes in suspicion. Ayanokoji simply leaned back, intrigued.

"This is an opportunity," Chabashira said, scanning the room. "Unlike your previous tests, this one carries no direct penalties for failure. Instead, it offers rewards—both in class points and personal points. This exam will be your chance to earn as much as you can. But how you do that... will be up to you."

Now the room buzzed with curiosity. No penalties? Only rewards?

"What's the catch?" Yukimura asked, raising his hand, his voice reflecting the skepticism many others were feeling.

"There's no catch," Chabashira responded. "This island will be your testing ground for the next week. How you survive, how you manage resources, and how you work as a class will determine how many points you earn. The more creative you are in navigating the challenges, the more you stand to gain. However, everything comes with a cost."

The students leaned forward, eager to hear more.

"You'll be given 300 S-points to start," she continued. "These points can be used to purchase supplies, tools, and even comfort items. But every decision you make will impact your overall performance. For every smart decision, there's a potential for greater rewards."

Ayanokoji's mind was already processing the information. "Freedom," she had said. But freedom came with choices—choices that would reveal who in the class was a natural leader, and who would crumble under pressure.

Chabashira went on to explain how each class would select a leader who would represent them, and how points would be accumulated based on the actions of the class. Occupying strategic spots on the island would grant additional points, and each class would be free to pursue their own strategy—whether it was focusing on survival, resource management, or taking over territory.

As the rules were laid out, the true nature of the exam became clear. It was about more than survival. This was a game of strategy, manipulation, and control. The class that used its "freedom" the best would walk away with a huge advantage in the school rankings.

Kushida raised her hand. "So, what exactly are the risks? If we don't face penalties, what happens if we fail to gather enough points?"

"There are no direct risks," Chabashira replied with a sly smile. "But keep in mind, the other classes will be competing just as hard. The goal is to finish the exam with the most points. The higher your class ranks, the greater your rewards. For those who finish at the bottom, you may not lose points, but you'll lose opportunities. And in this school, missed opportunities can be just as damaging."

At this, the tension in the room shifted. The realization hit: this wasn't a carefree vacation, but an intricate challenge where their actions—whether careless or calculated—could shape the future.

Suddenly, Shinohara stood up, her face flushed with irritation. "Hold on! How are we supposed to survive a week on this island? Where are the bathrooms? How are we supposed to stay clean?"

The girls exchanged panicked looks, clearly rattled by the idea of a week without basic comforts.

Chabashira smiled in amusement before holding up a small disposable bag and a cardboard box. "For bathrooms, you'll need to get creative. These makeshift facilities are available for purchase, but they're not going to be luxurious. You'll have to manage with what you can afford—or you can bathe in the rivers and waterfalls around the island."

The room erupted in disbelief. Yukimura's hand shot up. "So, you're saying we have to choose between basic necessities and earning points? That's absurd!"

"The choice is yours," Chabashira replied, her voice cold. "You are free to use your points however you see fit. Whether you prioritize comfort or survival is entirely up to you."

As murmurs of dissatisfaction spread, the argument between boys and girls began to take shape. Shinohara, acting as the representative for the girls, started complaining loudly about the sanitary situation, while Yukimura led the charge for the boys, arguing that they should focus their points on essential survival items, not luxuries like toilets or bathing facilities.

"What's the point of comfort if we fail the exam?" Yukimura shouted.

"And what's the point of survival if we're all filthy and uncomfortable?" Shinohara shot back, her frustration growing by the minute.

The tension between the groups escalated, and it was clear that a divide was forming. Ayanokoji stood quietly, observing as the argument unfolded. The class was already beginning to fracture under the pressure of decision-making, and they hadn't even set foot on the island yet.

Ayanokoji's mind raced. The rules had loopholes—he could already see that. He would need to play his hand carefully, manipulating the class's decisions while remaining in the background. For now, it was best to let the chaos unfold and watch as the leaders emerged naturally.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a deep orange glow over the island, Ayanokoji couldn't help but smile to himself. This exam was about more than freedom. It was about how well each class used their freedom to control their fate. And control was something Ayanokoji had always been a master of.

The battle for the island had only just begun.