A Tyrant's Will

Volume 3: Chapter 1.2 - Responsibility and Risk

We left the beach behind and headed toward the massive stretch of forest ahead. One of the boys trembled as he stared up at the towering trees.

"Is it okay for us to go in there? We might get really lost."

"If we stick together, we should be fine," Hirata said, taking the lead as he continued forward with the tent over his shoulder.

I followed behind, carrying some of the luggage myself. I figured that if I didn't help now, someone would just dump extra work on me later. For the moment, I wanted to give the impression that I was doing my part.

Horikita, separated from the rest of the girls, trailed behind the group. I slowed my pace until I was walking side by side with her.

"Not in a good mood?" I asked.

"To be honest, I'm depressed. This environment is suffocating. Life on an island seems primitive, and worst of all, I can't be alone."

Enthusiastically joining a group effort was far beyond Horikita's capabilities. I considered telling her that it would've been good to make an effort to fit in, but it probably would've been pointless.

"It's hard to adapt to an environment you've never been in before," I said.

"This test is beyond my abilities." Horikita's voice was flat, almost resigned. "I thought Ike-kun and the others would be hindrances, but they were the ones who took the initiative. I couldn't do anything because I was still debating what the best course of action was. If they had moved sooner, they probably would've found something useful."

The fact that Horikita was acknowledging her own limitations was at least a step in the right direction. I couldn't have imagined her saying something like this at the start of the school year.

"I wonder what the other classes will do. I've been curious about their movements, especially Ryuuen-kun's. If he intends to gain as many points as possible, then we'll need to be ready." Horikita's expression hardened.

Right now, we were already far behind the other classes when it came to academics. For Horikita, who aimed for Class A, this was a battle she couldn't afford to lose.

"Aiming for the top is tough," I said.

"I want to know something. Are you interested in moving up?" Horikita asked.

"I don't know. To be honest, as long as we get an increase in our allowance, I'll be happy. If I'm lucky, maybe I'll reach Class A."

Of course, I couldn't speak for the others. Most of them likely saw Class A as their ultimate goal, but they also knew it was too far out of reach. For now, their priority was likely to increase their private points.

"I don't understand. People who come to this school do so to make use of the privileges it offers." Horikita looked genuinely puzzled.

"Hey, that's what I'm doing," I replied. "Shamelessly making use of the privileges the school gives me."

"I see." This time her voice carried clear dissatisfaction, and she frowned.

I had assumed Horikita enrolled here to be at the same school as her older brother. She wasn't aiming for Class A for her own sake, but to earn his approval. In that sense, her ambition was different from most others.

Perhaps she had taken her brother's words to heart and realized internally that she needed allies. Even so, taking the first step was difficult for her. When someone has spent most of their life alone, the simple act of approaching another person becomes unfamiliar and uncomfortable. For her, saying, "Hey, wanna hang out?" is not as easy as it sounds. Humans don't change that easily.