137 -136- Who are you?

In the campsite, while the others were gathered around the campfire chatting and working lively, only a corner where Nanaya Hori and Horikita Suzune were located remained silent.

Hori's straightforward words kept Horikita Suzune silent, and after some time passed, she sighed again.

This sigh expressed deep helplessness and powerlessness.

"To be honest, I do feel very frustrated."

Seemingly realizing that no matter how she pretended in front of this man, it would only make her look worse, Horikita Suzune spoke her mind for the first time.

"I'm not suited for these things, whether it's living a primitive life in the forest on a deserted island or collective action in the class. They're all things I'm not cut out for."

Because she's not suited, naturally she's not good at it.

Because she's not suited, naturally she's not suitable.

She had always thought that as long as she was capable of doing everything herself, she didn't need to rely on others. However, in this special exam, this girl encountered setbacks.

"I once asserted during the midterm exam that Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudou were stumbling blocks. In this special exam, they have shown sufficient abilities. Not only can they leverage various advantages as boys, but they can also help with wilderness survival. Ike even has camping experience, while Yamauchi and Sudou have found outposts during exploration and made sufficient contributions and gains. On the other hand, what have I done?"

Horikita Suzune looked towards the direction of the campfire, gazing at Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken playing around the fire, her tone surprisingly subdued.

"What Chabashira-sensei said on the day of the midterm exam results release seems to have become a reality."

That day, Chabashira Sae said this to Horikita Suzune.

"As long as you can still take pride in your academic prowess, and firmly reject those who lag behind academically, then when the school conducts exams in other areas in the future, you may also become the one lagging behind, and by then, others may reject you."

This sentence, Horikita Suzune had fully experienced.

In this special exam, Horikita Suzune was undoubtedly the one lagging behind.

Even though her physical abilities were not bad, and she had experience in martial arts, Horikita Suzune was ultimately a girl. In this wilderness, where there was no need to fight wild beasts, her role naturally couldn't compare to those energetic, enthusiastic, and patient boys.

As for managing the class like Hori, relying on knowledge?

Unfortunately, Horikita Suzune couldn't do it.

This academically excellent girl lacked the necessary knowledge for this wilderness survival.

Let alone leading the whole class, this wasn't something Horikita Suzune, who preferred to be alone, could achieve.

In the end, Horikita Suzune even fell ill, becoming a complete uncertainty in the class.

If this didn't count as lagging behind, then what did?

And in such a situation, Horikita Suzune also realized.

"You're somewhat similar to me, yet you can effortlessly achieve these things, understanding herbal remedies, terrain, finding water sources, and even managing group actions that I've always lacked. Who exactly are you?"

Horikita Suzune looked at Hori with extremely doubtful eyes.

The more she realized Hori's high abilities, the more she was forced to recognize that Hori was not an ordinary person.

How could an ordinary person be so familiar with wilderness survival methods, even able to perfectly utilize forest resources and concoct effective herbal remedies for human use?

Coupled with his extraordinary insight, eyesight, intuition, and intelligence, Horikita Suzune couldn't help but doubt.

"And that guy too, hiding his very high abilities, not showing himself at all."

Horikita Suzune shifted her gaze to another person.

That person was Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, who was quietly watching Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken playing around the campfire in the crowd.

"What kind of people are you all?"

Horikita Suzune's words sounded like both questioning and muttering to herself.

Naturally, no one could answer this question.

"Herbal remedies can be prepared quickly, but they still need to be brewed." Hori continued to prepare herbal remedies, and casually said, "I'll go brew it tonight, so wait until then."

Upon hearing this, Horikita Suzune didn't say anything more.

As long as Horikita Suzune didn't want to withdraw from the special exam, she could only accept this favor from Hori.

Unfortunately, Horikita Suzune's unwillingness to withdraw didn't mean that others didn't want to withdraw.

At this moment, Chabashira Sae walked out from the direction of the forest.

"There's some news I need to inform you all about."

In front of the entire class, Chabashira Sae coldly announced the news.

"Just now, Kouenji mentioned that he's feeling unwell. He has returned to the ship and has been assigned the duty to stay in the ship for treatment and standby for a week."

Chabashira Sae's voice, like a sharp blade, pierced everyone's hearts.

"Because Kouenji withdrew midway, becoming absent, you will be deducted 30 special points, that's all."

Leaving behind such a merciless judgment, Chabashira Sae turned around and walked back the way she came.

"What... what the hell!?"

The students in the class shouted together.

"Kouenji!"

"That jerk!"

"Who allowed him to withdraw!?"

"Not feeling well?"

"Don't make jokes!"

"He clearly left with an arrogant attitude!"

"It must be a lie!"

"What a joke!"

The students of Class D all exclaimed with anger.

The collective angry appearance made even the timid Sakura Airi shrink, and even Hirata Yousuke and Kushida Kikyou fell into a speechless state, unable to console.

"So we lose 30 points like this?"

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka didn't explode in anger, he just closed his eyes silently.

"This is... really bad..."

Horikita Suzune also didn't explode in anger, but appeared even more powerless than before.

Only Hori, while watching the scene, murmured.

"So it has turned out like this..."

Kouenji Rokusuke said it himself, didn't he?

He was just slightly interested in this forest.

And now, Kouenji Rokusuke's interest has been satisfied, and lost.

So, with that guy's reckless behavior, even if he completely loses interest in this special exam, withdraws, and returns to the ship to enjoy a vacation, it's not surprising at all.

Faced with this situation, Hori didn't feel regret, but instead smiled faintly.

"Lucky that he's sensible."

Before, Hori had also said it.

In this special exam, anyone has the possibility to use points arbitrarily.

If Kouenji Rokusuke had used points arbitrarily for himself, that would have been a real problem.

Now, this man simply withdrew, without causing that trouble, which can be considered a lucky escape.

"After all, this exam is just about to begin."