At first, I thought that even if the odds were rather... elusive, that I wouldn't stand a chance. The tournament that didn't even last a full day revolved around IQ tests and considering how many intellectual individuals there are in this school, out of 2137 students, I wouldn't expect to place in the 204th place.

Inside my dorm, two specific bulky black-suited guards approached my room and with a noticeable heavy knock on my door, I was called out and found out that I was elected for the upcoming dream trip to a private resorted island.

Truth to be told, I really didn't mind the prize that came afterwards; which is the ability to travel to a privately resorted island. As a matter of fact, I strongly believe that nearly everyone in school participated because of the ridiculously high participation money prize that was a grand total of 50,000 yen.

My senior, Percy Phoenix told us that as a reward for our great accomplishments over the years in our school we would be awarded as a gesture of solidarity. Which makes sense because we are constantly burdened with exceeding our academical standards, so it's understandable why we are getting a rest trip.

On April 21th, around 7 am, the top 499 students who placed in-between 1st and 499th are to be allocated in block A's entrance without fail. Though, I am already a block A student, so that didn't alert me at all.

Percy also said that there would be separate private planes depending on the difference in classes. So, class A students would be in the same variety of planes except in a different number due to our classes differences. Meanwhile, the rest of block B, C, and so on students would additionally be in a different set of planes. It's all quite well-thought out but out of nowhere. From what I know, Percy Phoenix is the upcoming owner of a very popular company; henceforth his enormous financial capacity.

Nonetheless, as I laid out my bed freely whilst staring at my room's yellow ceiling, I embraced doubt as I knew not who had made it out in my class.

However, in the middle of this night, as I kept on drying my long black hair repetively, I got a phone call from one of my friends, Maya. I didn't hesitate in picking up my cellphone from my bed's right mini desk.

"Maya?! Did you get in?!"

Anxious, I prayed for a positive answer on Maya's side and much to my happiness, it was one!

"Yes! Yes! I got placed at 448th! I really did it, Ann!"

Though there is a massive staggering difference in our finishing places, I didn't focus on that and just told Maya that I was also successful.

"Congratulations! You won't believe it, but I got it too!"

"That's amazing! We can now go together tomorrow! Hey, isn't it exciting?! A private island resort for us!"

Maya was without a doubt looking forward to this. The idea of a private resort island was without a doubt a massive appeal to many. Furthermore, it's a good opportunity to take a break from all the stress studying puts on us.

Not only is this like a mini-vacation until the end of April, but we get to rest in a quality private resort! It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this was like a dream.

"Hey, Ann? Do you know who else made it from our class...?"

"Um... Not really, sorry. Do you, Maya?"

"Not really as well..."

Both of our voices were drenched with doubt and a slight bit of anxiety. It would be nice if the majority of our class made it, but all in all, I believe that many of us will make it.

So, I gave Maya some hope. through my words.

"You don't have to worry! Our class surely aced those IQ tests!"

"Right, right?! There's no way we aren't the only ones who are going..."

"....Yeah..."

After that, we kept on iddly chatting with one another until we reached a conclusive point.

My hair was dry at this point and I was sleepy, so I said Maya my last words before heading to sleep.

Previously, before this call, I had made my luggage bag since we will be in a private resort, after all. There should be plenty of houses there, so I'll need my clothes, naturally.

It's odd because Percy Phoenix said we would have everything at our disposal in the island, but even so, I felt the need to prepare something for myself.

And thus, just like that, after all my lights were off, I felt the sweet embrace of my sleep as I wondered one particular thing before completely falling asleep.

That thought; I murmured albeit barely silently, to myself as my eyes began to close.

"I wonder if Shurit made it too..."

The next day.

I thought to myself that even though I had arrived prior to 7 am at the gigantic entrance of block A that I would be one of the first to walk into the scene, but there was a big concentration of students from a different variety of classes from all the school.

In order to not make this confusing whatsoever, block A students were to be allocated to a respective classroom once Percy Phoenix would get here. With that said, outside of block A, while the sunrise approached all of us, it was evidently clear that once it was 7 am, we would be allocated to classrooms so it would be relatively easy to differentiate the students instead of mashing them all together.

The entrance of block A was closed and even though there was a platonic big concentration like this, no one was disrespectfully glued to the entrance, but we were all waiting for Percy Phoenix.

I checked the time through my phone and attempted to search for someone who I knew from my class. Of course, these were all students who I had a visible recognition of, but they weren't by any means, friends. Sure, some of them greeted me and I did the same, but it wouldn't go beyond that.

My research was slightly unsuccessful for a while, but in an allocated wooden table a bit far away from the entrance, in the middle of a place where students could freely talk to each other without standing up in front of the entrance like the majority, I found some of my classmates.

Firstly, I noticed Maya, my best friend. She has a bob-cut and has in addition, red hair, though some would say it resembles scarlet. Her cheery attitude is really something I admire as I am not exactly the most cheery person ever, though I try to be one in front of her. Her height is almost small, but it would be accurate to describe it as the average height for a Japanese female teenager.

On her right side is Cindy, a girl with purple hair and two large twin-drill pigtails. Just like Maya, she has hazzle eyes. My eyes are green, for the record. However, her personality is slightly more cynical and serious towards circumstances, unlike Maya, who is a bit too carefree in retrospect.

Lastly, mirroring both of them, there is Nihil, yet another girl who has magenta hair alongside a asymmetrical bob-cut on the right side with a single small hair strand sticking up. Nihil is quite outspoken as she likes to administer her opinion a lot, in contrast to Cindy.

Maya, upon seeing me, greeted me from far away before I could.

"Ann! There you are! You're late!"

"That's weird... I thought that we had to be here at 7 am, not prior. Also, you could've texted me something beforehand."

The rest of them greeted me per usual and we had a catch up talk until exactly 7 am.

Although there wasn't any notice, a concentration of students began to walk right into the entrance of block A, small groups one at the time.

We were all on the table, seated, until Nihil spoke out loud to all of us, thus drawing our entire attention to her.

"I think they are calling out classes one by one, so we should get going. I guess that we were the only girls who got into the top cut?"

Maya then agreed with Nihil's take.

Midst this, as I looked towards the entrance by rotating my back slightly, I saw a couple of the boys from our class right there at the entrance. Catastor, Brionac, Gungnir, and Clausolas were right there, talking to each other.

....So he didn't make it, huh?

Eventually, we got up and went right to the block A entrance. From within the parameter, there was yet another student council member, Liyuga, calling out each of the classes one by one. Our class is C.

Class C within the vicinity of block A, so even though we are at the highest vacinity, we aren't the top class in school. Academically speaking, we are all extremely successful, though I don't believe IQ tests are what should be used to determine how intellectually superior someone is. Because, true intelligence is determined by how someone with a high IQ utilizes their intelligence. So, if someone with extremely good academic results utilizes his/her intelligence in a counterproductive way, are they then intelligent or just academically indulgent?

No doubt about it, but thus far, the only students who had gone inside the block were students from class A and B, so we were naturally next.

Thus far, there were only eight of us here. Including me, there is Maya, Cindy, Nihil, for the female students in our class. As for male students, Catastor, Brionac, Gungnir, and Clausolas were within the area as well. We couldn't afford to talk with each other anymore because Liyuga approached us calmly.

Needless to say, but I believe that the majority of the school either likes or hates Percy Phoenix. As for me, I am neutral, but if there is one thing I am certain is that Liyuga is by far one of the most adored members of the student council.

Nihil likes him a lot and it's pretty obvious that she has a crush on him, that's why she spoke to him before we could.

"Liyuga-senpai! Are you coming with us too?!"

She was bursting with excitement as she asked that, but his reply devastated her slightly, unfortunately.

"That is not the case, Nihil... I am just an organizer and it's my duty to make sure no students get wrongfully incorporated within..."

"What do you mean?"

Brionac, a wildly outspoken boy from our class didn't understand what Liyuga was implying as neither did any of us.

Liyuga brushed the question off though and got to the point.

"Nothing---I will be commencing the call. Once your name is called out, enter the vicinity. Then, my other companion will accompany you. Are we clear?"

Without attempting to deny Liyuga, we all collectively agreed.

From my understanding, Liyuga started from the one who got closest to the first place in yesterday's IQ tests.

Once Liyuga harvested his thick sheet containing the necessarily names for this, his call began.

"Lan Catastor."

"Right here!"

If my reasoning is correct, then Catastor got the highest score in the tests in comparison to all of us. Our academic abilities are fairly equal, all in all, so our academic gap couldn't be too wide.

"Claire Annette."

"...Here."

My actual name is Annette, as such, many call me by "Ann". It's far more simple to go about it.

Shortly afterwards, Liyuga continued to call all of us and as he passed the line of eight students to call, we all thought that he was done, but he wasn't, which shocked some of us, the boys in majority.

Clausolas felt the need to speak his mind about this as he murmured to the group of boys on his own.

"Who else could've made it....?"

"I don't know... But whoever it is, is running late. The hell? Who would be so late on this occasion?"

Although they were all conducting theories about who could've arrived late, they soon realized that there was only one person in class that despite being quiet and not relatively good at anything except getting sufficient academic scores, he is, without a doubt, an exceptional person when it comes to arriving late to anything...

"Koji Shurit."

From behind us, emerged the missing piece of the puzzle. His short black hair fluctuated nicely as the windy air passed by transiently. Half-closed eyes due to late sleeps were his main essence.

I wasn't expecting him to be here, but I should've arrived at the conclusion that if he were to show up, he would show up late...

He remained at the back of us all without greeting any of us, thanks to his anti-social stance and simply limited himself to affirming that he was in fact present through a meek reply.

".........Present...."

Shurit didn't trade any glances with any of us and more specifically... he avoided trading eye-glances with me, out of all of us. However, he was quickly approached by the group of four boys. But not, in a positive way.

Brionac started by forcefully hooking his right shoulder onto Shurit while making him uncomfortable in the process.

"Yo, geek! Where've you been at?! Never thought you'd actually come out on top! What place did ya get?!"

Brionac's tone is fairly contrasting to that of the term "formal" and instead takes up a completely casual tone.

They all began circling Shurit as he was forced to answer while looking a bit nervous.

"....499th...."

This type of reply caused them to enter in a brief silence before completely bursting in laughter. Of course, the majority of the girls also laughed and I had to go along for the sake of keeping an appearance.

....Why doesn't he ever stand up for himself....?

I thought.

"Cut it out! If you're done, get inside. My companion is waiting for you. Don't hold up the line, alright?"

Liyuga cut to the chase and the boys and the girls, myself included, stopped laughing at Shurit for being the luckiest student in the IQ tests. In order to keep an appearance, I can't just go against what they are doing.

Plus, Shurit is accustomed to this treatment. It's not like he is actually bullied, but he's mocked with consistency for being the luckiest student in class. Everyone agrees that he doesn't deserve to be in our class and is exactly what everyone strives to not be. A lucky student who gets a passing grade every time out of luck.

Nobody can stand such a person deep down, henceforth we all shun him.

While we all walked inside the main hall, I purposely slowed down and matched Shurit's slow rhythm of walking as he wasn't accompanied by anyone.

"What?"

Aggressively yet meekly, Shurit fired a spear of distrust to me, to my utter dislike, so I didn't hold back.

"How lucky of you! To actually get in the top cut like that. That's why you'll always be mocked. Mpfh."

As I then began to make my way forward to Maya and the girls, I heard Shurit's low mumbling but decided to ignore it.

"You talented freaks would never understand me..."

"...."

On our way towards the elevator that is in the end of the primary hall, we encountered a student council member right at the borderline of the elevator.

She was widenly known in our school and even had a fan club in her honor, to which she adores. Her name is Yana. Her height is adorably small as most guys would prefer, though she is more in-between the average height and small, if I'm honest. Her dark hair is far more obscure than mine when it comes down to color intensity and she has a nose piercing. Her most noticeably feature is without a doubt the fact that her hair has six tails and at the end of them, there are white light balls with different symbols.

Outside of that, she is constantly wearing a friendly smile alongside her admirable attitude.

"Hello! I take it this is the bracket for class C for block A? Also, good morning!"

Everyone except for Shurit told her good morning in return. The boys were undoubtedly excited to get a chance to talk with Yana as she is massively popular. So, it was a big honor to even be in front of her.

Afterwards, as we rode the elevator to the fourteen floor, Yana conducted an explanation on what was going to happen to us, essentially. By the way, the elevator's insides were not crumped or tiny at all. Unlike a normal elevator, it contained a wide parameters to it to the point where a student could stay at least five meters from another person and that's already saying a lot considering how block A has about one-hundred floors.

"As you might've wondered what's going to exactly happen---it's very simple! Each class will be allocated in a private jet as you'll make your way towards the private resort! Once you reach the classroom, you'll be guided to one of the jets! But, I have to say! I am jealous of this opportunity!"

Brionac took this chance to strike a conversation with Yana then.

"Why couldn't you come along? Surely the exams weren't hard for you, were they?"

Lightly, Yana laughed in response, but in a cute manner instead of an offensive one.

"Hihi, well.... Student council members couldn't partake Percy's little IQ exams, so I couldn't become a member of this journey, which sucks! I really need a vacation!"

I wondered why they couldn't, but the destination of our elevator had reached its end and as the door opened, Yana said her last words to us before descending down once again to guide the remaining chosen students.

"It appears that you are here! I wish you many, but many happy memories as this private resort is the dream of many! Mine included! Tell me how it went once you're back! Bye-bye!!"

We said our goodbyes to Yana and exited the elevator. Whilst doing so, Brionac and the boys began to fawn over Yana, but not Shurit, who wasn't actually looking forward to this.

It went without saying that Shurit most likely only entered the IQ tests for the participation prize. Something to note here is that the IQ tests' reward could not be rejected. In other words, whether someone liked it or not, we were going to this private resort. However, I don't see why any of us should object this opportunity.

Shurit is a different case, though...

Anyhow, we carried on and walked to the end of the golden hall and found a classroom door awaiting for us, but instead of a classroom inside, we found a private jet awaiting outside as there was a parameter solely there with the purpose of maintaining the operational jet in it.

We didn't find Percy Phoenix there, but we found a butler that greeted us in a kind manner and guided us to the inside of the jet. The white jet wasn't enormous and was fairly small, which was meant to carry a small number of people.

On the inside, we saw its luxurious appearance as it had food, drinks and even a living room, aside from the seats.

As we all arrived, the jet took flight and we found ourselves enjoying the trip. We took this chance to all go into the living room in order to socialize with one another. The living room even contained a karaoke, so it was without a doubt, impossible to not have fun here. Furthermore, we weren't being affected by the exterior air turbulence produced by the flight, which was nice.

However, against all odds, Shurit limited himself to be on the back side of the jet. Despite all the possibilities to communicate with his classmates, he obeyed his own narcissism and stood on the back with his eyesight permanently glued to the window, as he glorified the outside blue morning sky...

My turn to sing had just came up, but I told Maya something instead.

"Sorry! I need a quick bathroom break! Take my turn, will you?"

This displeased her a bit, but she nonetheless complained since she understood my necessities.

"Okay... Come back soon!"

Though I had gotten up from my seat cleanly, Gungnir, a bulky boy with a displeasing taste in his choice of words, made a comment in relation to Shurit to me.

"Hey, if you see the oddball, tell him he's not invited!"

Not entirely agreeing with what he just said, I closed my eyes and flashed a smile while agreeing.

"Okay!"

As such, I exited the living room through the north exit. The truth is that I wasn't going to the bathroom, I was just waiting for the rest to be concentrated elsewhere while Shurit was alone.

By opening the door, my eyes went in the left direction and I caught sight of Shurit, who was listening to music through his black earplugs. He doesn't like to listen to the opinion of others very much, so he instead listens to music.

There is a more open reason as to why I know more about Shurit than the rest.

While it is true that Shurit and I don't openly talk, it wasn't always like that.

There was a time, not too long ago, where we were lovers. However, we had to keep it a secret. More specifically, Shurit wanted to keep it a secret because he knew he would get ridiculed from our classmates. He's weak and very passive, so he's an easy target for the rest to bully him, or rather; mock.

Eventually, I broke up with him to which he actually agreed into doing because he said that he was something that was not even remotely close to what I will always be.

In other words, he finds himself in the middle of extremely talented individuals and as such... having a talented girlfriend was damaging his own ego. He naturally couldn't care less about how I felt towards him because he is very narcisstic.

But still...

"Hey!"

I shouted in his direction, but not too loudly and he ignored me, as the music that was bombing through his ears was beyond loud. His chin was being supported by his right fist as he always loves to stare into nothingness.

Subsequently, I took a seat next to him, on his left side and removed his earplugs, much to his annoyance.

"I was talking to you..."

He avoided eye-contact still and his eyebrows stiffened along with his facial expression.

"Ann, what do you want? Can't you see I'm busy? Go and sing along with the rest of the oh-so talented individuals who you are more familiar with."

".........I hate you so much....."

To the very end, he still wouldn't cross eye contact with me and lowered the volume of his music a bit.

"...They wouldn't mock you if you just-----tried to maybe be their friends?!"

"To what end, Ann? For me to receive their pity? Your pity is already beyond agonizing..."

".....I wasn't trying to pity you... I just want you to accept---"

He then snapped at me with a expression full of rage as he bashed his earplugs to the right side.

"Accept what?! How inferior I am? I don't need someone to tell me that, Ann! I got 499th place! This is beyond embarrassing. You talented freaks overflowing with talent just breezed through this without a second thought! Haha, I bet you did it with your eyes closed! The exams that I had to struggle with are just appetizers for you talented, isn't it?"

........It's always about....!!!

"Why does it always have to be about talent?! What about those that didn't even place in the top cut?! Aren't you more talented, Shurit...?"

Despite the very fact that he is above others, he nonetheless will lower himself if there is someone else above him. That's why I can't help but be mad at him right now, because he is always prioritizing himself, in the end.

Talent clouds his eyes and he can't see anything beyond it. Not... even my feelings...

"You wouldn't get it, Ann. You really wouldn't..."

"I can't get it because you never explain it to me, Shurit..."

Sad, I cast my glance down while he looked at me transietly before talking back.

"There's no point... You're better off without me and we both know it. Someone as talented as you can't be with someone less talented. Stop talking to me..."

"Fine........!"

Containing my anger, I got up from my seat and left his side as he didn't even bother to look at me again.

He'll always be the same, no matter how many times I try to change him. As long as he is surrounded by me, he'll consider himself inferior; someone not talented and he'll ignore my feelings.

I don't even know if he likes me or not anymore, because his ego is inflatated by a wave of narcissism beyond my control.

Unable to decide to what to do, I got back to the living room, leaving Shurit behind, all alone.

The next six hours went by without Shurit in the scene and along with the rest of my classmates we had the time of our lives.

We then, ultimately heard the driver of the jet speak through as he announced that we should get on the back of the jet since we were landing.

Back to the seats, we all caught Shurit sleeping, but he was rapidly thrown objects to his face by his male acquaintances and so, he began to feel the treatment once again.

I sat on the front side and gazed outside and saw the private resorted island that we would be staying in.

It was already beyond afternoon, but the sun was still nonetheless fairly tall.

"I see a volcano!! It's so pretty!!"

Glued to my left side, Maya was admiring the view of the island and it was undoubtedly beautiful.

I made an additional comment to something my vision captured at the section of the island where we would soon land.

"Can you see the houses! They look brand new!"

As a matter of act, as we closed in, we could clearly capture artificial houses being implated in the island's parameter, which was odd... If it's a natural resort or a private island, then why are artificial houses being implated?

Aside from that, as we further closed in, there were other jets aligned in a small landing point on the east side of the platform where multiple students lied in.

Midst this, the butler from earlier talked to all of us from the pivotal door.

"As you might've noticed, there is a staggering concentration in the middle of the platform. That's where you should all head towards as lord Phoenix will make his important speech."

By lord Phoenix, the butler was without a doubt referencing Percy Phoenix, the orchestrator of this entire trip.

Upon hearing his name, Maya began to blush in a playful manner as she was one of Percy Phoenix's many fans.

"Gyaaa, I can't wait to see him! Do you think he'll take his shirt off?!"

"He should..."

It wasn't me who agreed to that, but Cindy.

After a minute or so had passed, we safely landed without any troubles and one by one, we began to drift into the welcoming stage that was the tropical island. The air felt immensely fresh and so, I stretched a little!

Shurit was the last one to leave the jet. Soon enough, we begun to praise how the island looked.

"This looks so natural and lengthy! I want to explore everything in it! Let's go! Let's go!"

Through Maya's excited speech, the boys started to get some ideas of venturing the island on their own as they saw the beginning of a length jungle everywhere to their right, but our first destination was the concentration in the north, where the majority of the elected students where in.

By contrast to what most would expect, it wasn't just purely sand, as there was a podium awaiting for someone to be on top. It was a wooden podium surrounded by guards with black suits in the parameter.

In my mind, I had thought that Percy Phoenix would simply tell us to enjoy our vacation here as we were free to do whatever we wanted. After all, that is what most of us, if not all of us thinks. There are plenty of artificial houses established already, so is it really wrong to assume such?

But still, the heat here is a bit devastating. Nonetheless, I had another thought as we all joined the concentration of students who were mashed up in front of the wide podium.

"Maybe there will be daily adventures where we will be able to explore this island one at the time?"

"You think so, Ann?"

"Yeah, Maya. For example, there could be tourist escorts for each class and thus, our time here would be way more enjoyable as we don't know for sure what sort of animals could be on this island!"

I was naturally referring to wild animals present in deserted island, but I am beyond certain that Percy Phoenix has something planned for all of us.

The last jet arrived at our right side and from the looks of it that was the last jet to ever arrive. Something to notice is that on the left side of the podium, there is a slightly bigger private jet fully golden. It wouldn't take a dumb person to realize that is Percy's jet and we all clearly realized that once the shuttle opened itself and through that lengthy vertical entrance, the head figure emerged, which provoked a massive cheer from all the students present.

"It's him!"

"Senpai!!"

Not a single unhappy opinion came forth as we were ready to face our dream vacation.

Positively, Percy Phoenix in his other set of clothes which consist of blue shorts and a sleeveless green t-shirt with his abdominals exposed, waved at the multitude of us. Not even I could help but fawn at his sight.

In addition to that, he had a red carpet to his path which would lead towards the wooden podium. All of his butlers which far exceed the number of fifty bowed down as the guards paid simultaneous great respect. There wasn't any doubt here, but this person is authentically respected by everyone he encounters and ignoring his request would be unthinkable since he gave a participation prize of 50,000 yen alongside a dream trip to this island.

No sane person would do such a dumb action.

Still head up to his ego, however, Shurit remained apathetic. Not withstanding his sight, I joined the wave of cheers and begun to jump up along with the rest of the girls as Percy Phoenix reached the podium at last. Ultimately, he picked up his microphone from the high desk in the middle of the podium and spoke.

"Greetings and first of all---allow me to congratulate you! Exceeding those excruciatingly hard IQ tests was by no means an easy task and even though my words might not be enough for all of you, you all deserve it, for succeeding my challenge! Salute!"

Outstandingly, Percy reached a brack of red scarlet roses implated there previously behind the desk and threw it in the air, which caused many of us girls to fight over. Noticeably, I did try and reach it, but I couldn't even reach the center as the competition became fairly strong.

"It's mine, it's mine!"

"No, mine!"

I daresay it went beyond "strong" as Percy Phoenix had immensely thirsty individuals wanting to get a hold of his roses, so there wasn't any use in me getting them. However, Maya was in there and came back to me with the bracket of red roses though with some bruises on her face alongside a messy hair.

She proudly declared victory as the bracket of roses began to slowly deform itself, much to her sadness.

"....After all that trouble...!"

I patted her right shoulder and subsequently her head while praising her valiant efforts.

"You're still the winner, aren't you?"

"Guuhhh... Annnnnn...!"

Borderline sulking though not for long, Maya swung onto my arms, however rapidly flew out of them once Percy continued his speech with a more serious expression on his face this time around.

"This might be sudden, but there is something that contains a high degree of urgency that I need to say---"

Although his initial words were calm and reassuring, Percy Phoenix struggled to say the upcoming words slightly but not entirely as we entered a state of nervous silence.

"There is an additional event that further contains rewards for all of you alongside a participation prize!"

That silence was quickly shattered by a bombarding outstandingly loud variation of cheers from all of us as we couldn't control our inner happiness once we heard that there was an additional participation prize in it.

This also caused Percy to smile radiantly and he told us to slow down for a bit.

"Settle down, settle down--- First of all, the participation prize is---- 100,000 yen! In other words, if all of you 499 participate, I will be delivering in total--- 49900000 collective yen!"

An even louder set of cheers came forth as none of us could calm down. Maya and I began to jump high as our happiness peaked.

Unconsciously, I looked at Shurit, arguably the only person in this entire crowd, not enjoying himself. Suspiscious as always, he was marking Percy with a glare.

But I didn't care enough to approach him.

In the middle of this, a random student asked Percy the question we all wanted to ask out loud.

"Senpai! We will do it, just tell us what the task is!"

"Anything!"

"Senpai!"

Percy Phoenix was beyond happy thanks to our devotion and then, he signaled a third portion of his butlers in a snap of fingers and they began to bring iron pillars from within the golden jet, much to our confusion.

Our eyes were completely stolen as each of those pillars, which were ten in total had a tall composition to them. However, the most important part of those linearly vertical pillars was that once they reached the top end, they were incripted with a particular photographic description in them.

More specifically, each pillar contained a picture of a person and below that picture, there where their names.

Their names begun to be spoken in a low manner midst us.

"....Tatsu....?"

".........Sagasuga...?"

Many more started to murmor as they failed to comprehend why there were ten metallic pillars in total surrounding Percy Phoenix from behind, but he was quick to abolish such doubt.

He turned his back on us momentarily and begun to explain what was happening.

"Fret not, as this is a mere demonstration of what the task itself will revolve around! The event that will happen will be a hunt!"

He then, with a snap of fingers, made one of his butlers give him a large metallic lengthy stick to reach out the top of the pillars with just a slight reach. All the way to his left, he begun from the very bottom of the pillars.

Each pillar wasn't the same in terms of height as their height was a continuation of the previous pillar from their left. In other words, the pillar to the most right is the tallest while all the other pillars to the left continuously decrease in height respectively.

Starting with the first one, Percy Phoenix further explained what our task would truly revolve around.

"Behold, Hiroyoshi Sagasuga! At the bottom of the list, this filthy criminal, through his unredeemable actions has achieved a length of 25 years of jail to go through!"

A profile picture lied within the top of his pillar, as he was at the very bottom, but that still wasn't the end of it.

"Up next, there is Takeshi Kuzan! Holding a grand total of 40 years of jail to accomplish!"

His voice was full of rigor, but none of us could comprehend what Percy Phoenix was doing by pointing all of that information out. On the other hand, by pointing out their jail sentences, growing after growing, we were... getting... scared.

However, we wouldn't dream of interrupting the very person who has blessed us with this trip. It's unthinkable.

"Following that up, Toharoh Tsudo with 55 years!"

Although Percy Phoenix was speaking in a very high volume, some murmoring could be heard.

"Kogami Akihiko! 80 years!"

Scared as well, Maya had to ask the question to me.

"Why is he mentioning all this....?!"

"I don't know....!"

It wasn't just Maya; every student present was growing impressively nervous.

Nevertheless, without showing remorse, Percy advanced.

"Akenama Kan! 90 years!! And as well, Hirakibo Tatsu!"

No longer being able to keep in silence, some students begged to question what Percy was doing, even if it meant to step out of line.

"S-Senpai--- Why are we.... uh---"

Percy didn't like this and responded accordingly.

"Don't interrupt me when I'm talking."

Chills sent down the boy's spine, he regretted every speaking that as he begun to probably think that his money from before could be stripped away from him---or even worse, Percy would unleash what he's most famous for: the expulsion treatment.

That was the particular reason as to why nobody would actually speak up.

"Moving on, here starts the real monsters!"

Six individuals whose jail sentences were already appointed to all of us were gone and thus, the higher pillars began to gain more attention. However, the upcoming individual was actually someone who we all, or at least, some of us, had knowledge of.

He was particularly famous with the girls around the school.

"Amounting an enormous quantity of 150 years of jail to serve; RYOUSUKE KAWAHARA!!"

"What?! That Kawahara?!"

Nihil spoke out in shock and Cindy couldn't also help but to be shocked as she was one of his fans. It blew her mind that Kawahara was amongst the individuals who apparently had jail sentences left to accomplish.

Regardless, Percy didn't give us time to prepare for ourselves and moved to the eight pillar.

"HAJIME HYUNDA! 200 YEARS!"

With only a 50 year difference between jails, this other individual stood at top of Kawahara, but our minds fluttered negatively as we saw the other individual's jail sentence.

Even I couldn't help but express my own shock.

"420 years of jail.....?!?!"

"Penultimum and not last, SAITOU RAYAZAKI! 420 years of jail to fulfil!"

With brutal strength, Percy hit the surface of his profile picture carved onto the top of the pillar and then allowed us to taste utter confusion as he moved onto the last individual.

What was weird was how after Percy said his sentence, the majority of us took it for a joke and didn't actually believe it.

"And, believe it or not, at last, DANIEL LEAD! This guy has a compilation of ten centuries to go through!"

A combination of laughs and even shocked expressions came forth but we ultimately were awaiting for what Percy Phoenix had to say after going through all that trouble of pointing out their supposed jail sentences.

He took a deep breath and then placed his eyes onto everyone present...

"Right here and now, somewhere within this island, these abominations lie within."

We didn't want to believe at first and begged to differ a bit at first, as someone of the students in the front row begun to question what was actually happening.

"..W-What....? They.... are here? Senpai, why...?"

Calmly, Percy explained...

"They are endorsed in a different educational system from ours and as such, they are deprived of morality and they are hiding in here. The task that I am willing to reach out to all of you is simple---- Capture these ten individuals successfully for me."

Surely, we wanted to scream and shout at that very moment as what Percy Phoenix just implied was insane. Giving us the task of capturing any of those ruthless individuals was enough for some of us to instantly vomit and it truly happened.

However, Percy Phoenix quickly spoke afterwards; easing our minds with something that would heavily contribute to our self-interest.

"Hear this! Each capture upholds different rewards and I believe that panicking at the insanity of the task right away is not wise! Henceforth, I would like to briefly explain why I believe any of you should be open about this as it's not as dangerous as it sounds!"

With yet another snap of fingers, a enormous television emerged from behind Percy and we could witness security camera footage everywhere.

Around 150 or so portions of security cameras were heavily demonstrated to us right away.

"As you can see, even in this vast island, they don't stand at advantage! Through my technological resources, they will have a hard time struggling just to escape security! However---I daresay that this is not what you really want to listen at all, is there? I can read your minds!"

Percy Phoenix then proceeded to speak the thoughts that we were having at the moment.

"Why should I do this?! Isn't this supposed to be a dream trip?! If so, why am I going through this?! What is the point of this task if I am in danger?! To those thoughts, I will present each a solution and why I believe they are unnecessary! First of all, this event is entirely optional! I repeat, no one ACTUALLY has to do this on their own accord! So, to all of those who are afraid, by all means, enjoy your dream trip! Secondly, there is so much more to this than just a participation prize and each individual captured will uphold some of the biggest rewards any of you could even consider! I understand, however, the primordial danger this task implies! That's why, on your command, you are free to utilize your own money to buy my services and hire any sort of bodyguards to accompany you! I would like to remember all of you that they are just ten individuals! With that said, do NOT be unrealistic! Ten individuals, DO NOT stand a chance against the might of 500!"

"500...?"

It was then, upon hearing that, Percy Phoenix announced his true resolution.

"I will be conducting this task, even if no one else helps me on the way!"

This further shocked everyone present as the majority began to admire his brilliant resolution and immense courage of going against ten criminals. Naturally, this already had sparked some of us as we thought that we would be doing this on our own, but even then, Percy was not done and he spoke what would be perhaps the biggest turning point for us as none of us could deny that what he would suggest would benefit us greatly.

"The primary reward that each successful capture has is--- whoever captures the individual will obtain the golden way."

Golden way.

No one present had not the knowledge of this. It was a common dream that every student of our school had. That's right, "had" because in order to obtain it, there are ridiculously high standards for it to be in our possession.

"Allow me to remind you... What is the golden way? Some of you might've forgotten already, but, what if I told you, that just through a simple objective, it could entirely be yours?"

In high hopes, our negative mood was quickly transformed into a wishful thinking one. Not even Shurit was in a pessimistic mood anymore as he saw this as the ultimate opportunity; once in a lifetime.

"The golden way is a certificate to any job you want. Naturally, that itself sounds ridiculous, because only through various educational courses and years of learning, studying, and repeating, would you be able to obtain it! But what if! Just this once, would you be given the chance to obtain the golden way certificate just by capturing a single individual?"

No longer shrouding himself in seriousness, Percy's confident smirk rose the spirits of all of us in a superb away and no one present dreamt of saying no to this person. To us, the golden way is the reason why we even bothered to enter the school.

Unlike a normal school that simply allows you to graduate; the golden way is the dream of many as the principal sees years of learning and studying should be greatly rewarded only to those who are deemed worthy of it. It has, as I've mentioned, absurdly high standards to it, that's why no one really strives for it anymore.

It's a dead relic, if I were to describe it. But, this person, Percy Phoenix, managed to revive that!

Just like his name, the golden way arose in us like a Phoenix.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?!"

"THIS---THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING?! WE CAN OBTAIN THE GOLDEN WAY JUST BY CAPTURING ONE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS?!"

"But wait... Doesn't that mean that only ten of us will be able to obtain the golden way?!"

The thought of escaping from the task was not our greatest worry anymore. Instead, Shurit, behind all of us, managed to gain the attraction of all students by asking that question out loud, which led us to think deeply into this.

It's true. Percy said that the one who captures the individual will be rewarded with the golden way so there is no other way except an all out battle. Or so I thought, but such thoughts were quickly dispelled as Percy cleared our doubts.

"That is a wrong misconception! There is a reason as to why I split every class into groups and not just created a whole group instead."

We then all quickly began to realize what would happen.

"You all came here with your class' group and as such, that is the group you'll be with in this task. Allow me to clear the doubt here----Should someone from such group capture one of these ten individuals, the whole group benefits entirely with the reward! In other words, if a person from the group captures the individual, the whole group receives the golden way!"

This changed everything! This was still an all out battle, realistically speaking, but a single person's victory could very well mean that we entirely win as well.

Unconsciously, in amidst this, I looked in Shurit's direction from behind and saw a burning fire in his eyes like I had never seen before. Furthermore, he approached me and hugged me while nobody else noticed what was happening as their attention was fully drawn onto Percy Phoenix.

"W-W-W-W.......!!"

Too embarrassed and shocked by this unpredictable movement of his, my speech went out of control...!!

"Ann! This is it! This changes everything! This no longer has to be about talent!!"

Hearing such words from him and how he spoke about the golden way as a way to free himself from his egotistical obsession with talent, made me so happy I begun to tear up and held him more tightly than ever.

"Y-Yeah...!"

But it wasn't Shurit only whose spirits were ignited. All of the individuals present couldn't hold their thoughts and begun to attempt to start as soon as they could.

Percy, reading their thoughts too well, spoke to all of us, giving instructions on how to begin.

"Return to the jets where you came from and speak to the respective butler! He will register you alongside welcoming you with a grand 75,000 yen participation prize while joining me in this battle to apprend these rats!"

Upon hearing that, Shurit took ahold of my right wrist and attempted to drove me away from the scene as the rest of the individuals went as fast as possible to their respective jets.

"W-Wait! Shurit, wait! Shouldn't we consult with the rest...?!"

"No time, Ann! I already thought of a plan! I'll explain it to you later! Let's go!!"

Roughly yet happily, we ran to the jet where we came from and before the rest could arrive, the respective butler from before was already on the door of the jet and he greeted us gently with a bow.

Meanwhile, the rest of the others caught up.

"Hey, wait! Where do you think you are going?!"

Brionac was questioning Shurit with a mean look as the rest of the boys couldn't really stand his upstart attitude, but the current Shurit wasn't afraid of talking back, though he showed a level of stress beyond normal.

"I am going to win this, without your help! Stay out of this. You talented freaks have no business interfering with my endeavor!"

"What was that?! Aren't you stepping out of the line too much?!"

"Ridicule me all you want, but you'll be remembered for all of your life as the guy who got the golden way through MY actions and not yours. Watch me, I'll be the one to capture one of those criminals!"

"The hell you will!"

Shurit finally argued back to Brionac and he was eager for once which made me happy, sincerely. After all, if Shurit gets over his talent obsession, then he finally will be able to see me for who I am and not just as someone who is more "talented". Ultimately, he will be able to acknowledge my feelings, which is all I want.

"Wait, guys?! We all benefit equally, so there is no reason for us to fight like this!"

Maya tried to cut in-between, but she was quickly brought down by Shurit and Brionac.

"There is! I'll be the one who gets it!"

"No, I will!"

"Shut up, I will!"

It was then that I noticed that they were basically shouting to one another very closely and that Shurit had let go of my wrist at last.

While the boys stupidly continued to argue aginst Shurit and Shurit somehow found his inner strength to argue back, us girls, couldn't be more disappointed.

"Boys will be boys..."

All of us spoke that in synergy.

In the end, it didn't matter who registered because we were all in this as group, though Shurit refused to cooperate.

The rest was already headed towards one of the artificial houses behind the jet, specifically allocated right behind it, but Shurit had other ideas.

He stopped me from dropping my luggage there and went on an unreasonable spree again.

"Ann, come with me!"

"Huh?! I get you're excited and all, but hello? I am tired from the trip!"

"........"

He, for some reason, didn't argue back, but looked at Maya who was ten footsteps ahead of me, venturing towards the hours alongside Nihil and Cindy.

In a loud tone, he then said something irritating.

"Maya, carry her luggage for her, will you?!"

"Excuse me?!"

"Hold on, Shurit! You're unreasonable. I understand what you are doing, but----"

He then pulled out one of the most coward moves in all history because he probably knew that Maya is a sucker for romances and as such, he quickly stole a kiss from me.

"......"

Us three stood in silence while Shurit blushed slightly. Maya, then softly took the luggage away from me and gave me a thumbs up while blinking her right eye once. Afterwards, she fled from the scene.

In a swift of rage, I begun to throw sand at Shurit without speaking a word.

"H-Huh?! Stop, stop! Stop! Hold on!! That was just a trick!"

"...A trick...?"

"Of course! Don't girls just start to--- Ohhh noooo."

I'm better off not knowing what he was going to say, but I started to run after him with all my might and found out that Shurit is actually surprisingly fast! After all, he managed to not get his ankle snapped through my kicks and I do taekwondo, so that's saying a lot.

After running around for a long time, we were both tired and since there wasn't practically anyone there to watch our stupidity, he decided to speak his mind as the water begun to flutter all the way to our shoes.

"Ahhh! Ahhh! Ah...! That...! That was---- my bad! I just need you to come with me! I wanna talk with Percy to know something! He---He said something about additional rewards to the individuals and since I already have a certain individual in mind, I need to know the rewards.... And... AND---I really want to get this done with... So we could... uh..."

"....Yeah.... Uh...So you want to...?"

"I think so... yeah.... I just need this and then we could go back to the way we were...?"

"You think so... Shurit...?"

"Y-Yeah...?! Isn't that why I've been this unreasonable!? Will you just shut up and come with me?! Damn it!"

"Alright, alright..."

"Gee, thanks..."

We then came closer and thought of holding our hands, but.... We ultimately didn't do it because we thought to ourselves that only after we're successful with our task that we should actually do such things.

Midst our way towards Percy Phoenix, who is supposedly inside that private golden jet, Shurit spoke of his plan to me.

"I was thinking of going for Hiroyoshi Sagasuga. He is the one with the lowest jail sentence and I am certain others will target him as well. That's why we gotta make our move!"

"Okay... But do you know where to find him?"

"...No... That's why I want to talk with Percy Phoenix!"

From behind us, a familiar voice then emerged. We had imagined that he was in the private golden jet, but to our surprise, he was right behind us.

"I know my name when I hear it!"

"Senpai!" x2.

"I also know spirit once I see it and you two are burning with it. I take it you want to start the hunt as soon as possible?"

Shurit didn't hesitate on confirming this and went right ahead with it.

"Yes!"

"That's great! How many I be of your assistance? Remember, you can utilize your money to buy my resources. That includes anything, just between us. Even weapons, should you feel threatened enough..."

With mischevious yet serious eyes, Percy Phoenix spoke his true mind. It appeared as if Percy had some sort of grudge against these individuals.

"Senpai... Have they... done something to you....?"

"Hahaha! Maybe! Who knows?! Either way, what are your names? Let's start with the pretty girl. First and last name!"

"Y-Yes... Claire Annette is my full name, but you can just call me Ann!"

Slightly annoyed at my cheerful attitude, Shurit began to reduce his eyes for a bit though not for long.

Meanwhile, Percy was baffled by my name's origins.

"Not Japanese?"

"No, I am! But my parents aren't so..."

"I see! That explains it! And you?"

"Koji Shurit. I would like to discuss my plan with you as soon as possible because you'll surely be busy once the other groups decide to take action."

Percy then agreed with Shurit and they began to briefly discuss his plan to capture Hiroyoshi Sagasuga.

His plan revolved around waiting for nightfall to set out and explore the parameter. Through the cameras, he would hope to capture the individuals but surprisingly, for hours to come, none of them came into contact with the cameras, which was very strange...

In other words, capturing Hiroyoshi Sagasuga through cameras was not an option until the individual actually showed up.

If anything, most of the individuals weren't seeking Percy Phoenix as much as I thought they would but were instead in the podium's vicinity gazing at the cameras to ensure that they were in fact working and they were. Animals and nature conducting itself could be observed, but not a single of the ten individuals.

Shurit then told Percy about the idea of how a nightfall search would be better because human beings naturally sleep at night and since they are not aware of what's happening, it would be the perfect chance. It was also then that he came at the conclusion that any individual would do; it didn't have to be Hiroyoshi Sagasuga.

"I see. That's not a half-bad plan. If you do catch one of them off guard in their sleep, what do you intend on doing, Shurit?"

"I would like to immobilize the person. Do you have weapons that specialize in immobilization for sale, Senpai?"

"Phew! You're not afraid to go at it! That's what I like to see! Follow me then!"

"..............."

For some reason I am not liking how invested Shurit is into this...

But regardless, we had a common goal in this, so I just let it slide.

As we followed Percy Phoenix to a vicinity in the beginning of the north jungle, we could witness a variety of weapons as there were ten guards on the standby, should anyone attempt to steal any of the weapons. All the weapons in store were beyond my imagination as it stretched to a variety of bows, guns, axes, swords, and so on.

It was then that I came up with the question as Shurit analyzed one of the nearby bows and saw that it contained paralyzing arrows.

"....Senpai, isn't this.... Illegal...?"

He didn't exactly took my question with offense but instead took it rather openly. Which was far more frightening.

"No need to worry, Ann! Everything is valid against those foul rats. Killing itself, is just a method of capture; after all."

".......!!!"

The words that I wanted to spoke were stuck in my throat out of fear for this person as I wondered whether he was really different from the people that are on this island.

"Senpai, how much for this?"

"Just that? You know what? I'll do the arrows and the bow for free just for your authentic initiative!"

"Thank you so much!"

"So, you intend on immobilizing your target from afar?"

"That is correct, Senpai. This bow has a sight adjoined to it in the middle with great vision. Plus, it ignores night shroud, which is amazing... No doubt about it, but should I come across one of them, they are done for!"

This conversation between them is actually happening...

But, to my surprise then, Percy Phoenix's eyes were locked onto me.

"What about you?"

"Eh...?"

As I was indecisive, Shurit spoke for me.

"She doesn't have to do anything.... Since I'll be successful, that will be the end of it."

...................

"Looking out for your girl, eh? Good, good. Well the---"

Going against their tide, I spoke my honest opinion as I took ahold of a small sharp knife for combat close to me, right where most weapons are in.

"I will help him! He's too reckless and he'll be lost without me!"

"....N-No... You're exaggerating...."

"Am I now? Do you really want me to---"

"Okay, okay, fine! I get it!"

Perhaps he realized that I was going to tell Percy that one time he couldn't find his way to block A when we were block E students? I still remember those times, they are fresh in my memories...

Reminiscing in distant memories made me smile, but then, Percy Phoenix said something about the knife.

"I'll have to cover 4,700 yen for that. Though, that's not much considering how much you've earned recently, is it now?"

"True..."

Shurit was already fiddling the notes in his pocket as he handed the respective yen to Percy who afterwards wished us good luck.

On our exit to the jungle, I began to admire the sharp edge of the knife as Shurit questioned my sudden decision from me back then as he too analyzed the sharp string of the bow with his fingers.

"What went through your mind, Ann? No one will have a shot at this... I just have to play it safe. I'll have you know I know a bit of archery, so---"

"You can't let your guard down, Shurit... No matter how much advantage we have, they are criminals.... Who knows what they could come up with!"

"You're being paranoid. We have no chance at losing here. We have weapons to our disposal, body-guards, and Percy Phoenix's help to our assistance. This'll be a piece of cake!"

"....Yeah, you're right. No matter how I look at it, I was overreacting. But why didn't you hire a body-guard?"

If we really are on the look for these individuals then it would be for the best of our interests to strengthen our defenses, so I'm curious as to why Shurit didn't just go with that option.

"Too many footsteps could ruin everything. We don't need anyone else for this. Don't tell anyone about this."

"Alright, alright."

"Meet me up outside of the house once it's dark. I'll give you a text. Let everyone fall asleep first and then, we'll be out."

"Got it, got it. And hey---you didn't reply to that text I sent you six months ago!"

"I will in a few hours, won't I?!"

Our usual conversation went on until we entered the house. In the first floor of the house, there were four rooms, and since we are four girls only, it made sense. As for the above floor, there are five rooms. I have to say that this sounds like something that was built on extremely on the clock, unless this is a massive coincidence.

Tired, I then witnessed the afternoon set itself in dusk through the artificial glass.

Maya, who is in my room, asked me the obvious question.

"Sooooooooo---how did it go?!"

"Er----Nothing really changed... Yet."

"Yet? Ohhh?"

Seeing her stupid smirky expression made me throw a pillow at her face as she saw through my intentions clearly.

"He's more than a selfish bastard, apparently. What would you know..."

"...Oh... Well---he really is taking this serious, isn't he?"

"Of course, Maya. He feels isolated for being the "lucky" student in this class. This thing is more important to him than probably all of us and that's saying a lot considering how much I want this."

Yes, even though all this time my mind was really focused on it, I do want the golden way because I, like every other human being, have dreams. It's just that my adolesence blocked me from reasoning anything else outside of the possibility of me and Shurit being back together.

His stupid ego is in the way and if there is a way to destroy it, then I will help him out. That's why I'll go with his plan.

Just like that, Maya and I spent the afternoon chatting with the other girls about this island and even went to the beach outside to have some fun.

The boys came out and headed to the beach as well, but Shurit remained inside.

Ultimately, dinner time came and the butler delivered us a luxurious dinner to which we ate as much as we could. Shurit didn't eat that dinner, however, which made me worried...

Midst the dinner, I wondered if he had fallen asleep until I felt my cellphone vibrating and got a message from him.

"............"

Without anyone paying attention to me, I lowly smiled as his reply to my embarrassingly clingy text to him six months ago, which was "Stupid selfish bastard, I will always hate you.", came as this: "Sorry that I can't reciprocate your feelings of hatred. I will always love you instead."

As I didn't want to attract attention, I stuffed my cellphone away in my skirt's right pocket and enjoyed dinner with the rest.

Hours after, midnight came.

Outside, the sun was no longer up as the moon rose to full height. It was a full moon; so to speak.

Admitedly, it was slightly chillier than usual, so I brought an additional jacket and stood outside for a while only to then three minutes later, encounter Shurit who came through the frontal door.

He was wearing a hoodie jacket as well, for masking purposes while carrying his bow and arrows on his back. There was a supportive string that allowed him to pack his bow onto his back rather easily, so he went with that.

As for me, I hid my knife on the edge of the back of my skirt while covering it up with my jacket, so no one could notice.

"Cold.... Anyway, shall we?"

"Yup! This is so exciting! Just the two of us, in the middle of the night! This almost feels like a...."

"............." x2.

Perhaps I was too bold with that as we felt slightly embarrassed as consequence. And, in order to brush that off, Shurit had to talk about his path of action.

"We are on the south of the island and as such, we will go north way. They should not be aware of what we are doing and if they are in a group, then we will just report their location and not continue the hunt. If---we spot a single one of them, I will strike him down from afar. With that said, don't go somewhere else without me..."

"Oki. Anything else I should be aware of?"

"...If we get separated, then shout my name as I will shout yours. Just in worst case scenario."

".........Why are you...."

"It's just if we do get separated, Ann....."

"............."

Suddenly, I started to really wonder what I would do if he disappeared on me out of nowhere.... Would I panic beyond my capacity?

Either way, we started to walk into the jungle and with a flash lantern of his, Shurit guided the way pretty clearly without speaking anything at all.

To that, I was a bit mad.

"....Are we just not going to talk at all?"

"...What are we supposed to talk about...?"

"....Your problems? I swear you have no personality sometimes, Shurit."

He was ahead of me leading the way, but I could tell that he was pretty focused in contrast to my carefree attitude.

Realistically, I was pretty positive when it comes to the possibility of not finding any of these criminals. Furthermore, we have weapons and they are probably deprived of food, so I don't really have anything to worry about.

"You already know my problems, Ann... I can't stand talented people who have it easy all the time..."

"...Do you realize how much you've hurt me by upholding that perspective...?"

"...What?"

He turned off the light of his lantern and then silently faced my way. We couldn't see each other's faces clear enough because some lianas were blocking the moonlight, so he couldn't see my griefing expression, but since he is obtuse about my feelings, there is no other way here.

"You argue that everyone else is more talented than you, but maybe, but just MAYBE, I never cared about talent and all that and genuinely loved you back then...! It's painful how you can't see anything beyond that inferiority complex of yours... That's why they mock you so often!"

".........You could've just told me that then! I wouldn't have misunderstood things all along! I thought you broke up with me because I wasn't as talented as the rest..."

"Huuuh?!"

"How was that not it, Ann?! Why else did you break up with me?!"

I seriously can't believe this obtuse oddball mistook what had happened for that! Now I know why he has distanced himself so much from me over these past six months...

"...I just couldn't stand feeding your ego anymore as you begun to see me as yet another "talented" individual in your mind. And talented individuals to you are subjected to your dislike... So I didn't want you to dislike me..."

"..........Are you serious....?"

"....Yeah... The thought of you hating me, really.... would tear me apart. I'm sorry... that you had to know like this...."

"..............."

Without speaking for a while, we made silence and then Shurit turned the lights on again, in the north direction thus marching again.

Silently, I followed him too but didn't force him to talk.

"I------"

Struggling to speak, Shurit was about to say something, but he quickly took it back.

"Forget it..."

"......No... Say it..."

"...Alright...."

He once again turned the lights off and faced my direction in the middle of the dark.

"I really wanted all this time for us to just be friends. But that would be too sad. I thought that I wouldn't mind it, but I would be destroyed. However, if you didn't like me anymore, that would be fine and I could take it all on the inside. Though----I harbor doubts in regards to that. I---- am not sure if I even want to view others as talented anymore. Because, if viewing others as talented can conflict with how I feel about you, then I don't want it!"

"................"

"After this is done---Ann---let's stay together forever. Nothing will stop me this time. I promise..."

"...You better mean it... Also, give me the lantern!"

"Huh?!"

"Just give it to me! You'll be on the back this time!"

"Why----Oh..."

A transient ray of moonlight, this time around, unfairly invaded the surface of my face and as such, the highlights of my tears began to show form, which was enough for Shurit to understand what was actually going on.

Comprehending this, he softly handed me the lantern to my hands.

Before I could turn the lights on, he gave me a surprising hug from behind while whispering words to my left ear.

"....I'm sorry..."

"........It's fine... I should also apologize, Shurit. Laughing at you for the sake of my appearance really was immature. And if in the future you have a backbone to pick with them, I'll support you..."

"..............I love...."

"....Not yet...."

Only afterwards...

"...Alright...."

Basking under the precious moonlight, we then headed towards the north direction as our footsteps were the only thing that we really could hear.

We weren't talking to each other as each moment of silence felt gracious and wrong to interrupt with unnecessary dialouge.

The power of silence had never really been relevant to me, but it's only at moments like this that I am able to harness its power.

".............."

On the north edge, the sight of a gigantic lake was visible to us. That dark blue lake was being honored by the illuminating moonlight.

As we walked in its direction from afar still, I began to talk.

"The other day, I had a dream. On my birthday, which would be June 1st, you would ask me on a date as a birthday gift. Did you know? I would reject you and make you go through a heavy phase of depression. But, in reality, on November 27th, your birthday, I would do the exact same thing you did, in hope you would reject me too. For some reason, I believe we would do this for years to come and would remain single until we eventually got tired of doing this and eventually---We would have enough and just settled despite our differences, you know?"

Still, despite my words, Shurit didn't speak a word, which was exactly what I wanted.

I wanted to let some thoughts out of my mind as we reached close to the lake beyond.

"You wanna know something as well? Back then, when we were block E students, I wasn't really that motivated to climb up. I lacked the motivation back then. Where we started, yeah? Well, you might be wondering how I was able to break out of it, but it was you. Nobody in our class was trying but you got all the high scores through hard-work and carried us on your back all the way until block A. I then think---somewhere along the way you started to become tired and unconsciously put the blame on others for being too talented to relieve some stress that you had stored up inside you."

At last, we then reached the lake and I was already taking up the lead in the path, so I didn't bother to look at Shurit from behind.

"In reality, you are the best because you don't need talent unlike us. Hard-working individuals are the rarest to find because the truth is, talented freaks, as you've said, are spreading everywhere and it's relatively boring! Thats why you are an interesting person, Shurit. You---"

Out of instinct, I then looked behind me to direct my words to Shurit. The words I wanted to convey the most as they were the thoughts I had accumulated for the longest time.

However...

Even though the moonlight rays inserting themselves onto the beginning of the jungle, I couldn't find Shurit everywhere.

I didn't panic and thought that this was just a prank of his and that he was taking advantage of my emotional speech to cause me to overreact.

"Haha, very funny! But that's not gonna work! I can read you like a book, Shurit! If you don't show up in less than a minute, I won't talk to you for a month straight!"

He might act cold but he's the type of person who would only lay down his guard for one person only. In this case; me.

In other words, I win this one. So, without moving an inch, I stood there as a single minute passed by.

Then.... another one...

Suddenly, my body began to tremble a bit, albeit my resistance at first...

".....Uh, Shurit...? You are there, right...? I am serious.... Answer me..."

However I differed my stance, it didn't matter. No voice was coming forth, which made me realize that he had disappeared. That sudden realization broke me down quickly on inside as I instinctively began to shout his name out loud.

"Shurit?! Where are you?! You said that if we were lost we would shout each other's name, so shout mine! Shurit!"

Panicking as no voice came forward, I went back on the dark path which suddenly became more frightening without Shurit. Walking into that path felt like walking into a horror house that you thought you knew everything about yet as soon as you would step on it, you'd think to yourself that you knew nothing at all.

My breaths became irregular as I continuously shouted his name in pure terror.

"Shurit, please answer me! I'm lonely and I need you! ...Shurit!!! Where are you?! All you have too do is shout Ann! Why aren't you doing it, Shurit?!"

With my hands adjoined to the corners of my mouth in order to create more vocal sound, I failed to notice the liana in the jungle's ground which made me trip onto the muddy ground.

"Ow!!"

My right knee became injured right away but despite that, I persisted on shouting Shurit's name out loud.

"Shurit! Shurit...!!! Where... are... you...?!"

Like a crybaby, tears ran rampant on my face like a river in a storm. My eyes were startled briefly and just as I thought all hope was lost, I heard footsteps within the parameter approaching from ahead of me.

Without any sort of hesitation, I looked forward and caught the glimpse of someone walking....

"....Shurit.....? That's.... you, right.....?"

However....... The person didn't speak at all, which frightened me with horror and as such, I reached out to the knife in my skirt swiftly while also elevating my posture in spite of my injured knee.

If Shurit is done for, then I will----

"Bastard!! What have you done to---- Shurit....?"

My rapid knife swing was interrupted by Shurit's hand and so, a bleeding began in his right palm because he took a strong hold of the knife's entire edge by himself.

The first thing that made me tell that he was Shurit for sure was his black hair as it was the exact as Shurit. That short length and random spikes on the top were exactly like him. Then, the moonlight gave me a more brighter image of him as I thought to myself that was Shurit for sure.

I was not sure however, until I heard his voice.

"Koji Shurit. That's my name, isn't it?"

As soon as I heard his voice, I dropped the hold on my knife and rejoiced as I saw that Shurit was not in danger.

"Shurit!! Shurit! It's you!"

"Mhm. Now, do you remember who you are? What is your name?"

He's lightly smiling.

Plus, his eyes are entirely condescending.

"Haha---that wasn't fair---you could've told me you were about to pull a prank of this level--"

"Do you remember your name?"

"What's with that question?! It's Ann! Claire Annette!"

"Ah, I knew it! Annette, of course!"

It feels so weird. This is the first time he called me Annette.

"Cut it out, that's weird! Ann only. Oh, your hand! Oh my god!! It's bleeding so much! We have to go back!"

Even though he was supposedly feeling a lot of pain from holding the edge of the knife, he wasn't really showing any emotion. Only after I noted that, did he show a reaction.

"Damn! You're right! We really should head back and get this treated huh?"

"Yeah! Screw the hunt, we need to get your properly treated! I'll lead the way, Shurit!"

Not hesitating and wanting to get Shurit treated, I lit up the lantern even though I had my knee damaged. Still, in comparison to his wound, this is nothing.

By grabbing his left wrist, I led the way to him.

"Thank you for leading the way, Ann. By the way, what were doing again? You said hunt, right? I think I lost so much blood that my memory just stroked out! Haha, can you believe that... Hah..."

"You're funny when you're physically damaged, Shurit! We were trying to hunt down any criminal that would come in our way. Good to see you're still holding onto that bow."

"Oh, so that's why! I see! Thanks for reminding me, Ann. Ah, by the way, who will treat my wound...?"

"I will!"

"Really?"

"Really!"

Though I don't have any experience when it comes to treating a wound like that. I didn't wnt to have some other girl to heal his wound, although I'm positive that a butler could do that, regardless.

"Hey, Ann?"

"Yeah? You've been talkative ever since you got that wound. Or maybe you're too shy to admit that my speech earlier blew your mind? Oh! Why exactly did you run away again?"

"I had to take a leak, of course. That's not something a guy could tell a girl, Ann."

...........So that's why....

"That aside, Ann, aside from you, who could get this wound treated? I am not saying I don't want your treatment, because I do, I am just curious to know what you think."

"Uhh... I think the butlers can do a better job than me. I mean, there's like fifty of them, so one of them will know for sure. Surely, there are also students who are taking medicinal courses, so there's that too. In the middle of that many students, there's no way there isn't someone who doesn't know how to treat your wound!"

Essentially, I am positive that this will work out well. Honestly, a part of me is glad that I didn't have to go through with the hunt. All I wanted was to sort out my feelings for Shurit and I was successful to that end and he was too.

"Uh, remind me again, how many students there are?"

"Huh? You're forgetting way too many things! 500, if we count Percy Phoenix. He's the one who gave you the bow and arrows, how could you forget that?!"

"........"

He's probably really stressed out. He hasn't slept yet and we did travel through jet, so physical fatigue is to be expected.

And----

"What the hell...? When was the last time you showered?! Didn't you shower in the house before leaving?! You beast!"

"Huh? I must've forgot!"

"Seriously.... You do realize any other girl would just treat you like trash after noticing that, right?"

"You're not going to, Ann?"

"I'm tempted!"

"Haha! Just a joke, just a joke! Please treat me kindly from now on, Ann."

"Mhm..."

Now that I think about it, when exactly did he stop listening to my speech?

Depending on the time, it could be extremely embarrassing because I am not so sure if I'll be able to say those things again...

"..........How much did you listen....?"

"Hm?"

"...I said what I said. How much did you listen to it?!"

"Listen to what?"

"Ah, forget it! You blockhead! What's wrong with you!"

"............."

Maybe it's better this way.