"Alright, try it."
Natsukawa Sosuke tore off a piece of golden, crispy roasted fish. After carefully blowing on it to cool it, he didn't hand it to Sakura; instead, he brought it directly to her mouth.
"Ah—"
Sakura Airi looked at the fish being offered to her mouth, then at Natsukawa's eyes, which held a hint of playful amusement. Her heart began to pound wildly again.
(This... is this the legendary... feeding play?!)
The shame made her want to pull back, but the longing deep inside her took over. She closed her eyes, and like an obedient kitten, she slightly opened her cherry lips and took the piece of fish into her mouth.
"So... so delicious..."
Whether it was because she was genuinely hungry or because Natsukawa had fed it to her himself, Sakura felt this was the most delicious thing she had ever eaten in her life.
"If it's delicious, eat more."
Natsukawa Sosuke watched her adorable chewing, the amusement in his eyes deepening. He patiently fed her bite by bite, savoring the lunch time that belonged only to the two of them.
'Sure enough, feeding small animals is good for the soul.'
After the two finished the roasted fish, the bottle of water Hirata had distributed was already empty.
"It's about time we head back," Natsukawa Sosuke said, glancing at the position of the sun. "If we're any later, those guys will start worrying."
On the way back, Natsukawa Sosuke didn't just focus on rushing.
"Airi, look at this." He pointed to an inconspicuous plant by the roadside. "This is wild amaranth; the tender leaves are edible. And that, those are wild strawberries. They're a bit sour, but they're very effective for supplementing vitamins."
As he walked, he taught Sakura how to distinguish the edible wild vegetables and fruits along the way.
Sakura Airi followed behind, diligently taking notes and occasionally letting out sounds of surprise.
"Sōsuke-kun... you really know everything." Her tone was filled with admiration. "That's amazing..."
"None of this is difficult; you just need to read more books," Natsukawa said, casually picking a handful of ripe wild berries and handing them to her. "Since you've memorized it, try teaching the other girls while you're gathering food over the next few days. This is a great chance to show your value and build friendships."
Sakura Airi took the wild berries, but her eyes dimmed for a moment.
"I... I will try my best." She lowered her head, her voice tiny. "But... I'm not as likable as Kushida-san, so maybe everyone... won't really want to be friends with me."
"Don't belittle yourself." Natsukawa stopped and looked back at her. "You are fine. If they don't want to be friends with you, that's their loss."
This straightforward and authoritative affirmation made Sakura Airi's heart tremble fiercely. She looked up at Natsukawa's back, clenched the wild berries in her hand, and a newfound determination appeared in her eyes.
(If Sōsuke-kun wishes it... I am willing to try.)
"Don't squeeze so hard; the juice is coming out of the berries."
"Ah! I'm so sorry!!"
...When the two returned to the camp with a full bag of wild vegetables and berries, they found the atmosphere here somewhat subtle.
Aside from the Class D students busy setting up tents and organizing supplies, an unfamiliar figure was sitting alone at the edge of the campsite.
It was a short-haired girl, carrying a bag, sitting with her knees hugged to her chest and her head bowed, radiating an aura that warned people to keep their distance.
'Little Ibuki has arrived.'
Natsukawa Sosuke's gaze swept over the figure, and he instantly understood.
'It seems Ryuuen's plan has begun. Although the self-harm tactic is old-fashioned, in this kind of isolated, deserted island environment, it is indeed the most effective method for dealing with the overly compassionate Class B and Class D.'
Just then, Hirata Yosuke walked over, looking worried.
"Natsukawa-kun, Sakura-san, you're back."
"Who is that?" Natsukawa asked, pretending not to know, pointing in Ibuki Mio's direction.
"That is Class C's Ibuki Mio-san." Hirata sighed, explaining, "Yamauchi and Kiyotaka Ayanokoji found her injured in the woods this afternoon. According to her, she had a conflict with Class C's leader and was chased out. Her injuries look quite serious, and Yamauchi-san couldn't bear to leave her, so he brought her back. We didn't want to ignore her either, so we decided to let her stay at the camp for now."
'Truly worthy of being the masterpiece of the Black Room.'
Natsukawa Sosuke muttered a complaint internally, but outwardly showed no objection.
"Since you all decided this, so be it. But you must remain vigilant."
"I know." Hirata nodded, then seemed to recall something and showed a look of distress. "Right, Natsukawa-kun, there's actually one more thing I wanted to ask of you."
"What is it?"
"It's about Horikita-san." Hirata glanced at the rock cave they were using as a base. "Horikita-san has been staying inside the cave since a while ago and hasn't come out. I asked her a few times, and she said she was fine, but her complexion looks poor; she seems to be feeling unwell. I thought... if Natsukawa-kun went to ask, she might be willing to tell the truth."
'As expected, the fever is starting.'
Natsukawa Sosuke nodded. "Alright, I'll go check."
He turned around and handed the wild vegetables and berries he had gathered in his backpack to Sakura Airi.
"Airi, take these to the food area, and while you're at it, teach Karuizawa and the others how to eat them. This is your achievement."
"Eh? M-me, by myself?" Sakura sounded panicked.
"Go on." Natsukawa gently pushed her back. "You can do it."
Watching Sakura gather her courage and walk with stiff steps toward the group of girls, Natsukawa Sosuke withdrew his gaze and turned towards the gloomy rock cave.
A simple curtain, pieced together from absorbent cloth, hung at the entrance of the rock cave, covered by an outer layer stitched together from blue plastic bags, blocking the view from outside.
Natsukawa lifted the curtain and walked inside.
The light inside the cave was dim, and the air was filled with a damp smell.
In the deepest part of the cave, next to the faintly flickering time clock, Horikita Suzune was sitting against the rock wall. She was wrapped in her tracksuit jacket, hugging her chest, completely curled up.
Hearing footsteps, she raised her head vigilantly, but her usually sharp eyes were now somewhat unfocused.
"...It's you."
Seeing that it was Natsukawa who had entered, her tense body relaxed slightly, but her tone remained firm.
"If Hirata sent you, tell him I'm fine. I'm just a little tired, and a rest will fix it."
Natsukawa Sosuke didn't speak, but walked straight up to her and looked down at her.
Even in the dim light, he could clearly see her abnormal complexion—a pathological flush mixed with pallor.
"This is what you call being fine?"
Natsukawa Sosuke squatted down. Before Horikita Suzune could react or resist, he placed both hands on her shoulders and pressed his forehead against hers.
"!"
Horikita Suzune wanted to pull away, but her physical weakness made her a beat too slow.
A slightly elevated temperature emanated from her forehead. If left untreated, it would likely continue to rise.
"You have a fever." Natsukawa Sosuke withdrew his hand, stating the fact plainly. "I estimate it's around thirty-eight degrees."
"...So what." Horikita Suzune gritted her teeth and slapped his hand away. "It's just a minor sickness; I'll be fine after sleeping. You don't need to worry."
"You'll be fine after sleeping?" Natsukawa Sosuke scoffed. "On this deserted island with no medicine? Do you want to burn yourself into an idiot, or do you want to directly withdraw from the competition and cost the class thirty points?"
"I won't withdraw!" Horikita Suzune suddenly became emotional, but then immediately frowned due to the severe headache. "I absolutely... will not drag the class down..."
Watching her stubbornly deny the truth, Natsukawa Sosuke shook his head helplessly.
'What a troublesome woman.'
"I didn't tell you to withdraw."
Natsukawa Sosuke stood up, glanced toward the cave entrance, and only looked back at Horikita after confirming no one was coming in.
"Wait here."
Having said that, he turned and walked out of the rock cave.
A moment later, he returned. He had an extra bottle of water and several red wild berries in his hand.
"These are wild strawberries I picked on the way back. They are rich in Vitamin C, which helps a bit with colds. Drink the water, then eat these."
He handed the items to Horikita, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
"This is an order. Eat it."
Horikita Suzune looked at the red berries in front of her, then at Natsukawa's eyes, which were calm but held a sense of pressure.
Finally, she silently accepted the items.
"...Thank you."
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz. If the cave hadn't been so quiet, Natsukawa would have thought he misheard her.
Watching her obediently eat the wild berries in small bites, Natsukawa Sosuke sighed internally.
'This is only the first day. It looks like the next seven days are going to be busy.'