There were only a gasping sound and the sound of footsteps kicking the ground.

Sakura and I forced our bodies to move as fast as we can.

While feeling my mind getting clear and numb, I ran very fast through the trees and bushes in front of me.

"Ahh!"

A sound like something heavy had fallen could be heard behind me.

"Awwhh—, e-eeh?"

After being carried, she must have felt confused.

I forcefully lifted Sakura's body which had previously fallen on the ground and carried her.

And quickly I started running again. Sakura's body weight is around 60 kg, it shouldn't hinder my steps in running.

I was running, running, from something truly foreign, something that was without hesitation showing its worst, feelings of disgust, irritation, fear, anxiety, my body felt it all.

I know that I am different from kids my age, I know the fear that results from something ... I know the anxiety of worrying about failing to achieve something ... I know the disgust when I see something ... but the more I grow up and run in that cold room ... and my soul has been trained to face all problems and obstacles that exist to the limit of human knowledge in general.

But now ...

"Khiii—"

Sakura tightened her grip even more on my back.

My body was shaking, my soul was struggling restlessly, my legs were trembling… this was something new to me.

Fear of the Unknown

That's how I feel now. Unknown, confused, beyond the comprehension of my mind.

And even if I decide to fight this feeling, strengthen my body and soul again, face something that is behind me.

My instincts screamed, "You're going to die!"

I have lost my step, I don't care how long I have been running, all I know… our camp is near.

Gradually the feeling of anxiety in my heart had started to disappear, my footsteps that were a little heavy before now felt lighter somehow.

I stopped and glanced back, there were only small leaves that fell in the wind before finally touching the ground. The comfortable atmosphere you can see when you pay attention to the beauty of the green forest.

I began to adjust my breath and calm my body.

I paid attention to my surroundings and guarded for the worst, the 'thing' wasn't chasing or watching us anymore.

The feeling like you're being chased by an absolute death, a mysterious merciless presence, baring its fangs and carving out fear forcibly… overwhelms common sense and my logic.

After feeling safe enough because I didn't feel that 'thing', I stopped my steps and put down Sakura slowly.

Sakura almost fell but I held her with my arms that wrapped around her soft waist. Maybe because of the pressure she was under before, her legs were still shaking until now.

"Are you okay, Sakura?"

I called her name and tried to calm her down.

But she didn't hear, she covered her ears and winced in fear.

If it's like this, the fear she felt before could become traumatized, and Sakura will have a hard time going through this special exam.

No, I guess I have to put the special exam aside first. There are more serious problems than that. And I thought about talking to Chabashira-sensei and the school.

"Sakura, Sakura!"

Once again she didn't answer and was swallowed up by her fear.

There is no other choice, it seems I have to use that method.

I slowly grabbed Sakura's shoulders, forcing her to look at me.

Behind that glasses, her wobbly eyes filled with tears.

I slowly lifted her chin, my free fingers slightly touched her soft lips, the tenderness I felt was abnormal, different from what I have and what I know.

Sakura was surprised by what I did, her trembling lips seemed to want to say something, but I held them back by pressing my finger against hers.

I can also use other options like kissing her, but I don't want to cross the line between men and women, after all, I don't have that kind of relationship with Sakura.

"Calm down, everything is okay.."

I can't let Sakura come back to our camp if she shows excessive anxiety. My classmate could misunderstand her and think she was sick, and she had to end up retiring.

Her body, which had been shaking violently with fear, was calm again. I adjusted the position of her glasses which were slightly tilted and then patted her head.

"Now let's go back."

"B-but, the firewood?"

Previously I told Sakura to throw all the wood that had been collected and run as fast as she could, running from something that was lurking from behind the forest.

"We can collect more later, now we have to attend the absence in the morning first ..."

Sakura nodded softly after hearing what I said. Even though she was calmer, her hands were still trembling a little.

"Oh yeah Sakura, can I ask you to stay calm about the incident we had before?"

Sakura looked up slightly at me, "S-sure, b-but way?"

"I don't want to put confusion in the classroom if we say what we went through before. Plus, not many will believe, nor do we know what actually happened earlier because it's still unclear. The only correct option is to discuss this with the Teacher and the school. I will report this to Hirata and ask him to contact Chabashira-sensei later. "

Because this situation is something that can threaten the safety of the students themselves and I have a lot of confidence in that. There is something very dangerous on this island.

In this way, I have to re-evaluate the plan that I previously put together.

Also, it seems like I have to prepare myself for anything if the school can't explain or solve this.

As soon as we walked, we finally arrived at class D camp and finally breathed a brief sigh of relief.

The atmosphere at the camp is currently normal as usual, it's hard to imagine after what I experienced before seeing this kind of calm.

My presence with Sakura seemed to be noticed by some people, but they only caught a glimpse of us and then continued their activities.

The digital watch in my hand showed 8.25 AM. That means Sakura and I have missed the morning attendance. It wouldn't be strange if my classmates would feel angry and annoyed at me, but I don't see that right now.

They carried out their activities, as usual, the girls gathered in one place and were seen chatting, Ike and Sudou who brought the fishing root and a water bucket filled with several fish then placed them near the tent, all looked normal.

I parted ways with Sakura and approached Hirata who was talking to one of my classmates.

"Hirata."

He looked at me and waved his hand.

"So how is it? Have you collected some woods? It was quite a while when you left."

"I'm sorry."

First of all, let's explain my situation to Hirata

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I couldn't find suitable woods to use, everything was wet, and it seemed like if we wanted to collect more suitable firewood we would have to explore the forest deeper, but I didn't dare make that decision for fear of getting lost."

Of course, half of what I said was lies and Hirata shouldn't know whether it was true or not.

Hirata was not angry, but listening to what I said well, he shook his head and said, "I see, it's not your fault Ayanokouji-kun, you worked hard. I'll make a team later to collect firewood again. You can rest now, the group of girls led by Kushida managed to find some fruits around, and there are still leftovers of corn that you and Sakura managed to find yesterday."

He patted my shoulder slowly and asked me to go to rest.

The group of girls led by Kushida managed to gather some fruits around. We are grateful that our spot is overgrown with several fruits and makes it easy for our class to get food ingredients.

Of course, this must have been prepared by the school. Growing some food crops for students to find and making student life easier on an uninhabited island, the cornfield I found yesterday with Sakura is one of what I mean.

"Oh, one more thing, Sakura and I would like to apologize for our morning attendance. Looks like the two of us couldn't make it in time. "

I conveyed my apologies regarding the delay in the morning attendance, and Hirata showed a strange expression that I had difficulty explaining.

"Hmm, about that… actually there is something wrong. We are waiting for Chabashira to come to our camp. But until now she hasn't come. And her presence is nowhere to be found in her tent."

She didn't come to take attendance, where is she?

It's odd. It should be that attendance is one of the important factors affecting class points. This kind of thing should not be ignored by the school.

Was there some personal reason that caused Chabashira-sensei not to be present in time to take attendance? If it was her, the school should have provided a replacement for Chabashira-sensei. As I said, something like this is very important because it is due to the fair running of the exam.

"Actually, I was thinking of getting some people and talking to the school about this. But I don't have the heart to interfere with the activities of classmates who are enjoying what they are doing right now."

It seemed like he was worried that he would disturb his classmates.

It is a good choice to report this to the school.

But for now ...

"Hirata, will you listen to what I think about this matter."

"Hmm, what is it?"

"For now, we should be quiet for a while, our main focus is to prepare the needs we need for now."

"You think like that? You have a point too. "

"Therefore, let me report this to Chabashira-sensei, you, and other classmates better gather firewood for lighting tonight."

"Ayanokouji-kun, is that okay?"

"That shouldn't be a problem for me, compared to the task of finding some woods, reporting back to the beach to where the teachers are is easier in my opinion considering an easy road to remember. Can you trust this to me?"

Chabashira-sensei should have been manning her post around here by 8 AM. But if Hirata himself said that Chabashira himself did not come, then there is another possible cause for it.

I emphasized my words once again and waited for Hirata's approval.

"Alright, I leave this task to you Ayanokouji-kun. Sorry if this bothers you. "

"No need to worry."

And there's no need to apologize, Hirata, what I want to do maybe different from what I said.

What I'm worried about is not the result of this exam, or you and others.

Something bad is happening, so I have to prepare a few things.

Or maybe….

No, I hoped that possibility would not happen… there was no way the school would abandon its students. I am sure of it.