I Was Stranded on a Deserted Island with a Beautiful Classmate

Kitakami’s Point of View

That day, that night—a typhoon had apparently approached violently, causing the ship to capsize.

If my memory is correct, that must have been what happened.

I don’t remember very well.

Everything is blurry.

Why am I suddenly thinking about that time now?

It’s not even something that matters.

“Kitakami-san, why are you spacing out?”

The only guy I trust on this island, Tetsu Hayasaka, flashed me a carefree smile.

When he gave me that bright smile, it made my heart feel warm.

After all, I had never had a proper conversation or even dated a guy before.

“No, um…Is Amane-san doing okay?”

“Yeah. She’s sleeping right now.”

That recent hostage incident involving Kurashima.

And the traces that seemed like a stalker.

The repeated mental stress has been tormenting Amane.

…I can completely understand how she feels.

I was stalked too when I was in elementary school.

“I see. So, what should we do now?”

“Chitose is going to take care of Amane. Honestly, I’d like to be the one doing it, but securing water is our top priority. We need to finish the reservoir quickly.”

I couldn’t help but admire his sense of duty.

Why is he so desperate?

For the sake of others?

But that strength in both body and mind attracted me.

He’s so charming.

Until now, I had never really known anything about Hayasaka-kun. I never even had the chance to know him.

Until we met here.

After meeting him, I started to develop feelings for him.

For the first time…I had fallen in love with someone.

But this island has too many girls.

Too much competition makes me angry.

For some reason, I feel the urge to stab someone with a knife.

…Am I losing my mind?

“Shall we hurry and finish the reservoir?”

“No, it’s starting to get dark. I think it’s better to focus on securing food now. We’ve already smoked the wild boar meat.”

“Oh, that’s right. In that case, let’s split up—oh?”

Yaegashi pointed toward the lifeboat, saying, “No need to worry. I caught some fish today.”

I hadn’t noticed at all.

Several fish, about 30 to 40 centimeters long, were lying there.

“Where did those come from?!”

“Good question, Hayasaka-kun. I caught them with a spear.”

“A spear? Like, one of those things that looks like a harpoon?”

“Exactly. When I was shooting arrows, I thought, why not use the arrows like harpoons? So when Hokkii called me, I gave it a try. Riko’s really good at diving, you know.”

I had no idea Higanbana had such a skill.

But, I see.

That method never occurred to me…

“That’s awesome. And they’re big too. Black sea bream, huh?”

Hayasaka-kun’s eyes lit up with excitement, just like a typical boy.

…Ugh, I’m so jealous.

I wish he would pay attention to me like that…

I need to take the initiative and stand out too.

“That fish is also called ‘chinu.’ It’s delicious as sashimi or grilled with salt.”

“Oh, impressive, Kitakami-san. You know a lot.”

Wow, he praised me!

This moment makes me so happy.

Now, I’ll push a little more.

“Shall we prepare the fish, Yaegashi-san?”

“Riko’s family runs a fish shop, so she’s really good at it.”

…What?

She’s more of a “gal” than me, and on top of that, she has cooking skills? And she’s the daughter of a fishmonger…I’ve lost.

“Then, I guess we should leave it to Riko.”

Hayasaka-kun ended up entrusting it to Riko.

I wanted to be helpful to Hayasaka-kun too.

I’m frustrated…

If it’s come to this, I’ll just go hunt the animals that live in the forest.

I got my knife back earlier, so with this weapon, I can hunt too.

“Excuse me. I’m going to do a bit of hunting.”

“Hey, Kitakami-san…Where are you going?!”

Turning my back, I headed into the forest.

――The forest, slowly being overtaken by darkness, was eerie and slightly chilly.

I rushed off impulsively.

But that’s fine. I want to catch something big and make Hayasaka-kun happy, so I’ll do my best.

Step by step, I trudged forward through the rugged terrain.

Cutting through vines and bushes with my knife, I walked through the pathless woods when—

‘…Clatter!!’

Something almost tripped me, but I barely managed to avoid it and collapsed on the spot.

“Damn…!”

…What was that?

Suddenly, a sharp pain ran through my leg.

Though I avoided it, it seems I got grazed.

…This, could it be…

At my feet was a ‘bear trap.’

A trap meant to catch animals by their legs.

It’s a deadly weapon that can cause serious injury and, at worst, amputation.

Why is something like this here…?

I tried to stand up, but my leg was hurt…and I couldn’t move.

I really screwed up…

I’m such an idiot.

I got all worked up and came into the forest alone…what am I doing?

Will I just die here without anyone finding me?

…I wish, at least, I could’ve confessed to him.

As I was about to cry, I heard a voice.

‘Hey, Kitakami-san! You’re nearby, right?!’

“…! Hayasaka-kun!”

I called his name, and he appeared right in front of me.

“…There you are! Oh, found you. Kitakami-san, what are you doing in a place like this?”

“You were worried about me?”

“Of course I was. Now, let’s go back to the base.”

“…Well, my leg…I stepped on a bear trap near here.”

“A bear trap? Why would something like that be here?”

“I don’t know. Maybe there are other survivors on the island, and they set it up.”

“Or…maybe it was Kurashima.”

“No way…If he’s come this far, he might already know where our base is.”

“Maybe. We should hurry back. …Wait, can you walk?”

Hayasaka-kun scratched his cheek awkwardly and crouched in front of me.

“Uh…”

“I’ll carry you on my back. Kitakami-san, climb on.”

“…Are you sure?”

“It’s not about being sure. I’d be in trouble without you, Kitakami-san.”

“…Well, if you insist, then.”

I put my hands on his shoulders, pressing against him as I endured the pain.

Hayasaka-kun’s ears turned red.

“…!”

“What’s wrong, Hayasaka-kun?”

“You know exactly what! Don’t press against me on purpose…”

“Consider it a thank you. Enjoy the feeling until we reach the cave.”

“Well then, I won’t hold back.”

This was my first time being carried like this.

I feel so happy, being treated kindly by a boy, by Hayasaka-kun like this.

…?

Suddenly, I sensed someone behind us.

I looked back slightly, and I thought I saw a face peeking from behind the bushes.

“…!”

“What is it, Kitakami-san?”

“I-it’s nothing…I just felt like someone was watching us.”

“Hey, don’t scare me like that. No way there’s anyone in this forest…but, no, someone must have set that trap. So, someone’s definitely here.”

Hayasaka-kun quickened his pace.

Like this, I was carried to the cave, where I received treatment.

Back at the base, I rested on a bed.

“Thank you, Hayasaka-kun.”

“People can’t survive without helping each other. That’s how it is…even though it’s not very convincing coming from someone like me, who’s always been alone.”

“Haha…That’s not true.”

“Huh?”

“Hayasaka-kun, you’re not alone anymore. If we make it out alive, I’ll marry you.”

“Hey, wait, Kitakami-san! That’s a death flag! And don’t point the knife at me!”

“Ah, how cruel. I’m serious, you know.”

“Please, put the knife down!”

If I don’t do this, he’ll just brush me off.

That’s why, that’s why, that’s why…I want him to be mine.

I want to talk more.

I want him to smile at me more.

I want to depend on him more.

More, more, more, more, more…