I Was Stranded on a Deserted Island with a Beautiful Classmate - Chapter 35

Everyone was glaring at each other, and it felt like a clash could happen at any moment.

Is a war about to start? The atmosphere was incredibly tense. Please, just talk this out peacefully.

I wasn’t too eager, but I raised my hand to be the messenger of peace.

“Everyone, let’s calm down and talk this through.”

I tried to soothe them, but it had no effect.

Apparently, I was being completely ignored. It seemed this was a fight only between the girls. As a guy, I had no place to step in.

But how were they planning to settle this?

I asked Kitakami, who was nearby.

“What is it, Hayasaka-kun? Oh, how will this end, you ask? That’s already decided.”

Kitakami pulled out a knife with a dangerous look in her eyes and flashed a smile. That’s terrifying…Wait, a knife fight!?

“Hold on! That’s going to turn into a bloody battle! Please, no battle royale!”

“I thought this would be the quickest way.”

“Kitakami-san, you can be crazy sometimes.”

“Well…not that much.”

“I’m not complimenting you!”

Kitakami blushed for some reason. She’s a bit off, as usual.

But that’s nothing new.

“Hey, Hayasaka-kun. What are you talking about with Kitakami-san?”

“Oh, Amane. I was just saying we should talk it out.”

“Well, I’d love to, but if we don’t make a decision, this will never end. So, Hayasaka-kun, you should make the choice.”

So, unless I decide who I’m going to take a bath with, this situation won’t calm down.

“Amane is right.”

Yaegashi also agreed, and the other girls nodded along.

Are you serious? Do I really have to decide? Do I have no choice but to choose?

Amane, Kitakami, Chitose, Momose, Yaegashi, Hokkii, and Riko…I have to pick one?

This is insane!

There’s no way I can choose…Though if I had to say, I would pick Amane, but I made a promise with Riko. I can’t break a promise. Besides, Kitakami is glaring at me like she’s daring me to pick her. If I choose wrong, I might get stabbed.

This is bad.

This is really bad. What do I do? What’s the right answer? Someone tell me!

…No, I have to decide for myself.

That’s right, I have a “prior agreement.” I need to honor that. As a man.

“Everyone, listen. I’m going to take a bath with Riko.”

“What!?” “…” “With Riko!?” “No way…” “Unbelievable…” “Why Riko?”

“Uh, actually, I made that kind of promise with Riko. And besides, the shovel is Riko’s. Without the shovel, we wouldn’t have been able to dig the hole, and we wouldn’t have been able to defeat the shark.”

That’s the truth.

That’s why I made my decision.

I hope everyone will be okay with this…

While I was feeling anxious, a shadow flew at me. What…?

“Gah!”

Suddenly, my vision spun, and I was knocked down. What just happened?

“Hayasaka-kun, I can’t let you take a bath with Higanbana Riko.”

“K-Kitakami-san…W-Wait, a knife! You’ve got a knife at my throat!!”

Kitakami threatened me with a completely emotionless face. She was terrifying!

As I trembled in fear, Riko raised her voice.

“Hey, Kitakami-san! It’s been decided that it’s me. Stop this already!”

“Be quiet, Higanbana Riko. Unless you’re willing to risk your life in a fight with me.”

“Fine. But you’ll regret it.”

“You seem confident. Well, I won’t take your life. How about we settle this with a one-minute kickboxing match?”

“How about we do it without the 10-point system, and three knockdowns for a KO win?”

“You’re quite knowledgeable, Higanbana Riko.”

“Well, you’ll see when we fight.”

That confident expression…Could Riko actually have experience in martial arts?

“Hey, wait a second.”

“Amane…what’s up?”

“What do you mean, what’s up? Aren’t you going to stop this?”

“It seems impossible now. If I try to stop it, Kitakami-san might stab me.”

“Geez…At this point, it’s a battle between Kitakami-san and Riko-chan.”

“Aren’t you going to stop it, Amane?”

“After seeing that insane determination in their eyes…no way. That’s on a whole different level.”

“Sorry about this. I’ll make sure to take a bath with you too, Amane.”

“I wanted to be first, but that’s okay. I trust you, Hayasaka-kun.”

Amane is an angel. She’s so kind and forgiving. I feel so grateful for her understanding.

…Now, about Kitakami and Riko.

The two had moved a little distance away, facing each other. They glared silently, emitting a terrifying aura.

Are they demons or something?

I was seriously worried they might end up killing each other.

“Higanbana Riko, are you ready?”

“I’m always ready.”

Both of them struck perfect fighting stances. Kitakami and Riko seemed like serious fighters. This match is going to be intense.

I was feeling a little—no, a lot—nervous.

I don’t like violence.

I don’t like it, but I can’t help but be curious about what happens next.

“Both of you, just try not to get hurt.”

That was all I could manage to say.

At that moment, Riko’s right straight punch exploded out. It was so fast that everyone froze. What…What was that speed?

I didn’t see it at all.

But Kitakami blocked it with her arm. Kitakami really is a monster too.

“…!”

“What’s wrong, Kitakami-san? Did that hurt?”

“No, I was just a bit surprised. Higanbana Riko…you seem to be quite skilled. However, my father was a former member of the U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret. And then he was part of Delta Force…”

“So what!?”

Riko followed up with a kick. The way she moved…She definitely wasn’t an amateur. She must’ve trained in some martial art. Although at school, she’s known for being in the Shogi club…was that a lie? Or maybe it’s just a hobby? Either way, Riko’s full of mysteries.

Even though Kitakami was being pushed back, she finally counterattacked.

“You’ve got a strong kick. But I can sense ‘hesitation’ in you. And ‘fear’ as well. What are you so uncertain about?”

Kitakami was analyzing Riko like some kind of counselor. Wait, you can tell that just from this!?

“W-What are you talking about!? I don’t have any hesitation or fear. Stop making things up!”

Riko went for a body blow, but Kitakami dodged it with movements completely different from before. Wait a second…was she not even serious until now?

Riko was impressive, but Kitakami was on another level. She dodged every one of Riko’s powerful punches and kicks with ease, all while smiling confidently. Unbelievable…How is she dodging all that?

“You’re starting to panic, Higanbana Riko.”

“Shut up!! Take this!!”

Riko threw a punch aimed at Kitakami’s face. This one seemed impossible to dodge…Everyone thought so, but Kitakami slipped past it and countered with a punch to Riko’s chin.

Riko’s body flew up and collapsed onto the ground.

…That’s a KO.

“That’s enough! Kitakami-san wins this match.”

I called an end to the fight.

But suddenly, Riko stood up and reached into her pocket. What is she doing…?

“Take this, pepper spray!!”

Wha—!? Riko, are you seriously using a self-defense gadget now!?