I Was Stranded on a Deserted Island with a Beautiful Classmate - Chapter 7

Since we had the chance, we tried using a Swedish torch.

It was too dangerous to do it inside the cave, so of course, we did it outside.

Starting the fire required some skill. I lit a separate branch with a fire starter and carefully transferred the flame to the torch, making sure it didn’t go out. After more than ten minutes, the fire finally caught.

“Wow, flames are rising from the cuts in the wood.”

“It’s just getting started. Soon, the flames will get even higher.”

According to Kitakami, the torch would burn for at least three hours. It could be used as lighting, to keep animals away, or even for cooking if we had a frying pan. This was amazing.

“What a wonderful campfire.”

In the end, even Amane, who had gotten dressed, was captivated by the Swedish torch. She looked excited. I totally understood how she felt.

There’s something magical about fire. Just staring at it calms the mind. It even makes you forget unpleasant things.

I heard that in Norway, there was once a TV program that aired nothing but a burning log. They called it “slow TV.” Whether or not the show got a 20% viewer rating, it’s clear people are seeking peace.

I wanted to show it to Chitose, but she was sleeping…I decided not to wake her.

“Night has finally come. I hope help arrives tomorrow.”

“A ship will surely come soon, Hayasaka-kun. Until then, let’s enjoy life on this deserted island.”

“That wasn’t the original plan, but I’ve always wanted this kind of survival experience. So, I’m having fun…even though I’m hungry.”

My stomach growled loudly. Come to think of it, I hadn’t eaten anything.

I hoped we could at least get some fruit. As I thought about prioritizing food tomorrow, I noticed Kitakami was chewing on something.

“…(munch, munch)”

“Kitakami-san, isn’t that a leaf?”

“This is yomogi, also known as the queen of herbs. It grows everywhere, so it’s easy to find. It’s famous for being used in kusamochi rice cakes. Want some?”

Watching her munching right in front of me, my stomach growled again. Amane’s stomach also rumbled, but when she blushed and glared at me as if saying, “Don’t you dare comment!” I kept quiet.

“Can you really eat that?”

“It’s yomogi, after all. It’s an amazing plant that’s even used in herbal medicine. I’ve heard it helps with stiff shoulders, back pain, and even menstruation.”

“Kitakami-san, you know way too much! Are you a plant expert or something?”

“My family runs a farm, so my grandpa knows a lot. By the way, since we can’t wash it here, it’s pretty bitter.”

“Eating it raw, huh? But we can’t be picky. Can I have some?”

“Sure, here you go.”

Kitakami handed me some yomogi. I had never thought of eating leaves before.

Right now, I just wanted to put something in my stomach.

I bit into the yomogi.

…It’s bitter.

Of course, it hadn’t been soaked to remove the bitterness.

I just hoped I wouldn’t get a stomachache.

“Ugh…gross.”

Even though she said it tasted bad, Amane shoved the yomogi into her mouth too. We were that hungry.

After restoring a bit of our energy, I took the first watch. I kept an eye out for animals while watching the fire in front of the cave.

Occasionally, I switched with Kitakami…

It was a sleepless night.

—

The morning on this deserted island was a bit chilly.

“Phew, we managed to avoid encountering any animals.”

I had done most of the watch myself. As a result, I was sleep-deprived, but I protected the girls. That was enough.

As I stood up and stretched, Amane greeted me, looking apologetic.

“G-good morning…Hayasaka-kun.”

“What’s wrong, Amane? Did yesterday’s yomogi mess you up?”

“N-no! My stomach’s fine…but…”

“But?”

Amane’s face turned bright red in an instant. She was even teary-eyed.

“…I-I need to go to the bathroom…”

“Oh, the bathroom. Just go somewhere nearby.”

“I’m scared to go alone. Come with me!”

“Huh!? Me? Why? Ask Kitakami-san or Chitose.”

“B-but…they’re both still sleeping, and you’re the only one I can rely on, Hayasaka-kun.”

“Alright, fine. But we can’t go far. Stay close, okay?”

“Yeah…don’t look.”

“Why would I!? I’m not some pervert.”

We entered the bushes, and I kept my distance.

…Who would have thought I’d be helping Amane with her bathroom break first thing in the morning? I felt strangely nervous.

As I tried to ignore the situation, suddenly, the walkie-talkie crackled to life.

“—”

“What’s that!? Is it a message from Chitose?”

I listened carefully.

“This is Chitose! This is Chitose!! Please respond urgently! Over!”

“This is Hayasaka. What’s wrong!?”

“We’re in big trouble. A wild boar appeared in front of the cave…help us!”

“W-what!?”

In the brief moment I had taken my eyes off the situation, a wild boar had shown up…this was bad.

Wild boars are ferocious and dangerous. If one charges, you could get seriously injured.

I felt bad for interrupting Amane’s bathroom break, but I headed toward the cave.

I dashed over, and as I arrived at the entrance, I saw Kitakami facing off with the wild boar, knife in hand.

“…!”

Kitakami was holding a knife defensively, but this was reckless.

“Kitakami-san…! I’ll distract the boar. Do what you can!”

“But…it’s too dangerous for you, Hayasaka-kun.”

“You want to trust me, right? Then trust me now!”

I picked up a rock and threw it at the wild boar. It hit its head.

Clearly enraged, the boar turned its attention to me and started to threaten me.

…What an intimidating presence.

What power. This is terrifying!

The boar finally charged.

It was fast…unbelievably fast.

I barely managed to dodge and rolled on the ground.

“…Hayasaka-kun!”

“I’m fine. But Kitakami-san…can you kill it?”

“It’s too quick to get a good shot!”

So, do I have to stop this thing with my bare hands?

But that boar is as big as an adult human…could I really stop it? I could feel how strong it was. If I got hit, I’d be flung like a rag doll.

And then it’d be over.

But this was the only option.

“I’ll stop it. Kitakami-san, I’m counting on you.”

“O-okay.”

I fixed my gaze on the wild boar.

But wild animals don’t wait. Without mercy, the boar charged again.

It was as fast as lightning.

Seriously!?

How am I supposed to stop something charging at me like a bullet train…with my bare hands!?

My arms are gonna be blown off!!

No, no time for complaints.

If I don’t do something, we’re all in danger.

Wait…I have tools.

A wallet, a phone, a fire starter, and a walkie-talkie.

Which one could work…?

Think. Think as hard as you can.

Don’t stop thinking.

What can I do to turn this hopeless situation around?

Come on, useless trivia knowledge, give me something!

At that moment, an idea hit me like a jolt of electricity.

My phone!

My phone has a flashlight function.

I didn’t use it last night to save battery, but right now, my life was more important.

I quickly turned on the flashlight and aimed it at the boar’s eyes.

“Take this! Flash attack!!”

The LED light burst out.

The flashlight on recent smartphones is blindingly bright.

It’s no exaggeration to say it’s like a flash grenade.

Perfect for blinding the boar.

“!!”

Sure enough, the boar recoiled from the light.

“Now, Kitakami-san!”

“I can do this…Hayasaka-kun, keep shining that light!”

Kitakami, holding her knife, moved swiftly.

Like an Olympic gymnast…no, even better.

What incredible leg strength. Such agility.

Watching her run across the ground was like seeing Usain Bolt in his prime.

No way…!

I didn’t summon a servant, did I!?

Kitakami leaped into the air and drove the knife into the boar’s head.

…Thud.

With a dull sound, the boar collapsed.

…Unbelievable.