I Was Stranded on a Deserted Island with a Beautiful Classmate - Chapter 73-74

Chapter 73: A Chance to Hold Her Like a Princess and Kiss Her

I kept striking the ground with the pickaxe, chipping away piece by piece.

Unexpectedly, it broke through easier than I thought.

After about thirty minutes of work, I was drenched in sweat.

“Phew, just a bit more. We’re almost through to the underground.”

“Take a break, Akira. I’ll handle the rest,” Kitakami offered.

“Are you sure, Kitakami?”

“Yes, don’t worry. I’ve got the stamina.”

With the rest left to Kitakami, I handed over the pickaxe and wiped my sweat with a towel. Never thought I’d be doing this kind of construction work on a deserted island.

After a while, the ground finally broke through.

As expected, it led to an underground path.

“Great work, Hayasaka and Kitakami!”

Amane handed me some water, and I gratefully took a drink. That was a lot of hard labor. I’ll need some kind of bonus for this work.

But all jokes aside…

There really was a passage underground.

“Can’t believe it’s actually here…Hayasaka’s mental map really came through.”

“What, you didn’t believe me, Ooi?”

“Well, I was kind of half-and-half.”

“Fair enough, but see? It’s real.”

“Yeah, I believe you now. Impressive!”

Getting praised like that felt good, and seeing Kubo and Kusamochi’s eyes light up at me was a bit embarrassing.

“Alright, let’s secure a rope to that tree outside the bunker and lower it down.”

“Good idea. There’s a sturdy tree right in view through the bunker’s opening, so let’s tie the rope there.”

I left that part to Kitakami, and she set it up quickly. Finally, we were ready to descend into the underground cave.

“It’s so dark down there; it’s scary.”

Kubo murmured quietly, looking uneasy. Not that I was entirely calm, either.

“I’ll go first. Everyone, follow after me.”

“You’re going ahead? That’s brave, Hayasaka!”

“Thanks, Kusamochi.”

Feeling a little shy, I stepped over the rope and started descending. The darkness below was intimidating.

Did pirates really dig this tunnel to stash their treasure? I wasn’t sure, but my map pointed here, so I couldn’t be wrong.

I switched on my headlamp, proceeding with caution as I descended.

It’s definitely a cave down here.

“I’m down. Looks to be about five meters deep.”

“Got it. I’ll start sending Amane and the others down. I’ll be last.”

“Understood, Kitakami. I’ll catch them as they come down.”

With that, Amane was the first to start her descent. Surprisingly, she went second.

She lowered herself down the rope cautiously, her movements careful but shaky. Was she okay?

“H-Hayasaka…I’m scared.”

“Don’t look down, Amane. It’s only about five meters. Not that high.”

“It is too high! And it’s so dark and damp…”

Despite her complaints, Amane kept coming down.

“Let go now. I’ll catch you.”

“Make sure you do!”

“Trust me.”

“Okay…”

Amane let go of the rope, and I caught her in my arms.

Got her! It ended up in a kind of princess carry, and my head felt a little light.

“Amane…”

“Eep! Hayasaka, this wasn’t what I expected…”

Amane’s face turned bright red, looking flustered. As I stood there, still holding her, I heard a voice from above.

“Um, is Amane down yet?”

“Oh, right. Just a moment longer.”

“Understood, but please hurry.”

“Just one more second.”

I wanted to savor this moment with Amane.

“Amane…”

“Hayasaka…If you want, we could…have a little kiss right now.”

Amane’s invitation thrilled me, but I couldn’t keep everyone waiting. Just holding her like this was enough for now.

Next, I helped Ooi down, then Kubo, and finally Kusamochi. All that was left was Kitakami.

“Kitakami, you’re the last one.”

“Alright—wait!”

A sudden gunshot-like sound echoed, sending a chill down my spine. Could the professional group have already found us?

“Kitakami! Are you okay?!”

“I managed to fight them off. I’m coming down now…but I’m setting the bunker to explode before I go.”

“No way! You’re using dynamite?!”

“I’ve set a thirty-second timer.”

Timed explosives! I caught Kitakami as she descended, then we sprinted deeper into the cave.

Then, the blast resounded.

An incredible roar filled the air, and the bunker collapsed. It might have been a bit much, but with the enemy coming, we didn’t have much choice. The wreckage was so complete that the entrance was now blocked entirely.

It should be safe for a while.

Now, where should we head next?

—

Chapter 74: Choose One!! Idol vs Yandere

The cave was fairly spacious, but darkness filled every corner.

Even with the headlight on, it was impossible to see far ahead.

“Everyone, use your flashlights,” I instructed.

We all turned on our handy 3000-lumen flashlights from Shentos. They were bright enough to illuminate ahead, and we could see every step clearly.

I shone mine back toward the direction of the bunker.

“…It’s completely caved in,” Kitakami observed.

Just as she said, the entrance was blocked. …Wait a second, doesn’t that mean we can’t get out?! Just as I realized this, I noticed Amane trembling.

“Hey, Hayasaka. How are we going to get back?” she asked.

“Ah…this is a bit of a problem,” I said, scratching my head.

“A problem? We’re trapped, aren’t we?!”

“That’s what it looks like.”

Ooi and the others were equally concerned, holding their heads in their hands.

No one had expected this.

Neither had I, really. This was totally unexpected, but we had no other choice. After all, we were almost killed back there.

At least we’re alive. That’s good enough for now.

“There’s no time to sit around sulking, Tetsu,” Kitakami reminded me.

“Right, let’s focus on finding that treasure first.”

There was no time to waste.

I took the lead, and, as if sensing my determination, everyone followed after me.

We had no choice but to keep moving forward…

* * *

We had been walking for just under thirty minutes.

I checked my watch, and it was around that time. It was already three in the morning. I was exhausted.

“All right, let’s take a break here.”

“Yeah, my legs are about to give out…” Kotobuki sighed as she practically collapsed to the ground. She was already asleep.

The girls, except for Kitakami and me, were all clearly at their limit.

Since none of us had gotten any real sleep, I decided we should stop here and rest.

“Tetsu, it’s about time,” Kitakami said.

“Yeah, we’ll make this our base and get some sleep.”

“That sounds good. We won’t think clearly if we’re sleep-deprived.”

I sat down, setting down my backpack. It was loaded with equipment and food, easily weighing 4-5 kilograms, so I was drenched in sweat from carrying it around.

I pulled out the straw from my backpack’s hydration system to take a drink. It was convenient to have water ready like this.

“That’s pretty handy,” Amane remarked.

“You want some, Amane?”

I offered her the straw, and she blushed, flustered.

“…Uh, Hayasaka, isn’t that…?”

“Oh, the indirect kiss thing? Don’t worry about it. It’s no big deal.”

“W-Well, I guess not…”

Just then, I noticed Kitakami watching us with that dark look I hadn’t seen in a while. Out of nowhere, she took out a knife and pointed it at me.

“Tetsu…you’re getting way too cozy with Amane.”

“Whoa! Kitakami, really?! Out of the blue?”

She had been pretty calm recently, but did coming to this island make her revert back to this?

Amane turned pale, looking frightened.

“H-Hey, Kitakami, why the knife?” Amane asked.

“It’s because you’re always hogging him, Amane. I want to have an indirect kiss with Tetsu too. Or maybe even something…spicier…”

“D-Don’t say stuff like that out loud! Right, Ooi? You agree—Wait, they’re asleep!”

Unfortunately, Ooi, Kotobuki, and Kusamochi were all asleep. It was just Kitakami, Amane, and me left awake.

Kitakami stepped closer, knife still pointed in my direction.

The blade hovered near my neck.

…It had been a while since I felt a real threat to my life.

“K-Kitakami, come on. Take it easy,” I pleaded.

“No, I won’t. Today, we settle this, Tetsu. You’re going to choose which one of us is the best for you.”

Kitakami’s eyes looked dead inside. This was really scary!

“H-Hey Kitakami, Hayasaka is clearly uncomfortable!” Amane protested.

“Amane, I need to ask you directly…how far have you gone with Tetsu?”

“Uh…how far?”

“It’s obvious. I’m talking about kissing and stuff.”

“Wh-What?!”

Blushing furiously, Amane’s face showed total shock, as if she couldn’t believe Kitakami would ask that.

“So, are you going to tell me or not?”

“W-We’ve kissed, okay?! I like him too, so that’s normal, right?”

“I see…so your dedication and feelings are only that deep.”

“W-What was that?!”

“My love for Tetsu goes beyond that. I love him. I’m ready to devote myself to him. I would do anything for him and support him through any hardship.”

In a sweet, almost melting voice, Kitakami expressed her feelings. Hearing how deeply she cared for me…well, it was flattering.

But, she still had a knife!

“W-Well, I feel the same way! I love everything about him, and…I want to…do things…together.”

…Amane, are you serious?

I didn’t expect her to be thinking about that too. I always assumed someone like Amane, so composed and pure, wasn’t interested in that kind of thing…Guess I was wrong.

Both of them were glaring at each other with intensity.

This felt oddly familiar.

But, honestly, I was happy they both felt this way…I liked them both too. I couldn’t choose one over the other. Maybe someday, I’d have to decide, but for now…it could wait.

“Tetsu, you have to pick,” Kitakami pressed.

“P-Pick?!”

“Me or Amane. Which of us do you want to be…intimate with?”

Why was she looking at me like that?! And her phrasing!

“W-Wait a second. Here? Right now?”

“Yes, right now,” she insisted, dead serious.

She was looking at me with those intense eyes, and Amane looked like she couldn’t back down either. She was practically gasping with nerves.

“I…I want both of you. Choosing isn’t something I’m ready for. When I find the treasure and become rich, I want to go overseas…to live with Amane and Kitakami. All three of us.”

Yes, that’s my current goal. I probably couldn’t live a normal life in Japan anymore. So, I’d go abroad…maybe buy a place in some remote town and live out my life there.

And, if Amane and Kitakami were there with me, that would be perfect. If anyone else wanted to come, they’d be welcome too.

“So that’s it…I wasn’t sure what your plans were, so I was worried,” Kitakami admitted.

“Kitakami…”

“Well, if that’s your plan, then I have no choice but to stick with you.”

“Of course, Kitakami. And Amane too.”

Hearing that, they both looked relieved. Without me even asking, they moved closer, holding my hands on either side. Their warmth comforted me.

“First, let’s focus on finding that treasure and figuring out how to escape the island,” Amane suggested.

She was right. Now wasn’t the time for us to be arguing among ourselves.

In this cave, none of our communication devices worked. Not even the StarGazer Satellite System could reach us here.

“Let’s sleep on it for now. Goodnight, Amane, Kitakami.”

“Yeah, goodnight,” Amane said.

“Goodnight.”

They both leaned their heads on my shoulders, looking totally at ease.

For now, I’d get some rest.