We successfully managed to bring Professor Luminas back with us.
Once we got home, we rejoined those who had stayed behind and gathered in the living room.
For breakfast, we had toast, scrambled eggs, fake bacon, and vegetable soup.
You could spread goat milk butter or jam on the toast if you wanted.
The jam flavors available were strawberry and blueberry.
”…It’s an desert island, yet we can eat a menu that looks just like a cafe morning set…”
The Professor looked completely unsure how to react.
By the way, the scrambled eggs were hastily prepared by Chiyu upon her return.
Shion had been waiting patiently without using any of the eggs in the meantime.
With all that settled, we surrounded the dining table.
I generated and placed a chair for the Professor, so there was no issue with seating capacity.
Everyone said “Itadakimasu” (a thank you before eating) together, and we began our breakfast.
The Professor was hesitant at first but quickly started swallowing the food with audible “munch munch” sounds.
She might just have been hungry.
“Mmm… it’s delicious. A warm breakfast like this tends to get neglected when you live alone, so I’m really grateful.”
“Haha, I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
“Shi-chan is our head chef, by the way. Chiyu-chan handles the eggs.”
“You all seem to have survived by cooperating based on your individual strengths. That’s truly admirable.”
Over their meal, they exchanged information.
The teacher had only learned that they were cast onto a desert island, that students from her assigned classes had already been sent there, and was shown a few examples of the choices those students made.
In other words, in terms of knowledge, she was significantly behind us.
This is where the documents Fuka prepared came into play.
She had memorized and compiled the discovered rules as well as past responses to the Mysterious Blackboard.
“Hmm, I see. So, by being shown the ‘Right to Return,’ the students realized that a way back to Japan existed, which prevented a major panic. It feels like they’re being kept under control through penalties and rewards so that their life on the desert island doesn’t spiral out of control…”
It was a relief that she grasped the situation so quickly.
“The Mysterious Blackboard… We can only guess at the mastermind’s intentions, but we are working toward the goal of returning together as a full team. I say they’re not in a panic, but many students have lost their composure. We certainly don’t expect to help those who have let it consume them.”
“I… see. I understand what you mean, Kujino-kun. Even under normal circumstances, keeping a class of teenagers together is a demanding task. Without legal constraints, despite the rules, and in such a stressful environment as a desert island, it must be even more so.”
Even as a newly appointed teacher, she must already be well-versed in the troublesome nature of adolescents.
Or perhaps she’s remembering her own classmates from school days.
Some of the guys in our class have been blatantly staring at the teacher’s chest or making joke-laden advances, so I can understand why she might find it tiresome.
As I nodded in agreement with the teacher, Seiya and Moei shot me glares that clearly said, “We know you were looking at the teacher’s chest.”
I suppose there’s a world of difference between an involuntary glance and deliberately acting on it despite knowing it’s rude.
But I kept that to myself.
“You’ve already participated in the event once, Takano-kun, and obtained the ‘Return Rights.’ And yet, you chose to stay here to return with your friends. I see. It makes sense why everyone trusts you. That is very admirable.”
She looked at me the way a teacher praises a student who scored well on a test.
“Well, since you made a promise,” she added.
“There are people in this world who break their promises, so those who keep theirs are allowed to take pride in it.”
The women nodded along, saying, “Yes, yes.”
“Y-Yes, I understand.”
Despite my bashfulness, I decided to refrain from any further modesty.
“Yes, please do. …Um, moving on. Hmm, hmm. This television, then, is a special perk for Takano-kun, who chose to stay behind?”
“If you join us as one of our companions, Teacher, you’ll be able to enter the bonus area too.”
“I see, I see. And to think the materials are so well-organized. Just like you, Yotsuemon-senpai.”
“Ah, thank you very much.”
Praised by Sensei, Fukaho allowed herself a modest bit of joy.
“As for monsters… additions to that sort of beast are irregular. Currently, only a monster called Arvank exists, spawning in freshwater areas. In other words, I was a fool to have rejoiced at finding the river.”
“No, no. You had no prior information, so Sensei isn’t at fault.”
“Right, right. That’s just a trap.”
Me and Mebuko offered words of support.
“I heard that it was Mashiro-kun who found Sensei… but why did you all decide to help him?”
Fukaho glanced at me sidelong.
I could tell he was asking with his eyes whether it was okay to share, so I nodded.
“Sensei, that’s written on this paper over here.”
Fukaho handed over a new set of documents.
Sensei checked them immediately.
”…I see. It’s the same method as using gacha in social games. When you pull a new character, the acquisition amount for items increases during ongoing events… and so on.”
Sensei seemed to play social games too.
Well, it wasn’t surprising. We were only about five years different from each other.
“Hmm. Which is why we can’t hand Luminas over to another team.”
“Oh, isn’t there a choice for you as well?”
Professor Luminas seemed to take it as a joke, offering a slight smile.
“It’s up to you whether or not you join us, but if you decline, we won’t be able to operate together. Even in that case, we’d just try to find other students to form a unit, though…”
He didn’t intend to coerce anyone, but he would prefer it if they became allies.
After a moment of contemplation, the professor spoke up.
”…I do owe you all for helping me, and I’d be glad to cooperate if my skills are useful, but…”
“But what?”
“May I make a suggestion?”
She looked around at all of them.
“Not a problem.”
From the start, we had intended to find a compromise that satisfied both parties.
“As for my contribution, first up is lighting and photonic attacks. I believe we can install lights in every room except the living area. The idea is to turn them off collectively during sleeping hours. Also, by adjusting the light intensity, we might be able to generate power via solar panels even at night.”
“That sounds good!”
“It’d be nice to have a brighter house and working lights in the bathroom too.”
“Not only are they effective as a means of attack, but since you were so accurate with aiming, you could become a significant combat asset…”
Miko, Shiin, and Fukumitsu commented.
“Next, this is a request, but I’d like you to take on the role of foreign affairs for him—after introducing him to the other students.”
“Foreign… affairs?”
“It means handling communications and negotiations with external parties. Between nations, they’d be called diplomats.”
Miyoko tilted her head in confusion as Shinkou explained.
“I get it. You mean becoming the negotiator for Soosuke’s team to trade with other teams?”
“Yes. I think Kunno’s concern from earlier was valid. It would likely be difficult for a single student to command the entire class. However, I believe coordination is possible if they remain divided into multiple teams. This party could serve as the core that unites them.”
Rest assured, it won’t become a troublesome situation.
Also, today marks two months since serialization began…!!!!!!
102 chapters in 2 months……? By my own standards, it’s an abnormal pace, but
I plan to keep pushing through for a while longer, so I hope you’ll continue to enjoy reading.
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