Today, multiple updates
This is the fourth one

Shion wanted the ability to detect lies.
Indeed, it would be a convenient power.

If you could see through lies, you would be able to detect attempts to deceive you beforehand.
Even if someone appeared kind on the surface, you could see through their true intentions.

It would certainly be useful for social life, but it might also make you distrustful of people.

What I wondered was, did she want to bring this ability with her to the desert island?
But after some thought, I came to a possibility.

――Shion might have chosen this ability with the idea of being stranded on a desert island with a group of people in mind.

There was no teacher to keep order, and forty teenagers were let loose on a desert island.
It would be difficult to expect all of them to adhere to the laws and morals that had been taught to them in Japan.

If one had the ability to discern the truth in others' words, navigating the group and detecting crises would likely go smoothly.
But if that were the case—

"Was Shion expecting a class transfer at that point?"

Shion smiled at my words.

"That's an exaggeration. It's more like it was thanks to you, Sousuke."

"Me?"

"In reality, reading the room and trying to be funny aren't bad things. That's part of social skills. But at the time, everyone thought it was just a dream."

I nod.

"In other words, it's a situation where we shouldn't worry about 'social skills' and just be ourselves. But a lot of the students either gave ridiculous answers or were satisfied with ordinary things. They didn't think deeply. They were just going along with the flow. I think that's dangerous."

If you can consciously use social skills when needed, that's great.
But if you get used to going along with others, you might not be able to make your own judgments when you should.

"You didn't read the room, Sou-chan."

When Chiyu spoke, Shion said, "That's right!" with a happy expression.

"It's a dream, so you can answer honestly without worrying about the atmosphere. But Sou-chan was the only one who did that. And he even got the other kids to think about their abilities by speaking up. I thought that was amazing."

I feel embarrassed and uncomfortable when I'm given a look of admiration.

"It's not that big a deal... Besides, it was Shouko who got the others to think about their abilities."

"No, not really..."

Shouko looks embarrassed but happy.
　Maybe I should be this honest too.

「That’s true. Sousuke-kun is the one who took the first step, and Shouko-chan is the one who made it a continuous flow, so both of you are amazing. Also, Chiyu-chan, who drew out Sousuke-kun’s abilities through words.」

「Indeed, if Chiyu hadn’t talked to me, I would have just thought about it in my head.」

「A childhood friends’ team effort」

Chiyu emphasized the fact that they were childhood friends.

「When I said just now that Sousuke-kun was thinking in his head, it was actually quite effective.」

Shion’s words sound like they’re full of conviction.

「So you’re not saying what you would do verbally either, right?」

「As expected of Sousuke-kun, you noticed that too.」

She brought her hands together in front of her chest and said, impressed.

“What’s up, what’s up? Explain it to me like I’m five!”

Shouko was confused.

“Well, in that dream, a lot of people were saying out loud what they wanted, right?”

“Yeah. Isn’t that how everyone did it?”

“No, not everyone. I didn’t confirm everyone, but there were still some who didn’t open their mouths until the end.”

“What? Really?”

“Yeah. Plus, the blackboard only said, ‘If you could bring one thing to a desert island, what would it be?’ There was no specified way to answer, so it’s possible there wasn’t a restriction on how to respond.”

“Wow, did you two really think that far under those circumstances?”

Shouko was slightly taken aback.

「Well, I started thinking it was weird from halfway through, and I didn't mind imagining 'what if' scenarios, so I got a bit excited.」

「I see? So, what if you don't say it out loud?」

「Shion said earlier that if you wished for two things, only the first one would be granted. And that you couldn't change your answer.」

「Yeah.」

「Then, what if you decided on the ability you wanted beforehand, but in the dream, you just said something like 'knife'?」

「Hmm? ...Oh! So when you meet the kid again on the island, they'll misunderstand your ability?」

Shouko seemed to have figured it out after a moment of thought.

「That's right, Shouko. If you say 'knife,' you could say you 'dropped it.' And if it's a consumable item, you could just say you used it all up.」

「Wow, you're planning to trick your classmates? I mean, there are bad people in the world, but...」

Shouko seemed to have trouble imagining that someone would scheme like that from the moment of the dream.

「Ahaha... It's not that I was trying to trick anyone, but I was hiding my answer so no one would know, so it kind of hurts to hear that.」

「It's okay, Shouko-chan. You have the right not to say things you don't want to say.」

「Thank you, Shouko-chan.」

「...Anyway, Shouko.」

「What is it, Chiyu?」

「I'm not blaming you for when you revealed your ability. But ever since we met, you've been using your ability on Sousuke. Right?」

At Chiyu's words, Shion looked apologetic and bowed to me.

「Yeah, that's right. I guess you trust me, but I wasn't very close to you, so I was worried. I'm sorry for testing you like that.」

「No, it's fine. If it was just Utane, I would have been more cautious. Trying to adapt to the current situation with your ability is natural. There's no need to apologize.」

「...Thank you. Sousuke-kun is so kind.」

Maybe she's still using her ability right now.
　Since she realized that I wasn't really angry, she was widening her eyes slightly.

「I don't mind hiding things, but Shi-chan said that people usually get upset when they find out you're lying, so I kept quiet. Sorry, Sousuke.」

「So, I'm not angry. But anyway, let's consider this settled. How about you, Chiyu?」

「I don't mind, but I have some concerns.」

「What is it?」

Chiyu remained expressionless, covering her mouth as if trying to hold back tears.

「I feel so sorry for you, Sousuke, knowing that all your transparent lies will be exposed.」

「Hey, what do you mean by transparent lies?」

「You’re looking at people’s chests and then saying you didn’t see anything」

「Okay, I’m not going to comment on that.」

Shouko laughed brightly and Shion chuckled at our conversation, lightening the mood.

But Chiyu was right. I had to be careful about lying to Shion, knowing that she would catch me.

“So, Sousuke-kun, Chiyu-chan, will you accept us as your allies?”

“Sousuke! Accept us as your allies! If you do, Mashiro will come too! She’s fluffy!”

Chiyu and I looked at each other and nodded. Then we turned to them and said,

“Of course, we welcome you.”

This is how we became a group of four.

The night rankings were still holding first place and our points were increasing...!
Happy... Happy...
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