My head was so preoccupied with the exchanges and transactions between teams that I had completely let it slip my mind.

If you reunite with a close friend, of course some people would want to switch over to their team.

The fact that such an obvious thought didn't cross my mind was probably because I didn't have many friends in the class.

Or maybe it was because I had already regrouped with the people close to me, like Chiyu and Youshi.

It was likely a combination of both.

"Please, Youshi~"

"A-ahaha. I want to do that too, but..."

I took another look at the girl.

Long gray hair. Tying back part of the right occipital region with a scrunchie was her distinctive feature. With healthy brown skin, a short skirt hem, and an unbuttoned uniform, she looked no different from when she was in Japan.

Possessing breasts as ample as Youshi's, they were currently pressed together against her friend's body, their shapes distorting significantly under the impact of the hug.

Her name was, if I remembered correctly... Mizuki Shokabe.

Since she was a friend of Youshi's, I had managed to retain some memory of her.

"You're amazing, Youshi~. You're the leader, right?"

"No, Uruchii. There are some circumstances involved..."

Youshi gave a troubled look, her eyes darting around.

"There’s a rigorous screening process for entry."

Chia offered to take the hit.

Well, maybe it wasn’t exactly a lifeboat he had thrown him.

“Oh, hey, Chie-chan. What’s up? Are there specific conditions to join?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Damn. If it’s something academic, I’m out. But what are the conditions, by the way?”

“If someone generates something for you, you have to give them an erotic reward in return.”

I nearly coughed into the basket I was sitting in.

I’ve never done anything that evil or manipulative before.

...No, I get that it’s just a convenient excuse she made up to turn down Shozuki’s request, though.

“Ahhaha, you’re kidding, right?”

“...Why do you think that?”

“I’m not exactly close with the Kudo twins, but there’s no way the guy Motoshiko fell for is some total piece of trash.”

Shozuki stated it as if it were an absolute fact.

“Ulchi...!”

Motoshiko’s eyes welled up with tears.

“W-well, you’re right, I don’t really have anything to offer Kudo in return, do I? If that’s what has to be done, then I guess there’s no other choice.”

“H-hold on, Ulchi-chan? What’s with that eager attitude?”

"Nah, nah. If I'm doing it, that means Maki and the others are doing it too, right? So, well, I guess it's fine."

"Y-you can't just take something like that lightly! You need to think about it more carefully!"

"I've thought about it, seriously. My virginity is expensive, you know? Can't just sell myself for cheap, for real. But being able to make anything in a situation like this... isn't that incredibly valuable?"

"Well, sure, Sougo is amazing, but—"

"Right? Look, even if food at a festival is expensive, everyone still buys it, doesn't they? The value of something changes depending on the situation, and people just accept that and buy it, right? On this desert island, isn't Kuno the most amazing guy?"

"Hm. This black-goth girl actually gets it."

Chiya nodded in reluctant agreement.

The value of water is entirely different when you're buying a plastic bottle from a convenience store in town versus trying to secure water after being stranded in the desert.

But since there are people who can't grasp that, it's understandable why Chiya would be impressed by Sou's switch. "Black-goth girl. It's Ruka, you know, Ruka." "Got it. Shhh up."

"You're sounding like a bird. Whatever, fine."

"Um, actually, do we even need to consult with Team Sumire?"

Teacher Luminas chimed in tentatively.

"That's no problem at all. However, since we also want to confirm your safety, would you have Ms. Sou accompany us during the next transaction as well?"

Seiho, who was nearby to see us off, said with a smile.

—You really are determined to put us up for inspection...

I couldn't help but laugh at her boldness.

Even if Shoubu doesn't intend anything by it, if we answer the barrage of questions, information about our base will end up leaking to Seiho's team.

Setting aside whether it will actually go that smoothly, there's no loss in giving it a try.

Then again, I can't exactly say there are no downsides.

"Are you sure about this, Suuka-chan? If people realize they're more comfortable on our team, won't more members from your team start wanting to transfer?"

Yes, there is a risk of losing personnel.

"Well, it's up to each individual to decide."

If you view members as manpower or labor, you'd naturally want to prevent such outflows.

But Seiho is fundamentally about uniting the students and helping them survive this life on the desert island.

On top of that foundation, there is just a competitive streak toward Shoushi.

She’s no dictator or anything; she’s just a girl doing her very best.

Just as we gather intel, they understand the value of information too.

"I'm sorry. I think I misunderstood things about Suzuha-chan."

Shion apologized.

"It's fine. When you get back to Japan, feel free to join my group."

"No, let's not go that far, shall we?"

"What do you mean!"

Junhō huffed angrily.

"Hehe, she's a friend of mine too, Shouko-chan."

"You sure are popular, Ken'ashouko. So then? Are we leaving the Makeup guy behind?"

Junhō looked at Shouko.

I don't know if it was intentional, but things are looking pretty hard to refuse now.

—Guess I have no choice.

Since I'm in the cage hanging from Mikron, talking to Mikron won't be noticed by anyone else.

"Mikron, give Shouko permission to 'take them back, okay'."

Mikron nodded and moved closer to Shouko.

"Huh! What's up, Mikron? Hm? Ahh. Yeah, yeah, you're a cutie, Mikron~"

Shouko could understand what the phantom beast was trying to convey.

Upon hearing my message, Shouko’s expression flickered for a split second before she covered it up and stroked Mikron.

“Yeah, I get it! Let’s go together, Uru-chii.” “Huh?

For real?”

“Totally!”

“Aww~! I love Shouko! I’ll do my best with what I can too!”

“Mm-hmm.”

"For now, what makes Kuno happy?"

Sozu said with a sly grin.

"Sou's kinks are—"

Just as Chiyu was about to answer.

“Hey, hey! Sōsuke doesn’t force those kinds of things on people, so there’s no need to worry!”

Shouko called out.

"Haha, Shouko, you worry too much. You're not even officially dating him, right?"

"………"

Shouko's face flushed red.

"………No way. Huh? Wait, let me hear the details."

"It's not like he's Sho-chan's exclusive boyfriend or anything."

"No, a boyfriend is exclusive by definition, right? Huh? If that's not it, then... no way?"

"Anyway, let's head back to base."

Shion cut the conversation short forcefully and nudged Masabu toward Mashiro.

...Ah, how am I supposed to explain this once we get back to base?

Black Gal

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I had been so focused on team interactions and trades that I forgot about it.

If I were to meet up with a close friend, I would want to join their team.

The reason I hadn't thought of that was probably because I didn't have many friends in my class.

Or maybe it was because I had already joined up with people like Senyuu and Shouko. It was probably both.

"Please, Shouko~"

"Ah, ahaha. I want to too, but..." She looked at me again.

She had long gray hair, with a part of her right occipital area tied up with a scrunchie. Her healthy tan skin, short skirt, and slightly disheveled uniform were the same as when she was in Japan.

She had a chest that rivaled Shouko's, and right now, as she was hugging her, their two mounds were colliding and changing shape.

Her name was... Shoumotsu Minato, right?

I remembered her because she was Shouko's friend.

"Come on, Shouko~. You're the leader, right?"

"No, Uruchi. There's a reason for that..." Shouko looked troubled as she shifted her gaze.

"There's a strict entry screening at our place," Chiyo offered helpfully.

Well, maybe it wasn't exactly helpful.

"Hey, Chiyo-chan. What's that? You mean there are conditions to join?" "Hmm."

"Really? I can't do anything academic, though. So, what's the condition?"

"If you make something for Soku, you'll have to give me an erotic reward."

I nearly coughed in the basket.

I've never done anything like that before.

...Well, I get that she's just trying to make an excuse to turn me down. "Haha, you're kidding." "Why do you think that?"

"I don't get along with Koyo, but I can't believe someone who fell for Shouji would be such a scumbag."

Shoubu said it matter-of-factly. "Uruchi..." Shouji's eyes welled up.

"Well, but I don't have anything to give Koyo back. If I have to do something, I guess I will."

"Hey, Uruchi? What's with that positive attitude?"

「No, no, if I'm doing it, that means Shouko and the others are doing it too, right? So, I guess it's okay.」

「Y-You have to think about that more carefully!」

「I am thinking about it. My virginity is expensive. I shouldn't sell myself cheap, right? But being able to make anything here is pretty valuable, isn't it?」

「Yeah, you're right, Souya is amazing.」

「See? Even if festival food is expensive, people still buy it, right? The value of things changes depending on the situation, and people accept that and buy them. On this desert island, isn't Kouya the most amazing guy?」

「Hmm. This black girl actually makes sense.」 Chiyu nodded in agreement.

The value of water is completely different when you buy it at a convenience store compared to when you're stranded in a desert and need to secure it.

But since there are people who don't understand this, Chiyu's admiration for Shouko's switch is understandable. 「Black girl, huh? You're right, you're right.」 「Got it. Shut up.」

「You're starting to sound like a bird. Whatever.」

「Um, do we not need to consult with the team, Mr. Clarus?」

Mr. Clarus spoke cautiously.

「That's fine. We just want to make sure you're safe too, so could you have Shouko accompany you for the next transaction?」

Suzuou, who was nearby and about to see us off, said with a smile.

――You really intend to send us as scouts, huh...?

I couldn't help but laugh at her strength.

Even if Shoubu didn't intend to, if she answered all the questions they asked, the information about our base would be passed on to Suzuou's team.

Whether it would go that smoothly or not was another matter, but it wouldn't hurt to try.

No, I couldn't say it wouldn't work.

"Is it okay, Ryouka? If they find out how nice it is over here, won't people want to switch teams?"

Yes, there was a possibility that people would leave.

"That's something for each person to decide."

If they considered members as manpower, they would want to prevent them from leaving.

But Suzuou was simply trying to keep the students together and survive on this desert island.

And she only had a competitive spirit toward Shouko.

She's not a dictator or anything, just a hardworking girl.

They understand the value of information just like we do when we gather information.

"Sorry, I might have misunderstood you, Ryouka-chan." Shion apologized.

"It's okay. When we go back to Japan, my group will welcome you."

"No, it's not that bad." "What's that supposed to mean!" Sumika was clearly upset.

"Hehehe, Chouko-chan is also my friend."

"You're quite popular, Chouko. So? Are you going to leave Shoubu-san behind?" Sumika looked at Chouko.

I don't know if it was intentional, but it was hard to refuse in this situation. --Well, whatever.

Since I'm in the basket hanging from Mikuron, talking to Mikuron won't reveal me to anyone around.

"Mikuron, give Chouko permission to take me back."

Mikuron nodded and approached Chouko.

"Whoa. What's wrong, Mikuron? Oh? Oh, yes, yes, good boy Mikuron, you're so cute~"

Shakou can understand what the phantoms want to say.

When Shakou heard my message, her expression changed for a moment, but she quickly pretended to pet Mikuron.

"Yeah, got it! Let's go together, Uruchi!" "Huh, really?" "Of course!"

"Wah! I love you, Shakou! I'll do my best too!" "Yeah, yeah."

"For now, what does Koji like?" Tsuzuki said with a grin. "Sou-kun's kinks are--" Chiyo was about to answer.

"Hey hey! Sou-suke doesn't force anyone to do that stuff, so you don't have to worry!" Shakou shouted.

"Hahaha, Shakou, you're overthinking it. You're not even his boyfriend yet, right?" ".........." Shakou's face turned red.

"............Really? Wait, can you tell me more about it?"

"I'm not Shouko-chan's exclusive boyfriend."

"No, there's no such thing as a non-exclusive boyfriend. Wait, you're not saying--?"

"Let's head back to base for now."

Shion abruptly changed the subject and pushed Tsuzuki to Mashiro's place.

…Ah, I wonder how I should explain this when I get back to base. Black gal

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