Maeno, Manaka, and Goto were gone.

Saying they had returned to Japan... that wasn't quite right.

We could only return to our original daily lives if everyone either escaped the island or died.

They had managed to leave the island, so describing their status as "return pending" was the most accurate way to put it.

"Sounds good. I'll go grab the supplies those three left behind."

"Ah, yeah, that's right."

My childhood friend was calm as ever today.

I stowed away the supplies, the hut, and the stone walls.

It looked like they had caught some chickens, so I decided to take those in as well.

We put them in a cage for now and hung it up on Micron.

I was zoning out, staring at the items I’d acquired in the [Inventory], when I noticed several new materials included among them.

I’d heard of them before, and they were marked as edible... but what were they?

I’d ask Fuka or Shi-on about it later. "Um... Kouno-kun."

"Professor Luminous? Is something the matter?"

「Setting aside our party and Seiō’s, I think the other guys are likely in a state of confusion after what we just saw. I’d like to go talk to them to help calm things down, but...」

「I see. It is reasonable that some might feel uneasy without any reassurance at all」

「Hmm. In the worst case scenario, they might even get angry about us not choosing them」

Like getting pissed off after failing a drawing or an exam?

We had just finished uniting the entire class, so we really wanted to avoid that.

「In that case, I believe Master Luminas’s persuasion combined with Chiyu’s 'Sedation' would be effective. Let's contact headquarters via radio and quickly move through them」 「Yes.

I agree with that plan too」

"You think I can't tell if you've accepted it or not?"

Shion was right, of course.

「Alright then, counting on you. Can Mikuron and Miyo join us?」

Mikuron and the griffon Miyo both nodded in agreement.

After sending a quick report to our comrades over the radio, we moved swiftly.

Just as we had feared, there were some anxious boys, but after listening to Master Luminas’s words of comfort, experiencing Chiyu’s magic, and hearing that they would be transferred to us in the future, everyone eventually calmed down.

As a precaution, we hunted down any monsters we encountered along the way.

It takes ten days for monsters to respawn in a cleared area, so we should be safe for the time being.

That said, it’s a different story if new monster types get added to the rotation……

But then again, is it really all that bad? I can just sweep through the bases each time new monsters show up and hunt them down.

Monster hunting earns you points, I get to collect materials from the creatures for crafting, I can do some exploring while I’m at it, and Professor Luminas will probably be relieved to know his students are safe.

It might not be such a bad deal after all.

I’d already relayed the intel to the Rotation Wheel, but I reached out just to be sure and got a simple “Roger that.”

As for other things worth noting……

Hida, who had been holding onto an airplane, also seemed eager to get home. Given his contribution during the raid, I promised him priority access in the next drop shipment.

Tsutsui, who had been carrying a handgun, was deeply moved by our actions and cried out, “You’re something else, bro!” while shedding tears.

Using Shion’s ability, I checked her state once more. It was confirmed that she harbored no further malice toward us and was genuinely determined to turn over a new leaf. After consulting with the group, we decided to return the gun to her.

If she had a handgun that fired endlessly, monster hunting would be a bit easier for everyone, and having another capable fighter on our side could only be a plus.

“Just know that if your heart changes and you aim at anyone—”

“I won’t! I’ll ride with you till the very end!”

"If you can acquire the 'Right of Return' on your own, it's safe to come back home once you've got it."

"No, please! I'm bringing my memories back with me so I won't forget my brother's heroic feats!" "W-well...

I see..."

It was quite a change for him, though...

But for now, I suppose I could believe him.

So, things work out like this.

There are sixteen male survivors excluding me.

Katenrin and Tsutsui aren't going to leave just yet, so that's fourteen.

Maeno, Manaka, and Goto have already left, bringing it down to eleven.

That means there are eleven men still with lingering doubts about combat capabilities.

Should our goal for the time being be to ensure these eleven can make it home?

"I guess I'll head back first."

Slimes are said to appear anywhere, but naturally, they don't inhabit every corner of the island.

Apparently, they have specific habitats and prefer certain environments; even if you encounter one, if you run away, it won't chase you for long.

It would be a hassle if our base overlapped with a slime habitat, but otherwise, as long as we stay alert, they're manageable.

We've taken down the troublesome unique individuals, so we should be safe for today.

I just hope the monsters that get added going forward aren't any trouble.

Lost in thought like that, we arrived at the base.

"Welcome back."

As always, our maid Lora greets me at the door.

"I'm home. Nothing's happened on your end, has it?"

"Yes, Master. It seems to be thanks to Miss Seriina's barrier."

"That barrier fades, too, if they’re chosen on ‘The Day of Vanishing.’”

Yorina muttered.

Losing the "Barrier Ability," which is the backbone of our defense, was a bitter pill to swallow, even if it was only for a single day.

Yet, that seemed exactly the kind of predicament the Mysterious Blackboard wanted us in.

"Soji-kun, um... could you please show me that thing we talked about earlier?"

Shion asked, her voice betraying just how eager she was.

In addition to the materials harvested by Maeno, Manaka, and Goto, I had also taken the opportunity to trade with the other guys.

When I consulted Shion about the materials I'd acquired along the way, her eyes lit up.

By the way, since I’d given the boys some rice, an earthenware pot, and some clean water, they were probably feeling pretty grateful for the steamed white rice they got to eat.

"Fair enough. Let's head to the kitchen, then."

We stepped inside the house.

Sena purified everyone, leaving them all clean.

With that, Sena said, "I'm going to bring the newcomers into the chicken coop," and headed toward the coop carrying a basket full of chickens.

"Um... 'Cumin,' 'Coriander,' 'Turmeric,' 'Cardamom'..."

I arranged the items Shion had told me about in the kitchen.

"Whoa... This alone was worth trading with the guys...!"

Shion was excited.

Her eyes shone like a starry sky.

"Is there anything else missing?"

"Hmm... Yeah, we really do need some vegetables. If it's not too much trouble, I thought maybe I could go into the 'Bonus Area' and bring back one of each type..."

"Do you think we can make it today?"

"I can't include the standard ingredients, but luckily we have plenty of meat, plus flour and butter... Yeah, I'll give it a try!"

Shion roused herself.

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Lord Shion, let me help you."

"Thank you, Roa-chan."

Leaving the kitchen up to the two of them, I approached Shinpou.

"Shall we?"

Shinpou's shoulder twitched slightly as he gave a curt nod.

Her face had flushed red, burning with heat, but it wasn’t due to poor health.

Her eyes were glazed over with excitement, fixing on me as if anticipating what was about to happen.

"I'm going out with Fukaminori to forage. We can never have too much wood or stone."

After checking in with everyone, I headed toward the entryway.

"Set a barrier centered on Sōsuke, alright? Configure it so it releases automatically when we return, and do have some fun."

Seirina had come to see me off as she said that.

I glanced sideways at Fukaminori.

Still blushing, Fukaminori forced an awkward smile in my direction.

It was the kind of look someone makes when trying to laugh off shame and fumble through a deflection, but failing miserably.

Realizing that she had asked Seirina for the barrier so she could be alone with me, my chest tightened at her endearing innocence.

What a cute girl she is.

"Thanks, Seirina. I really appreciate it."

"Well, Fukaminori has seniority as the first-resident cat, after all. But don't think you can get away with not spoiling me either."

Seirina gave a brief smile; she was incredibly cute too.

"Alright then, leave it to me."

"……Sozou-san, shall we go?"

Fukadatsu took my hand gently.

"A—ah, yeah, let's go."

Leaving Fukadatsu at the base, we walked a bit deeper into the forest before I stopped.

In an instant, Fukadatsu latched onto my lips.

She went straight for my tongue.

It was a violently intense kiss, uncharacteristically fierce for her.

Looking into her eyes, I saw a lewd light gleaming in them.

"Hearing that there would be a reward… I've been looking forward to this ever since…"

When our lips parted, a string of saliva connected us.

"F-Fukadatsu…"

"I… can't hold back anymore…"

With those words, Fukadatsu began unbuttoning her school uniform on her own.

…It seems the switch has already been flipped.

(※ Updated as of 5/25)

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The figures of Maezono, Machinaka, and Goto disappeared.

They didn't return to Japan... that's not quite right.

We can only return to our original daily lives if everyone either escapes the island or dies.

They managed to escape the island, but their return is on hold, right?

"Sou-kun, let's collect the supplies the three of them left behind." "Oh, yeah, that's right." My childhood friend is calm as ever today.

We'll store the supplies, the hut, and the stone walls.

Since they had caught some chickens, we decided to take them in here as well.

We'll put them in a cage and hang them up with Mikuron.

While idly looking at the acquired items in the 'Inventory,' I noticed that several new materials were included.

I've heard of them and they're edible... but what were they again?

I'll ask Shinpo and Shion about them later. "Um... Kono-kun?"

"Professor Lumina? What's wrong?"

「I think the other guys were confused by the dream we had earlier. I want to go talk to them to calm them down, but...」

「I see. Indeed, there will be some who will be worried if nothing happens.」

「Yeah. In the worst case, they might be angry that they weren't chosen.」

It's like how someone might blow up after failing a lottery or exam.

We just managed to get everyone in the class together, so we want to avoid that.

「Then I think Lumina's persuasion and Senju's 'Calm' spell will be effective. We can contact the base via radio and get this over with quickly.」 「I agree.」

「I think I can tell if they're convinced or not.」 Indeed, as Shion said.

「Alright, we'll count on you. How about Micron and Miyose too?」

Both Micron and Miyose nodded.

After informing our teammates via radio, we moved quickly.

As we had feared, some of the guys were worried, but after Lumina's persuasion, Senju's magic, and hearing that they would be transferred to us in the future, everyone calmed down.

We'll make sure to take out any monsters we see in the area.

It will take ten days to redistribute the defeated monsters, so we should be safe for a while.

Still, if new monsters are added, that's a different story...

No, should we just go around each base and defeat them whenever new monsters appear?

We get points for monster slaying, I can gather monster materials, we can also explore, and Lumina would be happy knowing her students are safe. It's not a bad idea.

I had already informed the Flying Wheel, but I contacted them anyway and they said "Understood."

The only other noteworthy thing is...

Since Hida, who had the plane, also wanted to go home and had contributed to the raid, I promised to give it to him first next time.

Tsunoda, who had the pistol, was so moved by our actions that he cried out, "You're the best, bro!"

After checking with Shion's ability, we confirmed that he no longer had any ill intentions and was determined to make an effort. After discussing with the others, we decided to return the pistol to him.

Having an unlimited-use pistol would make monster hunting a bit easier, and it's not bad to have more people who can fight on our side.

"But if you change your mind and shoot someone..."

"I won't!! I'll stick with you until the end!!"

「Once you acquire the ‘Return Rights’ on your own, you can come back then.」

「No, I want to bring back my memories so I don’t forget my brother’s heroic form!」 「S-so, is that so...」 A remarkable change, but... For now, I can believe it. So, that means. There are sixteen men, excluding me.

Since Dharma Wheel and Tsutsui aren’t going back right away, that leaves fourteen.

After sending Maezono, Shinaka, and Goto back, there are eleven.

Eleven men remain with lingering doubts about combat.

Should I aim to send these eleven back for now? 「Let’s go back for now.」

While slimes can appear anywhere, they don’t actually live everywhere on the island.

It seems they have their own habitats and places they prefer, and if you encounter them and run, they won’t chase you for long.

It’s troublesome if our base overlaps with their habitat, but otherwise, we can handle them with care.

We’ve taken down the troublesome unique slime, so we should be fine for today.

I hope any new monsters that appear won’t be troublesome.

As I was thinking this, we arrived at our base. 「Welcome back.」

As usual, the maid Roa greeted me.

"Welcome back. Was there nothing over there?"

"Yes, thanks to Miss Serina's barrier."

"It'll disappear if it's chosen on 'Disappearance Day,' though," Serina grumbled.

Even for just a day, it's tough to lose the defensive power of the 'Barrier Ability.'

The mystery blackboard probably wants to see how we'll handle this situation.

"Souma-kun, you see, I wanted to see the thing you mentioned earlier..."

Shion called out impatiently.

Besides the materials that Maeno, Machuu, and Goto had gathered, I also did some deals with other guys.

On the way, when I consulted her about the materials I'd acquired, Shion's eyes lit up.

By the way, I gave the guys some rice, a pot, and clean water, so they'll probably appreciate the value of white rice.

"Alright, let's go to the kitchen then." I entered the house.

Senyuu purified everyone, making us all clean.

Senyuu then headed toward the chicken coop, carrying a cage with chickens inside, saying, "I'll put the newcomers in the chicken coop."

"Erm... 'Cumin,' 'Coriander,' 'Turmeric,' 'Cardamom.'"

She arranged them in the kitchen as instructed by Shion.

"Phoo...! This alone was worth trading with the boys!" Shion was excited.

Her eyes shone like the night sky.

"Is there anything missing?"

"Hmm... I think vegetables. If it's okay, I was thinking of bringing one vegetable each from the 'Bonus Area'... but can we make them today?"

"Standard ingredients can't be used, but fortunately, there's plenty of meat, flour, and butter... yeah, I'll give it a try!" Shion was motivated. "I'm looking forward to it."

"Shion-sama, I'll help." "Thank you, Roa-chan."

I left the kitchen to Senho. "Shall we go?"

Senho's shoulders twitched, and she nodded.

Her face was flushed red, but she wasn't feeling unwell.

Her eyes were moist with excitement, staring at me as if she were looking forward to what was about to happen.

"I'm going to go gather deepwood and minerals. I can't have too much wood or stone."

After saying goodbye to everyone, I headed toward the entrance.

"I'll set up a barrier around Sousuke. It'll be removed when I return, so feel free to enjoy yourselves."

Seirina, who came to see me off, said that. I glanced at Shinpo.

Shinpo had her face still flushed red and gave me a fake smile.

It looked like she was trying to hide her embarrassment by smiling, but failed.

Thinking that Shinpo had asked Seirina to set up a barrier so we could be alone, I felt a pang of affection for her. What a cute girl.

"Thanks, Seirina. I appreciate it."

"Well, Shinpo's the original resident cat, but I need to be treated well too."

Seirina smiled sweetly, looking very cute. "Trust me."

「...Sōsuke, shall we go?」

Deepo gently took my hand. "Ah, yeah, let's go."

We left the base and stopped after walking a bit into the forest.

Suddenly, Deepo kissed me, her tongue slipping inside my mouth. It was a passionate kiss, unlike her usual self.

Looking into her eyes, I saw a lustful glint.

"I've been looking forward to this ever since I heard I'd get a reward..."

When our lips parted, a string of saliva connected us. "D-Deepo..." "I can't hold back any longer..."

She started unbuttoning her uniform herself.

...It seems she's already turned on. (※5/25 update) As I mentioned in my activity report, the manga adaptation is in progress!

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