March 3.
Breakfast today had a different atmosphere.
We have the same menu, but the place is filled with tension.
「 The weather’s fine, and the temperature’s warm. We’re settling this today, just as planned 」
This perhaps will be our last try.
We’ve tried and failed so many times.
It’s a voyage to an island across the sea that’s both reachable and unreachable.
「 I’ve said it many times since we’ve been building the boat, but… 」
I put the lacquer teacup on the ground.
「 Anyone who wants to stay can stay 」
This attempt will be different from the previous ones.
We have no plans on going back.
If it goes badly, no, even if things don’t, we’re highly likely to die.
From the outside, this act seemed suicidal.
That’s the reason why we’re leaving those who aren’t as interested.
The members here can survive on this island, without exception.
「 I’m boarding 」
Shiori’s the first to speak.
She’s the hair stylist of our group.
Starting with her, the other members expressed that they don’t want to be left
「 I’m sure this boat will be fine! 」
Arisa turned her gaze outside the hideout.
To be precise, she’s looking at the U-shaped boat we made.
「 This is my masterpiece! Over! 」
Everyone agreed with Yoshiokada.
It’s a fine handmade sailing boat made with wood and bamboo.
The dimensions are nothing to criticize.
However, unlike normal ships, there’s no space apart from the deck.
It’s a small space on board that stores two weeks’ worth of food and bedding.
Therefore, if it rains, we would get soaked.
During our trip, we’ll most certainly experience heavy rainfall.
In our previous attempts, bad weather had always struck at a certain distance.
Even if we accomplish our trip, we’re likely to catch colds later.
In this environment where we have no cold medicine, the common cold isn’t an illness to be underestimated.
Considering that we don’t know what’s the environment on the other island, the risk is high.
Even so, we believe in hope and dare to sail.
(Besides, even if we don’t reach the other island)
I think this will be my last attempt at doing a voyage.
At that time, I was inspired by my own ridiculous hypothesis.
I never told anyone, but I’m hopeful.
If my hypothesis is correct, then we’re…
No, let’s not think about that.
「 Done with your meals? If you’re ready, then let’s depart 」
「 「 「 Ooh!! 」 」 」
We all stood up.
◇
「 Take care of the island! 」
「 Uki! Ukiki!! 」
We left the hideout and met the monkey army that Rita leads.
We’ve been in their care.
Especially during winter. They worked hard.
「 「 Ukiii 」 」
As the boat left the hideout, I hear the monkeys cheering.
An army of dozens of monkeys waved from the cliff of the hideout.
Seeing that, Mana was moved to tears.
「 Still, this boat is amazing! It’s just moving by itself! 」
Arisa told Yoshiokada.
Yoshiokada shows off a smug look while his hair is a mess.
「 Sails aren’t as good when they’re fixed 」
「 Ah, that doesn’t matter! It’s still amazing 」
「 Gan! …over 」
Yoshiokada hung his head.
We’re taking a break because the wind is moving us.
Arisa and the others were free to spend their time.
Tanaka and Eri are talking near the bow.
Even from behind, their mood doesn’t seem like a couple.
Although, they’re just friends.
Sofia and Amane seem to be taking lessons in Shiori’s hairdressing skills.
She’s moving her scissors in an empty space.
「 Muscle! Muscle! 」
「 Yansu! Muscle! Yansu! 」
Muscle Takahashi and Kageyama are doing push-ups together.
Muscle’s looking nonchalant at what he does, but Kageyama looks like he’s in pain.
Meiko and Hinako are talking.
Hinako’s so cute when she smiles happily.
(What should I do then?)
I looked around and approached Mana.
She’s spending her time alone, just like me.
「 Worried about the monkeys? 」
Mana kept looking back at the hideout.
She only turned around when she heard me call her.
「 It’s more sadness than worry. It’s not just for Rita and the group, but the other animals too 」
She’s talking about the domestic animals we had.
The cows, chicken, and mallards we didn’t eat.
Mana loves animals, so she spent most of her time with them.
She’s been attached to them.
「 Do you regret leaving the hideout? 」
「 Not at all. I don’t regret it. Although… 」
「 Although? 」
「 It was fun living on that island 」
「 Yeah 」
To me, it’s a heavenly environment from start to finish.
I’ve always dreamt of living a survival life.
Besides, I also gained a lot of friends.
Personally, I want to continue living on the island.
「 Also, it’s scary 」
「 Scary? Because you don’t know what’s on the other island? 」
「 There’s that, but that’s not it 」
Mana looked up at the sky.
「 I’m scared of returning to Japan. I’ve lived on the island for so long that I don’t know if I can still get back into society. We’re already lagging behind in our studies. Normally, we’d be getting ready for college by now, but we haven’t even taken the test. We can’t keep up 」
「 Mana shouldn’t have a problem in that regard 」
I smiled.
Mana tilts her head and asks “Why?”
「 Well, you’re cute 」
「 Hey! 」
Mana blushed.
I didn’t mind that.
「 Japan is influenced by appearance. If you have a good face, regardless of gender, you’ll have an easy life. Mana shouldn’t have problems with that appearance 」
「 I don’t like it when people evaluate based on looks, not on skills 」
「 Mana’s the one who benefits from it, so why not just consider yourself lucky? 」
「 Ahaha, that’s a positive way to look at it, Hokage. Well, who knows when we’re back in Japan 」
「 I wonder about that 」
Mana looked at me in surprise.
「 What do you mean by that? 」
「 There’s no deep meaning to it, I just said it without thinking 」
「 What the hell 」
Mana laughed, saying that it was weird.
I also laughed it off, then looked away.