Chapter 17: Preparation Day

The afternoon sun painted the streets of Hoshinomiya City in warm golden light.
Only...
Three days remained before departure.
Students from Kisaragi University filled the shopping district.
Camping stores.
Outdoor equipment shops.
Convenience stores.
Almost every student carried a checklist in hand.
...
Shadow walked quietly along the sidewalk.
One hand rested inside his jacket pocket.
The equipment list remained folded in the other.
Behind him...
Aiko skipped happily.
Aiko:"I've been waiting for this all morning!"
Kenji sighed.
"We're buying survival equipment..."
"Not souvenirs."
"They're basically the same."
"...They're really not."
Reina giggled.
Shadow remained silent.
...
The four stopped in front of a large outdoor equipment store.
Automatic doors opened.
Rows of backpacks stretched across the walls.
Sleeping bags.
Flashlights.
Compasses.
Portable stoves.
Everything needed for the Island Examination.
Aiko's eyes sparkled.
Aiko:"THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!"
Before anyone could stop her...
She disappeared into the first aisle.
Kenji sighed.
"There she goes..."
Reina smiled.
"We should probably follow."
Shadow quietly walked inside.
...
Several minutes later...
Aiko proudly pushed a shopping cart.
It was already overflowing.
Snacks.
Candy.
Cookies.
Soft drinks.
Three different pillows.
Kenji stared.
"..."
"What exactly are we surviving?"
Aiko smiled confidently.
"Hunger."
Kenji slowly removed almost everything from the cart.
Aiko looked heartbroken.
"You monster..."
...
Meanwhile...
Shadow stood quietly in front of a shelf filled with compasses.
He picked one up.
Examined it.
Placed it back.
Then picked another.
Reina walked beside him.
Reina:"You've been standing here for five minutes."
Shadow looked at the compass.
"...This one's better."
"How can you tell?"
"The balance."
Reina blinked.
"You can tell that?"
Shadow simply placed it into the basket.
...
The next aisle.
Flashlights.
Aiko grabbed the largest one she could find.
Aiko:"This one looks powerful!"
Kenji looked at the price tag.
"It costs more than my monthly food budget."
"...Oh."
She slowly put it back.
...
An employee approached.
Employee:"Preparing for the Island Examination?"
Reina nodded.
"Yes."
The employee smiled.
"Then I'd recommend these."
He pointed toward several compact survival kits.
"Most students forget first-aid supplies."
Shadow immediately picked one up.
Employee:"Good choice."
"It sells out every year."
Shadow simply nodded.
...
After nearly an hour...
The shopping was finally finished.
Everyone carried several bags.
Aiko stretched.
"My wallet is crying."
Kenji looked at her.
"It wouldn't be if you didn't try buying five bags of chips."
"They were on sale."
"You bought twelve."
"They were REALLY on sale."
Reina couldn't stop laughing.
Even Shadow's gaze shifted toward Aiko for a brief moment.
Aiko pointed dramatically.
"I saw that."
"You almost smiled."
Shadow looked away.
"...You imagined it."
Kenji laughed.
"I think she's right."
...
The four entered a nearby café.
It was much quieter than the busy streets outside.
They sat beside the window.
A waiter arrived.
Waiter:"What can I get for everyone?"
Aiko:"Chocolate milkshake!"
Kenji:"Lemon tea."
Reina:"Iced coffee."
The waiter looked toward Shadow.
"...Black coffee."
The waiter nodded before walking away.
...
For several minutes...
They simply enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.
Outside...
Students continued rushing between stores.
Inside...
Everything felt calm.
Reina looked toward Shadow.
Reina:"Do you think we'll actually enjoy the island?"
Shadow looked out the window.
After a brief silence...
Shadow:"...Depends."
"On what?"
"The people."
Reina smiled.
"I hope our team gets along."
Shadow quietly picked up his coffee.
"...We'll find out soon."
...
Across the street...
A girl stood beneath the shade of a tree.
Long black hair.
Cold eyes.
Her gaze remained fixed on the café.
On...
Shadow.
She watched silently.
Without expression.
Then...
She turned around.
And disappeared into the afternoon crowd.
...
The conversation inside the café continued.
No one mentioned the girl.
No one reacted.
As if...
She had never been there.
...
The sun slowly began to set.
Three days remained.
The journey to Seiryu Island drew