Haruka stared into her mirror, eyes shining with the devotion of a martyr and the intensity of someone who hadn't blinked in too long.
"They don't see it," she whispered, lips trembling into a smile. "But I do. I see the truth."
She reached under her bed, sliding out a hand decorated scrapbook labeled Operation: Eternal Love in pink glitter glue. Inside were pages and pages of Makoto, photos, news clippings, old concert tickets from his stage debut, a pressed flower from the bush she accidentally fell into while sneaking outside his house.
She turned to the most recent page which had a blurry photo of Makoto at school. Next to it, she'd scrawled in pink gel pen: He's trapped. They're controlling him. I HAVE TO SAVE HIM.
Her hand flew to her chest again, dramatically clutching a plushie shaped like Makoto's face.
"That thing- the system! No one else noticed it, but I did. It's watching him. Controlling him. Feeding off him."
She nodded solemnly to herself. "It's obvious. He's in danger. No one else is doing anything about it. So I will."
The candlelight flickered. Shadows stretched across the walls, making Makoto's poster seem to move, smile widening, eyes gleaming.
Haruka giggled, swaying slightly.
"I'll get on that yacht. I'll save him. I'll destroy the system. I'll-"
She slammed both hands down on her desk, rattling perfume bottles and a pink plastic dagger labeled Anti-System Defense Blade.
"I'LL SET HIM FREE."
She turned to the wall where she'd pinned the weekend's weather report, Saiko's social media posts, and an overhead map of the marina with "MAKOTO'S SALVATION ROUTE" written across it in pink marker.
"I'm coming, Makoto," she breathed. "Just hang on a little longer."
The sun was blinding, the sea was calm, and the yacht was... obnoxiously massive.
Docked at the private pier, the yacht gleamed under the morning light like an arrogant monument to capitalism. Embroidered in gold lettering across it's surface: The Saiko Conglomerate's Luxurious Cruise.
"Of course it's called that," Makoto muttered as he stepped aboard.
Behind him, Hairo gasped, "This is incredible! Saiko, you never said it was this big!"
"I assumed the word luxurious in the name would suffice," Saiko replied, tossing his scarf. "Try to contain your awe."
Kokomi looked around, looking at everything with concealed awe. Makoto barely caught her muttering under her breath, "If I were to marry Saiko, this would all be mine too."
Makoto choked on his spit and side eyed her with a mix of horror and disbelief. He did not want Saiko as a brother in law.
[System: host, if saiko becomes your brother in law, you'll have more coffee jelly money for saiki ᕙ(＠°▽°＠)ᕗ]
"I can afford kusuo's coffee jelly addiction" Makoto replied dryly.
Kaidou pressed himself to the railing, squinting into the ocean. "Any moment now, I expect a pirate ship to rise from the depths. This is textbook villain lair energy."
"Kaidouuuuu!" Yumehara squealed, running up in a sunhat. "Let's take yacht selfies later! You look so good in nautical lighting!"
Makoto watched them take photos with Kaidou dramatically posing before turning to Saiki, who stood unnaturally still at the entrance.
"You okay?" Makoto asked.
Saiki gave him a blank look. "I'm experiencing... a mysterious illness."
Makoto blinked. "Is it... sea sickness?"
"No."
"You sure?"
"I don't get sea sick," Saiki said flatly. "I am merely afflicted with a transient condition caused by unfortunate aquatic vibrations."
"Right," Makoto deadpanned. "Totally different thing."
Despite his denial, Saiki was pale and clinging slightly to the nearest stable surface like it owed him money.
Makoto slung an arm around his shoulder. "Come on, my delicate little coral reef. Let's get you inside."
"I regret everything," Saiki muttered.
"Too late. We're dating now."
The rest of their classmates wandered around the deck, marveling at the grandeur. Saiko made a show of gesturing to various amenities like a smug 5 star hotel manager giving a tour to peasants.
"To your left is the infinity pool," he said. "It can be adjusted to five different temperatures. Ahead is the on deck dining suite, and below are karaoke rooms, guest lounges, and of course, luxury suites."
"You have a karaoke room?" Hairo gasped.
Saiko preened. "Naturally. With surround sound, acoustically treated walls, and a private soda fountain."
Yumehara clutched her heart. "This is the best day of my life."
Chisato, meanwhile, had poked her head into all of the rooms they passed and opened a few cupboards. "Um… where are all the snacks?"
Saiko didn't even glance at her. "This isn't a convenience store. We serve artisanal hors d'oeuvres. With imported cheese."
She stared, mouth slightly watering. "So… where is it?"
"If you must know, there is food in the storage room on the lower deck. However, that's our entire stock for this cruise. Rations, if you will. So don't touch it."
"Right, right. Of course," Chisato said with forced sweetness. "I would never endanger our survival at sea."
She began tiptoeing toward the hallway, eyes glinting.
Saiko narrowed his eyes. "I see you."
"No you don't," she replied instantly, already halfway to the stairs.
Saiko watched her go with a frown before composing himself. He slid up beside Kokomi, flashing what he probably thought was a charming smile. "I took the liberty of assigning you the suite beside mine, Teruhashi."
Kokomi's smile didn't falter. "Oh, thankyou"
"She's so perfect..." someone whispered in the background.
Saiko's smile strained. He turned to Makoto instead. "And yours is across from mine. So we're still neighbors."
Makoto raised an eyebrow. "Saiki's in my room."
"...Both of you?"
"Yep."
Saiko's eyebrow twitched. "Interesting."
They all began to settle in as the yacht finally pulled away from the dock. Out of sight, a small black wetsuit clung to the base of the ship.
Haruka, clinging to the side with suction cups and pure obsession, narrowed her eyes.
"There's no way I wasn't invited by accident," she whispered to herself. "They're hiding something. And I will save him."
She looked up at the golden letters glinting above her: Saiko Conglomerate's Luxurious Cruise.
Inside her waterproof duffel bag were snacks, binoculars, several laminated photos of Makoto, and get scrapbook.
"I'm coming, Makoto. Just hold on."
Meanwhile, Kaidou had turned an odd shade of green and was gripping the railing for dear life. "I-I've been cursed. The deep sea gods are testing me. I can feel the abyss calling."
Yumehara gently patted his back, eyes sparkling. "You're so brave, Kaidou-kun. Even in suffering, you stand tall."
Kaidou whimpered. "The floor moved again."
Makoto, helping Saiki down into the cabin, gave them both a look before muttering, "This is going to be a long trip."
Makoto smirked. "hey, I just noticed. you sounded like Kaidou earlier when you said you had a mysterious ilness. Did you get cursed by the deep sea gods too?"
Saiki scowled. "Don't compare me to him."
"Right, right," Makoto said, slinging an arm around his shoulder. "My delicate little coral reef"