In early August, the final exams at Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School had finally come to an end. The first semester of the first year was now officially over. Awaiting the students was a full month of summer vacation. There probably wasn't a single student who wasn't thrilled about that, especially after the school announced a jaw-dropping surprise: the entire first-year cohort would board a luxury cruise ship for a vacation on an uninhabited island. The news not only stunned students with the school's extravagance, but also heightened expectations for the upcoming holiday.
"There's a saying that the first thing you see when you open your door determines your luck for the day."
Kitagawa Ryo stroked his chin as he looked outside. Standing there were Ishizaki Daichi and Yamada Albert, both dressed in flamboyant beachwear and wearing oversized sunglasses. Yamada even sported a beach hat.
"Has our class really fallen so far that I need you two to wake me up in the morning?"
"Sir."
Ishizaki raised his sunglasses with exaggerated flair. Yamada pulled a small notebook from his pocket.
"FBI, open the door."
Kitagawa ignored Ishizaki's antics and took the notebook from Yamada. He flipped through it and then tucked it into his chest pocket.
"Is everyone from our class here?"
"Everyone's here. Ryuuen's organizing down below. We're getting on the bus soon."
"Five in the morning. That's rare."
Kitagawa glanced at the wall clock and yawned.
"If only you guys had this much motivation when it comes to studying."
Though there had been no leaked answers this time, Class C had passed the final exam thanks to the tutoring of Shiina Hiyori and Kaneda Satoru. Even Class D had made significant improvements since the beginning of the year. As a result, there were no failing students or expulsions across the entire first-year cohort.
"Hehe, even if this is another school-arranged special exam, it's still a luxury cruise! A real luxury cruise!"
Ishizaki Daichi stretched his arms excitedly. For high schoolers around sixteen or seventeen, the idea of a cruise vacation was thrilling enough to lose sleep over. Their mindset wouldn't shift back until the special exam actually started.
"Alright, let's go."
Kitagawa had nothing in particular to pack. The school had taken care of everything. With just his phone and student ID, he headed downstairs with Ishizaki and Yamada.
Just as Ishizaki had said, the students of Class C were already gathered, faces glowing with excitement and smiles mirroring Ishizaki's. They chattered animatedly about the upcoming two-week vacation.
Their homeroom teacher, Sakagami Kazuma, was as composed as ever. Unlike his casually dressed students, he wore his usual formal suit, resembling a teacher escorting elementary kids on a field trip. When he saw Kitagawa yawning as he came downstairs, he confirmed that Class C was all present and led them to the bus waiting nearby.
The bus seats were arranged in pairs. Since there hadn't been any reported romances in class (aside from the rumors about Kitagawa and Shiina), everyone silently agreed: girls in the back, boys up front.
A certain girl had been trying to sit next to Kitagawa, but before she could speak, the seat was taken by a long-haired "girl"—no, it was Ryuuen Kakeru, who plopped down without hesitation.
"Why do you look just as laid-back as everyone else?"
Ryuuen had wanted to discuss the special exam with Kitagawa but was now staring at him slouched by the window, whistling and enjoying the view like a kid on vacation.
"Weren't you the one who said we'd use this chance to crush Classes B and C and close the gap with Class A in one go?"
"Hmm..."
Kitagawa turned his head and thought seriously for a moment.
"Did I say that?"
"...Alright, maybe that was my personal hope. But I thought you'd be on the same page."
"Before we left, I did share your ambition. I even made some preparations."
Kitagawa leaned back, hands behind his head, wearing a pained expression.
"But when we actually departed, I realized something serious."
"Yeah?"
Hearing the seriousness in his tone, Ryuuen leaned in and lowered his voice.
"Did someone find out about you and Karuizawa Kei?"
"Something like that."
Kitagawa pulled a photo from his chest pocket and handed it over with great secrecy. The cautious manner made Ryuuen instinctively tense. Using his body and the seat as cover, he reached down to take the photo discreetly.
"What's this?"
"A memento of the greatest sacrifice made during this mission. I hope you remember their contribution."
Ryuuen frowned. There hadn't been any missing members. He flipped the photo using only his fingertips, catching a glimpse of white.
"This, what is this?"
Kitagawa patted Ryuuen on the shoulder. Surely now he would understand his feelings.
"Isn't this Hotaru? But now that you mention it—you're leaving for two weeks. What about your cat?"
Ryuuen gave him a deadpan look and tossed the photo back.
"Someone's taking care of her."
Kitagawa stretched and gazed at the dorms now fading into the distance.
"Actually, no. It's Hotaru who's taking care of our biggest rival."
"Sakayanagi Arisu?"
Ryuuen's eyes sharpened as he tapped his thigh with a finger.
"Wasn't your disappearance last year somehow tied to her?"
"That whole mess back then... If her family hadn't covered for me, I wouldn't be here, maybe not even in school at all. I might still be wandering the streets."
Kitagawa recalled the past, eyes closed.
"So maybe I don't hate Sakayanagi Arisu... Who knows."
"You're so dramatic."
Ryuuen shot him a sideways glance and let out a dismissive remark.
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The ocean sparkled like a sapphire beneath the sun. A salty sea breeze gently wrapped around his body before brushing past the tip of his nose. Standing on the cruise ship's deck, Kitagawa Ryo took a deep breath, savoring the rare moment of peace alone.
"Uwohhh! This is freaking amazingggggg!"
But not everyone shared his quiet mood. Most students, like Ishizaki Daichi, couldn't contain themselves in the face of the vast, breathtaking sea. They shouted and howled toward the water, unable to suppress their excitement. Students from not only Class C but also Classes D, B, and A had gathered on the deck, screaming into the ocean like overexcited baboons.
Kitagawa even spotted a couple from an unknown class striking the iconic Titanic pose, arms stretched wide on the bow.
That feels like a bad omen...
"The view is amazing! I'm honestly so moved!" "Advanced Nurturing High School is the best!" "I'm so glad I came here!"
The girls, well-prepared with sunscreen, emerged from the ship's interior and joined in the excitement. Like the boys, they beamed with joy and chattered while pointing at the ocean.
"It really is beautiful."
Among them, Ichinose Honami leaned on the railing, her voice filled with awe as she stared out to sea.
The deep blue washed away the stress of the first semester. Some Class D students looked like they might cry. As the only class to lose four members to expulsion and currently sitting at just 87 class points, many of them had lived off free meals. Now, they stood on a luxury cruise where restaurants, theaters, spas, and other facilities were free. Two weeks of VIP treatment—how could they not cheer?
"Where's Ryuuen?"
Kitagawa casually pulled Ishizaki Daichi over, who was loudly debating lunch options.
"Ryuuen-san didn't come out to the deck. He probably went inside."
"I see."
Kitagawa nodded. Ishizaki offered a suggestion.
"Boss, wanna eat lunch together? I heard there's a great restaurant on the third floor. The guys are planning to hit the pool this afternoon."
"You go ahead. Have fun today. I doubt the school will do anything crazy today, but make sure to conserve your energy."
Kitagawa had his own plans and didn't intend to join the boys at the pool. He figured the survival exam wouldn't start today—students had boarded the bus at 5 AM to reach Tokyo Bay, then boarded the cruise. Most probably hadn't slept well last night. It made sense that the exam would start tomorrow.
"Okay. If you see Ryuuen-san, let him know too. He might be interested."
After giving Ishizaki a half-hearted reply, Kitagawa watched Class C's boys walk off. He yawned lightly. Of course, he knew exactly where Ryuuen Kakeru was. The school's message had been:
"The first week will be spent in vacation homes on the uninhabited island, and the second week will be on the cruise ship."
If the first week was the island exam, there was no way the second week would be pure relaxation. The cruise itself was likely the site of another special exam.
As expected, Ryuuen was already investigating the ship's layout and security systems. After tasting success once, Ryuuen had only grown more skilled at it.
Several other friends approached Kitagawa later with lunch and activity invites. To his surprise, even unfamiliar girls from other classes blushed and boldly asked him out. He declined them all politely.
It wasn't like he was waiting for anyone, nor did he have urgent tasks. He simply leaned on the railing and enjoyed the sea breeze for another half hour. After the initial excitement passed, most students left to explore the ship, leaving only a few figures visible on the deck.
"Kitagawa-kun, are you waiting for someone?"
He turned. It was Ichinose Honami. Smiling warmly, she stood beside him and rested her arms on the railing to look at the sea.
"You've been here almost an hour now."
"And you, Honami? Haven't you been on the deck as long as I have?"
"Me?"
Ichinose didn't mind his question. She tucked a wind-blown strand of hair behind her ear, her blue eyes reflecting the ocean.
"Nothing special. I just saw you standing here and wanted to check in."
Her words could be taken as flirtatious, but given her usual personality, Kitagawa wasn't surprised.
"I'm not doing anything. But Honami, you really shouldn't be seen talking to me."
"After all, Class B and Class C are direct rivals right now."
Class B had 683 points, and Class C had 656—just 27 points apart. The gap had shrunk from 60 earlier in the term. And with Class B still transferring 800,000 personal points monthly to Karuizawa Kei, Class C students were actually receiving more individual points. It was only a matter of time before Class C overtook Class B. And there was also their lingering grudge.
Though Ichinose's popularity in Class B was unmatched, if anyone saw their leader chatting happily with a rival class member, it would definitely stir unease.
"You really do think about others, Kitagawa-kun."
Ichinose understood but didn't leave.
"Chihiro's issue has been resolved. If you underestimate Class B now, you might regret it."
Thanks to Kitagawa tipping her off about Shiranami Chihiro being a spy, Ichinose had swiftly resolved the situation. After an honest class meeting, they fully accepted her again. Of the four first-year classes, only Class B could manage that.
"Honestly, I always saw Chihiro as a little sister. I never realized... she had feelings for me."
"But because I failed to notice, she was blackmailed by Class C into becoming a spy."
Ichinose smiled a little sadly. Valuing her classmates so dearly, handling such feelings was hard. But remembering her ramen talk with Kitagawa, she had managed to reject Chihiro properly and defuse the situation.
"Sorry again about the shopping trip. I had to leave for personal reasons."
Unaware that Kitagawa had orchestrated the entire trip, she apologized sincerely.
"I really hate theft. That's why I chose to confront Kamuro alone."
"It's fine."
Kitagawa shook his head.
"Let's just go shopping again next time."
"Sure. Anytime."
Ichinose smiled and, having said what she wanted, turned to leave.
"I'll be going now. See you later."
"See you."
Kitagawa watched her walk away, then looked down at his phone. He logged into an anonymous account and scrolled to the bottom of the contact list.
"Shiranami Chihiro."
The plan had gone perfectly. Kitagawa had predicted that Ichinose would hold a class meeting to reveal Chihiro's betrayal, ask for her reasons, and then reintegrate her.
But what she didn't know was that Chihiro had two secrets. One was her feelings for Ichinose Honami. The other was a recording of Ichinose confessing her dark past.
Chihiro would never reveal the recording in front of everyone. She had betrayed Shibata Sou just to keep that secret. So her only option was to reveal her love for Ichinose and say that she was blackmailed for it.
She didn't want anyone to know she liked girls—especially the class leader.
Though a stretch, it was a believable excuse. And with Ichinose's forgiving nature, it worked. Class B accepted her again.
A spy who regains trust... can destroy Class B in one blow.
Kitagawa lowered his eyes and tapped Chihiro's profile picture.
"So you didn't release the recording after all."
"Meaning... you really do want to protect Ichinose Honami's secret. Right?"
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