On the afternoon and evening of the day the deserted island special exam ended, most of the students from the other three classes followed a similar routine: first rushing to the cafeteria to devour a big meal, then collapsing in bed for sleep. Unlike Class C, who had returned to the ship days earlier, they had spent seven full days surviving on the island. Once their mental tension eased, drowsiness naturally took over.
Since the official procedures for class promotions and demotions wouldn't take place until the second semester began, everyone was still used to referring to each other by their original class names. After all, they'd spent a whole semester that way.
While Classes A, B, and D rested, Class C took the opportunity to rent out an entire restaurant for a victory celebration. Having explored every facility on the cruise ship over the past few days, Class C students were well-acquainted with the menu. By the time Kitagawa Ryo returned from his shower and changed clothes, the large round table was already covered with a lavish dinner. Ryuuen Kakeru had already started digging in unceremoniously, but considering how much he endured during the exam, no one blamed him. On the contrary, they eagerly recommended dishes to him.
Of course, that might also have been because Ryuuen spent a full hour and a half scrubbing himself in the bath after returning, nearly peeling off a layer of skin.
"Ryuuen-san, this lobster is amazing! I had three in a row the other day on my first bite."
Ishizaki Daichi eagerly peeled lobster meat for Ryuuen and placed it into his bowl. When he looked up and saw Kitagawa Ryo, he quickly pulled out a chair with practiced speed:
"Boss, sit here!"
Other Class C students gathered around as well. Due to the large number of people, they had to split into multiple tables. Still, everyone came over to greet Kitagawa Ryo before heading to their own seats.
"No need to be so formal. Since it's a celebration, let's really enjoy ourselves."
Kitagawa Ryo sat down in the seat Ishizaki had prepared and patted Ryuuen's shoulder:
"But first, let's thank our MVP. Ishizaki, while you were gnawing on lobster, Ryuuen was out there playing Tarzan and battling bugs."
"Tch."
Ryuuen looked up from his plate and casually wiped his mouth. If it weren't for Shiina Hiyori sitting nearby, he would've immediately announced to everyone how Kitagawa spent his days flirting instead of delivering food like he promised. In fact, on the third day, Kitagawa said he might bring him something to eat, but by the end of the exam, Ryuuen hadn't received a thing.
Worse still, he had even been worried that something had happened to Kitagawa.
One night, while sneaking over to Class B's camp to look for him, he saw the shameless guy lying on a hammock, flirting with Ichinose Honami. While Ryuuen was getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, Kitagawa's bed even had a pouch of mosquito repellent hanging beside it.
Speaking of the pouch...
Ryuuen glanced at Kitagawa, who had just changed into casual clothes. He didn't seem to be carrying anything. Who knew if he had brought that charm back? It did look quite refined.
"What are you staring at?"
Kitagawa, without hesitation, grabbed a piece of lobster from Ryuuen's plate and popped it into his mouth, earning an eye-roll.
"Nothing. Peel your own food."
Ryuuen pulled his plate closer disdainfully. When he turned, he saw Shiina Hiyori peeling lobster for Kitagawa with a warm smile. He then looked at Ishizaki peeling for him and suddenly found the meat in his mouth less appetizing.
Still, he didn't snatch from Kitagawa's plate. After all, if the usually mild Shiina ever got mad, the entire female contingent of Class C would probably collapse. With that thought, Ryuuen just downed a glass of chilled plum juice.
Thanks to the teasing banter between Kitagawa and Ryuuen, the atmosphere in Class C instantly warmed up. Everyone started asking the two about their class's strategy.
Aside from Kitagawa and Ryuuen who executed the plan, the rest of Class C had spent a carefree day before boarding the ship. Then, somehow, they ended up winning the entire exam. It was a pleasant surprise, but the students were still curious how it all happened.
Maybe it was the effect of Kitagawa's presence, but Ryuuen got quite animated. Though he wasn't drinking alcohol, he sounded increasingly tipsy:
"Class C was all ME!"
"I laugh at Katsuragi's recklessness, Horikita's lack of wit, and Class B's Ichinose? Nothing but skeletons in the closet!"
Truth be told, Ryuuen was quite the speaker, and Class C's setup on the island was truly brilliant. As he hit his stride, his stories drew gasps and applause from everyone.
While the others were engrossed in Ryuuen's tales, Kitagawa quietly slipped away. He hadn't been all that hungry, unlike Ryuuen, who had genuinely starved on the island.
Holding a glass of chilled plum drink, Kitagawa sneaked out of the restaurant and went up to the deck. He leaned against the railing, gazing at the moonlight.
But peace didn't last long. Within half a minute, footsteps echoed behind him, accompanied by a fresh and natural scent.
"Alone again, huh, Ryo?"
"Guess I'm just used to it. Maybe I'm not great with crowds."
Kitagawa turned to look at Shiina Hiyori. She stood behind him, the hem of her white dress fluttering in the sea breeze. The way the fabric arced in the air looked like it belonged to a whole new world.
"Wanna take a walk?"
He shook his drink and extended the invitation.
Porcelain-white summer, plum drink clinking with crushed ice.
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"What a fitting place for someone like you, Hiyori."
Kitagawa Ryo looked up at the theater marquee and couldn't help but comment. This luxurious cruise ship, chartered by the school, had every facility imaginable—including a full-sized theater. Shiina Hiyori, it seemed, was no stranger to this place. In fact, it was clear she'd had a very specific destination in mind all along.
"Everywhere else is too noisy, and the rooms feel a little cramped. So whenever I have free time, I come here."
That made sense. Among all of Class C, there was probably no one else who'd voluntarily visit the theater. Perhaps a few students had wandered in thinking it was similar to a movie, but they'd likely walk out with a frown shortly after. For this restless group of high schoolers, a several-hour-long stage play could easily feel tedious and dull.
"So for the past few days, it's been a private showing just for me."
Shiina glanced around the empty seats inside the theater. As expected, not a single soul was there. She looked at the program schedule on the wall and exclaimed with some delight:
"There's a performance of Macbeth starting in five minutes. Have you seen it before, Ryo?"
"I've read the original Shakespeare text, but this'll be my first time watching it on stage."
The two of them found the best seats in the house and chatted during the final five minutes before the curtain rose.
"Even though Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's Four Great Tragedies, most people only seem to know about Hamlet."
"Some even include Romeo and Juliet as one of the four."
Shiina chuckled softly behind her hand.
"Which one of the four is your favorite, Ryo?"
"Hamlet, maybe."
"Why's that?"
"Probably because Ophelia's final scene left such a deep impression on me the first time I read it. Dying in the flower river—it's such a hauntingly beautiful image."
"But love tragedies like that are—"
Shiina was about to continue, but the lights above dimmed, and the curtains parted. The play was about to begin.
Kitagawa Ryo settled comfortably into the wide, plush seat. Just as he was about to pull back his hand resting on the armrest, another hand suddenly clasped his tightly.
In the darkness, he couldn't see Shiina's face clearly, but he didn't pull away. He simply let her fingers pry open his closed fist and slip into his palm.
Perhaps something he'd said earlier had struck a chord in her. Through the warmth of her hand, Shiina Hiyori was sending a message—like two ants extending their feelers to meet. She was waiting for his response.
Shiina might look delicate and airy on the surface, but when she was serious, she could be surprisingly stubborn. Kitagawa gently tickled her palm with his fingertips.
That small motion seemed to relax her instantly. She let out a soft breath. And throughout the entire play, she never let go of his hand.
As the actors bowed to their audience of two, Ryo and Hiyori responded with enthusiastic applause. Only then did they realize how long they had been holding hands—their palms still retained the warmth of the other, and the difference in temperature was striking when they clapped their other hands together.
"Shiina-san isn't alone today, I see."
It seemed the theater troupe was quite familiar with Shiina. Considering she'd said she often had the place to herself, it was no surprise the elderly man—apparently the troupe director—approached with a kind smile.
"Hello, I'm Kitagawa Ryo from Class 1-C. Thank you for taking care of Hiyori these past few days. Your troupe's performance was excellent. Especially the scene where Lady Macbeth comforts Macbeth—it was truly remarkable."
Kitagawa greeted the man with perfect manners.
"Such a polite young man. I thought you were just tagging along with Shiina out of obligation, but not only did you sit through the entire play, you also seem quite well-versed in theater, don't you?"
"I've merely read Shakespeare's collected works. It wasn't until I saw your performance today that I realized the difference between reading a script and experiencing it as a play. To bring such vivid words to life—it's truly an exquisite art form."
"Seems like you and Shiina-san are kindred spirits."
Pleased by Kitagawa's praise, the elderly man stroked his white beard and gave Shiina a playful look.
"And the two of you seem to get along well too—you held hands through the entire performance, after all."
Only then did they realize their actions had been visible to the actors on stage the entire time. Shiina blushed for perhaps the first time, hiding behind Ryo and peeking out with just the top of her head.
The elderly man was surprised by her reaction. Over the past few days, she had always come alone, sitting in solitude for hours. Sometimes she stayed until closing, only leaving after he gently reminded her. He had wondered if perhaps she was being isolated by her classmates. But now, seeing this, maybe what she had truly been feeling was just loneliness and longing.
With a chuckle, the director continued:
"Today, it's just the two of you here, and we don't have time to stage another full play. But since you both seem so interested in theater, how about performing a short scene yourselves?"
Shiina's eyes lit up. She looked thrilled by the suggestion. Ryo couldn't bring himself to decline, so he nodded.
"What would you like to perform, Hiyori?"
"Hamlet!" she replied with a mischievous smile, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
"But I'm going to rewrite the script."
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Kitagawa Ryo stood before the full-length mirror backstage, adjusting the costume for the performance. The pristine white gloves lent him the aura of a noble, and the elegant floral embroidery traced along the black trimming of his sleeves, flowing upward across his torso. Dressed in a pristine, perfectly tailored medieval prince's outfit, even the actors from the troupe couldn't help but admire him—as if the Danish prince Hamlet himself had stepped onto the stage.
The scene Shiina Hiyori had selected was precisely the one Kitagawa had previously mentioned: "The Death of Ophelia." In the original play, Ophelia, Hamlet's betrothed, finds herself torn between her father and the man she loves, ultimately drowning in a river strewn with flowers. Originally written as a monologue and final scene for Ophelia, Shiina had unhesitatingly rewritten Shakespeare's script.
Peeking through the curtain, Kitagawa looked toward the stage. The set was complete; flowers were scattered beautifully across the ground.
Shiina Hiyori stood at the other end of the stage.
She was dressed in a pure white ceremonial gown, the hem crafted into layers of soft folds, with a sheer veil misting over it like morning fog. The uneven lace trim at the sleeves gave her a delicate grace, while jewel-like embellishments spiraled from her shoulders, catching the light. Her eyes closed, arms gently crossed over her chest, she looked like a princess from the clouds, or a sleeping beauty. Her silver hair flowed to her waist, adding to the impression of regal elegance.
"And will he not come again?"
The narrator's voice rang out.
Music began to play.
"And will he not come again?"
"No, no he is dead."
"Go to the death-bed, he never will come again."
With sorrowful and helpless background vocals, the girl stepped slowly to the floral altar and gently lay among the blossoms.
"I'm back."
Kitagawa stepped onto the stage, following the script Shiina had given him. He knelt on one knee beside her and lifted her right hand.
But Shiina didn't wake up to recite her lines as written. Kitagawa glanced at her face in confusion. Her long lashes, like fluttering black butterflies, trembled continuously. A blush like the sunset had risen from her cheeks to the tips of her ears.
Left with no choice, Kitagawa continued the performance.
He pressed his lips gently to the white lace glove on her right hand. The kiss was feather-light, like a soft barrier still lingered between their skin.
"Forever, we are one."
Kitagawa spoke quietly.
From the audience below, the sound of a camera shutter and a flash pierced the silence.
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