"Congratulations, everyone in Class D. This time, too, no one was expelled during the final exams."
As Chabashira Sae finished her concluding remarks, which carried a hint of a smile, the Class D classroom erupted into a sea of joy.
Natsukawa Sosuke rested his chin on one hand, calmly observing the jubilant scene before him, his heart completely unmoved. He had not intervened in the final exams this time; if, after several months, someone still hadn't grasped the importance of academic performance, they might as well give up early.
Just then, Chabashira Sae cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention back to her.
"Alright, quiet down. I have one last thing to announce." She paused. "To reward the students who worked hard during the exams, and to give everyone a chance to relax, the school has decided to organize a luxury cruise trip in late July."
"At that time, all first-year students will travel by cruise ship to a private island in the south for a week-long vacation before returning."
If the atmosphere before was excitement, now it was an absolute explosion.
"A cruise trip?! Is that for real?!"
"A vacation on a southern island? Oh my god! This school is too amazing!"
The cheers nearly ripped the roof off the classroom. Everyone was dizzy from the unexpected huge surprise and immediately started chatting excitedly about wonderful fantasies involving swimsuits, beaches, and the ocean.
Natsukawa Sosuke watched these students, who were instantly liberated from the bitter sea of studying and immediately plunged into vacation fantasies, and simply packed up his books in silence.
(A cruise trip, huh... This is a benefit round.)
Although, given this school's nature, any seemingly wonderful benefit must conceal another cruel test. But the school administration was genuinely generous; when they said they'd give it, they really gave it... Soon, the day arrived for boarding.
The massive luxury cruise ship, like a white castle on the sea, quietly docked at the port. The azure sky merged with the boundless ocean, and seagulls circled overhead, emitting clear cries. The students of Class D gazed up at the unimaginably huge vessel, letting out gasps of amazement like people who hadn't seen the world, and then, like wild horses, they surged toward the boarding gate.
Natsukawa Sosuke walked unhurriedly at the back of the line, enjoying the rare tranquility.
Suddenly, his gaze caught a familiar figure.
At the end of the line, Sakura Airi was struggling to drag a suitcase that was slightly too large for her. Her small body leaned forward slightly from the effort, and fine beads of sweat had already appeared on her forehead. Her tied-up red hair was also somewhat disheveled by the sea breeze.
Natsukawa Sosuke paused his steps and then walked toward that figure.
Without saying much, he simply stepped forward naturally and took the handle of the suitcase from Sakura Airi's slightly pale small hand.
It felt heavier than expected.
"Ah..." Sakura Airi was startled by the sudden action. When she looked up and saw it was Natsukawa, a trace of surprise flashed in her clear blue eyes, which then turned into deep joy and relief. "Th-thank you... Sōsuke-kun."
Her voice was very soft, carrying a hint of embarrassed shyness.
"Let's go."
Natsukawa Sosuke picked up the suitcase and started walking. Sakura Airi immediately trotted to catch up, walking closely by his side, and the two of them lined up together at the very end of the queue.
As they ascended the gangway connecting the dock to the cruise ship, due to the steep slope and the urging of the crowd behind them, Sakura Airi's foot slipped slightly. Her center of gravity shifted, she let out a short gasp, and she looked about to fall backward.
In a flash, Natsukawa Sosuke's right hand, which was closer to Sakura, shot out and firmly grasped her slender wrist, pulling her back steadily.
"Th-thank you..." Sakura Airi's cheeks instantly turned red, and her heart began to beat wildly.
Natsukawa Sosuke intended to let go, but he felt a faint yet stubborn resistance from her palm, as if she didn't want him to release her.
Natsukawa Sosuke glanced at her, seeing that her small face was so red it looked like it might drip blood, and her head was deeply bowed, completely avoiding eye contact.
So, Natsukawa Sosuke switched the suitcase to his left hand, and with his right hand, he gently took hold of Sakura Airi's cool little hand.
Sakura's body trembled imperceptibly, but this time, she didn't pull away. Instead, as if finding a sense of security, she lightly squeezed Natsukawa's hand back.
In this way, holding hands, the two silently walked the rest of the gangway, under the curious gaze of the surrounding students.
The interior luxury of the cruise ship exceeded everyone's imagination. Shortly after they dispersed, the sounds of laughter and splashing were already coming from the outdoor pool. The buffet restaurant was filled with dazzling delicacies, and facilities like the SPA, gym, and cinema were all available and completely free.
The students of Class D quickly plunged into the vacation frenzy.
The next day, Natsukawa Sosuke was lying on a deck chair on his room's balcony, enjoying the sea breeze, when his personal terminal suddenly vibrated.
It was a message from Chabashira Sae.
"Come to the 'Sunset' bar on the third floor. I'm waiting for you here."
'She couldn't wait that long?'
A slight curve appeared at the corner of Natsukawa Sosuke's mouth. He could probably guess what the woman wanted. It was likely nothing more than trying to use her position as a teacher, or some other tactic, to force him to dedicate himself completely to the cause of promoting Class D.
Too bad he didn't have any weaknesses she could exploit.
Natsukawa Sosuke unhurriedly changed his clothes and arrived at the bar on the third floor.
Chabashira Sae was the only person in the room. She sat on a high stool by the bar, looking completely different from her usual rigid and serious demeanor at school.
Today, she wore delicate, light makeup and a black, off-the-shoulder dress that perfectly outlined the intellectual and charming curves of a mature woman.
'Oh? A change of style? Planning to use the charm of a mature older sister to conquer me?'
Natsukawa Sosuke scoffed inwardly.
'This kind of tactic can only fool clear-eyed college students at best. As a tested capitalist warrior, my will isn't so easily swayed.'
Natsukawa Sosuke's expression remained unchanged. He walked straight to the other side of the bar and sat down, asking calmly, "Chabashira-sensei, is there something urgent you needed to see me about so quickly?"
Seeing that her image offensive was completely ineffective, a subtle ripple flashed in Chabashira Sae's eyes, but her surface demeanor remained cold.
"Natsukawa, I know you're a smart person." She tried to use the authority of an elder and a working adult to take control of the conversation. "You made huge contributions to the class in the previous incidents. However, your goal shouldn't stop there."
"I can help you. As long as you are willing to lead Class D up to Class A, I can—"
"Sensei," Natsukawa Sosuke interrupted her. He picked up the cocktail shaker on the bar and skillfully added ice and several non-alcoholic fruit juices. "You should know that I don't have much interest in whether Class D can move up to Class A. I just want to spend these three years of high school peacefully and graduate smoothly."
As he spoke, he shook the cocktail shaker with fluid, graceful movements. The ice clinked against the walls of the shaker, producing a crisp, pleasant sound.
A moment later, he poured the mixed non-alcoholic drink, which displayed the brilliant colors of a sunset, into a glass and pushed it toward Chabashira Sae.
"Sunset. Please enjoy."
Chabashira Sae looked at the beautiful drink before her, then at the unyielding young man opposite her, and her inner exasperation deepened.
She knew that neither appeasement policies nor leveraging her authority to offer grand promises seemed to work on this man.
"Fine, let's talk about profit." She finally abandoned the roundabout tactics. "Natsukawa, if you can lead Class D to the first-place position in the upcoming special exam, I will personally reward you with one million private points."
Hearing that number, a hint of interest finally appeared on Natsukawa Sosuke's face.
He picked up the other drink he had mixed and took a small sip.
"Deal."
"I hope, Sensei, that you can prepare the points soon."
With that, he finished the drink in his glass, stood up, and left the bar without looking back, leaving Chabashira Sae alone, deep in thought, staring at the drink named "Sunset" and Natsukawa's retreating back... Night fell, and the sea breeze carried a touch of coolness.
Natsukawa Sosuke received a message from Sakura Airi asking if he wanted to go to the deck together for some air.
Natsukawa gladly agreed.
When he arrived on the deck, he saw Sakura Airi, like a cute little squirrel, holding onto the railing and gazing at the dark sea reflecting the moonlight, softly muttering something to herself.
Natsukawa Sosuke quietly walked up behind her.
"What are you looking at?"
"Waaah!"
Sakura Airi was startled by the sudden voice. She spun around abruptly, and upon seeing it was Natsukawa, she became completely flustered, her small face instantly turning bright red.
"So-Sōsuke-kun! Wh-when did you arrive..." She was so agitated she couldn't speak coherently.
Watching her cheeks grow redder, Natsukawa Sosuke simply leaned against the railing next to her, saying nothing more, allowing her to cool down slowly.
After a good while, Sakura Airi finally calmed down from her initial panic. But instead of speaking immediately, she silently extended one hand toward Natsukawa.
It was the same left hand he had held on the gangway earlier that day.
Natsukawa Sosuke reached out his right hand and gently grasped her small hand.
A bright and contented smile immediately appeared on Sakura Airi's face.
The two stood side-by-side on the deck, holding hands, neither of them speaking, feeling the quiet night sea breeze wash over them. Yet, the subtle warmth spreading through the air prevented either of them from feeling bored.
As time passed, Sakura Airi began to move toward Natsukawa in tiny, almost imperceptible steps.
Just as her shoulder was about to lean against Natsukawa's, and just as she mustered the courage to invite him on a date tomorrow, a clear, cheerful greeting abruptly sounded from behind them.
"Oh, Natsukawa-kun, Sakura-san, are you enjoying the breeze here too!"
The two turned around and saw Kushida Kikyo standing not far away, waving energetically at them with her signature sweet smile.
Seeing Kushida, Sakura Airi flinched like a startled rabbit, letting go of Natsukawa's hand as if she had been electrocuted. She bowed hurriedly to Natsukawa.
"W-well! I... I'm going back to my room now! Good night!"
With that, she ran off like she was fleeing, without looking back.