Chapter 120: The Uninhabited Island Exam Is About to Begin
After finishing her sentence, Horikita Suzune took a deep breath, trying her best to calm herself down.
'Right. That's it. Discussing class battle plans. It's normal. Perfectly normal.'
Katsuragi Keima looked at her. In those eyes, something seemed to flash by—but it quickly returned to calmness.
"Does discussing a battle plan require an appointment during summer break?"
"O-of course it does!" Horikita Suzune forced herself to remain steady. "After all, you're usually impossible to find. You're definitely off playing games somewhere. Besides, summer is for preparing for the next semester. Some important matters require dedicated time to discuss."
"Such as?"
"..." Horikita's expression turned serious. "The class strategy for next semester, how to increase Class Points, how to deal with competition from other classes..." She rattled off a list in one breath, as if proving she really was only discussing official business.
Keima listened and nodded. "Makes sense."
Horikita breathed a sigh of relief. But Keima's next words made her freeze again.
"Then why is your face red?"
Horikita stunned. "I-I am not blushing!"
"You are."
"I'm not!"
Keima didn't continue the argument. He simply lowered his head and resumed playing his game. But the corner of his mouth seemed to turn up just a tiny bit. It was very subtle. Almost imperceptible.
Horikita stared at his profile, her heart beating so fast it felt like it would leap out.
'This person, really...'
She took another deep breath to steady herself. "In any case, our attention should first be placed on the possible exam." She spoke, her voice struggling to remain calm. "If there really is a special exam, we need to prepare in advance. Are you... are you willing to help?"
Keima looked up. "Help?"
"Yes." Horikita nodded. "Even though you play games all day, your analytical skills... they are indeed very strong. Our class needs your strength."
Horikita's gaze focused on Keima's face. He looked at her, silent for a few seconds, and then he spoke.
"Fine."
"You... you agreed?" Horikita was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected Keima to agree so readily this time. She had originally thought he would reject her outright.
"Mm."
"Why?"
"Because you asked."
Horikita fell silent. This answer was exactly the same as before.
"You asked, and I happened to be free."
'Does he treat everyone like this?' She didn't dare think further.
"Then... then it's a deal." She stood up. "If there are special circumstances later, I'll come find you again."
"Mm."
Horikita turned to leave. After a few steps, she stopped. "Katsuragi."
"Mm?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Nothing." Horikita seemed to think of something and then asked, "By the way, you seem to have been getting close to Karuizawa and the others lately."
"Mm, what about it?"
"No, nothing. I was just asking casually." Horikita paused for a moment before shifting the topic. "My brother met with me recently."
"Oh?"
"He said I've grown and that I'm different from before." As she spoke, the corners of Horikita's mouth turned up slightly. "He said it was you who changed me."
"I didn't do anything," Keima said slowly. "All growth comes from yourself, not from anyone else."
"I have a much better opinion of you now."
"How did you see me at first?"
"I thought you were a weirdo pervert."
"Your tongue is truly poisonous, isn't it?"
"Who told you to say such strange things when we first met?" Horikita smiled slightly, then walked away quickly, disappearing into the night.
Keima watched her receding figure, pushed up his glasses, and took out the card belonging to Horikita Suzune.
[Name: Horikita Suzune] [Current Affection: 85%]
Unknowingly, Horikita Suzune's affection for him had risen to a very high level. Soon he put the card away and continued his game. The character on the screen finally made the right choice.
Affection Up. He pushed up his glasses.
"Almost cleared." He muttered to himself.
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Inside the cabin. Kushida Kikyo's room.
She sat alone by the window, looking at the dark sea outside. She held her phone, the screen lit up. It was the chat window with Katsuragi Keima.
[Kushida Kikyo: Are you asleep?]
Typed and deleted. Deleted and typed. Repeated several times. In the end, she still didn't send it.
She sighed and put the phone down. Today's scenes played repeatedly in her head. The way Sato Maya and the others sat near him. The way they looked at him. And that faint, lingering smile on his face.
She knew she had no right to care. She was just his "alt account." A place to vent. A place where she didn't have to pretend. That was all.
'Why does it feel so uncomfortable in my heart?'
She stood up and walked to the window. Moonlight spilled over her face, making that face—the one that always wore a perfect smile—look exceptionally lonely at this moment.
"What exactly am I thinking..." she whispered. There was no answer. Only the sound of the waves, one after another, as if they would never stop.
She remembered those nights. Using Katsuragi Keima to vent her stress. Those moments belonged to her. To her alone. But now... she didn't know anymore.
Clearly, at first, she just wanted to get that guy expelled. How did she end up caring about him this much? Katsuragi Keima seemed to truly consider things from her perspective. She only knew that the thorn in her heart was digging deeper.
Outside the window, the sea was pitch black. No end in sight. Just like her heart.
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Meanwhile, in another room.
A knock sounded at Ryuen Kakeru's door. He walked over and opened it. Standing outside was Katsuragi Kohei. Katsuragi from Class A. The man known for his calm and rational nature.
"You're here." Ryuen smiled. "Come in."
Katsuragi entered the room and saw Ibuki Mio and a few others present. They were either sitting or standing, but all their eyes were on him.
"What is the meaning of this?" he asked.
Ryuen closed the door and walked to the window. "Katsuragi, what's your take on this vacation?"
Katsuragi was silent for a few seconds. "There's a problem."
"What kind of problem?"
"I don't know," Katsuragi said. "But there's definitely a problem."
Ryuen laughed. "As expected. You're no fool either." He turned around and looked at Katsuragi. "I called you here because I want to cooperate."
"Cooperate?"
"Mm." Ryuen nodded. "Whatever happens next is bound to be difficult. Going it alone, no one has a sure win. But if we cooperate..." He didn't finish. But Katsuragi understood.
"You want to cooperate with Class A?"
"Exactly."
Katsuragi was silent for a few seconds. Then he spoke. "A reason?"
Ryuen laughed. "The reason is simple—we both want to win." He walked up to Katsuragi. "And, we're both interested in that person."
"That person?"
"Katsuragi Keima."
Katsuragi's eyes changed slightly. Katsuragi Kohei had never had contact with Katsuragi Keima. However—he knew that Sakayanagi Arisu seemed exceptionally attentive toward Keima.
Although Katsuragi Kohei and Sakayanagi Arisu were both Class A students, they were not of one mind. On the contrary, they were rivals constantly competing in the shadows, and the class had split into two factions because of it. Recently, Sakayanagi hadn't made any moves, focusing entirely on Keima. This made Katsuragi Kohei extremely wary.
Ryuen continued. "That guy isn't simple. I've experienced it personally." He smiled. "A person like that is either a friend or an enemy. Which do you think is better?"
Katsuragi was silent for a long time. Then he spoke. "I need to consider it."
"Fine." Ryuen laughed. "But time is running out. Tomorrow, we might have the answer."
Katsuragi nodded and turned to leave. After the door closed, Ibuki Mio spoke. "Ryuen, do you think he'll agree?"
Ryuuen laughed. "He will, because he's a smart man." He looked out the window. The moonlight spilled onto the sea, breaking into millions of silver points of light. "This exam is going to be very interesting."
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In the lounge on the deck.
Katsuragi Keima was still sitting there. He had been playing for a long time, and his fingers were getting sore. But he didn't stop. Because in the game, he was currently "capturing" a new character. This character was difficult to handle—tsundere, sharp-tongued, saying no but meaning yes. A classic "troublesome type" character. But it was precisely this kind of character that was interesting to capture.
As he was playing, he suddenly sensed something. He looked up. In the shadows not far away stood a person. Kushida Kikyo. She just stood there, watching him. The moonlight fell on her, stretching her shadow long.
The two looked at each other for a few seconds. Then Kushida walked over and sat down beside him.
"Can't sleep?" Keima asked.
"Mm." Kushida nodded. "You?"
"Playing games."
"You're always playing games."
"Mm."
They were silent for a few seconds. Kushida looked at the sea and spoke. "Keima-kun, Horikita-san told us just now that there's a high probability this vacation will involve a special exam, right?"
"The probability is high."
"Will this exam be difficult?"
Keima thought for a moment. "I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"But no matter how hard it is, just clear it."
Kushida froze. Then she laughed. "You always talk like that."
"Like what?"
"Simple, direct, but reassuring."
Keima didn't speak. Kushida looked at him, and the complex emotions in her heart slowly settled. "Keima, aren't you worried?"
"Worried about what? Exam matters don't really matter."
"No, I mean other aspects—I said before that I'd have you expelled."
"Oh. I'm not worried."
"Why?"
"Because you don't seem like you want me expelled that much anymore."
"R-really..." Being told this by Keima made Kushida feel a bit disgruntled; after all, she didn't like her thoughts being seen through.
"I'll still have you expelled, that won't change. However, I can delay that plan a little bit." Kushida said with a smile.
"Oh?"
"After all, you have ability. I plan to use you to climb to Class A first." Kushida said. Her gaze was momentarily razor-sharp. But soon, she smiled again. "Also, considering you've been acting as my 'alt account' during this time, I'll let you off for now."
After speaking, Kushida left directly. Keima remained in place, appearing as if he were waiting for someone.
A few minutes later, a figure appeared. Not from the side, but from the air.
"Kami-nii-sama! I'm back!" It was Elsie, riding her broom.
Earlier, Keima had instructed Elsie to use her invisibility and flight abilities when no one was around at night to scout the surroundings. He wanted to see exactly what direction this cruise ship was heading.
"What's the result?" Keima put down his phone.
"There's nothing around, but ahead there's a small island. It looks like there are people on it, all from the school."
"I see." Keima narrowed his eyes. "I have already seen the ending."
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The next day.
Sunlight spilled onto the deck, and seagulls circled in the sky. Students gradually woke up and began a new day of "vacation." But today's atmosphere was a bit different from yesterday's.
As everyone was preparing to continue their leisure activities, the intercom suddenly crackled to life, asking all students to come to the deck to admire the surrounding scenery. Everyone treated it like sightseeing and flocked to the deck—an island had appeared before them.
After the cruise ship completed a circle around the small island, Mashima Tomoya appeared on the deck. His expression was stern, and he held a stack of documents.
"Students, please immediately change into tracksuits and prepare to disembark. Please resolve any personal hygiene matters quickly." His voice came through the speakers. "I repeat: prepare to disembark, resolve personal hygiene matters quickly."
The deck went silent instantly. Everyone sensed that something was about to happen.
Karuizawa Kei, Sakura Airi, and Sato Maya stood together, all somewhat nervous. After all, last night, Horikita Suzune had mentioned in the class chat what might happen next.
"It's starting..." Sato Maya whispered.
Kei looked toward that corner. Katsuragi Keima had already put away his handheld and was standing there. His expression was still calm. It was as if everything was within his expectations.
Half an hour later, the cruise ship docked beside the uninhabited island. The students gradually came ashore. Mashima-sensei stood on a platform, his expression grave.
"Students, I will now announce an important notice." He paused. "This cruise trip was not a simple vacation. It is a Special Exam."
The crowd below instantly erupted.
"What?!" "A special exam?!" "I knew it wasn't this simple!"
Mashima-sensei raised his hand, signaling for silence. "The location of the exam is this uninhabited island. All classes will participate simultaneously. The duration is one week."