The morning light leaked through the thin curtains of the cruise ship cabin, turning the walls a faint shade of gold. The gentle rocking of the ship was calming—almost too calm after days of tension and subtle warfare among the classes.
Suzune Horikita stood on the deck, arms crossed, her expression colder than the sea breeze. Kiyotaka Ayanokōji leaned beside her against the railing, his eyes half-closed as if watching the horizon but seeing far beyond it.
"You didn't even try to stop Kōenji yesterday," Suzune said flatly. Her voice carried the tone of someone who had run out of patience. "He just ended the Monkey Group's exam on his own. Isn't that your responsibility as his roommate?"
Kiyotaka exhaled softly. "Even if I tried, it wouldn't have mattered. Kōenji doesn't listen to anyone. Trying to stop him would be like asking the wind to stop blowing."
Suzune's brow furrowed. "That's no excuse. You could have at least—"
"I could have?" he cut in, voice calm but sharp. "Horikita, sometimes letting things play out teaches us more than stopping them."
She clicked her tongue and turned away, clearly irritated. "You're too detached for your own good. But fine. Just make sure his idiocy doesn't drag the rest of us down."
Kiyotaka only gave a small nod, his gaze following the waves. "Focus on your own group. You'll need every bit of concentration to keep up with them."
That shut her up. She knew he was right.
Just as Suzune was about to retort, a lazy, mocking laugh echoed behind them.
"Well, well, Horikita and Ayanokōji. What a rare pair to see together this early."
The voice was unmistakable — Ryūen Kakeru, with his trademark smirk, flanked by Ishizaki and Ibuki trailing behind him. Ibuki looked less than thrilled, her gaze darting toward me the moment I appeared from around the corner, hands in pockets and a grin plastered across my face.
"Yo, Ibuki," I called casually. "Didn't expect to see you this early. Miss me already?"
Her glare could've set fire to the deck. "Keep dreaming, Miyamoto."
"Ouch," I laughed, dramatically clutching my chest. "Rejected before breakfast. My heart can't take this cruelty."
Suzune sighed audibly. "Do you ever stop fooling around?"
"Not when it's this fun," I said with a wink, earning an even deeper glare from Ibuki.
Ryūen, amused by the small exchange, turned back to Suzune. "So, Horikita… have you figured out the VIP in your group yet?"
Suzune's expression froze. "Why would I tell you that?"
He shrugged. "No reason. Just checking if you've realized you're already losing."
"Losing?" she repeated. "To who? You?"
"Obviously." His grin widened. "While you're busy being the straight-laced honor student, I've already started figuring out the fundamentals of this exam. Class C's going to win big this time."
Kiyotaka's tone stayed neutral. "And how exactly do you plan on doing that?"
Ryūen smirked. "Simple. I'm checking my classmates' emails. One by one. That way no one can lie to me about being the VIP."
Suzune's eyes widened. "That's against the rules! You'll be expelled."
"Rules?" Ryūen gave a mocking laugh. "Rules only exist to be broken, Horikita. As long as I get the results, who cares?"
Ibuki looked uneasy at that, but said nothing. I studied Ryūen carefully, hiding my thoughts behind a lazy grin. The guy was reckless, but dangerous in his own way.
Suzune crossed her arms. "If you'd already found the VIP, you'd have submitted the result by now."
Ryūen's smile didn't falter. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just letting the tension build."
He turned to leave, his coat flaring slightly with the motion. "Anyway, good luck with your little study group. Try not to fall behind, yeah?"
Once he was gone, silence lingered between the remaining four of us. Only the faint sound of the ocean filled the space.
I crouched suddenly and reached under the nearest deck chair.
Suzune blinked. "What are you doing?"
"Just cleaning up some trash," I said, pulling out a small phone wrapped in tape. The red light on the corner blinked faintly. "Or maybe not trash."
Kiyotaka's eyes narrowed slightly. "A recorder."
"Seems Ryūen's been more careful than he looks," I muttered, placing the phone on the table. "Guess he wanted to know how much you'd spill."
Suzune scowled. "Unbelievable."
Kiyotaka picked it up, examining it. "Let's talk carefully. Assume he's still listening."
Suzune nodded, adjusting her voice. "So then, Ayanokōji, you'll look into the VIPs in your group?"
"Of course," Kiyotaka said. "Though it seems someone already beat me to one answer."
He glanced toward me meaningfully. I smirked. "What can I say? I have good instincts. And good sources."
Suzune frowned slightly. "You mean…?"
Kiyotaka turned his phone around so she could see the message on screen — Karuizawa's name under the 'Rabbit Group VIP' section.
Suzune's eyes widened briefly. "You're certain?"
He nodded. "Miyamoto told me last night. I trust his information."
That seemed to surprise her more than the fact itself. She turned to me. "You? How did you even find that out?"
I shrugged, giving her my trademark grin. "Boss's secret. Gotta keep some mystery alive."
She sighed, shaking her head. "You're infuriating sometimes."
"Only sometimes?"
That earned me another glare, but I could've sworn I saw the corner of her lips twitch slightly.
Later that afternoon, Kiyotaka returned to his cabin. I followed not long after, slipping inside quietly. Yukimura sat on his bed, scowling at his phone. The air in the room was heavy.
"So, how's the brilliant Rabbit group doing?" I asked, sitting on the edge of the table.
Yukimura didn't even look up. "Don't start."
Kiyotaka leaned against the wall. "He's frustrated."
"I'm not frustrated," Yukimura snapped, though his tone betrayed the opposite. "It's just… we're stuck with Karuizawa and Sotomura. Meanwhile, the Dragon group has the best students from every class."
I folded my arms. "You think that's unfair?"
"I think it's impossible," he muttered. "And about what you said yesterday… is it true? Karuizawa's the VIP?"
Kiyotaka looked at me. I raised an eyebrow, pretending to ponder.
"Maybe," I said eventually. "Maybe not."
Yukimura frowned. "You're impossible to read."
"That's the point," I said with a grin. "But tell me, Yukimura—do you trust your boss?"
He hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I do."
"Then don't worry about it. Just do your part."
Kiyotaka watched the exchange silently, eyes thoughtful.
The conversation was interrupted by the sudden chime of everyone's phones.A new message from the school had arrived.
"Cow Group has rescinded from the Special Test. Their examination has concluded."
I felt the corner of my lips curl into a small, satisfied smirk. "Guess my little advice worked."
Kiyotaka looked at me curiously. "You told Airi to submit her answer early."
"Yup," I said simply. "Yume Kobashi was the VIP in her group. No point dragging it out when we can end it clean."
Yukimura blinked. "You helped another group? Why?"
"Because I felt like it," I said, standing up and stretching. "Besides, Airi's too kind for these mind games. I just gave her a little push."
Kiyotaka seemed to understand more than he let on, though he said nothing.
"Well," I said, heading toward the door, "now that business is done, I've got something more important to handle."
Yukimura looked confused. "More important?"
"Yeah," I said, grinning as I slipped my phone into my pocket. "Ibuki."
Kiyotaka gave a quiet sigh that might've been a laugh. "Don't cause trouble."
"No promises," I replied, already halfway out the door.
I found Ibuki leaning on the railing near the back deck, watching the sunset paint the sea in deep orange and gold. The wind tugged at her hair, and she looked almost peaceful—if I didn't know better.
"You always hang around where the light hits just right," I said, approaching casually. "Trying to look like the main heroine or something?"
She didn't turn around. "Maybe I just came here to avoid you."
"Ouch. Again." I leaned beside her. "You're getting good at hurting my feelings."
"I thought you didn't have any."
"Only when it comes to you," I said smoothly.
She turned to glare at me, cheeks slightly red. "You're impossible."
"And yet, you're still here," I pointed out.
"Unfortunately."
We stood in silence for a moment, the sound of waves filling the space between us. Then she sighed, lowering her gaze.
"This exam's a pain," she muttered. "Everyone's scheming, whispering, lying. It's exhausting."
I tilted my head. "You sound human for once."
She rolled her eyes. "Don't get used to it."
I smiled faintly. "Don't worry, I like this version of you too."
Her glare returned instantly. "Stop saying weird things."
I chuckled. "Alright, alright. Then let's make a deal."
"What kind of deal?"
"If your group survives this mess without getting wrecked, you owe me one date."
Her eyes widened. "Excuse me!?"
"Relax, it's just a friendly bet."
"There's nothing friendly about that!"
"You afraid you'll lose?"
She huffed, crossing her arms. "Fine. But when I win, you have to shut up for an entire day."
"Deal," I said, offering my hand.
She stared at it for a long moment before finally shaking it, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like "idiot."
The Quiet Night
By the time I returned to my room, the night had deepened. The cruise ship was quiet, most students asleep or lost in their own strategies.
I sat by the window, looking out at the sea. Somewhere out there, dozens of minds were plotting, scheming, hoping to climb higher. But in the end, everyone was trapped in the same cage — the school's invisible walls.
My phone buzzed. A message from Airi.
"Thank you, Miyamoto-kun. I was so nervous, but it went well."
I smiled faintly and typed back.
"Told you I'd help when the time was right. Get some rest."
Then another message popped up from an unknown number.
"Interesting move with Cow Group. You play dirtier than you look."
I didn't need to guess who it was — Ryūen. I laughed softly, closing the message without replying.