After escorting Kei Karuizawa back to the dormitory, Kure Ragna followed the address from the text message to a coffee shop on the third floor of the cruise ship.
It was late, and few people were drinking coffee at this hour. The shop had warm lighting, soft melodies playing in the background, and a calm, almost intimate atmosphere.
At the farthest corner of the café, Machida sat quietly in a booth. He made no effort to wave or call out but met Kure Ragna's gaze and gave a subtle nod. Seated beside him was another familiar figure—his shaved head gleaming under the lights—Katsuragi Kohei.
Neither of them had ordered anything.
If this were a commercial café instead of one where everything was free, they would have been given subtle hints to order or leave. Yet here they sat, waiting.
Kure Ragna approached, smirking.
"Oh? I thought you had something impressive planned when you sent me a message at this hour." He pulled out a chair and sat down. "Turns out, you just called your parents for backup."
Machida merely scoffed, unfazed by the remark.
Katsuragi, however, spoke up in a steady, authoritative tone. "Machida has already briefed me on the situation with the Rabbit Group. Ichinose's contract offers undeniable security, but I have another proposition for you, Kure Ragna."
"Oh?" Kure Ragna raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Let's hear it."
Katsuragi didn't waste time with explanations. Instead, he pulled out a contract from under the table and slid it toward Kure Ragna with both hands, a gesture of sincerity.
Kure Ragna casually picked it up, scanning the details.
Similar to Ichinose's approach, Katsuragi sought to ensure loyalty through a contract. However, the terms were simpler: If Kure Ragna, as someone who had signed Ichinose's agreement, revealed the preferential student's identity to Class A before the exam ended—and if the answer was correct—Katsuragi would compensate him with 50 personal points.
"I don't see any reason for you to refuse this deal," Katsuragi stated confidently.
Kure Ragna chuckled, setting the contract down. "You're that sure of yourself?"
"Of course." Katsuragi leaned back, folding his arms. "First, after the last uninhabited island exam, Class C should have overtaken Class B in points. If nothing unexpected happens, Ichinose's class will reclaim their spot as Class B next semester, pushing you back to Class C."
He continued, "Second, under the current rules of the preferential exam, as long as Machida and the others refuse to sign with Ichinose, it will default to the secondary outcome, meaning only Class C benefits."
His voice carried unwavering conviction. "However, if you follow through with this deal, Class C will be deducted 50 points, ensuring they don't surpass Class B. Meanwhile, you personally gain 50 points."
Katsuragi met Kure Ragna's gaze, sealing his argument. "A win-win situation. I don't see you turning this down."
It was a compelling argument—if the preferential student was truly from Class C.
Kure Ragna tapped his fingers against the table, amused. "You make a strong case, but there's a critical flaw. How exactly am I supposed to pass the answer to you? A text message? A whispered conversation? Either way, I could just lie and give you false information."
"That's why we have safeguards," Katsuragi replied calmly. "If we submit an incorrect answer first, you gain nothing, and Class C gains another 50 points, widening the gap. But to ensure trust…"
He slid something else across the table—a miniature pinhole camera.
Kure Ragna picked it up, turning it over in his fingers. "Tsk. You guys really go all out."
He smirked. "For a moment, I thought you'd ask me to steal Ichinose's phone. That would've been a direct violation of exam rules—grounds for immediate expulsion."
Katsuragi remained silent, his steady gaze unwavering. "So, what's your decision?"
Kure Ragna sighed theatrically. "Well, it's 50 free points. How could I say no?"
He pocketed the camera and stretched his hand out. "Got a pen?"
Machida handed over a ballpoint pen, clearly prepared for this moment. Kure Ragna signed the contract with a smooth flourish before sliding it back across the table.
"Done."
Katsuragi verified the signature, then tucked the document away. "Then we have a deal."
With that, he and Machida stood up and left, their business concluded without unnecessary pleasantries.
Kure Ragna remained seated, watching them disappear. A smirk tugged at his lips, then he let out a quiet chuckle.
"Cooperation, huh? These guys are really something."
He leaned back against the sofa, shaking his head in amusement. As much as he wanted to laugh out loud, he restrained himself, mindful of his surroundings.
After a moment of thought, he pulled out his phone and made a call.
"Ah, Ichinose. Are you free? I'm at the coffee shop… Yeah, it's about the exam… Alright, I'll wait for you."
About ten minutes later, a pink-haired figure hurried through the entrance.
Ichinose Honami had clearly just stepped out of the shower. She was dressed in casual loungewear, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders, still carrying the fresh scent of shampoo.
She made her way over quickly, sitting down across from him while absentmindedly brushing a few strands of hair from her face.
"Sorry, sorry! I was in the middle of showering when you called. Have you been waiting long?" she asked, slightly breathless.
Kure Ragna shook his head, smiling. "Not at all. I didn't have any plans for the night anyway."
Ichinose relaxed, offering a warm smile. "So, what's up?"
He leaned forward, lowering his voice slightly. "Let's get straight to the point, Ichinose. I know for a fact that your class doesn't have the preferential student in the Rabbit Group."
--------------------------------------
Support me at patreon.com/Arthorain and read upto 100 Advanced Chapters and Exclusive R-18 Content!