As night falls, most areas on Cruise Ship have become quiet.
After experiencing Desert Island Exam for seven days, students in other classes all chose to return to Guest Room early to rest.
There were only occasional footsteps in the entire Ship Cabin corridor.
But inside Recreation Area of Cruise Ship, there is another lively scene.
The students of Class A gathered here to prepare for a celebration party.
Recreation Area is one of the most spacious public areas on Cruise Ship, where you can see the deep blue night sea outside.
Several long tables were rearranged, and various snacks and drinks requested from the restaurant were placed on them.
But this doesn't seem to have anything to do with one person.
Kazehara Tetsu is sitting in his Guest Room at the moment, holding a book in his hand, and seems to have no intention of attending the party.
The room was very quiet, with only the slight sound of waves coming from the window.
His roommate Hashimoto Masayoshi had just come out of the bathroom after taking a shower. His hair was still wet and the towel was draped over his shoulders.
"Kagihara, are you really not going to go?"
Hashimoto Masayoshi wiped his hair with a towel, with obvious confusion in his tone.
Kazehara Tetsu did not raise his head and continued to turn the pages of the book in his hand.
"I'm not interested in this kind of party. Just have fun."
Hashimoto Masayoshi stopped wiping his hair and walked up to Kazehara Tetsu.
"But This Exam's success is largely due to your strategy."
"If the biggest contributors don't participate, can it still be called a celebration?"
Kazehara Tetsu finally raised his head from the book and looked at Hashimoto Masayoshi.
"It's too exaggerated to say "hero". This Exam is the result of the efforts of the entire class."
"Don't be modest... and don't you think this is a good opportunity? Usually in school, there is not much communication between classmates in the class. Everyone is busy with their own affairs. It is rare to have such a relaxed environment where we can really chat and enhance friendship."
Kazehara Tetsu was silent for a while, seeming to be considering what Hashimoto Masayoshi said.
To be honest, after seven days of Desert Island Life, he was indeed a little mentally exhausted.
Perhaps it would be nice to relax in this relaxing environment.
"Okay."
Kazehara Tetsu finally nodded and straightened up.
"But I won't stay long."
"Great! I knew you would agree. Come on, everyone is waiting for you."
As the two walked towards Recreation Area, Kazehara Tetsu could hear the chatter and laughter coming from the front.
When Kazehara Tetsu and Hashimoto Masayoshi pushed open the door of Recreation Area, the laughter and laughter inside filled the entire space.
"Kagihara! You are finally here!"
Tozuka Yahiko was the first to notice his arrival, with an obvious expression of excitement on his face.
He walked quickly to the door, holding a glass of orange juice in his hand.
"We thought you were going to stay in your room all night."
His words caused laughter from several classmates around him.
Kazehara Tetsu looked around at Recreation Area's situation. Indeed, as Hashimoto Masayoshi said, the party here has been going on for some time.
Several long tables were reorganized into a large round table, filled with various snacks and drinks.
Most of the students from Class A are gathered here.
Kamuro Masumi, Katsuragi Kouhei, Tozuka Yahiko... almost everyone arrived.
Only a few people did not participate due to physical discomfort or other reasons.
"Come, there's a place here."
Katsuragi Kouhei patted the empty seat next to him and motioned for Kazehara Tetsu to sit down.
Kazehara Tetsu nodded, walked over and sat down next to Katsuragi Kouhei.
Hashimoto Masayoshi found a place on the other side.
As soon as we sat down, Kamuro Masumi came over with a plate of snacks. "These are specially made by the restaurant and they taste pretty good."
She placed the plate in front of Kazehara Tetsu, with a natural care in her movements.
Kazehara Tetsu picked up a small snack and tasted it. It really tasted good.
Sweet and creamy with a hint of milk.
"We were just talking about This Exam's experience."
"Everyone felt that these seven days were very fulfilling. Although it was hard work, it was very rewarding."
"Indeed."
"In school, we rarely have the opportunity to stay together for such a long time and face difficulties together. This Exam has made us understand each other better."
Kazehara Tetsu listened quietly to the students' sharing.
He turned to look at Katsuragi Kouhei beside him, who was listening intently to the conversations of other students with a gentle smile on his face.
"Katsuragi, what do you think now?"
Katsuragi Kouhei raised his head and looked at Kazehara Tetsu. A trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, obviously he did not expect Kazehara Tetsu to take the initiative to talk to him.
"Very good."
Katsuragi Kouhei paused and looked around at the laughing classmates, "Everyone can live in harmony like this. This is exactly what I have always wanted to see."
There was a sense of heartfelt satisfaction in his voice, but at the same time there was also a hint of worry.
"It would be nice if it could keep going."
"Will you continue to confront Sakayanagi in the future?" Kazehara Tetsu directly asked the key question.
"Her and I have different philosophies. Confrontation is inevitable."
His eyes became complicated, and their fundamental differences in class management concepts destined the conflict to be irreconcilable.
"If there is a confrontation, there will no longer be a scene like this."
Katsuragi Kouhei was silent for a long time, and his eyes once again glanced at the laughing classmates around him.
He could imagine that once Sakayanagi Arisu returned and began to implement her strategy, this harmonious atmosphere would be completely broken.
Classes will be divided, students will be forced to take sides, and friendships will become fragile in the face of interests.
That pure trust and solidarity will be a thing of the past, replaced by calculation and caution.
"Indeed."
Katsuragi Kouhei finally admitted this cruel reality, "But what can be done? I can't change her mind, and I can't prevent her from coming back."
There was a deep sense of powerlessness in his tone.
Facing an opponent like Sakayanagi Arisu, Katsuragi Kouhei understands that simple idealism is far from enough.
Kazehara Tetsu carefully observed Katsuragi Kouhei's expression.
"The reason why you can't accept Sakayanagi Arisu's decision is because she often uses her classmates as Chess Piece. You can't stand these practices."
Katsuragi Kouhei heard this, a flash of recognition flashed in his eyes.
"Yes. Although there will definitely be sacrifices in competition, I think these sacrifices should be for the long-term development of the class as a whole, not to satisfy someone's desire for power."
"Sakayanagi She treats her classmates as tools that can be manipulated at will. I cannot agree with this approach. Everyone has their own dignity and value and should not be used as a means to achieve goals."
Kazehara Tetsu nodded, expressing his understanding of Katsuragi Kouhei's position.
Indeed, in some cases, moderate confrontation is a necessary means to safeguard principles.
"Then, why not change your thinking."