Mornings on Cruise Ship are always accompanied by the chirping of seagulls in the distance.
Although the exam has ended, the results will not be officially announced until two days later.
The restaurant was buzzing with people and filled with the joyful atmosphere that really brought Matsushita to life.
Kazehara Tetsu picked up the napkin and gently wiped the corners of his mouth.
The exam ended earlier than everyone expected.
For most Mathematics students, this is an extra vacation from the sky, which means two full days of carnival time.
But for some people that's not the case...
Especially for a girl who is on the cusp of Wind Gap, this freedom is not a gift, but a poison that kills her.
"There's plenty of time..."
Kazehara Tetsu whispered to himself, stood up and left the restaurant.
The originally tight exam schedule would divide students into different discussion groups and time periods, objectively limiting private contact.
But now, all Twelve Groups exams have ended early.
This also means that the Troublemaking Girls of Class C... the small group headed by Manabe Shiho has more and freer time.
For a batterer desperate for an outlet, there is nothing more exciting than this uninterrupted "hunting time."
And that Karuizawa Kei, who is strong on the outside but capable on the inside, is probably like a frightened bird at this moment, trembling on board the Cruise Ship.
Kazehara Tetsu stood up and left the restaurant.
He did not rush back to his room, but followed the stairs to the open Deck.
The sunshine in the morning is just right, not as hot as noon, but rather a bit warm.
Kazehara Tetsu walked to a relatively secluded railing, put his hands on the railing casually, and glanced aimlessly across the blue sea.
He is waiting for someone.
An alien who seems out of place in this Class C full of intrigues.
Not long after, there was a sound of slightly hasty footsteps.
"Huh... huh..."
The person who came was panting slightly, and it was obvious that he had come running all the way.
That's Shiina Hiyori from Class C.
She was wearing simple and elegant casual clothes today, and her long hair fell behind her like a waterfall, dancing gently with the sea breeze.
The face, as fair and delicate as a porcelain doll, was stained with two faint blushes from trotting.
Seeing Kazehara Tetsu leaning against the railing, she slowed down, calmed her breathing, and then walked over slowly.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting, Tetsu-kun."
Kazehara Tetsu turned around and looked at the girl in front of him.
"If I don't call you out to bask in the sun, I will wonder if you are going to grow mushrooms in the room, Hiyori."
He said half-jokingly, "If I don't take the initiative to contact you, the probability of 'encountering' you on this ship is probably lower than winning the lottery, right?"
Shiina Hiyori lowered his head in embarrassment and subconsciously twisted his clothes with his fingers.
"Um... please stop teasing me like this..."
She defended in a low voice, "Stop teasing me, Kazehara-kun. As you know, I have no interest in those kind of lively parties... If there is nothing special, I would rather stay in the room and read a book."
"However, since Kazehara-kun specifically called me out, it shouldn't just be to laugh at me for being unsociable, right? Is there something important?"
Kazehara Tetsu stopped smiling a little and looked a little more serious.
"There is indeed something, and I want to ask you for a favor."
"Please...?"
Shiina Hiyori was stunned for a moment, and then frowned in confusion, "If it is a social task that requires physical strength or is very difficult, I may not be able to do it. And the word 'begging' is too heavy for me. As long as it is within my ability, I will try my best to do it."
"Don't worry, you don't need to do anything earth-shattering."
"I need you to pay a little attention to Manabe Shiho's recent movements."
"Classmate Manabe?" Shiina Hiyori was a little surprised by the appearance of this name.
"That's right. Especially... if she plans to take any drastic action against Class D's Karuizawa Kei, I hope you can inform me as soon as possible."
"As long as you are a bystander and observe in secret. There is no need for you to stop it, and there is no need for you to expose yourself."
Shiina Hiyori blinked.
She did not immediately ask for other reasons, nor did she show too much curiosity.
With her intelligence, it is not difficult to guess that behind this may be related to the discord between classes.
But to her, these are not important.
Importantly, this is a request from Kazehara Tetsu.
"I see... If it's just observation, I think I should be fine."
She nodded, with a smile on her face, "Although classmate Manabe and I don't usually communicate much, it's not difficult to pay attention to their whereabouts. If there is anything unusual, I will contact you as soon as possible."
"Then it's up to you."
Kazehara Tetsu looked at the girl in front of him, "Since I'm asking for your help, I can't let you do it in vain."
"Is there anything you want in return? Or something you want to do?"
"Remuneration..."
Shiina Hiyori was stunned for a moment, as if he had not thought about this problem.
She tilted her head, tapped her chin with her index finger, and thought seriously.
After a while, her eyes suddenly lit up.
"That... if it's not troublesome."
She raised her head shyly, with a hint of expectation in her eyes, "Can you... treat me to a meal?"
"Eat?" Kazehara Tetsu was a little surprised by this simple request.
"Yeah!"
"If I invite you to dinner, of course it's no problem." Kazehara Tetsu agreed readily.
"Really? Then... let's go now..."
"But..."
Kazehara Tetsu interrupted her with some regret and pointed to his stomach, "If we want to eat together, it might not be possible. Because I just finished eating and now I can't hold anything in."
"Ah..."
The light in Shiina Hiyori's eyes dimmed visibly, and his shoulders slumped slightly.
"This, that's it... then there's really nothing we can do about it."
She looked down at her toes, with unconcealable disappointment in her tone.
Although she knew that Kazehara Tetsu was not looking for an excuse to refuse, she still felt a little frustrated that the "lunch together" she had been looking forward to had failed.
Seeing her like this, Kazehara Tetsu was about to say something to comfort her.
But before he could speak, Shiina Hiyori suddenly raised his head.
"Yes!"
She clasped her hands together and had a bright smile on her face.
"Since you can't eat it now, then 'save' this meal!"
"When we get back to school...Tetsu-kun, will you go shopping with me? Whether it's a bookstore or a coffee shop... in short, you want to accompany me all day long!"
"Of course, no problem. I'll be on call when the time comes."
"Then it's settled, Kagihara."
"I never break my promise."