I Really Am Here on Vacation

Chabashira Sae had dealt with Zhuge Linghao with ease, but her task wasn't over. The real challenge was still ahead.

In her eyes, Ayanokoji's overall ability at this stage far surpassed Zhuge Linghao's.

That made sense. Chabashira Sae had mostly seen Zhuge Linghao in his usual state. If she'd ever seen him equipped with an Identity Skill Card, she might have thought twice about comparing them.

Zhuge Linghao happily walked over to Ayanokoji and said, "Chabashira-sensei called for you. Go on!"

Ayanokoji took the seat one place to Chabashira Sae's right and said, "Look at this giant cruise ship, and this grand theater. What a waste of taxpayers' money."

Chabashira Sae seemed to put on a different face. Crossing her arms, she said, "A few days ago, a man came to the school. He demanded that you be expelled."

Ayanokoji felt a faint ripple in his heart, but his face remained expressionless. "That's pretty strange. I don't know who he is, but the school wouldn't expel a student for no reason, would it?"

Chabashira Sae said coldly, "As long as you're a student at this school, it will protect you."

"But if you do something wrong, that's another matter."

Ayanokoji remained impassive. "I'm afraid I'm not like the arrogant Icarus. I won't go out of my way to provoke the sun."

Chabashira Sae kept her voice icy. "That's not for you to decide. If I think you've violated the school rules, then that's the truth!"

A hint of expression crossed Ayanokoji's otherwise blank face. "Sensei, should I take that as a threat?"

Chabashira Sae continued, "No, it's a deal. If you aim for Class A, I'll do everything I can to protect you. I absolutely won't let you be expelled. Don't you think that's a good deal?"

Ayanokoji stood up. "Sorry, it looks like we have nothing more to discuss."

Just as Ayanokoji was about to turn and leave, a devilish voice rang out.

"I'm afraid not, Ayanokoji. You'll be expelled and lose your freedom."

Ayanokoji's eyes reflected the deep starry sky. He grabbed Chabashira Sae by the collar and said, "What kind of teacher are you?"

Watching this scene, Zhuge Linghao's grin returned. He pulled out his phone, switched it to night mode, and started recording...

[Bro Ayanokoji is awesome! A role model for us all! Yeah, keep going! Keep going!]

Zhuge Linghao, who loved watching drama unfold, cheered Ayanokoji on wildly in his heart!

But Chabashira Sae didn't budge. Her eyes glinted sharply as she stared at Ayanokoji. "Make your decision now. Are you going to rise to Class A, or will you obediently drop out?"

Unfortunately, things didn't go Zhuge Linghao's way. Ayanokoji let go and said calmly, "You're using me now. You'll regret it someday."

Chabashira Sae's lips curved slightly. "Don't worry. My life is already full of regrets."

Ayanokoji ignored Chabashira Sae and went over to Zhuge Linghao. "Did she ask you to rise to Class A too?"

Zhuge Linghao nodded. "What do you say? Want to team up for the next exam?"

The cruise ship had been sailing for several hours.

Early the next morning, Kanji Ike stood on the deck and couldn't hold back his excitement. "The vast ocean, the clear blue sky, and a giant cruise ship under the blazing sun! This is practically a vacation paradise!"

A lot of students had gathered on the deck, gazing at the beautiful sea and marveling at the view.

Kushida said, "The view is amazing!"

The sea breeze stirred her golden ponytail. Karuizawa Kei was seeing such a wonderful view for the first time, too. Leaning on the railing, she said, "I'm so moved!"

Nearby, Yamauchi said to Sudo, "I'm so glad you didn't get expelled!"

Sudo's eyes grew misty. "Yeah. It feels like a dream."

Karuizawa Kei said happily, "The school is so generous. They even brought us on such a luxurious cruise ship!"

So where was Zhuge Linghao?

It didn't matter where he was. He'd heard the cruise was completely free and had already made himself at home, going wherever he pleased!

In just a few hours, he'd sampled the food at the ship's first-class restaurant, watched a play at the grand theater, enjoyed a massage in the luxury spa, and run a hundred meters on a treadmill at the gym, among other things.

Meanwhile, some of the other students were renting clothes, singing karaoke, or playing in the pool...

It was nearly noon. Zhuge Linghao and the other four were at the pool, admiring a thing called a "ball."

Suddenly, Kanji Ike stood up. "I've decided to confess to Kushida!"

Yamauchi Haruki was startled. "Wait, what? Are you serious?"

Kanji Ike clenched his fist and tossed his hair. "It'd be totally lame if I didn't do anything!"

Sudo looked touched. That's the spirit, kid!

Ayanokoji encouraged him too. "Go for it."

Zhuge Linghao gave him a fake smile. "Good luck! You'll definitely 'succeed'!"

The scene shifted to Ike and Kushida facing each other on a quiet part of the deck.

Kushida asked, "What is it, Ike-kun?"

Kanji Ike blushed. "I... I... guess it's about time I called you by your first name, right? Can I call you Kikyo?"

Kushida replied sweetly, "Then I'll call you Kanji!"

Meanwhile, Zhuge Linghao was recording with his phone, his grin threatening to reach the heavens!

[So watching someone 'confess' to Kushida is pretty entertaining too!]

Yamauchi Haruki remarked, "That guy's got some game!"

Sudo slapped Zhuge Linghao on the shoulder. "Zhuge, what was Horikita's first name again?"

Zhuge Linghao put his phone away and grinned. "Horikita Suzune. Suzune!"

Sudo blushed. "What a cute name. I'll call her by her first name from now on!"

Meanwhile, Yamauchi Haruki was murmuring, "Airi-chan, Airi-chan, Airi-chan..."

Watching everyone lovestruck, Zhuge Linghao helplessly rubbed his forehead!

[Youth really is something!]

Even Ayanokoji had a quip. "Are their brains broken?"

At noon, the five of them went to a classy Western restaurant.

It was Sudo's first time in such a high-end place, and he hesitated. "Is this place free too?"

Ike, who was holding a swim ring, was also a little worried. "What if they send us a bill afterward and deduct points?"

Yamauchi said, "Probably not. Students from the other classes are eating here too. It must be free, right?"

Sudo said uncertainly, "We've obviously come to the wrong place!"

Kanji Ike frowned. "Then what do we do? Should we leave?"

Just then, the server in charge of greeting guests said, "Welcome. A table for five?"

Kanji Ike could only reply, "Y-yes."

The five sat down, each holding a menu.

Sudo couldn't make heads or tails of the dish names. "What kind of food is this?"

Kanji Ike, who was just as bad at English, guessed, "Is it called pork head aspic? It even comes with herb sauce!"

Yamauchi was clearly panicking. With no manners at all, he blurted out, "N-not bad. Let's just order something! Waiter, can we order? Excuse me, where is he?"

The other diners around them were clearly disturbed. Every one of them looked annoyed.

Seeing their embarrassing behavior, Ayanokoji suggested, "Why don't we go to another restaurant?"

"You're from Class D, aren't you?"

A mocking voice suddenly came from a nearby table!