Preparations Before Going Ashore

The sea near dusk was like a mysterious woman, draped in a wheat-colored veil.

Sunlight slanted across the surface of the sea, stirring up ripples of golden light that resembled notes dancing on a musical score, conveying endless poetry amidst the twilight.

At the beverage bar, Zhuge Linghao walked over and sat down between Ayanokoji and Horikita, asking, "What do you two big shots need from your little brother?"

Horikita Suzune spoke in a tone cold enough to be chilling, "Zhuge, do you really think this trip is just a simple vacation?"

Zhuge Linghao looked blankly at her and said, "Isn't it? We have good food, good drinks, and good sleep—what else could you possibly be dissatisfied with?"

Horikita Suzune felt a twinge of regret for having asked Zhuge Linghao, so she turned her head to look at Ayanokoji.

Ayanokoji was still the same Ayanokoji; his expression hadn't changed in the slightest.

"Perhaps there is something fishy going on. This cruise ship should be heading toward the southern islands; it's possible that something will be held there..."

Horikita Suzune didn't let Ayanokoji finish his thought, interrupting instead, "Perhaps. In any case, we cannot let our guard down."

Zhuge Linghao watched their serious expressions: Is this really necessary? Just enjoy the vacation while it lasts! Besides, if soldiers come, we block; if water comes, we earth-cover!

As a mere pawn, Zhuge Linghao suddenly realized, Oh no, they are the generals!

"So this is where you are!"

Ryuen Kakeru arrived with his Black Bodyguard, Albert, and plopped himself into the seat to the left of Horikita Suzune.

"Suzune, you managed to settle the expulsion incident for Zhuge and his friends—you've got some skill after all! I don't hate women like you!"

Horikita Suzune's voice was many times colder than before, "Can you stop calling me by my name so casually? I haven't even settled the score with you yet for using such despicable and dirty tactics!"

Ryuen said gloomily, "Despicable? Dirty? As long as you win, who cares what methods you use!"

Hiding behind Horikita, Zhuge Linghao shouted a retort, "Ryuen, you clearly didn't win!"

Ryuen stood up, stared at Zhuge Linghao, and sneered, "A coward hiding behind a woman."

Zhuge Linghao's skin was so thick that a machine gun couldn't pierce it; he looked at Ryuen Kakeru triumphantly: Do you dare to make a move? I have Ayanokoji right next to me! What do I have to fear!

Seeing that the cowardly Zhuge Linghao dared not speak, he instantly lost interest.

He then turned around and left behind a single sentence, "Suzune, I'll play another round with you next time."

Just as Ryuen was about to leave with his hands in his pockets, a shout made him freeze in his tracks.

Ibuki Mio said angrily, "Ryuen!"

Ryuen looked back and said, "Oh, it's Ibuki. What is it?"

Ibuki Mio walked up to Ryuen and said, "I have something to tell you!"

Ryuen grabbed the girl in front of him and said, "Oh? Have you fallen in love with me already?"

Ibuki Mio slapped away Ryuen's wandering hand and said irritably, "Stop joking around, I can no longer tolerate your methods!"

Horikita and Ayanokoji remained silent, while Zhuge Linghao, who had equipped the Acting Emperor card, began to critique: The acting still needs improvement; it's a bit too forced.

Ryuen said something very offensive, "If you have anything else to say, come to my room and say it. Just the two of us."

Ibuki Mio, in a fit of rage, threw a punch at Ryuen's wicked yet handsome face, but the Black Bodyguard, Albert, moved.

He first caught the girl's small fist with ease, followed by a reverse joint lock, and finally gave her a fierce shove, sending Ibuki Mio crashing straight into the metal railing.

Ryuen and Albert left just like that, without looking back, as if it were only natural.

Ayanokoji walked over to Ibuki Mio and reached out with concern, "Are you alright?"

But Ibuki Mio was like a wounded wild cat, preferring to lick her own wounds in solitude rather than accept charity from others!

Ibuki Mio slapped away Ayanokoji's outstretched right hand and hissed viciously, "None of your business!"

Zhuge Linghao carefully observed the girl's facial expressions, his face full of joy and anticipation: A slight improvement over the last one; at least the line delivery was decent, and the fierce look in her eyes was quite on point!

Horikita looked at the blue-haired girl walking away and said, "It seems Class C has begun to fracture."

Ayanokoji judged based on the current evidence, "Yes!"

Zhuge Linghao couldn't be left behind, could he? He 'supported' Horikita, "I think Suzune-chan is right!"

The scene shifted to the school dormitory, where one student had actually not boarded the cruise ship!

The white-haired loli was playing chess while speaking with her confidante, Kamuro Masumi.

Kamuro Masumi's voice came through the phone, "That is all for the recent report."

Sakayanagi Arisu said with a faint smile, "Thank you for the report, Masumi."

Kamuro Masumi asked, "Do you have any further instructions?"

Sakayanagi Arisu used a white piece to capture a black one and said, "I want you to investigate a few students."

At night, Sakura Airi seemed to be practicing some lines on the deck.

"Thank you, you are a good person."

"The ice cream at this restaurant is especially delicious; let me treat you to some?"

"Would you like to go see a movie together later? I know of a pretty good one that's out right now!"

"That's what I was thinking, what about you?"

"Please... go on a... a... a... date with me..."

Zhuge Linghao appeared behind Sakura Airi and asked bluntly, "Sakura-san, what are you saying?"

Sakura let out a startled shriek, turned around, and realized it was actually Zhuge Linghao!

Zhuge Linghao was also taken aback, When you turned around, your two boobs almost slapped right into me!

Zhuge Linghao quickly stepped back two paces and asked, "W-what's wrong?"

Sakura blushed, her gaze unfocused, and said, "I... I... I was just practicing my lines! Did you... did you hear everything I said?"

Zhuge Linghao waved his hand and said, "Not at all, I just got here! Oh, I see! You're practicing how to communicate and talk with our classmates, right!"

Sakura Airi took the out he offered and said, "Y-yes, but I still can't talk to the classmates in our class properly..."

Zhuge Linghao encouraged her, "Keep it up, you've improved a lot compared to before! Focus on the positive feedback these improvements bring, take it one step at a time, you're the best!"

Sakura Airi smiled happily; she didn't even feel that her next action was inappropriate.

Sakura Airi gently took Zhuge Linghao's right hand in both of hers and said, "Thank you, you really are a good person!"

Zhuge Linghao's nose felt itchy, and an indescribable feeling welled up inside him!

Watching this scene from afar, a pair of blackened eyes slowly emerged on Kushida.

She squeezed her eyes shut with all her might, and when she opened them again, they were bright and cheerful once more.

"Zhuge and Sakura, what are you two doing over there!"

Hearing the voice, Sakura immediately let go of his hands and turned to flee toward her room.

Kushida couldn't stop her in time, so she just said with an 'innocent' look, "I'm sorry, did I interrupt you two?"

Zhuge Linghao was already cursing her in his heart: You devil Kikyo! How dare you ruin my moment! Watch out or I'll expose you!

Zhuge Linghao couldn't say what he was thinking, so he sighed instead, "Sakura is still as shy as ever..."

Kushida put on a gentle and cute expression, pointed at the sky above, and said, "Look, what a beautiful starry sky. Oh, is that a shooting star?"

Zhuge Linghao lost interest and said, "I'm heading back to my room first!"

Kushida's eyes flashed, and she said coldly, "Wait."

Kushida grabbed Zhuge Linghao's clothes, and her breasts brushed against his arm!

This action made Zhuge Linghao shiver, feeling both pain and pleasure!

Kushida spoke up, "You've been sticking very close to Horikita and the others lately, haven't you? Why?"

Zhuge Linghao's teeth chattered as he replied, "W-what do you mean why? It's just a coincidence, right!"

The night air grew colder, and Kushida stopped pressing the issue, saying, "Sorry, I suddenly felt all alone just now, and I felt a bit lonely!"

Zhuge Linghao asked in confusion, "Lonely? Then why don't you go find a boyfriend?"

"..."