Preparations Before Coming Ashore

The sea near dusk was like a mysterious woman veiled in wheat-colored gauze.

The slanting sunlight rippled across the water in golden waves, like notes dancing along the strings of a harp, filling the twilight with endless poetry.

At the drinks counter, Zhuge Linghao walked over and sat down between Ayanokoji and Horikita. "What can I do for you two big shots?"

Horikita Suzune asked in a bone-chillingly cold voice, "Zhuge, do you really think this trip is just a vacation?"

Zhuge Linghao looked bewildered. "Isn't it? We get to eat, drink, and sleep well. What more could you want?"

Horikita Suzune regretted asking Zhuge Linghao. She turned her head to look at Ayanokoji.

Ayanokoji was still Ayanokoji. His expression never changed.

"There might be something fishy going on. This cruise ship is probably heading for an island in the south. They might hold..."

Horikita Suzune didn't let Ayanokoji finish. Instead, she interrupted him. "Maybe. Either way, we can't let our guard down."

Zhuge Linghao looked at their serious expressions. Is this really necessary? We should just enjoy our vacation! Whatever comes, we'll deal with it!

As a mere pawn, Zhuge Linghao suddenly realized, Oh, right—they're the generals!

"So this is where you were!"

Ryuen came over with the Black Bodyguard, Yamada Albert, and plopped down in the seat to Horikita Suzune's left.

"Suzune, you managed to settle the expulsion issue for Zhuge and the others. You've got some ability after all! I don't dislike women like you!"

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

Ryuen's expression darkened. "Despicable? Underhanded? As long as you win, who cares what methods you use?"

Hiding behind Horikita, Zhuge Linghao called out, "Ryuen, you didn't win, though!"

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

Zhuge Linghao's skin was thicker than a machine gun could pierce. He looked at Ryuen Kakeru with smug satisfaction. Dare you do anything? Ayanokoji's right beside me! What have I got to fear?

Seeing that wimp Zhuge Linghao had nothing to say, Ryuen instantly lost interest.

Then he turned and left them with one parting remark. "Suzune, next time, I'll play another round with you."

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

Ibuki Mio called out angrily, "Ryuen!"

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

Ibuki Mio walked up to Ryuen. "I need to talk to you!"

Ryuen put an arm around the girl in front of him. "Oh? Have you fallen in love with me already?"

Ibuki Mio slapped away Ryuen's wandering hand, furious. "Don't joke around! I can't stand the way you do things anymore!"

Horikita and Ayanokoji exchanged a silent look, while Zhuge Linghao, who had equipped the Acting Emperor card, offered his critique. Your acting still needs work. You're overdoing it a little.

Ryuen said something deeply offensive. "If you've got anything else to say, come say it in my room. Just the two of us."

Furious, Ibuki Mio threw a punch at Ryuen's handsome, sinister-looking face, and the Black Bodyguard, Yamada, moved.

He casually caught the girl's fist, then twisted into a joint lock. Finally, he let go and shoved her hard, sending Ibuki Mio crashing into the metal railing.

Ryuen and Yamada left without looking back, as if it were only natural.

Ayanokoji walked over to Ibuki Mio and reached out with concern. "Are you all right?"

But Ibuki Mio was like an injured stray cat. She would rather lick her wounds alone than accept anyone's charity!

Ibuki Mio slapped away Ayanokoji's outstretched right hand and snapped, "What's it to you?"

Zhuge Linghao carefully studied the girl's expression, looking delighted and expectant. That was a little better than before. At least your delivery was good, and your fierce glare was pretty convincing!

Horikita watched the blue-haired girl walk away. "Looks like Class C is starting to split apart."

Ayanokoji judged from the evidence they had so far. "Yeah."

Zhuge Linghao couldn't fall behind, right? He "supported" Horikita. "I think Suzune-chan is right!"

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

The white-haired loli played chess while talking with her confidante, Kamuro Masumi.

Kamuro Masumi's voice came through the phone. "That's all for the recent reports."

Sakayanagi Arisu smiled faintly. "Thank you for the report, Masumi."

Kamuro Masumi asked, "What instructions do you have for me next?"

Sakayanagi Arisu captured a black piece with a white one. "I want you to investigate a few students."

That night, Sakura Airi seemed to be practicing how to talk to people on the deck.

"Thank you. You're a good person."

"The ice cream at this restaurant is especially delicious. Let me treat you!"

"Want to watch a movie together next? I know a good one that's showing recently!"

"That's what I think. What about you?"

"Please go out with me... D-d-date..."

Zhuge Linghao appeared behind Sakura Airi and asked casually, "Sakura, what are you saying?"

Sakura let out a startled cry. When she turned around, she found it was Zhuge Linghao!

Zhuge Linghao was startled too. When you turned around, your boobs almost smacked me in the face!

Zhuge Linghao quickly took two steps back. "W-what's wrong?"

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

Zhuge Linghao waved his hand. "No, I just got here! Oh, I get it! You're practicing what to say when you talk to your classmates, right?"

Sakura Airi seized on the excuse. "Y-yes, but I still can't talk properly with my classmates..."

Zhuge Linghao encouraged her. "Keep it up. You've improved a lot! Focus on the positive feedback from your progress, and take it one step at a time. You're the best!"

Sakura Airi smiled happily. She didn't even realize how inappropriate her next move was.

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

Zhuge Linghao's nose tingled, and a strange feeling welled up inside him!

Watching them from a distance, Kushida's eyes slowly turned dark.

She squeezed her eyes shut with all her might. When she opened them again, her expression was bright and cheerful.

"Zhuge, Sakura, what are you doing over there?"

At the sound of her voice, Sakura immediately let go and hurried off to her room.

Kushida couldn't stop her, so she said with an "innocent" expression, "I'm sorry! Did I interrupt you?"

Zhuge Linghao was already cursing her in his mind. You little demon, Kikyo! How dare you ruin my moment! Just you wait—I'll expose you!

Zhuge Linghao couldn't say what he was really thinking, so he sighed instead. "Sakura's still so shy..."

Kushida looked gentle and adorable as she pointed up at the sky. "Look, what a beautiful starry sky! Oh, is that a shooting star?"

Zhuge Linghao had lost interest. "I'm heading back to my room!"

Kushida's eyes flashed. "Wait."

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

The move made Zhuge Linghao shudder, caught between pain and pleasure!

Kushida spoke up. "You've been spending a lot of time with Horikita and the others lately. Why?"

Zhuge Linghao's teeth chattered. "W-what do you mean, why? It just happened by coincidence!"

The night grew colder, and Kushida stopped pressing him. "Sorry. I suddenly found myself alone just now, and I felt a little lonely!"

Zhuge Linghao looked puzzled. "Lonely? Then why don't you find yourself a boyfriend?"

"..."