The Island Exam

"I came in fifth, so that means I'm at least somewhat popular, right? Why haven't I received a single love letter?"

There was no need to mention Ayanokoji. He was handsome, but he hardly ever showed any expression, which gave people a gloomy impression.

He wasn't particularly sociable either, but he was always polite enough to maintain basic communication.

"Yeah, why is that?" Kikyo said with a smile.

"Don't tell me—you threw it away?"

"Bingo~ Congratulations, you got it right."

"Uh..."

"Wait—are you saying you actually wanted one?" Kikyo covered her small mouth dramatically and looked at him in surprise.

"Well..."

"Don't worry." Kikyo patted him on the shoulder. "I looked into it for you. The person who wrote you a love letter was pretty average-looking, so you probably wouldn't have been interested anyway."

"..."

How was he supposed to respond to that?

That day.

Ike came to him and said he wanted advice on how to pursue girls.

"Why ask me?" Eito asked, puzzled. "Wouldn't Hirata be a better choice?"

"I already asked him. He said I just had to treat girls gently. What kind of answer is that? If I looked as good as he does, I'd have managed that ages ago. That guy doesn't know how lucky he is."

No, even if Ike looked as good as Hirata, he still wouldn't be able to make girls like him.

A person's aura mattered too. Some people weren't good-looking, but the air about them was enough to make others admire them.

Obviously, that had a lot to do with life experience. No matter what, Ike couldn't pull that off.

"You're my best friend, so you'll definitely help me, right?" Ike pretended to be on the verge of tears.

"Fine, but I don't accept that you're my best friend."

"Huh? Why not?"

"Because you're too ugly."

"Tch—" Ike grumbled. "That's why I hate handsome guys the most."

"So... who do you want to pursue?"

"How about Chabashira-sensei? I used to talk to her all the time."

"No chance," Eito replied without even thinking.

Did Ike mean that time he'd asked Chabashira-sensei in class why she hadn't gotten her period?

"What about Kikyo? She doesn't seem to have a boyfriend."

"Forget it, Ike. A girl like her is so far out of your league you might not even have a chance in your next life."

"Then... Sakura. Shy girls like her are the easiest to pursue. And I think her breasts are pretty big, so even if she's a little ugly, I wouldn't mind—Hey, wait! Don't hit me!"

Eito still punched him:

"You've got some nerve. Sakura is my friend, and you dare bad-mouth her right in front of me?"

"I'm sorry! You... We should talk about how to pursue girls instead." Ike hurriedly changed the subject. "Oh, right. I remember there's a really pretty girl in Class C. She seems quiet and often reads books in the library. Maybe I'll try pursuing her. With a bit of luck, she might say yes."

A bit of luck, huh?

Ike was probably talking about Shiina Hiyori from Class C. She had long silver-gray hair and always seemed to prefer being on her own. She looked quiet, but was actually a talented girl with considerable ability. She was also exceptionally beautiful.

"Ike, if you're not afraid of Ryuen's fists, go ahead and try."

Hiyori didn't like class conflicts, but Ryuen had acknowledged her ability. Even if he usually left Hiyori alone, he wouldn't let someone he valued get involved with a third-rate guy from another class.

Ike looked confused, though. "Who's Ryuen?"

"Ryuen Kakeru, the leader of Class C. He rules the class through violence. Are you scared now?"

"Fine, I'll pick someone else."

Ike was spooked. He thought long and hard, but couldn't come up with an answer.

In the end.

"Takeda, how about the two of us settle for each other?"

"Huh?"

"Look, you're pretty good-looking too. If you dressed up as a girl, you might actually be cute. I think I wouldn't mind—"

Had he gone crazy?

Eito took a few steps back.

"Don't come any closer. I'm going to hit you."

"Come on, Miss Eiki, let's—"

"Go to hell!"

"Ah—"

Ike got beaten up and sent to the infirmary. They said he'd need to rest for two days before he could get out of bed.

Eito didn't feel particularly guilty about it.

"Morning, Horikita."

In the elevator that morning, he ran into Suzune, who happened to be heading downstairs.

Suzune nodded, inviting him to get in.

"It's still early. Want to go for a morning run with me?"

"You do that sort of thing?" Suzune asked, puzzled.

"No, but if you're willing to come with me, I'll go running every day from now on."

"Uh, all right."

"So, what's your answer?"

"F-fine. I don't have anything else to do, anyway."

"Then it's settled. You'll come running with me every day from now on."

"Wait—was that what you meant?" Suzune looked at him strangely, a trace of irritation in her quiet eyes.

She was a little unhappy because he'd tricked her with his wording.

"Fine." Eito sighed. "I got ahead of myself. I was hoping we'd get a little closer, but if you don't want to, I don't mind."

To make it seem convincing, he thought of some sad things from the past, and tears trickled down his face before he knew it.

That was right—he had a special skill. He could cry whenever he wanted.

Suzune looked at him and could only agree helplessly:

"All right. Let's arrange a time next time. If you're late, I won't run with you."

"Mm, thanks."

And just like that, Suzune fell for his trick.

There was one last thing.

Ever since that day, Sato had still talked to him normally, but he couldn't help feeling that something was off.

For instance, she occasionally spaced out while talking to him.

Sometimes she would stare blankly at his face until he called her name, then hurriedly apologize.

Sometimes she'd accidentally touch his hand and blush.

Her many strange reactions couldn't help but make him wonder.

She likes me.

Everyone had entertained that thought at some point.

But until he had the answer for certain, he chose to keep it to himself.

And ever since that day, Sato had never brought up the two of them going out together.

He was relieved, but couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, too.

That was the end of their daily life, for the most part.

Class D had made it through the final exams.

Next came the luxury cruise ship trip that everyone had been eagerly anticipating.

Summer vacation had arrived.

Island Exam

The smell of the sea.

He stood on the broad deck, facing the wind. His clothes rustled as the breeze swept over him.

Every current of air that brushed past his nose carried a faint salty scent.

It was a scent that symbolized freedom and peace.

But at that moment, there was a dog standing beside him.

Ike: "Whoa! The sea! I'm here!"

After kicking him, Eito sent Ike stumbling several meters forward until he grabbed the railing.

Ike glanced down, shivered, then glared at him reproachfully.

"What are you doing? I could've died!"

"Nobody would care even if you did."

"So you look down on me, huh...? What about my parents? Aren't they people?"

"...You're right. My mistake."

Not far away was a group of girls led by Karuizawa.

Kikyo was mixed in with them, too.

They didn't seem to be looking this way, but Sato secretly waved at him.

Needless to say, the cruise ship looked impressive, and it was fully equipped, too. It had everything from famous first-class restaurants to a theater where guests could enjoy plays, as well as a high-end spa.

A solo trip would cost hundreds of thousands of yen.

Fortunately, all the facilities and food on board were free, which was a real treat for the students of Class D.

Leaving Ike behind, he walked to one corner of the deck, where he spotted someone familiar.

"Sakura, are you here to enjoy the view too?"

"No... Um... No, I mean, yes."

Sakura nodded firmly, but the occasional glance she cast his way made it obvious at a glance that she was lying.

"Could it be... you came to see me?"