In Tribute-

"...I don't mind. As long as you're willing."

"Okay... Then—"

Sato lifted her chin and closed her eyes.

Her adorable little face was right before him, looking as if she were offering herself to him.

But her slightly trembling eyelashes betrayed the turmoil in her heart.

Eito wasn't the kind of gentleman who could remain unmoved by a beautiful woman. Unless necessary, he simply followed the desires of his heart.

There was no way he'd turn down food served right in front of him.

"Is this okay?"

The girl's rosy lips were parted slightly, tempting as fruit that had just ripened.

Eito didn't hurry to kiss her. Instead, he cupped her cheek and asked,

"Could you stick out your tongue and let me see it?"

"Huh—" Sato opened her eyes and met his calm gaze. Her heart gave a flutter. "O-okay."

She panted as she did what Eito asked, just sticking out her cute tongue, when his mouth covered hers.

"Mmm—"

Their pink tongues twisted and turned, tangling fiercely as if they were fighting on a battlefield.

He was so good.

Sato's mind went blank. Her whole body felt weak, and a wave of heat spread from below through her veins to every part of her body.

When her mouth began to feel numb, Eito finally let her go.

Her moist eyes were half closed as she leaned against him.

"Do you regret it?"

Eito asked.

It was clear Sato was a first-time kisser and still inexperienced. The reason she'd responded to him so passionately was probably love.

Sato's voice was soft as she said,

"No. I feel so happy right now."

"Then we can practice again next time. Today... you might need to change your underwear."

"Mm—"

Sato covered her skirt in embarrassment and buried her face against his chest.

Eito smiled and patted her head.

Even a girl who seemed lively and outgoing, a real party girl, could make this kind of face once she fell in love.

Sato lay in his arms for ten minutes before she finally lifted her head.

Most of the blush had faded from her face, though a little still remained.

She tucked her hair behind her ear and said, looking a little embarrassed,

"Don't get the wrong idea about what just happened. I'm not the kind of woman who's always getting worked up."

As she spoke, the hand covering her skirt tightened. The meaning was obvious.

Eito only smiled.

"Oh—isn't that even better?"

"B-better?" Sato's eyes widened. "You... like that kind of woman?"

"I like all kinds. Besides, it's a normal physical reaction. Don't worry about it."

"Oh." Sato nodded quietly.

"It's getting late. Let's head back."

"But—" Sato glanced at her watch. "It's not time for roll call yet. Don't tell me... you don't want to spend time with me?"

"Of course I do. It's just that if we go back too late, people might start making assumptions. But... never mind. I'll stay with you a little longer."

He wasn't in a hurry to go back. But if he kept spending time alone with Sato, he didn't know what he might do next.

If he slept with Sato here, it would certainly be enjoyable, but he'd feel a little empty afterward, too.

It was like when he was faced with an exquisite dish. Rather than gobbling it down in one bite and missing its flavor, he preferred to savor it slowly, appreciating the smooth, tender taste as it melted in his mouth, along with the fragrance of all the different fruits and vegetables.

It was the same when it came to girls.

Taking off all their clothes and jumping straight into bed was crude. It only brought momentary pleasure.

Only by savoring them carefully and feeling their emotions change could one pursue what a gentleman truly valued.

Sex without feelings was nothing more than lust.

Lust wasn't shameful. It was a basic human need. But those who let lust control them would eventually become beasts, nothing but monsters that thrust up and down.

"Maya, let me help you put your shoes on."

"Okay."

Sato nodded lightly. After what had just happened, she wasn't embarrassed by such an intimate gesture anymore.

And yet, because of what had just happened, even though Eito was putting on her shoes and socks as he normally would, his hand accidentally brushed her skin.

Every touch sent a current through her fingers and straight to her heart.

An indescribable restlessness rose within her.

Before long, Eito had finished putting her shoes on.

Sato patted her cheeks, trying to calm down, then stepped forward and hooked her arm around his.

"Let's go for a walk over there. There's still something I want to ask you."

"Uh... it's not about Kikyo again, is it?"

"Don't worry, I won't bring her up. Let's just chat."

And by "just chat," she really did mean just chatting.

But the topics she brought up were almost too much for him.

They were all things that wouldn't make it past the censors.

Eito couldn't help admiring her. As expected of a party girl: she might not have any experience, but her theoretical knowledge was far richer than most people's.

She probably talked about this sort of thing a lot.

After what had happened between them, the walls between them had disappeared. He had a feeling Sato would become more and more forward from now on.

He'd been hoping to see more of her embarrassed expression.

It seemed he'd only get to see that in bed from now on.

As they walked, they eventually returned to Class D's base, and Sato let go of his arm before they got there.

Eito couldn't help feeling moved.

She really did care about him. She was genuinely trying to make him fall for her, and she hadn't taken the opportunity to show other people their relationship.

Should he just tell her how he felt?

There was no need.

He'd already accepted Sato in his heart. Sooner or later, she'd be his woman.

There wasn't much point in saying it aloud.

Besides, he wanted to experience what it was like to be pursued.

He'd spent so long chasing after girls that he was tired of it.

Night fell.

The rats in the sewer were coming out to feed.

On the final night of the exam, Ibuki slipped away from Class D's camp and headed toward Class C.

Ryuuen, who had been waiting for her, intercepted her halfway there.

The original plan had been for Ibuki to contact Ryuuen by walkie-talkie once she returned to the ship. This time, though, things had changed slightly because of Eito.

"Did you get it?"

Ryuuen asked.

"N-no... I couldn't get a picture."

One of Ibuki's orders had been to sneak into Class D, find the leader's card, and take a picture of it. The person who needed the photo was Katsuragi Kohei from Class A.

Class A and Class C had formed a temporary alliance, but Katsuragi, their leader, didn't completely trust Class C. So he needed the photo as definite proof.

Their goal was to correctly guess Class D's leader during the final stage and earn fifty points.

"You're useless, aren't you?" Ryuuen grabbed her by the collar. "You can't even handle something this simple."

"I couldn't take a picture, but I saw the name on the card."

"Who was it?"

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka."

"Oh?" Ryuuen narrowed his eyes. "I've never heard of him. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. He seems pretty honest-looking. He hid it well, but I still happened to see his card. And he keeps disappearing for no reason. I'd guess he's going around taking over bases."

"Hmm. You did well this time." Ryuuen nodded. "How's that guy Takeda doing?"

"..." Ibuki's face suddenly turned red.

"Good. Hurry up and win him over. That'll give us another pawn to use against Class D."

Ryuuen smiled in satisfaction, his gaze deep and inscrutable, as though everything were under his control.

Then he added,

"Go back to the ship first. I'll handle the rest."

"Okay."

Just then, they heard a rustling in the bushes, followed by the clatter of footsteps. A man in a red suit and a clown mask appeared before them.

A muffled, eerie voice came from beneath the mask.

"Did I interrupt your date? Sorry. I'll be on my way."

"Wait!" Ryuuen said. "Who are you? Why are you creeping around here?"

For some reason, Ryuuen felt a chill when facing this person.

It was like a small knife lightly scraping against his heart.

It wasn't just his strange outfit or the timing of his appearance. There was also the way he walked, so smooth and unhurried that he seemed to be strolling through a garden.

His movements were too natural. Every gesture was easy and carefree, the kind of confidence only the strong possessed.

Ryuuen hadn't felt this way in a long time. Whenever he encountered someone stronger than himself, he would fight them with his life on the line, no matter what.

In the end, he was the only one who came out on top, while his opponent was left with a look of fear.

But now he was afraid. He had a feeling he could never beat this man.

When had someone this powerful appeared on the island? Which class was he from?

However...