The Inferiority Complex of the Girls

In the afternoon, during the class meeting in the Class C meeting room, when the Class C students were wondering why Ryuen had summoned them, Ryuen gave an order that left no room for argument.

Even Albert, who was standing next to him, unlocked his phone and placed it in front of Ryuen.

Nishino Takeko disobeyed Ryuen's instructions, saying, "What are you trying to do? Are you going to check our phones? I refuse."

As a very convenient personal storage tool, mobile phones contain a lot of diverse information, and there are often messages that the phone owner does not want anyone to see.

Chat messages with friends, text messages received and sent, things browsed online—often, a person's character can be revealed through their mobile phone.

Ryuen's sharp gaze pierced Nishino. "I suspect there's a traitor in the class because of the leak from the leader of the Uninhabited Island Exam. This time, they'll only check the individual points on Personal Terminal."

"If that's all, I'm fine with it."

While talking about Nishino, he followed Ryuen's instructions. When checking his Personal Terminal, the exposed student ID and such were insignificant; the only important thing was his personal points balance.

Without using privacy as an excuse to prevent viewing, the students in Class C quickly completed Ryuen's instructions, and Ryuen, not wanting to cause trouble, looked at each one of them once.

As a result, everyone's personal point balance was normal and there were no abnormalities, which means that no one in Class C had been bribed.

The problem likely still lies with that particular anomaly.

Ryuen frowned. Aoyama had indeed not bribed the students in Class C, just as he had said. However, he really couldn't understand how the check-in after the deal with Kushida had allowed Aoyama to discover the exam leaders.

Neither the voice recorder nor the video recorder were the supplies provided by the school. It was impossible for anyone to escape Ishizaki and his group's search in such an open space.

Returning to the podium, Ryuen surveyed the somewhat restless Class C students who had left empty-handed. "When we get back to school, I'll find someone to tutor you all. Everyone has to attend."

"If someone is expelled next semester for failing to meet the average score, that's their own problem."

Before the meeting began, Shiina posed a question to him: should they use Class Points or individual points?

Ultimately, he chose the Class Points.

Apart from Class D, the Class Points of the three classes are not much different. Moreover, judging from Class A's crushing defeat this time, Class C, whose academic ability is far inferior, has a chance to take over the throne of Class A.

Leaving aside the future, just looking at the current Special Exam, the importance of academic ability doesn't seem to be taken seriously by schools.

Class A, supposedly a gathering place for the best students, didn't show any of that.

"What about those of us who have club activities? We're exhausted after a long day. Can't we just skip it, Boss Ryuen?" Komiya Yogo stood up with a bitter expression.

Unlike loosely organized clubs outside, student clubs at Kouiku have long training hours and it's not easy to get leave.

Besides, studying hard and such isn't suitable for a promising young man like him.

Ryuen remained calm. "Albert."

"Yes, boss."

Amidst Komiya's pleading for mercy, Albert slowly approached and then punched Komiya so hard that she bent over, retching with her hands on the table.

"You just need to follow orders; specific arrangements will be finalized before you return to school."

"Disband."

After uttering those words, Ryuen walked out of the conference room.

The Class C meeting ended there. Soon after, Aoyama, who had just finished eating with Horikita, received a text message from Shiina indicating her rejection.

Apart from Ichinose's Class B, Classes Class C and Class D all plan to prioritize increasing their own Class Points.

It was no use trying to persuade Horikita.

Aoyama put away his phone, abandoning his idea of persuading Horikita to prioritize individual points this time. Without the cooperation of the three classes and their mutual sabotage, it would be virtually impossible to steal the school's individual points.

With her back to the sea Aoyama, she leaned against the railing. "Which class are you planning to collaborate with this time, Suzune?"

"Class A of Sakayanagi, I want to try challenging you." Horikita Suzune answered calmly, leaning against the railing like Aoyama, her gaze slightly raised to look at the sky.

Around 10 a. m. today, Hirata Obi- Sakayanagi approached her and expressed his intention to collaborate.

She admitted that she was persuaded by Sakayanagi and the other man and decided to see how capable she was of challenging Aoyama, and also to find out how much Aoyama could command Kushida and Karuizawa and what they could do for him.

Hirata is right. We can't let Aoyama continue to gain control over Class D, otherwise he'll become too powerful to handle.

"To ensure we can work together again, I even pulled some strings to get Class D second place." Aoyama glanced at Horikita, who had a cold expression on her face. "So heartless, using her and then discarding her. No wonder she's your senpai's sister."

Horikita's expression grew even colder. "I wonder who used someone and then discarded them."

She was enjoying her dinner when she suddenly turned to Ichinose's arms. The same thing happened with Kushida; she didn't give him any prior notice.

Even without explanation, her intelligence told her that the relationship between Kushida and Aoyama could only be a sham.

Aoyama wouldn't suddenly fall in love with someone who disobeys his orders; in other words, making Kushida his girlfriend was just a way for him to achieve some other purpose.

"Could it be me? I really want to get closer to you, Suzune." Aoyama said earnestly. He really liked the cute yet strong Horikita Suzune.

Horikita's five fingers involuntarily clenched together. "Even if I become your enemy this time?"

"You don't think I'm the kind of kid who won't play with you if you don't listen to me, do you? Aren't you underestimating me?"

The Aoyama stand silently as I look up at the sky. The clear, azure sky comes into view; it's beautiful.

He wasn't so domineering as to think that anyone who opposed him would be doomed. He didn't even have any ill feelings towards Ryuen; if their interests were aligned, they could simply fight it out.

Horikita Suzune secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "If I beat you in the next Special Exam, will I get my brother's approval?"

"If you defeat me, then..."

Putting Horikita Manabu's thoughts into account, Aoyama definitely understands Horikita Suzune's problem.

If even someone who knew the rules beforehand could defeat her, then Horikita Suzune's strength must have been explosively powerful, directly entering the inhuman realm.

"Then I'd better work hard." Horikita clenched her fist again, but this time her mood was no longer one of trepidation, but rather one of suppressed, surging fighting spirit.

Since Aoyama doesn't care about being his enemy, if she defeats Aoyama, she will not only gain her brother's approval, but Aoyama will also value her existence more.

"If you win, I'll transfer to Class D to assist you, no problem."

"Is it a deal?"

Standing before Aoyama, Horikita Suzune looked up and stared directly at the Student Council Vice President, who spoke casually.

The more confident the successor her brother had chosen was, the more motivated she became.

"It's a deal." With a light laugh, Aoyama hooked his little finger around Horikita Suzune's outstretched hand.

Chapter 123 Insecure Girls

After parting ways with Horikita on the cruise ship deck, Aoyama had some free time again.

With nothing in a hurry or that he wanted to do, he decided to take another late afternoon nap.

Meanwhile, people in Class D's group chat were constantly talking and discussing, and the main subject of the discussion was Sakura Airi, who had run away from Aoyama that morning.

The person being discussed could also be called Shizuku, a blog idol and print model, a very energetic girl.

By sheer coincidence, Sakura, having shed her disguise, bumps into a classmate who frequently reads fashion magazines.

"Airi, it really is Shizuku? To be honest, it's a bit hard to believe."

"It's nothing like the Airi we have now, or is that just a work attitude?"

Sakura and Hasebe had been in this deserted little shop for several hours, where almost no one ever went. After hearing that their identities had been exposed, Sakura, who was already feeling hopeless, became even more hopeless.

Not knowing how to face the Aoyama, and then suddenly suffering this misfortune, I don't know what my classmates will think or do.

Sakura slightly raised her head from the table. "I prepare for a long time before each job, and only photographers I know can do this."

She longed to be as confident, poised, and energetic in her everyday life as she was at work.

Although I've grown a lot recently, I haven't reached that level yet.

Hasebe suddenly slapped his forehead. "Oh right, that bastard Yamauchi spread rumors in class that you confessed to him and he rejected you."

"However, Airi Airi's identity as Shizuku is revealed, no one else will believe it, so this matter is resolved."

Even a genius like Yamauchi gets confessed to by a girl, and this is quite a gossip topic among the girls; most of the class has heard about it.

Because of Sakura's previous unsophisticated appearance, everyone was skeptical.

Huh? I need to clarify this with Aoyama- san right away. She's never liked Yamauchi, this guy she's never paid any attention to.

Sakura immediately wanted to tell Aoyama about it.

But how can I bring up this topic? And if I go to see Aoyama now, what should I say?

He should first bow deeply and apologize for leaving without saying goodbye.

Sakura sat up straight. "Do you think Aoyama -kun might find out, Gaga?"

"Perhaps that's possible. Karuizawa or Kikyo might mention it in casual conversation, but it's unlikely for Horikita," Hasebe, pondering the words of a student he knew from Aoyama.

Karuizawa, Kikyo, Horikita, Airi.

Thinking about it this way, the Aoyama met in Class D were all girls, and every single one of them was incredibly cute.

Hasebe frowned. "Airi, do you like Aoyama- kun? I advise you to give up on this idea."

Sakura's sudden outburst this morning, coupled with her immediate concern about whether Sakura knew about it, Aoyama her, as a girl, to think of only one explanation.

She felt terrible that her only two friends had fallen for the same boy, and she also felt sorry for Kushida and Sakura.

Sakura's eyes widened. "Is it that obvious?! Could Aoyama know too?"

"You should know, at least you know that you have feelings for him."

Hasebe would never forget how excited Aoyama was to receive Sakura's head pat that morning. To be honest, she was a little envious at the time, after all, she was also a teenage girl.

Only a girl like Horikita Suzune wouldn't want to have a sweet romance.

"Aoyama -kun already has a girlfriend." Seeing that Sakura didn't take her words to heart, Hasebe spoke again.

"I know," Sakura's voice lowered, "But all I need is to be by his side, and for him to check on me occasionally."

She realized early on that she had fallen for Aoyama, but Aoyama was too dazzling, making her afraid to take that step and unable to confidently believe that she was worthy of being Aoyama's girlfriend.

Her only source of confidence was her appearance, but there were just too many equally lovely girls at school, and none of them were as withdrawn as her; they were all better than her in academics and sports.

"Wow, this is so humble." Hasebe pouted, feeling a surge of protectiveness towards Sakura's humble Sakura.

She couldn't let this child go unprotected; she had to rescue Sakura from Aoyama's clutches.

This was something she, as a friend, had to do.

It's a little after 7 PM.

Declining Shinohara and Matsushita's invitations to have fun, Karuizawa left the room alone with her handbag. Turning left and right, she found herself avoiding the students and arriving at the swimming pool, a small private pool that Aoyama had booked.

Aside from the receptionist at the entrance, Aoyama, comfortably reclining on a beach Aoyama, was the second person she saw.

Drawn to Aoyama's bare upper body, Karuizawa retorted, "Are you really not planning to meet Kushida today? It's already the second day since we boarded the ship, are you just going to leave it at that?"

This morning and afternoon, she spent the whole time having fun with Shinohara, Kushida. In the evening, Aoyama called her here again.

Kushida was only officially announced yesterday, seems to have been relegated to the sidelines.

Looking at Karuizawa in her pretty dress, Aoyama smiled and said, "I'd rather hang out with you, Kushida, than with Karuizawa. Didn't forget your swimsuit?"

"I've already said I don't like swimming, why are you forcing me to do it?"

While shyly turning her head away, Karuizawa also felt a slight unease.

Every time she had a swimming lesson or went to the pool with friends, she wore an un-cute one-piece swimsuit in order to cover up a scar that was clearly caused by a sharp blade.

That was the most terrifying scene she experienced during the period when she was being bullied.

"Because I want to understand you better and alleviate your anxieties."

As he spoke, Aoyama approached Karuizawa and, under her horrified gaze, placed his hand on her left abdomen, quickly pinpointing the location of the scar through her thin dress.

The Paper Shuffle Special Exam is the day after tomorrow, and he plans to place his own piece in Class C as well.

A pawn that obeys him completely, and whose mood he doesn't need to be too concerned about.

After waking up from his nap and thinking it over, Aoyama decided to entrust the task to Karuizawa instead of Kamuro, who was equally capable of doing it, even though Kamuro should be more suitable.

The best way to eliminate fear is to face it, unless Karuizawa is extremely resistant, in which case he intends to use Karuizawa as bait for entrapment.

First, we need to probe Karuizawa's attitude.

"How did you know? Stop touching me." Karuizawa trembled as she backed away, covering the spot where Aoyama had just been.

"What I'm hoping to see later isn't you in a one-piece swimsuit. Could you please grant me this small request?"