I Like Hiyori

But everything was exactly as Ryuen Kakeru said; it was completely in accordance with the rules. He could even say that his act of donating supplies was to help his classmates.

"However, something's not right."

Kitagawa Ryo interrupted Ryuen Kakeru's speech:

"The people you linked the students in your class who had the [Free Ride] cards to weren't Katsuragi Kohei or anyone in his group at all, were they?"

"Although everything you just said was deliberately trying to lead me to believe it, unfortunately, I also know the other people in your Class C."

Kitagawa Ryo shook his head helplessly. Ryuen Kakeru's 'rule' was not very solid in this Class C. After Shiina Hiyori directly confronted him at the beginning of the school year Shiina Hiyori the incident with Tokito Yuya a few months ago, Ryuen Kakeru's prestige was far less than when he was in Class C.

The students in Class C were quite pragmatic. Throughout the entire first semester of the first academic year, Ryuen Kakeru failed to lead Class C to any significant achievements. Even if they didn't say it out loud, they all had some complaints in private.

Thanks to the increased initial favorability with Class C from the achievement rewards, and the small snacks he gave Shiina Hiyori when he visited her, Kitagawa Ryo easily extracted some information from the girls.

"The real person that the Class C student [Free Ride] is actually tied to is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka from Class A, right?"

Kitagawa Ryo's words made Ryuen Kakeru's face darken.

"From beginning to end, you weren't making a deal with Katsuragi Kohei, but with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka."

"Including the assistance to Katsuragi Kohei's group, it was actually one of Ayanokoji's requests."

"Let me think about it. Since you're so willing to trust Ayanokoji, putting the whole Free Ride on his lap and covering for him, it seems the other party must have signed a good contract with you as well."

"For example, Ayanokoji guarantees that his solo team will definitely make it into the top three this time, and if they can't, he's willing to pay you a large number of Private Points, or something like that?"

Ryuen Kakeru's face was ashen. He took a deep breath and then smiled again:

"It seems you know quite a bit about Ayanokoji's affairs."

"Just like you, he's the X behind Class 1-A."

"But it's no use seeing through it. It's all an open conspiracy, and there's no risk for Class C. Class Points are completely irrelevant to me."

"Are you still going to implement your '800 million,' no, it's '780 million now' plan?"

Kitagawa Ryo shook his head. In Karuizawa Kei's second simulation, he had heard Ryuen Kakeru mention his plan: not to promote students to Class A through Class Points, but to transfer all the students in Class C to Class A through a 20 million point transfer mechanism.

This is a plan that sounds crazy at first glance, but is actually almost impossible.

Ryuen Kakeru raised an eyebrow. He had always thought his plan was quite secretive, but he never expected that Kitagawa Ryo would see right through it.

"This is an impossible plan, because the limitation of the plan lies in the plan itself."

"The most fatal flaw in your plan is that it remains a failure until it is truly completed, that is, until you have all 700 million Private Points."

"Let's assume you can actually achieve it, but points have to be accumulated little by little. So the reality will only be this: when you have 20 million points, your Student Council will suspect you're planning to secretly advance to the next class by yourself; when you have 40 million points, Student Council suspect you're bringing your cronies with you to advance; this chain of suspicion will never stop until you have all the points."

"Your plan is to give up Class Points and choose Private Points, but Private Points can't be spent, they can only be saved. If you plan to send someone to Class A every time you save 20 million points, the situation will only get worse, you know what I mean."

"So in the end, Class C will only end up in a situation where the Class Points, and you control all the Private Points."

"I don't need to tell you about the consequences."

After saying these words, Kitagawa Ryo immediately grabbed Shiina Hiyori's wrist, a somewhat bold move that caught Shiina Hiyori off guard.

"So, let's try a different approach."

But Shiina Hiyori quickly realized what Kitagawa Ryo was about to do, so she let him open her wristwatch and enter the [card] page.

"This would be a more pleasant collaboration."

Ryuen Kakeru's gaze was fixed on the card interface held by Shiina Hiyori.

[Double-Edged Blade: If the cardholder's group ranks in the top three, the final Class Points earned will increase by 50%; if the group does not rank in the top three, 30% of the class Class Points will be deducted.]

I'll help her.

"You help me."

Chapter 156: I Like Hiyori

It wasn't until nearly midnight that the rain on the Uninhabited Island finally stopped. Perhaps because he had taken a nap in the afternoon, Kitagawa Ryo wasn't sleepy at all. After noticing that the rain had stopped, he walked out of the tent alone.

The small campsite, hastily erected and including the school staff, had fallen into silence. The boundless night had swallowed everything, and the glittering Milky Way flowed slowly Kitagawa Ryo. Because the campsite was set up on high ground, they could see a light on the dark sea in the distance, which was a cruise ship anchored near the port.

It is at night that you can truly feel the immeasurable vastness of the sea. It feels as if you are the only one left in the world, along with the Uninhabited Island beneath your feet, and you are surrounded by the desolate and boundless ocean.

Kitagawa Ryo sat on a bench in the corner of the camp, which was probably placed there by the school staff. He crossed his hands and rested his chin on them, not moving at all, as if he had become part of the background.

For him, this Uninhabited Island Exam was significant in three ways.

First, he had promised his homeroom teacher Mashima Tomonari, that he would improve the atmosphere in Class D, even if it meant sacrificing Class Points. Kitagawa Ryo had some vague ideas about this as well.

Secondly, there's the blow to Class A and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, but that's not the most important thing. Putting aside the several preemptive moves he's already made, there's no need to rush. It's only the first semester of the first year, and they still have to stay here for another two and a half years.

Moreover, after experiencing Sakayanagi Arisu's second simulation and gaining an understanding of the White Room Project, Kitagawa Ryo's hostility towards Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was not actually that great.

His entire personality and abilities were shaped by the White Room. Even judging from the final result of the last simulation, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka himself was not completely obedient to his father and the White Room, which is something that might be useful in the future.

Finally, and most importantly, Kitagawa Ryo also hopes to use this Uninhabited Island Special Exam to get to know the girls around him better, and now that all the simulations are over, to re-examine their psychology and provide them with a complete 'after-sales service'.

In particular, unlike Ichinose Honami and Karuizawa Kei, Kitagawa Ryo's mindset in the simulations of Horikita Suzune and Sakayanagi Arisu different from the latter two. Therefore, whether it was Ichinose Honami Karuizawa Kei's two simulations, his actions subtly added mental burden to the two of them.

Furthermore, after Sakayanagi Arisu's simulation ended, in order to explain the treatment plan for heart disease, Kitagawa Ryo directly confessed that their memories were real events, and that he had participated in the development of another world line.

The benefit of doing this is that it allows everyone, including Kitagawa Ryo, to clearly understand their own feelings. However, conversely, it can also allow negative feelings to take root further.

If Ichinose Honami could previously find solace in those Matoba that were merely dreams, now she must confront the fact that she had personally stabbed Kitagawa Ryo to death.

Admittedly, Ichinose Honami also has beautiful memories, but regret is a feeling that lingers longer than love and hate. Therefore, for her, that emotional shock was the most unforgettable moment, even surpassing the happy ending.

From this perspective, Ichinose Honami hasn't completely escaped the shadows of her past, and indeed, aside from not stealing the hair clip, her life trajectory hasn't changed much so far.

Whether it's Karuizawa Kei, Sakayanagi Arisu, or Horikita Suzune, their life trajectories actually deviated significantly from their original paths after Kitagawa Ryo's intervention.

But this isn't just a problem for Ichinose Honami, because she's still bound by her family of origin. She can't choose a new path in life like Karuizawa Kei, nor can she break free from her family of origin and be alone like Horikita Suzune.

Therefore, after this Uninhabited Island Special Exam is over.

I need to go out again.

Kitagawa Ryo made his decision with his eyes half-closed.

Ichinose Honami's problems stem partly from herself and partly from her family.

Just as Kitagawa Ryo was pondering his future plans, he saw Shiina Hiyori emerge from the tent in her pajamas, sleepily heading towards the makeshift toilet in the corner of the camp.

After a series of rustling sounds, Shiina Hiyori rubbed her eyes and prepared to go back to sleep, only to suddenly see Kitagawa Ryo sitting on the bench next to her.

"... Hmm, Ryo, are you still awake?"

Rubbing her eyes again, Shiina Hiyori staggered up to Kitagawa Ryo and asked somewhat dazedly.

Having just gotten out of her sleeping bag, she felt warm all over and sat down next to Kitagawa Ryo, feeling a significant temperature difference.

"You'll catch a cold if you stay any longer."

Kitagawa Ryo did not answer Shiina Hiyori's question immediately. Instead, he gestured for Shiina Hiyori, to hurry back to the tent. The temperature on the Uninhabited Island was very low at night, and it had just rained.

"Didn't Liang go back to sleep?"

Perhaps because she wasn't fully awake, Shiina Hiyori spoke in a daze, leaning against Kitagawa Ryo like a little animal, nuzzling against him. Kitagawa Ryo could even smell her scent, the same as the scent in the tent—a mixture of mosquito repellent and the unique fragrance of a young girl.

To be honest, he himself felt that his encounter with Shiina Hiyori was quite fateful, since she wasn't one of the protagonists in the four simulation chapters, but she happened to be the first person to find him in reality.

Unlike Karuizawa Kei Shiina Hiyori was the first to notice him at the theater a few years ago.

Just as she was present in both of Karuizawa Kei's simulations, the real-life Shiina Hiyori was also connected to him and Karuizawa Kei.

Change and constancy are both positive and negative terms.

For Kitagawa Ryo, Shiina Hiyori's unchanging nature was the best compliment he could receive.

He felt happy for the changes in others, and at peace with the fact that Shiina Hiyori remained unchanged.

So Kitagawa Ryo turned to the side Shiina Hiyori into his arms, whispering in her ear:

"If you want to confess your feelings, all you need to do is simply say it."

"Just like now."

"I like Hiyori."

"Furthermore, 'The Tempest' is completely unsuitable for Hiyori."

Shiina Hiyori froze on the spot. Kitagawa Ryo's actions and words were completely unexpected, and she even lost control of her body for a moment, unable to speak or move.

If Kitagawa Ryo's culinary philosophy is "food has no fixed flavor, what suits one's taste is precious," then his view on love is actually even simpler, consisting of only two words.

Demystify.

He had already used this word on Sakayanagi Arisu back when Horikita Suzune was imitating her.

Let's strip away all our pretenses and approach each other as equals, giving our feelings on an equal footing.

Kitagawa Ryo understands Shiina Hiyori's personality well. A girl like her would definitely have a passionate and impulsive first love, but this also puts her in a lower position.

Like Miranda, the heroine in "The Tempest," her sincere Confessions, besides the part copied by Shiina Hiyori, also included two additional lines.

[If you're willing to marry me, then I'll be your wife.]

Otherwise, I will remain your handmaid until death; you may refuse me as your companion; but whether you like it or not, I will be your servant.

Back when Kitagawa Ryo was still active on the theatrical stage with Karuizawa Kei clearly expressed her indifference to "The Tempest." Her favorite play from beginning to end has always been "Macbeth." Compared to a girl who actively puts herself in a lower position, Karuizawa Kei yearns for an equal, almost "accomplice" status.

Therefore, Kitagawa Ryo does not want Shiina Hiyori, or any girl around him, to develop this tendency.

This is also why he decided to completely resolve the issue of Ichinose Honami has shown this tendency since the start of the Uninhabited Island Exam.

Kitagawa Ryo wasn't keen on removing the girls' romantic flags, but rather on nipping the dangerous seeds in the bud, just like Sakayanagi Arisu did when she first gained her simulated memories.

Say it again.

Kitagawa Ryo heard the girl in his arms speak in a soft voice.

"I can say it as many times as I want."

After all, it's not like the long lines in a play that are hard to memorize, nor does it need to be put into a message in a bottle.

"I like Hiyori."

A sentence that can be said in a second.

On the dark, Uninhabited Island, there were no drones streaking across the sky, etching a vow of eternal love that would last only a fleeting moment in the night.

"I like Hiyori."

Kitagawa Ryo repeated it again, biting Shiina Hiyori's ear.

"I also like it cool."

Shiina Hiyori responded softly, her face and her whole body burning hot, oblivious to the chill of the night.

The ceremony, the ring, the lines—none of it was used.

It's not needed.

The two kissed each other on the lips.

They then exchanged kisses.

This is the third night of the Uninhabited Island Special Exam, after the Tempest has subsided.

As dawn broke, on the morning of the fourth day of the Uninhabited Island Special Exam, a golden-red sun slowly rose from the sea, and the entire sea surface seemed to be ablaze.

As Ryuen Kakeru had said, his injuries were not serious. At his insistence, the school allowed him to continue the Uninhabited Island Special Exam. Perhaps fearing that the school might change its mind at the last minute, Ryuen Kakeru left the camp alone with his bag just as dawn broke.

Although Ryuen Kakeru's incident has been resolved, this hastily erected medical camp has been preserved, seemingly to prepare for similar emergencies in the future. Various medical supplies can be seen being sent here.

"Okay, let's go, I'll take you to the helipad."

Kitagawa Ryo had just finished washing up and had a free breakfast from the school staff when the teacher who had given him the inquiry yesterday also greeted him warmly.

Because Kitagawa Ryo's current camp is located in a forest area, and there was a heavy rain yesterday, regular transportation was not possible, so the school specially dispatched a helicopter to send Kitagawa Ryo back to his camp.

After saying goodbye to Shiina Hiyori and Ibuki Mio, who were still having breakfast, Kitagawa Ryo followed the teacher to a nearby helipad without stopping. In order to facilitate on-site helicopter rescue, the school had prepared a temporary helipad in each grid before the start of this exam, but it could not be deployed last night due to the heavy rain.

Since he hadn't brought anything with him, Kitagawa Ryo boarded the helicopter with ease. The bag of dirty clothes was riddled with holes from the broken message in a bottle and was no longer wearable, so Kitagawa Ryo simply handed it over to the school staff as trash. After all, he had already gotten an extra set of gymnastics clothes from the school, so exchanging old clothes for new ones was still a good deal.

While the pilot was maneuvering the helicopter to take off, Kitagawa Ryo also took a moment to glance at his watch. The points reward promised by the school yesterday had been added to the group's total account, and the group's ranking had thus risen a bit.