Even Just for One Semester / It's Fine to Throw Yourself Into His Arms in Front of Everyone

Like leaping forward while cutting through the water in a real ocean, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka sprinted at full speed like the wind, passing the first bend, the straight, and then the final bend, even accelerating because Kitagawa Ryo beside him was not falling behind at all, and was still maintaining a lead of one or two body lengths.

This advantage was defended until the very last second.

Amidst the dejected sighs of the students in Class D, Class B still emerged victorious in this training match.

"You're really into it."

After crossing the finish line, Kitagawa Ryo unconsciously slowed down and strolled forward a bit before turning around and teasing Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. He seemed to see a hint of satisfaction in Kiyotaka's smile.

"Hmm, what a pity."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka also felt a bit regretful about this. After all, there was nothing he could do. In the six months he had been at Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School, the daily physical training and even the diet management he received were definitely not as good as what he had done in the White Room. Although he was still developing as he got older, his physical fitness always seemed to have declined a little.

"When it comes to the actual competition on the track, I might be even faster."

Sensing Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's thoughts, Kitagawa Ryo added another sentence.

He also noticed some changes in Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, just as his understanding of Ichinose Honami had been completely rewritten. He gradually began to discard all the stereotypes from the simulation and began to observe with great interest the deeper aspects of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka himself, the Masterpiece and only successful case of the White Room.

"That's all for today. Thank you all for your hard work. I'll let Katsuragi know the time for the next joint training session in advance."

After exchanging a few seemingly random words with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Kitagawa Ryo clapped his hands twice, ending today's practice session and dismissing the students from both classes. Seeing Ayanokoji Kiyotaka suddenly surrounded by the other Class D students, he couldn't help but chuckle as he turned and returned to his own class.

"Speaking of which, why are we doing joint training with the students from Class D?"

He had just returned when Ken Sudō, wiping sweat from his brow with a towel, curiously approached him. Like Class D, the students in Class B had only learned of the news today. They had come together out of trust in Kitagawa Ryo, but they were still somewhat confused.

"If we're going to do joint training, I feel like it would be more suitable with Class C? After all, they're all allies in the White Team."

"It's unrealistic to go with Class C. Including Ryuen, there aren't many people who are seriously putting their minds to it anymore. Playing with them is like playing chess with lousy players—you'll only get worse."

Kitagawa Ryo simply shook his head upon hearing this, then pondered for a moment:

"Don't go easy on yourselves during training with Class D. This is a rare opportunity, so ask questions and learn as you see fit. Don't worry about leaking information or anything like that."

Just as he was briefly explaining some things to a few Class B students who hadn't left yet, he keenly caught a glimpse of the girls' movements out of the corner of his eye.

Ichinose Honami seemed to be the first to chase after the departing Class D. Sakayanagi Arisu down as if she was texting someone. Sakura Airi held her phone and paced back and forth at the gate for a while with a nervous and conflicted expression before finally going out. Amasawa Ichika followed silently after them.

Where's the Suzune?

Unable to find Horikita Suzune immediately, Kitagawa Ryo turned around again and finally spotted her not far away from the crowd.

Horikita Suzune stood there, her hands hanging naturally at her sides, quietly watching him. When Kitagawa Ryo turned his gaze, she unconsciously adjusted the backpack she was carrying, tilted her head slightly as if to confirm that he had finished all his business, and finally blinked, giving him a bright smile.

"Let's go back together, it's chilly."

Chapter 283: Even just one semester would be fine

This wasn't the first time Kitagawa Ryo had leisurely pushed a shopping cart with Horikita Suzune to buy groceries in the department store on the first floor of Keyaki Mall. But perhaps because the seasonal vegetables on the shelves were constantly being refreshed, each visit brought him a subtle sense of novelty. This feeling accumulated over time, forming page by page a book called daily life.

Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School does sell fresh ingredients to students, but most students still choose the more convenient cafeteria. When they do come here, they usually just buy a lot of snacks or instant noodles.

Students like them, who buy groceries every two days and cook for themselves, are definitely not common. Over time, even the cashier here has taken notice of Kitagawa Ryo and Horikita Suzune, and occasionally recommends the day's new arrivals to them.

Watching Horikita Suzune stroll along, stopping occasionally to carefully select fresh vegetables, her every move revealing a sense of familiarity, Horikita Suzune Kitagawa Ryo couldn't help but recall the question he had once asked Suzune about why girls like shopping.

Suzune's answer to him at the time was a sense of authenticity. Kitagawa Ryo didn't quite understand this answer then, and he only remembered replying with, "This answer is very characteristic of Suzune." But as time went by, he gradually came to appreciate the sense of authenticity that Suzune was talking about.

"The spinach tastes pretty good today."

"After blanching, it can be mixed with sesame seeds and served as an appetizer."

"This radish looks quite good. Can you make oden?"

"It's worth a try. After all, it's not particularly difficult to make, and it should be quite suitable to eat when the weather gets a bit colder."

Kitagawa Ryo spoke casually to Horikita Suzune, and then lazily added a comment at the end:

"Sukiyaki sounds good, doesn't it? It's a pity there's no kotatsu in the room. This year will probably be the first winter in my life without a kotatsu. But Hotaru will probably suffer even more than me. I'll put up more thick clothes for her little nest."

They made no attempt to discuss the Sports Festival or the Student Council, continuing with everyday topics. After rounding a bend, Kitagawa Ryo suddenly spotted another figure also shopping for ingredients: Kushida Kikyo from Class 1-D.

Since there were only the three of them in the entire area, and they had trained together in the Gymnasium just half an hour ago, Kitagawa Ryo couldn't pretend he hadn't seen them. After exchanging a glance with Horikita Suzune, he decided to raise his hand and greet her.

"It's nice to see you again, Kushida."

"Good afternoon, Kushida."

Although the social Kushida Kikyo greeted the girls of Class B with a big smile this afternoon, insisting that everyone call her Kushida Kikyo, as if anyone who didn't would be disrespecting her and hurting her feelings, Horikita Suzune, having known her since middle school, felt that since they were all old foxes, there was no need for any frivolous banter. Therefore, she still used the lukewarm Kushida -san to address her.

"Oh, it's Minister Kitagawa and Suzune. Good afternoon--"

Upon hearing their greetings, Kushida Kikyo looked up and smiled in response. Her way of addressing Horikita Suzune and Kitagawa Ryo, subtly implying a desire to rekindle old friendships.

After all, Kitagawa Ryo was the head of the Drama Club in junior high school, while Kushida Kikyo was the vice-head and manager. It was then that they used this opportunity to start the long-dormant chapter simulation of Horikita Suzune.

In reality, it was only two years ago, but both Kitagawa Ryo and Horikita Suzune had a sense of disorientation as if a long time had passed, and their wandering gazes made Kushida Kikyo frown a little.

As a researcher who has devoted herself to the topic of "how to play the role of a lovable Tian", Kushida Kikyo has always tried to develop in the direction of being an all-rounder, highlighting that you may not be good at one thing, but you must be good at everything. Cooking is naturally one of them. After all, she can come up with a series of interpersonal strategies just around the point of making handmade bento boxes.

Even today's 'chance encounter' with Kitagawa Ryo and Horikita Suzune was part of Kushida Kikyo's plan. After all, the two of them are regulars in this area. If she planned the time and waited a few more times, she would eventually be able to catch them. She just didn't expect to run into them on the very first day.

To be honest, if the relationship between Class 1-B and Class D hadn't improved somewhat today, and if Class D hadn't already emerged from the near-medieval witch hunt atmosphere of the summer after the Uninhabited Island Special Exam, she really wouldn't have had the intention or the courage to approach Class 1-B like this.

Although it's also because Kushida Kikyo did have something to hide.

However, on the other hand, Kushida Kikyo didn't think she should bear any responsibility for Uninhabited Island Special Exam Amasawa Ichika. She had only casually revealed some secrets about the students in Class D, and she had even gotten a beating from that violent girl, Ichika Amasawa. She could only grit her teeth and swallow her grievances.

Moreover, through the actions of Class B and Class C, Kushida Kikyo also realized her own status and power.

The few casual remarks she made about male-female relationships—that she liked him, he liked her, and he didn't like her—could cause panic in Class D. If she were to reveal all her secrets without any restraint, Class D would explode on the spot.

With this subtle sense of confidence, Kushida Kikyo became more open-minded and even quite at ease about being a spy for Class B, or rather, for Kitagawa Ryo himself.

Of course, this doesn't mean she'll obediently follow the other party's orders from now on.

Therefore, Kushida Kikyo also needs a key handle, or secret, to check and balance Kitagawa Ryo, just like how she and Hirata Yosuke in her class are now tacitly covering for and monitoring each other.

"I've been seeing the two of you buying groceries together here a lot lately. Are you officially dating now?"

"Yeah, Kushida you? I heard you've been getting really close to Ayanokoji lately, they seem to be getting along quite well?"

Kitagawa Ryo immediately launched into a practiced fabrication and rumor, causing Kushida Kikyo's expression to stiffen, but she still smiled and denied it:

"Although Ayanokoji has been performing exceptionally well lately, I've never really gotten to know him very well. He's a bit of a loner. Speaking of which, Captain Kitagawa, you're probably the student from another class I've met who's closest to him. You certainly delivered a fantastic match today."

"That's true. Ayanokoji and I have always been friends. When your Class D was investigating spies on the cruise ship so intensely a while ago, I was still meeting and chatting with him every day. He even told me back then that he thought you were the spy. After all, the two of us, plus Suzune, are old classmates who have known each other since middle school. Maybe Katsuragi is already sending people to keep an eye on you."

After giving Kushida Kikyo a half-truthful, half-joking explanation, Kitagawa Ryo led Horikita Suzune, who had absolutely no interest in the topic, to the front desk to pay the bill.

Kushida Kikyo's recruitment as a spy was somewhat accidental. In a way, we have to thank Amasawa Ichika for his ruthless actions that night, which completely destroyed her psychological defenses. However, after the Uninhabited Island Special Exam, Kitagawa Ryo had no intention of contacting her again. After all, this girl was the kind of person with extraordinary talent who, even if she wasn't a spy, could easily ignite a major minefield in the class. The fire on the Uninhabited Island was already enough.

Besides, if Kitagawa Ryo really wanted to find a new spy, he might as well go directly to Kamuro Masumi. At least she wasn't as cunning Kushida Kikyo, and he could experience the feeling of Suzune in the classic version of the game again after a long time.

"Hmm? Is there something on my face?"

After being stared at for a moment by Kitagawa Ryo's sudden turn of her head, Horikita Suzune tilted her head in confusion. Only after hearing the reply "It's nothing" did she shake her head and accept the groceries in a shopping bag from the cashier at the counter.

Liang is acting a bit strange today.

"Um, I'm a little embarrassed, but could you have emphasized it a bit more, Suzune? How about we demonstrate the hand chop again? Or maybe you could say something like, 'Does Ryo like to suffer and regret at the same time, or do he regret in despair?'"

"... It seems Liang really does want to wash two sets of dishes tonight."

"Okay, never mind."

"Speaking of which, Liang, do you find the bag heavy?"

"It's not heavy."

Give me a side.

As she spoke, Horikita Suzune reached out and took the left handle of the shopping bag that Kitagawa Ryo was holding in his left hand, and the bag was carried between the two of them, dangling there conspicuously.

"It feels even more ostentatious than holding hands."

"You should get used to the coolness."

"Long time no see, Airi."

Sitting in the karaoke room, Karuizawa Kei raised her hand and greeted her friend, who was walking briskly, in a lighthearted tone as the room door opened.

"Yes, it has been a while since I've spoken to someone like Hui."

Sakura Airi put her schoolbag down and sat down. She had been friends with Karuizawa Kei and Kitagawa Ryo since elementary school. The three of them had a very harmonious time together in the Theater Troupe. To this day, they are the softest part of Sakura Airi's heart, like a treasured gem.

"After all, we were assigned to different classes. Airi and I are already considered lucky, as we're in the same club and see each other quite often."

Karuizawa Kei spoke, she handed a price list to the other party:

"What would Airi?"

"I'll just drink plain water."

"Even though they've graduated from idol training, why are they still so concerned about their figure?"

"Hui, you've been going to the gym quite a bit lately, haven't you?"

At this point, both of them smiled in unison, and the atmosphere in the private room became relaxed.

"Want to warm up your voice? Former popular idol Sakura Airi, who won first place in the 'Karaoke' competition on Uninhabited Island?"

While waiting for the waiter to bring the drinks, Karuizawa Kei handed Sakura Airi a microphone wrapped in protective film and a song request board.

"To be able to attend a private concert by Airi up close is such a great deal!"

"It's not that exaggerated. At least Hui and Liang shouldn't tease me like that."

"That's true -- for fans who only like the idol Shizuku, they probably can't imagine that Airi used to have that kind of personality."

Karuizawa Kei nodded thoughtfully. Just then, the waiter brought over the drinks they had ordered, and as the door to the private room was gently closed again, her tone subtly changed.

"Actually, I miss that time now, but back then I was probably also looking forward to what would happen after entering Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School... In the end, it was because of the class division, Airi can understand what I mean, right?"

"Yeah, I also think it's troublesome that Hui isn't in our class. After all, not every Special Exam can be like the Uninhabited Island where we could cooperate and achieve a win-win situation."

Sakura Airi nodded in agreement. She had actually realized Karuizawa Kei's intentions when she received her text message inviting her over, but she still wanted to try to stop her.

"Once we've accumulated Twenty Million Personal Points, we can transfer Hui to Class B. Then everyone can be like before. Besides, I already have 10 million points, and the remaining 10 million will probably be available by the end of this semester..."

"Airi should know that this is not the outcome I wanted, at least not now."

Before Sakura Airi could finish speaking, Karuizawa Kei interrupted her, stating her thoughts quite seriously:

"I want to stay in my class, even if it's just for a semester."

Karuizawa Kei always thought she was the most open-minded person, after all, she had already accepted the fact that she and another friend, Shiina Hiyori, had fallen in love with the same person on the Uninhabited Island, and had even mentally prepared herself for it.

But then, during his cruise vacation, Kitagawa Ryo confirmed her question, "I was the first, right?"

That answer, and everything that happened that night, acted like a fatal switch, instantly reawakening all the desires that Karuizawa Kei had previously noticed and overlooked, those that were both on the surface and suppressed beneath the surface, a desire that was almost possessive.

Her earlier statement, "Even just for one semester," was essentially a reflection of her second mock exam, which was a success in name only but a failure. She watched helplessly as Shiina Hiyori, who was in the same class as Kitagawa Ryo, spent an entire semester with him and they naturally became lovers.

It's almost like a cycle of Fate. The two of them ended at the Sports Festival at the beginning of the second semester, and now the place she wants to start over is also the Sports Festival that is about to begin in the second semester.

"I don't want Airi to help me."

"But don't help others either."

Chapter 284: It's okay if he falls into my arms in public.

"I've already done a rough count."

It was another early morning. After finishing their usual morning practice with Sakayanagi Arisu Kitagawa Ryo, who was on his way back to the dormitory and planning today's menu, hadn't gone far when he heard Arisu's slightly worried words:

"Because the Class Points for a long period of the first semester, not counting Sakura's ten million Private Points, the entire Class B only seems to have around two or three million Private Points. How many Private Points does Ryo have left?"

"It's around three million, three million one hundred and thirty-eight thousand five hundred and ninety-one points."

Kitagawa Ryo took out his phone and glanced at it, then gave Sakayanagi Arisu the exact amount.

Most of the Private Points he had came from the Uninhabited Island Special Exam, consisting of the second-place reward from the school and two sums of Private Points he obtained from Class D through a contract. The remainder came from the encouragement he received from the school after winning awards in competitions representing the Drama Club outside the school this semester.

To be honest, if Kitagawa Ryo hadn't spent a lot on the cruise, he would have had even more Private Points left. But even so, these three million Private Points would still put him among the top three richest people in his grade. Ahead of him were Sakura Airi had ten million Private Points, and Ryuen Kakeru, who had made a fortune from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and received five million Private Points.

"So I guess the only thing we'll actually use in the end is this one that's currently in our hands."

Seemingly satisfied with the amount Kitagawa Ryo currently holds, Sakayanagi Arisu's tone relaxed somewhat:

"Unless absolutely necessary, actively collecting Private Points from the entire class is always more harmful than beneficial. Even if the process is open, fair, and just, it's more reliable to settle accounts transparently afterward."

As she spoke, Sakayanagi Arisu also turned around:

"Ryo must have noticed it too, right? There's a certain rule in this Sports Festival that's linked to, or rather, conflicts with, that so-called prediction game."