Win-Win! Everyone Can Win!

"Haven't there always been this saying?"

"At a speed of 60 km/h, if you stick your hand out of the window, you can feel the sensation of a D-cup bra through the wind."

Seemingly believing he had gained a superior understanding of Kitagawa Ryo, Ryuen Kakeru glanced at Kitagawa Ryo with considerable pride, completely unaware that the girls, led by Ibuki Mio, were casting complicated glances at him.

Kitagawa Ryo returned the look with a pitiful glare, while casually asking Shiina Hiyori beside him:

"What would you like to do, Hiyori? Jet Ski or parasailing? I only have enough points to redeem for those two activities."

Because of Ryuen Kakeru's words, Shiina Hiyori, who had inexplicably started observing her own figure, tilted her head in confusion when Kitagawa Ryo spoke. She was usually a quiet person, but it seemed that Kitagawa Ryo was up to something, so she simply asked him in return:

"Is there anything you'd like to do, Liang?"

"Hmm... let's go parasailing. Ishizaki's making it sound so exciting, I'm getting a little interested too."

Kitagawa Ryo stroked his chin and considered for a moment.

"Then I want to try parasailing too."

"Well, while it's true that parasailing can be done by two people, Hiyori doesn't need to force herself."

Kitagawa Ryo received an unexpected answer. He hadn't expected that the literary girl, Shiina Hiyori, would be willing to take on such a water activity. However, he couldn't refuse, since he had asked her what she wanted to do first. He could only nod and agree, and at worst, he could ask the staff to lower the speed and altitude.

"Let's sit together. I'm worried about you sitting alone."

With a leap from the chair, Kitagawa Ryo led Shiina Hiyori to the beach. Just then, Ishizaki Daichi had finished his walk and was excitedly discussing the fun of parasailing with the other boys. However, this kid had sharp eyes; as soon as he saw Kitagawa Ryo leading Shiina Hiyori this way, he quickly stopped the boys who were about to board the boat.

The boys in Class C were also sensible; after all, if it weren't for Kitagawa Ryo, Class C would still be out in the jungle under the scorching sun catching insects to eat with the other three classes. So they happily scattered to ride Jet Ski, leaving the parasailing activity to Kitagawa Ryo and Shiina Hiyori.

"Two people?"

Having finally endured Ishizaki Daichi's loud voice, the staff looked on with a headache at the man and woman who arrived together. The man was handsome and the woman was beautiful, a perfect match. These days, even work hours are filled with displays of affection. The ordinary employee from Tokyo Advanced Education felt exhausted.

"Yes, tandem parasailing."

Kitagawa Ryo asked curiously as he examined the parasailing equipment.

"Put your things on first, and I'll help you tie the tow ropes."

To be honest, this was definitely Kitagawa Ryo's first time parasailing, and it seemed like Shiina Hiyori was also a first-timer. The two of them were flustered for a long time before finally getting all the equipment set on with the help of the staff.

"Is it tied tightly?"

Kitagawa Ryo tried his best to lift his head to speak. He'd been watching the boys in his class play solo, which was fine, but when he tried it in pairs, he realized this activity was practically made for couples. Shiina Hiyori was now tightly strapped to Kitagawa Ryo's chest. Although they weren't in skin-to-skin contact because they were both wearing landing suits, having a girl hanging like a koala in front of him...

"Um."

Shiina Hiyori seemed a little nervous. She nodded, and her silver-white hair brushed against Kitagawa Ryo's nose. Sitting in front, she didn't seem to notice how intimate their posture was. She just held the rope tightly with both hands and looked up at Kitagawa Ryo as she answered.

"Let's begin."

The staff checked it again before confidently stepping on the gas. As the yacht sped off, the two people with parachutes were propelled into the sky by the air resistance and wind pressure. This instantaneous change in altitude was almost indistinguishable from a roller coaster. After a moment of weightlessness, the two were already dozens of meters in the air.

"Ooh ooh ooh ooh!"

Before he could even feel the D-cup breasts, Kitagawa Ryo's vision was obscured by Shiina Hiyori's wildly flowing hair. He could only reach out and push Shiina Hiyori's hair down, then whisper in her ear:

"How about it?"

Kitagawa Ryo was still a little worried that Shiina Hiyori wouldn't be able to handle this kind of activity, but to his surprise, Shiina Hiyori showed no fear at all, and instead turned her head and responded in kind:

"..."

Well, because the noise around him was too loud, Kitagawa Ryo really couldn't hear anything.

"Shout out!"

Just like how riders on a roller coaster scream wildly, being surrounded by an endless sky, with the blue sea at your feet and the howling wind in your ears can indeed amplify the pent-up emotions within you, which are then conveyed through sound.

"I'm so happy!"

Shiina Hiyori snuggled closer to Kitagawa Ryo. If Kitagawa Ryo's hands could wrap around her waist, it would be the perfect hug. However, one of Kitagawa Ryo's hands was just pressing down on her hair, while the other was still tightly gripping the parachute cord beside him.

"As long as you're happy!"

Kitagawa Ryo gave her a reassuring smile. Above the boy's head, the midday sun shone brightly at the edge of the sky.

Because they were so close, Shiina Hiyori could even hear Kitagawa Ryo's strong heartbeat. She was captivated by this inexplicable sense of security and took a gentle sniff, seemingly able to smell a faint lavender scent emanating from the boy, which made her somewhat infatuated.

"Listen up! Close your eyes and cover your ears!"

Parasailing involves one or two brief dips in the water, where the parachute plunges into the sea before taking off again. Kitagawa Ryo noticed that the altitude was decreasing rapidly, so he estimated the time and reached out to gently wrap his arms around the girl's waist.

"Gurgle."

Sure enough, the next moment, the two of them plunged into the azure sea. The seawater surrounded them for a moment and then receded in an instant. Kitagawa Ryo shook the water off his head and shouted loudly. He was really having a blast. He stretched out his hands again to feel the wind pressure.

The water droplets clinging to Shiina Hiyori's hair shimmered like multicolored jewels in the sunlight. Perhaps startled by her earlier plunge into the water, Shiina Hiyori's eyes were still closed, and her long eyelashes were also covered with tiny specks of water mist.

"Hiyori? You can open your eyes now."

Kitagawa Ryo waved his hand in front of her eyes, Shiina Hiyori cautiously opened her eyes. Her clear purple pupils, with a natural and slightly confused look, instantly captured Kitagawa Ryo's gaze, leaving him almost stunned.

"Time is almost up..."

Just as the two were about to be put down, Shiina Hiyori suddenly leaned forward and nudged Kitagawa Ryo's head.

Kitagawa Ryo felt a slight warmth on the underside of his neck for half a second; it was a very light and faint kiss, so light that it was almost imperceptible.

"Trade?"

Katsuragi Kohei frowned as he looked at Kitagawa Ryo, who looked relaxed and was even wearing a swimsuit. Their Class A had just found an artificial cave as a base, but they didn't expect that the Leader of Class C would come knocking on their door the next second, making him even suspect that he was being followed.

I only glanced at the island while parasailing.

"Yes, our Class C has decided to withdraw from this exam."

Kitagawa Ryo shook the beverage bottle in his hand. Due to the temperature difference, the outside of the glass bottle was covered with a layer of water droplets. The students from Class A next to him couldn't help but swallow. After all, Class A planned to find a source of drinking water themselves in order to save points, but boiled river water was not as appealing as a ready-made iced drink.

"We've exchanged all 300 Special Exam Points for various supplies—food, drinks, and other necessities. Excluding entertainment facilities that are useless to you, the rest is enough for you to use up until the exam is over, even if you eat and drink sparingly."

"You want to sell it to our Class A?"

Katsuragi Kohei's eyes lit up as well. If they could obtain this batch of supplies from Class C, Class A could save a significant amount of Special Exam Points, allowing them to quickly widen the gap with other classes after the exam. However, he quickly realized that such a windfall wouldn't come easily and cautiously said:

What are your conditions?

"Class A pays Class C one million Private Points every month."

Kitagawa Ryo spoke without hesitation, indicating that he had already thought of his terms.

One million per month, or 25,000 per person, can be converted into 250 Class Points.

Katsuragi Kohei's mind raced, but he preemptively tried to lower the price:

"No, your Class C's supplies are definitely not worth 250 Special Exam Points. Jet Ski and parasailing are completely useless to Class A."

"A maximum of 600,000 Private Points per month."

Kitagawa Ryo remained unperturbed by Katsuragi Kohei's attempts to lower the price, and simply replied confidently:

"Our supplies are indeed not worth 250 Special Exam Points, but what if our class could also provide you with the Leader of Classes B and D?"

Even the usually composed Katsuragi Kohei couldn't help but show a look of shock. This was only the first day on the island, and Kitagawa Ryo dared to promise him such conditions. Was the other party really that confident in finding the Leader of the other two squads in the next six days?

However, if what the other party said is true, then Class A can not only successfully defeat both Classes B and D, but also gain an extra 100 Special Exam Points.

"How can you be so sure? What if you give them a fake Leader and cause Class A to lose points?"

"We can stipulate in the contract that if the Leader of Classes B and D provided by Class C are fake, Class A will not only be exempt from paying the monthly one million, but Class C will also be willing to compensate Class A with one million Private Points every month."

Katsuragi Kohei was startled by these words, but quickly recovered and sneered:

"It seems that Class C didn't withdraw from the exam as you said. You probably planned to give up those 300 points and then guess the leaders of Classes B and D at the end of the exam to get the remaining 100 points."

"Yes, but what does that have to do with Class A?"

Kitagawa Ryo, already prepared, pulled out a pre-drafted contract from his pocket and smiled:

"From any perspective, Class A is not at a loss in this trade, right?"

Katsuragi Kohei took the contract. Every condition on it was exactly what Kitagawa Ryo had just said, without any wordplay or alterations. Even the supplies to be transferred were listed in detail line by line.

"A set meal of nutritious food and water for each class (ten items per meal)"

"Temporary toilet (20 points)"

Katsuragi Kohei then had someone bring over the exchange booklet, and checked the points corresponding to each item one by one until he was relieved.

Although he didn't know what methods Class C would use to find out the other two and a half Leader, that was their business. If Class C couldn't provide the correct list after the exam, Class A could actually benefit. Add to that the Special Exam Points they could retain after acquiring these supplies, and even with a monthly expenditure of one million Private Points, Class A seemed to be guaranteed a profit.

What exactly are your plans, Class C?

However, Katsuragi Kohei still hesitated a little.

"We just don't want to survive on this deserted island with you guys. With 100 Special Exam Points and one million Private Points per month, our class is guaranteed to make a profit."

"Win-win, it's a win-win situation."

Kitagawa Ryo Katsuragi Kohei, seemingly genuinely intending to cooperate.

After reviewing the contract one last time and confirming that Class C hadn't tampered with it, Katsuragi Kohei finally couldn't resist the temptation.

After all, in the current situation of a standoff between the two sides in Class A, whoever can achieve results first will win people's hearts first. This Special Exam, which Sakayanagi Arisu cannot participate in due to health reasons, is the best opportunity for Katsuragi Kohei.

Even the other Class A students behind him started urging him to agree, since for Class A, Private Points weren't that important; the most crucial thing was to widen the gap in Class Points with other classes and maintain Class A's status.

"Then, it's a pleasure to cooperate with you."

Katsuragi Kohei finally extended his hand.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: A Win-Win! Both Can Win!

"... No way, how is that possible?"

Horikita Suzune stared at the bustling scene on the beach, speechless, repeatedly saying "impossible" as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Temporary toilets, showers, parasols, large tents, motorbikes and parasails speeding across the sea, accompanied by the screams and laughter of teenagers—if Horikita Suzune hadn't been certain she was still taking Special Exam at school, she might have thought she'd arrived at a resort beach.

"Just what you can see with the naked eye must have cost over a hundred points."

Standing next to her, Karuizawa Kei was also a little surprised, but a little sour feeling suddenly welled up in her heart. She had spent the whole morning negotiating with the boys and girls in her class, comforting one side and coaxing the other, and was exhausted just to save a few Special Exam Points. But when she looked at Kitagawa Ryo, he was leisurely lying there enjoying the cool air and drinking cold drinks.

"Have Class C given up on the exam?"

Hirata Yosuke, who followed, was also a bit dumbfounded. Following this one-person-one-sentence speaking pattern, it seemed that it should be Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's turn, the last member of the Class D quartet. However, he did not speak, but carefully examined and calculated the specific points expenditure.

After choosing a base and setting up their tents, the students of Class D split up to search for food, water, and other bases. Horikita Suzune's idea was to first gather information on other classes, but because she was ostracized, only Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was willing to go with her. Hirata Yosuke, fearing that the two would be too awkward, took the initiative to join them. Karuizawa Kei, on the other hand, simply wanted to see Kitagawa Ryo under the pretext of gathering information, so she also joined the team.

"Oh, it's Class D. Long time no see."

The students in Class C didn't try to stop the four from Class D, letting them walk easily to Kitagawa Ryo. Kitagawa Ryo, who had been taking a nap, seemed to sense their arrival and opened his eyes, greeting them leisurely.

"Bei, Chuan, Liang, don't you know this is an exam?"

If you had to pick one person from Class D who was most determined to defeat Kitagawa Ryo, it would definitely be Horikita Suzune. As soon as the rules of the Special Exam were revealed, she had the idea of competing with Kitagawa Ryo's Class C. However, she didn't expect that Class C didn't seem to be taking it seriously on the very first day of the exam.

It was like a well-prepared punch landing lightly on cotton; Horikita Suzune immediately felt a sense of disappointment and frustration.

"The theme of this exam is 'endurance.' Does that mean Class C can't even endure the slightest hardship?"

The other three students in Class D probably didn't expect Horikita Suzune to have such strong emotions. Shouldn't it be something to be happy about when your rival is giving up? Why does Horikita Suzune sound indignant on behalf of her opponent?

"Is Suzune feeling unwell? She's been shaking."

But Kitagawa Ryo didn't reply at all. Instead, he straightened up from the recliner and asked with concern.

Caught off guard by Kitagawa Ryo's words, Horikita Suzune, who did indeed have a slight cold and fever, was stunned for a moment before Karuizawa Kei's right hand was already on her forehead:

"It does seem a bit feverish."

Hirata Yosuke nearby, also cast a worried glance at him.

"If Horikita is really feeling unwell, he can tell us."

"Fine..."

Horikita Suzune Karuizawa Kei's hand away and answered somewhat stubbornly:

"I know my own physical condition."

"If you withdraw from the exam due to health reasons, you will lose 30 points in the special exam."