So-called Upbringing

The sky was clear and vast, without a single cloud in sight. Feeling the gentle sea breeze against his ears, one couldn't help but feel incredibly relaxed.

The two-week cruise had officially set sail, and Sagara and his group were now out on the Pacific Ocean.

"The school really spent a fortune on this." Even though he had known beforehand that this was a luxury cruise, he couldn't help but marvel at the school's extravagance once he stepped aboard.

The ship was equipped with every facility imaginable: bars, game arcades, swimming pools, theaters, and much more.

"The school has already released the scheduled itinerary." Sagara looked at the document provided by the school on his phone. "The first week is for enjoying the summer at a guesthouse on an uninhabited island."

"A guesthouse on an uninhabited island? It looks like this is going to be the location for our exam." Kaneda analyzed it rationally. "It seems like it might be something like wilderness survival?"

After all, the school had required everyone to bring sportswear, which was a significant hint.

Kaneda's expression turned somewhat grim; as a bookish student, he had very little 'confidence' in his athletic ability.

"The first exam should be on that uninhabited island." Sagara nodded, agreeing with this analysis.

"The first one?" Kaneda asked, feeling a bit puzzled.

"We'll arrive at the uninhabited island by noon, so here's the question: based on common sense, if it only takes half a day to return to school after the exam ends, why give us a full week on the cruise ship?" Sagara pointed to the second leg of the journey.

The second week would be spent staying on the ship.

"If it were just a reward, I don't think the school would be this generous." After all, chartering such a cruise ship for a day cost a massive amount of money; even for the wealthy, there had to be limits.

"In other words, there are two exams in total, and the second one will take place on the ship." Kaneda realized.

"Let's go find Ryuen. He should have finished putting away the luggage by now. Let's take this opportunity to scout the area with him." Sagara said to Kaneda. The reason Ryuen wasn't on the deck was that he had gone to drop off their luggage—the luggage for all three of them.

"Alright." Kaneda nodded. Since they already knew this was the site of the second exam, they naturally needed to take a good look around.

Because they had just boarded, most students were excited to drop off their bags and go experience the various facilities, so the deck wasn't very crowded.

Sagara found a lounge chair, lay down, and squinted his eyes to sunbathe.

"Hahahaha, I am truly magnificent." Sagara was starting to feel sleepy after sunning for a while when he heard a hearty, loud laugh. A moment later, a figure jumped into the pool, splashing a massive amount of water.

Sagara glanced at the person: Koenji Rokusuke, a student from Class 1-D. The reason he remembered this person was that he was quite famous among the upperclassmen.

As the only son of the Koenji Conglomerate, this identity alone was enough for the senior girls about to enter society to pour their efforts into him.

"Heh, we go off to do the work, and you're here enjoying yourself." A familiar complaining voice rang out. Sagara knew immediately that it was Ryuen.

After all, he was the only one in Class C who would complain about such things.

Ryuen's appearance acted like a catalyst; the deck gradually became lively as students from various classes arrived one after another.

Soon, near the railing at the side of the ship, Sagara spotted a familiar figure.

Sagara stood up and walked over. "Ayanokoji-kun, long time no see."

"Hello, you are..." Ayanokoji still wore his usual expressionless face, but it was clear he recognized Sagara, even if he didn't know his name.

"Where did that handsome guy come from? Ayanokoji, do you know him?" the boy next to him muttered in a low voice.

"Sagara Zoya. Didn't Horikita-san mention me to you before?" Sagara was a bit surprised. Horikita Suzune had already learned his name in the library, yet she hadn't told her companion... Did she think such information wasn't worth sharing?

"No." Ayanokoji shook his head.

"Do you know where Horikita is?" Sagara asked. After all, since he had been asked by a senior, he had to do something.

"I don't know. Maybe in her room," Ayanokoji replied uncertainly.

"That's a bit troublesome." Sagara pondered for a moment, then looked at the boy next to Ayanokoji. "In that case, please ask Ayanokoji-kun to tell her for me: 'Someone says this cruise trip isn't as simple as it seems.'"

Ayanokoji nodded without asking who had sent the message.

"What are you guys talking about? What's not simple about this trip?"

"Which class is that guy from? Is he trying to chase after that Horikita girl?"

The two boys questioned Ayanokoji, but Sagara didn't hear how Ayanokoji answered.

Having simply completed the task entrusted to him by the senior, there wasn't much more he could do; after all, he couldn't exactly break into the girls' dormitory like a pervert. Returning to the deck, he found that the spot where he had been lying was already occupied by Ryuen, who was drinking juice and looking quite content, with Ishizaki and Yamada standing on either side.

Seeing Sagara approach, Ryuen made no move to give up his seat.

"Attention, students. If you have time, please gather on the deck. We are about to see the island, and I expect you will see a meaningful sight in a short while."

The ship's broadcast suddenly interrupted with this message.

Ryuen, who had been lying on the lounge chair, finally stood up.

"A meaningful sight, huh." Ryuen narrowed his eyes; it was clear this was some kind of hint from the school.

"Let's go and see what kind of 'meaningful sight' it is."

Sagara spoke, and Ryuen nodded, leading Ishizaki and Yamada as they followed.

As the broadcast echoed, many students crowded toward the best vantage points. However, because they were already close and had Yamada clearing the way, Sagara and his group managed to secure the best position first.

"Hey, you annoying guys, get out of the way." Some noise came from behind, but Sagara didn't pay much attention, focusing instead on observing the island.

From here, he could see many parts of the island, such as a very conspicuous cave and a forest that grew in a rather 'orderly' fashion.

The island had clearly been specially prepared; there were many spots ready to serve as base camps, and Sagara took note of each one.

The commotion behind them didn't last long, and soon, a bald student squeezed his way through.

"You guys, get out of the way!" a male student shouted at Ishizaki and the others. Because Ishizaki and Yamada were both quite large, standing behind Sawahara and the others like a city wall, they blocked anyone trying to squeeze through.

"Katsuragi, is this the upbringing of Class A? It's truly laughable." Seeing his underling being scolded, Ryuen looked toward Katsuragi.

"Stop, Totsuka." Katsuragi's face showed a hint of embarrassment.

"Um, Ishizaki-kun, could you move aside and give us a spot?" Ichinose Honami's voice came from behind.

Ishizaki looked at Sawahara, and seeing him nod, he stepped to the side, allowing Ichinose and Kanzaki to pass through smoothly.

"Heh." Ryuen looked at Katsuhira, the mockery on his face growing even more intense.