Language Trap

Kazama In leaned against the railing, gazing into the distance. The sea breeze brushed his cheeks, carrying a salty, damp scent, as his mind still processed the information Koenji had revealed and the upcoming uninhabited island survival test. Just then, Sudo Ken's trademark booming voice rang out nearby:

"Hey! Kazama! What are you spacing out for! Let's go eat! I'm starving!"

Kazama In turned to see Sudo, Ike Kanji, and Yamauchi Haruki walking over with their arms slung around each other's shoulders, followed by a calm-faced Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

"Yeah, Kazama! I heard the ship's restaurant is super luxurious! Let's go check it out!" Ike Kanji chimed in.

"Let's go, let's go! See what good stuff there is!" Yamauchi Haruki added.

Kazama In pulled his thoughts back and nodded. "Mm." He needed to scope out the restaurant's environment anyway. The five of them headed together to the lavish main dining hall on the ship's middle deck.

The restaurant's interior was the epitome of luxury. Crystal chandeliers refracted dazzling light, and the mirror-smooth marble floor reflected the exquisite tables, chairs, and impeccably dressed waitstaff. The soft strains of a violin flowed through the air, creating an elegant, tranquil atmosphere. However, that tranquility was soon shattered by the arrival of Class D's "unrestrained" members.

They found an empty table by the window, with exactly four seats. Sudo, Ike, and Yamauchi unceremoniously claimed three spots, while Ayanokoji Kiyotaka silently pulled over an extra chair and sat down. Kazama In stood by the table, his gaze sweeping across the restaurant's layout and the crowd.

Just then, a middle-aged man in a crisp black suit and tie, his hair meticulously combed, with a "Head Waiter" badge on his chest, walked steadily toward their table. His face bore a professional, flawless smile, but his eyes locked precisely onto Kazama In.

Their gazes met in midair. In that instant, Kazama In's jet-black pupils contracted almost imperceptibly! Though the man was masterfully disguised—hair dyed darker, frameless glasses, and a deliberately subdued, gentlemanly demeanor—the deep, well-like calm in his eyes and a nearly invisible, hair-thin old scar on his left earlobe instantly revealed his identity to Kazama In!

"Good afternoon, distinguished guests. Welcome to the Speranza Main Restaurant. I am the head waiter, Kurosawa." The middle-aged man gave a slight bow, his voice warm and polite, but his eyes maintained a silent exchange with Kazama In. He naturally picked up the menus from the table and, while handing one to Sudo, leaned close to Kazama In as if by chance, speaking in an extremely low voice only the two could hear:

"Kid, the necklace is safe. All in a day's work." (Referring to how Kurosawa had used his position to help Kazama In bring a certain important item aboard that couldn't pass security.)

Kazama In gave an almost imperceptible nod, replying in the same low voice: "Thanks, old man."

Kurosawa's professional smile didn't waver as he continued in a breathy whisper, speaking rapidly, his words as piercing as ice: "This 'sightseeing' cruise has some 'uninvited guests' mixed in. 'Cleaners' (hinting at assassins), target unknown. Could be a 'big job' aimed at you, or other 'valuable cargo' (referring to notable family scions) on board. Destination... the 'back garden' (meaning the upcoming uninhabited island) will be the 'worksite.' A cautious ship sails safely."

With the message delivered, Kurosawa straightened up as if completing a standard service gesture, smiled at Sudo and the others, who were looking at him with some confusion, and said, "Please take your time ordering, esteemed guests. Feel free to call if you need anything." With that, he shot Kazama In one last meaningful glance, turned, and walked away, his steps still steady.

Kazama In watched Kurosawa's back disappear through the restaurant entrance, a cold glint flashing in his jet-black eyes. "The number two on the list, 'Owlman' Uncle Kurosawa, personally disguised to warn me... Looks like the situation is more troublesome than I thought. A survival test on the island, and I have to watch out for fangs from the shadows... Interesting."

Kurosawa's departure didn't draw much attention from Sudo and the others. Their focus quickly shifted to the exquisite menus in their hands, followed by grumbles of dissatisfaction.

"Hey, hey, hey! What is all this?" Ike Kanji pointed at the menu items, a mix of fancy French and English names, looking completely lost. "What's 'Pan-Seared Foie Gras with Black Truffle Sauce,' 'Provencal Seafood Stew'... There aren't even any pictures! How am I supposed to know what it is!"

"Yeah! And it's so expensive!" Yamauchi Haruki clicked his tongue at the prices. "A glass of juice costs this many points? What a rip-off!"

"Tch, why make it so complicated! Just bring me a steak! A big one!" Sudo Ken slapped the menu down on the table impatiently, his voice jarringly loud in the quiet restaurant, drawing annoyed looks from nearby tables.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka silently flipped through the menu, calmly assessing the value for money. Kazama In, meanwhile, discreetly observed his surroundings, cross-referencing Kurosawa's warning with the flow of people in the restaurant.

In this slightly awkward atmosphere, a voice dripping with provocation rang out:

"Hmph, just as I thought—a bunch of Class D trash who've never seen the world. Can't even handle basic dining etiquette, and you think you deserve to eat in a place like this?"

At the next table, Yahiko wore an expression of undisguised contempt and superiority; the words had come from him. Katsuragi, though silent, had a stern face that also showed disapproval of Class D's "crude" behavior.

Yahiko's voice wasn't quiet, and the insulting term "Class D trash" instantly drew the attention of the entire restaurant! Many eyes focused on Sudo and the others, carrying curiosity, scrutiny, and... undisguised disdain! Clearly, after the failed poolside peeping incident was reported school-wide, Class D—especially Sudo and his two friends—had a reputation that stank to high heaven.

Sudo Ken was already on edge. Being publicly insulted by Yahiko and stared at with such contempt was like a powder keg igniting! He slammed his hand on the table and stood up, the loud noise silencing the entire restaurant for a moment!

"You bastard! Who are you calling trash?!" Sudo Ken roared, eyes blazing, pointing a finger at Yahiko. "You scum from Class A! Say that again if you dare!"

"What if I do?" Yahiko shot back without flinching, puffing out his chest, his face full of scorn. "Everyone in the whole school knows about the sleazy things your Class D has done! Peeping on girls? That's the lowest of the low! And now you're eating like starving animals, making a racket, with zero class! If that's not trash, what is?"

"You—!" Sudo Ken trembled with rage, on the verge of lunging forward to throw a punch! Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki were also red-faced, a mix of shame and anger.

The restaurant's atmosphere plummeted to freezing! All eyes were fixed on the two groups on the verge of conflict. Disdain, disgust, schadenfreude... all kinds of negative emotions pressed down on Class D like a physical weight. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka silently calculated the consequences of an escalation, while Horikita Suzune and Hirata Yosuke, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, wore grim expressions.

Just as Sudo's fist was about to fly, a calm voice with a strange penetrating power rang out, before Katsuragi could even start to scold Yahiko:

"Sudo, sit down."

Kazama In had somehow left his previous spot, pulled over a chair, and placed it firmly beside the last empty seat at Class D's table (right between Sudo and Yahiko). He didn't sit down but stood by the chair, his calm gaze fixed on the furious Sudo Ken.

That calm look carried an invisible pressure, making Sudo Ken, on the verge of exploding, pause and instinctively look at Kazama In. Kazama In gave a slight shake of his head, his eyes conveying an unyielding command to stop.

Then, Kazama In turned to Katsuragi Kohei and Yahiko, gave a slight nod, and spoke in a calm tone, even with a hint of apology:

"Katsuragi-kun, Yahiko-kun, and everyone from Class A, my apologies. My companion was a bit loud just now, disturbing your dining pleasure and appearing... somewhat improper." He acknowledged the impropriety in Class D's behavior, adopting a low posture.

His apology eased the tension in the restaurant slightly, and some of the disdainful looks softened a bit—at least this calm, polite Class D student had the right attitude.

Katsuragi Kohei looked at Kazama In, his stern face expressionless, and gave a slight nod, accepting the apology. But Yahiko wouldn't let it go, snorting coldly: "An apology is enough? Your Class D's quality..."

Kazama In didn't let Yahiko finish. His tone suddenly shifted, still calm but now carrying a sharp, icy edge:

"However, Yahiko-kun, there's one thing I'm curious about." His jet-black eyes stared straight into Yahiko's like deep pools. "You specifically mentioned 'peeping on girls' and 'the whole school knows' just now?"

Yahiko was taken aback by the question, then grew even more self-righteous: "So what? Isn't it the truth? Your Class D's scandal..."

"It is the truth." Kazama In cut him off bluntly, admitting it. This admission made the just-relaxed atmosphere grow subtly tense again. But Kazama In's next words were as precise as a scalpel:

"Precisely because it's a shameful fact known to the whole school, I'm even more puzzled." Kazama In raised his voice slightly, ensuring everyone in the restaurant paying attention could hear clearly. "Since you, Yahiko-kun, also know that these classmates of ours have had their reputations damaged and are emotionally sensitive and irritable because of this incident... then, in such a public setting, you deliberately used strongly insulting terms ('trash,' 'lowlife') to provoke them in front of everyone, and even intentionally steered the conversation back to their 'scandal'..."

Kazama In paused, a faint, almost mocking smile curling at the corner of his mouth:

"Is this behavior 'accidentally' speaking without thinking? Or... is it 'intentionally' trying to anger them, provoke a conflict, so that Class D can embarrass itself again in front of everyone, deepening the negative impression of our entire class?" His gaze swept over the eavesdropping guests in the restaurant before landing back on Yahiko, whose expression had shifted slightly, his voice clear and cold:

"If it's the latter, then Yahiko-kun, your intentions... are far more 'ulterior' than my companion's earlier noise, aren't they? Is this how Class A... 'maintains' its sense of superiority?"

As Kazama In's words fell, the entire restaurant fell into a brief, dead silence!

His logic was clear and struck at the heart of the matter! In an instant, he flipped Class D's position from "low-class and unreasonable troublemakers" to "victims deliberately provoked and maliciously targeted by Class A"! Especially the phrase "ulterior motives," which hit Yahiko and Class A like a heavy hammer!

The murmurs in the restaurant immediately shifted direction:

"Yeah... That Yahiko from Class A was way too harsh. Knowing they just got into trouble, he deliberately poked at their sore spots..."

"Exactly, 'trash' and 'low-class' left and right—is this the quality of Class A?"

"I think Kazama's right. That Yahiko was deliberately picking a fight, trying to provoke Class D into making fools of themselves, wasn't he?"

"Tsk, I never thought Class A would stoop to such dirty tricks..."

Scornful gazes instantly shifted from Class D to Yahiko and the rest of Class A! Katsuragi Kohei's expression turned extremely sour, and he shot Yahiko a harsh glare. Yahiko, for his part, was left red-faced and speechless by Kazama In's words. He wanted to retort, but found himself utterly unable to argue! Under Kazama's dissection, his earlier behavior indeed reeked of malice and calculation!

Just then, the "manager" Kurosawa, who had left earlier, reappeared. His face still wore a professional, gentle smile, as if he hadn't noticed the conflict at all.

"Distinguished guests," he said in a clear voice, perfectly breaking the deadlock, "it seems the seating here might be a bit 'crowded.' We've prepared a more spacious and comfortable VIP room for you, with a menu specially recommended by the head chef, guaranteed to satisfy. Please follow me." He made an elegant "this way" gesture, his gaze landing on Kazama and the Class D group, while also sweeping over the ashen-faced Class A.

The face-saving gesture was perfectly timed. Under the complex gazes of the crowd—some surprised by Kazama's eloquence, some scornful of Class A, and some re-evaluating Class D's "turnaround"—Kazama calmly nodded to Kurosawa. "Much obliged, Manager." He took the lead, signaling Sudo and the others to follow.

Sudo, Ike, and Yamauchi were still fuming, but under the pressure of Kazama's earlier words and the surrounding stares, they could only glare resentfully at Yahiko before following Kurosawa away. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka silently trailed behind, thinking: Using public opinion to counterattack. Precise verbal traps. Kazama's grasp of human weakness... has grown even sharper.

Katsuragi Kohei watched the Class D group's retreating backs, then glanced at the strange looks directed his way. His face was so dark it seemed ready to drip water. He hissed at Yahiko, "Yahiko, you've been far too discourteous..."

A conflict that had nearly erupted was dissolved into nothing by Kazama's cool head, sharp tongue, and Kurosawa's timely intervention. But Kazama knew this was only the calm before the storm. Kurosawa's warning, Koenji's hints, and the upcoming desert island survival test... The real storm was brewing just beyond the horizon.