Ripples

The next morning, the thin mist had yet to fully dissipate, and the forest was thick with the fresh scent of grass and trees. Kazama In left the Class D camp alone without alerting anyone. His target was clear: the Class B stronghold.

Ryuen Kakeru's "sacrificial pawn" plan had already been seen through by him; that clumsy performance was as transparent as glass in the eyes of "The Arbiter." He was also well aware of Ayanokoji and Horikita's discussion—their deduction that Ryuen might be the leader was good, saving him the trouble of explaining. At this moment, his deeper concern lay with the two lurking assassins. The "Blood Crow" mark discovered at the Class A stronghold was a clear threat signal, and combined with the intelligence "Shadow" had brought back last night (though false), along with his understanding of assassin tactics, it was highly likely they would set a trap using a "valuable target."

Ichinose Honami of Class B—her family, though not top-tier magnates, had solid local roots. More importantly, there was that ambiguous, hard-to-define "connection" between her and himself, one the enemy could exploit. Kanzaki Ryuji, from a military family, was also a target worth noting. He needed to personally confirm Class B's situation, and more crucially, give Ichinose a warning and leave behind a safety net.

The Class B camp was still orderly, nestled near a stream, brimming with a lived-in atmosphere. As Kazama In approached the outer perimeter, a tall, sharp figure appeared before him like a hunting leopard—it was Kanzaki Ryuji. His eyes were keen, scrutinizing the uninvited guest with a soldier's vigilance. "Kazama In?" Kanzaki's voice was steady and firm. "The leader of Class D? What business do you have?" His gaze swept past Kazama, confirming he had come alone.

Kazama In's expression was calm as he stepped forward. "Kanzaki, good morning. It's not official business; I have some personal questions to ask." His eyes casually scanned the interior of the Class B camp, and in an inconspicuous corner, he spotted a familiar figure—Kaneda of Class C, clumsily helping a Class B girl carry firewood, his gaze occasionally drifting furtively toward the camp's core area. "Ryuen's spy," Kazama noted inwardly, but paid it no mind. This level of espionage game was trivial before the coming storm.

"Personal questions?" Kanzaki Ryuji frowned slightly, clearly taken aback. "Go ahead."

Kazama In looked directly into Kanzaki's eyes, his ink-black pupils fathomless, his tone flat but carrying an undeniable seriousness. "Has the Kanzaki family recently incurred any enmity that would require unconventional means to resolve? Or have you been drawn into any vortex that might invite extreme retaliation?"

The question was too abrupt and bizarre—completely beyond Kanzaki's expectations. He froze for a moment, then his eyes sharpened further, carrying a hint of offense and scrutiny. "Kazama, what do you mean? The Kanzaki family acts with integrity and honor, never committing unjust deeds! Nor would we ever invite what you call 'unconventional means'!" His tone was resolute, steeped in the pride of a military household.

Kazama In wasn't surprised by his reaction. He only needed an initial confirmation, not expecting Kanzaki to reveal any insider information. "Understood. Thank you for telling me." He gave a slight nod, his tone still flat. "Just a reminder: in extraordinary times, vigilance is key."

"Kazama-kun?" At that moment, a crisp voice tinged with surprise and a hint of shyness rang out. Ichinose Honami hurried over, her azure eyes reflecting the morning light, looking curiously at Kazama and the stern-faced Kanzaki. "What are you two talking about? Kanzaki, Kazama-kun is our friend." She tried to ease the tension.

Kanzaki shot Kazama a glance but didn't answer, though his expression clearly said: Your question was strange and rude.

Kazama In smoothly shifted the topic, his gaze landing on Ichinose. "Nothing much, just asking about some things. Ichinose, you're just in time." He paused, his tone growing more solemn than usual, even carrying an undeniable concern. "On this island, you must stay alert and protect yourself. Don't act alone, especially not in remote areas. Kanzaki," he turned to him, "please also ensure the safety of Class B's members, especially the core ones."

These words left Ichinose and Kanzaki baffled and even a little uneasy. Ichinose blinked her big eyes. "Kazama-kun? Did something happen? Why say this all of a sudden?" Kanzaki also asked in a low voice, "Kazama, do you know of some danger we don't?"

Kazama In shook his head, his ink-black eyes deep and unfathomable. "I can't go into details. But please believe me, this is no joke. Staying alert and looking out for each other is key to survival." He glanced around and lowered his voice. "Don't spread this, to avoid unnecessary panic."

His serious demeanor and the weight of his words made both Ichinose and Kanzaki realize things might indeed be serious. Worry crept onto Ichinose's face, but she nodded firmly. "Mm! I understand, Kazama-kun! I'll be careful and remind everyone!" Though full of doubts, Kanzaki's soldierly instinct to obey orders and stay vigilant made him nod gravely as well. "Got it. I'll take responsibility for Class B's safety."

Kazama In looked at Ichinose's worried yet trusting eyes, and that inexplicable flutter stirred within him again. He hesitated for a moment, then said to Ichinose, "Ichinose, could I have a word in private?"

"Eh? Y-yes!" Ichinose's cheeks flushed, her heartbeat inexplicably quickening. She glanced at Kanzaki, who gave a slight nod, signaling she could go.

Kazama In led Ichinose to a relatively secluded corner at the camp's edge, shielded by dense shrubs. Morning light filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows. Ichinose stood before him, tilting her head slightly to look up, her azure eyes carrying a hint of nervousness and... anticipation? A faint blush colored her cheeks, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes. "Kazama-kun calling me alone... what will he say?" Her heart raced, last night's teasing about the ring echoing in her ears.

Kazama In watched her flushed cheeks and flickering gaze, and his heart suddenly, uncontrollably, gave a clear thump! The feeling was unfamiliar and abrupt, startling even him. He forcibly suppressed this strange ripple, his expression still calm. He raised a hand and unclasped an extremely fine silver chain from his neck. At the chain's end, instead of a pendant, hung a ring—simple, antique, pitch-black, made of a material neither metal nor jade. Set into the ring's surface was a tiny, almost invisible deep-blue crystal.

"Take this." Kazama In held the ring out to Ichinose.

Ichinose stared at the ring, her mind going completely blank! Her cheeks flushed crimson, like a ripe apple. "A ring... Kazama-kun... could he really...?" A wave of overwhelming shyness and a secret, wild joy flooded her, leaving her barely able to think. Instinctively, with a maiden's reserve and anticipation, she tremblingly extended her fair, slender right hand, palm up, her fingertips quivering, her azure eyes glistening as she looked at Kazama In, as if silently inviting: "Put it on for me..."

Kazama In saw Ichinose's outstretched hand and her shy, expectant gaze, and instantly understood her misunderstanding. A trace of barely perceptible embarrassment flickered in his ink-black eyes, but it was quickly replaced by calm. He didn't explain, nor did he hesitate—time was short. He reached out with his long, well-defined hand and gently grasped her right wrist. The delicate, warm touch of her skin made his fingers pause almost imperceptibly, and his heart seemed to skip a beat again, beyond his control.

He quickly steadied his breath and slid the pitch-black ring steadily and gently onto her right index finger. The ring fit perfectly, settling firmly at the base. The cold touch made Ichinose shiver slightly, snapping her out of her shy fantasy a little—on the index finger? That didn't seem... what she had hoped for?

"Remember," Kazama In released her wrist, his voice low and serious, breaking the subtle, tender atmosphere, "If... I mean if, you feel extreme danger, can't escape, or find yourself isolated and helpless, press your thumb firmly against this crystal for three seconds." He pointed to the tiny deep-blue crystal on the ring. "It will emit a distress signal only a specific receiver can pick up. I will... find a way to reach you." The last words were spoken with unusual gravity.

Ichinose looked at the uniquely styled, cold ring on her finger, then at Kazama In's intensely serious, even worried eyes. The shyness and disappointment in her heart were instantly replaced by a stronger sense of security, mixed with a touch of tenderness. "So that's it... it's to protect me? Kazama-kun..." She nodded firmly, pressing the ringed hand gently to her chest, as if the cold ring had absorbed his warmth. "Mm! I'll remember! Thank you, Kazama-kun!"

Kazama In gave Ichinose and the ring on her finger one last deep look, then turned and left the Class B camp without another word.

Watching his tall, solitary figure disappear into the forest, Ichinose stood still, her fingers unconsciously stroking the cold ring on her index finger, her heart a mix of emotions. There was the sweetness of being cared for, worry over the "extreme danger" he mentioned, and a faint... disappointment. She looked down at the ring, and a small smile crept onto her lips despite herself. "This is... a token from him," she comforted herself, her cheeks still flushed.

When she returned to the Class B camp's core area, sharp-eyed classmates immediately noticed the new, unique ring on her right index finger! "Wow! Honami! A new ring? So cool!" "Where did you buy it? Are there jewelry stores on the island?" "Wait... this style... could it be from that Kazama in Class D..." "Ooh! Were we right yesterday?! He really gave it to her?!" "Honami, spill! Is it a love token from Kazama?"

Amid the teasing and questions, Ichinose's face grew even redder. She waved her hands frantically. "No, no, it's not what you think! This is... this is an important protective charm! Kazama-kun was worried about our safety, so he..." Her explanation only sounded like a cover-up to the excited classmates. Kanzaki Ryuji stood to the side, watching the ring on Ichinose's hand and her shy expression, his brow furrowed in deep thought. Kazama In's warning about "danger" and this ring of unclear meaning deepened his suspicions.

Kazama In walked alone along the forest path back to the Class D camp. The morning sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on him. But his thoughts were far from calm.

The delicate, warm sensation of Ichinose's wrist seemed to linger on his fingertips...

Her shy, expectant, glistening blue eyes as she extended her right hand flashed through his mind repeatedly...

And when he slipped the ring onto her index finger, that clear, fleeting disappointment in her eyes...

"Why... is my heart beating so fast?"

"What is this unfamiliar flutter?"

"That feeling of wanting to look away from her eyes but being unable to..."

"That faint... discomfort in my heart when I saw her disappointment?"

These chaotic emotions, like the wind weaving through the forest, stirred ripples across the usually cold, rational lake of his mind. He tried to analyze these feelings like intelligence data: physiological response (accelerated heartbeat), psychological reaction (attention drawn, emotional fluctuation), behavioral trigger (close contact, the other's specific expression)... The conclusion pointed to a state described in that Love Song of Green Seasons book.

"Could this be... 'heartthrob'?"

"Or... just a stress reaction to a potential 'weakness' being touched?"

Kazama In stopped, looked up at the sky fragmented by the leaves, and for the first time, clear confusion surfaced in his ink-black eyes. As an "Arbiter," he was used to control, analysis, and elimination. But now, an unknown variable called "emotion" was quietly infiltrating his precisely calculated equations, bringing an unprecedented, sweet yet dangerous chaos. And more pressing than this chaos was the deadly storm brewing in the northwestern waterfall area. He had to sort all this out quickly—both the ripples within and the killing intent without.