Qiuyue: (I spent the whole morning working in my room. I'm exhausted. I never would've guessed we'd be boarding at five in the morning. I thought we'd have the whole night. Damn it, I was drawing until eleven.)
(I installed a camera on the drone and finally finished the map. I marked the locations of most of the bases and printed four copies. I kept the original for myself.)
(I put each copy in a nearby bathroom without cameras, and I added a little something extra for Class B. Next, I just had to get in touch with the four classes.)
Qiuyue flexed his hands as he slowly made his way up to the deck. A gentle breeze brushed his cheeks, carrying the salty scent of the sea.
Qiuyue took a deep breath, felt the fresh air fill his lungs, and gradually relaxed.
He walked over to the railing and gazed into the distance. The endless sea shimmered, and the waves gently lapped against the ship, making a pleasant sound.
Sunlight spilled across the water, gleaming like countless diamonds set against a blue sky.
He closed his eyes, listening to the waves and the seagulls as he took in the peace and beauty of nature.
Qiuyue: (Hmm... I never got to see the ocean in my previous life, or ride on a ship this big. This school really has money.)
(I've decided. In this life, I'm going to enjoy everything I missed out on in my last one. I didn't get a second chance at life easily, so I want to make the most of this world.)
"Arrrgh! Kikyo-chan is the best!!"
Qiuyue was startled by a sudden roar and looked toward its source.
Ike was kneeling before Kushida, so excited he looked just like the protagonist of some hot-blooded anime unleashing his ultimate move.
Qiuyue: (...Does he have something wrong with him? What did I miss?)
Everyone nearby stared strangely at Ike, kneeling before Kushida.
Qiuyue looked around and spotted Beautiful Guy lying on a chair in nothing but a pair of triangular briefs.
He checked himself out in the mirror, combed his hair, and muttered something to himself. Qiuyue could guess without even thinking: "I'm so beautiful."
Qiuyue didn't linger. Instead, he went to enjoy some of the food on the ship. Everything was free, so he might as well eat his fill.
He went to a Western restaurant and ordered a plate of spaghetti. Just as he was about to dig in, the Idiot Trio walked in with Ayanokoji.
"Oioi, is this free too?"
"Are they going to make us pay later?"
"No, people from the other classes are eating here too. It should be fine, right?"
While the Idiot Trio hesitated, the waiter came over.
"Welcome. A table for four?"
"...Yes." x3
After the four of them sat down, Qiuyue leisurely ate his spaghetti, ready to enjoy the show.
Meanwhile, the Idiot Trio...
"Hey, what kind of dishes are these? I can't read them."
Sudo stared at his two buddies and Ayanokoji in confusion. He had his work cut out for him. The menu was full of English, which was beyond the abilities of a poor student like him.
"Pork head terrine? With herb sauce?"
"...Not... bad. Just order that."
Yamauchi clearly couldn't read it either, but he still forced himself to say that.
Then he took action and shouted, "Waiter, excuse me, can we order? Excuse me, over here."
Qiuyue: (...Nice.)
Yamauchi's shout drew everyone's attention in the restaurant. They all looked at the group mockingly.
"You're from Class D, right?"
"Huh? So what?"
"Listen carefully. Losers like you don't belong here."
"Huh?"
"Losers should stick to junk food. Why don't you go eat a hamburger?"
Sudo flew into a rage. He walked right up to the man, grabbed him by the collar, and lifted him out of his seat.
"You! Don't you dare look down on hamburgers!"
"Yahiko, don't provoke him for no reason."
"Katsuragi..."
"Even though it's vacation, your behavior could still cost you points. You should act like a Class A student."
"Y-yes."
"And you Class D students should learn some manners too. Stop making trouble for everyone around you."
"Huh? We didn't even—"
Before Sudo could say anything more, whispers had already started spreading around them.
"That's him, right? The guy from that famous assault case."
"Yeah, I remember his name was Sudo. With that red hair and delinquent look, it has to be him."
"His eyes are terrifying. Who knows how many people he's killed?"
"Eh..."
Sudo couldn't take it anymore. He shouted, "You bastards! What are you saying? Are you kidding me?"
"Are you trying to make the same mistake again?"
Katsuragi simply frowned and glanced at Sudo as he said this.
Ike hurried over to defuse the situation, patting Sudo on the shoulder.
"Forget it, Sudo. Let's try another place."
"...Tch."
Sudo clicked his tongue without bothering to hide it, then followed Ike out of the restaurant.
Qiuyue: (...Katsuragi... This is my first time seeing that shiny bald head. Is that what alopecia looks like?)
(...Well, he's certainly unique. That was quite a show. I'll finish eating, play Head-Patting Village for a while, then get some rest.)
"Mm~ Ah... ha... mm... ha... ah~ ahhh, that feels so good~"
"Hoshinomiya-sensei?"
In a private room, Hoshinomiya and Ichinose were getting an essential-oil spa treatment. Two female attendants were rubbing oil over them and massaging them with practiced hands.
Hoshinomiya and Ichinose were lying face down on the bed in nothing but their panties, enjoying the treatment as they chatted.
"Sorry, sorry. Go on."
"The Class Points of Classes A, B, and C are very close right now. I think we need to keep a close eye on what Classes A and C are doing, especially Classmate Sakayanagi and Katsuragi in Class A, and Ryuen in Class C."
"What about Class D?"
"I think we should watch Hirata and Horikita."
"There's probably someone else too~"
"I heard Koenji has excellent grades and physical fitness."
"I see..."
"What about Ayanokoji?"
"Yes~ My intuition tells me he's someone we need to keep an eye on too."
"...Is that so? Ah—what do you think of the person selling us information? Judging by the Class Points, he clearly sold it to Classes A, B, and C, right?"
"That's right~ Mm~ That's the spot, it feels so good~ A little harder there, mm~"
"Hoshinomiya-sensei?"
"Nothing. Go on."
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, why do you think he's doing this? For points?"
"It can only be for points. We found out when the school announced the hidden rules, didn't we? Upperclassmen and school staff aren't allowed to do this, so he has to be a first-year."
"That's true... But what would he need the points for? Could he use them to get into Class A?"
"Bingo~ You got it, Honami-chan. It takes 20 million PR to change classes."
"Wow, can a person really earn that much on their own?"
"Who knows?"
"So is he from Class C or D?"
"There's a good chance~ My intuition tells me he's from Class D. I don't think someone from Ryuen's class would have the ability to keep swallowing their pride in a situation like this~"
"Is it your intuition again? We can't exactly take Hoshinomiya-sensei's intuition as fact, can we?"
"How mean~"
Before you continue