Kikyo Kushida's Invitation

Yoshikage Kira was sharp enough to see at once that she wasn't genuinely asking for advice. Even so, he didn't immediately send her away. He simply turned his gaze back to the terminal screen and said in his usual cool tone, "Start your investigation within your own class. There's no need to discuss it with outsiders."

At the word "outsiders," a faint shift crossed Kikyo Kushida's eyes, gone almost as soon as it appeared. Her voice remained gentle, even growing a little more sincere. "Kira, I know you're wary of me. We're in different classes, after all, and everyone has their own agenda in this exam. But I really do want to have a proper talk with you—not just about the exam."

As she spoke, she leaned a little closer and lowered her voice, letting a hint of information slip as if testing the waters. "Actually, I can tell you a few things about Class D. They aren't anything crucial, but they might be useful to you. Ayanokoji and Horikita have already put together a list of some suspicious people in private, and they also seem interested in working with Class B. They just haven't found the right opportunity yet."

At that, Yoshikage Kira's fingers paused. He finally looked up at her again, a faint sharpness in his eyes, though his expression otherwise remained unchanged. "What are you trying to say?"

Seeing that Kira had finally responded, a trace of delight flickered in Kikyo Kushida's eyes, and she hurried to explain. "I don't mean anything by it. I just think it's too hard to go it alone in this exam. The more information you have, the better your chances. And... I've been feeling a little worn out lately."

Her voice softened. Some of the deliberate ingratiation fell away, replaced by genuine weariness, and a faint fatigue surfaced in her eyes. "I always have to keep up a kind expression and consider everyone's feelings. I have to be careful during the exam, too, afraid that one mistake might drag down the class. I've got so much weighing on my mind, but no one I can talk to."

As she said this, Kikyo Kushida kept her gaze fixed on Yoshikage Kira's face, watching his expression closely without looking away. She wanted to see if this boy, who was always so cold, would show even the slightest change at her sincerity and vulnerability. She wanted to know if he could accept her imperfect side, if he was someone worthy of her trust and of building a deeper bond with.

After a brief pause, she gathered her courage and made her invitation with some hesitation. "There's a small café on the cruise ship. It's quiet, and no one will bother us. Kira, would you come sit with me for a while? I have a few more bits of information about Class D that might help you, and I also... want someone to talk to, to ease some of the pressure I've been under lately."

She didn't ask for anything inappropriate or express any excessive affection. She simply invited him along, offering to share information and talk about her stress. Her eyes held both hope and nervousness. She wanted Kira to accept, giving them more time alone to grow closer and deepen their bond; but she feared he would coldly reject her again, leaving her without even this small chance to get closer.

The sea breeze on the deck remained gentle, carrying a salty dampness as it brushed through their hair. Yoshikage Kira looked quietly at Kikyo Kushida. His expression was still cool, but he didn't reject her right away. He quickly weighed the situation. The information she'd shared about Class D might genuinely help him get a better grasp of things and save time on his investigation. And her sincerity and vulnerability gave him more to consider: behind the gentle mask this girl always wore, there seemed to be an exhaustion and secrets he knew nothing about.

He was silent for a few seconds, then answered in the same flat tone. "Fine. But I'll only listen to information related to the exam. There's no need to talk about anything else."

At that, a bright smile instantly spread across Kikyo Kushida's face. The nervousness and weariness vanished from her eyes, leaving only unconcealed delight. "Great! Thank you, Kira! Let's go now. The coffee there is really good, too."

She rose first and headed lightly toward the deck exit. After taking a couple of steps, she stopped and looked back at Yoshikage Kira, still smiling gently, her eyes full of anticipation. Yoshikage Kira stood up slowly and put away his Student Terminal. His expression remained composed as he followed her toward the cruise ship's café.

Their figures gradually disappeared around the corner of the deck. The sea breeze continued to blow, carrying its salty dampness, as if witnessing the quiet sprouting of their subtle bond. Kikyo Kushida was full of anticipation. She knew this was only the beginning. She would use this opportunity to slowly get closer to Yoshikage Kira and let him see who she really was. She also hoped she could reach his heart and become someone who could stand beside him and accept every part of him.

Following behind her, Yoshikage Kira still looked cold, though he was a little more wary and thoughtful inside. He knew perfectly well that Kikyo Kushida's invitation was no coincidence. Her sincerity and vulnerability might be genuine, or they might be another kind of test. Either way, as long as he could get useful information and protect Class B's points, going to the café with her was no great inconvenience. Kikyo Kushida had plenty of sources of information in Class D, so the benefits of what he could learn would outweigh the cost of talking to her.

The cruise ship's café was tucked away in a quiet corner on the second floor of the cabin. Its décor was simple and elegant, and warm yellow light fell across the tables and chairs, creating a cozy, peaceful atmosphere. Unlike the salty sea breeze on deck, the café was filled with the rich aroma of coffee, mixed with a faint sweetness from the desserts. It was enough to help tense nerves relax without anyone noticing. There weren't many people inside at the moment, just a few students at scattered tables, talking softly in voices that wouldn't disturb anyone.

Kikyo Kushida chose a corner seat by the window and gestured for Yoshikage Kira to sit opposite her. Then she called over a server and ordered two coffees, her voice still gentle. "Kira, what kind of coffee do you usually like? I just ordered two mild ones. They shouldn't be too bitter."

Yoshikage Kira sat across from her, his expression cool. He didn't look much like he'd come to have a conversation. "I don't mind."

Faced with his continued coldness, Kikyo Kushida didn't lose heart. If anything, she became more determined. She stirred her coffee gently, her fingers tightening slightly, then spoke with a weariness that sounded genuine. "Actually, I've always envied you, Kira. You're part of the unnoticed crowd, so you don't have to care what other people think. You can just focus on your own goals. I'm not like that. No matter what, I have to smile at everyone, even when I'm exhausted inside."

As she spoke, she looked up at Yoshikage Kira and kept her gaze fixed on his face, carefully watching for the slightest change in his expression. "I'm really anxious about this VIP Exam. You know the position Class D is in. We don't have many points, and there's very little room for error. One small mistake could cost us the few points we've just earned.

"I thought the survival challenge and the fire during the Uninhabited Island Exam were bad enough, but now there's the VIP Special Exam, too. I have to help Ayanokoji and Horikita investigate the clues, calm everyone else in my class, and stay alert for other classes probing us. Sometimes I really feel like I can't keep going."

This was the first time she'd taken off her gentle mask in front of someone and shown her vulnerability and stress. She wasn't deliberately playing the victim; she was simply being honest about how she felt. But all of it was meant to test Yoshikage Kira—to see if her vulnerability would bring out even a hint of tenderness in him, if he was willing to accept her imperfect side, and if he was someone worthy of her trust and of building a deeper bond with.