Ayanokoji's Visit

Having confirmed that the magnetic card was indeed on her, Ryuuen, in high spirits, returned to Class C's camp with Hiyori.

At this moment, Imada was tinkering with the jet ski the teacher had provided. Although it looked expensive, it only cost 2 special points to redeem. Recreational items were generally cheap, while necessities like purified water and rice were ridiculously expensive.

The camp was still some distance from the beach. Ishizaki and the other boys carried the recreational equipment down to the beach, followed by the girls from their class. The boys, at this point, weren't stingy with their energy.

Ryuuen and Hiyori also followed behind.

The temporary changing rooms they had redeemed earlier were now being put to use. Class C students could finally shed their sportswear and change into swimsuits in the hot weather.

"A swimsuit suits you well," Ryuuen said, only belatedly remembering to compliment the girl beside him once they reached the beach.

"But you didn't look at me the whole way here," Hiyori said, a hint of complaint in her voice.

What Hiyori said was true, and Ryuuen didn't bother to deny it.

Kaneda finally got his jet ski running in the sea. Albert Yamada, the Black man, had also set up a sun umbrella. Ishizaki was sunbathing on a lounge chair. Some girls were swimming in the sea, while others were playing volleyball on the beach.

Ryuuen got a cold cola from Albert and walked over to Hiyori.

Hiyori was leaning against a coconut tree, admiring the distant scenery, completely out of sync with the commotion far away.

"Why are you sitting here alone? Don't you want to play anything?"

"It's too hot. I'm not a sporty girl."

Indeed, Hiyori's skin was very fair, and her figure looked soft, clearly not the type for sports. She truly wouldn't enjoy the current situation.

However, Hiyori was actually lying. Not liking sports was true, and the hot weather was also true, but the real reason she was sitting there was because she knew Ryuuen would come to accompany her. Compared to playing with other classmates, Hiyori preferred chatting with Ryuuen. They could talk about anything. Their conversations were no longer limited to books.

However, even the girl's small wish couldn't be fulfilled, as Horikita Suzune surprisingly walked over with Ayanokoji.

Horikita Suzune, like Ayanokoji, was wearing a green tracksuit. Ayanokoji was expressionless, but Horikita Suzune's face looked very displeased.

Although Ayanokoji didn't deliberately scrutinize Hiyori, his gaze was noticed by the sensitive girl. Hiyori hid behind Ryuuen.

"Only two days apart, and you miss me this much, Suzune?" Ryuuen flirted with Horikita Suzune right in front of Ayanokoji, speaking playfully.

"Your classmate Ibuki has been following our class. Don't you need to explain?" Horikita Suzune ignored Ryuuen's teasing.

"She doesn't listen to my orders. I've already expelled her from Class C's camp. Where she goes is none of my business, and I can't be bothered to care." Ryuuen reached out to touch Horikita Suzune's head. It wasn't to take advantage of her, but merely to check her temperature. In this state, Ryuuen found it hard to tell if Horikita Suzune's upset expression was due to feeling unwell or being in a bad mood.

Ryuuen thought he was quick, but Ayanokoji still intercepted him.

Ayanokoji gripped Ryuuen's forearm, stopping his hand in mid-air. Both were exerting force, but Ryuuen's hand remained motionless in the air. Ryuuen finally had to release the tension and lower his hand.

There was no point in continuing the stalemate. Although he hadn't lost this subtle confrontation with Ayanokoji, he certainly hadn't won either.

"Ayanokoji, you really like to meddle. Could it be that you like Suzune too?" Ryuuen raised an eyebrow.

The school didn't allow conflicts during the Special Exam. Violators would have their class disqualified. Neither Ayanokoji nor Ryuuen had any intention of resorting to violence at this time, so Ryuuen decided to probe Ayanokoji verbally.

"It's quite surprising that Ryuuen-kun knows me. Well, Horikita and I are just classmates; there's no such feeling as 'liking' involved."

However, Ayanokoji's face showed no sign of surprise, not even bothering to feign it.

"Don't be surprised. I'm very interested in you."

"That's not necessarily a good thing. I don't recall doing anything to attract Ryuuen-kun's attention. Speaking of which, Ryuuen-kun, it would be better if you focused your attention on girls, such as Shiina-san behind you, or Ibuki-san."

Ayanokoji even greeted Hiyori in passing. The reason they knew each other was because Ryuuen had asked Kushida Kikyo to stall Ayanokoji for a while when he was bringing her under his control.

"I'm more interested in Suzune right now. Come here and let me touch your head. After tomorrow, all of Class C's supplies can be yours, how about it?" Ryuuen looked at Horikita Suzune.

Since he couldn't touch her, he'd make Horikita Suzune come to him.

Exchanging a glance with Ayanokoji, Horikita Suzune asked, "What do you mean? Give me the supplies? Is your class not taking the exam?"

"That's right, we're not taking it. We'll be back on the ship tomorrow."

Horikita Suzune clearly didn't believe him, and Ayanokoji was also considering the truthfulness of Ryuuen's words. However, after observing Class C's playful state, he could basically confirm that Ryuuen's words were true, but Ayanokoji still remained wary of Ryuuen.

"I sold all my excess points to Class B. I don't want to live like savages with you all."

Exposing part of his plan to Suzune could reduce their vigilance toward Ibuki. If Suzune was willing to accept the supplies Ryuuen provided, they would at least ensure Ibuki had a place to sleep and food to eat.

Horikita Suzune exchanged another glance with Ayanokoji.

Horikita Suzune was actually a bit unsure if Ryuuen truly liked her.

Rationally, Horikita Suzune believed that Ryuuen's feelings for her were definitely not romantic, yet Ryuuen's actions consistently showed possessiveness towards her, which was abnormal. Although Horikita Suzune knew she was beautiful, she also knew that her personality wasn't popular with boys. It would be easy for Ryuuen to find a girl prettier and gentler than her—he even had one behind him right now. This made Horikita Suzune deeply question what kind of feelings Ryuuen truly held for her.

Every condition Ryuuen proposed was so hard to refuse. Horikita Suzune finally walked over to Ryuuen.

Ayanokoji didn't stop her, as if he truly didn't care.

Although it was said that Ryuuen would just touch her head, Ryuuen wasn't one to suffer a loss. After all, it was 75 points worth of special supplies, albeit second-hand. Just touching her head was too cheap.

After wrapping his arms around Horikita Suzune, Ryuuen rested his head against hers: "Am I not as handsome as Ayanokoji? You keep looking at him."

Ryuuen was wearing swim trunks, his muscles clearly defined. His strong masculine scent and magnetic, slightly hoarse voice made it difficult for Horikita Suzune to resist; she even forgot to struggle.

In the end, Ryuuen was the first to let go. The unusually high temperature on Horikita Suzune's forehead was definitely not due to shyness. Ryuuen even worried if she could truly last until the seventh day in that state.

"Alright, you've pretty much figured out our class's situation. Now you can get lost, Ayanokoji."

"Although I don't know how I offended you, I hope Ryuuen-kun can be more polite to me."

With that, Ayanokoji left with Horikita Suzune. They were likely heading to Class B to confirm if Ryuuen had truly sold the points to them.

Watching them leave, Ryuuen chugged a bottle of cola, then turned to Hiyori and said, "I'm going to check out Class B too. Tonight, you take the classmates back for roll call, and then head straight back to the ship with them."

Hiyori was actually very concerned about Ryuuen's relationship with Horikita Suzune and wanted to know her own standing in his heart. However, being intelligent, she knew Ryuuen had something to do at the moment, and it wasn't the right time to ask.

At the same time, Hiyori was afraid that Ryuuen's answer would break her heart. After all, Hiyori was aware of the rumor that Ryuuen was pursuing Horikita Suzune. Coupled with him lending points to Horikita Suzune before and Ryuuen hugging her just now, Hiyori truly had little confidence at this moment.

Ryuuen, however, paid no attention to Hiyori's emotions. He headed off with the empty bottle, not in the direction of Class B.