Since he didn't know the identity of the other person, Kaoru Mitoma could only promise to keep an eye out for suspicious individuals and ensure her safety.
Moreover, he told Sakura that if anything unexpected happened, she should inform him immediately, and he would rush to her side.
Sakura was clearly moved.
She already shared many common interests with Kaoru Mitoma, and now that they were newly acquainted friends, she felt that Kaoru Mitoma was indeed a good person.
Later, as she carried her digital camera back home, she seemed a bit reluctant to leave.
This girl has some self-awareness, but not much. Kaoru returned to his dormitory when his phone suddenly vibrated. Picking it up, he saw that Horikita Manabu had recommended someone contact information to him.
He casually added the person, and soon a few messages came through.
Kaoru looked puzzled—was this considered leaking information in advance?
However, it shouldn't be a problem since the other party hadn't mentioned anything crucial.
After some thought, Kaoru Mitoma invited the person to meet during the summer break, as he was about to head to a deserted island for vacation.
The other party acknowledged this and then stopped replying.
.....
August 1st
Crossing the narrow Tokyo Bay, a luxurious cruise ship carrying first-year students from ANHS slowly sailed across the azure sea under a clear sky.
The sunlight reflected brilliantly on the deep blue sea, creating a seamless view of the ocean and sky. As the city on the horizon gradually disappeared, only the endless expanse of the ocean remained.
Standing on the deck, the sea breeze blew incessantly, rustling his clothes.
Occasionally, a few seagulls could be seen circling in the distance.
Just looking at this scene, Kaoru couldn't help but think of a certain unsinkable cruise ship, though there shouldn't be any icebergs in the Pacific.
Otherwise, he'd have to start wondering where his Rose was.
Just as he was thinking this, Kaoru suddenly noticed two people hugging in front of him, their arms outstretched.
"The sea, ohhhh!"
"Jack, I'm flying!"
"No, Ike! At least do it with me in the car before you fly away!"
"Get lost!"
It seemed to be students from Class D.
Kaoru recognized them—two students from Horikita Suzune remedial class, one named Ike Kanji and the other Yamauchi Haruki.
As he recalled, he also noticed Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and Sudou Ken nearby.
Not only were the Class D students visibly excited, but many students from Class A and other classes also looked thrilled.
After all, for many, this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to vacation on a luxury cruise ship.
The ship was fully equipped, from top-tier restaurants to theaters for enjoying plays and high-end spas.
Under normal circumstances, this would cost hundreds of thousands of yen, but the school had announced that all facilities on the ship were free to use.
Upon hearing this, students from other classes managed to stay composed, but Class D had already gone wild.
After enduring months of hardship, surviving on the free cafeteria meals—specifically the vegetable set—they had finally reached their breaking point.
Departing at 5 a.m., the moment they boarded the ship, Class D students immediately stormed the restaurant.
This drew disdainful looks from many students, and Totsuka Yahiko even mocked them for it.
Kaoru Mitoma didn't mind, but judging from the state of the various classes, it seemed many were filled with anticipation and optimism.
According to the school, this extravagant trip would last two weeks.
There were even rumors that the first week would be spent enjoying the summer at a guesthouse built on a deserted island, while the second week would be spent on the cruise ship.
Even Class A students couldn't help but wonder—was this the legendary special exam?
Or had the school, considering it was their first semester, decided to go easy on them?
"Aren't you going to join in, Mitoma-kun?" Hearing the voice beside him, Kaoru glanced at a girl leaning on a crutch.
Due to the sea breeze, she had to hold onto her beret with one hand, her eyes slightly squinting.
Behind her, Kamuro Masumi, Hashimoto Masayoshi, and Kito Hayato followed like attendants.
When their eyes met, Hashimoto Masayoshi smiled and gave a slight nod in greeting, while Kamuro Masumi averted her gaze.
"Too many familiar faces, I'm scared."
From any angle, the girls he had crossed paths with were all gathered on this cruise ship. If they happened to run into each other, it would definitely be troublesome.
At this, Kamuro Masumi pursed her lips, clearly unimpressed by his words. There was no way this guy could actually be scared.
"It's a rare vacation, so it's fine to relax a little" Sakayanagi Arisu teased with a smile.
"Or is it that without a girl by your side, you lose all motivation?"
Kaoru Mitoma nodded. "That's why I've been waiting for you."
"How disgusting" Kamuro Masumi said, rubbing her arms as if she felt a chill, her goosebumps rising.
It's not like she was the one being talked about, so why was she reacting like that?
Sakayanagi, however, smiled softly and walked over to the railing, standing beside Kaoru Mitoma as they gazed at the horizon.
She spoke leisurely "I originally didn't plan to participate in this special exam, intending to leave the stage to you and Katsuragi-kun."
"And then you thought about it and realized I might single-handedly destroy all three classes, so you had to step in yourself?"
"No."
"...Could you not deny it so bluntly?"
"I've always been observing you from the sidelines, and I've grown a bit tired of it. So, I decided to see for myself what you would do" Sakayanagi Arisu blinked.
"If there's a chance, I won't hesitate to ruin your plans and see who's more capable."
Kaoru Mitoma recalled the scene from their date.
No wonder she had said those things—she had already made up her mind.
"Seems like you're very confident. Can I surrender now?"
"Hehe, surrendering now won't earn you any rewards. You wouldn't want to miss out on licking my feet, would you?"
As she spoke, the girl deliberately lifted her skirt, revealing the smooth, jade-like skin of her thighs, wrapped in white stockings, glowing with a delicate luster.
Further up, the depths of the mysterious valley could be glimpsed.
"Even more daring things are possible~"
Though her tone was teasing, she quickly lowered her skirt, leaving only a fleeting image in Kaoru Mitoma vision.
"Don't tempt me like that, or you might regret it soon."
"Fufufu, then please make me regret it, Mitoma-kun."
"..."
Sakayanagi Arisu wore a beaming smile, clearly brimming with pride and utterly convinced of her invincibility.
"I don't mind, but can your body handle it?" Kaoru Mitoma felt a bit exasperated.
"We're about to land on the island. If it's a survival situation, we won't be dragging along dead weight."
"Don't worry about that. After all, this trip will last two weeks. We'll have plenty of time to take it slow."
For some reason, Sakayanagi Arisu flashed a meaningful smile.
------------------------------
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