It's Party Time! (Part 2)

~~~ With Kakeru~~~

"What did you say?" Kakeru asked Mio, to confirm what he just heard

"You heard me, Ryuen. Ayanokoji is throwing a party for class D"

'He's throwing a party after I revealed his identity as a target? He was supposed to be humiliated, but instead, he's celebrating? ...Is he the one that ended the other groups' tests? But even if he is, I still won our private competition!... Unless...' Kakeru thought, and then a realization hit him, and he abruptly stood up

"Ryuen-San?" said Daichi

"We are going to the pool!" Kakeru said in a firm tone, to the people that were together with him in the room. Those people were Daichi Ishizaki, Mio Ibuki, and Albert Yamada.

When they arrived at the entrance to the pool, they saw Sae and Chie sitting on chairs in front of the entrance, blocking their way

"We want to get in" said Kakeru

"You can't. Only students from class D, staff members, and other specific students can enter" said Sae with a smirk

"You can't do that! It's favoritism!" shouted Daichi

"It's not favoritism, I hired them..." said a voice from the entrance, and they saw Shinji coming out of the entrance, with two glasses in his hands

"You hired them?" asked Mio

"Yes. They both were administrators of the groups' which the tests ended, so I decided to hire them, in exchange for some points, and these" said Shinji, and handed a glass to each teacher. The glasses were filled with a transparent liquid.

"Let's taste your secret cocktail! I hope it's good as you said!" said Chie with excitement, and took a sip.

"It's so tasty! What did you put in it???"

"If I'll tell you, it won't be a secret anymore. Though, I can tell you that it tastes better with alcohol, which I can't buy since I'm too young"

"You know that I'm the one who ended our group's test, don't you?" asked Kakeru, narrowing his eyes

"Sorry, I can't talk about the test right now. I'm Vacation Shinji, so all I focus on is to have fun!" Shinji said and started to walk back to the entrance. Just when he was about to walk through the entrance, he turned his head, and looked into Kakeru's eyes with a smirk, and said:

"Maybe you can ask Kikyo since the two of you are such GOOD friends!" he said and walked through the entrance.

Kakeru thought, as his face twisted in anger:

'He knows...'

~~~ Time Skip ~~~

~~~ With Honami~~~

"What happened in your group, Kanzaki-Kun?" asked Honami, as class B gathered to report on each of the groups' first discussion

"Well, I started the conversation, saying we should aim for the first result as we said we would, but then Katsuragi said that class A won't cooperate"

"The same happened in our group! The students from class A refused to cooperate!" said Chihiro

"and in our group too!" said another student

"I think class A did it in all of the groups..." said Honami, and everyone nodded in approval

"Can you think of anything that happened in your group, which caused the target to be revealed?" Honami asked Ryuji

"No, but I think it has to be something related to Ayanokoji and Ryuen" answered Ryuji

"What do you mean?" asked Honami

"During the discussion, Ayanokoji and Ryuen constantly tried to mock each other. Ayanokoji also was the one who suggested to show class D's students' phones"

"Why did he suggest that?" asked a puzzled Honami

"When I tried to calm both Ayanokoji and Ryuen, I said that we should cooperate and not fight, and he said that to show that he and his class are trustworthy, they would show the messages they received from the school. At first, it looked like Horikita-San objected, but eventually, she, Hirata, and Kushida-San agreed to do it.

I wanted to show that we want to cooperate as well, so we agreed to show our messages too, but class C and A didn't agree to do so. Only we and class D showed our messages, and none of us were the target"

"So it has to be class D who ended the test!" said Chihiro

"They probably were the ones to end the other tests too. I heard they are having a party. There's no way they'll throw a party unless they were sure they won the test, just like class C did in the survival test" said Tetsuya

"Then, doesn't it mean they ended the test of the Monkey group too? We had a target there, and they still revealed them! Didn't you say that we're in an alliance with them, Ichinose-San?" said So

"We are, which is why I don't believe they were the one who named our target. I think that each one of the messages we received from school, was caused by a different class.

There's no doubt that class D caused the second message since class C or A don't have any reason to not hurt our class, and class D is the only class who has a reason, and they sent a message about throwing a party, a minute after the second message, which is like admitting that they were the ones who did it.

Because of this, it's safe to assume that the groups which the message referred to, is the groups where the targets were from classes C and A. But, if this is the case, and since we know in which groups our targets in, the only targets left, is the targets from class D" said Honami

"But why do you think Class D didn't cause the Dragon group's test to end?" asked Chihiro

"Since we know that our targets are in groups Monkey, Cow, and Dog, it means that Class D's targets are in groups Rabbit, Horse, and Dragon, and it says in the rules of the test, that a student from the same class as the target can't reveal the target's identity before the allocated time"

"But Kanzaki said that none of the students from class D in his group were the targets!" said So

"I did. I checked all the messages they received from the school, and none of them were the target" said Ryuji

"Then, how is that possible?" asked Chihiro

"That's why I think we should go and ask them. We're in an alliance, so they don't have any reason not to tell us" said Honami

"All of us? I don't have anything against class D, but I know that I'll feel slightly uncomfortable if I'll go and see them celebrate..." said Tetsuya

"Then, Kanzaki-Kun and I will go!" said Honami

~~~ Time Skip ~~~

Honami and Ryuji arrived just in time to see Ryuen and his group coming back.

"Hi, Ryuen-Kun! Did you and your friends went to take a look at class D?" said Honami in a cheery tone

"Don't bother. You can't go in" said Kakeru, and left with his group. As she looked at him, Honami noticed that anger was visible on Kakeru's face. Then, she and Ryuji approached the entrance and was greeted by the teachers

"Honami-Chan! Ryuji-Kun! What are the two of you are doing here? Are you two here for a pool date~~~?" asked Chie in a playful tone

"Not at all Sensei. You know that Kanzaki-Kun and I are just friends! We're here to check on class D" said Honami

"You're free to go in..." said Sae

"Really? Then why did Ryuen said that we can't go in?" asked Ryuji

"That's because they're not allowed to, but you are! Class D has bought exclusive use for the pool, between 12:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and only class D's students, staff members, and other specific students are allowed in, and all of class B's students are included since our classes are in an alliance!" said Chie

"Really!? They bought the whole pool???" said a surprised Honami

"Ichinose-San, I think we should head inside..." said Ryuji

"Right! Sensei, I'll see you later~" said Honami, and they headed inside

Each of them changed into their swimsuits in their gender's locker room, and when they arrived at the pool they looked with shock at what they saw.

Everyone was either playing at the pool or eating expensive food and drinks. There was also loud music.

And in front of them, at the other side of the pool, was Shinji, sitting on a lounge chair, with Kikyo and Kei sitting on each of the armrests, speaking excitedly with him. Shinji had a bottle in his hand, and a container full of bottles by his legs. Seeing him having fun with both of the girls caused a slight pain in Honami's chest, but she didn't understand why. Then, she saw Shinji smirking at them, and he started to walk towards them.

~~~ With Shinji ~~~

When Shinji locked eyes with Honami and Ryuji, he smirked, stood up, and approached them

"Welcome, to class D's summer party! Would you like a drink?" Shinji said and snapped his fingers, and a few seconds later, Haruki came running with a bottle in his hand.

"Thank you, Yamauchi" said Shinji

Seeing their reluctant expressions, Shinji said:

"Don't worry, it's non-alcoholic!"

"Then, don't mind if I do..." said Ryuji and took the bottle from his hand

Then, Shinji started to inspect Honami's swimsuit, which was a simple white two-piece.

"You have a great taste in swimsuits, Ichinose-San! You look great in this one!" Shinji complimented

"R-Really?? Thanks! I just picked one randomly..." Honami said with a blush

"How did the first discussion of your group was? My brother is in your group, so I want to know how it was"

"About the test... Shinji-Kun, I'll cut straight to the chase. Were your class the ones responsible for ending the tests of the six groups?"

"I want to tell you, but I can't. Not now at least"

"Why not?" asked Ryuji

"Because, during the party, I'm Vacation Shinji, and Vacation Shinji doesn't talk about tests. You can stay for the party, and we'll talk when it's over, or you can set a time for us to meet after the party"

"Vacation Shinji?" asked Ryuji with a questioning look

"Yeah! Can't you see?" asked Shinji, and gestured at his outfit

"Then-" Ryuji started to say, only to be stopped by Honami who said:

"Are you sure we can? It's your class's party, and I don't want to disturb your classmates..."

"Of course it's okay! I think it'll be even better if you and the rest of your class will join! While it's true that we're in an alliance, most of our classmates aren't familiar with each other, so it's a great chance to change that! We can have everyone get to know each other!"

"You're right!! I'll bring the rest of our class here, and we'll have fun together, and everyone will befriend each other!" Honami said with a beaming smile and ran to get her classmates, leaving Shinji and Ryuji on their own

"...You're not dumb, aren't you?" asked Ryuji

"What do you mean?" Shinji asked with a puzzled expression

"It's clear to everyone who sees the two of you together that she has feelings for you, but you still flirt with her, despite having a girlfriend"

"Do I look like an idiot? Of course I noticed it. But, there is no need to reject her, even before she realized her feelings. If I'll start to distance myself from her before she realizes her feelings, it'll only cause her more pain" said Shinji

"I guess you're right. Just make sure you won't hurt her. She is an important friend of mine and to all of our class"

"Are you sure that she's JUST a friend to you? Or, do you think of her of more than just a friend?" Shinji said with a teasing smirk

"How did you..." said Ryuji in shock, and with a slight blush

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. We're going to be in an alliance for a very long time, so we should be friends! Right?" Shinji said and offered him his hand

"Right..." Ryuji said as he recovered his composure, and shook Shinji's hand