Chapter 55 – I’m going to fly too…

Bonus chapter

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After Katsuragi signed the second contract for the monthly tribute, he hurriedly led his class members to set off, officially entering the uninhabited island's jungle.

Seeing the big bald head sweating in the blazing summer sun, shining a dazzling white light, it was evident how anxious Katsuragi was.

After all, according to Katsuragi's plan, it was best if the other classes did not know about Class A using private points to purchase Class C's supplies. Therefore, they needed to find a more secluded base, fearing that if they were too late, they wouldn't find a suitable spot.

In contrast to Class A's urgency, Class C had no such worries. They spent all 300 special exam points without hesitation, extravagantly buying various entertainment supplies. It was a complete summer vacation outing rather than participating in some brutal class competition. This made the students of Class C even more impressed with Yukio, feeling that following such a leader, their future days would be brighter.

Once the exchanged goods arrived, the students of Class C immediately started having fun. Many of them had already changed into swimsuits, fully embracing the holiday atmosphere.

Of course, due to the limit of 300 special exam points, they couldn't afford anything too luxurious and could only exchange for the most basic school swimming attire, which meant swim trunks for boys and school swimsuits for girls.

But no one complained. Under the school's organized brutal competition, being able to have a proper vacation was already great. Who would be picky about the conditions? It was much better than the other three classes struggling to survive on the uninhabited island.

Seeing the jet skis brought by the school and parked at the beach, the students of Class C quickly lined up in pairs, even taking turns wearing life jackets, eager to start the engines and take off.

Yukio, on the other hand, found a water jetpack on the other side. He skillfully put it on without looking at the manual. Since he was there and had spent the points, he figured he might as well try it out.

However, compared to jet skiing, the water jetpack was a bit more complicated. At least initially, not many people dared to try it, leaving a set unused.

Seeing the situation, Ibuki glanced at the queue for the jet skis, bit her lip, and decided to join Yukio: "Yukio, how do you play with this?"

"Simple," replied Yukio, familiar with it from previous experience, "How much do you weigh, Ibuki?"

"What?" Ibuki hesitated for a moment, then the daughter of the martial family turned slightly red, embarrassed: "Why are you suddenly... asking such a personal question?"

Seemingly worried about being overheard, Ibuki cautiously looked around. Finding no one nearby, she relaxed a bit, her cheeks growing redder as she whispered almost inaudibly, "Less than a hundred." (t/n: ~50 kg)

As she spoke, Ibuki shook her head firmly, feeling that this hesitant and restrained way of speaking was not like her at all. Her voice involuntarily rose: "Hey! Why are you asking this all of a sudden?!"

Realizing his oversight, Yukio remembered that it was indeed inappropriate to ask a girl about her weight directly, but he didn't dwell on it: "For water jetpacks at the beach, usually an instructor accompanies the tourists, so weight isn't an issue. But when you're operating it alone, you need to adjust the water pressure based on your weight. If you're under a hundred, the lowest setting should be fine."

"It's simple," he continued. "Once the water pressure is adjusted, just control your balance and you can fly." Demonstrating as if to ensure effective instruction, Yukio tossed the hose in his hand and adjusted the setting.

The high-pressure water jetting from the device under his feet lifted him into the air. He soared up like a divine monkey, leaving Ibuki in awe.

"Alright, I got it. The first setting, right?" Ibuki mimicked Yukio's actions and immediately pressed the switch: "Wait for me, I'm going to fly too... blub blub!"

Before she could finish her triumphant remark, she plunged into the water, creating a comedic scene that left Yukio laughing so hard his stomach hurt.

Fortunately, these kinds of water entertainment devices come with life jackets, so Ibuki just swallowed a few mouthfuls of water and didn't sink.

Yukio adjusted his center of gravity and dived down, expertly rescuing Ibuki from floating aimlessly on the surface.

Holding Ibuki, Yukio could faintly smell a delicate fragrance, distinct from the sweet scent often associated with girls.

Ibuki, true to the nature of a warrior's daughter, embodied the essence of the proverb "The sharpest sword is forged through the hottest fire, and the sweetest plum blooms in the bitterest cold." Even her scent was subtle, almost imperceptible unless one was very close.

Yet once noticed, it was unmistakably clear and pure, akin to a plum blossom flourishing alone in the snow.

After flying back to the beach, Yukio turned off the device and gently landed with Ibuki, patting her back to help her recover. Inhaling seawater was no pleasant experience: "Are you hurt?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine," Ibuki hurriedly shook her head, even flinging out a bit of seawater. It seemed that her head had been below the sea surface, or else her hair wouldn't have been so wet.

"It's better to stand straight up when you first try this. You can rise vertically that way. I think you were trying to catch up just now, right? That forward-leaning posture can easily send you plunging into the sea if you don't coordinate well."

After rescuing her, Yukio continued his instruction, causing Ibuki to blush and avoid eye contact. 

She was utterly embarrassed! This time she had really made a big fool of herself. How could she have dived straight into the sea! Embarrassed, Ibuki hung her head low, cursing herself internally while barely managing to respond: "Okay, I got it, I got it!"

"This time, I'll definitely be able to do it!" 

Determined to try again, she had no intention of giving up in the face of difficulty. Instead, she believed in getting back up where she fell. 

This time, however, Yukio stayed close by to ensure she wouldn't plunge into the water again. 

Seeing Ibuki's wobbly take-off, Yukio sighed and decided to fly along with her, gently taking her hand and helping her maintain balance in the air.

This only made Ibuki more flustered. She clutched Yukio's hand tightly, swinging wildly in the air and unable to steady herself.

Why had Yukio suddenly come over and grabbed her hand? She felt an unfamiliar emotion rising from her heart, almost uncontrollable. She wanted to pull away, but the instability in the air prevented her from letting go.

Like a drowning person grasping at a straw, she couldn't dare let go of the unexpected sense of security. This rare display of shyness on Ibuki's face, reminiscent of a girl-next-door, was quite a sight.

However, as a warrior's daughter, Ibuki quickly regained her composure. After some initial panic, she found her center of gravity and adjusted herself, soon stabilizing in the air. She looked at Yukio with surprise and delight: "I can fly now!"

Yukio then slowly let go of her hand, continuing to share tips as they flew back and forth in the sky. He even used the high-pressure water to create a 'C' for Class C in the air.

Listening to the bell-like, hearty laughter in the sky, Shiina, who had just finished applying sunscreen on the beach, couldn't help feeling a little envious, her attention fixed on the two playfully soaring above.

***

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 Rank 50 = 2 extra chapters

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