-186- Actually a good thing?

On the day Nanaya Hori and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka confirmed each other's identities and abilities, various events were unfolding on the cruise ship.

For example, Class A was plunged into complete discord due to the special exam.

Because of Sakayanagi faction's betrayal, members of the Katsuragi faction kept pestering them, seemingly wanting an explanation. However, Sakayanagi's faction ignored them and continued to live freely, much to the Katsuragi faction's frustration.

On the other hand, Class C, although the most thorough failure in this special exam, had almost no one discontented. With Ryuen suppressing them, these dominated students wouldn't dare to touch the tiger's whiskers, right?

However, there might not be discontent, but there certainly was unease. With the end of the exam, many realized that the gap between Class C and Class D was only one point. This worried many Class C students, who wanted to do something but couldn't, feeling the constant threat of being overtaken and degraded to Class D.

As for Class B and Class D, they naturally entered a celebratory mood. It's said that tonight, the two classes are planning to jointly hold a celebration banquet. Since there's a ballroom on the cruise ship and all facilities are free, there's no reason not to celebrate their victory.

Hirata Yousuke, Hori's roommate, informed him of this when he returned to their room. "Everyone is looking forward to Nanaya-san's appearance."

With a gentle smile, Hirata Yousuke extended an invitation to Hori on behalf of Class B and Class D.

Meanwhile, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, who returned to the room with Hori, was splendidly ignored.

"...I'm not entirely uninterested," he muttered.

As a genius boy from the White Room who came to this school for the sake of the "mundane world," he seemed to be struggling with socializing.

By the way...

"Ichinose will be there too. Everyone in Class B seems eager to greet Nanaya-san and thank you for your support."

Hirata Yousuke added unnecessary details, seeming somewhat nosy. According to him, the romantic relationship between Hori and Ichinose had already spread and become a confirmed fact. Although Ichinose herself had been evasive, denying it now seemed too late.

"After all, Nanaya-san informed Ichinose about the leaders of Class A and Class C, allowing Class B to gain 100 points as a reward. Also, he provided that camouflage dye, helping Class B evade detection by Class C's spy, avoiding the risk of being discovered and losing reward points. However, the reward was only worth 20 points, which didn't match the effort. So everyone thinks Nanaya did it for Ichinose's sake."

Horikita Yousuke told Hori.

Poor Hori was only trying to prevent Ryuen's plan from succeeding and fulfill Chabashira Sae's request when he cooperated with Class B to this extent. And the reward worth only 20 points was just to prevent Class C's spy from spotting any flaws.

In other words, Hori didn't do all this for Ichinose.

Now, due to misinformation, Hori was being portrayed as a selfless hero doing everything for his girlfriend. How amusing...

Hori could already imagine how helpless Ichinose must feel about this situation. If he really went to the celebration banquet tonight, he would surely face teasing, gossip, and maybe even be matched with someone else by others. What would happen between him and Ichinose then? Who knows?

Wait... Isn't this actually a good thing?

Honestly, Ichinose Honami is impeccable in appearance and has an outstanding figure. Even in a special school like Advanced Nurturing High School, she has the potential to be a school idol. There should be enough guys lining up to pursue her, right?

No, even girls seem to be captivated by her now.

Otherwise, why would Ichinose Honami come to Hori and pretend to be his girlfriend?

So, if Hori really wants something to happen with Ichinose, attending the celebration banquet tonight would definitely not be a disadvantageous move, right?

Unfortunately, if Hori really went, Ichinose might end up in an embarrassing situation.

(Let's not make things harder for her...)

Hori chuckled to himself and declined Horikita Yousuke's invitation.

"You should go with Ayanokouji and Kouenji instead."

Compared to Hori, Ayanokouji seemed more interested in attending. Kouenji, on the other hand, lay on his bed, wearing headphones, listening to music, completely ignoring the conversation among his three roommates.

This man abstained from the exam on the first day, living quite comfortably on the cruise ship, which caused dissatisfaction among all the members of Class D. Sudou Ken even almost punched him, but Hirata Yousuke managed to calm him down.

However, it was definitely impossible to invite Kouenji Rokusuke to the celebration banquet of the two classes. This man, who contributed nothing and even dragged everyone down, would surely cause trouble if he appeared at the banquet.

So, Hirata Yousuke could only invite Ayanokouji Kiyotaka to the celebration banquet that night.

Kouenji Rokusuke probably would continue living his own life as usual.

After nightfall, Nanaya Hori walked out of the room and onto the deck of the cruise ship.

"Splish, splash..."

By this time, the cruise ship had left the uninhabited island and was sailing on the ocean, with the sound of the waves crashing like a melodious song, echoing in the night wind.

The somewhat chilly night breeze blew across the deck.

Nanaya Hori bathed in the moonlight and night breeze as he stepped onto the deck.

To Hori's surprise, there was already someone there.

"Sigh..."

Wearing the school uniform instead of her sports attire, Sakura Airi stood in front of the railing at the forefront of the deck, looking at the ocean ahead, sighing softly.

"Sakura?"

Seeing Sakura Airi's worried expression, Hori felt puzzled. He reduced his presence and footsteps slightly, quietly approaching Sakura Airi from behind.

As soon as he arrived behind Sakura Airi, Hori heard a voice.

It was Sakura Airi muttering to herself.

"Everyone keeps talking about Nanaya-kun and Ichinose, it's so annoying..."

It seemed that this shy girl had come here alone because people around her kept discussing the relationship between Hori and Ichinose Honami, causing her distress.

And then, she whispered these words.

"If it's me, how nice would that be..."

The girl's troubles clearly reached Hori's ears.