-236- Another big favor

On the cruise ship, at the aft deck.

As Ichinose Honami's friend mentioned earlier, at this time, there was absolutely no one here.

Hori and Ichinose Honami arrived together at this spot.

"Today has been really tiring, hasn't it? So many things happened."

Ichinose Honami leaned against the railing, gazing out at the sea. She turned her head and gave Hori a smile that, while still bright, carried a hint of complexity.

The sea breeze blew through, lifting Ichinose Honami's long, waist-length hair, causing it to float gracefully in the air, creating a picturesque scene that complemented her delicate face.

Seeing Ichinose Honami like this, Hori couldn't help but feel a bit weird.

Ever since the special exam on the uninhabited island ended, it seemed like he had often come to the deck to watch the sea with various girls he knew.

Whether it was Sakura Airi, Kushida Kikyou, or Ichinose Honami, they had all stood by Hori's side, gazing out at the ocean.

What was particularly valuable was that these girls were all very cute.

If the highest score for beauty in this world was 100, these girls would all score above 95.

Being able to watch the sea alone with such girls, and not just one, was something that many boys would be envious of.

(That reminds me, I also had a meal with Horikita…)

Recalling the scene of having breakfast with Horikita Suzune on the rooftop restaurant, Hori couldn't help but chuckle.

But what he said was quite different.

"You have something you want to say to me, right? Ichinose?"

Hori directed this question at Ichinose Honami.

"…As expected, I can't hide it from you."

Ichinose Honami was silent for a moment, then she smiled in relief, the complex expression on her face fading away.

"I do have something to say, or rather, to confirm with you."

Ichinose Honami turned to face Hori.

Her beautiful eyes locked onto Hori's, shimmering with a light that seemed to draw one's soul in.

Then, Ichinose Honami spoke.

"Nanaya-kun, you've already figured out the selection method for the VIPs and confirmed the identities of all twelve VIPs, haven't you?"

Ichinose Honami's tone was different from before when she asked this question.

What kind of tone was that?

It wasn't hostility.

It wasn't reverence.

It was a tone filled with resolve, as if she was determined to achieve her goal no matter what.

Ichinose Honami asked this question with such resolve.

"…"

Hori was momentarily silent.

Instead of answering immediately, he turned to face Ichinose Honami, meeting her gaze that seemed capable of captivating anyone, and spoke calmly.

"Why do you think so?"

Hori responded with a question instead of an answer.

Ichinose Honami smiled slightly and replied.

"Remember after the special exam on the uninhabited island, you said something to Ryuen?"

Ichinose Honami perfectly recited a statement Hori had made before.

"To judge whether someone has truly given up, you don't look at their surface actions but at whether they still have the fighting spirit. If there is no fighting spirit, no matter how well they play the role, they will not win in the end. Conversely, the same is true."

That was indeed something Hori had said to Ryuen Kakeru.

Now, Ichinose Honami brought it up again.

Her reasoning was as follows.

"Although I can't see the fighting spirit or anything like that, since I'm not as capable as you, I'm not unfamiliar with you either. Even if I can't say I know you thoroughly, I have a basic understanding."

Ichinose Honami looked directly into Hori's eyes, speaking softly.

"And based on my understanding of you, although you don't see Ryuen as an opponent, you haven't completely ignored him."

That was true.

If Hori wanted to ignore Ryuen Kakeru, he wouldn't have bothered to respond to his invitation, go to the special teaching building, and trigger the violent incident. Nor would he have set a trap during the special exam on the uninhabited island, specifically targeting Ryuen Kakeru and accommodating Ibuki Mio, the spy.

This inevitably created a situation.

"If you didn't have the confidence to win this special exam, you would still pay attention to Ryuen's actions, even if you don't see him as an opponent. But just now in the Dragon Group, you simply exposed his scheme without treating his actions as a threat."

Ichinose Honami delivered a sharp observation.

"Combining this with your reaction in the Rabbit Group, I think you must have already found the key to this exam ahead of Ryuen."

All these were without solid evidence.

Like Hori's previous "fighting spirit theory," it was merely a personal feeling.

But Ichinose Honami had confidence in her intuition.

That confidence wasn't the same as Hori's self-assured intuition but was built on her slight understanding of Hori.

"Of course, it might be my illusion, but considering it's you, Nanaya-kun, the possibility seems very high."

Ichinose Honami chuckled softly and asked.

"So, can you clear up my doubts?"

This was what Ichinose Honami wanted to confirm.

A hint of depth flickered in Hori's eyes.

"If I say yes, what will you do?"

Hori asked another question instead of answering.

Facing this question, Ichinose Honami could only smile bitterly.

"I have no plans to do anything," Ichinose Honami said with a bitter smile. "It's just that I was hoping to repay you for the favor from the uninhabited island, but now it seems impossible."

Speaking of this, Ichinose Honami felt both admiration and frustration.

Admiration for Hori's astounding achievement of identifying all the VIPs on the first day of the exam.

Frustration that her previous efforts had been in vain.

Initially, to repay the favor from the uninhabited island, Ichinose Honami had decided to give Hori the chance to answer for the VIP in the Rabbit Group.

Now that Hori had identified all twelve VIPs, Ichinose Honami's plan had completely fallen through.

Not just fallen through, but also…

"Class B will owe you, Nanaya, another big favor in this special exam."

Ichinose Honami said helplessly.

Indeed.

Since Hori identified all the VIPs, it naturally included the VIPs from Class B.

And due to the cooperation agreement, Hori would inevitably withhold Class B's VIPs' information.

Wouldn't this count as a huge favor?

Moreover…

"If Nanaya-kun plans to answer for the VIPs in Class A and Class C, that would also be good for our Class B."

Ichinose Honami sighed.