Chapter 97: Poor Acting and Horikita Suzune's Desire to Kill 

When Horikita Suzune arrived at the Chinese restaurant where she and Kanda Shuichi were supposed to have lunch, Kanda Shuichi was already eating with Miyake Akito at a round table outside.

"You really are something else," Horikita Suzune said, seeing that Kanda was eating with Miyake. She pulled out a chair next to Kanda and sat down, immediately questioning him.

"Something else? Aren't you just too simple and easy to understand?" Kanda Shuichi shot back, leaving Horikita Suzune speechless. Her face quickly turned red with embarrassment.

Seeing Horikita Suzune getting angry, Miyake Akito subconsciously scooted away, which only made Horikita frown. Was I that scary? Why move over like that?

But now wasn't the time to worry about that. Horikita Suzune sat down and had some questions she wanted to ask Kanda Shuichi.

So, the three of them were sitting in an equilateral triangle around the round table.

"The dishes I ordered are almost ready. Let's talk after we finish eating."

Predicted again! Damn it!

Not long after Kanda Shuichi finished speaking, a waiter came over with a tray of food—three dishes in total.

The dishes were winter melon and pork rib soup, shiitake mushrooms with bok choy, and steamed egg, all very light. These were specially prepared for Horikita Suzune as Kanda Shuichi had instructed.

They were not only rich in vitamins but also helpful for quickly restoring strength.

As for why he chose Chinese food, it was because Kanda Shuichi had no idea what kind of Japanese food someone recovering from a serious illness should eat.

So, just make do with it, Horikita Suzune from Japan.

Although there were three dishes, the portions were small since Kanda Shuichi had specifically asked for them. If you compare it to the amount of food Horikita Suzune usually brings for lunch, she should be able to finish it.

While the three were eating quietly, the actors for today made their entrance.

Ryuen Kakeru, the leader of the C-class delinquents, walked over with his right-hand man, Yamada Albert, from the deck nearby, and quickly approached Kanda Shuichi.

"Kanda, you did well last time. You actually used such underhanded methods."

Damn it, Ryuen, are you crazy? Can't we eat in peace? Kanda Shuichi was speechless.

He then gave him a look—what do you want?

Guess.

Picking up the meaning in his gaze, Kanda Shuichi was once again speechless—guess or not, what's it to you?

"No, I can't say anything compared to you, right? What a failure, trying to fake something, and even failing at that."

When Kanda Shuichi said this, Horikita Suzune realized that these were the guys who had framed Suten earlier. So, this guy is the leader of C-class, Ryuen?

Although she had investigated him before, this was her first time seeing him in person.

He really looks like a small-time thug.

Someone like this can lead a class? Looks like C-class isn't all that great.

"Well, last time I did overlook something, and you took advantage of it. But this time, it's different. I'll completely crush your D-class," Ryuen said, striking a dramatic pose.

Watching Ryuen's over-the-top performance, Kanda Shuichi almost laughed out loud.

Enough of this, just put on the show already. When's the main event coming? If it doesn't start soon, I'll finish eating and leave.

It's coming, it's coming, don't rush. You really have no patience.

While they were exchanging banter, Horikita Suzune, who had been quietly eating, suddenly put her chopsticks down.

"I can't just pretend I didn't hear that!"

She put down her chopsticks and glared at Ryuen.

"Oh? I remember your name is Horikita Suzune, right? What? Do you have a problem with what I said?" Ryuen turned his full attention to Horikita Suzune, who had suddenly spoken up.

He also shot a look at Kanda Shuichi—was this your planned entertainment?

But Kanda Shuichi ignored him. Since someone was stepping in to warm up the show, he decided to focus on his meal. It was getting cold.

"Problem? Of course. Talking about crushing our D-class, it's your C-class that should worry about getting beaten by us first," Horikita said seriously, her face stern.

"Oh? Since you say that, can I take it as a declaration of war?" Ryuen asked, a smile spreading across his face.

Kanda Shuichi's silence confirmed that this wasn't part of his plan, so it seemed like an impromptu performance.

Seeing this, Ryuen felt even more pleased. He was bored, and now a decent toy had jumped out at him.

Ryuen looked happy, while Kanda Shuichi felt like crying inside.

"Horikita Suzune, are you really trying to stand out like this? Can't you just lie down and win? Why do you have to go and stick your neck out? Do you think you're funny?"

"You can think that if you want."

"Hahaha, hahaha..." After hearing Horikita Suzune's reply, Ryuen immediately burst into a wild laugh. "Well then, I'll be waiting. Don't make me wait too long, Suzune."

He said this while reaching for his phone, preparing to take a picture of Horikita Suzune.

But before he could start taking the photo, a cute girl with blue short hair appeared from a nearby corner. She glanced around, and when she saw Ryuen, it was like she had found her target, quickly heading in his direction.

"Ryuen!"

Her angry expression made her eyes shine brightly.

Ibuki Mio—though Kanda Shuichi had never spoken to her, he had briefly looked into her background.

So, this is the big show you planned?

However, at this moment, Ibuki was glaring at Ryuen with an almost hostile look, as if there was internal conflict.

"Oh, it's you, Ibuki," Ryuen slightly turned his gaze. "What's up? Have you fallen for me?"

Saying this in a flippant tone, he even tried to reach out to pull the angry Ibuki into his arms, as if to tease her.

"Are you kidding me?" Ibuki slapped away Ryuen's hand, which had been reaching for her. "I can't stand your behavior anymore."

Clumsy, so damn clumsy!

Ibuki, you've been training for two and a half years, haven't you?

"Really?" Ryuen, not getting angry after being rejected, continued teasing her in the same light tone. "Well then, come to my room later to talk—just the two of us."

But this seemed to really anger Ibuki, at least from Kanda Shuichi's perspective, it looked like she was genuinely furious. She shouted, "What are you talking about?" and immediately kicked at Ryuen. The move was so quick that someone like Kanda Shuichi wouldn't be able to dodge it.

But...

Hey, hey, hey, the blue-haired girl's striped shirt is showing!

Facing Ibuki's flying kick, Ryuen didn't dodge, not even changing his expression.

The big guy standing next to him reached out his arm and blocked Ibuki's kick, then grabbed her by the shoulder and tossed her aside. She crashed into the railing and then fell onto the deck.

Hey, hey, hey, that was way too harsh, right?

It looked like it hurt a lot.

They were just trying to clarify the contact person, was it really necessary to go this far?

In fact, when Albert grabbed Ibuki's shoulder, Horikita and Miyake, who were nearby, had both stood up, ready to help. But before they could do anything, Ibuki was already thrown out.

Though it didn't seem like an act, Kanda Shuichi decided to trust his instincts. This was Ryuen's scheme to get sympathy.

Instead of trusting his own eyes, Kanda Shuichi trusted Ryuen's character more.

If it had been someone skilled in martial arts, they might have been able to absorb the kick, but even though Kanda Shuichi couldn't, it didn't mean others couldn't.

"Are you okay?"

Miyake walked over and tried to help Ibuki up, but she slapped his hand away, not giving him a good look. "None of your business."

She then limped to her feet and silently walked into the cabin.

"Just now, they were saying they'd crush us, and now there's internal strife." Horikita Suzune frowned, then seemed to think of something and sighed.

Kanda Shuichi glanced at her but didn't say anything, as there was no need to remind her. This person probably wouldn't learn unless they faced a few more setbacks.

But Ryuen's actions were indeed misleading. Even after the first month ended, Class C was still being penalized.

To those who didn't understand Ryuen, this looked like he hadn't successfully gained control of his class.

While the drama was unfolding, at the back of the luxurious cruise ship, there was a theater.

At this moment, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was sitting with Chabashira Sae, watching a stage play called "Wings of Icarus."

"Why do you keep disturbing my life? Don't you already have Kanda helping you?" Ayanokouji's words were full of indifference.

"Yes, I already have Kanda," Chabashira Sae repeated, "But it's never too much to have more useful pawns."

"Being too greedy isn't a good thing."

Watching Icarus's wings burn under the sun, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka spoke with no emotion in his voice.

"It can't be helped. With Kanda Shuichi in that condition, it's uncertain whether he'll make it to the end of this exam, so it's your turn to step in."

"What if I refuse?"

"You have no choice but to help. Or do you want to drop out?" Ayanokouji suddenly grabbed Chabashira Sae by the collar.

"Is this how a teacher behaves?" Chabashira Sae didn't answer his question but instead asked, "Do it or not?"

Looking into her serious eyes, Ayanokouji released her collar.

"The cost of using me will be heavy."

With those words, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka left the theater.

Chabashira Sae let out a deep sigh. If she had a choice, she wouldn't want to do this.

If Kanda Shuichi knew what Chabashira Sae had done, he might think, "You, just like that white-haired loli, really underestimate me."

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