Chapter 48 – Help me expel Horikita

Yesterday, I read a pretty good argument and I think I should address it here since many of you may have the same question.

What happens if you subscribe to Patreon and I stop translating the novel due to not reaching the minimum number of members?

While I would stop uploading chapters on Webnovel, I am obligated to continuing the translation for you until your subscription expires. It's important to note that Patreon has a refund system in place. If you don't receive the service you paid for, you can reach out to Patreon and request a refund of your money.

So, what are you waiting for, guys? I'm sure we can reach 10 members within a week. Thanks for your support!

***

In the evening, under the moon's silver glow, the daytime's splendid azure sea turned pitch black. Despite the myriad of stars and the bright moon shining together, only the white foam at the ship's edge, undulating continuously, was visible.

In another dining hall, Class C students were excitedly sharing their discoveries: "It's true! There are two helicopters parked at the rear of the ship!"

"This is my first time seeing a helicopter up close in real life. It's completely different from how it looks on TV or in movies!"

Kaneda, usually a cold and studious character, was enthusiastically sharing his day's findings with his classmates, his usual demeanor nowhere in sight. He had been taken by Ryuen to observe and remember the locations of the ship's surveillance cameras. However, while wandering, they discovered two helicopters and a helipad at a location where no student would usually go.

Even a studious person like Kaneda couldn't hide his excitement upon seeing such a metal marvel, which naturally appeals to boys with its 'cool factor.'

"Really? Are there helicopters too?! Isn't that a bit too luxurious?" 

"Tell us! Do you think the school might organize a flight for us? Just thinking about it sounds so fun!"

Hearing Kaneda's description, many students in Class C became interested and planned to get up early the next day to have a proper look. There was no chance to see them tonight since the school had notified everyone to rest early.

The reason given by the school was that during the two-week sea voyage, one week would be spent vacationing on a small island purchased by the school, with the remaining week on the luxury cruise ship. Therefore, they needed to rest early to avoid being late and missing out on the next day's island landing.

Yukio, however, was keen to take a look, not out of fascination with helicopters – he had even learned how to operate one– but out of curiosity about whether the helicopters were somehow related to the competition the school had planned for the next day. He wanted to investigate in advance.

So, while others returned to their rooms for an early night, he headed to the stern of the ship. The area was only faintly lit by a lone lamp, making it difficult to even spot the helicopters without getting close.

Unexpectedly, Yukio found someone had arrived before him, silently gazing at the dark sea, lost in thought. Approaching, he recognized the person as Kikyo Kushida from Class D.

Hearing footsteps, Kushida quickly turned around.

Upon realizing it was Yukio, her heart tightened with apprehension. Of all the people in the school, she was most wary of Yukio.

This person unexpectedly captured her true, disgraceful self on camera! That was a secret she absolutely couldn't let come to light. Initially, Kushida worried that Yukio would publicize the recording, ruining her next three years.

However, to her surprise, Yukio kept it a secret, maintaining silence throughout the semester.

Since their chance encounter by the campus lake, the only time Kushida saw Yukio was when he, along with the whole of Class C, blocked Class D's door and, in front of their class advisor, demanded 200,000 per month from Class D.

From that moment, Kushida began to understand Yukio's intentions. He wasn't kindly keeping her secret out of goodwill! It was just that the secret wasn't ripe for exposure yet!

This man, she realized, was probably waiting for the moment Class D posed a threat to Class C to reveal it, striking a heavy blow to Class D!

But this was something Kushida absolutely couldn't allow to happen. Therefore, she had been wanting to find a chance to talk to Yukio alone, but the opportunity never came.

For some reason, there always seemed to be someone from Class C hovering around Yukio, never leaving him alone. Especially that Ishizaki from Class C, who was very clingy, almost never leaving Yukio's side, which was infuriating to Kushida.

Unexpectedly, after her futile search, she ended up encountering Yukio here, and they were even alone!

Kushida immediately realized this was a golden opportunity. She switched on her acting skills, her radiant smile piercing through the darkness of the night: "Yukio-san, long time no see~ Good evening."

"Speak plainly," Yukio said without further inquiry, standing near the helicopters and identifying them as unarmed civilian models.

Kushida clenched her teeth in frustration at Yukio's attitude, but since her secret was still in his hands, she had to endure and keep a smiling face: "Well, then I'll speak directly."

"The last time you hit Class D, it was to ensure they couldn't threaten Class C in the class competition, right?"

"How about we make a deal? I can provide you with a lot of information while keeping it hidden from my class, helping you better deal with Class D."

"In return, you need to delete my video, and..." she paused, her eyes becoming dark and resentful under the cover of night, "...and find a way to make Horikita from my class drop out."

Her initially gentle tone became cold and murderous when she mentioned Horikita, as if there was a deep-seated grudge between them, an unyielding determination to drive the other out of the school.

Yukio raised his eyebrows upon hearing this. He had noticed Kushida's particular animosity towards Horikita when he first saw her unleashing her violent emotions.

Kushida hadn't expected her opinion to be so extreme, willing to betray her class and cooperate with another class just to ensure Horikita's expulsion. This must involve some secret.

"This would be greatly beneficial for you as well, wouldn't it, Yukio-san?" Kushida seemed to be justifying and continuously enticing Yukio to agree, suggesting that this wasn't a pointless endeavor, but a real advantage for Class C: "Actually, there are very few smart people in our class."

"Although I hate to admit it, Horikita's mind does work better than most. If she were to drop out, then Class D would be left with even fewer intelligent members. Such a Class D would pose no threat to you and your class."

Yukio, without turning to face Kushida, seemed more interested in the cold, metallic helicopter than her: "Huh, you don't even know who the most capable person in your class is, yet you talk about making deals?"

It was pitiful to think about it. Kushida, despite being the most popular in her class, knew less about her classmates' strengths than a student from another class.

Kushida clenched her fists in anger, veins popping on the back of her hands. She was infuriated by his continual condescension. She wanted to kick him, to find some dirt on him and expose it publicly, completely ruining him. But she couldn't.

People like Yukio, if they had any dirt, it was the violent way he united the class on the first day of school. But everyone in the grade knew about that, and it was useless as leverage. In fact, people might even praise Yukio for his cunning, and his classmates were extremely loyal to him. Who would consider that a scandal?

Feeling powerless and furious, Kushida tried to calm herself with deep breaths unnoticed: "You're referring to Koenji, aren't you?"

"You needn't worry about him. Koenji is reckless, indifferent to everything. He might even do things that cost the class points."

In Kushida's view, if it wasn't Horikita, then the only other person with significant capability in Class D was Koenji, who followed his own whims and beauty standards.

"That's why I say," Yukio finally turned away from the helicopter, meeting Kushida's gaze with a clear smile, "you really don't understand anything."

***

500 power stones = 1 extra chapter

Enjoyed the chapters? Read 20 chapters ahead on Patreon!

PATREON.COM/METARLN