『』『』『』『』『』
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
『... 』
The rapid succession of notifications jolted Kumagawa awake.
『Sigh...Even though I was getting to the good part. 』
A faint sense of dissatisfaction lingered as his dream ended on a cliffhanger. The details were already slipping from his mind, but somehow, he knew—if it had lasted just a little longer, he would've felt rewarded.
Rubbing his eyes, he reached for his phone and lazily glanced at the screen.
[99+ unread messages]
『Huhuhu. What a passionate young lady. 』
Kushida actually followed through and sent the names of her group members for the exam. But to find that message, he had to scroll up for a couple of minutes—it had been completely buried under the sheer volume of texts she had sent.
A wall of desperate, insistent messages flooded his screen.
- "Hey."
- "Hey."
- "Hey, are you asleep?"
- "Wake up."
- "I know you read this."
- "Stop ignoring me."
- "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
- "You said you'd listen."
- "Don't be a liar."
- "If you don't respond, I'll kill you."
- "Okay, I won't actually kill you, but I'll make you regret it."
- "Kumagawa-kun."
- "I swear, if you don't respond in the next five minutes—"
- "You're really testing my patience."
- "Okay, fine. I'll just keep messaging until you wake up."
And she had.
『Hahaha, scary. 』
He kept scrolling, finally reaching the part where she actually mentioned her group members.
Class A: Katsuragi Kōhei, Nishikawa Ryōko, Matoba Shinji, Yano koharu
Class B: Kanzaki Ryūji, Ando Saya, Tsube Hitomi
Class C: Ryūen Kakeru, Oda Takumi, Suzuki Hidetoshi, Sonoda Masashi
Class D: Kushida Kikyou, Hirata Yousuke, Horikita Suzune.
Just as she said. This group was filled with highly recognizable names from each class. It was practically a collection of class representatives, whether officially or unofficially.
After confirming the list, Kumagawa finally sent a reply.
- "Wow, you really sent a hundred messages just to get ignored. That's dedication, Kushida-chan. Anyway, I read it. Thanks for the info. You can stop spamming now. Oh, by the way, let's have breakfast together. I just love starting my day with a girl who gets all hot and bothered over the tiniest things. It really helps with digestion."
He set his phone down and waited.
One minute.
Two minutes.
Three minutes.
No response.
- "If you want to meet up, let's do it at the restaurant at 7:00. That is... if you're not too busy sending another hundred messages."
Still no response.
『... 』
Kushida completely ghosted him.
『Haha, how awful. 』
It was quite the proper reaction to have.
Kumagawa stretched his body and looked at his roommates. There were three of them—four if he included himself.
The school had divided the boys and girls onto different floors, and each room housed either three or four students. That meant Kumagawa ended up with his classmates as his roommates.
Though he didn't know what their names were.
They were still sound asleep. Not surprising. It was only 5 o'clock in the morning. Even the restaurant wouldn't open until 7, so most students were still deep in their dreams.
Letting out a small yawn, Kumagawa headed to the sink, washed his face, and put on his black Suisou Academy uniform. Thankfully, Anshin'in-san still had a heart somewhere behind her ribcage and had prepared several of his uniforms, knowing it was one of his favorites.
Dressed and ready, he grabbed a copy of Weekly Shōnen Jump and slipped out of the room.
With no particular destination in mind, he made his way toward the pool.
It took several minutes to get there, as the swimming pool was located on the rooftop of the upper deck.
Upon arrival, as expected, the place was still empty, save for a few staff members moving about. The air was crisp, and the water shimmered under the early morning light. It was the kind of peaceful silence that only existed at this hour.
"Hup. Hup. Hup."
The rhythmic sound of someone swimming echoed through the area.
Kumagawa turned his head and spotted Kōenji, gliding effortlessly through the pool with a textbook-perfect butterfly stroke.
『Oh, what a rare Pokémon. 』
With a small smile, Kumagawa casually made his way toward the edge of the pool.
Kumagawa stopped at the edge of the pool, watching as Kōenji cut through the water with perfect form.
Kōenji, naturally, paid him no mind. He continued his laps, maintaining the same rhythm without faltering even once.
Kumagawa sat down onto a nearby lounge chair, casually flipping open his Weekly Shōnen Jump. The faint sound of pages turning mixed with the rhythmic splashing of water.
After a couple of minutes, Kōenji finally surfaced, flipping his hair back dramatically as water cascaded down his toned body. He placed both hands on the poolside and effortlessly pulled himself out in a single motion.
『Good morning, Kōenji-kun. Are finally healthy yet? 』
"Hmph. What a pointless question. My body has always been in perfect condition." Kōenji let out a deep chuckle, running a hand through his dripping hair.
『Really? That's funny. I could've sworn you had to drop out of the last exam due to your health. But maybe my memory's just bad. 』
Kōenji let out an exaggerated laugh.
"Ha! If you're trying to provoke me, you'll have to do better than that. A man of my caliber knows when to exert himself and when to conserve his strength. That's just common sense."
『Oh no, not at all. If anything, I admire your dedication to self-care. Resting when you're unwell, skipping anything that might be a hassle—it's a very efficient way of living. 』
"Indeed! You have a keen eye, Misogi-boy. There's no need to waste time on unnecessary struggles. Only fools exhaust themselves without purpose."
He gave a light stretch, as if to emphasize his well-maintained physique.
"That being said, I'd rather not waste any more of my precious morning standing around."
With a casual wave, Kōenji turned and made his way toward the lobby, his body still dripping with water. If someone didn't know any better, they might think he was some kind of exhibitionist. But knowing Kōenji, this was probably just another way for him to show off his so called 'perfect body'.
Kumagawa watched him go, a faint chuckle escaping his lips. Out of all the students at this school, Kōenji was definitely one of the more interesting ones, one of the few who actually stood out in his eyes.
With that thought, he leaned back into his chair, flipping another page of Weekly Shōnen Jump.
For now, he'd simply enjoy his leisure time with his most reliable companion.
『』『』『』『』『』
Pak!
『Ouch. 』
Kumagawa was jolted awake by a sudden tap on his forehead. It wasn't particularly hard, but just strong enough to shake him out of his sleep.
At some point, he had dozed off while reading Weekly Shōnen Jump near the poolside. It wasn't surprising. The gentle rocking of the cruise ship, the warmth of the morning sun, and the distant sound of waves created the perfect conditions for an impromptu nap.
Slowly, he opened his eyes and saw a familiar face hovering over him.
『Kushida-chan? What are you doing in my dream? 』
Kushida let out a sigh, crossing her arms as she looked down at him.
"You're not dreaming, Kumagawa-kun."
『Huh? That's weird. But if this isn't a dream, then why would you, of all people, be waking me up so gently? Shouldn't you be slapping me awake instead? 』
"I tapped you, not hit you. Don't make it sound like I'm some kind of violent person."
『Well, aren't you a violent person? Not physically, I mean, but more psychologically. You act all nice and friendly, but deep down, you're the type who enjoys watching people squirm under your thumb.』
Kushida's brow twitched, but she chose to ignore the remark. Instead, she pulled out her phone and held it up to his face.
"You told me to meet you at the restaurant at 7:00, didn't you? It's already 7:18."
The screen displayed their chat, with his last message clearly stating the time and place. Beneath it was a series of unread messages from her.
[7:00 AM] – Are you coming?
[7:03 AM] – Don't tell me you overslept.
[7:06 AM] – I swear if you're messing with me...
[7:11 AM] – Are you seriously ignoring me again?
[7:13 AM] – Fine. I'm leaving.
『Wow, I see you've really toned down the spam. Only five messages this time? I'm impressed. 』
"Shut up."
Kumagawa chuckled before finally getting up from his seat, stretching lazily.
『Well, since you waited for me, shall we? Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, after all.』
Kushida sighed, stuffing her phone back into her pocket. And with that, the two of them made their way toward the restaurant.
When they arrived at the restaurant, it was already 7:23 AM
This was peak rush hour.
The large dining hall was filled with students from all classes, creating a lively but somewhat chaotic atmosphere. Nearly every table was occupied, with students either enjoying their meals or still searching for a place to sit.
Kumagawa took in the scene before turning to Kushida.
『Alright, I'll go find us a place to sit. Meanwhile, I need you to fulfill your duty as my appointmenter and bring me a cup of... let's see... oh, I know! Get me a nice, refreshing mix of black coffee and melon soda. 』
Kushida twitched.
"...I'm sorry, what did you just call me?"
『My appointmenter. You know, since you scheduled this little meeting, it only makes sense for you to handle the minor details. Like bringing me my drink. 』
"I told you already, that was a slip of the tongue." She let out a deep sigh.
『Well, a slip of the tongue is still something that came from the heart. Don't worry, Kushida-chan, I'll cherish your words forever. 』
Kushida clicked her tongue in annoyance but didn't argue further. She figured that the faster she got his ridiculous drink, the sooner she could stop hearing about it.
With a grumble, she turned toward the drink station, while Kumagawa casually strolled off in search of a table.
Luckily, he found one in the corner. It wasn't empty, but it was close enough—just two students sitting there, leisurely eating their breakfast. A prime location. Quiet, out of the way, and just right for an empty table.
Without hesitation and permission, Kumagawa walked up and spoke to them briefly. The conversation lasted less than two minutes. Then, just like that, the two students stood up, picked up their trays, and left without another word.
Shortly after, Kushida arrived, holding two drinks in her hands.
"...What did you do?" She glanced at the now-empty table, then at Kumagawa.
Kumagawa tilted his head, looking genuinely confused.
『Hm? What do you mean?』
"..."
She had seen it from afar. When she was getting their drinks, she had noticed him talking to the two students who had been sitting at this table. It wasn't long—barely two minutes. But right after that, they stood up and left in a hurry.
And when they passed by her, their faces were pale. They looked like they had just taken a sip of spoiled milk.
"...It's nothing. Forget I asked."
She decided not to pry any further. The way he was smiling at her right now felt... off. Something about it sent a shiver down her spine.
After Kushida got them their drinks, they took turns getting their breakfast. Unlike lunch, breakfast was more of a buffet-style setup, where students grabbed whatever they wanted from the selection available.
Kushida balanced her tray carefully, picking a well-rounded meal—eggs, toast, fresh fruit, and a small yogurt cup. Compared to her, Kumagawa's plate looked like it had been assembled by someone who had lost a bet. A chaotic mix of sweet, savory, and downright questionable food choices.
Still, she didn't comment on it. Everyone had their own preferences. No matter how weird or diabolical they might be.
For now, she just wanted to enjoy her breakfast. Since this was a high-end cruise ship, the food was naturally high-end as well. It was definitely a cut above the school cafeteria.
Just as she was about to take her first bite—
"Kumagawa."
A voice called out, making her freeze mid-motion.
Approaching from the other direction were two people she really didn't want to deal with first thing in the morning.
Horikita and Ayanokōji.
Kushida immediately put on her usual bright and cheerful smile, as if someone had flipped a switch.
"Good morning, Horikita-san, Ayanokōji-kun! Are you here for breakfast too?"
Kumagawa just blinked at her, clearly impressed.
『Wow. That was smooth. 』
"You two seem a lot closer these days," Ayanokōji, standing beside Horikita, commented.
"Well, we're in the same class, after all. It's only natural to get along, don't you think?" Kushida let out a small, almost playful laugh.
"Is that so?"
Ayanokōji wasn't sure if that was the real reason, but knowing Kushida's tendency to befriend everyone, it wasn't surprising. What was surprising, however, was that it was Kumagawa of all people.
He had heard from Ichinose that Kumagawa had been spending a lot of time with Kushida lately, but after surviving a week on an uninhabited island, he had brushed it off as an exaggeration.
Yet now, seeing the two sitting together, chatting like this, it was hard to deny.
Horikita, watching their exchange, let out a small sigh.
"Enough with the nonsense. We're here to talk."
『Well, I don't mind, but what about you Kushda-chan? Are they going to interrupt out private and intimate conversation? 』
Kushida also don't mind, but she also kick him under the table.
Kumagawa of course did not react and only just smile at her.
"Go ahead, take a seat. You two wanted to talk, right?" Kushida, keeping her usual bright smile, gestured toward the empty seats.
Horikita didn't hesitate and sat down, while Ayanokōji quietly followed suit.
Kumagawa leaned back slightly, stirring the strange mix of whatever he had decided to call a drink that morning.
『So, what brings you two here? Surely, you didn't just come to admire the beautiful bond between Kushida-chan and me. 』
"I won't waste time. I want to know what you're planning for this exam." Horikita gave him a flat look.
Kushida, sipping her drink, subtly glanced at Kumagawa. She was curious about that as well.
『A plan, huh? That's a pretty advanced concept. I'm still trying to figure out what I want for lunch. 』
Ayanokōji didn't react to his joke and instead asked, "What group are you in?"
"Oh, right. Horikita-san and I ended up in the same group." Kushida perked up.
『I see, I see. That must be nice. Two good friends working together.』
Kushida smiled, but her fingers twitched slightly.
"Yes, it's great."
"And you?" Ayanokōji glanced at Kumagawa.
『Snake group. 』
"I see. I'm in Rabbit."
Horikita, who had been listening quietly, turned to Kumagawa.
"Who else is in your group?"
『Hmm, let's see. From our class, there's a beautiful girl named Matsushita Chiaki and a timid girl named Inogashira Kokoro-chan. As for the rest... I didn't bother remembering. I'd just forget them the next second anyway.』
"Kumagawa."
『Hey, before you start judging me, do you really expect me to remember people's names? Do I look like someone capable of doing something even remotely close to that? I can't even do basic multiplication properly—why would I be able to remember a bunch of random peoples? 』
Ayanokōji, who had been quietly observing, considered pointing out how that statement didn't make any sense. Remembering names and solving math problems had no correlation whatsoever. If anything, he suspected Kumagawa was just making excuses for not caring.
Instead of pressing the issue, he leaned slightly toward Horikita and whispered, "Just ask Matsushita later."
Horikita glanced at him but didn't argue. That was probably the simplest solution.
Ayanokōji briefly thought about Matsushita. Although he had never directly spoken to her much, he often saw her with Karuizawa and the others. She seemed friendly enough, so asking her wouldn't be a problem.
For now, there was no need to push Kumagawa for details he clearly had no intention of remembering.
『You know, watching you two interact like this, I can't help but think... Kushida-chan and Horikita-chan, don't you seem a bit like childhood friends? 』
Kumagawa suddenly threw out a completely unrelated remark, tilting his head slightly with an amused grin.
Horikita furrowed her brows in obvious displeasure, while Kushida blinked in surprise before letting out a small laugh.
"Eh? Horikita-san and me? That's an interesting thought."
『Right? It's like one of those stories where two childhood friends start off on bad terms, but deep down, they actually care about each other. Ah, or maybe the type where one of them remembers the past, but the other completely forgot. 』
Kushida twitched slightly at that remark before quickly smoothing over her expression. She flashed her usual bright smile and ask Kumagawa a question.
"Speaking of childhood friends... what about you, Kumagawa-kun? Did you have one?"
Ayanokōji, listening quietly, found himself slightly intrigued by the question. What kind of person could have possibly been childhood friends with Kumagawa Misogi? Someone just as strange as him? Or—perhaps—Kumagawa had been normal back then? The thought alone was interesting.
But Kumagawa simply shrugged.
『Nah, not really. I don't have anyone like that, you know.』
"You don't?"
『Since I've always been transferring schools. I can't even remember where I lived when I was a kid.』
Kumagawa laughed as he spoke—like it was some kind of joke. But no matter how you looked at it, there was nothing funny about it. It was more of a depressing story rather than a joke.
Kushida hesitated for a moment, as if unsure how to respond. Even Ayanokōji found himself silently contemplating whether or not Kumagawa was being truthful. Given his personality, there was no telling whether he was lying, exaggerating, or simply throwing out words for the sake of conversation.
Thankfully, Horikita's cold-blooded personality spared them from lingering on the topic. If anything, she didn't seem to care about Kumagawa's so-called depressing story at all—if you could even call it that. She simply moved straight to the point.
She shifted the conversation to their strategy for the exam, discussing it mainly with Ayanokōji while Kushida chimed in every now and then.
Kumagawa, who had been listening absentmindedly, suddenly tilted his head.
『Hey, shouldn't we be discussing this with Hirata-kun? He's the boys' leader, right? If we want to lead the class properly, it'd make more sense to bring him in.』
Ayanokōji responded casually.
"He's with Karuizawa and the other girls right now. It's a little difficult."
『Ah, I see. Hirata-kun, you're really a popular guy, huh? Must be tough.』 Kumagawa chuckled, though he didn't seem particularly interested in pushing the topic further.
Instead, Horikita turned her gaze toward him.
"Kumagawa, what do you think about the exam?"
『Hmm? What do I think? 』
"Yeah."
Despite his usual demeanor, Horikita had begrudgingly come to acknowledge that Kumagawa was somewhat superior to her in certain ways. His actions during the Island Exam were proof enough—even though he acted like an idiot most of the time, he had somehow managed to fool all three classes and drag down their scores.
She didn't know how much of that was planned and how much was pure coincidence, but the fact that he had pulled it off was undeniable. Kumagawa was more than he let on to be.
Kumagawa shrugged.
『Nah, not really. I don't have a plan. 』
Horikita narrowed her eyes in irritation.
"You can be unserious all you want, but at least try to be useful for once."
Kumagawa simply smiled.
『Well, I just hate things like that—those pre-made strategies, calculated moves, predetermined outcomes. Plans, tactics, guides, blueprints—I just hate them all. Not knowing what kind of surprises we'll encounter is what makes life boring, right? 』
All three of them stared at him, compeletely confused by his wording.
Wasn't that kind of statement usually supposed to end with, "...that's what makes life interesting, right?" But coming from Kumagawa, it somehow made perfect sense. Maybe, to him, boring things were what made life interesting.
『Alright, then. I'm done eating, so I'll be off. Have a good day— I mean, enjoy the next 24 hours of your life. 』
Just like that, he abruptly stood up and left before Horikita could say anything.
"....."
"....."
"....."
That sounded more like a threat rather than a simple farewell.
Horikita narrowed her eyes slightly, while Ayanokōji merely watched Kumagawa walk away without much reaction.
Kushida watched him for a second before standing up as well.
"I'll get going too. See you later, Horikita-san, Ayanokōji-kun." She smiled at the two before following after Kumagawa.
Horikita let out a small sigh, while Ayanokōji silently observed the two leaving.
"Unexpected, isn't it?"
Horikita glanced at him. "What is?"
"Kushida."
Ayanokōji hadn't expected her to get along with Kumagawa. In a sense, it reminded him of his own relationship with Horikita—except in reverse. If anything, Kumagawa was the Horikita in this dynamic, while Kushida was the one following along with his whims. At least, that's how it appeared on the surface.
There might be something more beneath it, but without further information, Ayanokōji couldn't pinpoint what.
Horikita frowned slightly but didn't comment. Instead, she quietly returned to her meal.
Ayanokōji did the same.
『』『』『』『』『』
Kushida caught up to Kumagawa with ease, falling into step beside him as they walked.
"Horikita-san looked really irritated back there, didn't she?" she said with a small giggle.
『Really? I wasn't paying attention. 』
He said it so casually that Kushida couldn't tell if he was lying or just genuinely uninterested.
"She was tapping her fingers against her head like this," Kushida mimicked Horikita's irritated gesture. Her voice carried a hint of amusement, and there was a certain lightness to her step.
『You're enjoying this way too much, Kushida-chan.』
"Well, what can I say? Watching people you hate struggle is kind of fun sometimes."
It couldn't be denied that she was genuinely in a good mood. And it was because of Kumagawa. Seeing Horikita frustrated, even if just a little was satisfying in its own way.
『Ahaha. What a passionate friendship. Passionate to the point that I want to make the boring media these days learn from you two. 』
"I don't want to hear that from someone who doesn't have any genuine friends to begin with."
『What are you talking about, Kushida-chan? I have a friend, you know—my childhood friend, Sukinasaki-Saki-chan, from the tender age of two.』
"..."
『What? 』
"I thought you didn't have any childhood friends?"
Kushida squinted at him, clearly remembering their earlier conversation.
『What kind of life are you supposed to have if you don't have a single childhood friend? You'd have to be raised in some kind of 'Make the Perfect Human' lab facility or something. But even then, there'd still be other kids, right? They'd probably have to compete with each other, fighting over who's the best. 』
"That's a really specific scenario... but wouldn't that make them enemies instead of childhood friends?"
『What's the difference? 』
Kumagawa tilted his head, looking genuinely confused.
『They grew up together, knew each other for years, spent time in the same environment... That automatically makes them childhood frenemies. 』
"That's a really messed up way to look at it."
『No, no, no, Kushida-chan, you're thinking about it all wrong. 』
Kumagawa shook his head in disappointment.
『Think about it. If you spend years fighting the same person, pushing each other to the limits, wouldn't that bond be even stronger than some half-baked friendship? It's like an anime rivalry. They hate each other, but at the same time, they're the only ones who truly understand each other. It's deeper than friendship—it's a connection forged in battle.』
"That's just Stockholm Syndrome."
『Exactly! 』
'This is pretty bad.'
Kushida suddenly realized she was getting caught up in his pace again. It wasn't just that it was frustrating, it was unpleasant in ways she couldn't even explain. Like his weird personality was somehow rubbing off on her.
And that was something she absolutely, 100% did not want to happen.
Deciding to shift the conversation before she lost any more common sense, she opened her mouth—only to close it again as she noticed someone approaching them.
Just her luck. Another unpleasant person.
Ryūen Kakeru.
With his usual smirk, he lazily glanced between the two of them before speaking.
"Ku ku ku ku. What's this? I keep seeing you two together. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're dating."
Kushida's face twitch in visible manner.
"Ahaha, what are you talking about, Ryūen-kun? We're just having a normal classmate conversation."
『Yeah, we are. 』
Kumagawa blatantly agreed without hesitation.
"..."
"..."
"...Hah?"
Of course, the one who reacted the most was Kushida. Even though she tried to smile and ignore the remark, it was simply impossible.
"Pfft—seriously? That's rough, Kushida. I always figured you had better taste, but I guess I was wrong." Ryūen let out a laugh.
"You're so mean, Ryūen-kun. You shouldn't make fun of your friend like that."
"Who the hell is whose friend?"
The sheer disgust in his voice was almost comical. To Ryūen, being associated with Kumagawa in any way, let alone as friends was more insulting than anything else. Even the second-worst person in the first year wanted nothing to do with him.
『Wow. I really am popular. 』
"You're surprisingly childish sometimes, Ryūen-kun." Kushida giggled.
"Call it whatever you want. I just have standards."
『That's pretty mean, Ryūen-kun. You make it sound like I'm some kind of bottom-tier trash. 』
"You're not?"
『Hahaha, you're right. I totally am. 』
"You two really get along well, huh?"
It was sarcasm on Kushida's part. It was amusing to see Ryūen get frustrated.
"Like hell we do. If anything, I'm just amazed you can tolerate this guy, Kushida." Ryūen scoffed.
"Well, Kumagawa-kun is pretty fun to talk to." Kushida put on an innocent smile.
Ryūen gave her a look that said he clearly didn't believe her before snorting.
"Enough of this crap. Let's talk about something actually important."
This time, Ryūen's confident and smug smirk returned to his face, as if he had forcibly erased the last few minutes from his memory.
He turned his gaze to Kumagawa.
"I heard you're in the 'Snake' group."
『I totally am. Did you say that to assert dominance by showing off how much information you have on me? 』
Ryūen didn't react, but the corners of his lips curled slightly.
Ding!
Just then, the notification sound chimed from their phones. It was exactly 8 o'clock, and the school had sent out the messages regarding the VIP of each group.
Ryūen and Kushida both instinctively reached for their phones, their eyes scanning the message.
Kushida, however, noticed something strange. Kumagawa wasn't checking his phone. In fact, he hadn't taken it out at all.
"...Aren't you going to look?" she asked, tilting her head.
『Ah, about that... I kind of forgot my phone in my room.』
"I see...."
Kushida gave him a look that wasn't even disappointed—more like an exasperated, "What did I expect?" kind of gaze. It was just so typical of Kumagawa to forget something as important as this.
With a small sigh, she turned her attention back to the message from the school.
Meanwhile, Ryūen let out a thoughtful hum as he read the contents of the message.
"...Heh. Interesting."
Kushida glanced at him, but before she could ask what he meant, he had already pocketed his phone.
"You know, Kumagawa... You're really underestimating me."
『Oh? Have I done something like that? I don't remember, but my memory's pretty unreliable. 』
Ryūen chuckled. "Doesn't matter. Because by the time this exam is over, I'll make sure you remember exactly what happens when you piss me off."
With that, Ryūen turned and walked away, disappearing around the corner.
Kushida quietly watched him go before shifting her gaze back to Kumagawa, who remained completely unfazed.
"...Are you not worried?" she asked.
『About what? 』
"About what he said."
Ryūen wasn't the type to make empty threats. He had no morals, no hesitation, and would do absolutely anything to get what he wanted.
『What's with that look, Kushida-chan? You're worrying about me? 』
Kushida clicked her tongue and ignored the remark.
"...Just so you know, Ryūen was the one who framed you during that sexual assault incident. He's dangerous, Kumagawa-kun. And strong."
Kumagawa let out a laugh, his usual carefree smile plastered on his face.
『Hahaha, it's cute that you're concerned. I should've taken a picture—But, I'm not afraid of any strong people at all.』
"..."
『If anything, I'm afraid of the weak ones. 』
"Don't you have any pride at all?"
『What's that? Is that something you can eat?』
"...No, it's my fault for asking if you have anything to begin with."
『Now that's just cruel. What if you broke my heart with that evil remark? Shouldn't I, as the victim, get to grab your boobs as compensation for this direct verbal assault? 』
The words he so casually let slip out were vile beyond belief. It wasn't just crude—it was the kind of remark that would earn any normal guy a slap across the face.
And yet, Kumagawa said it so naturally, with no shame or hesitation, as if he were asking for a piece of candy.
Kushida flashed a bright, cheerful smile—so bright that it almost felt cold.
"Ahahaha, what kind of nonsense are you talking about, Kumagawa-kun? In order to feel heartbroken, you'd need to have a heart in the first place."
『Oh? That means you're admitting I'm heartless? 』
"That should be obvious."
『Then that means I can do all sorts of heartless things without feeling guilty. Thanks for the confirmation. 』
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Kumagawa casually asked, 『By the way, are you the VIP? 』
Kushida's expression didn't change, but there was a slight pause before she answered.
"Who knows? Why would I tell someone with such a loose mouth?"
『Fair enough. I wouldn't trust me either. 』He nodded in complete agreement, as if he wasn't the one being insulted.
Kushida glanced at the time on her phone.
"My first discussion starts at 1:00 PM. So I should probably get going."
Even though there were still a couple more hours, she decided it was best to leave now before anyone else got the wrong idea about her and Kumagawa, just like Ryūen had.
She turned to leave, waving at him with a friendly smile. "See you later, Kumagawa-kun."
Once she was gone, Kumagawa turned and made his way to his room to fetch his phone.
Upon entering, he found the room empty—his roommates were probably still eating or enjoying their summer vacation.
He picked up his phone from the bed, noticing an unread message on the screen. Tapping on the notification, he read the contents.
– "After careful consideration, you have been selected as the VIP. Please act with responsibility as a member of your group and prepare for the exam. The test will begin for your group at 11:00 AM today and will last for three days. All students in the Snake group should gather in room 2F on the second floor of the upper deck, in the Snake section."
『Ahh... What a hassle.』
Despite his words, there was a small, amused smile on his face.
『END』
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