Just as Shimizu Akira finished sorting out his thoughts, he caught sight of a figure sauntering over from the distance—it was Hoshinomiya Chie from Class 1-B. Spotting Chabashira Sae with Class D, she imdiately picked up her pace, jogging over and reaching out to cling to Chabashira.
Chabashira reacted with lightning speed, expressionlessly stepping aside to dodge the touch.
"Let touch you a little!" Hoshinomiya Chie said in a wheedling tone.
"You're annoying. Go away," Chabashira replied, not even giving her a glance.
"Sae-chan is as cold as ever~" Hoshinomiya Chie didn't mind at all, remaining all smiles.
Her gaze swept through the Class D crowd and quickly locked onto Shimizu. She imdiately changed direction, leaning in with a giggle: "My, if it isn't little Shimizu? Still as handso as ever! That montum you had during the boxing match in June... I still rember it perfectly!"
Shimizu's mouth twitched slightly. For the past two months, "the boxing match" had beco the standard opening line for everyone greeting him; he was practically immune to it by now.
"Co over here for a sec. I want to tell you so secrets, just for your ears only!" Hoshinomiya winked at him.
Shimizu was taken aback, wondering what she wanted. Was it because of her invitation to join Class B a few months ago? Did she want him to leak Class D's key intel? Since phones were confiscated, ssages had to be delivered in person, making a private talk logical.
Before he could respond, Chabashira spoke up first. "Whatever you have to say, say it in front of and Shimizu. There's no need for private antics."
The smile on Hoshinomiya's face stiffened for a split second. "...Fine, fine. Since Sae-chan is so worried about , the three of us can 'whisper' together!"
The three moved to a relatively secluded corner where they wouldn't be easily overheard. Behind them, the sounds of classmates discussing the "toilet situation" echoed. Hoshinomiya scanned the area to ensure no one was close, then turned around, her gaze dancing between Shimizu and Chabashira with a mischievous smile.
"Shimizu-kun, back in June, did you go on a date with our Ichinose-san?"
Shimizu was surprised but nodded frankly. "That did happen."
Beside him, Chabashira's brow furrowed sharply, her arms tightening across her chest as her gaze locked onto Hoshinomiya.
"The two of you went out? Was it at your instruction? Hoshinomiya, what exactly were you trying to do by having your Ichinose specifically ask out our Shimizu?"
Chabashira knew Hoshinomiya too well. As best friends for many years, she could guess the other's sches with her eyes closed.
If Ichinose and Shimizu's eting was indeed at Hoshinomiya's behest, the goal was obvious: using Ichinose's appeal to recruit Shimizu or, at the very least, make him lean toward Class B.
And who was Ichinose Honami? She was the undisputed popular beauty of the first year. Countless boys across all four classes harbored secret crushes on her.
The way the boys had rallied to her defense against Ryuen earlier was proof enough.
Hoshinomiya Chie just smiled at Chabashira.
"It wasn't ~ We've been besties since high school; what bad intentions could I possibly have toward you?"
Chabashira had only guessed it casually, but the more the other denied it, the more certain she beca that Hoshinomiya was up to no good! It was precisely because they were long-ti friends that Hoshinomiya knew exactly where Chabashira's weaknesses were—making her strikes all the more "precise."
Chabashira ground her teeth inwardly. If Hoshinomiya hadn't constantly tripped her up and set traps for her class, she wouldn't have ended up as a jaded teacher who didn't care about her students.
"But still! Don't you think little Shimizu and little Ichinose are a perfect match?" Hoshinomiya's eyes lit up as if she'd thought of sothing fun.
"Personality, looks, ability... they're a match in every way, aren't they?"
Rankings currently circulating through the grade flashed through Chabashira's mind. In the Grade 1 Beauty Ranking, Ichinose Honami had sat firmly at the top from the beginning; her popularity was unmatched. anwhile, in the Handso Ranking, Shimizu Akira had consistently stayed in the top tier—both his looks and strength were high-level.
Having interacted with Ichinose a few tis, Chabashira knew the girl was well-spoken, gorgeous, had a great figure, and possessed a remarkably kind nature. Even a person as indifferent as Chabashira found it hard to dislike her. Such a girl would naturally be easy to fall for.
Looking at Shimizu, since the boxing match, his label as the "Strongest in the First Year" had spread to all classes. Combined with his sharp mind and steady deanor, he was undoubtedly Class D's "Ace." "The Loveliest" and "The Strongest"—outsiders would instinctively feel they were "perfect together."
However, alarm bells rang in Chabashira's head. She was Class D's horoom teacher, and Shimizu was her key trump card for a coback! She could not stand by and watch Ichinose (or rather, Hoshinomiya pull the strings) "abduct" her most important asset to Class B!
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, why don't you just tell your purpose for coming here," Shimizu interrupted their dialogue calmly. He had no interest in joining their tug-of-war.
To him, these two teachers were clearly using their classes as pawns for a personal grudge; wasting ti on "compatibility" was pointless. Besides, Hoshinomiya's "matching" ant nothing—that was between him and Ichinose.
"Oh, little Shimizu is so impatient." Hoshinomiya wasn't offended. "I just simply wanted to ask, how did it feel dating Ichinose last ti?"
"It was quite good," Shimizu nodded. "Ichinose-san is excellent, and she's very easy to be around."
This was the truth.
"Is that so! Hehe, so that's how it is!" Hoshinomiya's tone was full of cheer, as if a weight had been lifted.
"I feel much more at ease hearing that! I have other things to do. Little Shimizu, Sae-chan, I'll be going now~" With that, she skipped away.
Chabashira watched her back, her frown deepening. She felt Hoshinomiya had appeared specifically to sow discord. But regardless of the intent, one thing was unchangeable: Shimizu had already gone on a private date with Ichinose!
'It seems I must arrange a girlfriend for Shimizu Akira as soon as possible! Only then can I tie him firmly to Class D and end Hoshinomiya and Class B's ambitions!'
In truth, Chabashira had already been considering this for the past two months. Under the guise of a "Class Interest Survey," she had surreptitiously asked a few girls she deed suitable so key questions.
Chabashira's standards were high; to select a "girlfriend" for Shimizu, she naturally had to pick an exceptionally beautiful girl. She had a ntal shortlist: Horikita Suzune, Karuizawa Kei, Kushida Kikyo, Matsushita Chiaki, Sato Maya, Hasebe Haruka... Class D might be lacking in overall ability, but in terms of beautiful girls, they weren't short at all.
However, she had been nursing a different concern.
'What if Shimizu doesn't like the person I pick? Worse, what if the girl looks innocent but is actually a manipulative 'bad girl' who tricks him? That would be a disaster!'
Success would be great—Shimizu would have a reason to stay in Class D. But a failure—a ssy breakup or feeling awkward in the class—would give Hoshinomiya the perfect opening to scout him.
Initially, Chabashira's first choice was Kushida Kikyo. Kushida was sweet and friendly, a good visual match for Shimizu. But the longer they spent together, the more Chabashira felt an indescribable sense of dissonance from Kushida. That overly pleasing facade occasionally
reminded her of Hoshinomiya; she felt the girl might be masking a "landmine" in her personality. To be safe, she quietly crossed Kushida off the top of the list.
But looking down the list, the other girls had obvious flaws too. Karuizawa Kei and Sato Maya were too "gyaru" in style; though they claid they had never been in a relationship, Chabashira didn't believe that for a second.
As for the remaining options, Horikita Suzune was another suitable choice. Over four months, Horikita and Shimizu seed to be the closest in the class. But who could have guessed that when she tried asking Horikita if she intended to get a boyfriend, the girl had replied with a blunt "No"!
In short, because of these ssy circumstances, she had been unable to choose a girl who satisfied her in all aspects!
"Chabashira-sensei," Shimizu said, pulling her back to reality.
"Can every student choose to withdraw voluntarily in this exam? If soone wants to withdraw, who do they notify, and what is the process?"
Chabashira composed herself and nodded.
"Correct, participation isn't mandatory—as you heard, a Class A student has already withdrawn due to illness. However, note that if a student withdraws, the class is docked 30 Special Exam Points. The rules state the points won't go below zero. As for the process, you just tell , then go to the designated spot on this beach to return to the cruise ship."
Shimizu nodded. The school left so leeway, not forcing students to endure until the end, though the class would pay a price. And since Ryuen said he might have the whole class withdraw, it was clear the right belonged to every student.
He pondered for a mont and caught a potential loophole. "Is a Leader mandatory? If... the current Leader is the one who withdraws, how does the school handle it? And are the withdrawal conditions for the Leader the sa as everyone else?"
Chabashira's gaze froze for a mont. She hadn't expected him to focus on such a "special circumstance." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and beca serious.
"A Leader must be designated; that is a strict requirent. However, if a Leader has a 'valid reason' to withdraw, the process is more complex. They must not only notify but also co to this beach in person to sign docunts. It involves a transfer of power, requiring the person's consent, the surrender of the Key Card, and the transfer of authority to a designated successor. Usually, the current Leader and the successor co together."
"What counts as a 'valid reason'?" Shimizu asked imdiately.
"...As a horoom teacher, I cannot answer that directly. It is up to the school to judge the situation," Chabashira replied, shaking her head without hesitation.
Shimizu was startled, then imdiately understood her implication. Sotis, a refusal to answer is the clearest hint of all. It seed the process for a Leader to withdraw was indeed a hassle—requiring a physical presence on the beach, a school evaluation of the reason, and the surrendering of the card to update registration. He felt he had cleared up most of his questions about the rules.
There was just one critical question left—what was the standard for a "valid reason"? But it was obvious the school wouldn't tell the students that boundary.
"Well then, Chabashira-sensei—"
Shimizu was about to finish his final question and leave when Chabashira interrupted him. "Wait a mont!"
He stopped and turned back. She looked at him with a serious expression and said, "Shimizu-kun, I intend to make a third deal with you."
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