The day after the special exam ended and we finally returned from the harsh deserted island back to the luxury cruise ship—
The first-year students were granted complete free ti as a reward for surviving the ordeal.
In other words:
A full-scale vacation at sea.
---
Under the brilliantly clear blue sky stretched an endless ocean of sapphire.
Located on the uppermost deck of the cruise ship, the enormous outdoor pool area sparkled beneath the blazing sunlight. Complete with water slides and even a lazy river, it looked less like a school facility and more like a world-class resort.
After earning an overwhelming amount of points during the survival exam and achieving a landslide first-place victory, the students of Class B had gathered there since morning, enjoying themselves with all the pent-up energy from the past week.
"ALRIGHT!! I'm going down the water slide again!!"
"Shibata-kun, you seriously have too much energy! Let's just relax in the lazy river."
"Okay! Asako-chan, lend your floatie!"
Shibata's booming voice mixed together with the cheerful laughter of Shiranami, Amikura, and the other girls.
Gone were the muddy tracksuits from the island.
Now everyone wore colorful swimsuits, genuinely enjoying their vacation to the fullest.
anwhile, I sat elegantly upon a premium beach chair beneath a parasol at the best spot overlooking the pool.
With the sea breeze rustling my bangs, I looked down at the paperback novel in my hand through a pair of sunglasses while leisurely sipping tropical juice.
The perfect composition of:
"The Demon King on his day off."
(...Excellent. The air-conditioned interior of the ship is nice too, but sumr truly belongs to the pool. Just watching everyone enjoy themselves like this feels strangely healing.)
I quietly narrowed my eyes at the peaceful sight before .
Then—
Soft footsteps approached from the direction of the changing rooms.
"O-Oh… sorry to keep you waiting, Sousuke-kun…"
The mont I lifted my gaze—
"——!!"
I nearly dropped my drink.
Standing there was my one and only best friend:
Shiina Hiyori.
The swimsuit she chose was a pure white bikini adorned with delicate frills—modest and elegant, yet carrying a slight air of maturity.
Her pale skin, usually hidden beneath uniforms and dresses, glowed beneath the sumr sunlight.
Her slender shoulders.
And the soft feminine curves I had never fully noticed before.
Embarrassed, she lightly covered her stomach with both hands while peeking up at nervously.
(C-Cuteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!? What is this destructive power!? A goddess just descended onto this ship wearing a swimsuit!!)
For a split second, the calm processing ability granted by my "Aizen specs" completely short-circuited.
Every male instinct inside scread not to look away from the beautiful girl before .
But at the sa ti, my reason slamd on the brakes with everything it had.
(W-Wait. Calm down, !! That's Hiyori! My best friend! The one person who stayed by my side all throughout middle school! Looking at her with impure thoughts is absolutely forbidden!! If she realizes I'm thinking weird things, she might hate ! Losing the only person capable of perfectly understanding and translating my poems would be catastrophic!!)
I desperately maintained composure, forcing my facial muscles into the expression of a relaxed Demon King.
"U-Um… I tried wearing this swimsuit… H-How does it look…?"
Hiyori asked shyly, cheeks faintly pink.
Faced with that devastating upward glance, I slowly removed my sunglasses and spoke with the utmost elegance possible.
"—The radiance of pure white moonlight has eclipsed even the midday sun itself. Your beauty is sinful enough to make the very ocean lose its color."
(Translation: It looks amazing on you! You're ridiculously cute!!)
It was supposed to be a sincere complint from one best friend to another.
But the instant she heard my words—
Hiyori's entire face turned bright red.
"S-Sinfully beautiful…?"
She covered her burning cheeks with both hands, eyes wandering helplessly.
(Huh!? Did she understand the poem without a translation!? And she's really embarrassed!? …Ah, well, anyone would get embarrassed if their best friend praised them that dramatically. Sorry, Hiyori!)
Trying to recover, I gestured gently toward the pool.
At that mont—
"Hiyori-chaaan! Over here! Co play beach volleyball with us!"
Ichinose waved enthusiastically from inside the pool.
"Ah—yes! I'm coming!"
Hiyori gave a small bow.
"Then, Sousuke-kun… I'll see you later."
And with light steps, she ran toward Ichinose and the others.
---
Afterward, I occasionally joined the others in the pool myself.
I got dragged into water polo by Shibata, went down the water slide a few tis, and enjoyed spending ti with my classmates.
But for most of the day, I simply relaxed in my beach chair, sipping cold juice while quietly watching everyone laugh and play together.
"Take this!"
"Ahaha! Hiyori-chan, that splash was huge!"
Hiyori laughed innocently as she splashed water with Ichinose and Shiranami.
Watching her—
A warm feeling slowly spread through my chest.
(...I'm really glad.)
(In middle school, Hiyori and I were lonely bookworms who only ever spent ti reading together.)
(And now…)
(She has friends. She's smiling like that.)
(...Why does this feel like watching my daughter grow up?)
The guardian hidden beneath the Demon King façade quietly narrowed his eyes behind his sunglasses, enjoying the peaceful vacation of Class B to his heart's content.
---
That night—
Inside the luxurious party hall located on the middle floors of the cruise ship, illuminated by dazzling chandeliers—
Class B held a full celebration party for their victory.
An extravagant buffet lined the room, alongside towers of colorful non-alcoholic cocktails and juices.
Having changed from swimsuits into elegant dresses and stylish casual outfits, the students looked almost like young nobles attending a social gathering.
"Everyone got their glasses!?"
Standing at the center of the room, Ichinose Honami raised her glass high.
Wearing a soft pink party dress, she shone like the sun itself.
All eyes gathered on Class B's radiant leader.
"Great job surviving this entire week on the deserted island! Because everyone helped one another and stayed together until the very end, we were able to achieve such an amazing result! From now on too, let's continue supporting each other and build the best class together!"
"""OOOOOOOOHHHH!!"""
"Then—here's to our victory, and to the rest of our high school life… Cheers!!"
"""CHEERS!!"""
The clear clinking of glasses echoed throughout the hall.
As the signal rang out, conversations exploded everywhere while students eagerly dug into the luxurious food.
As for —
I occupied a quiet table in the corner, elegantly enjoying slices of roast beef.
Beside sat Hiyori, dressed in a pure white one-piece dress while happily eating a small cake.
"Sousuke-kun, this cake is really delicious. Fufu… the food on the island was nice too, but sweets really are special."
"—Only those who have experienced starvation can truly understand the sweetness of nectar. Because we endured such hardship, even grains of sugar now shine like jewels."
(Translation: Seriously. Dessert tastes way better after surviving that island!)
"Fufu, that's true."
As Hiyori smiled happily—
Our classmates began visiting our table one after another.
"Aizen! Seriously, thanks for everything this week! Ichinose told us you were the one planning strategies behind the scenes!"
Shibata approached with a huge grin while holding a juice glass.
Behind him ca Shiranami, Amikura, and many others.
"Aizen-kun, thank you!"
(...Whoa… they actually ca all the way over here just to thank . Class B really is full of good people. Alright, ti to reply coolly!)
I calmly placed my glass down and gave an arrogant smile worthy of a final boss.
"—Your gratitude is unnecessary. I rely illuminated the path upon which the pieces upon the board could shine most brilliantly. Praise yourselves for having the will to walk it."
(Translation: You're welco! Everyone worked hard, so I don't deserve all the credit!)
"P-Pieces…? A board…?"
Shibata blinked in confusion.
But before things could beco awkward—
The angel seated beside stepped in flawlessly.
"'Everyone achieved this through their own efforts, so there's no need to thank him. He believes all of you did an amazing job.' That's what he ans."
"Oooooh! Aizen's seriously so cool!"
"His wording is scary sotis, but he's honestly really kind!"
Thanks to Hiyori's perfect translation, the group beca even more emotional before returning to the other tables.
(...That was close. Without Hiyori, they might've thought I viewed the class as chess pieces. Once again, Hiyori proves herself to be my greatest best friend.)
As I secretly wiped away imaginary cold sweat—
Two more people approached.
Ichinose Honami.
And Kanzaki Ryuuji.
"Aizen-kun, Hiyori-chan… do you have a mont?"
Ichinose's expression beca slightly serious.
Kanzaki stood quietly beside her.
"What is it?"
At my question, Ichinose lowered her head deeply.
"Thank you. Truly. During this exam, I was only able to focus on everyone's condition and the base camp because you were completely handling the other classes and our strategy behind the scenes. Without you and Hiyori-chan supporting us… there's no way we could've won like this."
Kanzaki nodded firmly.
"She's right. Your absurd level of intelligence saved us countless tis. I'm genuinely glad you're part of Class B."
The two people standing at the center of the class looked at with absolute trust and sincerity.
(...Ichinose. Kanzaki. You two really are incredible. But don't misunderstand. I only gave advice because of my cheat abilities. The true strength of this class cos from your kindness.)
Suppressing the emotion rising inside , I slowly stood up.
Then, looking down at the two of them, I spoke quietly but firmly.
"—I rely created ripples upon the water's surface."
(Translation: I only gave a little advice.)
"No matter how perfect the calculated trajectory may be, if the vessel itself is fragile, the water will inevitably spill. The ones who embraced that fragile vessel with warmth… and supported it as an unwavering shield until not a single drop was lost… were the two of you."
(Translation: This class survived because Ichinose guided everyone with kindness while Kanzaki calmly supported the class behind the scenes!)
At my overwhelming aura and poetic taphor—
Both Ichinose and Kanzaki inhaled sharply.
Imdiately, Hiyori smiled gently and translated.
"'He says he only offered so advice. The reason this class stayed united and reached today without losing anyone was because of Ichinose-san's kindness and leadership, and Kanzaki-kun's steady support behind the scenes.'"
"Aizen-kun… Hiyori-chan…"
"...Aizen. Even for …"
The instant they heard Hiyori's translation—
Large tears began falling from Ichinose's eyes.
Kanzaki also widened his eyes slightly before awkwardly lowering his gaze.
For an entire week, Ichinose had carried the burden of leading the class while never once showing weakness.
And Kanzaki had quietly supported both her and everyone else from behind.
I had acknowledged all of it.
Praised all of it.
Comforted all of it.
Through poetry, naturally.
"Uwaaaah…! Thank you, Aizen-kun! Hiyori-chan! Kanzaki-kun too… thank you for supporting all this ti…! I'll keep doing my best…!"
Ichinose covered her face while crying openly like a child.
Kanzaki gave a helpless smile.
"It's still too early to cry, Ichinose… though, I'm grateful too."
(Perfect. My ssage got across exactly as intended. The ideal words of appreciation for a leader and the person supporting them.)
Internally celebrating with a fist pump, I elegantly raised my glass.
"—The revelry is not yet over. Lose yourselves in this night to your heart's content."
And so—
The victory celebration for the deserted island survival exam continued late into the night, further strengthening the bonds of Class B like never before.
Together with the smiling silver-haired girl beside —
I silently wished beneath the starlit sky that this peaceful, colorful high school life would continue forever.
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