The cruise ship's fourth floor had multiple bars, but there was also a smaller one on the third deck.
Unlike the lively bars above, this one felt more like an open-air izakaya. There was no booming electronic music, no soothing piano melodies—just the sound of the sea breeze and the vast starry sky above. With only minimal lighting, it was the perfect place to unwind.
Technically, students weren't prohibited from entering, but since the izakaya didn't cater to them, they rarely came here.
Kure Ragna wouldn't have come either if he hadn't overheard a conversation while buying drinks.
In the izakaya's outdoor seating area, Hoshinomiya Chie lounged lazily on a plush sofa, her body sinking into its softness. Across from her sat Mashima Tomonari and Chabashira Sae, quietly drinking.
With a glass of whiskey in hand, Hoshinomiya took a deep gulp and smirked.
"By the way, Mashima, I think I saw you at the mall the other day—on a date. New girlfriend?" she teased. "You're always so cold and serious, but secretly, you're quite the flirt."
Mashima clicked his tongue, clearly unimpressed with the remark. "You sure like to pry into other people's lives, Chie."
"Like you're one to talk," she shot back. "What about you? You used to be so fond of that guy before—what happened?"
"Hah, we broke up in two weeks." Hoshinomiya shrugged. "I lose interest when things get too serious."
Mashima sighed. "Typical. And what exactly are you planning, Chie?"
"Planning?" She tilted her head, feigning innocence.
"You swapped Ichinose and Kanzaki's groups during the special exam," Mashima pointed out. "You put Ichinose in the Rabbit group and Kanzaki in the Dragon group. That's not standard procedure, so I'm curious."
"Oh, that?" Hoshinomiya waved dismissively. "Ichinose is great academically and has a solid attitude, but she's lacking as a class representative. Besides, bunnies are cute, right? Seto suits her better."
She took another sip, then glanced slyly at Chabashira.
"Speaking of strange choices, what about you, Sae? You always treated Yukinoshita like a prized student, but this time, you didn't choose her. Instead, you went with Kushida. What gives? Do you really think Kushida is better at leading the class?"
Chabashira's voice was cool. "And if I say no?"
"Then explain it," Hoshinomiya insisted. "We're all teachers here. A little professional discussion won't hurt, right?"
After a moment of silence, Chabashira finally spoke. "At first, I did consider Yukinoshita the best candidate. She's an exceptional student—but only by normal high school standards. At this school, she's lacking."
"Lacking what, exactly?"
"Aggressiveness."
Hoshinomiya burst into laughter. "You're joking, right? Yukinoshita isn't aggressive, sure, but you think Kushida is?"
"No," Chabashira admitted. "Not in the persona she presents."
"Then who?"
Mashima answered before Chabashira could. "Kure Ragna."
Hoshinomiya blinked in surprise. "Him?"
"He's not in the Dragon group, though," she pointed out.
Chabashira leaned back, swirling the whiskey in her glass. "That doesn't matter. He has an unusual relationship with Kushida. If she faces trouble, he won't sit by and watch."
Hoshinomiya groaned, rubbing her temples. "This is too much. I thought Kure Ragna was dating Karuizawa? Now you're telling me he's involved with Kushida too? What is this, some kind of harem story?"
"You're not in our class," Chabashira replied flatly. "You wouldn't understand."
Hoshinomiya turned to Mashima. "And how do you know all this? Since when did you start keeping up with student gossip?"
Mashima sighed. "Chie…"
His exhausted expression said it all.
If she'd been paying attention, she would've realized they'd been discussing aggressiveness from the start. And in terms of aggressiveness, no one compared to Kure Ragna.
After all, during the uninhabited island exam, he had crushed Class A, reducing their score to zero. He had also dragged Class D down with him, leaving them with nothing.
Did she really need to ask why they considered him the most aggressive in Class B?
"Uh… never mind. Forget I asked." Hoshinomiya raised her whiskey in surrender and took another gulp.
Then, as if struck by sudden inspiration, she grinned mischievously. "Well, if you're worried about controlling Kure Ragna, I have a brilliant idea."
Chabashira narrowed her eyes. "What idea?"
"Simple!" Hoshinomiya clapped her hands. "You should just give yourself to him~"
Mashima froze. Chabashira's gaze darkened.
"Think about it," Hoshinomiya continued excitedly. "He's already a harem king. He's handsome, has a great physique, and looks pretty capable in other ways too." She winked. "And you, dear Chabashira, are a high-quality single woman—fair skin, beautiful, and well-bred. Why not just seduce him? A few sweet words whispered on the pillow, and boom! He'll be on your side, helping Class B rise to the top!"
"If he were in my class, I'd definitely tie him down with my—mmph!"
Before she could finish, Chabashira delivered a swift chop to her head.
Mashima rubbed his temples in exasperation. "Chie, relationships with students may not be against school rules, but there are moral boundaries, you know."
"Wo a few rua~ (I knoooow~)" Hoshinomiya mumbled, rubbing her sore head.
Not far away, hidden in the shadows near a vending machine, Kure Ragna silently chuckled at the scene.
The night breeze carried their voices away, making it difficult to hear everything clearly, but their interactions were entertaining enough.
Just then, his phone vibrated several times in his pocket.
Glancing at the screen, his brows furrowed slightly.
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