Two days before the ship docked, Ayanokoji received a message from an unexpected source.
From: Ryuuen Kakeru
Subject: A Proposition
Ayanokoji. We need to talk. Meet me at the aft deck at midnight. Come alone.
He read the message twice, considering.
Ryuuen contacting him directly was unusual. Their last interaction had been tense—Ryuuen's group had ended early, and he had confronted Sakamoto in the corridor. Whatever Ryuuen wanted now, it was important enough to reach out personally.
Ayanokoji arrived at the aft deck at exactly midnight.
Ryuuen was already there, leaning against the railing, his dark hair moving in the sea breeze. He didn't turn when Ayanokoji approached.
"You came."
"You asked."
"Did you tell anyone?"
"No."
"Good." Ryuuen finally turned, his eyes glittering in the dim light. "I want to make a deal."
"What kind of deal?"
"The Rising Tide protocol changes everything. Class A's advantage is reduced. The gap can be closed. But not if the other classes fight each other."
"You want an alliance."
"Temporary. Strategic. We cooperate to bring down Class A. After that, we can go back to trying to destroy each other."
Ayanokoji considered. An alliance with Ryuuen was dangerous—Ryuuen was unpredictable, ruthless, and would betray him the moment it became advantageous. But the offer had merit. If Classes B, C, and D could coordinate their efforts, they might be able to meaningfully challenge Class A's dominance.
"What about Class C?"
"Ichinose won't agree to anything that might hurt others. She's too soft. But Kanzaki might. He's more pragmatic."
"And what do you want from me?"
"Information. You're in Class D, but you have connections everywhere. You know things. I want to know what you know."
"In exchange for what?"
"In exchange for not targeting Class D in the next exam. In exchange for sharing intelligence about Class A's weaknesses. In exchange for a chance to bring Sakamoto down."
Ayanokoji was silent for a long moment.
"I'll consider it."
"Don't take too long. The next exam is in two weeks."
"I know."
Ryuuen nodded, then turned back to the railing. "One more thing. The beneficiary from your group—the Rabbit Group. Do you know who it was?"
"No."
"Neither do I. But I intend to find out." He glanced back at Ayanokoji. "Whoever it was, they're playing a long game. And I don't like being outplayed."
He walked away, disappearing into the ship's shadows.
Ayanokoji remained at the railing, watching the dark sea.
The game was accelerating. Alliances were forming. And somewhere, Sakamoto was watching it all unfold.
The best players are those who can adapt when the rules change.
Ayanokoji intended to be one of them.
The cruise ship docked at the main harbor of Kōdo Ikusei Academy's artificial island on a bright, cloudless morning. The gangplank lowered with a mechanical hum, and students began filing off in class order, their luggage rolling behind them.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stepped onto solid ground for the first time in nearly two weeks. The sensation was strange—the ground felt too stable after days of gentle ocean sway. Around him, students stretched and yawned, their relief at returning palpable.
The campus spread before them, pristine and imposing. Glass towers caught the morning light. Manicured gardens lined the pathways. Everything was exactly as they had left it, as if the school existed in a state of perpetual perfection, untouched by the passage of time.
But Ayanokoji knew better. The Rising Tide protocol had changed everything, even if the buildings looked the same.
"Feels good to be back," Karuizawa said, falling into step beside him. "Even if it means more exams."
"Did you read the full protocol?"
"Twice. My head hurts." She grimaced. "Team-Based Strategic Competition? What does that even mean?"
"We'll find out soon enough."
They parted ways at the dormitory entrance, Karuizawa heading to her room to unpack, Ayanokoji to his. The familiar space felt smaller than he remembered—or perhaps he had simply grown accustomed to the ship's expansive cabins.
He set down his bag and sat on the bed, pulling out his phone to review the Rising Tide details once more.
Team-Based Strategic Competition: Core Rules
Each class will be divided into teams of four to six students.
Teams will compete in a series of strategic challenges over a three-day period.
Challenges will test cooperation, resource management, and adaptive thinking.
Points will be awarded based on team performance, with bonuses for class-wide coordination.
The Comeback bonus will be applied to any class that closes a 500+ point gap.
The rules were deliberately vague—no specific challenge descriptions, no scoring rubrics. The school wanted students to prepare for uncertainty.
Adaptive thinking. That's the key phrase.
Ayanokoji set down his phone and began to plan.