Chapter 148: Chapter 143: Classroom of the Elite
The endless summer sea. The infinite blue skies. The perfectly clear air. Here, in the midst of the Pacific Ocean, we didn't feel the intense midsummer heat, and the gentle sea breeze kissed our bodies. Yes, this really was an oceanic paradise.
The view from the "special seats" on the deck was exceptionally gorgeous.
"This view is incredible! I'm honestly super moved right now!" A group of girls led by Karuizawa came out from the ship's cabin.
She pointed toward the vast, sunlit ocean, her radiant smile glowing with childlike excitement. "It's just so beautiful!"
I had to give it to her—she was an outstanding actor.
"Seriously, the scenery here is just amazing!" Kushida Kikyou chimed in, her gentle, kind smile as flawless as ever.
Another perfect performance.
After overcoming numerous hardships, midterms, and the final exam, we welcomed summer vacation with open arms.
Of course, there were many twists and turns.
Not only was the kind and gentle Hirata depressed but three students were expelled.
It wasn't just Class D.
Class C was in a similar state.
It was a mixture of joy and sadness.
Joy from being free of Ryuen's control but…
While Ryuen was a dictator he portrayed an attitude of absolute confidence which served to motivate Class C. Kaneda, one of the smarter students from Class C had taken over the class nominally but he lacked the aura Ryuen had.
Looking out at the drifting sea, I exhaled a soft sigh. The juxtaposition of happiness and despair was a cruel twist of fate.
For them, this vacation was an escape.
For me, it was a prelude.
I will soon leave but not before throwing a grand farewell party.
…
The Advanced Nurturing High School had arranged for an extravagant two-week trip—a cruise on a luxury liner.
At our government-sponsored school, there was absolutely no need for us to pay for tuition or other miscellaneous expenses—which, of course, included this trip. We received the best of special treatment.
The cruise liner and its facilities were of the highest possible quality.
This ship was fully equipped with everything from prestigious restaurants to a theatre, and even an upscale spa. On my own, this would probably have cost me about 100,000 yen, even in the off-season.
Our trip, which promised the pinnacle of luxury, had finally started today. According to the schedule, we would spend our first week staying at a fancy summer lodge on a deserted island. After that, we would enjoy the cruise ship for another week.
At 5 AM today, the first-year students boarded buses and departed for Tokyo Bay. The passenger ships departed from the port once the students arrived. After eating breakfast in the lounge, students were permitted to move freely throughout the entire vessel.
Best of all, we were able to use any of the ship's facilities free of charge. For most of Class D who'd suffered daily due to a lack of points, this ship was heaven-sent.
I stood on the deck, letting the sea breeze wash over me. The comforting feel of nature soothed my mind.
I couldn't help but smile.
"What are you smiling about?" Kushida's voice drew me back to the present. She stood beside me, her expression as sweet as ever, though her eyes burned with something darker.
"Mad, are you?"
"Hmph. Should I not be? You promised to expel Horikita, yet all I see is you getting cozy with her. Homemade lunches and all."
I met her glare, unbothered. "I told you from the start—I'd use love to expel Horikita. Don't tell me you've forgotten already?"
Kushida scowled. "I haven't, bastard. But what if you actually fall for her? Men are predictable creatures. Especially someone as perverted as you."
"You're more beautiful,"
Her eyes flashed with fury as she took a step backwards. "Save your lies. I still haven't forgiven you for what you did that day." Her eyes were filled with hatred.
"I can't believe you're still sane after what I've done to you." I couldn't help but stare at the sky, only I knew what lurked behind the clouds, "It's as if something is stopping you from breaking down."
Kushida expressed her confusion regarding my last sentence but that was fine. She didn't need to know.
No matter how much I broke her, no matter how much pain I inflicted on her Kushida would end up mentally unharmed the next day.
The naughty Heavenly Spirit continued to make sure Kushida Kikiyo would never change, a character who'd never break down helplessly.
It couldn't help Sudo and the others because it wasn't awake. Or rather the expulsion of Sudo, Ike and Yamauchi had triggered its awakening in the first place.
"Crazy bastard…" Kushida muttered and walked away.
"Meh," I continued to enjoy the cold breeze blasting against my body. It wouldn't be long before we reached the island.
I had a few loose ends I needed to tie.
I entered the cabin and walked towards a particular room. Since it wasn't locked I could enter freely.
"Yo!"
"Oh, Yamamoto," Ayanokoji responded with his ever so bland face. "Did you need something?"
"Nothing much, just wanted to confirm if you were okay with a sparring session on the island."
"Spar?"
"You haven't forgotten our previous conversation, have you? The frog and well one."
His memory was near perfect from what I remember so it shouldn't be a problem.
"I guess that's fine. The island vacation doesn't seem to be that simple though, would it be alright for us to play around so nonchalantly?"
"Do you care?"
"... Not really."
"You should be thanking me y'know." I picked a glass of water and gulped it down, "Phew, had I not been here, who knows what Chabashira-sensei would've made you do."
"What do you mean?"
"She knows your past, or rather has a vague idea about it."
"I see. If you weren't there, Class D would be in dire straits and Chabashira-sensei would blackmail me to help the class?" Ayanokoji immediately pierced it together, "But I'm confused, could it be she's actually the one looking forward the most to reach Class A?"
"Yup."
"The reward for the Teacher of Class A must be quite enticing. But simply knowing my past isn't enough to blackmail me, what other card does she have to play?"
"Expulsion?"
"If she dares to play the expulsion card against me she must not know much." Ayanokoji, who didn't find a reason to act dumb in front of me, responded casually, "She'll be gone before she succeeds."
"You wouldn't remove her." I snorted, "You'd rather deal with a known variable than an unknown one. Rational emotionless freaks like you are predictable in these matters."
Expulsion meant vacancy and vacancy meant employment. It was a loophole that Ayanokoji Atsuomi, his father, would fully utilize and Ayanokoji understood that.
Perhaps the new Class D teacher would be incomparably more annoying than Chabashira Sae.
Ayanokoji shrugged, "I have feelings and emotions too, don't hurt me like that."
"Oh."
With a shake of my head I left the cabin, dueling with Ayanokoji wasn't to experience a battle, there was no way Ayanokoji stood a chance.
It was for an entirely different matter.
…
Standing alone on the deck, I stared out at the distant island, now little more than a speck on the horizon. The others, oblivious to my thoughts, were lost in their excitement—laughing, chatting, caught up in the joy of the vacation.
I had to admit, a small part of me too desired a normal life.
Friends. Healthy relationships. A happy family.
Too bad I was destined to never have those.
Relationships, no matter their form, required one thing—compromise.
Something I would never agree to.
"It's lonely, don't you think so?" I said, breaking the silence deliberately.
I felt his presence before he answered.
"Tyrant boy, your theatrics are tiresome," came a smooth, mocking voice.
Turning, I saw him reclining casually on a deck chair, his golden hair catching the sunlight like a crown. A glass of juice rested lazily in his hand, the picture of self-indulgence.
"It's not theatrics," I replied, giving him a faint smile. "It's the truth."
Koenji's smirk widened. "A truth you seem far too eager to lament. A cut above the rest doesn't need to feel lonely, you know."
"I suppose so."
Koenji Rokusuke.
What a weird guy.
However, he was another one of those I'm curious about, similar to Ayanokoji.
Classroom of the Elite.
Who knew when I would step foot here again?
Well, if I survive then maybe.
Silence fell over us briefly before I decided to break it.
"Would you like me to kill your father?" I asked, looking at the seemingly 'perfect' human.
___________________
Read 20 Chapters Ahead of Webnovel!
Patreon.com/AlmightySkyDxddy