The next morning, Kaoru Mitoma still woke up to the sound of Kikyo Kushida's in the bathroom.
"I saw Horikita at the Dragon group last night. Hmph, that guy was clearly tempted by the rewards after hearing the exam explanation!"
After using the bathroom, Kushida started reporting to Kaoru again.
She and Suzune Horikita were in the same group, along with Arisu Sakayanagi, Kouhei Katsuragi, and Kakeru Ryuuen.
Class A: Kouhei Katsuragi, Arisu Sakayanagi, Shinji Matoba, Koharu Yano
Class B: Sayo Ando, Ryuji Kanzaki, Hitomi Tsube
Class C: Takumi Oda, Hidetoshi Suzuki, Masashi Sonoda, Kakeru Ryuuen
Class D: Kikyo Kushida, Yosuke Hirata, Suzune Horikita
...
This group gathered the most outstanding students from all four classes on the surface.
If Honami Ichinose were also in it, it would probably be a king versus king situation.
According to the Chinese zodiac, this group was the fifth, the Dragon.
"Send me the screenshot of the message later," Kaoru Mitoma said.
The exam was scheduled to start at 8 a.m and there was still about half an hour left.
"Huh? Isn't your control freak nature a bit too much? If I were the VIP, I'd definitely tell you!" Kushida was getting annoyed.
"The real problem is Horikita. What if she's the VIP?"
"If she's the VIP, we'll just answer her name," Kaoru Mitoma glanced around the room.
Apart from Totsuka Yahiko, who was still sleeping, he was the only one left in the room.
Hashimoto and the others were probably out having breakfast.
"That's what I thought too, but that's exactly why it's tricky. She's not going to tell us if she's the VIP" Kushida was clearly troubled by this.
Since Kaoru Mitoma had already told her about his contract with Horikita Suzune, she was now even more eager than him to initiate the plan against Horikita.
"How about we make a bet?" Kaoru Mitoma suggested.
"If Horikita becomes the VIP, I'll kneel and lick your feet. But if you're the VIP, you'll have to wear a collar and pee in front of me."
"Pervert! You disgusting dog! Who would ever bet on something like that!" Kushida shot back without hesitation.
"I can customize a collar you'd like" Kaoru Mitoma added thoughtfully.
"I can't believe it. Do you really enjoy licking girls' feet that much?" Kushida was momentarily speechless, but her breathing grew increasingly rapid.
"And on top of that, why would you want to watch… watch a girl pee? What's next? Drinking it? You're definitely a pervert!"
"Not to that extent. Just think about it—these methods might be used on Horikita later. Shouldn't we try them out first to see how effective they are?" Kaoru Mitoma voice was soft and persuasive, not forcing her at all.
Kushida fell silent for a moment.
"I'm not betting. You must have figured something out."
She wasn't the smartest, but that didn't mean she was an idiot.
If Kaoru Mitoma wasn't confident, why would he dare to make such a bet with her?
After hanging up, Kaoru Mitoma freshened up a bit and then headed out alone.
It was another beautiful day.
The soft sunlight shimmered on the deck and the sea breeze was cool and refreshing.
Most of the students seemed to be gathered in the ship's dining area, so the café was relatively empty.
Kaoru Mitoma ordered a coffee and some pastries at the counter.
Shortly after sitting down, his attention naturally drifted to a secluded corner.
Although the person quickly averted their gaze, there was no doubt—it was Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
Was he waiting for someone?
The thought had barely crossed his mind when someone else walked into the café.
The newcomer's eyes scanned the room and the moment they landed on Kaoru Mitoma, they visibly stiffened, their brow furrowing.
"What are you doing here?"
As the cold voice rang out, Kaoru Mitoma also took a moment to study the person before him—Horikita Suzune.
**[Activating "Emotion Perception"...]**
**[Horikita Suzune: Calm, Resistant, Suspicious, Insecure, Flustered...]**
**[Suggestions: Maintain eye contact, offer gentle reassurance and touch the chest to reduce the target's resistance.]**
Did she really experience so many emotions in such a short time?
Looking at Horikita Suzune's expressionless face, Kaoru Mitoma met her gaze directly.
"Same as you. Someone wanted to discuss the exam with me."
Facing his gaze, she felt as though she was completely exposed before him.
His slightly provocative words made Horikita Suzune feel somewhat stifled and she couldn't help but avert her eyes.
"So, you weren't deliberately waiting for me here?" Horikita Suzune said expressionlessly.
"If I manage to earn 500,000 personal points in this exam, your plan will be ruined."
To be honest, she was starting to regret it now.
Why had she taken the initiative to propose a new contract back then?
If she had just waited another day or two, the school would have held this special exam and as long as she achieved Outcome One or Outcome Three, her debt with Kaoru Mitoma would have been wiped clean.
If she had been the VIP Student, she would have had even more leeway and wouldn't have needed to panic at all.
"No, Suzune, I'm determined to have you" Kaoru Mitoma winked at her.
The next second, both of their phones vibrated slightly.
Horikita Suzune took a deep breath, then pulled out her phone.
The school's notification was prominently displayed on the screen.
[After our rigorous adjustments, you have not been selected as the VIP. Please proceed with the awareness of being a group member and take on the challenge of the exam. The exam will begin at 1 PM today and will last for three days. Members of the Dragon Group, please assemble in the Dragon Group room on the second floor.]
She wasn't the VIP.
Although she felt a bit resentful, Horikita Suzune could only think of the corresponding strategies and quickly identify the VIP Student within her group in the upcoming time.
"Judging by your expression, neither of us is the VIP Student," Kaoru Mitoma glanced at the message on his phone, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
Horikita Suzune retorted stubbornly.
"Sorry, you can guess whatever you want. I have an appointment and can't keep you company any longer."
With that, she walked off towards the corner on her own.
"Struggling further is meaningless. Ayanokouji-kun isn't the VIP Student either, so the outcome you're hoping for won't happen" Kaoru Mitoma said softly behind her.
Horikita Suzune paused for a moment, then continued walking forward.
Though she seemed indifferent, her thoughts were already in disarray.
[Horikita Suzune: Insecure, defensive, suspicious, anxious...]
[It is recommended to gently comfort the target, hold hands and caress the chest to lower the target's defensive mentality.]
Horikita Suzune's emotions had shifted, though it was unclear whether it was due to his words or the earlier eye contact.
This skill felt somewhat useless to him.
Kaoru Mitoma put away his phone, he already knew the answer to the exam.
As he had just said, if he wanted to, Horikita Suzune's expectations would be shattered once again.
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