Cruise Ship
Kiyone was with Mei Yu Wang and Kushida. Mi-Chan showed Kushida a Bikini;
"Kushida-San, how about you try this?"
Mi-Chan presented the outfit to Kushida.
"I don't know. It's a bit revealing."
"Come on. Live a little."
Kiyomi interjected.
"Mi-Chan. If she doesn't want to then don't force her."
"But..."
Kushida tried to enter the conversation again but Kiyomi interrupted her.
"Kushida-San already said no now let's go and let her try on what she likes."
Kiyomi led Mi-chan away as Kushida sighed as she looked as Kiyomi's back with a fond expression but then she slapped her cheeks and shook her head.
"Get your head in the game Kikyo. You can't trust anyone."
She went over and picked a Bikini that was a bit less revealing.
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On The Deck
The girls were frolicking in the pool as the idiot trio and some other boys watched. Ike stood up and looked at his friends.
"I'm going to do it. I'm going to confess my feelings to Kushida-Chan."
Kiyomi walked over.
"Please don't."
"Huh? But why?"
"She barely knows you and she's a nice girl. Don't make her have to say something that might hurt you. And don't put her in a position where she feels forced to say something that leads you on."
"Huh?"
"Even if she was interested I doubt she'd date someone she barely knew. Before you get ahead of yourself spend more time with her and get to know her better."
Ike looked dumbfounded.
"Are you... giving me advice?"
Kiyomi sighed.
"You're not very bright are you?"
Ike blushed in embarrassment.
"One more thing if you two end up together can you honestly say you can take care of her in your current state?"
Ike looked confused.
"What are you?"
"Would you be able to get a good job? Or would you have to depend on her instead?"
Ike thought for a second as it all hit him at once.
"Fuck I'm an idiot!"
Kiyomi didn't think for one second that he would ever catch Kushida's eye but at least this way Ike would be motivated to become better and more useful to the class. Why she did do this? A subconscious effort to assist Suzuki? Or something else? She didn't know.
"On the last thing. If I catch you doing perverted things again I'll definitely tell her and she'll probably hate you."
Ike looked scared gulping. Sudo also seemed to pick up on all this however Yamauchi was hopeless. He had stared at Kiyomi's breasts the entire time not listening to a word she said.
"Yamauchi. Stop looking at my breasts."
"..."
"Yamauchi."
Sudo gritted his teeth as he pitied his friend for his stupidity.
Kiyomi sighed walking away.
"Huh? Where are you going Ayanokoji-chan?"
Sudo punched him in the head.
"Ow!!!"
"There's something wrong with you man."
Ike sighed.
"Seriously. Not even I would do something like that stupid. Horikita might say we were dropped as a kid... but for you, he'd say you were dropped multiple times."
Sudo nodded and said, "He'd probably be right too."
Yamauchi looked to his friends like an injured dog.
"Wha? Why would you say something so cruel to me?"
"Cause you're an idiot. Among idiots, you're the greatest of us all."
"If I'm dumb then you're dumber."
Both Sudo and Ike said this at the same time. Suzuki was there as he smirked.
'Looks like I'm not needed. There might be some hope for those two after all.'
Sudo moved to Suzuki.
"Hey um, Horikita. What's Ayanokoji's first name?"
"Sudo. Your challenge to me before is still on right?"
"Yeah so?"
Sudo's eyes widen in realisation as he smirks.
"You finally admit it huh?"
"Well, I think mine and Kiyomi-San's relationship has progressed quite well."
"Huh!?"
Sudo got angry.
"You're already on a first-name basis?"
"You figure that out for yourself."
'I just wanted to brag but I don't actually call her by that name. Besides saying that we're dating would be a bit... soon. A bit a of privacy at the start is better.'
"I'm still not going to lose to you."
Suzuki sweated.
'You already have though.'
"I'll keep fighting until I hear the words I love you from her. Whether it's directed to me or you. That's what will be the end of this challenge."
Suzuki looked surprised.
"I'm honestly impressed by your resolve. Alright. Challenge officially accepted."
'I was bing a bit overconfident. Sudo is right. Until then it's not over.'
Kiyomi sat with Kushida.
"What are they on about? First names? What's so important about that?"
Kushida looked at Kiyomi sweating a little.
"Um Kiyomi-Chan. Calling a girl by her first name is a big thing for a guy."
"Oh... I didn't know that."
"You didn't?"
"I didn't."
Kushida sighed.
"You're a bit clueless aren't you Kiyomi-Chan?"
"I guess I am."
"Oh sorry. That was a bit rude."
"I don't mind. Something that small isn't going to make me mad."
"... Oh... well I'm glad."
Kiyomi looked to Kushida.
"Did you date Horikita-Kun in Middle School?"
Kushida made a shocked expression and then nodded slowly.
"So I'm guessing things ended badly between you from the way he shuns you."
"Um yes. I guess I just wasn't doing a good job as his girlfriend."
Kiyomi shook his head.
"I think he probably made some mistakes as well. I'm well acquainted with his... personality."
Kushida sweat dropped a little.
"I guess Horikita-Kun made it a bit difficult from time to time."
Kushida's expression was cheery but it was clear in her eyes she had not dated him out of romantic feelings. It was a different reason. Kiyomi noticed this but didn't say anything. Kei, Shinohara, Sato and Chiaki walked over. Kei smiled.
"Hi!"
They greeted each other warmly as Kiyomi calmy greeted them without enthusiasm. Kei looked irritated.
"You know if you keep acting like that you won't end up dating anyone."
Kiyomi tilted her head.
"But I have a boyfriend."
They all looked shocked.
"Oops. I wasn't meant to say that yet."
They all looked dumbfounded. Kushida looked to Kiyomi wondering if it was Suzuki. She shook her head as Sato looked at Kiyomi.
"So who is it?"
"Um... I'm not meant to say. He wants to have some privacy for a few months."
Kei looked at her strangely.
"Usually it's the girl that asks for that."
"Oh. I didn't know that."
They looked at her questioningly but they set aside their thoughts.
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Dining Area
Kiyomi sat down as Suzuki arrived.
"You got here a bit early."
"I was talking to some friends and the direction just led me here."
Suzuki chose his food as Kiyomi just looked at the menu blankly.
"I have no knowledge of any of this."
Suzuki pointed out some stuff.
"If you're trying this cuisine for the first time I recommend this... this... and this."
"Alright. I'll go with that."
"So since this is our first date can I ask what your interests are?"
"I don't really have many hobbies but I like to read."
"What kind of books have you read?"
"Mostly Psychology and Science."
"Just academic books? Even I'd eventually get bored reading only those."
"Well I have read books like Lord Of The Rings but honestly I prefer the academic ones."
"I see."
'What kind of life did you live for you to feel that way?'
"Thought here is one book I like in particular."
"And that book is?"
"Crime And Punishment."
"That's... the book I was reading."
"You looked so intrigued reading it that I tried it for myself. It was a good read. I tried more books like that. I think I've developed an interest in the genre. But I don't know a way of finding books like that."
Suzuki smiled.
"I'm glad you feel that way."
As the date went on Suzuki realised that he was genuinely having fun.
'I love this. Is this what it means to not be alone? It's been so long that I'd forgotten the feeling.'
Kiyomi cracked a small smile causing Suzuki to blush.
'She's definitely reserving that smile as a weapon to pierce my heart but... I guess I don't mind.'
The idiot trio entered making a ruckus. Yahiko glared at them.
"You must be from D Class. You don't belong here with the rest of us."
Sudo looked around seeing Kiyomi and Suzuki sitting together. You could practically hear his heart shatter.
"Are you two?"
Suzuki sighed. Sudo looked to Kiyomi.
"Why Ayanokoji? Why him?"
"Just a feeling."
"That's all?
"What's that supposed to mean? I'm not a prize you know. I'm just a girl and my feelings say that I like Horiktia-Kun."
Suzuki as blushed a lot but still looked at Sudo smugly.
"Well... you heard... her. Haha..."
Ike looked at her and smirked as he realised that despite Suzuki's usually professional demeanour he was still a guy that got flustered when a girl spoke fondly of him. This gave him a sense of respect and camaraderie.
Yamauchi looked heartbroken.
"You can't be serious. I thought we had a connection Ayanokoji-chan. I thought..."
Sudo snapped out of it punching him in the head and dragging him away. In truth though he needed to get away as well but he hadn't given up. His challenge to Suzuki before still held weight. He just felt Suzuki had gained a significant lead.
Ike scratched the back of his head.
"Sorry about Yamauchi."
Kiyomi shook his head.
"It's fine. There will always be someone like him out in the world."
Ike left and Suzuki sighed.
"Getting interrupted on our first date like that is annoying but it'll be fine."
"Agreed. We shouldn't focus on one little part of the day. There's still more to do. So there's still a chance to turn this day around."
"Anyways do you think this cruise is really just a cruise?"
"Considering this school I think they'd sooner expel every single one of us than give us an all-expenses-paid cruise like this for no reason."
"I had my doubts too."
The others in the restaurant realising they were from Class D started staring.
"You're one of them too? Honestly. They're swarming this place."
Katsuragi interjected.
"Yahiko. That is not the behaviour expected of a Class A student. Quiet down."
Yahiko looked shocked as Kiyomi got up and offered her hand to Suzuki.
"Let's go somewhere else."
Suzuki nodded as Katsuragi sighed making a disappointed expression towards Yahiko for his inexcusably rude behaviour towards fellow students who had done their best to not be disruptive to everyone else. Suzuki took her hand.
"Agreed."
Suzuki and Kiyomi left the restaurant, and Katsuragi went on to berate Yahiko more for his shameful actions.
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On Deck
They sat down at a fruit drink bar when Ryuen approached them. Suzuki looked at him suspiciously.
"Who exactly are you?"
"Name's Ryuen Kakeru. Nice ta meet ya Horikita Suzuki. I know all about you though Horikita Suzuki. You're the one who ruined my plan concerning Sudo right? And you're the one with the hot SCP sister.
Suzuki glared at him when Ryuen looked at Kiyomi
"It's nice to see you again Kiyomi."
"I never said it was alright for you to use my first name. In fact I never gave you my first name."
"Kuku. Don't be like that. Show some expression."
"I'd rather not waste emotion on someone like you."
Ryuen reached towards Kiyomi but Suzuki grabbed his wrist.
"Don't touch her."
Ryuen clicked his fingers as Albert pulled up his sleeves. Suzuki sweated knowing that Albert was undoubtedly stronger than him.
'What kind of situation is this?'
Kiyomi got up.
"Let's just leave Horikita-Kun."
"But..."
"They won't try anything in a crowded area."
Ryuen sighed.
"Kuku. Stand down, Albert. I was only kidding after all. Besides, I want to have a nice talk with these two."
Ryuen smirked.
"So are you and Horikita dating? Would you like to jump ship? I promise I'll be way more fun than him."
Suzuki glared at him.
"You bastard!"
Ryuen sniggered.
"Don't worry you'll get a front-row seat to all the fun."
Kiyomi didn't react as she looked at Ryuen blankly.
"I'm afraid I'm not that type of girl. I'm a bit superficial so I'd prefer someone with a prettier face."
Suzuki began laughing out loud at this as Ryuen fumed in anger.
"You little bitch."
Albert reached his hand out again.
"Don't disrespect the boss."
Kiyomi got up taking a step away.
"If you are quite finished I think Horikita-Kun and I will be leaving."
Ryuen glared at them.
"Next time I'll crush you both... personally."
Then Ibuki showed up.
"Ryuen you bastard."
"Did you miss me Ibuki?"
Ryuen pulled Ibuki towards his body. Suzuki saw this and made a repulsed face. Ibuki attempted to punch him but Albert caught her punch.
"Albert... you too? So you'll just wag your tail for Ryuen?"
"That's enough."
Albert restrained her and then he threw her at the railing as he and Ryuen. Kiyomi walked over to Ibuki offering a hand.
"Do you need some help?"
Ibuki slapped her hand away and got up on her own.
"I don't need your help. None of this has anything to do with you."
Ibuki left as Suzuki made an annoyed sigh.
"Ayanokoji-San..."
"We should probably end our date here. Before we encounter any more problematic people."
"Well alright but... did you have fun?"
"When we weren't getting interrupted yes."
"Right... I'll make sure the next one is more peaceful."
Kiyomi let out a small smile.
"I'd like that."
The two went different ways as Kiyone walked around she came across an empty part of the ship she had to walk through to get to Chabashra who had called her. This is where she found Kushida who was kicking the railing.
"Fuck that little bitch Mei-Yu Wang! Trying to make me look like a slut! Fuck those boys looking at me with lewd eyes! I hate you. I hate you all. Just go and die."
Kiyomi's phone pinged.
It was a message from Suzuki saying "Did you get back fine?" This caused Kushida to notice as she turned around.
"Who was that? Who's there?"
Kiyomi stepped out.
"Ayanokoji-Chan... you... what are you doing here? Why are you out so late?"
"I just.."
Kushida walked towards her as her facade dropped.
"Did you hear?"
"I did. It really is difficult, isn't it? To try to please everyone."
"You..."
Kushida clearly wanted to threaten her like it was a survival instinct but her face showed emotional turmoil as she looked down and sighed.
"What do you want me to do to keep this a secret?"
"I guess... just be open with me? You don't need to hide this side of yourself when you're alone with me."
"But why would you?"
"Because I'm your friend."
"You're my... friend... You really don't mind this side of me?"
"Not at all. I've actually seen much worse from someone I was neighbours with so it doesn't really affect me at all."
Kushida seemed suspicious of that but it quickly disappeared from her train of thought.
"I see. I've decided."
"What have you decided on?"
"You're the only person I can call a friend and not be lying."
Kushida hugged her.
"I'm glad to hear it."
"Come to think of it you're not just a cutie are you Ayanokoji-San?"
"Oh. Thanks, I guess."
Kushida let go as Kiyomi pointed to a location.
"Well, I have to meet with Chabashira-Sensei. You should get back to your room before someone else walks in on you."
"You're right. Goodbye... Kiyomi."
They parted ways as Kiyomi headed towards Chabashira.
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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