Chapter 143 Ryuen: Matsushita is the Hidden "X"
"Sigh...Even though Kamuro is doing this for my own good, I still feel a bit dejected."
On the deck, Hikigaya leaned against the railing alone, staring blankly at the azure sea ahead of the cruise ship.
"Speaking of which, have I been getting a bit ahead of myself lately?
Actually being bold and direct enough to ask a girl out."
If it were the old him, let alone asking a girl out, he would have spent ages deleting and rewriting a single text message, studying it word by word before finally sending it. The result was usually like a stone sinking into the ocean—no reply. Or at best, a "taking a bath" or "going to sleep," suggesting their schedules were remarkably healthy.
However, since coming to this school, everything had changed. Girls were very proactive in text chats, including right now...
[Karuizawa Kei: So bored. What are you doing, Hachiman-kun?]
[Kushida Kikyo: That idiot Horikita actually suspects Ryuen is a VIP. It's absolutely hilarious!]
[Horikita Suzune: Kushida has been staring at me secretly all day. I don't know what's wrong with her.]
[Hasabe Haruka: I sat all morning; my neck and shoulders are so sore. Hey~ Hachi-kun, why do you think that is?]
[Sakura Airi: Ka-Ka and I are going to the sauna tonight. Do you want to come along, Hachiman-kun?]
[Ichinose Honami: The VIP for the Dragon Group is really hard to guess~ If only Hikigaya-kun was here.]
[Ibuki Mio: That Yamauchi from your class has been blabbing on and on. Can I hit him?]
[Shiina Hiyori: Hikigaya-kun hasn't replied. Is it because you're chatting with other girls?]
[Matsushita Chiaki: Telling you some good news—a girl from Class C said she wants to give you a love letter!]
Hikigaya silently put his phone away. In the beginning, he could still reply to them one by one. But as the messages gradually increased, he had no time to attend to everyone. He didn't even dare click into the chat boxes. Because Japanese social media apps have a very "anti-human" design: once you enter a chat, it shows "Read."
Leaving someone on "Read" is considered extremely rude. Therefore, Hikigaya could only play dead.
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Assembly time ended. It was midday.
"Please wait a moment, Matsushita-san."
The person calling out to her was a girl from Class C wearing glasses and a hair bun. She looked quite plain and frumpy; her name was Morofuji Rika. Whether in terms of figure or appearance, she was very average—the type of unremarkable background character.
"Morofuji-san, I'm very sorry. I feel like love letters and such should be delivered in person by the individual themselves," Matsushita Chiaki declined kindly.
"Ah, but... Hikigaya-kun's eyes are a bit scary. I don't dare go..." Morofuji Rika lowered her head, looking as if she were shy.
"In that case, why do you like Hikigaya?" Matsushita Chiaki raised an eyebrow, feeling that the other's attitude was ambiguous.
"If you look closely, Hikigaya's face is actually quite handsome. Plus, he's so capable; it's normal to like him, right?"
Matsushita Chiaki frowned.
Although she felt the girl sounded like she was reciting a script, the content was the truth. She also believed it was reasonable for girls to like Hikigaya.
"I-I heard that Hikigaya-kun has the best relationship with Matsushita-san in your class." Morofuji Rika looked up cautiously, observing her expression. She noticed that Matsushita Chiaki's expression seemed a bit pleased.
"Mm, go on."
"So, I wanted to consult you on exactly how to do it..."
"Alright~ since you're so sincere, I'll give you a hand." Matsushita Chiaki curled her lips into a kind smile.
The two made an agreement. After the afternoon assembly, they would meet at a private cinema below the deck.
'To find such a secluded place to discuss this... this girl's mind is quite meticulous.'
A strange look flashed in Matsushita Chiaki's eyes. How could she miss such a delicious piece of gossip?
Walking through the quiet corridor, the lights were somewhat dim. Suddenly, Matsushita Chiaki's eyelid twitched for no reason. An ominous premonition surged in her heart.
"Matsushita-san, you're here." Morofuji Rika also appeared in the corridor. The dim light hit her glasses, reflecting a white glare that obscured the look in her eyes. "Let's go inside and talk."
Morofuji Rika was the first to enter one of the private cinema rooms. Despite her doubts, Matsushita Chiaki couldn't resist her desire for "tea." However, for safety's sake, she edited a text message and sent it to Hikigaya, telling him her current location.
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On the deck, Hikigaya, who was feeling the sea breeze, received Matsushita's message.
'This 'deja vu' feeling... why is it exactly the same as the story I heard in my dream?'
Hikigaya opened the chat box. Upon learning that Matsushita Chiaki had been led to a secluded private cinema by a girl from Class C, his heart sank.
At the same time, Matsushita Chiaki realized she had walked into a trap the moment she entered the room! She immediately turned to leave, but the exit was blocked by a tall Black male student.
"Don't even think about escaping now that you're here."
Ryuen Kakeru was leaning against a sofa, his feet propped up on a table. Beside him were Ishizaki Daichi and Morofuji Rika.
"Morofuji-san, you!" Matsushita Chiaki looked at the latter with indignation.
"I'm very sorry for deceiving you, Matsushita-san." Morofuji Rika appeared to bow her head in apology, but at an angle no one could see, the corners of her mouth curled up uncontrollably. Beneath her honest exterior, she hid a restless heart.
"Hmph! Ryuen-kun, what is the meaning of this? Illegal detention is a criminal act!" Matsushita Chiaki questioned loudly.
"You've got guts. As expected of the woman beside Dead-Fish Eyes." Ryuen Kakeru sneered.
"I haven't locked the door, so how can this be called detention?"
"Then tell this big guy to move out of the way!"
"Sorry, Albert's ears aren't very good today; he can't hear my orders."
"...!"
"Alright! I see you're a smart person, so I won't beat around the bush with you," Ryuen stated plainly.
"From now on, I ask, you answer. Understand?"
Matsushita Chiaki really wanted to refuse firmly, but seeing the other side had the advantage in numbers, she decided to play along for now.
"What do you want to know?"
"First: during the uninhabited island exam, were you the one commanding Class D from behind the scenes?"
"Uninhabited island exam? Behind-the-scenes commander? What is that..." Matsushita Chiaki looked completely bewildered.
"Your name was written on Class D's leader card," Ryuen interrogated.
"I don't know; someone else must have changed it, right? To prevent thieves!"
Matsushita Chiaki had seen through Manabe Shiho's identity as a spy a long time ago.
"Playing dumb won't work. I've secretly investigated your transcripts. I found that your academic grades, including your physical education grades, involve hidden strength!"
This was information Ryuen Kakeru had obtained through the homeroom teacher, Sakagami Kazuma.
Therefore, he had reason to suspect that Matsushita Chiaki was Class D's hidden "X"!
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