Chapter 27

The day after we returned from the brutal deserted island special exam back to the luxury cruise ship—

The first-year students were granted complete free time to recover from the ordeal.

In other words:

A full-on vacation at sea.

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Under the cloudless blue sky stretched an endless sapphire ocean.

The massive outdoor pool area located on the top deck sparkled brilliantly beneath the blazing summer sun. Complete with waterslides and even a lazy river, the place looked less like a school facility and more like a world-class resort.

Having achieved an overwhelming victory in the survival exam and secured first place by a landslide, the students of our Class B had gathered at the pool area since morning, playing with all their might as though venting a week’s worth of stress.

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“ALRIGHT!! I’m hitting the waterslide again!!”

“Shibata-kun, you seriously have too much energy! Let’s just relax in the lazy river.”

“Yeah! Asako-chan, lend me your floatie!”

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Shibata’s booming voice mixed with the cheerful squeals of girls like Shiranami and Amikura.

Gone were the muddy tracksuits from the deserted island. Now my classmates wore colorful swimsuits, enjoying their vacation from the bottom of their hearts.

And amidst all of that—

I sat deeply reclined in a premium beach chair beneath a parasol at the best viewing spot beside the pool.

My bangs fluttered in the sea breeze.

A paperback novel rested in one hand.

A tropical drink in the other.

The perfect composition of “The Demon King on His Day Off.”

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(...This is paradise. The air-conditioned interior of the ship is nice too, but summer means the pool. Just watching everyone having fun feels strangely healing.)

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I sipped my juice elegantly while enjoying the peaceful scene of Class B.

Then—

Soft footsteps approached from the changing room area.

“U-Um… sorry to keep you waiting, Sousuke-kun…”

At that voice, I raised my head.

And instantly froze.

“————!!”

I nearly dropped my tropical drink.

Standing there was my one and only best friend—

Shiina Hiyori.

The swimsuit she had chosen was a pure white bikini decorated with delicate frills. It was modest and elegant, yet carried just a tiny hint of maturity.

The fair skin usually hidden beneath her uniform and casual clothes.

Her slender shoulders.

And the soft feminine curves far more noticeable than I had expected.

All of it was illuminated mercilessly beneath the summer sun.

Likely embarrassed, she timidly covered part of her stomach with both hands while glancing up at me nervously.

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(C-CUTEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!? What is this absurd destructive power!? A goddess descended to earth in a swimsuit!!)

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Even my “Aizen Specs” momentarily short-circuited.

My instincts as a man screamed at me not to look away from the beautiful girl standing before me.

But my inner reason slammed the brakes with full force.

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(N-No, calm down, me!! It’s Hiyori! She’s been with me since middle school—my one and only BEST FRIEND in this world!! Looking at my best friend with impure thoughts is absolutely forbidden!! If she realizes I’m thinking weird things, she might hate me! I absolutely cannot lose the only person who fully understands and translates my poems!!)

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Desperately maintaining composure, I forced my facial muscles into the expression of a composed Demon King.

“U-Um… I tried wearing this swimsuit… H-How does it look…?”

Hiyori asked shyly, her cheeks slightly red.

Faced with that overwhelmingly adorable upward glance, I slowly removed my sunglasses and delivered the most stylish compliment I could muster as her best friend.

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“The pure white moonlight has forced even the midday sun to kneel. …Its radiance is sinful in its beauty. Before your figure, even the blue of the sea appears hopelessly faded.”

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(Translation: It looks AMAZING on you! You’re seriously super cute!!)

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I intended it as nothing more than a sincere compliment between best friends.

But the instant Hiyori heard my poem—

Her face flushed bright red all the way to her ears.

“S-Sinfully beautiful…?”

She covered her heated cheeks with both hands, her eyes darting around in embarrassment.

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(Huh!? She understood that one without translation!? And she’s REALLY blushing!? …Well, I guess anyone would get embarrassed if their best friend praised them that dramatically! Sorry, Hiyori!)

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Internally apologizing profusely, I shifted my gaze toward the pool as though encouraging her to join everyone else.

“Hiyoriii-chaaaan! Over here! Come play beach volleyball with us!”

Ichinose waved enthusiastically from inside the pool.

“Ah, y-yes! I’m coming!”

Hiyori gave me a small bow.

“Then, Sousuke-kun. See you later.”

She lightly jogged toward Ichinose and the others.

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After that—

I occasionally joined the pool myself, playing water polo with Shibata and riding the waterslides with my classmates.

But for most of the day, I simply lounged in my beach chair, drinking cold juice while watching everyone laugh and play together.

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“Take this!”

“Ahaha, Hiyori-chan, your splash is huge!”

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Hiyori laughed innocently while splashing water at Ichinose and Shiranami.

Watching that scene filled my chest with gentle warmth.

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(...I’m really glad. Back in middle school, Hiyori and I were both loners who only read books together. …But now she has so many friends in high school, and she’s smiling like that. …I feel like a parent watching their daughter grow up.)

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The guardian wearing the skin of a Demon King quietly narrowed his eyes behind his sunglasses, savoring Class B’s overwhelmingly peaceful vacation to the fullest.

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And then—

That night.

In the dazzling party room located on the ship’s middle deck, illuminated by magnificent chandeliers—

Class B had rented out the entire venue for a celebration party honoring our victory in the exam.

Lavish buffet dishes lined the tables.

Colorful non-alcoholic cocktails and juices were stacked like towers.

Gone were the swimsuits from earlier at the pool. The students now wore elegant dresses and stylish outfits, creating the atmosphere of a high-class social gathering.

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“Everyone got your glasses!?”

At the center of the party stood Honami Ichinose, wearing a pale pink party dress while raising her glass high.

All eyes gathered on the shining sun of Class B.

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“Great job surviving this entire week on the deserted island! We achieved such incredible results because every single one of us supported each other and fought until the very end without losing anyone! From here on too, let’s keep moving forward together and make Class B the greatest class possible!”

“OOOOOOOOHHHH!!”

“Then—to our victory, and to the rest of our high school lives… cheers!!”

“CHEERS!!”

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The clear sound of glasses clinking echoed throughout the room.

That signaled the start of lively conversations and enthusiastic eating as students enjoyed the luxurious food.

As for me—

I occupied a quiet table in the corner, elegantly savoring roast beef.

Beside me sat Hiyori in a pure white dress, happily eating a small cake.

“Sousuke-kun, this cake is really delicious. Fufu… the food on the island was good too, but sweets really are special.”

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“Indeed. …A tongue unfamiliar with hunger can never understand the true taste of nectar. Only after enduring harsh deprivation can even grains of sugar ascend into treasures beyond compare.”

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(Translation: Totally! Cake tastes extra amazing after surviving island life!)

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When I replied stylishly, Hiyori nodded happily.

Then, one after another, our classmates began visiting our table.

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“Aizen! Seriously, thanks for everything this week! Ichinose told us you were the one making all the strategies behind the scenes!”

Shibata approached with a huge grin and a glass of juice.

Behind him came Shiranami, Amikura, and many others.

“Aizen-kun, thank you!”

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(Oooh…! They all came personally to thank me. What wonderful people Class B has! Alright, time to reply coolly with a “don’t worry about it.”)

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I quietly placed my glass on the table and gave them an arrogant smile.

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“Your gratitude is unnecessary. I merely showed the pieces upon the board the path by which they would shine most beautifully. …If you must praise someone, direct those words toward yourselves, who walked that path through your own will.”

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(Translation: You’re welcome! It’s because all of you worked hard, so I don’t need any thanks!)

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Shibata and the others blinked blankly.

“P-Pieces…? A board…?”

But immediately, the great angel beside me provided flawless support.

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“‘This victory belongs to everyone who worked hard. There’s no need to thank me. You all did an amazing job. You’re welcome,’ is what he said.”

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“OHHHH! Aizen really is broad-minded!”

“His wording is kinda scary, but Aizen-kun is actually super nice!”

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Thanks to Hiyori’s perfect translation, the classmates became even more touched before patting my shoulder and heading off to mingle elsewhere.

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(Whew, that was close. Without Hiyori translating, they might’ve thought I was some evil mastermind treating everyone like chess pieces. …Seriously, Hiyori really is the best best friend I could ask for.)

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While internally wiping sweat from my brow, two important figures approached our table.

Honami Ichinose.

And Ryuuji Kanzaki.

“Aizen-kun, Hiyori-chan. Do you have a moment?”

Ichinose spoke with an unusually serious expression while Kanzaki stood quietly beside her.

“What is it?” I asked.

Ichinose bowed deeply.

“Thank you. Truly. …During this exam, I could focus on everyone’s health and managing the base because you were completely handling information on the other classes and building perfect strategies behind the scenes. Without you and Hiyori-chan supporting us, there’s no way we could’ve won like this.”

Kanzaki nodded firmly.

“She’s right. We were saved countless times by your absurd intellect… I’m genuinely glad you’re part of Class B.”

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The two leaders of the class looked at me with utterly sincere trust and gratitude.

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(...Ichinose. Kanzaki. You guys really are incredible. But don’t misunderstand. I only gave a little advice thanks to my cheat abilities. The real strength of this class comes from your kindness.)

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Suppressing the emotions swelling inside me, I slowly stood.

Then, looking down at the two of them, I spoke quietly yet firmly.

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“I merely cast ripples upon the water’s surface.”

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(Translation: I only gave a few small suggestions.)

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“No matter how perfectly one calculates a trajectory, if the vessel itself is fragile, the water will inevitably spill. …The one who embraced this fragile vessel with warm light, and the one who silently supported its foundation as a cold, unwavering shield—those who carried every last drop safely to this celebratory night… were none other than you two.”

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(Translation: The reason this class made it to the end without anyone dropping out is because Ichinose kindly led everyone while Kanzaki calmly supported and protected the class from behind the scenes!)

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My overwhelming aura and stylish metaphors made Ichinose and Kanzaki gasp softly.

Immediately, Hiyori smiled gently and translated.

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“‘I only provided a few suggestions. The reason this class stayed united and reached today without losing a single person was because of Ichinose-san’s leadership and kindness, and because Kanzaki-kun calmly supported both her and the class behind the scenes.’”

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“Aizen-kun… Hiyori-chan…!”

“…Aizen. Even me…”

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The moment she heard the translation, huge tears began spilling from Ichinose’s eyes.

Kanzaki widened his eyes slightly before awkwardly lowering his gaze.

For an entire week, Ichinose had continued smiling while carrying the class without ever showing weakness.

And Kanzaki had quietly supported her the whole time, trying to lessen her burden.

Through my poem, I had acknowledged and praised all of that pressure and effort.

“U-Uwaaaahhh…! Thank you, Aizen-kun, Hiyori-chan…! Kanzaki-kun too, thank you so much for supporting me…! I’ll keep trying even harder…!”

Ichinose covered her face and burst into tears like a child.

Kanzaki gave a wry smile.

“Ichinose, it’s still too early to cry. …But I’m grateful too.”

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(Perfect! My feelings got through exactly as intended! I delivered the ultimate words of appreciation as a friend toward the leader and the right-hand man supporting her!)

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Internally pumping my fist in triumph, I stylishly tilted my glass.

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“The revelry has not yet ended. Indulge yourselves to your hearts’ content.”

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And so—

The victory celebration for the deserted island survival exam continued deep into the night, strengthening the bonds of Class B more than ever before.

Beside my smiling best friend, I silently prayed beneath the stars that this peaceful, rose-colored high school life would continue forever.