I made my way to the live theater. The email I received from Chabashira was peculiar, but it was just convincing enough for me to give it priority over finding Suzune. I made it to the theater and found Chabashira sitting on the highest level watching the performance. The theatre wasn't too packed, but I could understand why. The first thing on our minds when we got on this boat wasn't to go watch a play.

**It's not too packed in here. She wants to speak in private, so I guess this would be a decent spot, huh?**

I made my way over to where she was sitting and sat a few seats down.

Y/N: Hi, sensei...

Chabashira: Y/N, I'll get straight to the point. A few days ago, a certain man contacted the school. "Is Y/N seriously in Class 1-D? Expel them... They're not taking this seriously," he said.

I quickly looked over at her in confusion.

Y/N: W-What? Why would- Huh?! Not taking what seriously?

**A "certain man" wants me expelled? What the hell is she talking about? Is it that electronics store employee? No, that wouldn't be possible. I don't think I really have any other enemies.**

Y/N: You can't expel somebody without a reason. I don't even know who that person is.

Chabashira: Naturally. So long as you're a student, the rules will protect you. Of course, if you cause any trouble, that's a whole different matter altogether.

Y/N: Yeah, but I prefer not to cause trouble...

Chabashira: None? Have you already forgotten about your on-campus arrest?

Y/N: Look, I did the right thing then!

Chabashira: I believe that. Who do you think got you out of police custody in the first place?

Y/N: Ichinose? Kushida? The others in Class 1-D..?

Chabashira: That wasn't a question that needed answering.

Y/N: It was you?

She chuckled and shrugged.

Chabashira: The point is, you say you will stay out of trouble, but you clearly have the potential to get into it. I'm under the assumption that if you wanted to, you could become quite a handful for Class D- no, for the entire school.

Y/N: Eh? What makes you think I'm capable of that?

She glared at me.

Y/N: Why would I even want to do something like that?

Chabashira: Your intentions aren't a factor. If I deem you a problem, that's what you are.

Y/N: What the hell is this, sensei?! Why are you suddenly threatening me?

Chabashira: It's not a threat. I'm just making you aware of something...

**Is she being threatened by whoever that man that called is? All I've done in class is lay low and be a normal student. Why is she singling me out all of a sudden? Who is that man?**

Chabashira: I'm offering a trade.

Y/N: A trade?

Chabashira: If you will attempt to reach Class A, I'll cover for you, unilaterally. A good deal, don't you think?

Y/N: What? Who put you up to this, Suzune?

Chabashira: What do you say?

Y/N: I say leave me alone. And tell whoever this "man" that called to leave me alone, too. Sorry for being snappy, sensei, but if you called me here under the guise of an important message just to threaten me, then I think I've lost respect for you.

I got up and started walking off.

Chabashira: Then I'm afraid, Y/N... You're going to be expelled and lose your freedom

I stopped and turned back to her.

Y/N: Lose my freedom? What does that even mean? Truly. What's wrong with you? You call yourself a teacher?

Chabashira: Make your decision now.

Y/N: If you would tell me more, then maybe I'd be inclined to agree with you. You're not giving me anything to work with!

Chabashira: Will you try to reach Class A, or will you be expelled?

**She won't tell me anything else. Damn it, I have no choice.**

Y/N: I don't know what that man told you, sensei, but you may eventually regret trying to manipulate me.

Chabashira: Don't worry about it. My life is already full of regrets.

I turned around and walked off.

Y/N: We'll see about that.

I left the theater in anger. I wasn't sure if I should be mad at Chabashira, or at whoever might be pulling her strings behind the scenes. The fact of the matter remained, though. I was mad. My normal student life was being forced to change. I had already agreed to somewhat help Suzune reach Class A, but I never promised to do the heavy lifting. Now that I was being forced to do it, I no longer wanted to, though.

**Call me stubborn if you want to, but...**

I sighed and took out my phone. I had a message from Ike letting me know that everybody was heading to the pool. After what just happened, I didn't feel like going to the pool, but I would've looked weirder if I didn't show up. I decided to tough it out and made my way over to the pool.

{Later @ Pool}

I sat with Sudo, Ike, Yamauchi, and Hideo Sotomura. Hideo was a little bit on the chubbier end, but he didn't seem insecure about it at all. He was pulled into the group by Yamauchi, and they gave him the nickname "Professor" or "Doc".  The girls, and a couple of guys, went swimming, but for the most part, all of the guys stayed on the outside of the pool so they could drool over the girls in their swimsuits. I could appreciate beauty just as much as the next person, but I was in no mood for this right now.

Ike: I'm gonna do it.

We all looked at him.

Ike: I'm gonna tell Kushida-chan how I feel!

Yamauchi: Are- Are you serious?

We all looked into the pool. Kushida was playing around with some other girls from Class 1-D. Ike tried his hardest to look cool as he stood up.

Ike: To do nothing and live a life of regret... would be pretty lame, huh?

Sudo and Yamauchi fought back tears. Doc stared at him sideways.

Sudo: Ike...

Hideo: Go on.

Yamauchi: You can do it.

They looked at me.

Y/N: What..?

Ike: Say something encouraging!

I stuck my thumbs up.

Y/N: Good luck...

Yamauchi: Come on, stone-face killer... What's the matter with you right now, Y/N?

Y/N: I'm fine. I'm just... seasick.

**Sick of being at sea.**

Sudo: Already? We just left land!

Y/N: I have terrible motion sickness. Now are you going, or what?

Ike: Here I go!

Ike went over and asked Kushida if they could speak privately. Of course, Kushida said yes and got out of the pool before Ike led her off somewhere. We all followed them from a distance to see what would happen.

Kushida: What is it, Ike-kun?

Ike: Kushida-chan... C- C- C- C... Could I call you by your given name?

**What the hell?**

Kushida was just as surprised as I was.

Ike: C-Can I? Can I call you Kikyo-chan?

Kushida: Sure! Can I call you Kanji-kun?

Ike froze up before falling to his knees and cheering in victory.

Ike: Kikyo-chan!

Sudo and Yamauchi started to make a big deal out of it like Ike's victory was a win for them all. Doc had seen enough and headed off. Sudo quickly turned to me and grabbed my arms.

Y/N: Woah-

Sudo: Y/N! Tell me Horikita's given name now!

Y/N: Suzune...

Sudo: Suzune... It's cute. I like it. Okay! I'm gonna call her by her name, too!

He started practicing different ways to say Suzune's name.

**I'd be careful, Sudo... Suzune doesn't like being called by her given name. I don't even know why she lets me do it.**

Yamauchi started muttering something under his breath.

Yamauchi: Airi-chan, Airi-chan... 

**Airi? Sakura? What the heck is wrong with these guys?**

It was small to me, but it was big for them. It was stupid to me, but it was important to them. Before I knew it, they had completely taken my mind off of what Chabashira said to me earlier. I smiled and laughed, but they were too focused to notice. 

**These idiots are just what I needed right now.**

I left them alone and started heading off. As I walked along the pool deck, I passed a boy that was also in Class 1-D. It was Koenji and he lay on a chair looking at himself in a mirror. I stared at him as I passed, but he was so infatuated with himself that he didn't even give me a quick glance.

**People call me the mysterious one? What about this guy..?**

I looked around for Suzune for a bit but came up empty. I decided to throw in the towel and return to my room for a little while to relax. As I reached my room door, I was approached by Hirata from down the hall.

Y/N: Hirata?

Hirata: I'm glad I caught you before you went in. 

Y/N: What's up?

Hirata: I'm about to hang out with Karuizawa and the gang. Want to come along?

**Karuizawa? I want to use this trip to learn more about her, but I don't think right now's a good time. I'm mentally drained, and I want to be at 100% so I can make a good first impression.**

I thought back to when I knocked her over on the staircase.

**Or second impression...**

Y/N: I don't know about right now. I'm not especially close to her or her friends.

Hirata: It might be a good chance to get to know them, then!

Y/N: Yeah, but...

I paused for a moment and his smile dropped.

Hirata: Y/N. The truth is, there's something I wanted your help with.

Y/N: You should've started with that. What's up?

Hirata: I know we talked about this before, but I'm becoming desperate. Could you help serve as an intermediary between Horikita-san and me? She'll be an integral player in the future of this class. I want to bring her in. They say she's the one who proved Sudo-kun's innocence. If we could work together-

His phone started to go off. It was an incoming call from Kei Karuizawa. He hesitated to answer it and I stared at him.

Y/N: Not gonna pick up?

Hirata: Sorry. I guess I'd better get going. If you change your mind, just call me, okay?

Y/N: Sure.

Hirata: Okay. See you.

He picked up the phone and headed off. I reached for the handle of my room door, and then my phone went off.

**Okay, what's up with this timing? First Hirata, now this?**

I checked my phone and saw a message from Sudo asking where I went. They were planning to visit a restaurant, but I wasn't too hungry right now. I replied and let him know that they could go without me. At this point, I didn't even feel like going into my room anymore. I went into my contacts and messaged Suzune asking where she was at.

**I'm tired of this goose-chase... I'm just going to ask where she is.**

She replied with her location and requested that I come. I turned around and went back out to where she was at. After I made my way through the giant ship, I found Suzune sitting just above the pool deck at a bar reading a book. I walked over and sat next to her.

Y/N: You requested my presence, ma'am?

Suzune: You came fast.

Y/N: Y-Yeah, I wasn't doing much, so why not? What'd you need?

Suzune: You're the one that asked where I was.

Y/N: I know you, Suzune... You wouldn't agree to meet up with me unless you needed something.

Suzune: Maybe, but I don't need anything right now.

Y/N: Hm?

Suzune: Rather, I simply want your input on something.

She put her book down.

Suzune: Do you think this trip is going to remain a mere vacation?

I started thinking about Chabashira.

**Nobody in this school should be underestimated. Especially not a teacher. Why did she only now decide to tell what she did?**

Y/N: Not at all. I think there's more to it, but... I'm not all too sure. You?

Suzune: I agree.

Y/N: Maybe we're wrong, though. Don't let paranoia ruin the cruise.

Suzune: We can't let our guard down.

Y/N: Right... So, Suzune, I actually did want to talk to you.

Suzune: What is it?

She looked over at me and I started to struggle to swallow my pride again.

**Come on, Y/N. You've got her alone. Just say sorry.**

I choked down my pride and sighed.

Y/N: I'm sorry.

Suzune: Sorry?

Y/N: A couple of weeks ago, when you asked me about my past... I didn't mean to snap at you.

She squinted at me with an unamused expression.

Suzune: That's it..? Don't be absurd.

Y/N: What?! I'm being for real... I felt so bad about that and you mean to tell me you didn't care..?

Suzune: Correct. Do not misunderstand, Y/N. I was not asking because I wanted to become friends. I was asking because I still can't understand why you hide what you're capable of.

I couldn't help but chuckle. For two weeks straight, I was beating myself up over the whole ordeal out of fear that I hurt Suzune's feelings. Turned out all along she couldn't care less.

Y/N: Still wanna know?

Her eyes widened and she was ready for an explanation.

Y/N: Well-

???: There you are.

I stopped what I was saying and looked past Suzune. Two guys were approaching us. Suzune stared at me and waited. I gestured to behind her and she turned around. Of the two approaching boys, one took a seat next to Suzune while the other remained standing. The one sitting had shoulder-length magenta hair that was styled on either side and sharp magenta-colored eyes. He stared at Suzune.

???: Setting up cameras in the special annex... That was a funny little prank you pulled.

**Who is he?**

Suzune: Who are you?

???: I like women like you, Suzune.

Suzune: I don't know how you found that out, but I haven't given you permission to use my given name.

He grabbed her chin and turned her face towards him.

???: There's something really sexy about that look on your face.

I started to get up with the intent to intervene, but Suzune brushed his hand off of her and looked forward again.

Suzune: I don't know who you are, but your presence absolutely disgusts me.

???: I'm a fan of yours.

I looked over at him as he lifted his hand. The other guy, who was darker-skinned and had a large brolic build, handed him a phone. He pointed it up at Suzune and took a photo.

Suzune: I beg your pardon!

???: Next time, I'll deal with you personally. Look forward to it.

He wore a smug and cocky look on his face. Normally, people were at least a little thrown off by Suzune's cold demeanor, but that boy wasn't shaken a bit. He got up and started to walk off with the larger guy.

???: Ryuen!

**Ryuen..?**

Another girl that I'd never seen before appeared to confront the magenta-haired boy.

Ryuen: Oh, Ibuki...

Ibuki: I need to talk to you...

She angrily approached him. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close.

Ryuen: Missing me, are you?

She smacked his arm off.

Ibuki: Don't be ridiculous. I've become fed up with the way you do things.

Suzune looked at me, but my eyes were focused on Ryuen. I've seen what Class C was capable of, and Ichinose even warned me about Ryuen personally. This was my first time ever seeing him in person, though, and I wanted to learn as much about him as possible in this short encounter.

**If I'm being forced to reach Class A, then I need to understand who I'm up against. If this guy is a powerhouse in Class 1-C, then I need to learn his strengths and weaknesses. I need to take him down.**

Ryuen: I see. That fine. We can talk about it in my room later. Just you and me.

Ibuki was taken aback by his sly remarks and threw a punch at his face. Ryuen didn't even flinch as the larger guy caught her fist before she could connect.

Ibuki: Albert! Are you alright with this?

He didn't say anything.

Ibuki: So Ryuen's completely tamed you, has he?

Ryuen turned around and walked away.

Ibuki: Come back here, Ryuen! We're not done talking yet!

She started to chase after him, but Albert grabbed her uniform by the collar and stopped her.

Ibuki: Let go!

Suzune got up to go help, but I grabbed her by the wrist and stopped her. She looked back at me wondering why and I just shook my head. Albert tossed Ibuki aside with minimal effort.

Albert: That's enough.

**Huh? He's speaking English.**

Albert walked off to follow Ryuen and I let go of Suzune once she relaxed. I stared at Albert and Ryuen as they left.

**The first of Ryuen's strengths... That juggernaut of a man, whose name appears to be Albert. Ryuen himself doesn't look like a pushover, but that Albert guy is something else... Who wouldn't be confident with a tank like that on their side?**

I walked over to Ibuki who was dazed and on the ground. I stuck out my hand to help her up.

Y/N: Are you okay?-

She slapped my hand away.

Ibuki: This is none of your business.

She got up and stormed off.

Suzune: Class C may be on the verge of collapse.

Y/N: It sure does look that way. Sorry I didn't help before, by the way... Ryuen, huh?

Suzune: One of Class C's central figures. He is more disgusting that the rumors I've heard.

Y/N: You've heard things about him?

Suzune: Not much more than just a name, but yes.

Y/N: If you don't mind, could you tell me what you know?

Suzune: You're interested in him?

Y/N: If we're going to overtake Class C, then I'd like to know about them.

Suzune: I see. I can't tell you much other than that he's apparently sadistic and likes to cause trouble.

**So she knows barely more than I do.**

Y/N: What's his deal with you, though?

Suzune: He likely found out about what happened during Sudo-kun's hearing.

Y/N: Right... I wouldn't be surprised if somebody name-dropped you to him. Be careful with that guy, Suzune. If the rumors are true, you don't want to get involved with him.

Suzune: We're not afraid of him.

Y/N: "We're"..?

Suzune: This involves you just as much as it involves me.

Y/N: Maybe, but do me a favor. Nah, not a favor. This is non-negotiable... No matter what happens, you have to be the mastermind. Don't let my name slip out.

Suzune: You intend to continue using me as a scapegoat?

Y/N: Only when I need to. Look, I can't say much, but... I think I want to aim for Class A now, so I'll try a little bit harder. I'm putting my faith in you, okay?

Suzune: Okay. Do what you will, and I'll do what I will. If our plans ever clash, don't expect me to fold.

Y/N: Of course not. Just promise you'll keep all of this between only us two.

Suzune: Fine.

I stuck out my pinkie finger.

Y/N: Pinkie promise?

She turned around and walked off.

Suzune: Do I seem like the type to go back on my word?

Y/N: All right... Later, then.

I watched her leave before I turned to head back to my room. As I walked along, I felt somebody trailing me and getting closer.

[TO BE CONTINUED]