I have a life simulator.

But everything was exactly as Long Yuanxiang said, completely in accordance with the rules. He could even say that his act of donating supplies was to help his classmates.

"However, something is not right."

Kitagawa Ryo interrupted Ryuen Sho's speech:

"The person you asked the students in your class who have the 'hitchhik' card to be linked to isn't Katsuragi Kohei or anyone in his group at all."

"Although everything you just said was deliberately trying to lead me to believe it, unfortunately, I also know the other people in your Class C."

Kitagawa Ryo shook his head helplessly. Ryuen Sho's 'rule' was not very solid in this C class. After Shiina Hiyori directly confronted him at the beginning of the school year and the incident with Tokito Yuya a few months ago, Ryuen Sho's prestige was far less than when he was in C class.

The students in Class C are quite pragmatic. Throughout the first semester of the first academic year, Long Yuanxiang failed to lead Class C to any significant achievements. Even if they didn't say it out loud, they all had some opinions in private.

Thanks to the increased initial favorability of Class C as an achievement reward, and the small snacks he gave Shiina Hiyori when he visited her, Kitagawa Ryo easily extracted some information from the girls.

"The real person that Class C students are 'hijacking' with is Ayanokouji Kiyotaka from Class A, right?"

Kitagawa Ryo's words made Ryuen Sho's face darken.

“From beginning to end, you were not making a deal with Katsuragi Kohei, but with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.”

"Including the assistance to Katsuragi Kohei's group, it was actually one of Ayanokoji's requests."

"Let me think about it. Since you are so willing to trust Ayanokouji, to put the whole class on his leash, and to cover for him, it seems that the other party must have signed a good contract with you as well."

"For example, Ayanokouji guarantees that his solo team will definitely make it into the top three this time, and if they can't, he's willing to pay you a lot of personal points, or something like that?"

Long Yuanxiang's face was ashen. He took a deep breath and then smiled again:

"It seems you know quite a bit about Ayanokouji's affairs."

"Just like you, he's the X behind Class 1-A."

"But it's no use seeing through it. It's all an open conspiracy, and there's no risk for Class C. Class points don't matter to me at all."

"Are you still going to implement your 'eight hundred million,' no, now it's 'seven hundred and eighty million' plan?"

Kitagawa Ryo shook his head. In Karuizawa Megumi's second simulation, he had heard Ryuen Sho talk about his plan. It was not to promote students to Class A through class points, but to transfer all the students in Class C to Class A through a transfer mechanism of 20 million points.

This is a plan that sounds crazy at first glance, but is actually almost impossible.

Long Yuanxiang raised an eyebrow. He had always thought his plan was quite secretive, but he never expected that Kitagawa Ryo would see right through it.

"This is an impossible plan because its limitation lies in the plan itself."

"The most fatal flaw in your plan is that it will remain a failure until it is truly completed, that is, until all 700 million personal points are in hand."

"Let's assume you can actually achieve it, but points have to be accumulated little by little, so the reality will only be: when you have 20 million points, the students in your class will suspect that you are trying to secretly advance to the next class by yourself; when you have 40 million points, the students in your class will suspect that you are trying to bring your cronies with you to the next class; this chain of suspicion will never stop until all the points are obtained."

"Your plan is to give up class points and choose personal points, but personal points can't be spent, they can only be saved. If you plan to send someone to Class A every time you save 20 million points, the situation will only get worse, you know what I mean."

"So in the end, Class C will only become a situation where the class itself doesn't have enough points, and you control all the individual points."

"I don't need to tell you about the consequences."

After saying these words, Kitagawa Ryo immediately grabbed Shiina Hiyori's wrist, a somewhat bold move that caught Shiina Hiyori off guard.

"So, let's try a different approach."

But Hiyori Shiina quickly realized what Kitagawa Ryo was about to do, so she let him open her wristwatch and enter the [Cards] page.

"This would be a more pleasant collaboration."

Ryuen Sho's gaze was fixed on the card interface held by Shiina Hiyori.

[Double-edged sword: If the cardholder's group ranks in the top three, the final class points earned will increase by 50%; if the group does not rank in the top three, 30% of the class points will be deducted.]

"I'll help her."

"Help me."

Chapter 156: I Like Hiyori

It wasn't until nearly midnight that the rain on the deserted island finally stopped. Perhaps because he had taken a nap in the afternoon, Kitagawa Ryo wasn't sleepy at all. After noticing that the rain had stopped, he walked out of the tent alone.

The small campsite, hastily erected and including the school staff, had fallen into silence. The boundless night had swallowed everything, and the glittering Milky Way flowed slowly overhead. Because the campsite was set up on high ground, they could see a light on the dark sea in the distance, which was a cruise ship anchored near the port.

It is at night that you can truly feel the immeasurable vastness of the sea. It feels as if you are the only one left in the world, along with the uninhabited island beneath your feet, and you are surrounded by the desolate and boundless ocean.

Kitagawa Ryo sat on a bench in the corner of the camp, which was probably placed there by the school staff. He crossed his hands and rested his chin on them, not moving at all, as if he had become part of the background.

For him, this test on the deserted island was significant in three ways.

First, he had promised his homeroom teacher, Tomoya Mashima, that he would improve the atmosphere in Class D, even if it meant sacrificing class points. Kitagawa Ryo had some vague ideas about this.

Secondly, there's the blow to Class A and Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, but that's not the most important thing. Putting aside the several preemptive moves he's already made, there's no need to rush. It's only the first semester of the first year, and they'll be staying here for another two and a half years.

Moreover, after experiencing Sakayanagi Arisu's second simulation and gaining an understanding of the White Room Project, Kitagawa Ryo's hostility towards Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was not actually that great.

His entire personality and abilities were shaped by the White Room. Even judging from the final result of the last simulation, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji himself was not completely obedient to his father and the White Room, which is something that may be useful in the future.

Finally, and most importantly, Kitagawa Ryo also hopes to use this special exam on the deserted island to get to know the girls around him better, and now that all the simulations are over, to re-examine their psychology and provide a complete 'after-sales service'.

In particular, unlike Horikita Suzune and Sakayanagi Arisu, Kitagawa Ryo's mindset in the simulations of Ichinose Honami and Karuizawa was completely different from the latter two. Therefore, whether it was Ichinose Honami's second simulation or Karuizawa's two simulations, his actions actually subtly added mental burden to the two of them.

Furthermore, after Sakayanagi Arisu's simulation ended, in order to explain the treatment plan for heart disease, Kitagawa Ryo directly confessed that their memories were real events, and that he had participated in the development of another world line.

The benefit of doing this is that it allows everyone, including Kitagawa Ryo, to clearly understand their own feelings. However, conversely, it also allows negative feelings to take root further.

If Ichinose Honami could previously find solace in those scenes that were merely dreams, now she must confront the fact that she had personally stabbed Kitagawa Ryo to death.

Admittedly, Honami Ichinose also has beautiful memories, but regret is a feeling that lasts longer than love and hate. Therefore, for her, that emotional shock was the most unforgettable moment, even surpassing the happy ending.

From this perspective, Ichinose Honami hasn't completely escaped the shadows of the past, and indeed, apart from not stealing the hair clip, her life trajectory hasn't changed much so far.

Whether it's Karuizawa Megumi, or Sakayanagi Arisu and Horikita Suzune, their life trajectories actually deviated significantly from their original paths after Kitagawa Ryo's intervention.

But this isn't just a problem for Honami Ichinose alone, because she's still bound by her family of origin. She can't choose a new path in life like Megumi Karuizawa, nor can she break free from her family of origin and be alone like Suzune Horikita.

So, after this special test on the deserted island is over.

I need to go out again.

Kitagawa Ryo made a decision with his eyes half-closed.

Honami Ichinose's problems stem partly from herself and partly from her family.

Just as Kitagawa Ryo was pondering his future plans, he saw Shiina Hiyori emerge from the tent in her pajamas, sleepily heading towards the makeshift toilet in the corner of the camp.

After a series of rustling sounds, Shiina Hiyori rubbed her eyes and prepared to go back to sleep, but this time she suddenly saw Kitagawa Ryo sitting on the bench next to her.

"...Hmm, Ryo, are you still awake?"

Rubbing her eyes again, Shiina Hiyori staggered up to Kitagawa Ryo and asked somewhat dazedly.

Having just gotten out of her sleeping bag, she felt warm all over and sat down next to Kitagawa Ryo, where she could feel a significant temperature difference.

"You'll catch a cold if you stay any longer."

Kitagawa Ryo did not answer Shiina Hiyori's question immediately. Instead, he gestured for Shiina Hiyori, who was only wearing pajamas, to hurry back to the tent. The temperature on the deserted island was very low at night, and it had just rained.

"Didn't Liang go back to sleep?"

Perhaps because she wasn't fully awake, Shiina Hiyori spoke in a daze, rubbing against Kitagawa Ryo like a little animal. Kitagawa Ryo could even smell her scent, the same as the scent in the tent, a mixture of mosquito repellent and the unique fragrance of a young girl.

To be honest, he himself felt that his encounter with Hiyori Shiina was quite fateful, since she was not one of the protagonists of the four simulation chapters, but she was the first person to find him in reality.

Unlike Karuizawa Kei, who came specifically to wait for him after hearing good news, Shiina Hiyori was the first to notice him at the theater a few years ago.

Just as she was present in both of Karuizawa Kei's simulations, the real-life Shiina Hiyori was also connected to him and Karuizawa Kei.

Change and constancy are both positive and negative terms.

For Kitagawa Ryo, Shiina Hiyori's unchanging nature was the best compliment he could receive.

He felt happy for the changes in others, and at ease that Shiina Hiyori remained unchanged.

So Kitagawa Ryo turned to the side and pulled Shiina Hiyori into his arms, whispering in her ear:

"If you want to confess your feelings, you just need to say it simply."

"Just like this."

"I like Hiyori."

"Moreover, The Tempest is not suitable for Hiyori at all."

Shiina Hiyori froze on the spot. Kitagawa Ryo's actions and words were completely unexpected, and she even lost control of her body for a moment, unable to speak or move.

If Kitagawa Ryo's culinary philosophy is "food has no fixed taste, what suits one's palate is precious," then his view on love is actually even simpler, consisting of only two words.

Demystify.

He had already used this word on Sakayanagi Arisu back when Horikita Suzune was imitating her.

Remove all the halos from each other and, as people of the opposite sex, give your feelings on an equal footing.

Kitagawa Ryo understands Shiina Hiyori's personality well. A girl like her would definitely have a passionate and impulsive first love, but this also puts her in a lower position.

Like Miranda, the protagonist in "The Tempest," her sincere confession, besides the part copied by Hiyori Shiina, also included two additional sentences.

If you're willing to marry me, then I will be your wife.

…………

Otherwise, I will remain your handmaid until death; you may refuse me as your companion; but whether you like it or not, I will be your servant.

Back when Kitagawa Ryo was still active on the stage with Karuizawa Kei, Karuizawa Kei clearly expressed her indifference to "The Tempest." Her favorite play from beginning to end has always been "Macbeth." Compared to a girl who actively puts herself in a lower position, Karuizawa Kei yearns for an equal, almost "accomplice" status.

Therefore, Kitagawa Ryo does not want Shiina Hiyori, or any girl around him, to develop this tendency.

This is also why he decided to completely resolve the issue of Honami Ichinose, who has shown this tendency since the start of the deserted island exam.

Kitagawa Ryo wasn't keen on removing the girls' romantic flags, but rather on nipping the dangerous seeds in the bud, just like Sakayanagi Arisu did when she first gained her simulated memories.

"Say it again."

Kitagawa Ryo heard the girl in his arms speak in a weak voice.

"I can say it as many times as I want."

After all, it's not as hard to memorize as long lines in a play, nor does it need to be put into a message in a bottle.

"I like Hiyori."

A sentence that can be said in a second.

On the dark, deserted island, there were no drones streaking across the sky, etching a vow of eternal love that would last only a moment.

"I like Hiyori."

Kitagawa Ryo repeated it again, biting Shiina Hiyori's ear.

"I also like it cool."

Hiyori Shiina responded softly, her face and her whole body burning hot, oblivious to the chill of the night.

The ceremony, the ring, the lines—none of it was used.

It's not needed.

The two kissed each other on the lips.

They then exchanged kisses.

This is the third night of the special exam on the deserted island, after the storm has subsided.

-------------------------------------

As dawn broke, on the morning of the fourth day of the special exam on the deserted island, a golden-red sun slowly rose from the sea, and the entire sea surface seemed to be ablaze.

As Long Yuanxiang had said, his injuries were not serious. At his insistence, the school allowed him to continue the special exam on the deserted island. Perhaps fearing that the school might change its mind at the last minute, Long Yuanxiang left the camp alone with his bag just as dawn broke.

Although Long Yuanxiang's incident has been resolved, this hastily erected medical camp has been preserved, seemingly to prepare for similar emergencies in the future. Various medical supplies can be seen being sent here.

"Okay, let's go, I'll take you to the helipad."

Kitagawa Ryo had just finished washing up and had a free breakfast from the school staff when the teacher who had given him the inquiry yesterday also greeted him warmly.

Because Kitagawa Ryo's current camp is located in a forest area, and there was a heavy rain yesterday, regular transportation was not possible, so the school specially dispatched a helicopter to send Kitagawa Ryo back to his camp.

After saying goodbye to Shiina Hiyori and Ibuki Mio, who were still having breakfast, Kitagawa Ryo followed the teacher to a nearby helipad without stopping. In order to facilitate on-site helicopter rescue, the school had prepared a temporary helipad in each grid before the start of this exam, but it could not be deployed last night due to the heavy rain.

Since he hadn't brought anything with him, Kitagawa Ryo boarded the helicopter with ease. The bag of dirty clothes was riddled with holes from the broken message in a bottle and was no longer wearable, so Kitagawa Ryo simply handed it over to the school staff as trash. Anyway, he had already gotten an extra set of gymnastics clothes from the school, so exchanging old clothes for new ones was still a good deal.

While the pilot was maneuvering the helicopter to take off, Kitagawa Ryo took a moment to glance at his watch. The points reward promised by the school yesterday had been added to the group's total account, and the group's ranking had thus risen a bit.