I have a life simulator.

Like leaping forward while cutting through the water in a real ocean, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji sprinted at full speed like the wind, passing the first bend, the straight, and then the final bend, even accelerating because Ryo Kitagawa beside him was not falling behind at all, and was still maintaining a lead of one or two body lengths.

This advantage was defended until the very last second.

Amidst the involuntary sighs of dejection from the students in Class D, Class B still emerged victorious in this training match.

"You were really into it."

After crossing the finish line, Kitagawa Ryo unconsciously slowed down and walked a little further before turning around and teasing Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. He felt like he saw a slight, satisfied smile on Ayanokouji's lips.

"Yes, what a pity."

Kiyotaka Ayanokouji also felt a bit regretful about this. After all, there was nothing he could do. In the six months he had been at Tokyo Advanced Educational High School, the daily physical training and even the diet management he received were definitely not as good as what he did in the white room. Although he was still developing as he got older, his physical fitness always seemed to have declined a little.

"When it comes to the actual competition on the track, I might be even faster."

Sensing Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's thoughts, Kitagawa Ryo added another sentence.

He also noticed some changes in Kiyotaka Ayanokouji, just as his understanding of Honami Ichinose had been completely rewritten. He gradually began to discard all the stereotypes from the simulation and began to observe with great interest the deeper aspects of Kiyotaka Ayanokouji himself, the greatest masterpiece and only successful case of the White Room.

"That's all for today. Thank you all for your hard work. I will inform Katsuragi-kun in advance of the time for the next joint training session."

After exchanging a few seemingly random words with Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, Kitagawa Ryo clapped his hands twice, ending today's practice session and dismissing the students from both classes. Seeing Ayanokouji Kiyotaka suddenly surrounded by the other D-class students, he couldn't help but chuckle as he turned back to his own class.

"Speaking of which, why are we doing joint training with the students from Class D?"

He had just returned when Sudo Ken, wiping sweat from his brow with a towel, curiously approached him. Like Class D, the students in Class B had only learned the news today. They had come together out of trust in Kitagawa Ryo, but they were still somewhat confused.

"If we're going to do joint training, I feel like it would be more suitable to train with Class C? After all, they're all allies of the White Group."

"It's unrealistic to go with Class C. Including Longyuan, there are hardly any people who are seriously putting their minds to it anymore. Playing with them is like playing chess with a terrible player on another level, and you'll only get worse."

Kitagawa Ryo simply shook his head upon hearing this, then pondered for a moment:

"Don't go easy on your D-class during training. It's a rare opportunity, so ask questions and learn as you see fit. Don't worry about leaking information or anything like that."

Just as he was briefly explaining some things to a few B-class students who hadn't left yet, he keenly caught the commotion from the girls' side out of the corner of his eye.

Honami Ichinose seemed to be the first to chase after the departing Class D. Arisu Sakayanagi had her head down as if she was texting someone. Airi Sakura held her phone and paced back and forth at the gate for a while with a nervous and conflicted expression before finally going out. Ichika Amasawa followed silently after them.

Where's Rinne?

Unable to find Horikita Suzune immediately, Kitagawa Ryo turned around again and finally spotted her not far away from the crowd.

Horikita Suzune stood there, her arms hanging naturally at her sides, quietly watching him. When Kitagawa Ryo turned his gaze, she unconsciously adjusted the backpack she was carrying, tilted her head slightly as if to confirm that he had finished all his business, and finally blinked, giving him a bright smile.

"Let's go back together, it's cold."

Chapter 283: Even just one semester would be fine

This wasn't the first time Kitagawa Ryo had leisurely pushed a shopping cart with Horikita Suzune to buy groceries in the department store on the first floor of Keyakizaki Shopping Center. But perhaps because the seasonal vegetables on the shelves were constantly being refreshed, each visit brought him a subtle sense of novelty. This feeling accumulated over time, forming page after page of a book called daily life.

Tokyo Advanced Educational Junior High School actually sells fresh ingredients to students, but most students still choose the more convenient cafeteria. When they occasionally come here, they just buy a lot of snacks or instant noodles.

Students like them, who buy groceries every two days and cook for themselves, are definitely not common. Over time, even the cashier here has become familiar with Kitagawa Ryo and Horikita Suzune, and occasionally recommends the day's new arrivals to them.

Watching Horikita Suzune stroll around, stopping occasionally to carefully select fresh vegetables, her every move revealing a sense of familiarity, Kitagawa Ryo couldn't help but recall the question he had once asked Suzune about why girls like shopping.

Suzune's answer to him at the time was a sense of authenticity. Kitagawa Ryo didn't quite understand this answer then, and he only remembered replying with "This answer is very characteristic of Suzune." But as time went by, he gradually came to understand the sense of authenticity that Suzune was talking about.

"The spinach tastes pretty good today."

"After blanching, it can be mixed with sesame seeds and served as a side dish."

"This radish looks pretty good. Can you make oden?"

"It's worth a try. After all, it's not particularly difficult. It should be quite suitable to eat when the weather gets a bit colder."

Kitagawa Ryo spoke casually to Horikita Suzune, and then lazily added a comment at the end:

"Sukiyaki sounds good, doesn't it? It's a pity there's no kotatsu in the room. This year will probably be the first winter in my life without a kotatsu. But Hotaru will probably suffer even more than me. I'll put up more thick clothes in her little nest."

They made no attempt to discuss the sports festival or the student council, continuing with everyday topics. After rounding a bend, Kitagawa Ryo suddenly spotted another figure also shopping for ingredients: Kushida Kikyo from Class 1-D.

Since there were only the three of them in the entire area, and they had trained together in the gym just half an hour ago, Kitagawa Ryo couldn't pretend he hadn't seen them. After exchanging a glance with Horikita Suzune, he decided to raise his hand and greet her.

"It's nice to see you again, Kushida-kun."

"Good afternoon, Kushida-san."

Although the social butterfly Kikyo Kushida greeted the girls of Class B with a big smile this afternoon, insisting that everyone call her Kikyo, and acting as if anyone who didn't would be disrespecting her and hurting her feelings, Suzune Horikita, having known her since middle school, felt that since they were all old foxes, there was no need to play any strange games. Therefore, she still used the lukewarm address of Kushida-san.

"Oh, it's Minister Kitagawa and Suzune. Good afternoon—"

Upon hearing their greetings, Kikyo Kushida looked up and smiled in response. Her way of addressing Suzune Horikita and Ryo Kitagawa was also quite interesting. She addressed Suzune Horikita by her full name, while she added the suffix "department head" to Ryo Kitagawa, subtly hinting at trying to rekindle their old friendship.

After all, Kitagawa Ryo was the head of the drama club in junior high school, while Kushida Kikyo was the vice-head and manager. It was then that they used this opportunity to start the long-dormant chapter simulation of Horikita Suzune.

In reality, it was only two years ago, but both Kitagawa Ryo and Horikita Suzune had a sense of disorientation as if a long time had passed, and their wandering gazes made Kushida Kikyo frown a little.

As a researcher who has devoted herself to the topic of "how to play the role of a lovable little angel", Kikyo Kushida has always tried to develop in the direction of being an all-rounder, highlighting that you may not be good at one thing, but you must be good at everything. Cooking is naturally one of them. After all, she can come up with a series of interpersonal strategies just around the point of making handmade bento boxes.

Even today's 'chance encounter' with Kitagawa Ryo and Horikita Suzune was part of Kushida Kikyo's plan. After all, the two of them are regulars in this area. If she planned the time and waited a few more times, she would eventually be able to catch them. She just didn't expect to run into them on the very first day.

To be honest, if the relationship between Class B and Class D hadn't improved somewhat today, and if Class D hadn't already emerged from the near-medieval witch hunt atmosphere of the summer after the special exam on the deserted island, she really wouldn't have had the mind or the courage to approach Class B like this.

Although it's also because Kikyo Kushida does have something to hide.

However, on the other hand, Kikyo Kushida didn't think she should bear any responsibility for failing the special exam on the deserted island. She had only casually revealed some secrets about the students in Class D, and she had even been punched by that violent girl, Ichika Amasawa. She could only grit her teeth and swallow her grievances.

Moreover, through the actions of Class B and Class C, Kikyo Kushida also realized her own status and power.

The few casual remarks she made about male-female relationships—that she liked him, he liked her, and he didn't like her—could cause panic in Class D. If she were to reveal all her secrets without any restraint, Class D would explode on the spot.

With this subtle sense of confidence, Kikyo Kushida became more open-minded and even quite at ease about being a spy for Class B, or rather, for Kitagawa Ryo himself.

Of course, this does not mean that she will be willing to obediently follow the other party's orders from now on.

Therefore, Kikyo Kushida also needs a key handle, or secret, to check and balance Ryo Kitagawa, just like how she and Yosuke Hirata in her class are now tacitly covering for and monitoring each other.

"I've been seeing the two of you buying groceries together here a lot lately. Are you officially dating now?"

"Yeah, Kushida-kun, what about you? I heard you've been getting really close to Ayanokouji Kiyoshi lately, and they seem to be getting along quite well?"

Kitagawa Ryo immediately launched into a practiced fabrication and rumor, causing Kushida Kikyo's expression to stiffen, but she still smiled and denied it:

"Although Ayanokouji has been performing very well lately, I've never really gotten to know him very well. He's a bit of a loner. Speaking of which, you, Kitagawa-go-go, are probably the student from another class I've met who has the best relationship with him. You also put on a very exciting match today."

"That's right. Ayanokouji and I have always been friends. When your Class D was investigating spies on the cruise ship so intensely a while ago, I was still meeting and chatting with him every day. He even told me back then that he thought you were the spy. After all, the two of us, plus Suzune, are old classmates who have known each other since middle school. Maybe Katsuragi is already sending people to keep an eye on you."

After giving Kushida Kikyo a half-truthful, half-joking explanation, Kitagawa Ryo led Horikita Suzune, who had absolutely no interest in the topic, to the front desk to pay the bill.

It was somewhat of an accident that Kikyo Kushida was recruited as a spy. In a way, we have to thank Amasawa Ichika for his ruthless actions that night, which completely destroyed her psychological defenses. But actually, after the special exam on the deserted island, Kitagawa Ryo didn't plan to contact her again. After all, this girl was the kind of person with extraordinary talent who could easily ignite a major minefield in the class even if she wasn't a spy. The fire on the deserted island was enough.

Besides, if Kitagawa Ryo really wanted to find a new spy, he might as well go directly to Kamuro Masumi. At least she wasn't as cunning as Kushida Kikyo, and he could experience the feeling of Suzune in the classic version of the game again after a long time.

"Hmm? Is there something on my face?"

After being stared at for a moment by Kitagawa Ryo's sudden turn of her head, Horikita Suzune tilted her head in confusion. Only after hearing the reply "It's nothing" did she shake her head and accept the groceries in the shopping bag from the cashier at the counter.

Liang is acting a bit strange today.

"Um, I'm a little embarrassed, but could you please be a little more forceful, Rin? How about we demonstrate another chop? Or maybe you could say something like, 'Does Ryo like to suffer and regret at the same time, or do he regret in despair?'"

"...It seems Liang really does want to wash two people's dishes tonight."

"Okay, never mind."

"Speaking of which, Liang, do you think the bag is heavy?"

"It's not heavy."

Give me a side.

As she spoke, Horikita Suzune reached out and took the left handle of the shopping bag that Kitagawa Ryo was holding in his left hand, and the bag was carried between the two of them, dangling there conspicuously.

"It feels even more ostentatious than holding hands."

"You should get used to the coolness."

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

"Long time no see, Airi."

Sitting in the karaoke room, Kei Karuizawa raised her hand and greeted her friend, who was walking briskly, in a lighthearted tone as the room door opened.

"Yes, it has been a while since I've spoken to someone like Hui."

Sakura Airi put her schoolbag down and sat down. She had known Karuizawa Megumi and Kitagawa Ryo since elementary school. The three of them had spent a very harmonious time together in the theater troupe. To this day, they remain the softest part of Sakura Airi's heart, like a treasured gem.

"After all, we were assigned to different classes. Airi and I are already considered good, as we're in the same club and see each other quite often."

As Karuizawa Kei spoke, she handed a price list to the other party:

"What would you like to drink, Airi?"

"I'll just drink water."

"Even though they've graduated from idol training, why are they still so concerned about their figure?"

"Hui, you've been going to the gym quite a bit lately, haven't you?"

At this point, both of them smiled in unison, and the atmosphere in the private room became relaxed.

"Want to warm up your voice? Former popular idol Airi Sakura, who won first place in the 'Karaoke' competition on a deserted island?"

While waiting for the waiter to bring the drinks, Karuizawa Kei handed the microphone, which was wrapped in a protective film, and the song request board to Sakura Airi.

"Being able to attend a private concert by Ai Li up close is such a great deal."

"It's not that exaggerated. At least Hui and Liang shouldn't tease me like that."

"That's true—for those fans who only like idol Shizuku, it's probably impossible to imagine that Airi used to have that kind of personality."

Karuizawa Megumi nodded thoughtfully. Just then, the waiter brought over the drinks they had ordered, and as the door to the private room was gently closed again, her tone subtly changed.

"Actually, I miss that time now, but back then I was probably also looking forward to what would happen after entering Tokyo Advanced Nurturing Junior High School... In the end, it was because of the class division. Airi can understand what I mean, right?"

"Yeah, I also think it's troublesome that Hui and we aren't in the same class. After all, not every special exam can be like the one on the deserted island where we could cooperate and achieve a win-win situation."

Sakura Airi nodded in agreement. She had actually realized Karuizawa Megumi's intentions when she received her text message inviting her over, but she still wanted to try to stop her.

"Once we've accumulated 20 million personal points, we can transfer Hui to Class B. Then everyone can be like before. Besides, I already have 10 million points, and the remaining 10 million will probably be available by the end of this semester..."

"Airi should know that this is not the outcome I wanted, at least not now."

Before Sakura Airi could finish speaking, Karuizawa Megumi interrupted her, stating her thoughts quite seriously:

"I want to stay in my class, even if it's just for a semester."

Karuizawa Kei always thought she was the most open-minded person, after all, she had already accepted the fact that she and another friend, Shiina Hiyori, had fallen in love with the same person on the deserted island, and had even made related mental preparations in her heart.

But then, while on a cruise vacation, Kitagawa Ryo confirmed her question, "I'm the first one, right?"

That answer and everything that happened that night were like a fatal switch, instantly reawakening all the desires that Karuizawa Megumi had previously noticed and not noticed, that were both on the surface and suppressed at the bottom, a kind of almost possessive desire.

Her earlier statement, "Even if it's just for one semester," was essentially a reflection of her second mock exam, which was a failure in reality despite its apparent success. She watched helplessly as Shiina Hiyori, who was in the same class as Kitagawa Ryo, spent a whole semester with him and they naturally became lovers.

It's almost like a cycle of fate. The two of them ended at the sports festival at the beginning of the second semester, and now the place she wants to start over is also the sports festival that is about to open in the second semester.

“I don’t want Airi to help me.”

"But don't help others either."

Chapter 284: It's okay if he falls into my arms in public.

"I've already done a rough count."

It was another early morning. After finishing their usual morning practice with Arisu Sakayanagi, Kitagawa Ryo was on his way back to the dormitory when he overheard Arisu's slightly worried words:

"Because the class points were zero for a long period of the first semester, not counting the ten million personal points that Sakura has, the entire Class B seems to only have around two or three million personal points. How many personal points does Ryo have left?"

"It's also around three million, three million one hundred and thirty-eight thousand five hundred and ninety-one points."

Kitagawa Ryo took out his phone and glanced at it, then gave Sakayanagi Arisu the exact amount.

Most of the personal points he had came from the special exams on the deserted island, consisting of the second-place reward from the school and two sums of personal points he obtained from Class D through a contract. The remainder came from the encouragement he received from the school after winning awards in competitions representing the drama club outside the school this semester.

To be honest, if Kitagawa Ryo hadn't spent a lot on the cruise, he would have had even more personal points left. But even so, these three million personal points would still put him among the top three richest people in his grade. Ahead of him were Sakura Airi, who had ten million personal points, and Ryuen Sho, who had made a fortune from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and received five million personal points.

"So I guess the only thing we'll actually be able to use in the end is this one that's currently in our hands."

Seemingly satisfied with the amount Kitagawa Ryo currently holds, Sakayanagi Arisu's tone relaxed somewhat:

"Unless absolutely necessary, actively collecting all the individual points in the class is always more harmful than beneficial. Even if the process is open, fair and just, it is more reliable to settle the accounts clearly after the matter is over."

As she spoke, Sakayanagi Arisu also turned around:

"Ryo must have noticed it too, right? There's a connection, or rather a conflict, between one of the rules in this sports festival and that so-called prediction game."