Third Person's Point of View

Inside the Theatre Auditorium of Speranza

IT'S EVENING ON THE SHIP. The event of the play is about an ancient Greek myth of Icarus and Daedalus. Ovid narrates the story of Icarus at some length in his book, the Metamorphoses.

Daedalus: Earth and water might impede our escape, but the sky is free! Even here in the darkest depths, there remains a spark of hope.

Icarus: These are my wings? With these wings... Can I fly freely in the sky?

Daedalus: Icarus, listen to me.

Daedalus: Freedom can address the mind. Arrogance can lead to death. Even the birds exercise caution when they fly. Fly too close to the ocean, and the sea spray will weigh down your wings. But neither must you soar too high, for the sun will melt your wings made of wax.

There, Sae Chabashira is sitting at the theatre. Listening to every dialogue that each character of the play throws to the other. All the chairs from the front row around her are empty.

Split second and then the two boys named Kiyotaka Ayanokoji and Axel Arison appeared behind Sae Chabashira. They casually went to sit beside her.

"This feels like a waste of taxpayer money."

"Ah this is boring." Axel said while yawning, he put his head on Kiyotaka's shoulder. On the other hand Kiyotaka didn't mind that he is quite happy if Axel is depending on him.

Chabashira didn't look at the two boys as her face focused on the play in front of her.

"A few days ago, a certain man contacted the school. ''Expel Kiyotaka Ayanokoji together with Axel Arison" he said."

"I wonder what that could mean." Kiyotaka deliberately closed his eyes.

"I don't know who that person was, but you know you can't expel someone without a reason." Axel on the other hand also closed his eyes.

Icarus: I'll be okay. I can do it.

Daedalus: Icarus!

"Naturally. So long as you two are students here, the rules will protect the both of you. Of course, if you two cause any trouble, that's another matter altogether." Chabashira said.

Icarus: The sky is so close. Father, watch me! I'm flying ... Father, watch me! I'm flying! Look how small Crete has become!

The audience clapped in awe. Kiyotaka stared at the man who was sent upwards by a string as if he was really flying.

"Sorry to inform you, but unlike the arrogant Icarus, I don't pick fights with the sun."

"Eh same, I don't like fighting." Axel said and he removed his head on Kiyotaka's shoulder and he stretched his both arms.

"Your both intentions aren't a factor. If I decide you two are a problem, that's what you are." Chabashira said back.

Icarus: The sun is so close ...

Daedalus: Icarus! You must not get too close to the sun! Icarus!

Icarus: Oh, it's so beautiful.

Kiyotaka asked as he stared at her. "Are you threatening us?"

Icarus: Fly higher, higher ...

"I'm offering a trade. If you two attempt to reach Class A, I'll cover for the both of you, unilaterally. A good deal, don't you think? "

Kiyotaka didn't take his eyes off of his teacher.

"It's out of the question." Kiyotaka then stands up to walk away from Chabashira. He grabbed Axel's hands who was currently looking at the ground.

Daedalus: Icarus! Oh, how can this be?

"Then I'm afraid, Ayanokōji ... " Chabashira spoke, making Kiyotaka stop for a moment and glancing at Chabashira.

"Both of you are going to be expelled and lose your freedom."

Suddenly Chabashira felt a force pulling from her collar to be met by

Kiyotaka's face as if to provoke her.

Daedalus: Gods of Olympus, place a curse upon me. I'm the one who killed the baby bird who did not know how to fly. Gods! Curse this foolish father!

Silence befall the two as a wave of toxic air spurred around the area, luckily no one is there near them. Kiyotaka let his eyes gleam.

"You call yourself a teacher?"

Voice remained emotionless but his eyes seeped with anger. Chabashira stares back. "Make your decision now. Will you try for Class A, or be expelled?"

Silence. Kiyotaka didn't immediately respond to his teacher's query.

The lights suddenly went off and the play ended, it was then interrupted by a round of applause. Kiyotaka then let go of Chabashira's uniform.

"You may come to regret trying to manipulate us."

Chabashira let out a smirk as her eyes then turned to the stage instead of her student.

"Don't worry about that. My life is already full of regret."

Kiyotaka and Axel walk out of the auditorium leaving the teacher behind. He's still thinking about her words as he walks through the stairs. Kiyotaka stops when Axel tugs on his shirt.

Kiyotaka sighed and hugged Axel. Axel returned the hug, Kiyotaka put his chin on Axel's shoulder.

"Don't worry I'll protect our freedom even if I need to sacrifice my peaceful life." Axel chuckled.

"Silly, I'll help you." Kiyotaka nodded and cupped his face. Their eyes met, with that they just both chuckle.

(A photo of them in their first meet)

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

THE OTHER STUDENTS IN CLASS D decide to meet up as they stare at the expansive ocean that is decorated by a warm glow by the sunlight. It is a beautiful view.

It's now morning and the ship continues to move towards its destination.

"The eternal summer ocean! The wide blue sky It's the middle of the Pacific! This is truly ... a sea paradise!" Ike said while raising his hand in the air.

"Look at that view!" Karuzaiwa said as she together with Kushida watched the sight through the glass barrier of the ship's edge as it overpowered the girl's height.

"My heartbeat is racing right now. "

"It really is an amazing sight!" Kikyo agreed while smiling.

On the other hand, there is one person, a certain long black hair boy who is currently sitting on the side of the pool while kicking his feet on the water. He giggled while looking at the girls.

"Aren't you glad you didn't get expelled?" Yamauchi asked Sudo.

"Yeah. It feels like a dream..."

"Isn't the school so generous? Taking us out on this big cruise ..." Karuizawa said and looked at her side. When she saw Axel she immediately waved her hand.

Axel just smiled and waved his hand also.

"Yeah!" Kushida agreed to what Karuizawa said.

Axel closes his eyes and smiles peacefully, while not listening to the blabbering of his classmates. It is a one in a lifetime, for once, Axel felt peace in this world.

But seriously...

Axel didn't mind the stares coming from other students. Some of them are drooling, blushing and some of the girls are taking a picture. He is currently wearing beach attire, a collared or buttoned shirt and shorts. But what is more majestic is his shoulder is clearly seen. It's like he's a son of Aphrodite.

His milky smoot– *get smacked by Kiyotaka*

Ahem.

Kiyotaka stayed silent. 'The luxury cruise ship, Speranza. It contains first-class restaurants, a theatre for live performances, pools, and various amusement facilities. There's even a luxury spa. If I bought a ticket as an individual, it would likely cost a few hundred thousand. But more importantly why did I let Axel wear those outfits.'

Mei-Yu Wang and Kushida Kikyo are currently playing volleyball.

Freshman boys are watching these two physically beautiful girls as they bare their bodies under the bright sun. Meanwhile, the boys group, observed on the opposite side. It was a good moment until Ike started speaking.

"I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna tell Kushida-chan how I feel!"

"Are ... are you serious?" Yamauchi didn't expect that as he turned to Ike.

Ike stands up. The other four boys are curious about what he has in mind.

"To do nothing and live a life of regret...... would be pretty lame, right?" Ike removes his sunglasses while attempting to keep being cool.

Sudō is touched by his manliness. Kiyotaka puts on his best poker face, and Axel is still in the pool area, he is currently relaxing and talking to Karuizawa.

"Ike ..."

"Break a leg."

"Good luck." Kiyotaka said with his famous monotone voice.

"Okay! Here I go!" Ike gave a nod. Kiyotaka just sighed and looked at Axel who was talking to Koenji, surprisingly Koenji was responding to Axel's question.

"I just want a peaceful life, pretty boy." Koenji said while drinking his juice, that action makes Axel chuckle.

"What a coincidence! I want a peaceful life too." Axel said, Koenji nodded and laughed a little as he looked close up to Axel. Koenji looked with his eyes down to his feet.

"You're really pretty aren't you." Koenji said while teasing, Axel rolled his eyes and crossed his hands. Making Koenji laugh out loud.

On the other hand, Both Ike and Kushida stand facing each other, already changed into their clothes. Not far away from this, Ike's four friends are

watching them on the sidelines.

"What is it, Ike-kun?" Kushida asked.

Ike became nervous but he clenched his fist to lessen the tension. Although he tried his best not to show it, he's evidently blushing at Kushida.

"Kushida-chan..."

"Hmmm?"

Kushida tilted her head.

"C-C.." Ike began to sweat, making Kushida patiently wait. Ike realizes he's too nervous. He doesn't know if he can confess to her properly. After several thoughts, he immediately bows his head to keep his eyes away from Kushida.

"Could I call you by your given name?"

Kushida is shocked by this development. Ike then unbends his body and looks at Kushida again.

"C-Can I? Can I call you Kikyo-chan?" Kushida did a close-eyed smile.

"Sure! Can I call you Kanji-kun, then?"

"Huh?" Ike jolted by the reply.

"Kanji-kun?"

Suddenly Ike dropped to his knees and put his hands up in the air.

"Whoa! Kikyo-chan! Kikyo-chan! Kikyo-chan!"

Kushida worriedly frowned at his sudden action.

"I-Ike-kun?"

"That bastard. He pulled it off!" Yamauchi states proudly as if Ike is victorious.

The same goes with Sudō's emotional reaction to the whole thing.

Kiyotaka looked unimpressed. 'All he did was to use her name, nothing else.' on his thoughts.

Sudō is immediately inspired. He stood up and faced Kiyotaka. After such, Sudo put his hands on his shoulders, surprising him.

"Ayanokoji What's Arison's given name?!" He asked Kiyotaka. He looked at Sudo uninterestedly and didn't plan to help him. While Sudo kept looking at him.

Kiyotaka sighed. "I'm not telling you.." he said and looked at Axel. Sudo gets a little bit irritated and goes to Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi looked at him with a confused expression.

Sudo asked what Arison's given name was. "Uhmmm I believe it's Axe–" but he got cut off when a certain hand covered his mouth and he said some words to Yamaguchi.

"Tell him and you will die.." Yamaguchi immediately nodded and covered his mouth. Kiyotaka looked at Sudo. Sudo sighed.

"You are planning to take him by yourself, aren't you?" Kiyotaka stared at him, his expression didn't change.

"What are you saying? From the very beginning... he's already mine."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

"GO FIRST, I WILL FETCH AXEL FIRST." Kiyotaka said while waving his hands. Sudo is still glaring at him. Kiyotaka just sighed. 'I thought he was already in love with Horikita?' Kiyotaka's thoughts.

The three Idiots walking away, they are planning to eat in a restaurant inside. It was high class so Kiyotaka planned to eat there with Axel. Kiyotaka sighed when someone poked his cheeks.

"Finally, let's go. I want to eat." he said, Axel just chuckled.

"You don't want to eat my foo–" he got cut off by Kiyotaka.

"I do but I want you to relax and just eat." Axel blushed at the thought. He was confused why Kiyotaka suddenly became this sweet and protective. But he doesn't mind all of it.

And the two boys arrived at the restaurant. They walked inside and the two boys already received some stares.

"Oh it's Arison.. He's so pretty."

"Oh the duo, I can't forget their performance."

Axel and Kiyotaka just sighed and looked around. They're finding the 3 idiots. And surprisingly they are talking to Katsuragi and some of the Class A.

"Garbage should be eaten junk food. Go get yourselves some hamburgers." Yahiko smirks as he continues to taunt the three students of Class D heading his way. The two boys are just listening to their conversation, the three idiots didn't realize that Axel and Kiyotaka had already arrived.

"Yahiko, Cease these ridiculous provocations." Katsuragi said.

"Katsuragi-san..." Yahiko coughed as he gulped.

"Although we are currently on vacation, we may still lose points for bad behavior. You should conduct yourself in a manner befitting a Class A student." Katsuragi opened his eyes and glared at Yahiko Totsuka.

"Y-Yes sir."

Katsuragi glanced at his back, to the direction where the three idiots were sitting. "You would do well to study manners, as well, to stop being a nuisance to those around you."

"Huh? We haven't done—"

Not far from the scene, some mumbling students can be heard.

"Isn't that Sudō? You know, the one behind that assault."

"His eyes are so scary."

"I heard he actually killed people."

"Eehh?"

"Give me a break, you guys!" Sudo glared at the students staring at him.

"Do you intend to repeat the same mistake now?" Katsuragi spoke once more. Sudo is going to say something but a hands stop him. It was Axel.

"Horikita told you to control your temper." Axel said giving his superiority, making Sudo just nod. Katsuragi on the other hand is quite taken aback by this. Katsuragi looked at Kiyotaka who is currently looking at him.

'Those eyes..'

"I'm sorry for this commotion, we're going to leave." Axel said while smiling, Yahiko is currently blushing. 'This is Arison? The pretty boy in Class D, shit he's attractive... damn why I'm having a gay panic.'

"It's okay, you can send those three away and you can eat her–" Katsuragi got cut off by Axel who was waving his hand and smiling.

"It's okay, I lost my appetite. Thank you, we're leaving, I hope you'll enjoy your food, Class A."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

SPA and Massage Area

INSIDE THE ROOM WITH A SOOTHING scent, Chie Hoshinomiya, the Class 1-B Homeroom teacher and Honami Ichinose are spending time relaxing together.

"That feels so good ..." Hoshinomiya moaned in satisfaction as she was massaged.

Ichinose blink. "Ms. Hoshinomiya?"

"Sorry, sorry. Keep going."

"I think Sakayanagi-san and Katsuragi-kun from Class A, as well as Ryūen-kun from Class C, are the ones we should be paying attention to."

Ichinose continued her conversation.

"And in Class D?"

"Horikita-san and Hirata-kun, I think."

"I feel like there's someone else, too." Hoshinomiya let out a hum.

"They say that Kōenji-kun has excellent grades and athletic abilities, too, but.."

"Aside from Kōenji-kun, though... "

Ichinose tilted her head. "You mean Ayanokoji-kun, and Arison-kun? "

Hoshinomiya raised her head enthusiastically. "Yeah! My gut tells me they're ones to watch out for."

Ichinose can feel herself tense. The two of them, specifically?

"Ms. Hoshinomiya, I can't just rely on your gut."

"You meanie!!" Hoshinomiya pouted, making an ichinose smile.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

THERE HORIKITA IS SEEN READING A BOOK ALONE. Kiyotaka and Axel who keep yawning silently sat beside her.

"Glad that you are here." Horikita said as she kept her eyes on the book. L

"Make it faster Horikita I'm sleepy."

"What did you call us out for?" Kiyotaka asked, Axel put his head on the table and started sleeping. Horikita just sighed.

Without any second thought, Horikita gets straight to the point.

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

Axel popped his head and stared at Horikita with his lazy expression.

"Of course not, this is not a regular school therefore it's clear that there's probably more to it than just a vacation, maybe a special event?"

"I thought so too."

"This ship is headed for a boarding house on a South Seas island owned by the school, isn't it? When we get there..." Kiyotaka looked up.

"We can't let our guard down." Horikita said, the two boys just nodded.

While the two students from Class D are having a conversation, someone interrupts them.

"There you are."

The three look up to where the voice is from. Together with Albert Yamada, Kakeru Ryuen approached where Horikita, Axel and Kiyotaka were.

Axel observes closer at the physique of Ryuen, especially his bodyguard. Such an interesting pair would come from Class C? Axel just yawn and put his head on the table again.

"Manipulate the situation...I'm planning to play with your class a little longer but I didn't know you could pull that trick. Ryuen said as he leaned towards the desk, he looked at Horikita and he sat beside her.

Horikita frowned her eyebrows but she decided not to focus her eyes anywhere but on her book hoping the student would leave quickly.

"Who are you?"

"I like women like you, Suzune. But I also like pretty boys." Ryuen said as he looked at Axel who is currently snoring.

Horikita let out a sigh before glaring at the male beside her.

"I don't know what you are talking about, but I haven't permitted you to use my given name."

Without any warning, Ryuen grabs Horikita's chin towards him.

"There's something really sexy about that look on your face." he lean his face and stared at her eyes, until a hand grab Ryuen's hand on Horikita's chin.

"Grabbing a girl's chin is really repulsive. I don't know who you are, but your presence absolutely disgusts me."

"Arison-kun." Horikita said, Kiyotaka is still staring at Ryuen and the other Class C. Axel let go the hand of Ryuen and yawned again. Ryuen smirked and looked at the long black hair boy.

"Oh I finally meet you Axel." Kiyotaka glared at Ryuen, he didn't want anyone to call Axel by his first name. Axel looked at Ryuen, he stood up.

"Don't call me by my first name." Axel said, making Ryuen chuckle. He put his hand on his pocket as he leaned to Axel's ears to whisper something. After Axel hears that, Axel chuckles.

"I know, you don't have to tell me." Axel said, Horikita and Kiyotaka stand up. Ryuen didn't mind Kiyotaka, actually he didn't know Kiyotaka his perspective towards Kiyotaka is different. In Ryuen, Kiyotaka is just a beta.

"Say.. How did you do it.." Axel chuckled. 'He is referring to the Trial, they completely lost what is his talking about.' He didn't answer, he just keep looking at Ryuen.

Ryuen extends his arm and plans to grab Axel's hair but someone grabs Axel on his wrist. Ryuen chuckled and glared at him.

"Don't interrupt our conversation beta." Kiyotaka didn't mind the 'beta' thing and ignored him. Horikita but in.

"We're leaving Ryuen, don't bother us." Horikita said Ryuen smirked and put his hands on his chin as he looked at his prey.

"Fine, keep entertaining me in the future. Suzune and Arison." And with that, he walked away together with the other Class C.

Axel on the other hand keeps his famous smirk.

'Why are you so pretty in person, huh just why.' He chuckled. He playfully playing his hair as Ryuen's word keep repeating to his mind.

'I don't know.. maybe because of my genes.'