( "Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here."— Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. )

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It's evening in the ship. The even of the a 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 (viii.183–235).

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?

[Icarus walks forward.]

Icarus: With these wings ...

[Icarus' tries to reach the light in the front that represents the sun.]

Icarus: ... Can I fly freely in the sky?

[Icarus' wings widen.]

Daedalus: Icarus, listen to me.

[Daedalus walks toward where Icarus is.]

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 Kiyotaka Ayanokōji appeared behind Sae Chabashira. He casually went to sit beside her. " This feels like a waste of taxpayer money. "

Chabashira didn't look at him as her face focus on the play infront of her. " A few days ago, a certain man contacted the school. ''Expel Kiyotaka Ayanokōji," he said. "

" I wonder what that could mean. " Kiyotaka deliberately close his eyes. " I don't know who that person was, but you know you can't expel someone without a reason. "

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

Daedalus: Icarus!

" Naturally. So long as you're a student here, the rules will protect you. Of course, if you cause any trouble, that's another matter altogether. " Chabashira said.

Icarus: The sky is so close. Father, watch me!

[Icarus is flying at the stage.]

Icarus: I'm flying ... Father, watch me! I'm flying! Look how small Crete has become!

The audience clap in awe. Kiyotaka stared at the man who was sent upwards by a string as if he is really flying. " Sorry to inform you, but unlike the arrogant Icarus, I don't pick fights with the sun. "

" Your intentions aren't a factor. If I decide you're 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 ask. " Are you threatening me? "

Icarus: Fly higher, higher ...

[Icarus flies faster and faster, higher and higher.]

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

[Icarus falls afterwards.]

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.

Daedalus: Icarus! Oh, how can this be?

" Then I'm afraid, Ayanokōji ... " Chabashira spoke making Kiyotaka stop for a moment and glances at Chabashira. While on the stage: Daedalus continues to mourn at Icarus' death.

" You're 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 remain emotionless but his eyes seeped with contained anger. Chabashira stare 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 go 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 me. "

Chabashira let out a smirk as her eyes then turn to the stage instead of her student. " Don't worry about that. My life is already full of regret. "

Kiyotaka walks out of the auditorium leaving the teacher behind. He's still thinking about her words as he walk through the stairs. Unbeknownst to them, Karma was listening to their talk, while hiding behind a chair.

' So, someone wants to expel Ayano-kun, huh? Well, that "someone", who wants to expel him, must be a person with high status, as he is able to contact school and make the staff expel their students. Now, who can it be? '

Karma thinks for a moment, and then realization hits him like a truck. ' Of course! The only ones that have that kind of power and want to expel Ayano-kun are... '

Karma then smirks. ' ... White Room. Well, I don't think they will be able to expel him, but that threat will make him show more of his abilities, which is a plus to me.

He then furrows his eyebrows.

' But... '

His eyes start to glint in the dark.

' ... If they get out of line... '

Karma let out a bloodthirsty smile.

' ... I will kill them, personally. '

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Kiyotaka looks at the farthest horizon he could ever see as he stand on the edge alone.

' Throw away my freedom to protect my freedom ... '

The cruise then blow a horn as the yellow lights inside it glow through the dark ocean.

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The others decided 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 punches his right hand up in the air due to excitement.

" Look at that view! " Kei enthusiast as she together with Kikyo watch the sight through the glass barrier of the ship's edge as it overpowers the girls hieght. " Kinda gets your heart racing, huh? "

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

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

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

" Isn't the school so generous? Taking us out on this big cruise ... " Kei trailed off.

" Yeah! " Kikyo exclaimed.

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

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. '

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Mei-Yu Wang serves the volleyball towards Kikyō Kushida's side. " Kikyō-chan! Coming your way! "

" Okay! Up we go! "

Kikyo successfully blocks the ball as it then bounces high up.

Freshman boys are watching these two physically beautiful girls as they bare their bodies under the bright sun. Kikyo giggles.

Meanwhile, the former five Argos members which is the boys group observed on the opposite side. It was a spur moment until Ike starts speaking.

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

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

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

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

Sudō is touched by his manliness. Kiyotaka puts on his best poker face, Karma on the other hand gave his signature smile/smirk.

" Ike ... "

" Break a leg. "

" Good luck~! "

Ike gave a nod. " Okay! Here I go! "

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Both Ike and Kikyo stand facing eachother 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? " Kikyo ask.

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

" Kushida-chan... "

" Hmmm? "

Kikyo tilt her head.

" C-C.. " Ike began to sweat making Kikyo 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 Kikyo. " Could I call you by your given name? "

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

" C-Can I? Can I call you Kikyō-chan? "

Kikyo did a close-eyed smile. " Sure! Can I call you Kanji-kun, then? "

" Huh? " Ike jolt by the reply.

" Kanji-kun? "

Suddenly Ike dropped on his knees and puts his hands up in the air. " Whoah! Kikyō-chan! Kikyō-chan! Kikyō-chan! "

Kikyo worriedly frown 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. '

"H-He keeps chanting her name like it's an incantation.. I can't- " Karma cover his mouth as if to contain his laughter.

Sudō is immediately inspired. He stood up and faced Kiyotaka and Karma. After such, Sudō put his hands on both their shoulders suprising both of them.

" Ayanokōji! Akabane! What's Horikita's given name?! "

Kiyotaka and Karma looked blankly at the red-faced Sudo. " Huh? "

Sudō shakes them more intensively. " Tell me Horikita given name right now! " He then let go of them.

" I think it's Suzune. " Kiyotaka replied. Karma nods in conformation, but he is still confused.

Sudo turned red. " Suzune ... It's cute. I like it. Okay! I'm gonna call her by her name, too! Uhm ... S-Suzune ... " Sudo starts to do a peace sign gesture. " Suzune, may I speak to you? ... " He did another silly hand gesture. " Suzune, let's walk home together! Then with a shocked gesture. " ... Suzune, oh, how could you ... I never knew you were so bold, Suzune~! "

The two boys then see Yamauchi mumbling something on loop. " Airi-chan. Airi-chan, Airi-chan ... "

Kiyotaka stare at the two idiots. " What's gotten into them? "

Karma wipe the spot where Sudo touch on his shoulder. " I ask myself the same question. "

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Alone, Rokusuke Kōenji is under the pleasure of enjoying the view of both the ocean and himself. He picks up the mirror at the table near him.

Koenji chuckles as he face on his reflection. " Beautiful. "

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While roaming around the middle area of Speranza, Kiyotaka Ayanokōji, Karma Akabane, Ken Sudō, Kanji Ike, and Haruki Yamauchi stumbled upon the restaurant area filled with students who garnered a large number of private points.

It does feel like they stand out amongst the students who looked to be in higher classes.

Sudo spoke up from the silence from his group. " Hey ... Is this all free, too? "

" You don't think they're gonna send us a bill later? " Ike spoke next.

" Well, all other classes are eating, so I guess it's okay ... " Yamauchi reassured trying to calm the awkward tension.

Kiyotaka look around the big area. ' We're going to stick out like sore thumbs. '

Karma frown. ' It's like we're telling other classes to try and kill us. But then again, I don't care. '

Sudo leaned closer to Ike as he whisper. " I think we should go somewhere else. "

" Huh? Then Where? "

Suddenly the restaurant waiter walk towards the boys. " Welcome. Would the gentlemen like a table for five? "

The boys looked unsure but Karma just smiled as he raise a hand. " Hai! "

The waiter nod then walk away motioning for a table for them to sit. Ike turn to Karma with a nervous expression. " A-Akabane, don't make jokes like that. "

Karma tilt his head. " Jokes? "

Sudo began to sweat as he take a look at the students eating in. " Y-Yeah! This place is not for us. We just have to hang in a pool- "

Both Sudo and Ike got hugged by Karma. " Aww, don't be shy, Sudo-kun, Ike-kun. It's a one in a lifetime luxury, let's go! "

He then drag the two boys as they follow the waiter leaving Yamauchi and Kiyotaka to walk after them. Sudo lean onto Karma. " If we get kicked out, I will pummel you! "

After a while, these five boys were given a table and seats to dine in. It is also clearly seen from the background that some Class 1-A students are looking in their direction.

Sudo put the menu down in frustration. " Hey, what kinda food is this? "

Ike squinted his eyes as he read the food names from the menu. " Fromage de tête? With a fragrant herb sauce ... "

Karma lean his face on his palm, clearly amused by the troubled boys. They just need a little push in the rich side, that's what assassins should know about after all they've been living in the dumps.

Karma then point at the word where Ike is reading. " The name says Head Cheese. "

Ike tilt his head with confusion. " Ah.. that sounds putrid.. You know about rich food Karma? "

Said boy just smiled. Well that's because he's rich, not that he would brag about it, he learned better.

Yamauchi raise his head with the same troubled expression. " H-Hey, no big deal. Let's just order whatever. " He raise his right hand to the waiter. " E-Excuse me! Can we order it already? 'Scuse me! Hey! "

Karma look around and see that the students are staring at them by Yamauchi's voice. Can admit that he's a little embarrassed now. He look towards Kiyotaka who still has the same stoic expression.

Some Class 1-A students are quite disturbed and see Haruki Yamauchi's gesture as a nuisance.

Kiyotaka let out a sigh as he stop Yamauchi. " Let's just go- "

" You're Class D, aren't you? " A voice suddenly interrupts making the five boys turn to see a student calling for them.

Sudo raise a brow. " Yeah? So what if we are? "

The student, Yahiko Totsuka didn't remove his focus on his meal. " Listen to me. This restaurant is no place for garbage like you. "

Sudō stands up from his seat. " Huh?! "

Yahiko smirk as he continues to taunt the fuming student heading his way. " Garbage should be eaten junk food. Go get yourselves some hamburgers. "

Sudō approached Yahiko Totsuka and grabbed his uniform pulling him close to Sudo. Karma turns his head to fully see the scene, while smirking in amusement. " You got something against hamburgers?! "

" Yahiko. " A voice said coming from Yahiko's table. Katsuragi paused his eating and closed his eyes.

Kiyotaka and Karma blink at the sudden change of atmosphere.

" Cease these ridiculous provocations. " Katsuragi said.

" Katsuragi-san... " Yahiko cough out.

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

" Y-Yes sir. "

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

Sudō let go of Yahiko Totsuka's uniform. " 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? "

Karma let out a sigh. Gosh just let Sudo pummel him already.

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

" Do you intend to repeat the same mistake now? " Katsuragi spoke once more.

Ike approached Sudō to catch him from further embarrassment. He lay his hand on Sudo's shoulder. " Let's go somewhere else. "

That earn a tsk from Sudo but at least the tension wouldn't rise up more that is enough to produce new profound rumors that can't save him again.

Yamauchi stands up and walk with Ike and Sudo but Kiyotaka and Karma both stared at Katsuragi who resumed eating.

' Class A. Katsuragi... ' Kiyotaka then remove himself from the table following the others.

Karma then too but his stare still stuck on Katsuragi's back. ' Kohei Katsuragi, huh? He's not only interesting, but also reminds me of Asano. If he really is like Asano then it will be fun to crush him. '

He let out a smirk before catching up to Kiyotaka.

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Inside the room filled with aromatherapeutic scent, Chie Hoshinomiya, the Class 1-B Homeroom teacher and Honami Ichinose are spending time relaxing together.

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

Ichinose blink. " Ms. Hoshinomiya? "

chie chuckled. " 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 continue her conversation.

" And in Class D? "

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

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

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

" Aside from Kōenji-kun, though... "

Ichinose tilt her head. " You mean Ayanokoji-kun, and I think Akabane-kun? "

Chie raise 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! " Chie pouted making ichinose smile.

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