In practice, I originally just wanted to be a slacker.

After washing up and eating the breakfast he made himself, Kamio Tatsuya once again integrated the Eternal Needle into his body.

After leaving the room, Kamio Tatsuya checked the time. Because he had drawn and tested the items today, he was running a little short of time.

Yeah, let's run to school again after a long time.

On the first floor, after Kamio left his dormitory, he took a deep breath and immediately ran towards the school, deciding to forget about being late.

As Tatsuya Kamio ran at full speed, he felt every cell in his body cheering. Indeed, it's good to exercise occasionally.

Soon, Kamio Tatsu arrived at school. Well, there were still five minutes left, which would be enough time to walk to the classroom.

However, Tatsuya Kamio soon discovered something: he didn't seem to feel his stamina being depleted.

Although I did feel hot, I didn't feel tired at all.

Is this also an effect of the Eternal Needle?

That's interesting. Does that mean I can maintain my peak performance throughout this exam?

Haha, this exclusive item came at just the right time! It seems like I'm definitely going to be number one this time!

With the tone of this exam already set, whether it's competing for first place to gain massive class and personal points, or simply aiming for the top 50% to earn some personal point rewards...

Or perhaps they simply treated this deserted island exam as a camping trip, with students from all three grades forming teams according to their own preferences or goals.

However, the second-year students did not let their guard down, because the final exams were to be held before the regular exams.

Although the final exam is not a special exam, failing it will result in immediate expulsion from school; this is an ironclad rule.

Therefore, not only second-grade students, but also students in other classes and grades have gradually entered the review state.

Two weeks passed quickly, and on July 10th, the students faced their first semester's final exams.

On July 15th, the school announced the final exam results. No students dropped out because of the written exams, and everyone passed the exams safely.

July 16th marked the end of the first semester and the official start of summer vacation.

After two days of rest, it was July 18th. Tomorrow was the day to head to the deserted island, so Kamio Tatsuya spent his time tidying up his room and preparing things to take on the ship.

dong dong dong.

Just as Tatsuya Kamio was hesitating about whether to bring an umbrella, there was a knock on the door.

Who will it be at this time?

Could it be Masumi?

With a relaxed mood, Tatsuya Kamio opened the door and saw someone who was somewhat unexpected.

"You are... Sakura? What brings you here?"

It's no wonder that Tatsuya Kamio was surprised, because Sakura outside the door looked quite different from the usual one.

Sakura usually wears glasses without prescription lenses and always buries her head in front of her chest, as if she is afraid of being seen by others.

Although she is still wearing a school uniform, she no longer wears glasses, and her hair has changed. She has a youthful smile on her face and looks very energetic.

"Won't you invite me in?"

Sakura gave Tatsuya Kamio a mischievous smile.

Looking at Sakura, Tatsuya Kamio felt that he didn't seem like Sakura at all, but rather like someone else.

"Yes, please come in."

Kamio Tatsuya turned around, quickly went into the bedroom, and stuffed the things that were just on the table into his backpack.

It wouldn't be good if Sakura saw this.

Just as Tatsuya Kamio was about to breathe a sigh of relief, he felt someone hug him from behind.

The fragrance wafting from behind and the soft touch on his back led Tatsuya Kamio to conclude that the person hugging him was Sakura.

"Sakura?"

"I'm sorry, Kamio-kun, but... can I hug you for a little while?"

Sakura's faint, pleading voice came from behind.

Kamio Tatsuya, who had just raised his hand, sighed inwardly. What's wrong with this girl now?

After a few minutes, Sakura finally released her arms from around Tatsuya Kamio's waist.

"I'm sorry, Kamio-kun, it worked for you."

"Yeah...it's okay."

The Needle of Eternity is truly amazing. Despite receiving such a strong stimulus, I didn't feel any dizziness at all.

Under normal circumstances, the second brother would probably be unable to control himself by now.

"What's wrong, Sakura? You seem a little different today."

Kamio Tatsu didn't turn around; he just asked the question like that.

"Kamio-kun, aren't you going to turn around?"

Sigh, it's been a while since I last saw her, and Sakura has become quite a handful.

This is my room, my territory, and do you think a grown man over 1.8 meters tall would be afraid of a little girl under 1.6 meters tall like me?

Kamio Tatsuya turned around and looked at Sakura, who was standing right in front of him.

When Sakura saw Tatsuya Kamio turn around, a bright smile appeared on her face.

"Kamio-kun, I'm dropping out of school tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Tatsuya Kamio paused for a moment, then smiled.

"It seems you've finally made up your mind."

"Yes, I've made up my mind. I'm going to work hard to become a popular idol."

"Sit down and let's talk," Tatsuya Kamio changed the subject.

Sakura nodded and turned to walk to the other side of the table.

"Have you talked to your friends, I mean Hasegawa and the others, about your situation?"

"Yes, I've already told Jiajia and the others. Although we haven't known each other for long, we're already very good friends."

When Hasebe was mentioned, Sakura's face lit up with a warm smile.

"And Jiajia told me that she would follow my account and cheer me on..."

Sakura seemed to want to make up for what she hadn't said before, so she kept talking, but as she talked, tears started falling from her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't want to cry, but..."

Kamio Tatsuya simply watched her silently, offering neither mockery nor comfort.

"So, are you here today to say goodbye?"

"Yeah, I guess so, because we probably won't be able to see each other for the next year and a half." Sakura wiped away her tears and smiled again.

"And, Kamio-kun, I like you!"

Tatsuya Kamio paused for a moment, then smiled.

"Ok, I know."

"Huh? You know what?" Sakura was quite surprised. "When?"

"It was a long time ago, probably last year when I was repairing my camera."

"Didn't we already know that from the beginning?"

“Yes.” Tatsuya Kamio smiled. “Thank you for liking me, but I’m actually not a good man.”

"No, it was Kamio-kun who helped me back then. To me, you are the best man." Sakura's eyes were firm, so firm that it was unlike her usual self.

"Uh, except for Dad."

After she finished speaking, she laughed, and then Tatsuya Kamio laughed along with her.

"Sakura, I have a girlfriend."

"Yes, I know, it's Kamuro-kun, right?"

“Besides Masumi, there’s also Hiyori.”

"Two, two people?"

Seeing Sakura's shocked expression, Kamio Tatsuya smiled.

"What's wrong? Are you disillusioned? I am exactly what you imagine, a two-timing philanderer, and I have no intention of giving up on either Masumi or Hiyori."

Kamio Tatsuya's tone was very firm; he didn't care if he wasn't recognized by ordinary people.

Sakura is a good girl, and although Kamio Tatsuya is a womanizer and a playboy, he is by no means vulgar. This is the most fundamental difference between him and Nagumo.

If Kamio Tatsuya were the same kind of guy as Nagumo, he probably wouldn't have revealed the affair between Kamuro and Shiina, and Sakura would probably have already been seduced into bed.

A gentleman loves money, but he acquires it in a proper way. The same applies to this matter.

Kamio Tatsuya didn't want to deceive every girl who liked him, so he chose to be honest. Except for Kamuro and Shiina, Kamio Tatsuya gave all the girls the right to choose, including Ichinose.

To be somewhat cruel to others, his feelings for Kamuro and Shiina were on a completely different level from his feelings for others.

He could choose to give up on others, but not on Kamuro and Shiina.

Now, Kamio Tatsuya is waiting for Sakura's reply: whether to join or give up.

"That's... wonderful." Sakura smiled. "Kamio-kun, do you like me?"

"At least I don't dislike you. If you're willing, I'll try to like you." Kamio Tatsuya said the words of a scumbag with a serious face.

"Yes, I'll make you fall in love with me." Sakura looked at Tatsuya Kamio with a serious expression. "So, can you wait a year and a half for this promise?"

"of course."

Tatsuya Kamio smiled and then patted the girl's head.

Chapter 325 It seems there's no other way but to fight it out.

Kamio Tatsuya was surprised, even astonished, by Sakura's change. Who would have thought that the girl who was so timid on the bus at first would become so bold?

The next day, after a three-day break, the students of Gaoyu School finally had the opportunity to leave the school again.

Tatsuya Kamio got up early, packed his things, and headed to the school gate as instructed on the board before the holiday.

When they arrived at the location, the students from the previous class had already dispersed and gathered into small groups. Kamio Tatsuya also headed towards the group of second-year students.

"To be honest, the battle on the deserted island was the special test that I was least good at and had no clue about."

As they approached, Kamio Tatsuya heard Kaneda's helpless sigh.

"What are you saying, you idiot? It's obviously harder for girls to do this kind of thing, isn't it? As a man, you shouldn't be complaining here."

Ishizaki, who was walking beside him, slapped Kaneda on the shoulder and said with a grin. The force of his slap almost made Kaneda's knees buckle and he fell to the ground.

"Ouch... Ishizaki, go easy on me!"

"I think it would be better to go all out, so that you can legally forfeit at the start of the game, Kinda."

"What are you saying, you idiot? Would I be so inconsiderate?"

Amidst the laughter and playful banter of the crowd, the school staff finally arrived. Just like during the exams in the forest, a total of twelve buses lined up in a row, and the students lined up and walked towards the bus belonging to their respective classes.

As he passed by Class D's camp, Kamio Tatsuya looked into the crowd and, as expected, did not see Sakura.

That's true. Since we're going to drop out of school anyway, why bother going to the island and coming back? That would just be a waste of time.

"Second-year students, board the bus in order of D."

Upon hearing this, Tatsuya Kamio and the rest of the class all revealed faint smiles.

At the beginning of this year, during the forest test, they were in Class C, which meant they were ahead of Class D. Now, they have become the first people to get on the bus.

Around 11 a.m., the 12-story luxury liner, St. Venus, was sailing southwest on the sea.

The Saint Venus is a sightseeing cruise ship that can accommodate more than 700 passengers. It is said to be the third largest ship among Japanese-flagged ships, at least much larger than last year's ship.

Starting with the entrance hall and reception on the 5th floor, the ship features a cinema, swimming pool, gymnasium, coffee shop, restaurant, and even a sightseeing bath and game center on the upper floors.

Some students went straight to their dorm rooms to catch up on sleep as soon as they boarded the ship, while Tatsuya Kamio threw his luggage on the bed and went out to explore.

Last year, he enjoyed looking at the sea or stars from the deck, and he hopes to find such a nice place this year.