Teacher-Student Meeting

The other counseling room had a similar layout to the previous one, but the atmosphere was completely different. It was noticeably cleaner and brighter, with a faint, relaxing fragrance drifting through the air. The room was divided into an inner and outer section by a lightweight frosted glass partition. The outer area was a small tea station, with simple white cabinets against the wall, a compact water dispenser, and an elegant tea set. The inner area held an oval conference table and several comfortable chairs, with soft light streaming in through the blinds.

As soon as Hoshinomiya Chie-sensei entered, the cunning and assertiveness she had displayed toward Chabashira in the hallway seemed to be left outside the door, replaced by the sweet, approachable smile characteristic of Class B's advisor. She moved familiarly toward the tea station, her motions light and fluid.

"Come on, don't just stand there, make yourselves at home~" she called out to Shimiya Kuki and Ichinose Honami as they followed her in, opening a cabinet to retrieve a tea canister, a teapot, and several white porcelain cups. She pinched a small amount of tea leaves into the pot, poured in hot water, and moved with a fluid grace that was pleasing to watch. "Sensei will brew you some tea, so relax~ That hallway was quite lively just now." Her tone was light, as if the earlier conflict had been nothing more than a harmless little scene.

Ichinose Honami took a seat at the conference table in the inner room, watching Hoshinomiya-sensei's practiced tea-making motions, and her tense nerves seemed to ease slightly. Shimiya Kuki sat calmly across from Ichinose, his gaze steady as he observed Hoshinomiya. Her demeanor and actions were a stark contrast to the image of the relentless, sharp-tongued figure from just minutes ago.

Soon, clear amber tea was poured into the white cups, releasing a warm, fragrant aroma. Hoshinomiya-sensei carried the tray, placing a cup in front of both Shimiya and Ichinose, then took her own cup and sat in the main seat directly opposite Shimiya Kuki.

She took an elegant sip of tea, a satisfied smile on her face, then raised her curved amber eyes, letting her gaze flicker between Shimiya and Ichinose before settling on Shimiya. Her smile remained sweet, but her eyes held a new seriousness.

"Honami," Hoshinomiya-sensei's voice was gentle, carrying a hint of well-placed apology, "Sensei wants to apologize to you first. Regarding the study group, of course Sensei supports it and really wants to hear your thoughts, but..." She paused, her gaze shifting to Shimiya Kuki, "What Sensei needs to discuss privately with Shimiya-kun next might involve some rather personal matters about his individual study situation or future plans."

Hoshinomiya-sensei set down her teacup, folded her hands on the table, and leaned forward slightly, her tone sincere and respectful: "So, Sensei would like to ask for Shimiya-kun's opinion. Honami, would you be willing to wait outside in the tea station for a moment?" She quickly added, looking warmly at Ichinose, "Of course, if you feel you can also participate in this discussion, or if Shimiya-kun himself doesn't mind you being here, Sensei is perfectly happy for you to stay and listen. It all depends on Shimiya-kun's thoughts."

Ichinose Honami immediately stood up, a smile of understanding on her face: "That's fine, Hoshinomiya-sensei! Since it's Shimiya-kun's private matter, I completely understand. I'll wait outside." She looked at Shimiya Kuki. "Shimiya-kun, take your time, no rush." With that, she picked up her teacup and prepared to head to the outer room.

Just then, the silent Shimiya Kuki spoke calmly.

"Wait, Ichinose-kun." His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly through the quiet inner room.

Ichinose and Hoshinomiya-sensei both looked at him. Ichinose's face showed a hint of confusion.

Shimiya Kuki's gaze swept calmly over Ichinose, then settled on Hoshinomiya-sensei's inquisitive amber eyes. His tone was flat but clear as he said:

"Hoshinomiya-sensei, I personally have no objection to Ichinose-kun participating in the following discussion."

These words caused a momentary, almost imperceptible freeze in Hoshinomiya-sensei's perfect sweet smile, and even the corners of her eyes seemed to pause. Clearly, this answer was somewhat unexpected. In her prediction, given Shimiya Kuki's usual display of aloofness and self-protectiveness, he would most likely choose to have Ichinose step out. She had even prepared a set of talking points tailored to the "individual."

"Oh?" Hoshinomiya-sensei quickly adjusted her expression, her smile blooming again, but a flash of surprise and deeper scrutiny passed through her eyes. "Shimiya means... you don't mind Honami listening to what Sensei is about to discuss?" She needed to confirm.

"Yes," Shimiya Kuki affirmed briefly. "Ichinose-kun is the core of the class. Regarding class affairs, she has the right to know. Moreover," he paused, his gaze steady, "I don't believe there's anything in what Sensei is about to say that needs to be deliberately concealed from her." His words were straightforward, carrying a sense of openness, and also hinted at a certain prediction about the nature of Hoshinomiya's so-called "personal privacy" topic—it was likely not purely a private matter, but related to the class as a whole.

Hoshinomiya-sensei stared at Shimiya for a few seconds, her curved, smiling eyes seeming to calculate something rapidly in their depths. After a few breaths, she suddenly laughed out loud, a crisp, pleasant sound tinged with genuine delight and a hint of surprise. "Oh my~ What an unexpected and delightful answer, Shimiya!" She lightly clapped her hands, looking at Shimiya Kuki with a newfound appreciation in her eyes. "It seems Sensei's earlier talk about 'the overall strength of the class'—you understand it even more deeply than I imagined! Excellent, very good!"

She turned to Ichinose Honami, who was still standing there holding her teacup, looking a bit at a loss, and waved enthusiastically: "Honami, did you hear that? Sit down, sit down! Since our Shimiya trusts you so much and thinks you can join in, Sensei has no objection at all! This saves you from waiting outside bored~" Her tone returned to its usual lightness.

A smile of surprise and gratitude instantly bloomed on Ichinose Honami's face. She looked at Shimiya Kuki, her eyes sparkling: "Really? Shimiya-kun? Thank you!" She hadn't expected the usually cold Shimiya to take the initiative to let her stay, and this trust warmed her heart. She immediately sat back down, sitting up straighter, clearly taking the upcoming conversation even more seriously.

"Alright, now it's time for Class B's 'core' mini-meeting~" Hoshinomiya-sensei winked playfully, picking up her teacup again, but her smile faded slightly, her eyes becoming serious and meaningful. She dispensed with pleasantries, her gaze sweeping over Shimiya and Ichinose's faces, and cut straight to the point:

"First," her voice was clear and gentle, yet carried an undeniable guiding force, "Just now in the hallway, you also saw that Sensei and Chabashira... well, had a little 'exchange'." She deliberately used the understated word "exchange," but a sharp light flickered in the depths of her amber eyes. "In that conversation, you might have noticed certain things, or heard certain... special terms?"

Her gaze mainly fell on Shimiya Kuki, carrying a clear probing intent. She wanted to know if this remarkably observant student had caught that key piece of information.

Ichinose Honami immediately recalled the tense atmosphere in the hallway and Hoshinomiya-sensei's abrupt phrase "the lower defying the higher." A look of confusion and tension crossed her face: "Sensei, do you mean... the term 'the lower defying the higher'? I heard it, but..." She didn't quite understand its specific meaning in this context.

Shimiya Kuki, however, calmly met Hoshinomiya's gaze without any evasion, and answered briefly and affirmatively: "Yes, Sensei." He had certainly noticed it, and instantly understood the implications behind it.

Hoshinomiya-sensei was very satisfied with Shimiya's reaction. She gave a slight nod, her smile carrying a hint of "just as I thought." She didn't directly explain the term, but used it to lead into a deeper topic:

"Good that you noticed." Her voice slowed down, carrying a solemnity befitting revealing a secret. "This term actually reveals the most core and ruthless rule of Advanced Nurturing High School. It's closely related to what Sensei is about to tell you."

She set down her teacup, leaned forward slightly, her gaze sweeping over her two excellent students, and spoke word by word:

"Shimiya, Honami, you must both remember this firmly: In this school, the ranking of our four classes is not set in stone."

"Although we entered as Class B, ranked second behind Class A, that doesn't mean we will always be Class B." Her tone was grave. "If our class points continue to drop, even falling lower than Class C..." She deliberately drew out the ending, letting the weight of this hypothetical scenario hang in the air, "Then Class B's position will be taken over by Class C. We will become the new Class C, and they will be promoted to Class B. The same rule applies between Class A and us, and between Class C and Class D. This is the essence of 'the lower defying the higher'—the ascension and descent of class rank depends on the level of class points!"

This clear and brutal rule was laid bare. Ichinose Honami gasped again, her face paling slightly. She fully understood the immense pressure and possibilities behind the term "the lower defying the higher"—Class D could replace Class C, Class C could replace Class B, and Class B... could also replace Class A! And vice versa! Class points were the decisive weight! The sudden decrease in points last month instantly became deadly! Although Shimiya Kuki remained calm, his eyes grew deeper, confirming his speculation and revealing the true nature of the school's competition.

Hoshinomiya-sensei carefully observed their reactions, especially Shimiya's unfathomable eyes, before continuing: "Sensei specifically pointed out this rule, especially combined with that 'little incident' in the hallway just now, hoping you will deeply understand two things."

She raised one finger:

"First, a sense of crisis. Our position is not secure. Class C is eyeing us covetously, and Class D isn't without a chance to turn things around, though it seems difficult now. Every point deduction, every exam failure, could push us into the abyss. Class D's zero points are the most painful lesson."

She raised a second finger, her gaze becoming fervent and ambitious:

"Second, possibility! Since rankings can fall, they can also rise! 'The lower defying the higher' isn't just a fantasy for Class C or Class D; it should also be our target as Class B! We must not only defend our current ranking but also aim for Class A's position! This isn't an impossible task, as long as we work together and give our all in the upcoming Special Exams and all other avenues to earn points!"

Her voice carried strong persuasive power and unwavering determination. Ichinose Honami was shaken by the ambition and expectation in her teacher's words, and a flame of fighting spirit ignited in her eyes. Replacing Class A? That goal sounded distant, but it wasn't without hope!

"Sensei is telling you this," Hoshinomiya-sensei's tone softened again, but carried weight, "hoping you will understand that in this Advanced Nurturing High School, an individual's honor and a class's rise and fall are tightly bound together. Class B needs the strength of every person, especially students like you with outstanding abilities and leadership potential." Her gaze lingered on Shimiya and Ichinose. "You are the key to whether Class B can hold its ground, or even go further."

She picked up her teacup, took a gentle sip, as if using the warmth of the tea to calm her earlier impassioned emotions.

"Alright, that's all Sensei has to say about the core rules of the class and our goals." She set down her teacup, her smile brightening again, but the depth in her eyes deepened, her gaze mainly settling on Shimiya Kuki. "Now then, let's talk about what Sensei really wants to discuss in depth with you, Shimiya Kuki-kun. Since Honami is also here, her opinion is equally important."

The atmosphere in the counseling room, interwoven with the scent of tea and the harsh rules just revealed, grew more subtle and tense. Hoshinomiya-sensei had laid such a foundation and set such high goals; what she was about to say to Shimiya Kuki would inevitably concern the future direction of Class B, perhaps even a plan for utilizing Shimiya's own abilities. The true teacher-student conversation was now cutting to the core.