Chapter 97

"Instructions?" Aragaki Shun didn't seem to care about Tachibana Akane Tachibana's attitude. He simply raised an eyebrow and instructed Horikita Suzune and Ibuki Mio, "This is a conflict between Class C and Class D. You two can help out within your classes, but you cannot participate in this incident as Student Council Member."

"In short, for the next few days, you should temporarily hand over your work to Kamuro and Ichinose, and then go back to class as usual."

It's still necessary to maintain a semblance of avoiding suspicion.

On the contrary, he, as the Student Council Vice President, doesn't need to care about so much.

After all, Manabu Horikita, as the student council president, also needs to handle Third Year affairs, and Miyabi Nagumo never hesitates to use the Student Council's power to suppress the entire second-year class.

"As for Ryuen's report, the format is incorrect; send it back for him to rewrite."

It's already the weekend and you're still causing trouble for him. I'll make sure you get stuck.

166. Shiina Hiyori couldn't refuse; she stopped pretending to be a gentleman.

"I've changed my mind, Shiina!"

After leaving the Student Council, Aragaki Shun immediately returned to the library, and then, under the questioning gaze of Shiina Hiyori, led her to the Activity Classroom of the Cultural and Entertainment Club without saying a word.

"It has nothing to do with class competition, but rather it's because of my personal selfish desires. Can you transfer to Class A right now and come to my side?"

Before arriving here, the Leader of Class A had contacted the students via email and cleared out all the members of the Cultural and Entertainment Club. Therefore, now only he and Shiina Hiyori are in the entire Activity Classroom.

Seeing the Literary Girl who clearly knew nothing yet still obediently followed him here, Aragaki Shun, having confirmed his own thoughts, made no attempt to hide them.

"I'm certain that I care about Shiina a lot, and I don't want you to stay in Class C. So, can you promise me that you'll transfer to Class A immediately?"

Upon hearing this direct invitation, Shiina Hiyori trembled and subconsciously raised her lively, doe-like eyes, only to unexpectedly meet Aragaki Shun's calm and resolute gaze.

She pursed her lips, the girl instinctively wanting to look away, but before she could react, Aragaki Shun took a step forward, grabbing her shoulders firmly and preventing her from escaping.

"I mean it, I want to study with Shiina, graduate together, and freely pursue the future together."

"So there's no need to hesitate any longer. Promise me you'll come to me right now, okay?"

The tips of both ears were flushed red; there was no longer any rational thought left to consider why the boy had suddenly become so enthusiastic.

Shiina Hiyori simply stared blankly at Aragaki's persistent gaze, a sudden realization rising within her—

"Aragaki-kun- kun is serious!"

Once she realized this, the Literary Girl knew she had no other choice.

Will I transfer to Class A, study together with Aragaki-kun, graduate together, and freely pursue the future together?

"Since it's Aragaki-kun's request, I naturally can't refuse..."

She inwardly chuckled at her own wavering, but her brows relaxed gracefully, Shiina Hiyori smiled sweetly, her lips parting slightly as if she had been waiting for this moment:

"OK."

"I'm leaving everything to Aragaki-kun."

The activity room of the Cultural and Entertainment Club remained closed. The Literary Girl, who had just readily agreed to transfer classes, now seemed completely unfazed, casually observing the furnishings of the club room.

This club has a somewhat special nature. To some extent, it can be considered a second gathering place for students from Class A, and sometimes it also serves as a gathering place for Aragaki Shun to recruit subordinates from other classes.

In the past, the only people who had ever been to this classroom besides the students from Class A were the members of the Aragaki Faction from Class D. Shiina Hiyori, of course, had never entered this room openly.

Overall, the girl really liked the classroom because the spacious room contained two tall bookshelves filled with all kinds of books, including Shiina's favorite mystery series.

"That's wonderful. Aragaki-kun's club has so many books. I can quietly enjoy my favorite works here."

Shiina looked somewhat envious as she took a familiar book from the bookshelf—Raymond Chandler's Goodbye, My Love, a book that left a deep impression on the girl.

"I remember, Shiina, you were actually a member of the Tea Ceremony Club, weren't you?"

Aragaki Shun poured two cups of tea on the coffee table and casually said, "That's a bit surprising. I thought you'd prefer to join a literature club."

"It's alright. Don't we usually read books in the library? Besides, the Tea Ceremony Club is pretty good. I've learned a lot of interesting things there, like tea ceremony etiquette and how to use the related tools."

The girl, holding the book in her hands, sat down next to Aragaki Shun, took a sip of the tea the boy had brewed, and a hint of surprise appeared in her eyes.

"Aragaki-kun's tea-brewing skills are amazing. This tea tastes even better than the one brewed by my senior in the Tea Ceremony Club."

"Some adults in my family are interested in this kind of thing; I even studied it for a while when I was a child."

"Is it possible to achieve this level of skill after only a period of research?"

Shiina Hiyori some emotion, "If our minister heard this, he'd definitely look dejected and aggrieved."

"However, Aragaki-kun has already cracked down on enough club presidents, so adding another Tea Ceremony Club doesn't seem like a big deal."

Aragaki Shun smiled without saying a word, simply watching the girl who had been casually chatting about various topics ever since she agreed to transfer to Class A.

The entire Advanced Nurturing was filled with beautiful women, but Shiina was always the cutest in his eyes.

Looking at it now, it's even more adorable.

"Speaking of which, according to the customs of this country, shouldn't Shiina call me 'Shun,' and I should change my name to 'Hiyori'?"

Caught off guard by the sudden question, the Literary Girl froze, her cheeks gradually flushing red.

However, Shiina did not respond with silence. After glancing around for a few seconds with a dazed look, the girl nervously tentatively uttered her friend's name—

"Then, Shun-kun..."

"It doesn't seem to Hiyori any difference. Would you be happier if I called you 'Hiyori' instead?"

"Shun-kun like, Shun-kun. I don't see any difference whether you address me by my surname or my given name."

Holding a strand of hair in her hand, Shiina Hiyori smiled gently. After truly changing the way she was addressed, the girl realized that she wasn't as shy as she had imagined. Instead, she felt a sense of natural ease, as if everything was meant to be this way.

"I understand. From now on, I'll call you 'Hiyori'."

"Does Hiyori have any other matters to attend to in Class C? If not, I hope I can arrange a class transfer for you as soon as possible."

Her hands paused, and after a moment's thought, the Literary Girl gently shook her head. "It's been so long since school started, and I haven't made any particularly close friends in my class. I'll just say hello to Ibuki and the others tomorrow, and then I can leave normally."

Despite discussing this somewhat sad topic, Shiina didn't seem to be discouraged.

A young girl's world is not big, and her desires are even fewer. Since she has already made friends who can accompany her for life, she naturally doesn't need to be greedy for more.

Thinking of this, Shiina Hiyori gently cast her gaze toward the book friend with whom she had made a promise, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"Why did Shun-kun suddenly ask me to transfer to Class A? According to the previous plan, shouldn't I have demonstrated sufficient strength in Class C before they used Class A's class funds to invite me over?"

Of course, Shiina herself has no opinion on this matter.

Graduating from Class A and receiving an Advanced Nurturing program will indeed help her have a smoother future and make it easier for her to achieve her goals.

Even without the school's assistance, the girl is confident that her future will be bright based on her own abilities, even if it's slower and more difficult.

However, Shun-kun is a student in Class A. If the two of them could become classmates, they wouldn't have to worry about class competition anymore, and they would have more time to spend together instead of always being confined to the library... Thinking about it this way, there are quite a few advantages to transferring classes.

It was precisely because the benefit was so great—20 million Private Points, equivalent to five or six years' income for an average family—that the young woman hesitated so much when she was first invited, finding it difficult to accept this gift with a clear conscience.

At that time, the two were just friends who shared a love of books. Compared to receiving favors from others in such an ambiguous way, Shiina was more accepting of being invited by Class A in a business-like manner.

Although she wasn't really interested in the competition between the four classes in the first grade.

Recalling the first time he was invited to transfer to Class A, and thinking of the moment just now when Shun-kun directly said he wanted him to come to his side, Shiina unconsciously revealed a dreamy smile on his face.

Studying together with Shun-kun, graduating together, becoming lifelong book friends—I simply can't refuse!

"... I just received a report from Class C at the Student Council, which describes a conflict between Class C and Class D."

Seeing Shiina's sudden, radiant smile, which seemed to brighten the entire Activity Classroom, Aragaki Shun felt a rare pang of annoyance.

Looking back now, Hiyori never really minded transferring to Class A; all she needed was a reason.

A reason that could convince her to agree.

The girl was unwilling to accept this opportunity worth 20 million simply because, between ordinary friends, once someone unwittingly accepts such a huge favor, it can easily place a great psychological burden on the recipient, leading to the friendship being tainted by self-interest.

What if they weren't just ordinary friends, but had a much closer relationship?

With just one more step, everything would be solved, but Aragaki Shun chose to take a step back.

As it turns out, this was actually a valid reason, rather than accepting 20 million ambiguously and going to Class A under the guise of class competition.

Judging from the current situation, a step that could be taken so easily is now being taken in a roundabout way to reach the same destination. How much time is being wasted in the process?

Hiyori, unaware of Aragaki Shun's inner turmoil, only showed a thoughtful expression due to the conflict between Class C and Class D.

"Recently, Ryuen seems to have been discussing something with some people in the class, but they didn't seem inclined to ask for my advice. Perhaps it's because this plan isn't exactly aboveboard."

"It was indeed a very insidious method. According to the report submitted by Class C, they accused Kanji Ike of Class D of committing a heinous act of indecent assault against Kinoshita Minori of Class C on Saturday morning."

"But the report from Class D contained completely different information. According to Kanji Ike, he and Kinoshita Minori had been in contact for two months, and their relationship had developed to the point where they had feelings for each other. On Saturday morning, they were simply going about their date as boyfriend and girlfriend."

At this point, Aragaki Shun's lips twitched slightly.

Does this guy have absolutely no intelligence?

Putting aside the terrible reputation he has among the girls, just consider the incident in the first month of school when he was sent to Class C to cause trouble.

Has this guy forgotten that this incident caused a significant drop in living expenses for everyone in Class C?

In this situation, he was still completely unguarded against the girl sent by Class C, and even became so smug that he thought he could find a girlfriend because of it... No wonder he's a weirdo from Class D.

"Of course, the conflict between Class C and Class D is not important; I simply dislike the schemes that Ryuen and his group employed."

"You've resorted to such despicable tactics as honey traps and honey scams, so naturally I can't let Hiyori stay there any longer."

"Sigh~" Hearing this, the Literary Girl sighed helplessly, "Ryuen is one thing, but is it really worth it for Kinoshita- san to do this?"

"During our occasional chats, I've noticed that Kinoshita seems somewhat greedy and profit-driven, but I never imagined she would go this far."

"Greedy for money and profit?" Upon hearing this description, Aragaki Shun raised an eyebrow, somewhat puzzled. "Class C is already so poor, how much money could Ryuen possibly use to bribe her?"

"Um..." Hiyori hesitated, seemingly unsure how to describe it. After all, given her personality, she didn't like talking badly about her classmates behind their backs.

"It's alright. I've already sent Class C's report back. Now is the time for Hiyori and me to spend time together, so we really shouldn't bring up such trivial and troublesome matters."

With a smile, Aragaki Shun moved a step to the side on the sofa, so that their legs were touching, and the boy's right hand naturally grasped the girl's left hand.

Shiina Hiyori's body tensed instantly, and her mind, usually brimming with knowledge, went completely blank.

After a while, the silver-haired girl Matsushita naturally, letting her head rest on the boy's shoulder.

"Shun-kun seems to have become much more impulsive again. Is it because of that kid in Class A named Shiranami Chihiro?"

Hearing Hiyori's somewhat somber voice, Aragaki Shun's face showed a rare look of embarrassment.

I feel that if I were to admit it, my image in Hiyori's eyes would immediately become somewhat complicated.

But he didn't deny it, because he didn't want to deceive the person next to him with lies.

Honestly, I realize that my changes are indeed related to Shiranami Chihiro.

Regardless of how outsiders view him, Aragaki Shun's ideal self is one who is rational and wise, capable of handling matters maturely, rather than acting impulsively or emotionally.

Food and sex are human nature; he always knew that he actually had a greedy and lustful side.

But before entering Advanced Nurturing, Aragaki Shun would always remind himself that human society has its own rules, and he was not yet qualified to do whatever he wanted.

Having a harem is possible, but that's for the future, not now.

Because he currently lacks the power to easily suppress public opinion and the legal order.

Even though he never hid his fiancée's existence, there were still unconventional girls like Shiro-nami who would give themselves to him.

Once you break a rule, you'll break it again. There are only two kinds of breaking rules: zero times or countless times.

Now that he has already broken free of self-discipline, he will no longer pretend to be a virtuous gentleman.

167. The impact of Hiyori classes; the restless lower-ranked classes.

The second Monday of July.

Just as the first year was once again engulfed in excitement due to the conflict between Class C and Class D, another unprecedented piece of news emerged, directly shocking everyone at Kodo Ikusei Senior High School—

Shiina Hiyori, a student in Class 1-C, permanently transferred to Class 1-A through Twenty Million Personal Points.

Although the school has always acknowledged that, outside of class competition, a highly capable individual could raise 20 million to advance to Class A on their own.

However, since the Advanced Nurturing School, no one has ever truly accomplished this feat.

This first instance of Aragaki Shun's actions not only shocked the entire campus but also revealed Class A's strategy of poaching students from outside the school.

As the snowball starts rolling, there is no doubt that many first-year students will be unsettled and begin to reconsider their plans for this school.

Classroom of Class 1-B.