Sakura Gets Ready to Charge

"Can."

The two then went to a very secluded spot on the second floor of the Cruise Ship, where they couldn't see anyone and there were barriers blocking their view.

"Well then, let's continue our previous topic," Kushida Kikyo smiled, gazing at the boy's face as she spoke softly, "About the Dragon Group's VIP."

"Judging from what you're saying Kushida, does that mean you've already obtained crucial information?"

Hashiba Hikaru ignored her attempts to keep her in suspense and went straight to the point.

"Yes, I have obtained this information and know who the VIP is."

"I see," Hashiba Hikaru nodded slightly, and after sizing up the other person several times, she asked, "So what do you want from me?"

"It's for cooperation."

Kushida Kikyo suddenly moved closer to Hashiba Hikaru's chest, and her voice immediately became much softer.

"After all, we have another layer of relationship, so if we're choosing a partner, I think Classmate Hashiba is the most suitable person."

Sensing the sweet, youthful scent that filled her nostrils, Hashiba Hikaru smiled, then looked down into the girl's eyes and said gently, "Indeed, after all, we've collaborated many times before, and I trust Kushida's promises."

"So?" Kushida Kikyo met his gaze, wanting to know his answer.

"But before that, I have one more question I need to confirm..."

"What's the problem?"

"If it's a collaboration, is it just me and Kushida, or does it include Class C behind Kushida? I'm quite concerned about that." Hashiba Hikaru asked a question she already knew the answer to.

"Ha, you should know the answer to this question perfectly well, why bother asking me?"

Kushida suddenly sneered. After telling this guy about her class, the girl didn't think he would ask such a question. He was obviously saying it on purpose.

"Well, it's just for safety reasons, Kushida, don't be too angry."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly. This probing was merely a simple consideration, nothing serious. He continued, "It seems our cooperative foundation will remain very solid. However, I still want to understand what I can gain from this cooperation, and what I must give in return?"

"It's very simple."

After hearing the other party's answer, the short-haired girl's tone suddenly turned serious, and she slowly said, "I want the Dragon Group to achieve its final result one, which is that everyone must answer with the correct VIP information."

"That's quite an amazing idea."

Hashiba Hikaru stroked her chin and slowly said, "But this outcome will probably be difficult to achieve. After all, establishing a cooperative relationship is a very troublesome thing. If the other party is pursuing outcome three, it is easy to be threatened."

"Isn't your attitude just now aimed at achieving result one?" Kushida Kikyo's tone was low. "If we can cooperate, I can tell you the information I have about the VIP."

"In that case, the Dragon Group will ultimately end up with everyone benefiting, which should be the most perfect ending."

Kushida Kikyo stared at the boy's face. She knew he was the kind of person who wouldn't do anything without a reason, so if they could complete all of Result 1's tasks, their class could earn a total of 2 million Private Points, which was definitely not a small amount.

"Indeed, if that's the case, this is a very good deal."

Hashiba Hikaru pondered for a moment. According to his initial idea, after obtaining information about the three VIP, the most correct way to determine the school's rules for selecting students with VIP was to obtain the names of VIP from other classes.

If we could obtain information about the Dragon Group's VIP, we could definitely develop a more detailed approach and increase the accuracy of our answers.

"So you agree?" Kushida Kikyo smiled gently.

"Yes, it is indeed a good deal, but in order to ensure that our cooperation can be successfully completed, shouldn't Kushida prove a few things to me?"

Hashiba Hikaru curled the corners of her lips. What she meant was that she needed to see a text message from the school, since words alone were not enough.

"Hmph, I was already prepared, but first I want you to see this."

Kushida Kikyo took out a handwritten contract from her pocket first. She had asked Chabashira Sae about it before. The school didn't actually have any strict rules about the format of the contract in order to allow students to cooperate or trade more freely. Handwritten contracts were fine, as long as they were stamped at the end, they would be valid.

"I can tell you who the Dragon Group's VIP are, but you have to sign this contract first, then you won't be able to answer in advance." The short-haired girl stared at his face. "Once this step is completed, everyone will receive Private Points."

"I understand."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded slightly. He carefully examined the details of the contract. He had to admit that it was written in great detail. Kushida required him to guarantee that he would not answer any questions in advance after receiving the information about the Dragon Group's VIP. If he violated the rules, he would be willing to withdraw from school voluntarily.

The additional condition was that he actively helped the girl achieve result one. This was not considered a violation of the rules, but the boy understood what she meant, and it became the basis for their continued cooperation.

The specific method of operation is not complicated. Both Hashiba Hikaru and Kushida Kikyo are confident in controlling their own classmates, so the remaining goal is to persuade the remaining Class B and Class D.

"Then I agree."

After a moment's hesitation, the boy chose to sign the contract. The result of one group would not affect his initial overall plan. If the school's rules for selecting those VIP could be confirmed, then the other groups could answer in advance.

Hashiba Hikaru had made the decision from the very beginning: she had to gain the maximum benefit from this exam.

After signing the contract, Kushida Kikyo added her name at the end. Since the contract had already been stamped beforehand, it was now in effect.

"It would be great to cooperate with you, Classmate Hashiba."

The short-haired girl smiled sweetly; she was clearly very happy.

"Now, Kushida, can you tell me the information you have?"

"Um."

After the contract was signed, what happened next surprised Hashiba Hikaru. The short-haired girl in front of her suddenly took out her phone from her pocket and opened the text message section.

"This is the answer you wanted." She handed the phone to the boy, her expression calm.

"So this is your proof? That's impressive."

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at the message on her phone and gained a deeper understanding of the short-haired girl's personality. She probably made the decision immediately after receiving the text message.

Instead of waiting for others to guess, she should proactively push the entire group to reach Result 1, so that she, as the VIP, can gain greater benefits.

"Then let's work together happily, Kushida."

After parting ways with Kushida Kikyo, Hashiba Hikaru remained in her room, checking the information she had gathered and pondering the school's selection criteria for those VIP.

After obtaining detailed information on the four VIP, and considering that the Heavenly Stems provided by the school at the beginning were also intelligence, many directions can be boldly speculated.

"If that's the case... would it be correct?"

After trying several different methods, the boy finally discovered a very obvious pattern when using a certain format.

"This is... so this is how it is?"

As Hashiba Hikaru looked at the name he had written down, the answer became clear: the fifty sounds and the ten heavenly stems—this was the pattern he had found.

"However... it cannot be completely confirmed yet."

The boy stroked his chin, a serious glint in his eyes. "Just to be on the safe side, perhaps I should test those who arranged things according to this rule. Only in this way can I guarantee the answer is foolproof."

Chapter 186 Sakura is Ready to Charge

In the quiet cabin, Hashiba Hikaru sat at the table, carefully reviewing the pattern she had just guessed.

Having just figured this out, the boy didn't immediately share his discovery with Ichinose, because he planned to conduct further verification.

After confirming that one of the VIP in Class C is Kushida Kikyo, it does fit the rules if we apply her personal information to the system. However, making a decision based on that alone would be somewhat hasty.

Hashiba Hikaru had already copied down the member lists of the twelve groups compiled by everyone in the class group. To confirm that this pattern was 100% correct, she needed to identify at least one more VIP from Class C to ensure that her thinking was absolutely correct.

After all, the school's selection criteria are just speculation. Whether the criteria are designed based on all students or on a class-by-class basis is something that cannot be answered definitively at this stage.

But now that they had information on the VIP in both classes, they were just one step away from confirming the truth. The boy's gaze wandered over the notebook, and he selected two names.

In fact, given the current situation, if either of these two can be confirmed as VIP, Hashiba Hikaru can immediately lock in the remaining answers. The first discussion has just ended, and there is still plenty of time left.

"No matter what, we have to take the initiative."

Hashiba Hikaru rubbed her eyes and let out a long sigh, "We still need to work with Kushida to persuade the people in Class B and Class D to reach Result One with the Dragon Group. This matter isn't too troublesome, but we still need to be careful."

Just as he was deep in thought, devising a plan for the next round of negotiations, his phone rang with a notification that he had received a text message.

When I opened it, I was surprised to find it was from Sakura Airi.

Sakura Airi: Classmate Hashiba, can we meet now?

"She's actually messaging me at this time... She must be facing some serious difficulties."

The boy glanced at the information he had written down. The students in Class C, who Sakura Airi, were Kanji Ike, Ken Sudō, and Matsushita Chiaki.

Although there was one girl, the other two boys were both quite heavyweight.

Hashiba Hikaru remembered them all. If you add Yamauchi Haruki, the three of them formed the infamous "three drags" in Class C. This was the story told by Kushida Kikyo. Not only were they unpopular, but more importantly, they also Sudo, who caused the violence. Naturally, the other students in Class C didn't want to associate with them.

Given this situation, considering Sakura Airi's usual personality, let alone whether she could handle the thinking required for the exam, it would probably be very difficult for her to even speak up in a group discussion.

Moreover, the girl herself is someone who doesn't like to interact with her classmates, so she'll probably remain silent the whole time?

After thinking for a moment, Hashiba Hikaru agreed to Sakura's request, and the girl immediately sent over an address.

It was in a corner of a corridor behind an entertainment venue on the second basement floor. There seemed to be a storage room there where miscellaneous goods were piled up. Normally, no one should come here, but Sakura Airi discovered it.

Hashiba Hikaru: I'm leaving right away.

The boy left his room and went down the stairs to the address the other party had sent. Although most of Sakura's stocks had already been sold, the stock price still had room to rise, so he couldn't just leave them aside.

After walking for a few minutes, Hashiba Hikaru passed through the KTV corridor and, sure enough, saw that familiar figure ahead.

"Sakura."

He quickened his pace and stepped forward, a gentle smile on his face.

"Good afternoon, Classmate Hashiba."

After exchanging greetings, Hashiba Hikaru looked down at the red-haired girl standing in front of her Sakura Airi was still wearing that simple and oversized tracksuit, but she immediately took off her glasses when she saw the boy approaching.

"Why did you suddenly come to see me? Is something wrong, Sakura?" Hashiba Hikaru's tone was relaxed. He didn't need to be too reserved with Sakura Airi now, since they were already quite familiar with each other.

"It's just a little worry, about the exam..." Although a little embarrassed, Sakura still managed to express her thoughts smoothly. "So I wanted to talk to Classmate Hashiba about it, is that okay?"

"Of course, no problem, we're good friends."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded; he had expected this answer, so he found it perfectly normal.

"Let's go inside and talk then, there's plenty of space here." After hearing the other person's agreement, Sakura Airi immediately opened the door to the storage room next to her. Since the Cruise Ship was completely open to students, the door was not locked.

"Eh, Sakura, have you been here before?"

Seeing how skilled the other person was, Hashiba Hikaru was slightly surprised. This kind of place is not usually considered a tourist spot by ordinary students.

"I found this place when I was looking for a new photo spot last time. There's actually a glass window inside that lets you see the sea." The red-haired girl pushed open the door to the storage room and turned to go inside.

Hashiba Hikaru, who followed her in, then realized that although the place was rather remote, it was actually quite a nice spot.

Since it was afternoon, light streamed in through the square glass window. The items inside were mostly piled up in the left corner, while the right side was quite spacious. There was no unpleasant odor emanating from it, making it a suitable place to pass the time. After all, it was quieter than upstairs, and you were unlikely to encounter anyone.

Given Sakura's usual style, this really does seem like the kind of choice she would make.

"What do you think of this place, Classmate Hashiba?" The girl asked, basking in the sunlight, a captivating smile on her pretty face.

"It's really nice. As expected of Sakura, she always manages to find such good places."

Hashiba Hikaru walked over and stood beside her. His task now was to be a perfect listener so that Sakura Airi could explain her situation.

Over the next few minutes, the red-haired girl slowly began to recount everything that had happened to Hashiba Hikaru Hashima that day, including the text messages she had received and the first discussion she had participated in.

Sakura Airi is in the Ox Group (a group of elites), she is not VIP.

Despite it being important class information, she didn't pause at all while recounting it, as if it were nothing of importance.

When faced with group discussions, the timid Sakura Airi naturally became even more flustered when she looked at the students from other classes. So she kept her seated and silent, suppressing her urge to leave. What ultimately sustained her was the thought that the girl herself had expressed earlier: the desire to change herself.

"So, Sakura, are you planning to take the first step in this area as well?" Hashiba Hikaru smiled admiringly. "If you can really do it, that would be wonderful."

"I was just thinking about it for a moment, but in the end I didn't manage to say it."

A faint blush crept onto Sakura Airi's pretty face. Although she had boldly declared her desire to change herself in front of the boy last time, she still lacked the courage to take the first step into social interaction when the time actually came.

"I think for Sakura, this is something that needs to be done gradually; you can't rush it," Hashiba Hikaru said gently, gazing at her face. "Change is never something that happens overnight, especially such a big change."

"Since Sakura 're willing to bravely make this decision, I believe you can keep moving forward. There's still plenty of time ahead, and you'll eventually reach a destination that will satisfy you."

"Really? Does Classmate Hashiba really think so?" She raised her eyes, staring intently at the face she had been longing for, so close to hers.

"Of course, I'll be your supporter, Sakura!"

"That..."

To everyone's surprise, after hearing Hashiba Hikaru's statement, Sakura Airi's face turned even redder. The girl felt her heart suddenly start to heat up because she had already made a bold decision in her heart before she even made the invitation to meet today.

"There's something I'd like to ask of you, Classmate Hashiba... I wonder... if that's alright?"