Target Spotted: Karuizawa Kei! / Casting a Fishing Hook Toward Karuizawa Kei

Hiss!

Hashiba Hikaru felt unable to calm down. He never expected Sakura Airi to act this way in this situation. Ichinose usually just hugged her and that was it, so why was she so bold?

"Sakura... can you let go of me first?"

"If Classmate Hashiba can't give me an answer, I won't let go." Sakura Airi looked at the boy's slightly flushed face. She had never seen such an expression on Hashiba Hikaru's face before, and the love in her heart surged even more.

"..."

"Could you please be quiet for a moment? I need to think about this."

"Yes, I understand."

Although she nodded, how could Sakura Airi possibly give up such a good opportunity? After seemingly stopping, she continued to gently touch various parts of the boy's body with her body, secretly observing the changes in his expression.

"..."

Watching her little gestures, Hashiba Hikaru rubbed her forehead helplessly and said with a wry smile, "Really... don't underestimate your charm, Sakura."

"If I'm really that charming, why won't Classmate Hashiba agree?"

After sensing that the boy's attitude had finally softened, Sakura Airi smiled and tiptoed close to Hashiba Hikaru's ear, whispering something.

"Although I have no experience, there are still things I must do in order to stay by Classmate Hashiba's side."

The girl had already sensed a hot touch, but upon discovering it, she felt only joy, because it proved that what the boy had just said was true.

"You... I..."

"It's okay, I can accept anything from Classmate Hashiba, let me do it." Sakura Airi's eyes suddenly became incredibly dazed, and then she slowly squatted down.

"Hiss... Sakura?"

"Please leave it to me, I will... um... try my best."

"Well..."

Hashiba Hikaru realized that he had no room for maneuver anymore; things had come to this point, and he could no longer refuse the other party.

After a long while, Sakura Airi stood up from the ground, wiped her mouth, and wore a satisfied smile on her pretty face.

However, perhaps because she had been squatting for too long, the girl's steps were a little shaky.

Hashiba Hikaru immediately stepped forward and hugged her, asking softly, "How are you? Are you tired?"

"I'm not tired at all." Sakura Airi touched her red lips and said with a light laugh, "Now, Classmate Hashiba can never abandon me again, right?"

"Of course, I... will take responsibility." Hashiba Hikaru looked at the girl's satisfied yet slightly tired expression, her expression somewhat complicated.

"You don't need to take responsibility, Classmate Hashiba. I already said that before," Sakura Airi said earnestly, resting her head against his chest. "This is my own decision. Classmate Hashiba is fulfilling my desire, so there's absolutely nothing to worry about."

"No."

The boy reached out and stroked Sakura Airi's pretty face, his tone gentle. "No matter what, we did this together, which means that Sakura and I have established a unique relationship, and I will treat you even more seriously."

"Sakura, there's absolutely no need for you to lower yourself. We're equals. I won't regret the decisions I've made, and from now on..."

Halfway through her sentence, the red-haired girl interrupted Hashiba Hikaru.

"It's precisely because I know what kind of person Classmate Hashiba is that I made this decision," Sakura Airi beautiful eyes filled with his image. "But I don't want Classmate Hashiba to forcefully change her mind. We can do the things couples do in private, but we don't need to do that in other places."

"But..."

"No buts, I won over Classmate Hashiba's love through cunning means. As long as my small wish is fulfilled, Classmate Hashiba can give her other time to someone else."

"Is this what Sakura thinks?" Hashiba Hikaru remained silent for a moment, then stared into the girl's eyes, but her expression did not waver in the slightest.

"Yes, that's enough."

Sakura Airi nodded emphatically. Knowing the boy's personality, she understood that taking a step back was the most suitable romantic strategy for a girl, making him care about her more.

"So, when we're together in private, can we call each other by our first names?"

"Of course, Airi."

"Mmm, Hikari, I like you."

"I know."

Meanwhile, as Ichinose Honami evening in her cabin, she suddenly felt her right eyelid twitch several times in a row.

What's wrong with me?

The pink-haired girl touched her eyelids, looking somewhat puzzled, but she didn't dwell on it. Instead, she continued to focus her thoughts on how to handle this Special Exam.

"Let's go chat with Hikaru after our discussion tonight."

Chapter 189 Target Spotted, Karuizawa Kei!

After escorting Sakura Airi back to her room, Hashiba Hikaru returned to the second floor of the Cruise Ship, still feeling the lingering fragrance on her body, the girl's every smile and gesture vividly before her eyes.

"Honestly, she's usually so shy and timid, but when she's alone, she's bolder than anyone else."

However, now that the relationship has progressed to this point, I naturally can't give her up. As for the other people in the stock market, I can only wait and see for now.

Hashiba Hikaru touched her hair and then looked at the System Panel.

After the intimate contact that just occurred, the system naturally couldn't remain unresponsive, and a notification popped up.

[Your relationship with Sakura Airi has made a breakthrough; you've agreed to be her secret lover, much to the girl's delight. Sakura Airi Stock price has risen by 50, currently at 240.]

"That's a terrifying increase; this must be the biggest stock price rise in history!"

Upon seeing this message, the boy's expression was a mixture of amusement and exasperation. If this line of thinking allowed for such a significant boost through closer physical contact, wouldn't it be possible to develop an absolutely invincible, unorthodox method?

However, after thinking about this, he recalled the prompt message that came when the system first appeared.

[During use, the host will inevitably come into contact with various women. Please operate with caution. This system is not responsible for any dangers to personal safety that may arise; all risks are borne by the host! Happy stock trading!!!]

"If someone is determined to be a scumbag, they'll probably face a really tragic end."

Hashiba Hikaru stroked her chin, quickly reviewing her past experiences in her mind. She concluded that it probably wouldn't reach that level, so there was no need to worry for now.

After getting some fresh air on the deck, the boy was about to turn around and walk into the elevator when he heard a woman's voice with a questioning tone.

"Hey, what do you want with me in a place like this?"

"Stop playing dumb! You were the one who bumped into Rika first, weren't you? That's exactly what we wanted to talk about!"

"Why? Are you sure you haven't mistaken me for someone else? I didn't do anything like that, okay?"

It sounded like there had been some kind of conflict between the girls, so Hashiba Hikaru didn't speak up immediately. Instead, she turned her head and looked over, only to find that there were actually four people in the corridor on the right.

The three girls standing together were probably from Class D. Among them was Yamashita Saki, who had infiltrated Class A as an undercover agent during the Uninhabited Island Exam, and Manabe Shiho, who had gone to Class C as an undercover agent. Hashiba Hikaru remembered her expression when they gathered together.

There was another person he didn't remember much about, perhaps their companion, and the one surrounded by the three of them was Class C Hirata Yosuke's girlfriend, Karuizawa Kei.

She stood up and spoke when the rules were being sold at the beginning of the school year, so Hashiba Hikaru has some recollection of her.

Wait, Karuizawa Kei?

The name made Hashiba Hikaru's expression change instantly. In fact, she was one of the two students the boy had just selected from Class C when he was thinking about the rules for VIP.

Similarly, after recalling the events in his mind, the boy realized that these people were all members of the Rabbit Group.

There's a high probability that Karuizawa is the VIP in the Rabbit Group. If this can be confirmed, then the pattern of this exam will be completely revealed.

Realizing this, Hashiba Hikaru began to carefully observe the current situation, since if she wanted to probe the other side's situation, she needed to gather more information.

"I... I have other things to do, could you please move aside?" Karuizawa Kei's tone was somewhat urgent.

"Hmph, since that's the case, let us confirm if it's really you. I'll call Rika over right now, and if it's not you, we'll leave immediately."

"I don't understand what you mean. If you don't let me leave, I will tell the teacher what you've done."

"What do you want to say?" The one leading the group seemed to be the short-haired Manabe, her face still carrying a cold expression. "You were clearly in the wrong first, are you going to deny it?"

As the argument grew louder, the three girls seemed to intend to touch Karuizawa Kei's arm and forcibly take her picture, apparently to confirm something with the girl named Rika.

After listening to most of their conversation, Hashiba Hikaru decided to take action; he simply picked up his phone and took a picture of them.

The sound of the camera shutter immediately caught their attention.

Who is taking pictures?

Manabe Shiho turned her head away with considerable displeasure, but when she saw that very familiar face, the words she wanted to say immediately fell silent.

Her two companions also turned around and saw Hashiba Hikaru standing behind them.

"Classmate Hashiba?"

Upon recognizing the other person, Yamashita Saki immediately recalled the entire process of her infiltrating Class A's camp. Under the other person's arrangement, she had no chance to make a move.

"Looks like you all know each other. What are you doing?"

Hashiba Hikaru strode over, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the three girls from Class D, finally settling on Karuizawa Kei, who was standing at the very back.

Upon meeting the boy, the three girls from Class D realized the immense influence he wielded. Moreover, Ibuki Mio and Ryuen Kakeru had already warned everyone in Class D to be wary of Hashiba Hikaru, or they might suffer a great loss.

What's more, he seemed to have taken some photos just now. Could he be carrying out some kind of plan?

"Excuse me, was you taking pictures just now, Classmate Hashiba? Isn't it a bit inappropriate to do that without permission?" Although a little nervous, Manabe still asked the question.

"But weren't you just planning to take photos without permission?" Hashiba Hikaru pointed to another girl holding a phone, then looked at Karuizawa Kei and said, "Were you planning to take a picture of her?"

"This..."

The three girls all looked rather unpleasant. If he had really heard everything, they wouldn't be able to deny it.

"In conclusion, I think this matter is actually quite easy to resolve."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled and said calmly, "I overheard part of your conversation, so I think you might have mistaken me for someone else. Karuizawa might not actually be the person you're looking for."

"Why? She shouldn't be in your class, right?" Manabe was indignant after hearing the cover-up in the other person's words. She had finally found an opportunity to teach Karuizawa lesson, and she was unwilling to give it up so easily.

"Look, why are you in such a hurry?"

Hashiba Hikaru looked at the three of them and said calmly, "I hope you will recall the rules of this exam. There are many very strict rules, and the consequences of violating them can be very serious."

"What exactly are you trying to say?" The trio looked somewhat nervous, unsure of his intentions.

The boy smiled slightly, held up his phone, and waved it at the three of them. "Your behavior just now seemed like you were trying to force Karuizawa to reveal information about the VIP class."

"We didn't do that!"

Upon hearing this, Yabu Nanami immediately tried to argue, but the other two girls grabbed her hands, implying that since the other girl had just taken photos, the situation would become even more complicated if she were to be smeared.

"Tell us what your purpose is, Classmate Hashiba, and we'll cooperate." Yamashita Saki forced herself to calm down and expressed her stance.

"I just think your behavior is a bit strange, I don't have any complicated thoughts. How about we disband?" Hashiba Hikaru glanced at Karuizawa Kei, who was huddled in the back, her face still showing tension.

"Okay, we can leave, but Classmate Hashiba needs to delete the photos first." Yamashita Saki decided to try again; she couldn't let the other party have leverage over her.

"It's already been deleted."

Hashiba Hikaru quickly manipulated his phone, but he actually pulled a trick: he deleted a landscape photo, but the page displayed that the photo had been deleted.

"Then we'll be going now."

After seeing the boy's statement, the trio exchanged glances, then looked back at Karuizawa Kei, and finally obediently left.

"Alright, there's no one else here now."

Hashiba Hikaru put her phone away, turned to look at the long-haired girl leaning against the wall, and said slowly, "There's something I want to talk to you about, Karuizawa."

"What's up?"

"It's something that will benefit you."

Chapter 190 Throwing a Fishhook at Karuizawa

After witnessing Hashiba Hikaru Hashima easily dismiss the three people, a complex light flickered in Karuizawa Kei's eyes. She pursed her lips, her expression somewhat somber.

Deep inside, the girl harbors a side that differs from her outwardly strong and spoiled personality. There lies a vulnerability and fear within her, which she has always kept hidden. If nothing unexpected happens, Karuizawa Kei intends to keep it hidden until graduation.

But I never expected to run into this today. First, I was assigned to the inexplicable Rabbit Group, and then I had to endure their boring first discussion. After the unbearable time was over, I was then pestered by these girls from Class D.

She hadn't actually offended that classmate named Rika at all; they just wanted to bully her.

Although she hated this kind of thing, Karuizawa Kei was overwhelmed by a familiar sense of fear after being cornered by the crowd. If she hadn't met Classmate Hashiba, this matter might not have been resolved so smoothly.