Steady Progress: Results, Part One / Ichinose Honami's Answer

"It's possible that Horikita- kun is gathering information, since he needs to guess the identity of the VIP."

"That's what I think too, but some classmates have always admired Horikita's intelligence. What if we use this opportunity to let her connect with other people, or even become friends with them?"

This is what Kushida is most worried about. If Horikita Suzune continues to be a loner, it's fine. But if she really makes friends she can talk to, then the secret that the short-haired girl is trying so hard to hide will instantly become precarious.

Whether she says it or not, this is a very bad omen.

"I see, I think I understand what Kushida is thinking now."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded. He understood Kushida's concerns. This matter was also the basis for their cooperation. Although Horikita Suzune was not a social person, he could not rule out the possibility of her growing.

Therefore, taking the initiative to interact with people immediately touched a nerve with Kushida, which is why she took the initiative to come to him.

"So what do you plan to do?" Kushida stared intently at the boy's face, hoping he would give an answer.

"Of course, it's to help Kushida sound out Horikita- san's situation. Isn't that what we agreed on?"

Hashiba Hikaru smiled and looked at the girl's pretty face, saying softly, "Kushida, don't be nervous. Our cooperation has a long way to go. I'll find out more for you."

"... Um."

Looking at the boy's gentle expression, a very clear impulse suddenly surged in Kushida Kikyo's heart. Without the slightest hesitation, she made another bold move, which was to throw herself directly into the boy's arms.

"Um... what's this?"

Suddenly feeling the soft, jade-like touch of the girl's body, Hashiba Hikaru's expression was somewhat taken aback.

"This is a reward for you, Classmate Hashiba," Kushida Kikyo said in a muffled voice, burying her head in his chest.

"But I haven't even started yet..."

"No, it's not that," the girl whispered, wrapping her arms around his waist. "It's a reward for letting me hear a satisfactory answer."

"... All right."

"Do you hate it?"

Of course not.

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at the notification that popped up in the System Bar and a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

[Your statement made Kushida Kikyo felt even closer to you. Kushida Kikyo Stock price rose 20 points, currently at 110.]

"Then go and act for me, Classmate Hashiba."

After hugging for several seconds, Kushida Kikyo let go and took a step back. She tidied her hair and then raised her small face again, revealing an extremely touching smile.

"Certainly."

Hashiba Hikaru also had a smile on her face, but there was no reason why she was in a better mood. All that could be said Kushida Kikyo was indeed an easy woman to please, and that answer had never changed from the beginning until now.

Chapter 204 The Result of Steady Progress (Part 1)

After her conversation with Kushida ended, the girl smiled and saw Hashiba Hikaru out.

However, as soon as they stepped out of the room, the three students from Class C who had been waiting outside immediately noticed them and walked over together.

"Good afternoon, Kushida." Wang Meiyu greeted Classmate Hashiba -Kushida Kikyo standing next to her.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Although Kushida Kikyo was somewhat surprised by the sudden appearance of her three roommates, she wasn't too nervous now that their private conversation was over.

So the short-haired girl, with a smile on her face, began to introduce the boy beside her to her three companions.

"This is Classmate Hashiba from Class A. Does everyone know him?"

Hello everyone.

Hashiba Hikaru Hashima greeted the three girls gently, her expression as calm as ever.

"Good afternoon, Classmate Hashiba. I'm Inogashira Kokoro from Class 1-C, and I'm Kushida -chan's best friend."

"I am Wang Meiyu, and I am also a relative of Kushida."

"I'm Sato Maya, and we're both good friends of Kushida."

Sato Maya was bolder than the other two. She stared intently at Hashiba Hikaru's face. As a girl who was attracted to good-looking people, she naturally wanted to take her time to look at him properly since she had finally gotten the chance.

"Is Kushida- chan going to act with Classmate Hashiba now?" Wang Meiyu asked, wanting to find out what the relationship between the two was.

"No, Classmate Hashiba has other things to do later. I'm just seeing him off." Kushida Kikyo, observing the expressions of the three girls in front of her, quickly guessed what had happened, so she simply smiled faintly. "I'll probably still be in my room later."

"Yes, then I'll take my leave now."

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at her watch obligingly, then said gently to Kushida Kikyo, "Goodbye Kushida."

"Okay, goodbye, Classmate Hashiba."

As soon as the boy's tall figure disappeared at the top of the stairs, the three girls immediately surrounded Kushida Kikyo.

"What's wrong with everyone?" The short-haired girl had a gentle smile on her face, but in her heart she thought they were very childish.

"Kushida- chan, hurry up and tell the truth, what exactly is your relationship with Classmate Hashiba?" Wang Meiyu patted the girl's shoulder affectionately and asked with a smile.

"Yes, we are very curious."

"Could it be that you and Classmate Hashiba have... that kind of relationship?" Sato Maya asked with an expectant look on her face.

From the perspective of these three girls, Hashiba Hikaru and Kushida Kikyo are actually quite a good match. Not only are they both popular figures in their class, but they are also both exceptionally beautiful.

"Of course not, don't talk nonsense." Kushida Kikyo feigned shyness and scolded playfully, "Classmate Hashiba and I are just friends!"

"Really? I don't believe it."

"Yeah, I just noticed that the way Classmate Hashiba was looking at you was a bit off. Maybe he... likes you." Wang Meiyu touched her hair, pretending to be a love guru, and analyzed, "Why don't Kushida- chan, try and find out what he's up to?"

"That's right, I agree!"

The young girls were like sharks smelling blood when it came to the topic of love, each one more eager than the last. Kushida Kikyo had only intended to give them a casual reply, but the conversation unexpectedly escalated.

They want me to test Hashiba?

Doesn't she know what kind of attitude this guy has?

Seriously.

"Hey everyone, stop gossiping! Classmate Hashiba and I are really just friends." Kushida Kikyo raised her voice a few decibels, then turned and walked back into her room, and the three of them naturally followed immediately.

"Don't be so stingy! Kushida- chan, could you share with us how you became friends with Classmate Hashiba?"

"Yes, yes, I also want to become friends with Classmate Hashiba."

"I voted for Classmate Hashiba, and I want to be friends with him too!"

"..."

The Dragon Group's fourth discussion was at 8 PM. Before setting off, Hashiba Hikaru was still confirming the final details with Ichinose Honami. This time, the Class A students from the three groups were about to begin their operation. As strategists providing remote support, they didn't create a group chat but instead opted for private messaging, which was safer.

"In other words, boldly express your ideas, and only propose the next step after you see that your group members are somewhat interested."

Hashiba Hikaru's supplementary information was very detailed. After all, there were only four groups left. If all of them could successfully achieve result one, not only would they gain a large number of points, but more importantly, they would avoid more complicated struggles. Without disputes over Class Evaluation Points, everyone would be under less pressure.

"If anyone mentions the origin of this plan, just say it was my idea."

"I see."

When it was eight o'clock, Hashiba Hikaru sat on the sofa in the Dragon Group's room. This time, he once again participated in the game event organized by Kushida Kikyo. After all, in order not to reveal any flaws, it was best to keep everything as normal.

"Classmate Hashiba, it's your turn to speak."

Kushida Kikyo was sitting next to the boy, smiling as she indicated that it was his turn.

"Okay, I understand."

Hashiba Hikaru for a moment, then immersed herself in the werewolf game, while in the other three rooms, the students from Class A had already begun their own battles.

Inside the Tiger Group's room, Himeno Yuki stood in the center. She had just explained her perspective to everyone, and they were all considering whether to accept the proposal.

"My question is, if someone really knows all the patterns of those VIP, why doesn't he just answer all the names at once?" The questioner was a student from Class A, staring at Himeno's face with a serious expression.

"It's simple, because there's probably more than one person who guessed the pattern of the VIP treatment selection," Himeno answered as instructed by Hashiba Hikaru. "Have you forgotten? The Monkey Group finished the exam first, and then the other groups."

"It's possible that several people guessed the rules, but they might not have been confident in answering all the questions in the group, so they only answered a portion of them."

That makes some sense.

"Yes, if we keep waiting, the remaining four groups' exams will probably be over soon."

"That's right, this is the fourth time we've discussed it. Even if we can't trust each other, nobody wants to end up with nothing after an exam, right?"

Seeing the softening tone in everyone's voices, Himeno felt a surge of joy, but she still calmly said, "Anyway, I think that if we can achieve result one, that would be the best solution."

"I agree with Himeno's statement. Since there are Private Points to be earned anyway, why not take them?"

"That's right, but how do we prevent everyone from betraying us?" someone asked.

"It's simple, just use a contract."

A boy from Class B stood up abruptly, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room, his tone very serious.

"With a contract as a constraint, we don't need to worry about others betraying us. After all, the consequence of betrayal is expulsion from school, and even if we get points, it won't be of any use."

The boy in Class B, named Ishida Yusuke, had initially agreed to Himeno's suggestion. However, what concerned him more was whether this plan had truly originated from a girl named Himeno.

Or is there someone else behind this?

As a member of the Katsuragi Faction, that composed man had repeatedly mentioned Hashiba Hikaru's name to the members of his faction. Although it showed wariness and caution, from another perspective, it was also a recognition of Classmate Hashiba's abilities.

"Yes, that's right. How come I didn't think of that? If we all sign contracts, no one will dare to break them."

"Agreed."

"But how do I draft a contract? Has anyone had experience with this?"

"Making a contract isn't complicated; it can even be handwritten." Ishida, who had just spoken, glanced at Himeno's expression before asking, "But before that, I actually have another question for Himeno."

"Please tell me, Ishida -san, if I know the answer."

"What I want to ask is, is this plan related to your Classmate Hashiba?"

"Hehe."

A smile immediately appeared on Himeno's delicate face. After a while, she calmly said to everyone, "Since you've asked, I'll just get straight to the point."

"You guessed right, Ishida -kun. This plan was indeed proposed by Classmate Hashiba. After receiving those eight text messages yesterday announcing the end of the exams, he immediately realized that he needed to quickly organize a defensive strategy."

"As students in Class B, you should be able to understand Classmate Hashiba's considerations, right?"

Himeno Yuki looked at everyone in the room and slowly explained, "In the end, none of us know who is secretly the traitor. So, Classmate Hashiba thinks that if we can reach a consensus, we can at least get some points, instead of waiting for the traitor to appear and leaving everyone with nothing."

"That's true." Ishida nodded.

"Then let's sign the contract. What do the others think?" Himeno Yuki looked at the students from the other classes. After the top two classes, A and B, had already expressed their opinions, the students from classes Class C and Class D also chimed in. After all, if they could get 500,000 Private Points, why not?

And so, the Tiger Group's contract was quickly drafted. After everyone had signed their names, Himeno Yuki said that they could contact their teacher to come and stamp it, and the contract would then officially take effect.

The same thing happened during the discussions of the other two groups. Although they encountered almost the same questions and inquiries, the students selected from Class A performed perfectly. With their flawless performances, all three groups agreed to answer in the manner of Result 1.

With the addition of the Dragon Group, all four remaining groups have signed contracts. This Special Exam will last for two more days, at which point the final results will be revealed.

Who will be the ultimate victor?

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at the text message notification that popped up on her phone, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

Chapter 205 Ichinose Honami's Answer

After the Dragon Group's fourth discussion ended, Hashiba Hikaru, following the instructions in the text message he had just received, went alone to the entrance of a beverage shop on the third floor. Waiting for him there was none other than Ichinose Honami key member of Class A.

"Classmate Hashiba, you've arrived."

Although it's 9 PM now, the brightly lit Cruise Ship is still as bright as day. The outermost lights won't be turned off until around midnight. There are still quite a few students walking around, enjoying the sea breeze and having late-night snacks. This is the best way to have a vacation.

"Yes, good evening Ichinose."

The two sat down facing each other at the entrance of the beverage shop. Ichinose Honami ordered a drink for Hashiba Hikaru, while she drank water herself.

After all, girls are creatures who are keen on losing weight, and at this time of year, eating or drinking anything feels like a sin to them.

"Looks like our plan succeeded."