Kushida Kikyo: I'm the VIP!
After lightly clinking their glasses together, Hashiba Hikaru took a sip of her drink, a contented smile on her face.
"Yes, Himeno and the others just confirmed with me that all three groups have signed the contract. This means that by the time we answer the questions the night after tomorrow, even the Dragon Group, including the one with Classmate Hashiba, will have reached Result One."
Have you taken a headcount?
Hashiba Hikaru opened the group list recorded in her phone's memo app. Since the exams for eight groups had already been completed, the results for the remaining seven groups, excluding the Monkey Group whose answers were given by Koenji, were already certain.
Normally, Class A's first reward should be an increase of 350 Class Points and 3.5 million Private Points. The remaining four groups are already certain to answer according to Result 1.
"You mean the number of people from Class A in the remaining four groups?" Ichinose Honami counted the information on the list and replied immediately, "Including Classmate Hashiba, there are twelve people in total."
"If we calculate it this way, after the final exam, each member of Class A in our four groups will receive 500,000 Private Points, while the three VIP will receive 1 million, so the total is 7.5 million."
"So in the end, we can get about ten million points?"
After figuring out the specific number, a flush of excitement suddenly appeared on the pink-haired girl's delicate face. After all, Ichinose Honami had already accumulated over ten million Private Points during the first semester, and if this number were added, she would have basically reached twenty million.
"That's right. Although we don't know when these points will be distributed, if our predictions are correct, our class will be able to save up our first 20 million by the start of the second semester."
Hashiba Hikaru was equally happy. This was the first goal he had achieved after making the plan. It was not only an explanation to everyone, but also a reassurance to his classmates. With 20 million points, even if someone faced the risk of dropping out, they could eventually get through it.
"Should we tell everyone this?" Ichinose was in high spirits, but still wanted to ask Hashiba Hikaru's opinion first.
"No rush, let's tell everyone after the results are announced."
The boy shook his head slightly, deciding to get through these two days first. Only by enduring the waiting period could the joy he finally reaped be truly satisfying.
"Okay, let's do it that way then."
Hashiba Hikaru Hashima took a sip of his drink. He hadn't expected the second Special Exam plan to proceed so smoothly. When he first received the list of three VIP, he wasn't entirely confident. It wasn't until Kushida Kikyo offered to cooperate that the subsequent series of plans were able to proceed.
If the Class Evaluation Points obtained from these two Special Exam were combined with Class A's scores before the summer vacation, they would probably be close to two thousand. This is enough to widen the gap with the classes behind them. As long as there are no major surprises, the future situation is still quite stable.
"Classmate Hashiba, let's go for a walk in the hallway."
After seeing Hashiba Hikaru finish her drink, Honami Ichinose Honami invited her to join him, and the boy readily agreed.
The two walked side by side down the third-floor corridor, feeling the cool sea breeze caressing their bodies. Hashiba Hikaru's mood became more relaxed; she thought that after the exams were over, she could finally get some rest.
But at that moment, he suddenly felt the girl grasp his hand, and her shoulder touched his body.
"Hikaru," Ichinose whispered, calling out the other person's name.
Hashiba Hikaru glanced around at her surroundings; there was hardly anyone around. No wonder the pink-haired girl dared to launch a surprise attack here.
"I'm here."
The boy and girl stood shoulder to shoulder behind the railing, gazing at the distant horizon. Although the atmosphere was peaceful, a strange emotion began to permeate the space between them.
"Can Guang possibly guess what I'm thinking right now?"
Ichinose Honami didn't look at Hashiba Hikaru's face, but stared blankly into the distance.
"I can probably guess a little bit, but there might be some inaccuracies."
Having been through so much together, Hashiba Hikaru naturally knew what she was thinking at that moment. However, after what happened with Sakura Airi, he was now unsure of his own feelings.
It's impossible for Ichinose Honami or Sakura Airi to say they don't care.
This mindset prevented him from making a good choice, especially since the system was now in place. Abandoning the forest for the sake of the tree was a shortsighted idea, which was not in line with his usual way of thinking.
If a suitable solution cannot be found, delaying tactics may not solve the problem, but they can reduce the risk.
"Hehehe, it seems that not only do I understand light, but light understands me very well too."
The girl's voice carried a touch of naivety, a quality that Ichinose Honami only revealed in front of Hashiba Hikaru; it was unique to her.
"That's true, so can Honami sense my feelings?" Hashiba Hikaru held her small hand, his tone calm, but his inner emotions were complex.
"Hmm... let me think..."
Ichinose Honami gripped the other person's large hand tightly and began to scrutinize their expression.
The girl, who was also very good at reading people, had always sensed Hashiba Hikaru's hesitation, but she couldn't figure out the specific reason.
He definitely cares about her; Ichinose Honami can guarantee that because the warmth conveyed by their bodies when they embrace is unmistakable.
But why can't I just accept myself?
If we become lovers, we can be even closer and stick together.
Ichinose Honami gazed at Hashiba Hikaru's calm eyes. After a long while, she seemed to sense something and tentatively asked, "Is Hikari refusing to accept me because there are other people in her heart?"
"..."
Hashiba Hikaru paused for a moment, then shook her head and said calmly, "I care more about Honami's own thoughts than that."
"My thoughts?"
"If one day you discover that I'm not actually that good, and perhaps I have some ideas that you might find unacceptable, then will Honami still stick to your beliefs?"
"I can..."
"Don't rush to answer me, this is very important."
Hashiba Hikaru gazed at the girl's pretty face and said, word by word, "The problem right now is that I can't even be sure of my own feelings, which is why I want Honami think about the answer to this question."
"What if my answer is to persist?" Ichinose Honami retorted firmly.
"If that's the case," the boy smiled, his tone incredibly gentle, "I might tell you my true thoughts."
"It's not a lie?"
"It's not a lie."
"In that case..." Ichinose Honami's beautiful eyes sparkled with confidence, "Let's wait until after the exams. I'll answer Hikari's question then."
"Can."
"Then, you'll have no way out."
"Um."
Chapter 206 Kushida Kikyo: I'm the VIP!
After escorting Ichinose Honami back to her room, Hashiba Hikaru went alone to the balcony of her suite.
"This situation is really quite troublesome..."
The boy opened the System Panel. Among the stocks he had acquired, Ichinose Honami Stock and Sakura Airi Stock were the two most expensive, at 200 and 240 respectively. Precisely because they were so expensive, their behavior was now becoming unpredictable.
As Hashiba Hikaru used the system, his connection with them inevitably deepened. It wasn't that he felt resistant, but rather that he didn't know how to choose between them.
Although the experiment to lower the stock price was successful before, it was precisely because Kushida Kikyo's case was rather special, and in the end, nothing too troublesome happened; everything was within a controllable range.
However, the young man doesn't know how to handle emotional issues now. Initially, Hashiba Hikaru's idea about relationships was to find a suitable person to spend her life with, but now, faced with this situation, that plan has quietly changed.
What's the dilemma? Can't we have it all?
A brand new idea flashed through Hashiba Hikaru's mind. He touched his forehead, his expression somewhat complicated.
"..."
Several minutes later, the answer still hadn't popped into my head.
"Forget it, let's not dwell on it anymore. Let nature take its course. We shouldn't let down those who give their hearts; that applies to everyone."
The boy ultimately decided to listen to his heart and make his own decision after Ichinose Honami expressed her opinion.
The rest of the time passed quite quickly, as the remaining four groups had already signed their contracts, so the discussions were simply a way to pass the time.
When Hashiba Hikaru was in the Dragon Group, she mostly played card games with her classmates. Occasionally, she would observe the movements of the black-haired girl sitting in the distance. After signing the contract, Horikita Suzune always kept a great distance from the people in the room, as if she were in another world.
Has this guy really changed? I can't tell at all.
The boy silently looked away, then was gently nudged on the shoulder by Kushida Kikyo beside him. The girl asked with a smile, "What are you looking at, Classmate Hashiba?"
"I was just simply clearing my mind and thinking; I wasn't looking at anything."
Hashiba Hikaru shook his head slightly. He and Kushida Kikyo exchanged a glance, both knowing the truth.
Since he had already promised her, and it would take another day or two for the Cruise Ship to return to school after the exams, the boy needed to find some time to talk to Horikita Suzune.
"Can we win this round?" the short-haired girl asked again.
"I'm not entirely sure, but I think it's very promising."
Hashiba Hikaru drew a card from the deck, a smile playing on her lips, "I believe the dealer is on my side."
When it came time for the final discussion before the exam ended, the relaxed atmosphere vanished instantly. Once inside the room, Hashiba Hikaru could sense that everyone's expressions were somewhat solemn.
After all, today the Dragon Group's VIP are going to step forward and reveal their identities, and then everyone will answer questions together at 9:30.
"The atmosphere is indeed a bit tense."
In the subsequent discussions, Kushida Kikyo sat next to Hashiba Hikaru on the sofa, allowing them to communicate in hushed tones.
"Because we need to answer today, it's normal to be nervous." Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly, then lowered her voice and leaned close to Kushida Kikyo, asking, "Are you nervous Kushida?"
"A little bit..."
She wasn't actually nervous, but she said it on purpose.
"What should we do then?"
"Will you help me, Classmate Hashiba?" The girl raised her small face and moved closer to Hashiba Hikaru in a rather affectionate manner.
"Then tell me, if I can do it."
Hold my hand.
"..."
"You don't want to?"
Kushida Kikyo stretched out her small hand to Hashiba Hikaru, her eyes sparkling with a bright smile.
That spontaneous hug actually changed some things; the short-haired girl now trusts Hashiba Hikaru completely.
After realizing that her body didn't reject close contact with him, Kushida felt herself becoming strange at times, especially when she was in close proximity to the boy; she would always subconsciously want to make physical contact.
Of course not.
It was just holding hands, nothing too complicated, so Hashiba Hikaru quickly agreed.
He took the girl's small hand in his; the soft, delicate skin felt quite nice to the touch. However, Kushida's palms were actually sweating, perhaps due to nervousness.
"Hehehe, this is my second reward for you."
After Kushida Kikyo and Hashiba Hikaru held hands, a faint blush seemed to appear on her pretty face. She took the initiative to ask, "How does it feel?"
"Generally."
Hashiba Hikaru squeezed her small hand and gave a very fair evaluation.
He has held the hand of three girls so far, but if we're really comparing whose hand feels the best, it has to be Ichinose Honami.
"You..."
Looking at the person with a calm expression, Kushida Kikyo instantly became a little angry, but she didn't really lash out. She just pinched Hashiba Hikaru's hand several times.
But to be honest, he was really weak; the boy didn't even flinch.
"In any case, Kushida, you should organize your thoughts beforehand. It'll be your turn to shine soon," Hashiba Hikaru said softly. "It might be a little embarrassing if you stumble over your words."
"I don't need you to tell me!"
Kushida Kikyo gave him a disapproving look, then obediently sat down beside him and began to think about how to express her identity in the most concise way.
Although everyone was quiet during the last discussion, their interaction was still observed by many observant people, such as Horikita Suzune, Hirata Yosuke from Class C, and Ryuen Kakeru.
The black-haired girl had long suspected that Hashiba Hikaru and Kushida's private relationship was definitely not simple, because she observed that Kushida's expression was very unusual when he mentioned her name; he wouldn't have shown that kind of reaction if they weren't familiar with each other.
Furthermore, when Hashiba Hikaru first sent her a message, she mentioned Kushida Kikyo's name, so perhaps they had known each other for a long time.
However, her most important thought right now is to get excellent results in a Special Exam and prove her growth to her brother. As for what kind of relationship Hashiba Hikaru and Kushida Kikyo have in private, Horikita Suzune doesn't care.
Anyway, she won't be the one worrying when the time comes.
As for Hirata Yosuke, he was actually quite surprised when he noticed the rather intimate situation between the two.
Because he knew that although Kushida Kikyo social butterfly in Class C who could chat with everyone, the only people she could actually have physical contact with were a few girls she hung out with; boys would never have that opportunity.
But right now, not far away, that Classmate Hashiba was not only standing shoulder to shoulder with the short-haired girl, but was even holding her hand, while Kushida's expression remained quite calm, as if this was always the case.