Horikita Suzune Refuses to Make Friends

"Oh, you're back."

Seeing the boy push open the door and enter, Shibata leaned against the bed and greeted him.

"Why isn't everyone asleep so late?"

Upon entering the room, Hashiba Hikaru discovered that her three roommates were all still awake and looked quite energetic.

"Our class won a great victory this time! Everyone's discussing how to hold Celebration Party in the group chat." Shibata scrolled through his phone's chat history. After being dismissed from the deck, the students of Class A were all chatting in the group chat.

This time, I've earned over ten million Private Points. I need to come up with a plan on how to handle this money.

"I see, but we still shouldn't stay up too late."

Hashiba Hikaru returned to his bed and lay down. He looked at the vacation schedule released by the school. Now that the two Special Exam were over, the Cruise Ship would begin its return journey tomorrow and would arrive at Advanced Nurturing High School in about two days.

But just as the boy was about to close his eyes to rest, Shibata suddenly exclaimed, "Hashiba, you've been keeping such a big thing from us, haven't you?"

"I knew this day would come. Congratulations, Classmate Hashiba."

"So many people have liked this, I'll go like it too."

The three boys from Class A suddenly became excited. Hashiba Hikaru glanced at his phone; at that moment, there were many messages tagging him in the Class A group chat, almost like it was spamming his screen.

"What's wrong?" the boy asked, somewhat confused.

"You're still pretending, huh? Look at this." Shibata immediately ran to Hashiba Hikaru's bedside and handed him his phone.

The screen displays a post from the first-year forum, posted by Ichinose Honami. Since registering for the School Forum requires Student ID, it's all real-name authentication, so there's no issue of fraud.

The post read, "Let's walk together from now on," followed by a mention of Hashiba Hikaru's name, and ended with a heart emoji.

Most importantly, there's a picture below, showing two people holding hands.

"..."

Hashiba Hikaru rubbed his temples. Although he and Ichinose Honami had officially started dating, such a high-profile announcement didn't align with his initial plan. Being too high-profile wasn't a good thing.

"Hashiba, are you and Ichinose really together?"

"Yes, the rumors have come true."

Hashiba Hikaru could only shrug and was about to lie back down on the bed when his phone started ringing. Not only were there messages in the class group chat, but also many private chat windows kept popping up.

"This is fantastic news! Why are you reacting so calmly?"

Shibata wasn't about to let Hashiba Hikaru get away with it so easily. He quickly reached out and pulled the boy up, laughing loudly, "Now that you're no longer single, of course we have to celebrate! You'll have to treat us to dinner when we get back to school!"

"Why didn't you guys invite me?" Hashiba Hikaru was speechless.

"Hehehe, don't forget, Ichinose is the goddess of our class. If you don't treat us guys to a meal after you get together with her, the consequences will be very serious."

"So what are you planning to do? Beat me up?"

The boy raised an eyebrow, revealing a skeptical expression.

"We'll keep bothering you and prevent you from going on Ichinose!"

"..."

Seeing the other person's smiling expression, Hashiba Hikaru knew that Shibata was joking, so he immediately pretended to be unconvinced and said in a muffled voice, "What if I insist on disagreeing?"

"Then we'll teach you a lesson! Everyone, attack together! Let this guy know just how fierce a boy's anger can be!"

The three boys swarmed around and immediately focused their attacks on Hashiba Hikaru, wrestling and fighting on the bed.

"Hey, don't steal my pillow!"

"Take this!"

Unlike the playful fighting in the boys' dormitory, the Ichinose Honami lived was very quiet. However, after the girl posted the official announcement, the remaining three girls from Class A immediately started chatting about it.

"Congratulations Ichinose! You've finally gotten what you wanted!"

Ando Sayo had always known what she was thinking, and now that she saw the two of them actually together, she was very happy for her.

"That's great, I also want to find someone to date." Himeno pouted, indicating that she also wanted to find a boyfriend.

"Does Himeno have someone she likes?" The last person in the four-person dormitory was Minami Kozue, who had been chosen as the camp leader before. She always had a faint smile on her face.

"No, and I feel that many boys my age are immature, so I wouldn't be interested in them."

"So you think Classmate Hashiba is also childish?" Ando smiled as he looked at her delicate face.

"Classmate Hashiba is an exception, but there won't be another Classmate Hashiba ..." Himeno Yuki gazed at Ichinose Honami's gentle expression, then said in a very resentful tone, "I really envy Ichinose."

"Yes, yes, if you put it that way, you came back so late just now because you went to see Classmate Hashiba?"

Ando blinked, staring at Ichinose Honami's pretty face with a rather gossipy look.

"Yes... yes, what's wrong?" The girl blushed slightly as she recalled what had just happened.

"So, who confessed first?"

Himeno immediately showed interest and leaned closer to ask in a low voice, "Is that Classmate Hashiba?"

"It was me... who confessed to Hikaru first."

After becoming a couple with Hashiba Hikaru, Ichinose Honami expressed her desire to call him by his name in front of others, which was a legitimate girlfriend action and something she insisted on.

Hashiba Hikaru didn't refuse, so she just said it directly.

"Tsk tsk, so you're just calling me by my name like that? That's really bold."

Upon hearing the way the pink-haired girl addressed her, the three girls felt another wave of envy.

Actually, not only is Ichinose Honami admired by many boys in Class A, but Hashiba Hikaru is also someone that many girls want to get close to. Now that these two are together, it immediately extinguished many people's hopes. Although everyone knows that they are a good match, envy is absolutely unavoidable.

"So what did you just do...?"

"Yeah, yeah, if you're dating, haven't you done anything that couples do?"

Upon hearing the question, Ichinose Honami blushed even more. Although she had been very bold just now, shyness immediately overwhelmed her when facing her familiar female friends, leaving her unsure of how to respond.

Upon seeing her expression, the three girls immediately realized that something must have happened.

So everyone gathered around Ichinose Honami, wanting to find out the specific details.

"Oh dear, everyone, please stop asking. I can only say a little bit."

After the room gradually quieted down, Hashiba Hikaru glanced at her sleeping roommates before opening the private text messages she had received on her phone.

After Ichinose the forum, quite a few people contacted him, and some even sent more than one message. Among them, the three who sent the most messages were Kushida Kikyo, Sakura Airi, and Shiina Hiyori.

The content is minimal, mostly consisting of first-grade students added previously.

They only sent a few words to express their congratulations and blessings; it wasn't a big deal. However, many people like to do this, just to join in the fun.

Among these text messages, there were a few names that surprised Hashiba Hikaru.

This includes the Second Year student Kiryuuin Fuuka whom I knew before, the third-year Student Council President Horikita Manabu, and even my own class Chie Hoshinomiya.

Kiryuuin Fuuka: You're actually in a relationship? Well, congratulations, Classmate Hashiba!

Horikita Manabu: The school doesn't prohibit students from interacting with each other, but don't let it affect your studies. I need to contact you when I get back to school, so remember to reply.

Chie Hoshinomiya: Congratulations, Classmate Hashiba! Now you two can work together even more closely. I'm so happy for you both!

"This woman... is this what a teacher should say to students?"

After reading through all the text messages, Hashiba Hikaru began replying to everyone.

After deciding to Ichinose Honami, the boy had already planned for the future. Now that there was no turning back, he decided to simply listen to his heart when faced with a choice.

Besides his romantic relationship, another idea of his was to gather intelligence.

With about two weeks left in summer vacation, and having personally experienced these two Special Exam, Hashiba Hikaru felt it was time to start contacting some upperclassmen, as there would definitely be Special Exam with different rules in the second semester.

If we can make some preparations in advance, we can maintain our advantage in the later exams. Once we have accumulated enough advantages, we can finally turn them into a winning position and allow Class A to graduate with the highest score.

"Perhaps things will get busy again once the second semester starts."

After replying to all the messages, the boy put his arms behind his head and dreamed about the future.

This night felt exceptionally long for some, including Hashiba Hikaru and the girls who were anxiously watching their phones.

Ichinose Honami was an exception; having fulfilled her long-held wish, she went to bed early.

A satisfied smile graced her lips, as if every day from now on would be filled with sunshine and a bright future for her.

Chapter 212 Horikita Suzune Refuses to Make Friends

The next day, after washing up, Hashiba Hikaru immediately sent a message to Horikita Suzune about their upcoming meeting. After all, she had promised Kushida Kikyo, and she needed to continue working hard in that area.

As for Ichinose Honami, the boy replied that he had some things to take care of and would go find her after he finished.

Although the girl was somewhat reluctant, it was a rare holiday, and after becoming a couple, she naturally wanted to be with him all the time.

But then she thought that being too clingy might not be good either, since there would be plenty of time to spend together later, so the pink-haired girl readily agreed.

The aloof black-haired girl was somewhat surprised to receive Hashiba Hikaru's text message, as she hadn't been contacted by her for a long time, so she opened the chat window directly.

Hashiba Hikaru: Let's meet today, I have something to tell you.

Horikita Suzune: What is it?

Hashiba Hikaru: Regarding the Special Exam, now that both exams are over, I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Horikita Suzune: Do we really have to meet?

Although Horikita Suzune didn't care about other people's opinions, the news of Ichinose Honami's official announcement yesterday had spread throughout the entire first-year class. Several girls in her dormitory had been discussing it, and they thought that if they met with Classmate Hashiba alone, it might cause some strange rumors in the class.

Hashiba Hikaru: I have a legitimate reason. Yesterday, Horikita-senpai sent me a message saying that he wants to meet me after returning to school.

Hashiba Hikaru: The first semester is over. I promised Horikita-senpai that I would help Horikita grow, but we have had very few opportunities to communicate. So I think it is necessary to make a last-minute effort to at least understand your attitude.

Upon seeing the message the boy sent, Horikita Suzune's expression instantly became very complicated.

She knew her brother acknowledged Hashiba Hikaru's abilities, but from his tone, she sensed that the two of them probably met frequently in private.

Having thought of this, Horikita Suzune took a deep breath and typed a reply on the keyboard.

Horikita Suzune: We can meet. What's the specific time and place?

Hashiba Hikaru: It's in Restaurant No. 3 on the second floor. I've already set off to reserve a spot. Horikita, just come directly.

Horikita Suzune: Okay.

After putting down her phone, the black-haired girl went to the mirror and tidied herself up. Although she didn't have romantic feelings for Hashiba Hikaru at the moment, Horikita Suzune felt that maintaining a clean and tidy appearance was a form of social etiquette, and it was a requirement she set for herself.

After packing up, the girl headed toward the address given by Hashiba Hikaru. Since the exams were over, the students wanted to take advantage of the two days of their return trip to enjoy the Cruise Ship's facilities. Groups of students could be seen laughing and playing everywhere, radiating youthful energy.

Because Horikita Suzune had always been strict with herself since childhood, she didn't relax her guard even on this luxurious Cruise Ship. She believed that pleasure would corrupt one's fighting spirit and that such a situation must be avoided.

When she arrived at the agreed-upon location, she immediately spotted Hashiba Hikaru sitting in a corner of Restaurant Number Three, engrossed in reading a book.

"Classmate Hashiba, I'm here." Horikita Suzune pulled out a chair and sat down, her expression serene.

"Oh, Horikita, good morning."

Hashiba Hikaru placed the book she was holding on the table and began calling the waiter to take her order. At that moment, the black-haired girl opposite her naturally recognized the title of the book.

Master's Time Management Techniques

What kind of book is this? Is it for saving time during study?

Horikita Suzune couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for him. Even in such a short time, he still studied. This was probably why Classmate Hashiba could keep leading Class A forward.

After ordering their food and drinks, Hashiba Hikaru took a sip of her iced water and began her conversation with Horikita Suzune.

"Well then, let's hear your thoughts first, Horikita. After these two exams, have you thought about the school's arrangements?" The boy's tone was very gentle; since he was testing the other person, he naturally had to be extremely subtle.

What are your thoughts on these two exams?

After thinking for a moment, Horikita Suzune replied seriously, "First of all, I believe this school must be aiming to cultivate students who are well-rounded in moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and practical aspects. It won't do if there are any weaknesses."

"The Uninhabited Island Exam assesses everyone's teamwork and perseverance, while the VIP Exam assesses everyone's Thinking Ability and observation skills."

"Both of these exams actually contain a very important element: communication with others and the ability to reuse resources by proposing different solutions or information."

Horikita Suzune methodically analyzed her views. After experiencing these two exams, she naturally had some insights, but she couldn't discuss them with the people around her. Now that she had the opportunity to vent, the girl felt much better.

"That's true. After all, humans are social animals. If they are separated from the protection of the group for a long time, unknown dangers will arise. This is probably the key point that the school is considering."