Horikita Suzune's Embarrassment

"But you don't need to answer right away. Just tell me when you've thought it through, and I'll make time for you."

Hashiba Hikaru gently smoothed the girl's stray hairs from her forehead. "If Airi really can't think of a good place, then let's cook together in the dorm. That's an option too."

"Uh-huh."

Feeling the other person's thoughtfulness, Sakura Airi's pretty face always wore a satisfied smile.

This is the happiness she fought for herself. After overcoming the previous struggles and entanglements, the girl has finally found the answer she wanted.

She would be willing to stay with Hashiba Hikaru in the future, even if they couldn't be together openly.

After spending some time in Sakura Airi's gentle embrace, and waiting for Hashiba Hikaru to coax the girl to sleep, he quietly pushed open the door and left.

After returning to his dormitory, the boy opened the System Panel. With his relationship with Sakura Airi progressing further, a new notification naturally popped up in the System Bar.

[Your intimacy with Sakura Airi has deepened, Sakura Airi's affection for you has grown stronger, Sakura Airi Stock has risen 30 points, currently at 270.]

"That's already surpassing Ichinose? Seriously."

Hashiba Hikaru touched his chin, deciding to confront his inner thoughts. He planned to develop new high-quality stocks after the new semester started, because he had to work hard to earn the system's rewards in order to create a better future.

After taking a shower, the boy glanced at his phone's chat page.

After the VIP Exam, Horikita Manabu sent him a message, but only the date was selected; the specific time and place were not yet determined, and he wanted to leave it to Hashiba Hikaru to decide.

This was a great opportunity, as Hashiba Hikaru had been wanting to discuss the school's future with the Student Council President, and the timing of the summer break was perfect. However, it was getting late, so he planned to message him tomorrow to discuss the specifics.

Moreover, he plans to invite Horikita Suzune along this time. When these two siblings who can't understand each other meet, it should be quite an interesting scene.

The night passed, and after washing up the next morning, Hashiba Hikaru immediately sent a text message to Horikita Manabu. The other party replied very quickly, almost within three minutes.

Hashiba Hikaru: Horikita-senpai, how about we meet at the coffee shop in Keyaki Mall this afternoon?

Horikita Manabu: What's the specific time?

Hashiba Hikaru: How about 2 PM?

Horikita Manabu: Okay.

Hashiba Hikaru: Can I bring one more person?

Horikita Manabu looked at the text message on his phone, his expression slightly strange, but he didn't seem to care much, so he immediately typed a reply.

Horikita Manabu: This is your own business, I have no comment on it.

Hashiba Hikaru: That's good. See you this afternoon, Horikita-senpai.

Horikita Manabu: See you this afternoon.

After ending her chat with Horikita Manabu, Hashiba Hikaru immediately started sending messages to the black-haired Horikita classmate.

Hashiba Hikaru: Horikita, are you awake yet?

Horikita Suzune had just finished getting dressed. Although it was a holiday, she still strictly disciplined herself and did not allow herself to develop a lazy habit.

Horikita Suzune: Is there something you need, Classmate Hashiba?

Hashiba Hikaru: I'm going to meet Horikita-senpai this afternoon, just letting you know.

"!"

Upon seeing this message, Horikita Suzune's expression changed. She gripped her phone tightly, somewhat nervously, and then slowly typed a reply.

Horikita Suzune: I understand. What about the specific time and place?

Hashiba Hikaru: I'll come find you later, after all, you can't go alone, can you?

Horikita Suzune: Okay, I'll wait for you in the dorm.

Chapter 221 Horikita Suzune's Predicament

After finishing my conversation with Horikita Suzune, I still had a morning left.

Hashiba Hikaru planned to organize her thoughts first so that she could be more confident when communicating with Horikita Manabu later. Now that the first semester was over, everyone was basically aware of the rules. If they wanted to maintain the class's advantage, they had to gather more information.

"In what form will the Special Exam for the second semester be held?"

The boy browsed through various information on the School Forum, hoping to obtain some crucial intelligence so he could prepare in advance.

But just as he was deep in thought, there was a knock on the door.

"Hikari, are you awake yet?"

Ichinose Honami's melodious voice rang out from outside the door, so Hashiba Hikaru got up to open it for her.

Good morning! Did you only eat breakfast?

As soon as he opened the door, the pink-haired girl wafted into his dormitory with a fragrant breeze. Ichinose had a sweet smile on her face, as if she had inexhaustible energy.

"I felt pretty good after eating bread and milk."

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at the girl's outfit. Since it was still summer vacation, everyone was free to wear their own clothes.

Ichinose wore a light blue printed T-shirt on her upper body and a white knee-length skirt with lotus petals on her lower body. She had a slender waist, a tall and full figure, and exuded a youthful vibe that was unique to her.

"Hehehe, I was worried that Guang might forget to eat breakfast, so I thought I'd come and remind you."

Ichinose Honami strolled over to Hashiba Hikaru's desk and, after seeing the boy's handwriting, immediately asked a question.

"Is he currently devising some kind of plan?"

"It's just a little overthinking, Honami, don't worry about it too much."

Hashiba Hikaru looked at the girl's face, then explained her plans for the afternoon, as this matter was of high priority.

"Two o'clock in the afternoon?"

After hearing this explanation, the pink-haired girl couldn't help but show a hint of disappointment on her pretty face. As a newlywed couple, she had come so early today so that she could spend more time with him, but she didn't expect that her afternoon would already be taken up.

"After all, it's a promise I made to Horikita-senpai, so I couldn't refuse," Hashiba Hikaru comforted her with a smile. "Anyway, there are still several days of vacation left, Honami, don't be too discouraged."

"Okay, I know. I'm not the kind of girl who doesn't understand the bigger picture. If there's something more important, just go ahead and do it. Just let me know."

Ichinose Honami nodded. After officially announcing her relationship with Hashiba Hikaru, her group of girls immediately turned into a dating advisory group, teaching her tips on how to get along with a partner. Even though none of them had much dating experience, they were all very enthusiastic about this kind of thing.

"Yes, if anything comes up, Honami, you can always tell me."

The boy gazed at her pretty face and said softly, "There's a long road ahead."

"I understand."

"So what should we do now? There are still a few hours until 2 p. m." Hashiba Hikaru his notebook, mentally reviewing the questions he would ask later, and then, considering his girlfriend's feelings, suggested they find something to do together.

"If you only have half a day, you can't really do anything, and there's no food left in the fridge, so you can't even cook."

Ichinose Honami and realized that there was nothing she could do.

"How about I go out for a walk with Honami? We still have some time."

"No need, let's stay here and go out to play after Hikaru finishes his appointment."

Ichinose Honami shook her head; she felt that as long as she could be with Hashiba Hikaru, it didn't matter where she was.

"Okay, then let's leave it at that."

The two stayed in the dormitory until after 1 p. m. After sending Ichinose Honami back to her dormitory, Hashiba Hikaru went to Horikita Suzune's room.

Chat interface.

Hashiba Hikaru: Horikita- kun, we're almost ready to leave now. I'm at your dorm entrance.

Horikita Suzune: Okay, I'll be right there.

About three minutes later, the black-haired girl slowly opened her door, and at that moment Hashiba Hikaru could see what she was wearing today.

Horikita Suzune was also not wearing a school uniform, but instead wore a rather fashionable women's suit.

She wore a white short-sleeved top with a black polo collar, a gray pleated midi skirt, a small leather belt that accentuated her slender waist, and black school uniform shoes. Her outfit was both appropriate and full of summer vibes.

Good afternoon, Classmate Hashiba.

Unfortunately, the girl's tone of voice was completely at odds with her exquisite appearance; her greetings sounded flat and monotone, revealing her usual aloof attitude.

"Good afternoon, Horikita."

Hashiba Hikaru didn't care about her cold attitude. Since she hadn't bought any shares of Horikita Suzune yet, there was no need for her to try to please her.

"Then let's set off."

The boy turned and led the way, while Horikita Suzune followed closely behind, always maintaining a very restrained distance.

Actually, Horikita Suzune doesn't dislike Hashiba Hikaru; it's just that the person she's meeting today has kept her in a state of high tension, so she can't truly express her inner emotions.

After arriving at the agreed-upon coffee shop, with ten minutes to spare before their 2 PM meeting time, Hashiba Hikaru and Horikita Suzune went straight inside. Arriving early was better than arriving late.

However, just as the two were led to a table by the waiter, the Student Council President appeared at the door. He immediately noticed Hashiba Hikaru standing inside the store and strode over.

"Good afternoon, Horikita-senpai," Hashiba Hikaru greeted politely.

Good afternoon, Hashiba- kun.

Horikita Manabu nodded, but the next second he saw someone he never expected next to Hashiba Hikaru.

[Why is Suzune here?]

"Brother... Horikita-senpai, good afternoon."

When Horikita Suzune met her brother's gaze, she trembled slightly, and the word "brother" that she was about to say was immediately changed to "Horikita-senpai".

Meanwhile, Horikita Manabu glanced at Horikita Suzune, then looked at Hashiba Hikaru who was smiling beside him, and his expression suddenly softened.

"You've actually become friends with Hashiba- kun? It seems you've really grown up, Suzune."

These words left the black-haired girl somewhat at a loss for words.

Although she desperately wanted her brother's approval, she knew that becoming friends with Hashiba Hikaru was a complete misjudgment on his part. However, after looking at the expression on Horikita Manabu's face, she opened her mouth slightly but didn't know how to explain.

Noticing the girl's expression, Hashiba Hikaru immediately picked up the conversation, saying, "Whether Horikita- san and I are friends or not is probably still up for debate, but that's not the point of our meeting today, is it, Horikita-senpai?"

"Indeed, please take a seat."

Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses and sat down. Since the coffee shop seats were mostly arranged facing each other, after he took the seat opposite him, Hashiba Hikaru had to sit on the other side.

However, this put Horikita Suzune in a bit of a dilemma. The girl looked at the current situation, her expression hesitant.

"Suzune, please sit next to Hashiba- kun. If you're here to participate in the discussion, please take your seat quickly," Horikita Manabu instructed.

Although he noticed his younger sister's hesitation, he spoke without any pause, after all, Horikita Manabu believed that it would definitely be beneficial for the girl if she could become friends with Hashiba Hikaru.

"OK..."

Faced with her brother's forceful tone, Horikita Suzune had no choice but to sit down next to Hashiba Hikaru. Since the coffee shop seats weren't very long, the distance between them immediately shortened after they sat down.

Sensing the masculine aura emanating from the other person, Horikita Suzune's expression wavered slightly, after all, she had never had any experience of being in close proximity to a boy.

In this situation, she could touch Hashiba Hikaru's shoulder with just a slight movement of her arm, which made the girl feel quite embarrassed. However, she couldn't leave, so the black-haired girl could only try to shrink her body and keep her distance from him.

"Well then, Horikita-senpai, please order first. What kind of coffee would you like?"

"Just a regular latte, please."

"Okay, Horikita -san?" Hashiba Hikaru turned to ask Horikita Suzune for her opinion.

"Oh... then I'll have a regular latte too."

Horikita Suzune crossed her arms over her chest, rubbing her arms awkwardly. She looked a little nervous, not only because of her brother's gaze, but also because she was too close to Hashiba Hikaru, making her very uncomfortable.

After the waiter left, Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses and began to discuss business with Hashiba Hikaru.

"How do you feel about this Special Exam during summer vacation, Hashiba- kun?"

"My only feeling is that the school is too cunning. They held Special Exam without any warning, making it very difficult for everyone at the beginning." Although she said this, Hashiba Hikaru's tone was very relaxed. "Horikita-senpai, you guys went through the same thing when you were first year, right?"

"That's natural; our situation was probably similar to yours back then."

Horikita Manabu glanced at his younger sister's expression without showing any emotion, and continued, "This time, your Class A has basically won a great victory and achieved very good results."

"I'm curious, Horikita-senpai, how many awards did Class A of the First Year receive back then?" Hashiba Hikaru asked with a curious expression, while Horikita Suzune, who was next to her, also secretly pricked up her ears after hearing this. She was also very concerned about her brother's grades back then.

"If I remember correctly, our Class Evaluation Points were similar to yours, but we had more Private Points." Horikita Manabu briefly recalled the situation when he led his class to finish those two Special Exam, which was the beginning of their firm hold on first place.

"As expected of Horikita-senpai, you're truly amazing," Hashiba Hikaru exclaimed in full of praise.

"More than that..." After giving his answer, Horikita Manabu looked at Horikita Suzune sitting next to the boy, "Did you gain any insights from this Special Exam?"