Horikita Suzune: This Is a Partnership for Mutual Benefit! / Greed and the Points Challenge

Although she had boasted to her brother, after the summer vacation, the girl hadn't actually come up with a particularly good plan. Some ideas were abandoned halfway through implementation, and now she was racking her brains, unable to find a direction to move forward.

She gripped her phone tightly, pursed her lips, and typed a reply, wanting to see what this Classmate Hashiba was up to.

Horikita Suzune: Why? This should be my own business, it has nothing to do with Classmate Hashiba.

Hashiba Hikaru: It is indeed your own business, but your plan is not entirely unrelated to me, so there are some things I want to tell you.

Horikita Suzune: What do you mean?

Hashiba Hikaru: I'll explain the specific reasons when we meet. Since you've already shared your thoughts with Horikita-senpai, he passed on some instructions to me. If you don't want to know, then forget it.

After closing her phone, Hashiba Hikaru silently counted to three in her mind. When she reached about three, her phone rang again. This time it wasn't a text message, but a direct phone call.

"Hello."

"Good afternoon, Horikita- san." Hashiba Hikaru answered the phone, her tone cheerful. Although Horikita Suzune was indeed very aloof, everyone has weaknesses. As long as you can grasp her weaknesses, it's quite easy to get her to take the initiative.

"Classmate Hashiba, did your brother... say anything to you?"

The girl's voice sounded anxious; it was the first time she had ever called a man other than her family.

"Yes, Horikita-senpai and I discussed your matter, which is why I planned to meet with you to talk in detail. This matter is very important to both of us."

"Is it okay now?"

Horikita Suzune was a true action-taker; after learning that her brother had discussed her Point Collection Plan with the other party, she was unwilling to wait until the next day.

"Now?"

Hashiba Hikaru was somewhat surprised. He had originally planned to meet with her after his Student Council business was over the next day, but he hadn't expected her to be so proactive.

"Is there something inconvenient for you, Classmate Hashiba?"

"Of course not, but I haven't eaten yet. How about I finish eating first?"

"Then I'll come to your dorm. Tell me your room number."

"..."

Hmm, that's definitely a good grasp of the situation, but it's not quite what I expected.

But it's not a big problem, everyone is welcome to come.

"Alright then, just come over."

Hashiba Hikaru told Horikita Suzune his dormitory room number, then got up to cook noodles at the stove. He had already told Ichinose Honami that he wouldn't be coming over today because he was going to discuss class cooperation with Ibuki.

Just as the boy put the noodles into the pot and watched the steaming smoke rise, there was a knock at the door.

"Classmate Hashiba, I'm here." Horikita Suzune's pleasant voice came through the door.

"They've arrived."

Hashiba Hikaru put the lid on the pot and turned to open the door for the other person.

When the door opened, he saw the girl's current appearance. Horikita Suzune was still wearing her school uniform, but her face was slightly red, probably because she was moving quickly. Her chest was also rising and falling slightly, so she seemed to be in a real hurry.

"Please come in, Horikita- kun."

"OK."

The black-haired girl took a deep breath and then stepped into Hashiba Hikaru's dormitory. It was her first time entering the room of a girl her own age, so she looked a little hesitant.

However, contrary to her initial expectations, Horikita Suzune found that Hashiba Hikaru's room was actually very similar to her own dormitory room, with almost no furnishings or unnecessary decorations, and most of the things were the same as when she first moved in.

However, compared to the cold atmosphere of her room, this place had a more homely feel. In addition to the stove being full of seasonings, the girl also saw an apron next to the refrigerator, so she judged that the other person was probably the type who often cooked in the dormitory.

As she walked further in, Horikita Suzune smelled a faint fragrance. This fragrance couldn't possibly be on a boy, so it must have been left by someone else.

"Um, Horikita- kun, you can sit for a while. I'll come over when I've cooked the noodles."

Hashiba Hikaru gestured for Horikita Suzune to sit down at the table; if they were going to talk business, they couldn't be standing.

"OK."

Horikita Suzune nodded slightly and then walked into the other person's bedroom. Only then did she realize that Hashiba Hikaru's bedroom was still very simply furnished, with only the most basic items. Apart from the desk filled with books, there was almost nothing else.

The black-haired girl sat silently at the table, waiting for the other person to finish cooking the noodles.

Although she had met Hashiba Hikaru many times, Horikita Suzune didn't really know much about him. Apart from knowing that the boy was an outstanding person and had gained her older brother's approval, she was not clear about his various habits.

However, I probably have no interest in him...

After the girl finished thinking, she smelled a very fragrant aroma wafting over. When she looked up, Horikita Suzune saw Hashima Hikari walking over with two bowls of Hashiba Hikaru.

"This is..." The black-haired girl was somewhat confused.

"I don't know if Horikita- san has had dinner yet, but since you've come at this time, I still have to prepare something for you." Hashiba Hikaru placed a small bowl of noodles in front of the girl.

"I've already had dinner."

"Then eat a little more, okay? Are you just going to watch me eat?"

Hashiba Hikaru explained with a smile, "This is a custom from my hometown. Guests shouldn't watch the hosts eat; we have to make sure they get some food too."

"But..."

"Try it first, take a bite and see. If you don't like it, you can leave it." The boy handed the chopsticks to the other person with an unquestionable attitude.

"Oh well..."

Horikita Suzune knew she needed his help today, so she couldn't be too rude. After taking the chopsticks, she carefully picked up a strand of noodles and put it in her mouth.

"How about it?"

"Well enough..."

The black-haired girl stared at the bowl of noodles in front of her. Although it looked ordinary, it tasted quite good. She was somewhat surprised that the other person's cooking skills were so good.

"Haha, that's fine then. Let's talk again after we finish eating."

Chapter 244 Horikita Suzune: This is a cooperation based on an exchange of benefits!

Despite having already eaten dinner, Horikita Suzune finished the bowl of noodles that was handed to her, thanks to Hashiba Hikaru's insistence. After elegantly wiping her mouth and putting the bowl down, the girl looked back at the boy sitting opposite her.

"Horikita- kun, have you finished eating? There's more in the pot if you're not full."

Hashiba Hikaru held the bowl, a faint smile on her lips.

"No need, we have important business to discuss after you finish eating."

Horikita Suzune glanced at the other person, then picked up her small bowl of noodles and stood up.

"What is Horikita -kun going to do?" Hashiba Hikaru, somewhat puzzled.

"Since you haven't finished eating, I'll go wash my dishes first. Remember to hurry."

Horikita Suzune walked to the sink without looking back. Although she didn't cook much in the dorm, it was to save time; the girl's cooking skills were actually quite good.

"Good..."

Looking at Horikita Suzune standing there washing dishes, the boy suddenly smiled. Although this girl did have a bad temper, as long as you found a way to get along with her, she was still quite interesting.

After Horikita Suzune dried her hands, she saw that Hashiba Hikaru had already come over. Hashima Hikari put the bowl in the sink and said in a leisurely tone, "I'll wash them later. After all, Horikita- san seems to be in a hurry. Let's talk about our business first."

"Can."

The two sat back down at the table. Hashiba Hikaru, noticing the girl's somewhat nervous expression, took the initiative to start a conversation.

"So, first, let's talk about Horikita's plan. How do you intend to collect 20 million points?"

"This..."

Horikita Suzune was a little embarrassed. She had looked up many ways to earn points during the summer vacation, but since Advanced Nurturing High School was not an ordinary school, the normal way of making money wouldn't work.

For example, working is not allowed here. Even though there are many shops in the Keyaki Mall, students are prohibited from doing part-time jobs to earn points. If your points run out, you can only eat the free meals in the cafeteria. You are not allowed to make money in this way.

She also tried opening tutoring classes to earn points for struggling students, but unfortunately, no one in Class C was willing to pay points to study, and no one responded to the girl's idea.

"Looks like we've run into trouble."

"In short," Horikita Suzune cleared her throat, placing her hand to her mouth to skip the topic, "Would you please tell me what my brother told you, Classmate Hashiba?"

"Good."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded, and while he was working out his answer, he opened the system's control panel.

[Should I sell my Kushida Kikyo Stock?]

[Sale successful, 1000 shares sold, 180,000 system funds received.]

Should I buy Horikita Suzune Stock?

[Purchase successful; Horikita Suzune Stock sold out.]

[Current remaining funds: 119,600.]

After the stock transaction was completed, the young man smiled and said, "Actually, Horikita-senpai's idea is very simple; he intends for our cooperation to continue."

"What kind of cooperation?"

"It's about helping you." Hashiba Hikaru's tone was gentle, her gaze warm. "Since you said in front of Horikita-senpai that you wanted to advance in class by collecting points, you must have to put in a lot of effort. Having a partner might help share the burden."

"I don't need..." Just as the black-haired girl was about to subconsciously refuse, she was interrupted by Hashiba Hikaru.

"Please let me finish speaking before you refuse."

"..."

Horikita Suzune bit her lip and looked at the boy opposite her, because he had already taken out his phone, and the interface on the screen was his chat box with his brother.

"First of all, I agree to this cooperation on certain conditions. After all, we're not classmates, so if you want my help, Horikita-senpai has already paid you."

"What?!"

The girl's expression changed instantly, and she quickly asked, "What reward did your brother pay you?"

"This matter needs to be kept secret from you for now, but don't get excited, because this is Horikita-senpai's idea. He believes that this additional payment only exists between him and me, so I can't tell you."

Hashiba Hikaru spoke calmly, but after noticing the dramatic shift in Horikita Suzune's emotions, she continued, "It's precisely because I agreed to this deal that I have to help you. Do you understand what I mean?"

"My brother..."

The black-haired girl's feelings suddenly became complicated. She thought the other party would only laugh at her overestimation of her abilities, but she never expected that they would gain her a companion by paying a fee?

"Hehe, don't be too happy. Horikita-senpai isn't concerned about you; he's just trying to ensure his own ideas are implemented smoothly."

Hashiba Hikaru interrupted the other person's thoughts and clicked to play a voice message in the chat interface.

"Hashiba- kun, since Suzune has made this absurd decision, I have nothing more to say. I need your help, because if she ends up in a sorry state, my relationship with her might become known to many people, which would lower my reputation. I hope you can consider it."

"Do you understand, Horikita?"

"..."

Upon hearing her brother's cold voice, Horikita Suzune recalled their encounter shortly after the start of the school year, when he demanded that she drop out immediately, but the girl stubbornly persisted.

If I really want to prove myself to my brother, then I have to do this!

"I will do it! I will show my brother how much I've grown! I will definitely collect 20 million points!"

A determined light shone in Horikita Suzune's eyes; she would never give up.

"It's good to have confidence, but let's take it one step at a time." Hashiba Hikaru smiled as she saw the other person become so enthusiastic. "In short, you should understand my attitude now, right? I'm only helping you because I've received payment."

"Whether you like it or not, I will help you in the process of collecting points. Anyway, Horikita-senpai has already paid the reward. Do you intend to let him waste it?"

After hearing this, Horikita Suzune fell silent. Although her brother looked down on her, she had to achieve something to prove him wrong, otherwise she would be forever shrouded in this resentment and humiliation.

"Alright then, I agree to cooperate with you, but please remember, this is a cooperation based on mutual benefit. You and I, Classmate Hashiba, have never been friends!" the girl said firmly.

"Don't speak too soon. I'm really looking forward to being friends with you, but let's not rush things. Let me tell you about the plan I've come up with."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled as she looked at the girl's delicate face, "I wonder what Horikita- san thinks is the most lucrative way to make money in this society?"

Chapter 245 Greed and Points Challenge

"I wonder what Horikita thinks is the most lucrative way to make money in this society?"

When Hashiba Hikaru asked this question, the black-haired girl sitting opposite her was visibly taken aback. She pondered for a moment before slowly uttering her answer, "The fastest way to make money is probably doing things that aren't allowed, right? Are you trying to use this question to lead into what follows?"

"That's right, it seems Horikita has a very clear way of thinking, which can effectively save us time."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled and continued to explain to her.