The Strange Feelings in Kushida's Heart / She Grows to Dislike Horikita Even More

Hashiba Hikaru looked intently at the other person's face. "Would you like to take on the challenge, Yamamura -kun? You can complete five questions."

"Alright then, I accept the challenge."

Looking at Hashiba Hikaru's gentle face, Yamamura nodded, paid her 1000 points for the ticket, and then took the five Sudoku puzzles to start thinking.

"Good luck, Yamamura! We're waiting for you!"

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at Horikita Suzune standing behind him, signaling her to pretend to take notes.

"I will record your answers; it's part of my supervision." The black-haired girl said expressionlessly, holding a notebook and staring at the girl opposite her.

"I will do my best."

Looking at Horikita Suzune's expressionless face, Yamamura began to solve the puzzles even more seriously. Since it was the first stage, these five Sudoku puzzles were all easy ones carefully selected by Hashiba Hikaru. If Horikita Suzune were to solve them, she would probably be able to solve them all in three minutes.

About ten minutes later, the Yamamura student looked up with a big smile, "Classmate Hashiba, I've solved it all! Take a look."

"Okay, sure."

After pretending to check, Hashiba Hikaru smiled and congratulated him, "Congratulations! Yamamura -kun, you've completed the first stage of the challenge. I'll transfer the points to you now."

Without hesitation, he transferred his Private Points to the other person. Seeing the surprise in Yamamura's eyes, the boy added, "Want to continue the challenge, Yamamura -kun?"

"Uh... for the second phase, you need to pay a deposit of 10,000 first, right?"

Looking at the 10,000 points she had just received, and how she had earned 4,000 points in just a few minutes, Yamamura felt elated and her heart couldn't help but burn with excitement. No one dislikes making money, especially in such an easy way.

"Yes, but there's a lot to prepare for the later tests. If you're really interested, Yamamura -kun, you can come to our Club Room to take on the challenge later," Hashiba Hikaru said slowly. "Now, we'd also Yamamura to trouble you to help us promote this event, since it's just started and we want more people to participate."

"Okay, I'll help with the advertising. Remember to contact me once you're ready, Classmate Hashiba."

After saying that, Yamamura left quickly. Watching her departing figure, Hashiba Hikaru's lips curled into a smile.

"Is this considered taking the first step?" Horikita Suzune crossed her arms and looked at his smug expression.

"Of course, as long as she spreads the word about this activity to all the classes, the number of people who want to participate will definitely increase," Hashiba Hikaru, looking at Horikita Suzune's face. "Next, we'll create a club and apply for an Activity Classroom."

"Please take good care of me Horikita."

Having witnessed what had just happened, the black-haired girl had a deeper understanding of the possibility of this plan. She hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.

"Um... I look forward to your guidance from now on Classmate Hashiba."

[Horikita Suzune has temporarily acknowledged you as her partner. She wants to complete this plan, and your presence is crucial. Horikita Suzune Stock has risen 20 points; the current price is 50.]

"Then let's go."

Chapter 247 The Strange Emotions in Kushida's Heart

After the first test, Hashiba Hikaru and Horikita Suzune went to the Student Council's office together.

Because we plan to hold such events long-term, we need to secure a location that can accept participants at any time. This will not only reassure everyone but also ensure the stability of the event.

"In short, after the club matters are settled, we still need to carefully plan the details of this long-term project," Hashiba Hikaru said, slowing her pace as she walked beside the black-haired girl. "Because there will definitely be unexpected situations, and then we'll need to improvise."

"I understand. Once the venue is secured, I'll be based there permanently."

Horikita Suzune thought for a moment. Since she didn't have any friends anyway, if she could get the right to use the Club Room, the girl could study when no one was around. Collecting 20 million points was definitely not something that could be accomplished in a short period of time.

"It's not like I'd be stationed there permanently, since I'd still need to go out and do promotional work."

Hashiba Hikaru showed Horikita Suzune her phone screen; her post had just been answered by many people, with the most likes coming from Yamamura, who had earned 5000 points.

"Most importantly, our goals shouldn't be limited to first-year students; it's best to extend them to upperclassmen to ensure we gain more benefits."

"But what if someone can keep solving Sudoku? Wouldn't we lose a lot of points?" the black-haired girl asked, expressing her doubts.

"This is what I just mentioned about improvisation. If someone is really good at Sudoku, you can tell from the beginning. We need to prepare the most difficult puzzles in advance and use a time limit to ensure that they will definitely lose."

Hashiba Hikaru thought for a moment and realized that in this situation, she could only rely on her reaction.

"But we can't let everyone miss out on the final reward, because if no one can get the top prize, it will create distrust and ultimately reduce the number of participants."

"Therefore, during the execution of this plan, one or two people can be selected to take the highest reward amount, thereby motivating more people to take on the challenge."

What is the maximum reward you plan to set?

"Let's go for 300,000. The registration fee will be 100,000. As for the time limit, we'll use the most extreme method to make it impossible for anyone to pass."

The boy had previously collected information on some Sudoku masters online. At different difficulty levels, some people could solve the puzzle in just a few tens of seconds, so the strictest restrictions had to be imposed.

"To prevent intelligence sharing, the daily questions need to be modified, and restrictions are placed on who has participated before. We can also select participants; for example, we can refuse to let some troublesome people participate."

"Only by taking all possible scenarios into account can we ensure that this plan can earn more points."

"I understand, I will write down these points that need attention."

Horikita Suzune nodded seriously, watching the boy list out the different possibilities in detail, and her thoughts were quietly changing.

The seed planted will eventually President into a towering tree, but at this moment, the girl herself doesn't even realize what that means.

Upon arriving at the Student Council office, Hashiba Hikaru led Horikita Suzune to her workstation with practiced ease, where a letter of intent for establishing a club was laid out.

Although Advanced Nurturing High School is quite unique compared to ordinary high schools, the requirements for establishing clubs are actually quite simple. For example, a club only needs three signatures and can apply for the smallest club Activity Classroom. Larger clubs can even apply for several spacious classrooms, as the Club Activity Building has many classrooms, demonstrating the school's strong financial resources.

"If we need three people, there's actually a very suitable candidate here. It's just a nominal position anyway, let me go and talk to him."

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at the silver-haired girl sitting opposite her. Ever since she walked in, the girl had been wearing an intrigued smile, seemingly curious about what was going on here.

The boy nodded to Sakayanagi Arisu as a greeting, and then asked Horikita Suzune to sit in his office chair to fill out the application form for the club.

"Horikita, this is the letter of intent. Please fill in all the required information first. I'm going to meet with the third person in our club."

"... Who is the third person you mentioned?"

"Of course, he's my partner."

Hashiba Hikaru walked to the other side of the Student Council room, while Horikita Suzune, sitting in a chair, pondered for a moment, and an answer immediately came to mind.

Elder brother?

The girl stared in disbelief at Hashiba Hikaru figure. She had been to the Student Council office before, so she knew whose office was in that direction.

When she finished filling out the form and looked up, Hashiba Hikaru had already returned, holding a seal in his hand.

"Horikita-senpai is quite busy right now, so I'll use his seal as my signature."

Hashiba Hikaru stamped the personal seal of Horikita Manabu, which she had just acquired, at the bottom of the club's letter of intent, and then signed her own name.

"You're the last one left, Horikita- kun. Once you're done, I'll take it to Horikita-senpai, and then we can get the keys to the clubrooms."

"I see."

Seeing the application process go so smoothly, Horikita Suzune had mixed feelings. She even had a strange feeling that her brother and this Classmate Hashiba might actually be very close.

Why was he able to persuade the other party and obtain the seal so easily?

The black-haired girl couldn't figure out the answer to this question, so she could only sign her name and hand the club application to Hashiba Hikaru.

"Then I'll head over first. Please wait here for a moment."

After Hashiba Hikaru moved to the other side of the Student Council room, Horikita Suzune heard the voice of Classmate Sakayanagi, who had been watching them the whole time.

"Um, this is Horikita, right? Good afternoon, I'm Sakayanagi from Class 1-B."

The silver-haired girl nodded politely in greeting. Since Class B and Class C would be partners in the upcoming Sports Festival, it was appropriate for her to strike up a conversation.

"Good afternoon, Classmate Sakayanagi. I'm Horikita Suzune from Class 1-C."

Although Horikita Suzune hadn't spoken much with Sakayanagi, she often heard his name, so like Hashiba Hikaru, she remained quite wary of this seemingly petite and frail silver-haired girl.

"Don't be too nervous, I just wanted to say hello," Sakayanagi Arisu smiled and said softly, "I just saw Classmate Hashiba walk in with you, does Horikita have something to do?"

"I've already handed everything over to Classmate Hashiba. If Classmate Sakayanagi is interested, you can ask him about it later."

Horikita Suzune's tone was cold, partly due to her personality, and partly because she didn't want to explain herself to her.

"I see, your collaboration is truly unexpected."

Sakayanagi rested her chin on her pale hand, smiled at the cold-faced Horikita Suzune, and said, "I thought Horikita- san was the kind of person who wasn't interested in making friends."

"I don't hate it..."

Just as she was about to make up an excuse, Hashiba Hikaru's voice suddenly interrupted their conversation, cutting off Horikita Suzune's words.

"Everything's all set up, Horikita. We can head over now."

While urging Horikita Suzune to leave quickly, Hikari Hashiba Hikaru gently greeted Sakayanagi, "Are you still busy, Classmate Sakayanagi? Feel free to call me anytime if you need any help."

"No need, my matter is not complicated. But, Classmate Hashiba ..." The silver-haired girl smiled and studied his face, saying with a smile, "You seem to be doing something interesting. Can you tell me?"

"It's just some club activities, and the content is pretty boring. I'm sure Classmate Sakayanagi won't be interested."

After the pleasantries, Hashiba Hikaru immediately led Horikita Suzune out of the Student Council's office.

The boy held a small key to the Club Room. After Horikita Manabu learned of his idea, these things were accomplished almost without any obstacles. Using the Student Council President's name to raise the banner would also better prove the authenticity of the club activities to everyone.

This can be described as killing two birds with one stone.

"Was it on purpose that Classmate Hashiba interrupted my conversation with Classmate Sakayanagi?" Horikita Suzune asked, voicing her true thoughts.

"I suppose so. Classmate Sakayanagi is someone I haven't quite figured out yet. If we talk to her too much, our plans might be affected, so it's best not to say too much."

Do you think I'm the kind of person who would leak information?

The black-haired girl raised an eyebrow, asking with some dissatisfaction.

"Well... I think you've misunderstood. That's not what I meant."

"Is that so?"

As the two chatted and walked to the third floor of the Club Activity Building, three girls walked towards them.

"Hey, Kushida- chan, look! Isn't that Classmate Hashiba?"

"It's him, and the person next to him is... Horikita- kun?!"

Inogashira and Wang Meiyu were startled because they had never seen this aloof girl from their class walk alongside others before, and the two were standing very close together, looking as if they were quite familiar with each other.

"That's really true."

After Kushida Kikyo clearly saw the couple in front of her, although the girl still had a bright smile on her face, her gaze instantly turned cold.

After the initial shock and surprise, another emotion suddenly welled up in the short-haired girl's heart.

It was a genuine outpouring of emotion that one didn't want others to notice, yet couldn't control at all.

She was unhappy.

[Why?]

[That woman...]

Why did she act with Hashiba?

Chapter 248 Her dislike for Horikita deepened.

"Classmate Hashiba and Horikita- san, what a coincidence to run into you here!"

After suppressing the mixed feelings in her heart, Kushida Kikyo, accompanied by her two attendants, went to greet them. Her face still wore a flawless smile, but unfortunately, it had no effect on the two people in front of her.

"What a coincidence! Kushida, did you just finish your club activities?" Hashiba Hikaru glanced at Horikita Suzune, who didn't seem inclined to reply, and struck up a conversation. "That must have been tiring."

"I just helped everyone with some things, it wasn't hard work at all."

Kushida Kikyo smiled and shook her head, smoothly transitioning the conversation to her own question, "So what are you guys doing here? It's not club time right now, is it?"

"It's just a private matter, I don't think there's any need to tell Kushida."

Horikita Suzune was always quite disrespectful to Kushida Kikyo; her tone was cold and her speech was rapid.

"Excuse me, goodbye."

The black-haired girl bypassed the three classmates standing in front of her and walked directly to the front. After making eye contact with Hashiba Hikaru and Kushida, Hikari secretly made a phone call gesture to her, and then followed Horikita Suzune's steps.

"Well, we have some things to take care of, so we'll be going now. Bye-bye."

"Alright then, see you next time."

Kushida Kikyo maintained her smile, and after waving goodbye, she looked at the two figures in front of her, her small hands clenching involuntarily.

Why are Horikita and Classmate Hashiba hanging out together?

"Yeah, those two don't look like friends at all," Wang Meiyu, as Kushida's best friend, could probably sense the girl's emotions and quickly said, "Maybe they have something to take care of."