Horikita Manabu Is a Very Useful Rescue / Horikita Manabu: I'm Counting on You to Look After Suzune.

Hashiba Hikaru spoke calmly.

"If a Second Year student actually participates in your challenge and earns points, that's fine. But if most of them lose money, they'll definitely come looking for you."

"This is a legitimate club activity. Can Senior Nagumo really just forcibly cancel our club?"

A smile played on Hashiba Hikaru's lips. Kiryuin's words had piqued the boy's interest. If Nagumo really did that, he would definitely leave behind a weakness.

"Haha, your attitude is quite good, Hashiba."

After understanding the deeper meaning in the boy's words, Kiryuin let out a hearty laugh. She reached out and snatched a flyer from Hashiba Hikaru's hand, saying with considerable satisfaction, "Then please keep it up. I'll promote it for you in our Class B."

"Why is Senior Kiryuin helping me?"

"As for the reason..."

After a moment's hesitation, the silver-haired girl bluntly revealed her true thoughts. "Because I'm really looking forward to you facing off against Nagumo; it would be a lot of fun for me."

"Taste?"

Hashiba Hikaru raised an eyebrow.

"Of course, this school is so boring, I work so hard every day."

Kiryuuin Fuuka waved her phone at Hashiba Hikaru and said in a very affectionate tone, "Then do it your way. If you need any help, feel free to contact me anytime, junior~"

"Thank you, Kiryuin."

"You're welcome. Let me see how you do."

The tall, silver-haired girl strode away, waving her arm with an air of nonchalant elegance.

After Kiryuuin Fuuka's figure had completely disappeared from sight, Horikita Suzune raised her question.

"Did Classmate Hashiba already know this upperclassman?"

"It was just a coincidence, but I wasn't particularly familiar with her, so I was a little surprised by her attitude."

Hashiba Hikaru stroked her chin. "Her warning is quite interesting, though. What does Horikita- san think?"

"She clearly saw through our intentions, but she didn't expose us."

The black-haired girl asked, puzzled, "Why is that?"

"Didn't Kiryuin just give the answer?"

Hashiba Hikaru shrugged, somewhat helplessly, and said, "She wants to see if I'll bow down to Nagumo."

"If I remember correctly, this Nagumo- senpai should be the Student Council Vice President, right? He'll be taking over from me..."

Horikita Suzune paused for a moment, then continued, "Take over as Student Council President."

"Yes, but unfortunately, his relationship with Horikita-senpai is somewhat complicated."

"What's the meaning?"

Upon hearing this, Horikita Suzune reacted even more strongly than before. The girl's expression turned solemn, and she asked in a deep voice, "Does Classmate Hashiba know any information?"

"I do know some things, but I can't tell you now unless the time is right."

"When?"

"The right timing isn't something I can decide alone."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled, looking at the delicate face of the black-haired girl, and slowly said, "If Horikita- kun is in a hurry, you can ask Horikita-senpai yourself. I think he might be able to tell you."

"..."

After a moment of silence, Horikita Suzune looked up into Hashiba Hikaru's eyes. "Can't you tell me now?"

"After all, we are currently just partners, not true collaborators."

Hashiba Hikaru raised her voice and said with a smile, "Horikita should understand the difference between a partner and a collaborator, right?"

"... Never mind then, let's go promote it."

Horikita Suzune didn't follow up on his words, but instead turned away coldly.

She doesn't need or want companions now.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing Horikita's change of attitude. Let's wait and see."

Hashiba Hikaru followed the girl, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

258

Chapter 258 Horikita Manabu is a very useful savior.

In the following time, Hashiba Hikaru and Horikita Suzune distributed flyers on the Second Year floor. Since Kiryuin had promised to promote the service in her Class B of the Second Year, the two of them were busy at the doors of the remaining Class C and Class D.

Around five o'clock, Hashiba Hikaru and Horikita Suzune arrived at the vending machine. Wanting to see the effect of the promotion, they planned to have a quick dinner and then go to the club to see if anyone would come to challenge them.

"I think this news might not spread so quickly today; tomorrow should be more exciting."

Hashiba Hikaru in his chair, took a bite of a bread sandwich filled with fruit and cream, and looked very relaxed.

"Let's wait and see, no matter what."

Horikita Suzune ate her food with an elegant posture. She glanced at the boy sitting opposite her and couldn't help but think of what he had just said.

[Will they only tell me what they know if we become comrades?]

I... am someone who doesn't need companions.

[Is it right?]

The girl had always adhered to the principle of independence, never accompanying anyone, whether studying or dining. However, it was clear that the person sitting opposite her had now closed a considerable distance with her.

Under the premise of establishing a cooperative relationship, Hashiba Hikaru's existence has become an exception in the girl's life, but Horikita Suzune will not admit it directly. She doesn't like the other party's attitude, so she absolutely cannot take the initiative to give in.

"That's about right. I'll probably stay with Horikita until around seven o'clock, then I have to go."

Hashiba Hikaru checked his phone; Ichinose had already sent him a text message.

"I don't need you to come with me, Classmate Hashiba. If you have something to do, you can go ahead."

Horikita Suzune wiped her mouth with a tissue, her expression indifferent.

"Don't say that. We're partners in a united front now, and I get half of the points we earn. Of course, I can't be so disloyal."

Hashiba Hikaru chuckled and shook her head. "So I'll continue to stay with Horikita."

"Whatever you want."

The black-haired girl took out her workbook from her schoolbag. Since the advertising effect wasn't working so quickly, she decided to take some time to study now and make better use of her time.

After seeing that the girl had started studying, Hashiba Hikaru didn't continue the conversation.

To boost the stock price of this aloof Horikita, many things cannot be rushed; we must proceed step by step according to established methods.

After about ten minutes of silence, there was a knock on the club's door. When the boy opened it, he found that it was the Second Year who had come to participate in the challenge.

As a result, the entrance to the Potential Development Club once again saw long queues. Although it didn't reach the initial frenzy of first-year students reaping points, there were still quite a few people coming.

Regardless, there are indeed students in the Second Year who are lacking in numbers. After this activity was publicized, about a few dozen people who were interested came forward.

During this round of point collection, Hashiba Hikaru kept Kiryuin's words in mind. He didn't make any adjustments and continued to supervise according to the original approach. About one-tenth of the people were able to get the reward.

However, this time the points collection was not as smooth as before. After more than an hour, the boy saw the person he expected at the club entrance: Miyabi Nagumo.

After recognizing that these people were all Second Year students, the blond Student Council Vice President spoke solemnly.

"Everyone, please stop for a moment. I have something I'd like to discuss with the organizers here. Could you please pause the challenge for now?"

Miyabi Nagumo gave his instructions, and as a highly authoritative person in charge of the Second Year, his words quickly took effect. The students in line immediately parted to both sides, clearing a path for him to pass through.

"Hey, Senior Nagumo, what brings you here?"

Hashiba Hikaru won with a beaming smile.

"Hehe, there are some things I want to tell you. Could you please pause your challenge for a moment, Hashiba?"

Miyabi Nagumo put on an extremely polite demeanor, but inside she was seething with anger.

By collecting points from Second Year students through various wishes and promises, and then using these points for multiple rounds of operations, a vast network of interests was eventually established. This is the basis for Nagumo's control over the Second Year.

Therefore, he absolutely cannot tolerate others reaping points from Second Year, and he cannot allow anyone to make money from this activity, as that would affect his control.

This Sudoku Challenge event is exactly that kind of thing. After briefly going through the rules, Miyabi Nagumo immediately understood its significance.

"Of course, no problem, we can pause now."

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at Horikita Suzune, and the girl reacted quickly, immediately getting up to close the club's door.

"Thank you for your cooperation, junior Hashiba."

After the door closed, the blond man gave a forced smile and said to Hashiba Hikaru, "But your event seems to be a bit unconventional."

"We applied before holding this event,"

Hashiba Hikaru looked puzzled and explained to him, "Is there some paperwork or paperwork missing?"

What I mean is...

Miyabi Nagumo knew perfectly well that the other person was playing dumb, and her tone instantly turned cold, "It doesn't matter what you do in your first year, but don't bring it up to your Second Year."

"Don't you think you've gone a bit too far, Hashiba?"

Faced with this question, Horikita Suzune couldn't help but look at Hashiba Hikaru's face, wondering how he would answer.

"But our activity is to discover whether everyone has a talent for Sudoku, including the Second Year students. Is this against the rules?"

Hashiba Hikaru continued to play dumb, wanting to see how magnanimous Miyabi Nagumo was.

"Stop playing dumb, junior Hashiba!"

Miyabi Nagumo's expression darkened, and she said coldly, "Actually, I really admire your abilities. If possible, I even plan to let you take over my position Vice President. But before that, I hope you can understand one thing: everyone in this school needs to follow the rules, whether it's you or me."

What do you mean?

"Suspend your activity first, then issue a notice prohibiting all students except first graders from participating."

Miyabi Nagumo stared at Hashiba Hikaru's face and said, word by word, "This is my friendly suggestion, and I hope Hashiba understands my good intentions."

"If I agree, does what Senior Nagumo just said really stand by it?"

Upon hearing the boy's words, Miyabi Nagumo's tense expression relaxed slightly, and he smiled, his tone softening a bit. "Of course, after I take over as Student Council President, I will choose someone from several shortlists to become the Vice President of the Student Council, and your name is on that list, Hashiba."

"I see."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded, then asked, "What if I refuse?"

"..."

After a moment of silence, Miyabi Nagumo forced an awkward smile, "I believe Classmate Hashiba is an Akito, and you will make the right judgment."

"Hmm... I think there's actually another solution to this."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled. At this point, it was necessary to have someone else step forward. After all, he was still accumulating strength and it wasn't time to completely fall out with Miyabi Nagumo yet. He needed to at least save face.

"What method?"

"Horikita-senpai just messaged me; he's on his way."

Hashiba Hikaru held up her phone screen with an innocent smile. "It seems like Horikita-senpai was quite interested in this Sudoku Challenge, so he contacted me."

"Nagumo- senpai, do you think we should wait for the President to arrive? After all, he's also a student who's not a first-year student."

"..."

259

Chapter 259 Horikita Manabu: I'll leave Suzune to you.

Although Miyabi Nagumo was less than two months away from taking over as Student Council President, he was still unwilling to have a real conflict with Horikita Manabu. After all, as the successor, he always prided himself on winning people over with virtue.

Upon hearing Hashiba Hikaru mention Horikita Manabu, the blond man forcibly suppressed his anger and said with a forced smile, "Is Horikita-senpai really coming? That's something new."

"Yes, I was surprised too."

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at the Second Year who were still outside. If all went well, she might be able to squeeze some money out of the older students.

"Classmate Hashiba?"

Horikita Suzune, who had overheard their conversation, stared directly at the boy sitting in his seat. Her brows furrowed slightly, and she felt a mixture of surprise and nervousness.