Sakura Airi Takes Another Step Forward

"Of course, no problem. Horikita and I have great teamwork."

Kushida Kikyo waved with a grin and returned to her seat with the black-haired girl beside her.

Unlike Horikita Suzune, although both are newcomers, Kushida Kikyo is clearly more popular and always gains a lot of trust when handling various club affairs.

"Horikita will probably have a long time to learn this."

Hashiba Hikaru sighed. After Horikita Manabu stepped down, he had chatted with him on his phone.

Although this eccentric man always preferred to inquire about his sister's situation indirectly, he ultimately cared about his family's feelings, so the boy naturally answered all his questions.

"Let them get to know each other better first. I seem to remember that these two had a bet during the next Special Exam."

Hashiba Hikaru touched her chin. Since the Sports Festival ended, there had been no news about the Special Exam, so they could still cooperate for the time being, and the tension wasn't too high.

Thinking of this, the boy looked up and glanced at the new members sitting in the Student Council office. The three from Class A were currently assigned to the Activities Department by Hashiba Hikaru, while Kushida Kikyo and Horikita Suzune from Class D went to the Club Management Department.

As for Katsuragi Kohei Sakayanagi, after he joined the Student Council, he didn't choose to sit with Morishita Ai, another girl from Class B who had joined with him. Instead, he sat closer to the members of Class C.

The two girls from Class C sat at the table mostly occupied by Second Year students, because on their very first day of registration, Miyabi Nagumo had specifically inquired about this matter and arranged the seats for them.

This was actually a very obvious hint. Hashiba Hikaru knew that Miyabi Nagumo was doing this for him. After all, the boy had refused to cooperate with this blond-haired guy several times, so the message he was conveying was: I can choose other people besides you.

The reason Ryuen Kakeru was so confident during the recruitment was probably because he had already obtained Miyabi Nagumo's guarantee that even if he didn't agree to let Shiina Hiyori and Ibuki Mio join the Student Council, they could still join with Miyabi Nagumo's authorization.

However, these problems don't need to bother Hashiba Hikaru for now, because the boy has already discussed it with Kiriyama Ikuto. His current goal is to win over those Second Year students who haven't yet sided with Nagumo. As for Ryuen Kakeru, his target is Class B now, so let Sakayanagi handle that.

"Vice President Hashiba, may I trouble you for a moment?"

As if on cue, Hashiba Hikaru Hashima looked up and saw the dignified silver-haired girl with an elegant smile on her pretty face.

"Yes, is there anything I can help you with, Classmate Sakayanagi?"

"Didn't Classmate Hashiba say he'd play Go with me every day? It's already past the agreed time. Is the Vice President going back on his word?"

"Oh, I see."

Hashiba Hikaru had a look of sudden realization. He glanced at his phone and realized it was indeed this time. Ever since Sakayanagi made his first request, the two of them had played a few games of chess almost every afternoon, but the boy's first victory was still a long way off.

"Is the Vice President busy right now? If so, I can wait."

"No need, I've already explained everything. I'll continue to do my best in today's match."

"Once you beat me, I'll tell you what the second thing is."

The silver-haired girl walked out of the Student Council office with a smile, while Hashiba Hikaru followed her and opened her System Panel.

The boy knew that he would only spend more and more time with Sakayanagi in the future, so he decided to buy her stock now.

Should I buy Sakayanagi Arisu Stock?

[Quantity purchased: 3000]

[Initial share price: 20]

[Purchase successful, remaining funds: 119600]

Looking at the newly acquired stocks, Hashiba Hikaru stared at Sakayanagi Arisu figure, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

There's plenty of time in the future, Classmate Sakayanagi.

Let's get along well.

341

Chapter 341 Sakura Airi another step forward.

After purchasing Sakayanagi Arisu's stock, Hashiba Hikaru recalled her stock analysis. Since she needed to beat her to boost the stock price, she had to give it her all in every match.

Upon entering the room of the club created by the silver-haired girl, Hashiba Hikaru smiled and offered to help her arrange the Go pieces, which made Sakayanagi somewhat apprehensive.

"It seems like Classmate Hashiba is in a good mood today?"

"I guess so. I think my Classmate Sakayanagi has become quite unique in a certain sense."

Hashiba Hikaru's expression softened. "As a rival, I really want to beat you."

"Is that how it is?"

The silver-haired girl couldn't tell whether the other person was telling the truth or lying, but seeing Hashiba Hikaru's smiling expression, a faint smile quickly appeared on her lips.

"Classmate Hashiba and I crave victory, but in the end, only one person can emerge victorious."

"Indeed."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded slightly. After arranging all the pieces in his hand, he said in a slightly somber tone, "Then let's begin."

"Please."

After starting these regular matches, Hashiba Hikaru would Sakayanagi Arisu here almost every day. If they had enough time, they would play about three or four games. If they were busy, they would have about two games to play.

"Classmate Hashiba has made great progress; I'm already feeling the strain."

Sakayanagi placed her jade-like fingers on her smooth chin, seemingly contemplating her next move.

"I've lost so many times, I can't just stay in the same place forever."

Hashiba Hikaru shrugged, took a sip of the coffee that Kamuro Masumi had just brought over, and smiled.

This is actually a very simple principle. Hashiba Hikaru's chess skills are already quite good, and coupled with his strong learning ability, he can grow efficiently by repeatedly playing against even better opponents. It's like how explaining a problem to someone can always give you more insights.

"Classmate Hashiba's learning ability is indeed not to be underestimated."

Sakayanagi Arisu stared intently at the chessboard, and after a long period of thought, she finally began to move the pieces again.

The game continued, and after about seven or eight minutes, Hashiba Hikaru lost again, but she was just a hair's breadth away from winning.

"General."

"..."

"It seems I was more thorough in my planning; I've won again this time."

A gentle smile appeared on Sakayanagi Arisu face. She looked at the boy opposite her, feeling a little strange, after all, this game was not easy to win.

"It's okay, there's plenty of time. I'll beat Classmate Sakayanagi- san someday."

"I'm really looking forward to that day."

"If I really win, Classmate Sakayanagi won't be too disappointed, will she?"

Hashiba Hikaru looked into the other person's eyes, her tone somewhat playful.

"Please rest assured, Classmate Hashiba, even if I lose, I won't be discouraged. On the contrary, I'm really looking forward to you beating me."

Sakayanagi Arisu gently picked up the coffee placed beside her and took a sip, her expression remaining unchanged.

"Shall we play another round?"

Hashiba Hikaru raised the king piece in her hand, her eyes gleaming with seriousness.

"Bring it on."

Sakayanagi Arisu didn't think she would lose so easily; she just wanted to keep winning.

--

One evening, after having dinner with Ichinose Honami, Hashiba Hikaru went to Sakura Airi's dormitory again.

Because Sakura Airi had almost finished practicing her debut song "Hikari" a while ago, the boy even took her to the music club's recording studio and obtained a pretty good audio version, which was to be uploaded tonight.

"Light, you've come."

Upon seeing her beloved arrive, the red-haired girl immediately came over, took his hand, and led Hashiba Hikaru into her bedroom.

"Airi nervous, Airi? Today is the day the song is released."

Hashiba Hikaru looked down at the girl's pretty face. She looked a little tired, perhaps because she had been practicing intensively lately, but her eyes were bright and clear, indicating that she was looking forward to this day.

"As long as he's by my side, I'm not nervous at all."

"Uh-huh."

Hashiba Hikaru pulled out a chair and sat down, Sakura Airi naturally and quite skillfully sat in his lap, waiting for him to make the final revisions and confirmation.

When releasing the song, it wasn't just a simple audio file, but rather paired with a simple video. Since Sakura Airi wasn't going to appear on screen yet, the boy simply created something similar to a music video using basic materials.

"How long did it take to make this video?"

The girl looked up and asked.

"It wasn't long, maybe a few hours. Compared to the sacrifices made in Airi, it's nothing."

Hashiba Hikaru focused intently on the final review of the video, as this was Sakura Airi's debut work, and all the text information and data had to be absolutely perfect.

"I think Hikaru has worked very hard too, he's always been sacrificing for me."

Sakura Airi reached out to stroke the boy's face, a burning affection welling up inside her.

"This little bit of effort is really nothing. It's for my future with Airi. This is just an initial investment; we'll reap the rewards later."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly and gently comforted her.

"I will be very obedient from now on, and I will do whatever you say."

Faced with Hashiba Hikaru's statement, Sakura Airi revealed an even more affectionate expression. She rested her head on the boy's chest and said resolutely, "No matter what it is, I can do it."

"Alright then, the first thing I want Airi to do is that after the song is released, you must rest for two days and no staying up late, understand?"

Hashiba Hikaru lowered her head and gazed intently at the girl's pretty face, speaking earnestly.

"Okay, I understand."

The confirmation of the song video was completed quickly. Hashiba Hikaru stared at the content playing on the screen, still feeling a little nervous. After all, it was her first time doing something like this. What kind of flower would this seed bloom? We'd find out after today.

"Come on, Airi's click 'Publish' together, Airi."

Hashiba Hikaru placed Sakura Airi's hand on the mouse, then enveloped her small hand in her large one, her eyes fixed on the publish button at the bottom of the screen.

"Uh-huh."

The red-haired girl swallowed hard; she was just as nervous.

She had already discussed the song release with her manager, who suggested that she register a separate account and use her Blog Idol account to drive traffic. If this was successful, she could potentially sign a separate contract, since the contracts for singers and Blog Idol are vastly different.

"Then I'll count to three, and Airi will press the button with me."

"OK."

"1...2...3!"

Click.

Once the mouse clicks the final confirmation button, the video is successfully uploaded to the most popular website, joining the wave of the internet along with countless other videos released at the same time.

"Nailed it."

A relieved smile appeared on Hashiba Hikaru's face. He refreshed his homepage and went to the video page he had just posted. As the carefully prepared intro played, Sakura Airi's singing voice poured out like a clear spring.

"No matter where you go or what you do, the happy times you shared will remain etched in your heart and will never disappear."

"Let's light up my pitch-black world once again."

"Come to my side and light up my world."

"That's really good."

Hashiba Hikaru hugged the girl tightly and said softly, "Let's look forward to seeing how high this video can ultimately reach."

"Uh-huh."

Although she felt a little shy listening to her own song, Sakura Airi's heart was filled with a gentle warmth as she faced such an important moment with Hashiba Hikaru. She buried her face in his chest, her voice growing softer and softer.

Will the room be used overnight?

"Sure, tomorrow's Saturday, I can sleep in."

Hashiba Hikaru gently tidied her hair, "Airi can sleep a little longer."

"Don't want."

"?"

Hashiba Hikaru was slightly taken aback.

"Didn't I just say that Airi needs to rest well after the song is released?"