Ibuki Mio: Hashiba Has Something to Say to You

"Sakayanagi, you've come."

When Kamuro Masumi saw Hashiba Hikaru behind Sakayanagi, she looked somewhat surprised, but she didn't ask anything. Instead, she quickly struck up a conversation with Sakayanagi.

"Hmm, how's the situation?"

Sakayanagi Arisu walked up to the other person with a relaxed demeanor, and Hashiba Hikaru naturally followed.

"The situation isn't looking good, because Katsuragi is very cautious and hasn't left any evidence against him."

Kamuro Masumi's words mentioned the leader of another faction in Class B, which made the eyes of the boy next to her, who was listening intently, light up.

"Is that so?"

Sakayanagi Arisu seemed completely unconcerned, replying in a remarkably calm tone.

"So what should we do?"

"Let's wait and see. Since Katsuragi has made his choice, there's nothing we can do to stop him."

Sakayanagi Arisu turned around and looked at Hashiba Hikaru's face.

"Does Classmate Hashiba want to know what Katsuragi did?"

"Certainly."

Hashiba Hikaru's expression turned serious, as if she had become a member of Class B and was participating in a major high-level decision.

"Katsuragi... may have betrayed Class B."

"?"

351

Chapter 351 Ibuki Mio: Hashiba has something to say to you.

"Katsuragi... may have betrayed Class B."

When Sakayanagi Arisu uttered those words, Hashiba Hikaru's expression became quite interesting. He couldn't help but think of that bald, composed man. That guy had always seemed willing to pay any price for the class, so why would he choose to betray them?

"That's really strange. Shouldn't Katsuragi be the one with the strongest sense of class responsibility?"

Hashiba Hikaru was somewhat puzzled, but her tone was cheerful.

"Everyone's choices will change depending on their circumstances, which is not surprising."

Sakayanagi Arisu seemed completely unconcerned about this major class change, displaying an indifferent attitude.

"If Katsuragi really betrays you, wouldn't the situation in Class B be in a very bad state?"

"He has very few supporters now, so he won't have a significant impact on the overall situation, and I don't care."

The silver-haired girl smiled slightly and instead took the initiative to ask a question, "Why do you think I'm telling Classmate Hashiba such an important matter now?"

"Why?"

Hashiba Hikaru admitted that she didn't understand.

"Because I find Classmate Hashiba very interesting, and as a suitable opponent, you are someone I definitely want to surpass."

"And you're telling me such important information?"

The boy raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, I'm telling you such important information, so... what will you do?"

Sakayanagi Arisu suddenly smiled, scrutinizing the boy before her, her tone becoming quite pleasant. "Are you going to contact Katsuragi to gather information about our class? Or are you providing him with assistance to better betray the class? I'm very curious about your plans."

"I'm telling you this now because I want to know the answer."

"I see."

Hashiba Hikaru stroked her chin. No wonder Sakayanagi would take such a risky action that seemed like aiding the enemy; he was planning to set a trap.

What if I do nothing?

The boy calmly countered with a question.

"That's fine too. I won't force Classmate Hashiba to do anything; it's all up to you to decide."

Sakayanagi Arisu's tone softened, as if she were genuinely considering the other person's feelings.

The girl knew very well that the current class rankings and situation were already quite clear, and it was absolutely impossible for the two classes behind to catch up in a short period of time.

Just as Class A considers Class B their biggest rival, all the students in Class B currently share a consensus: their greatest enemy is Class A, and they cannot achieve final victory without defeating them.

Once Hashiba Hikaru learned of this crucial intelligence, Sakayanagi believed that the other party would not remain indifferent.

"I'm so touched that they're so considerate of me."

Hashiba Hikaru looked surprised, but his tone of voice remained unchanged.

"Yes, so what's your decision Classmate Hashiba?"

"My decision is to remain unchanged in the face of all changes. Didn't Classmate Sakayanagi say that I would make all the decisions myself?"

Hashiba Hikaru shrugged and explained in a relaxed tone, "I'll just wait and see what Katsuragi does. Anyway, he's a Student Council member, so I can keep an eye on him."

"I see..."

Sakayanagi Arisu somewhat surprised, but she didn't show it on her face, only letting out a faint sigh.

"I thought that Classmate Hashiba would be eager to contact Katsuragi right now, but I was wrong."

"Look at what you're saying. I already have a key figure from Class B right in front of me, why would I go to such lengths instead of looking for someone closer to me?"

"What does Classmate Hashiba mean?"

"Of course I'd choose Classmate Sakayanagi. Since you've chosen to tell me about this, would you mind explaining more details for me?"

Hashiba Hikaru began to push his luck, guessing that Sakayanagi Arisu might agree.

"What else do you want to know?"

As expected, upon hearing the boy's question, Sakayanagi asked the next question without the slightest hesitation.

"I'd like to know what kind of betrayal Katsuragi committed? Could you explain it to me? Otherwise, I'll be completely clueless if I try to contact him."

"I've received a lot of intelligence recently and discovered that he's been getting very close to the people in Class C, so I sent Masumi to follow him. It turns out he's been secretly meeting with Ryuen alone."

The silver-haired girl pointed to the purple-haired girl standing next to her. When the purple-haired girl saw Hashiba Hikaru looking over, she nodded somewhat awkwardly.

"Ryuen?"

This was new information. Hashiba Hikaru went through the possible paths these two people might take in her mind and quickly thought of the deal between Ryuen and Katsuragi on the Uninhabited Island. If it really led to further cooperation, it was quite possible.

"Yes, perhaps Katsuragi is planning to use external forces, after all, he has already lost the support of the people."

Sakayanagi Arisu smiled slightly. The students in Class B had long lost faith in this bald guy after failing the Special Exam three times in a row. Katsuragi Kohei was currently no match for the girl, so he had taken a backseat.

"But wouldn't that be troublesome? This exam is a class showdown, you know. Aren't you worried about information leaks, Classmate Sakayanagi?"

Hashiba Hikaru recalled the rules for the Final Exam and pointed out the problem in that regard.

"It's alright, our class's target has already been decided, so there's nothing to worry about."

Sakayanagi Arisu casually picked up a book from the table, her tone indifferent.

"What if we need to draw lots?"

"If that's the case, then we'll just have to rely on luck."

"Classmate Sakayanagi is actually planning to hand over the initiative to luck? That's not a responsible idea."

Hashiba Hikaru still couldn't quite figure out Sakayanagi's thoughts.

"Yes, it's really tough having a traitor in the class. A lot of things could get leaked. I really admire Classmate Hashiba's control over the class. I hope your class won't have this problem, right?"

"Perhaps. In that case, I have an interesting suggestion. Would you like to make a bet with me, Classmate Sakayanagi?"

Looking into the other person's beautiful purple eyes, Hashiba Hikaru offered a new idea.

"A bet? What kind of bet?"

A smile of interest immediately appeared on Sakayanagi Arisu's lips.

"Let's bet on how Katsuragi's betrayal came about,"

Hashiba Hikaru held up two fingers to explain the contents of the bet he had in mind, "Did Ryuen bring it up with him, or did he approach Ryuen himself? Which possibility do you think it is, Classmate Sakayanagi?"

"Hmm."

Having understood these two hypothetical scenarios, a sudden realization dawned on the silver-haired girl. She smiled and asked, "Does this kind of bet, Classmate Hashiba, involve any stakes?"

"Let's just agree on the stakes verbally; we don't need any external objects."

Hashiba Hikaru came up with the conditions for Sakayanagi Arisu boost the stock price and conceived an interesting action plan.

What verbal expression?

"If Classmate Sakayanagi wants to make a bet with me on this, the loser has to admit defeat to the winner."

"It's that simple?"

Sakayanagi Arisu frowned slightly. She felt that this matter was really insignificant, unlike the kind of bet that Hashiba Hikaru would propose without any benefit.

"Yes, didn't Classmate Sakayanagi just say that I'm the person you want to surpass? Me too, I want to beat Classmate Sakayanagi in any way."

Hashiba Hikaru shrugged, indicating that this was indeed her inner desire.

"So that's how it is. Are a few simple words enough to satisfy you?"

"Yes, I'm not an easily satisfied person."

"Then I'll accept your bet."

Sakayanagi Arisu nodded and, taking the initiative, asked, "Which possibility does Classmate Hashiba intend to choose?"

"Ladies first, I can let you choose first."

"Then I'd guess that Katsuragi took the initiative to contact Ryuen."

After thinking for a moment, Sakayanagi Arisu gave her answer.

"Um?"

Hashiba Hikaru was somewhat surprised by her decisive answer. In truth, he wasn't quite sure what the answer was, but from Sakayanagi's reply, he could tell that this girl might have spies around Katsuragi, otherwise she wouldn't be so confident.

"Then I can only choose the relative answer. I choose that Ryuen takes the initiative to win over Katsuragi."

How can we prove who the correct answer is?

Sakayanagi Arisu glanced at Kamuro Masumi beside her; if possible, she could ask her to call Katsuragi over.

"It's simple, just ask Ryuen."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly, indicating that everything was under control.

"Does Classmate Hashiba actually have Ryuen's contact information?"

"No, but I have other people's, so it's not a big problem."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly and dialed Ibuki Mio's phone number. After ringing for about ten seconds, a cold voice from a short-haired girl came from the other end of the line.

"Do what?"

"Where are you now?"

"I'm in the classroom. If you have something to say, say it, or I'm hanging up."

Although Ibuki's tone was consistently unfriendly when speaking to Hashiba Hikaru, she didn't hang up immediately but waited for Hashiba Hikaru's next words.

Is Ryuen in the classroom too?

"You're looking for him?"

"First, tell me if he's in the classroom or not. This is a very important thing."

"... He's in the classroom, what do you plan to do with him?"

The short-haired girl was studying in the classroom. She glanced at the long-haired man sitting at the back of the classroom, not quite understanding why Hashiba Hikaru had suddenly said that.

"Okay, turn on the speakerphone and put the phone on Ryuen's table. I have something to say to him."

Why should I help you?

"Go quickly, I'll explain later."