Ryuuen Kakeru's Smug Satisfaction

"It seems that Horikita- san took the lead in gathering information with the rest of the class before making the decision. This plan has been approved by everyone, so all students must follow the arrangement to implement the score control plan."

"Really? Where is Airi located now?"

Hashiba Hikaru looked at the girl who had always tried to keep a low profile in the class.

"My grades aren't great, but they're not bad either; they're in the middle of the class."

When the topic of grades came up, Sakura Airi was a little embarrassed because she had been paying close attention to Hashiba Hikaru's grades and knew that she was basically one of the top students.

"Does Airi need me to tutor you? The Final Exam are quite important, you absolutely can't have any problems."

Hashiba Hikaru took this quite seriously. As the Final Exam were conducted in a group competition format, if her teammates weren't performing well and her own grades weren't good either, she could really face the risk of being expelled.

"I recently joined a study group. Time spent with light is so precious; I don't want to spend it all on studying..."

This was partly Sakura Airi's personal concern. Hashiba Hikaru didn't have much time to spend with her, and if she were constantly attending tutoring classes, she wouldn't be able to do the things she liked.

"Study group?"

The boy raised an eyebrow, seemingly somewhat interested.

"Yes, to prepare for the Final Exam, many students in our class have spontaneously formed study groups to help each other with their weaker subjects."

After Sakura Airi made the change, although she still didn't like socializing, her mindset had changed, and she had become much more familiar with another girl in her group.

Who are Airi's classmates?

"There's Hasebe, Yukimura, and Miyake, so with me, that makes four people."

Sakura Airi counted the names of the remaining members of the study group on her fingers and told Hashiba Hikaru, and also showed her their group chat.

"That's great! Joining a study group not only helps us improve our grades together, but it also helps Airi develop her social skills."

Hashiba Hikaru knew that Sakura Airi had made a lot of effort after deciding to change herself, and if she could continue on this path, her future would surely become even more magnificent.

"Yeah, everyone's easy to get along with. Hasebe even asked me to go shopping with him recently."

After seeing that Hashiba Hikaru had finished her soup, Sakura Airi offered to take it away to wash it.

"Yes, if Airi feels she's lacking in anything, we can have some targeted tutoring before the Final Exam. Make sure she passes the exams smoothly."

"I understand, Guang can come anytime."

After finishing the cream soup he had made, Sakura Airi took Hashiba Hikaru's hand and led her into her bedroom. The boy sat down in her computer chair, and the girl sat in his lap.

Has Airi been in contact with your agent recently?

Hashiba Hikaru, after reviewing the fan comments and messages she had just checked, inquired about another more important matter.

"Yes, Ms. Jingu asked me if I wanted to debut with a CD, but I haven't replied to her yet."

"Is that so?"

Hashiba Hikaru stroked her chin, beginning to consider the possibilities in this direction.

354

Chapter 354 Ryuen Kakeru's Triumph.

One Friday afternoon, Hashiba Hikaru met a boy, and the two sat facing each other in a coffee shop.

Before the quiz began, the boy decided to do something to improve his intelligence gathering skills, and the person he arranged to meet was none other than Katsuragi Kohei.

"Is there something you need from me Classmate Hashiba?"

The bald man glanced at the latte that the waiter had just brought over, which contained milk that he had just poured in.

"I just have some simple ideas that I'd like to share with you, Katsuragi. I wonder if you would do me the honor?"

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly, her tone very gentle.

"Sure, just say what you're thinking Classmate Hashiba."

Katsuragi Kohei remained quite calm; he had already made his choice and was carrying out his inner thoughts.

"I heard that Katsuragi has been getting quite close to Class C lately?"

Hashiba Hikaru didn't intend to beat around the bush and immediately pointed out the main point of today's conversation.

"This is my personal matter and should have nothing to do with Classmate Hashiba."

Katsuragi Kohei took a sip of coffee, his eyes showing no surprise.

"It really has nothing to do with me, which is why I feel there are more possibilities in this matter."

Hashiba Hikaru toyed with the small bag of sugar cubes, a slight smile playing on her lips. "I won't press Katsuragi about why he did this, but I want to offer you more possibilities."

What are the possibilities?

"Of course, cooperation is a possibility. Having been in this school for so long, I think Katsuragi should have a deep understanding of cooperation and betrayal."

Hashiba Hikaru patiently and sincerely said, "If I had to choose a partner, I think I'm better than Ryuen."

"That's true. Classmate Hashiba has more resources and power than Ryuen Kakeru, but you're not currently in my consideration."

Katsuragi Kohei calmly expressed his inner thoughts.

"Why?"

The boy looked slightly displeased, his brow furrowed.

"Because my goal is to lead the class to final victory, and to win, we must defeat you. Cooperating with you will only drag our class into a deeper quagmire."

Katsuragi Kohei frankly expressed his concerns, without hiding anything from Hashiba Hikaru.

"Although Ryuen is a very dangerous partner, his way of seeking victory is different from yours, which is why I've decided that partnering with Ryuen is a safer choice."

"Hmm... I think I understand what Katsuragi means."

Hashiba Hikaru touched her chin. Through these few simple words, she could tell that Katsuragi and Ryuen had had a more in-depth exchange. No matter how eloquently she spoke, he would not change his mind.

"Yes, I personally take full responsibility for all the risks of the decisions I make, so you don't need to think about any more ways to deal with it. After Classmate Hashiba, no matter how many schemes you devise, in the end, it all comes down to your exam scores."

"Indeed, it seems that Katsuragi has indeed grown a lot."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly. He looked at the bald man sitting opposite him. From the very beginning of the Uninhabited Island Exam, Katsuragi Kohei had been representing Class B in maintaining a stable defensive strategy. After suffering a series of defeats, he lost many supporters, which led to the current situation.

However, it seems that this steady player has not become discouraged, but has instead come up with more ideas to break the deadlock.

"I'm just going with the flow. I don't deserve your praise, Classmate Hashiba. There's still a long time ahead, and we'll have many more opportunities to face off."

Katsuragi Kohei calmly summarized his explanation, then downed the rest of his coffee in one gulp.

"Then let's work together, after all, I don't want to lose either."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled. After gaining a deeper understanding of Katsuragi Kohei's charisma, the boy's mood improved considerably.

"Then I'll take my leave now. Thank you for the invitation Classmate Hashiba."

"See you tomorrow."

After the tall, bald man left, Hashiba Hikaru took out her phone and glanced at it. She had proactively added Sakayanagi Arisu's contact information when they were playing chess earlier, so they could chat online.

Chat interface.

Sakayanagi Arisu: How's Classmate Hashiba's operation going? I'm really curious about the final result.

Hashiba Hikaru: It's a bit of a shame that nothing went as I hoped.

Sakayanagi Arisu: I see. It seems I'll have to handle this myself.

Hashiba Hikaru: Sakayanagi Arisu planning to deal with Katsuragi?

Sakayanagi Arisu: Of course not. After all, we're classmates, so I won't do anything too outrageous.

Hashiba Hikaru: Is that so? Then let me wait and see. The list of attacking classes is due next Monday. I hope Classmate Sakayanagi can get her wish.

Sakayanagi Arisu: I also hope that Classmate Hashiba can achieve his wish and then lose to me fair and square.

Hashiba Hikaru: Huh? So, in Classmate Sakayanagi's mind, I was destined to lose?

Sakayanagi Arisu: Of course.

"..."

After seeing the last message from the other party, Hashiba Hikaru was speechless.

Honestly, I feel that the two class representatives of Class B are both quite outrageous. One is stubborn after experiencing failure, and the other is an arrogant egomaniac. It's quite interesting that these two are always at odds.

Hashiba Hikaru: Let's wait and see. I hope we get a satisfactory result.

Sakayanagi Arisu: That's what I'm hoping for too.

After putting down her phone, Hashiba Hikaru got up to pay the bill. Just like her classmates had discussed, Class B was indeed their most troublesome opponent. Although Class A had a significant advantage, there was still a long way to go. To win, they couldn't afford to give them any chance to recover; they had to crush them completely.

"Then let's choose Class B. Offense is the best defense."

A cold smile curved the young man's lips. "The best strategy is to boost the stock price and secure victory."

--

Monday morning, the day before the small test, was also the deadline for submitting the list of classes to be attacked.

In the classroom of Class A of the First Year, Hashiba Hikaru was having a final discussion with her classmates. After everyone voted by raising their hands, they all reached a consensus: to choose Class B as their target.

After submitting this information to Chie Hoshinomiya, she soon brought everyone a new message.

"It seems things might not go so smoothly, because other classes have made the same choice as us."

The young female teacher stood on the podium and announced the matter, and everyone understood what the next steps would be.

"Therefore, our class needs to send a representative to draw lots. If the draw fails, the right to attack will go to another class."

Who among us is willing to take on this responsibility?

Upon hearing this, almost without thinking, everyone in the class simultaneously turned their gaze to a certain person, even Ichinose Honami smiled and looked at the boy sitting next to her.

"Me?"

"Of course it's Guang! You've always been our class's representative, so this task is most suitable for you."

The pink-haired girl expressed what everyone agreed on.

"Alright then, since everyone trusts me so much, I'll gladly accept."

Hashiba Hikaru did not decline. The lottery was held in the Student Council, and he could also take this opportunity to meet the representative of another class that had chosen the same option as his class.

"We hope that Classmate Hashiba can return victorious, representing everyone's hopes!"

"I will do my best."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly at his classmates, got up and walked out of the classroom. On the way, he was guessing who would choose Class B as their target, and soon a specific person came to mind.

Upon arriving at the Student Council, the boy spotted the long-haired man at a table, confirming his suspicions.

So it really is Class C?

"Oh, it's your class? What a coincidence."

After seeing Hashiba Hikaru, Ryuen Kakeru took the initiative to strike up a conversation with him, and it seemed that the man was in a good mood today.

"Yes, it is indeed quite a coincidence."

Hashiba Hikaru and Ryuen Kakeru stood on opposite sides of the table. At this moment, the Student Council President, Miyabi Nagumo, who was in charge of the lottery ceremony, came over. As the Student Council President, he was basically the only one with the authority to handle such a situation.

"Now that everyone is here, let's begin the lottery."

The blond man spoke in a rather serious tone as he began to read out the rules for the lottery.

"According to the school's rules, since two classes have simultaneously chosen to attack, the person in charge will draw lots to decide. There are two lots in the lot box. The class that draws the red lot will get the right to attack, and the class that doesn't draw a red lot will need to choose another class to attack."

"Did you two understand?"

Miyabi Nagumo looked at Ryuen and Hashiba Hikaru's faces. At this moment, he would not be amiable, after all, he had to maintain a more professional attitude.

"Understood."

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at Ryuen Kakeru across from her, who had his arms crossed, seemingly unconcerned about the current lottery ceremony.

"What? Should I go first?"

Hashiba Hikaru asked first.

"Sure, I'll draw after you're done. I'm confident I'll be the lucky one."

Ryuen Kakeru smiled, appearing very magnanimous.