Final Exams Begin to Loom, and Ryuuen Grows Suspicious

Just as the two girls were chatting and looking at notes in the bedroom, Hashiba Hikaru's voice rang out from outside: it's time to eat.

"We've rested enough, we'll be out soon!"

Sakura Airi called out, then took Hasebe Haruka's arm and walked into the classroom together. Several dishes were already laid out on the table, looking very appealing and emitting an enticing aroma.

"Wow, Hikaru must have had a really tough day."

Sakura Airi sat down skillfully, then reached out and pulled out the chair next to her. Although it was a square table, the two of them usually sat on the same side when they ate, so that they could sit close together.

"Since we have guests today, we should certainly put in extra effort. Hasebe, please have a taste."

Hashiba Hikaru hung her apron next to the freezer, a satisfied smile on her face.

Everyone who cooks experiences a wonderful sense of accomplishment when the food they painstakingly prepare is served, and the diners' surprise and satisfaction make them even happier.

"Okay, I understand."

After witnessing the sumptuous dinner, Hasebe Haruka down her earlier attitude. She wasn't the type to be oblivious to the atmosphere and knew she couldn't make her friend unhappy.

"Guang, this is beef I bought this afternoon. You can try some."

After Hashiba Hikaru sat down, the red-haired girl next to her immediately picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks and put it in Hashiba Hikaru's bowl, a smile always on her lips.

"Hmm, is it that beef shop on the left?"

"Yes, this store has great reviews. Luckily I went early this time, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to buy it."

After Sakura Airi began to change herself, her initiative increased significantly, and she became very skilled at grocery shopping.

"Haha, I remember there was a discount before, beef is indeed very expensive."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled. He had actually transferred a sum of personal points to Sakura Airi's account. After all, points were required to buy anything at this school, and as a Class D of the First Year, Sakura Airi received very few Private Points each month.

In an effort to improve the girl's quality of life, Hashiba Hikaru forcibly transferred money to her under the guise of "living expenses." At first, Sakura Airi was somewhat reluctant, but after the boy emphasized that he would come over for meals often, she eventually accepted it.

"But if I really like it, I can go buy it in advance next time."

Sakura Airi nodded, indicating that she could easily do those things.

"Airi should eat more meat so that her body will be healthier."

"Um."

Watching the couple across from her sharing food, Hasebe Haruka's hand holding the bowl trembled slightly. Although she had never been in a relationship, it didn't mean she enjoyed watching people show affection, especially since these two weren't even dating.

However, she really couldn't lash out at this moment, as she had to consider Sakura Airi's feelings, so the blue-haired girl could only glare at Hashiba Hikaru with a displeased expression.

"By the way, I've already started brainstorming ideas for Airi's new song."

Hashiba Hikaru remembered the important matter at hand. After all, it had been a while since the last song was released, and in order to increase Sakura Airi's popularity on the internet, the creation of new songs could not be stopped.

"Really?"

Upon hearing this, the red-haired girl was clearly moved. Since the release of her first song, Sakura Airi had accumulated quite a few fans on her alternate account, which was key to her future path to stardom. She knew that Hashiba Hikaru for her own good, so she would practice her singing techniques whenever she had free time.

"Yeah, I've already written half of the lyrics. I'll send them to Airi after I finish them next time, and then I'll sing them for you."

After acquiring the [Songwriting (Master)] skill, Hashiba Hikaru's understanding of Songwriting has become very mature. He can basically finish writing the lyrics for a song in three days at most, which is quite good compared to those big-name lyricists.

"Does Classmate Hashiba intend for Airi to become a singer in the future?"

Hasebe Haruka listened to their conversation for a while and finally couldn't help but interject.

"Yes, Airi loves the internet and has a lot of related experience. If she can pursue this path in the future, she should be able to live a more comfortable life."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded slightly, looked earnestly at Hasebe Haruka's face, and said, "As I said before, Airi and I didn't get to this point on a whim. I've considered many things and want her to have a better life in the future."

"This has nothing to do with me, as long as Airi agrees..."

Hasebe Haruka took a sip of water. After being in close contact with Hashiba Hikaru, her thoughts had already subtly changed.

"Yes, I've actually thought about a lot of things. If Haruka can accept Hikari, I'll be very happy."

Sakura Airi placed a piece of beef in her friend's bowl with her chopsticks, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"This is no easy task. If I find out that Classmate Hashiba has bullied Airi, I will definitely not let him get away with it."

"That won't happen."

Hashiba Hikaru finished the last bite of rice in her bowl, her tone calm, "Because I would never bully a girl."

"Snort."

394

Chapter 394 Final Exam Approach, Ryuen's Suspicions.

As the temperature drops further, the second semester finally brings the Final Exam for everyone.

When Chie Hoshinomiya stood on the podium and announced that there were only three days left until the Final Exam, the students of Class A of the First Year rallied their spirits once again and faced the final exams with an even more positive attitude.

How's everyone's revision going?

Ichinose Honami, as the class representative, inquired about everyone's situation during the last class meeting before the Final Exam.

"I've studied very well, and I might get a high score this time."

"I've been having study sessions with my group members lately, so I think we're about on par."

"Yes, this is a team battle, so everyone must give it their all."

After nearly two semesters of getting to know each other, the students in Class A of the First Year have developed a very harmonious class atmosphere, with excellent academic performance and a strong spirit of unity.

"That's good. I hope everyone will keep their spirits up for the last three days, and we'll relax after the exams are over!"

Ichinose Honami raised her pretty little face and gave a smile as she summarized the class meeting.

When the school bell rang, Hashiba Hikaru packed his things and headed to the Student Council. He was going to attend a study session organized by his girlfriend that evening, so he needed to finish his tasks early.

After all, it's only the last few days before the Final Exam, so I need to work harder to feel more confident.

"Classmate Hashiba, Final Exam are just around the corner. How's your studying going?"

Inside the Student Council classroom, Sakayanagi Arisu looked at the boy sitting opposite her and suddenly asked a question.

"It's alright. I'm quite confident in myself, and my classmates in the same group are also working very hard."

Hashiba Hikaru placed a new stack of papers into the printer next to her and casually replied, "More importantly, I'll be finishing the second thing I promised Classmate Sakayanagi soon, won't I?"

"Yes, once the Final Exam are over, Classmate Hashiba will have completed both of the previous tasks."

The silver-haired girl, sitting upright in the chair, nodded slightly. As the second promise was about to end, her interest in Hashiba Hikaru only grew stronger.

"Well, I hope Classmate Sakayanagi can tell me the third thing as soon as possible, otherwise I'll feel like I owe you something, and I'll feel a little uneasy."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled. After becoming familiar with the work of the Student Council Vice President, he was able to multitask, handling matters and chatting at the same time without any pressure.

"Since this is the last promise, I will naturally think it over carefully. Please look forward to it Classmate Hashiba."

Sakayanagi Arisu glanced at Ayanokoji, who was sitting not far away, and slowly asked, "Was it Ayanokoji who arranged for Classmate Hashiba to join the Student Council?"

Upon hearing this, Hashiba Hikaru also looked at the handsome young man sitting there. He had already begun to take over Student Council affairs and was said to be doing quite well.

"No, it was Ayanokoji who volunteered to join the Student Council."

Hashiba Hikaru shook his head slightly. He had tried to communicate with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka in the Student Council several times in the past few days, but with little success. He could tell that Kiyotaka still maintained a distance from everyone.

"I see. It seems I was wrong. I thought Classmate Hashiba had already started taking action."

"How so?"

"Because I've always thought that Classmate Hashiba is a very proactive person, and now that I've told you about this last time, I'm really looking forward to seeing what choice you'll make."

"Watching a show?"

Hashiba Hikaru couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"Of course not, after all, both Hashiba and I want to be players, don't we? Nobody wants to be a pawn."

Sakayanagi knew very well that the boy sitting across from her was definitely not a simple person, and the girl still hadn't figured out his secrets.

"That's true, but now that I've obtained the information, it's my prerogative to decide when to act, so there's no need for you to worry about it, Classmate Sakayanagi."

After tidying up the documents in his hand Hashiba Hikaru stood up. He glanced at the silver-haired girl with a calm expression and said in a flat tone, "I'll go back to work now. See you later."

"Um."

After watching the boy leave, Sakayanagi Arisu didn't chase after him. Instead, she glanced again at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka sitting on the other side. According to the information the girl had, Ayanokoji's father had already begun to put pressure on the school.

This is certainly not a good sign.

Sakayanagi Arisu deeply respects her father and therefore cannot tolerate others interfering in school affairs. On the other hand, she is also very interested in how Ayanokoji will handle these matters, so she proactively tells the information to Hashiba Hikaru, wanting to see how the final plot will develop.

What she just said was no lie; she longed to be a Go player, to beat Hashiba Hikaru, and to see more interesting things happen.

Let's just wait and see.

The silver-haired girl withdrew her gaze and refocused on the task at hand. She didn't have high expectations for the Final Exam, since they were just minor things to do.

It was 7 p. m., and several classmates had already arrived at Hashiba Hikaru's dormitory. They were all core members of Class A of the First Year. They agreed to study hard in the days leading up to the exam and work together to achieve better results for the class.

"We still need to be more serious. After all, Class D might also be studying hard, so we can't let our guard down."

Kanzaki Ryuji looked at the challenging problem he had just finished, his tone serious.

"Of course we know that, but I still think our class has a better chance of winning."

Shibata grinned and said, "Because I know a lot of the boys in Class D. Their study plans are actually quite ordinary, and some of them don't even cooperate with Hirata's plan. How can they do well on the exam like that?"

"Is that so?"

Shiranami Chihiro recalled the group atmosphere of Class D, which she had already experienced on the Cruise Ship. It was an absurd group; even after spending a long time together, the students still couldn't achieve unity of purpose.

"We just need to do our best. Even if this win or loss won't change the score by much, every little bit helps."

"Yes, who wouldn't want to get more points?"

Aside from the Sports Festival held previously, the only other competition between classes in the second semester is this Final Exam. The Class Evaluation Points of Class A of the First Year is about to break the 2000 mark, and Ichinose Honami's Private Points are also about to exceed 30 million, which is a rather terrifying figure.

Even if they fail later, this gap will still be very difficult to close. There are many reasons why the students in Class A of the First Year are so confident, after all, it doesn't matter if they lose.

"Then let's keep trying."

Ichinose Honami began by summarizing everyone's discussion, saying that the daily study session now ends at 8 PM, and we must cherish our time.

"Come on!!!"

At 7:30 p. m., in a men's dormitory, several people were gathered around a table, holding a secret meeting.

"Hey Katsuragi, your dorm room is way too shabby! Don't you have any Private Points?"

Ryuen Kakeru sat casually on one side of the table, with Ibuki Mio and Yamada Albert behind him, along with two other followers.

"The dormitory is just a place to rest; I have no interest in decorating it."

Sitting on the other side of the table was none other than Katsuragi Kohei, who had failed in his power grab in Class A. Today's meeting was being held in his dormitory.

"Hehe, whatever you want then."

Ryuen Kakeru seemed to be just starting a conversation; he wasn't interested in the dorm decorations either. "Final Exam are in three days. Have you guys made any preparations yet?"

"Of course, although I don't have many supporters right now, you've already received the exam papers, haven't you? This time, you should be able to win easily."

Katsuragi Kohei stared at the man in front of him. After suffering a loss on the Uninhabited Island, he had no intention of cooperating with Ryuen Kakeru, but he did not expect the other party to produce another certificate, which was the token of the Student Council President, Miyabi Nagumo, which was enough to prove that he could mobilize the authority.

"Everyone in our class has memorized that test paper. If nothing unexpected happens, our final total score will definitely be higher than yours. But what I'm more interested in is... did that Sakayanagi guy really not have any countermeasures?"

Although Ryuen Kakeru appears extremely rough and violent, he is very sharp-minded. Since Katsuragi Kohei took the initiative to cooperate with him this time in order to undermine Sakayanagi's prestige, he needs to pay more attention to the other party's thoughts.

If Sakayanagi Arisu really has some backup plan, then this grand scheme might not be able to be completed smoothly in the end.

"Classmate Sakayanagi has been busy with Student Council matters lately, and there haven't been any particularly complicated arrangements for the class meeting."

Katsuragi Kohei recalled the intelligence he had gathered during this period, "Although I was also very concerned about this issue, I didn't find anything unusual."

"Is that so?"

Ryuen Kakeru glanced at his phone. He hadn't communicated with Miyabi Nagumo frequently, but since she had given him a second chance, he had to seize it. The man didn't want any complications to arise.

"In short, the key this time lies in your class's performance on the test. Since it's a competition of scores, I hope you can keep your word."

Katsuragi Kohei looked at the representative of Class C of the First Year. After becoming the class leader, the other party's aura had indeed changed, but he didn't know if it was for the better or the worse.

"You don't need to worry about that. I'll take your Class Evaluation Points directly, and I won't shortchange you on the points I promised!"