Horikita Suzune: "I'll Keep Being Your Partner"

"Never mind that, let's try running one more lap."

If you rely solely on your feelings, you might not be able to experience the effects of improved physical fitness. Practice makes perfect, Hashiba Hikaru started running on the playground again.

The feeling after taking that step became even more pronounced. Whether it was the rate of breathing or the muscle feedback from the movement, every aspect represented that the boy's body had reached a new level.

"That's amazing..."

After completing a lap around the track very quickly, Hashiba Hikaru smiled.

As expected, the [Physical Enhancement Agent) ] is very effective. If he continues to improve at this pace, his physical fitness will become stronger and stronger.

After her morning run, Hashiba Hikaru returned to her dorm in a good mood to take a shower. After the Final Exam, it would take about two days to grade the papers, and the scores would be released this Friday, which would be the real moment of truth.

"What might happen then? The class rankings won't change, but the class dynamics might shift."

Feeling the warm water washing away her sweat, Hashiba Hikaru thought of Sakayanagi from Class B, and Horikita Suzune and Kushida Kikyo from Class D. These girls with very different personalities all had many thoughts about this exam, and she was really looking forward to the results.

"Drop."

Hashiba Hikaru had just finished drying her hair, heard her phone ring immediately after stepping out of the bathroom. It seemed someone had called her, but the phone stopped ringing after a few rings.

"Huh, it's Horikita?"

After picking up his phone and glancing at it, Hashiba Hikaru was somewhat puzzled, since he hadn't contacted the other party for several days after the Drama Club incident ended.

"Beep beep beep."

After I dialed the number, it rang for about five or six seconds before being answered.

"Hey, Horikita- kun?"

Good morning, Classmate Hashiba.

The girl's voice was still cool and clear, but it sounded energetic, suggesting she had slept well the night before.

"Did Horikita call me just now because of something?"

Hashiba Hikaru got straight to the point.

"Um, I have something I'd like to talk to you about. Are you free this afternoon, Classmate Hashiba?"

At this point, the black-haired girl's voice became intermittent, giving off a strange feeling.

"Sure, we're both working in the Student Council anyway, right? We can chat after we're done."

Hashiba Hikaru quickly agreed, since it wasn't a big deal anyway.

"Alright then, see you this afternoon."

After hanging up the phone, Horikita Suzune gripped her phone tightly, a blush rising on her beautiful and dignified face. Ever since she had "made it clear" of her feelings last time, the girl had been looking for an opportunity to talk to Hashiba Hikaru, or rather, to test her own heart.

She opened her phone to a page in the notes app, which contained a lot of information that Horikita Suzune had collected from various forums—tests on how to tell if you like someone.

"You'll know when we meet. I need to try... to find out."

The black-haired girl pursed her lips, feeling her heart pounding. She had never liked any man before, and this was the first time she had encountered a situation that made her heart flutter.

"If it's true, what should I do?"

Horikita Suzune touched her forehead. She knew that Hashiba Hikaru Kushida Kikyo even though she already had a girlfriend. This knowledge had kept the girl in a state of emotional turmoil.

After all, the other person is not single, and if she really likes someone like that, it doesn't fit the conventional idea of what a girl should pursue.

"Never mind, let's go to class first."

The black-haired girl sighed, tidied herself up, and then left the dormitory.

After finishing her classes for the day, Hashiba Hikaru left the classroom and headed to the Student Council. Today, being the second day after the Final Exam, Miyabi Nagumo held a regular meeting of the Student Council officers, which lasted until after 4 p. m.

After finishing his work, Hashiba Hikaru glanced at her phone. It was almost six o'clock. She looked up at the black-haired girl sitting not far away. It seemed that she had finished her work long ago and was just waiting there.

"Really, plans never keep up with changes."

After shaking her head, Hashiba Hikaru quickly tidied up her desk, then walked directly to Horikita Suzune's desk and tapped it twice.

"Let's go, Horikita."

"Oh well."

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Horikita Suzune's delicate body trembled slightly. She looked up at the other person's calm profile and hurriedly stood up from her chair.

"Horikita, have you decided where to chat?"

Hashiba Hikaru spoke gently, standing beside the girl and tilting her head to ask.

"Um... how about we go to a coffee shop?"

Horikita Suzune naturally felt the other person's gaze. Her eyes darted away, even though this situation should never happen to her, the girl couldn't help but feel a little helpless.

"Sure."

"Good."

Stepping out of the Student Council office, Horikita Suzune bit her lip as she scrutinized the other person's profile, the first question she had collected vaguely surfacing in her mind.

[If seeing his face makes you happy, this is a sign.]

"... that."

Mustering her courage, Horikita Suzune spoke, meeting Hashiba Hikaru's gaze directly. Staring at his handsome face, she felt her breath catch for a few seconds before she immediately looked away.

"What's wrong?"

After seeing the other person's actions, Hashiba Hikaru was completely dumbfounded.

Why did you turn your head away after just one glance at me?

Dude, you're the uncrowned king of the forum's handsome guys ranking!

I understand it, yet I don't.

401

Chapter 401 Horikita Suzune: I will continue to be your companion.

Filled with doubt, Hashiba Hikaru and Horikita Suzune walked together to the bottom of the cafe. He watched as the girl sat down opposite him, her face seemingly flushed.

"What topic does Horikita want to talk to me about?"

Hashiba Hikaru examined the café's menu. As winter approached, the most popular drinks were hot, and very few people would choose to add ice during this time of year.

"It's just a few small things..."

After Horikita Suzune turned her head away, she felt her heart beating very fast. She wasn't really sure what it felt like to like someone, but being alone with Hashiba Hikaru still made her feel very happy.

"Is that so?"

Hashiba Hikaru didn't press further. Instead, she handed the menu to the other person and said gently, "Let's order a coffee first, and then we can chat."

"Can."

After choosing their drinks, the boy gently stirred his coffee, gazing at the black-haired girl opposite him with a smile. Her behavior today was truly strange, the most unique one since Hashiba Hikaru and Horikita Suzune met.

Have you figured out how to bring it up?

Hashiba Hikaru asked.

"I've made up my mind..."

After taking a sip of her warm coffee, Horikita Suzune stroked the cup and mustered her courage.

The black-haired girl's current goal is to become a better person. Love is not something girls pursue, but she hasn't experienced it. If she has to go through these things to become better, she is not opposed to trying.

"What I want to talk about... is your own private matter, Classmate Hashiba."

Horikita Suzune brought up another topic that surprised Hashiba Hikaru, since based on the boy's previous impression, she should be someone who wouldn't care about these things.

"My private matter?"

Hashiba Hikaru paused for a moment, then, after confirming that he hadn't misheard, he rubbed his hair and continued to scrutinize Horikita Suzune's small face.

"What specific private matter is it? Horikita, please feel free to speak frankly."

"It's about Classmate Hashiba's romantic relationship."

Horikita Suzune pressed her small hands to her thighs, forcing herself to calm down. "Are you planning to treat them like this from now on?"

"Well..."

Upon hearing this question, Hashiba Hikaru instantly realized what the other person was asking. However, ultimately, this matter shouldn't have anything to do with her, so why ask such a question?

He thought about the other party's stock price increase. Horikita Suzune's stock price is currently 140, which is a very delicate number. Perhaps this is why she took the initiative to ask about things she wouldn't have paid attention to before.

"Although I don't quite understand why Horikita asked that question, I can tell you my true thoughts."

What is it?

The black-haired girl was very concerned, but this concern was completely different from her previous ones.

"Because I consider myself a very greedy person, I want to keep all the things I like firmly by my side, and I want to pursue a more perfect outcome."

"..."

After a moment of silence, Horikita Suzune naturally understood the implied meaning of those words. She pursed her lips, a sudden displeasure creeping into her heart. "So, does Classmate Hashiba think it's normal for you to maintain close relationships with several girls at the same time?"

"Whether something is normal or not is just other people's judgment. After all, only the people involved have the right to judge a relationship. Am I supposed to conform to other people's expectations to live a fulfilling life?"

Although Hashiba Hikaru was asking a question, her tone remained calm. "Just like Horikita, you probably don't care what other people think, right?"

"Yes, I don't care about those insignificant people; that's the key to my independence."

Horikita Suzune nodded; this was indeed the effect she was aiming for.

"Yes, my relationship with them happened by a series of coincidences. Now that it has happened, I won't dwell on the past; I'll just try to move forward."

"..."

"I see, I think I understand what Classmate Hashiba is thinking now."

Horikita Suzune's thoughts were complicated, but she wouldn't express anger or doubt at this moment. After all, the girl knew she had no position and was just an observer at the moment.

"Does Horikita think I did something wrong?"

Hashiba Hikaru seemed to sense something, and immediately asked a question after the black-haired girl opposite her fell silent.

"No, I don't know much about love, so I won't judge whether what Classmate Hashiba did was right or wrong, but..."

"But what?"

Hashiba Hikaru pressed for an answer.

"But this is not something I was taught, so it's up to you Classmate Hashiba, to decide."

Horikita Suzune gazed into the other's eyes. The shyness and nervousness that had arisen when they made eye contact earlier had dissipated, replaced by more complex emotions.

"Is that so...?"

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly, then asked a question that sent a chill down the girl's spine, "If I really decide to continue down this path, would Horikita- san still be willing to be my companion?"

"..."

Feeling the other person's gentle gaze, Horikita Suzune couldn't help but recall the scenes and images that had appeared before.

Regardless of the answer, this is a crucial moment, and it may even affect the relationship between the two parties and their future interactions.

The answer becomes crucial at this moment.

After thinking for a long time, Horikita Suzune let out a long sigh of relief. She touched her hair, as if she had made up her mind.

"My friendship with Classmate Hashiba is none of your personal matters."

This was the most cryptic answer she could give.

"That's good. Let's continue to get along well."

After understanding what the other person meant, Hashiba Hikaru's smile deepened.

It seems the impact of the stock price increase is indeed significant. Even after hearing her own answer, Horikita Suzune didn't seem too opposed to it, which is a good sign.

"However, I still have to say one more thing."

Upon seeing the other person's smiling face, Horikita Suzune's tone turned cold. "Although Classmate Hashiba and I are friends, I will never offer you any help when it comes to dating girls."

"It's alright, this isn't part of an agreement between me and my friend Horikita, and I won't make things difficult for you."