Horikita Suzune: I Want to Stand by Your Side / Kushida Kikyo: Whose Scent Is This?

"I see."

Hashiba Hikaru touched her chin. After all, Kushida Kikyo was quite popular among the first-year students, and Ichinose Honami, as the student representative of Class A of the First Year, certainly had an aura that made her very convincing.

"How many people are in Horikita's group?"

"15 people. Our plan is to include as many students from other classes as possible, and students from two other classes have joined the group."

Horikita Suzune did not hide anything from Hashiba Hikaru and told her everything.

"Grouping is just the first step. You probably haven't finished forming your large groups with the upperclassmen yet, right?"

Hashiba Hikaru thought of Kiryuuin Fuuka's face. As a Second Year student, her presence had always been on the boy's mind.

"We haven't contacted the senior students yet, but we should decide after dinner."

Looking at the confident-looking girl, Hashiba Hikaru couldn't help but ask, "Horikita- san, do you think you have a chance to score?"

"Yes, I think as long as we coordinate with all the members of the group and complete the practice according to the schedule, we can get a better score in the final assessment."

After exchanging a brief overview of their respective group assignments, Hashiba Hikaru and Horikita Suzune began to have a more in-depth conversation.

The black-haired girl has always wanted to keep up with her brother. This Forest School is similar to the previous Sports Festival, and she wants to achieve something.

"Horikita, are you the [leader] of your group?"

After hearing the girl's thoughts, Hashiba Hikaru raised an eyebrow slightly.

"No, it's Kushida."

"Um?"

Hashiba Hikaru was taken aback. He hadn't thought Kushida Kikyo would hold such an important position, and as the "person in charge," she was likely to face expulsion. Given the current situation of Class D of the First Year, neither their Private Points nor their Class Evaluation Points were sufficient.

"Kushida is very popular, and the girls all trust her."

Horikita Suzune disliked Kushida Kikyo to begin with, and her tone cooled somewhat in her reply.

"Yes, I know that."

Hashiba Hikaru gazed at the girl's pretty face, her voice several octaves lower, "Horikita's thoughts haven't changed, have they? Are you planning to talk to your group members during this time?"

"...Hmm."

Upon hearing this, the black-haired girl was visibly speechless for a moment. She had always adhered to independence, and the only person she truly respected was Hashiba Hikaru in front of her. Apart from that, Horikita Suzune had no desire to have any further contact with anyone else.

"You can relax a bit; I was just asking casually."

Hashiba Hikaru's tone remained gentle. He met Horikita Suzune's gaze, staring into her beautiful eyes, and said, "Everyone has their own way of life. I'm not forcing you to change. As long as you feel comfortable with it, that's fine."

"Yes, I understand."

The girl nodded silently, feeling the other person's gentle gaze, her heartbeat quickened slightly.

"In any case, Horikita can always communicate with me about his thoughts."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled gently, surveyed his surroundings, and spoke in a relaxed tone.

"Although we can't contact each other by phone, we can choose a fixed place and agree on a time to meet here while we're having dinner."

Since mealtimes are a time for boys and girls to meet, Hashiba Hikaru thought that was enough. Horikita Suzune was a very smart girl, and she understood this immediately.

"Can."

Horikita Suzune readily accepted. It wasn't that she was afraid of fighting alone; it was simply that after clarifying her own feelings, she longed to have more contact with Hashiba Hikaru. Listening to her arrangements and thoughts, the girl just felt very at ease.

She didn't know if this feeling was called dependence.

But she liked it very much.

482

Chapter 482 Horikita Suzune: I want to stand by your side.

When Horikita Suzune was fully immersed in the chat, she felt that time really flew by.

On one hand, it's because she's a very serious person and doesn't get distracted easily; on the other hand, Hashiba Hikaru is very attentive to the girl, so there's absolutely no possibility of her being distracted.

They had a fairly in-depth discussion about their views on the Forest School, talking for almost half an hour.

After they had finished talking, Hashiba Hikaru prepared to leave.

Although Horikita Suzune is not good at socializing, when her mind is completely focused on one person, the girl can vaguely sense the other person's emotions, so she takes the initiative to bring up the previous incident.

"What do you think about what I said last time, Classmate Hashiba?"

"..."

Faced with the girl bringing up the past, Hashiba Hikaru's expression immediately turned serious.

Because this is a very important matter, facing one's own inner feelings is a very brave act, and he must give a more powerful answer.

"I actually already had my answer ready, but before I answer, I still have a few questions I'd like to ask Horikita- kun."

Gazing at the other person's delicate, pretty face, the boy's voice was very gentle.

"Sure, please feel free to ask any questions you may have Classmate Hashiba."

Horikita Suzune felt her heart beating faster and faster. She took a deep breath and smelled the fresh scent of grass.

"Because we've known each other for so long, there are many things I haven't kept from Horikita- kun,"

An indescribable smile appeared on Hashiba Hikaru's serene and elegant face. "I'm a very greedy person, you should already know that, right?"

"... I'm probably the closest bystander to this, aren't I?"

Horikita Suzune answered the question with a question, after all, she had witnessed the intimate behavior between Kushida Kikyo and Hashiba Hikaru.

"Yes, these are all my problems; everyone is just indulging my whims."

Hashiba Hikaru took a step forward, bringing herself closer to Horikita Suzune.

As the girl opposite felt Hashiba Hikaru's increasingly approaching aura enveloping her, her pretty face flushed slightly, but she felt no reluctance whatsoever.

"It seems that Classmate Hashiba is very clear about her position."

"Yes, so after understanding Horikita's thoughts, I did feel flattered."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled, her gaze fixed firmly on Horikita Suzune's face.

"Is that so?"

The girl was somewhat delighted, her tone inadvertently tinged with shyness.

"Certainly,"

Hashiba Hikaru scoffed twice. "Doesn't Horikita know her own charm?"

"..."

Such blatant praise made Horikita Suzune's already uncontrollably rapid heartbeat even faster. She clenched her small hands together, a unique anticipation rising in her heart for what would happen next.

"If Horikita- kun has truly made up his mind, then I'm willing to accept all the consequences with you."

Hashiba Hikaru thought for a moment, then spoke with utmost seriousness.

"Although some people say that promises are mostly empty words, I always believe that only a more sincere expression can convey the truest thoughts in one's heart. Horikita and I have known each other for so long, you should understand what I mean."

"Yes, I understand."

A stern expression appeared on Horikita Suzune's beautiful face. She had been influenced by Hashiba Hikaru all along. Although she hadn't made much progress in the direction of her growth, she had already made a decision about what she wanted.

She agrees with one of Hashiba Hikaru's key ideas: that everyone's life is unique and there is no need to live entirely according to the rules and regulations of society. In her solitary life, Horikita Suzune longs for a companion.

No, a relationship that goes beyond mere companionship is what she wants most right now.

From meeting Hashiba Hikaru to getting to know her and becoming even closer, these memories were like fluffy cotton candy, softly enveloping the black-haired girl's heart and making her understand her most ardent desires.

"Do you really understand?"

Hashiba Hikaru raised his voice several octaves as he tried to ascertain whether the other person had made the choice on a whim.

After all, Horikita Suzune and Kushida are quite different. As a very special girl, her indifference and independent personality come from her upbringing. Girls must have a clear understanding of love and dependence.

"What is it that you're wondering about Classmate Hashiba?"

Horikita Suzune's tone was firm. "I don't care about complicated interpersonal relationships. Although it might be a little inappropriate, I think this is what I want!"

"Yes, I understand."

Hashiba Hikaru's smile softened further; the other party's stance was already quite clear.

Although Horikita Suzune is a self-disciplined girl, her cold exterior actually hides a warmer heart.

She knew this was neither reasonable nor normal, but she dared to make a fearless choice.

This is Horikita Suzune.

She was unique, and she shone brightly before Hashiba Hikaru.

"Then I'll give you my answer, Horikita- kun."

"Um..."

At this crucial moment, Horikita Suzune felt her heart pounding incredibly fast. She bit her lower lip tightly, staring at the boy's face, unable to utter a word.

"I like Horikita, can you be my girlfriend?"

"!"

Hearing the boy's gentle request, Horikita Suzune's delicate body trembled violently. The girl immediately looked up and stared intently at Hashiba Hikaru, her voice somewhat hoarse.

"I... I do."

"Real?"

"Real."

After a simple confession and response, the already intimate atmosphere between the two became even more intimate.

Horikita Suzune's pretty face flushed red as she looked at Hashiba Hikaru, who had taken another step closer, and she felt her breathing become rapid.

"Now that we're a couple, I'm going to do some things that only boyfriends can do, Horikita- san, are you mentally prepared?"

"Hmm... whatever it is."

Horikita Suzune bit her rosy lips, her voice slightly ethereal, "Do whatever you want..."

"Hey-hey."

Hashiba Hikaru didn't wait any longer. The next moment, he pulled her delicate body into his arms, feeling Horikita Suzune's soft and boneless body as he wrapped his arms around her slender waist.

"Hmm."

This was their first hug. Horikita Suzune buried her face in Hashiba Hikaru's chest. Although it was her first time dating, she took the initiative to hug the boy's waist back. She was quite intoxicated by this unprecedented feeling.

How are you feeling?

"... It feels very comfortable."

"Then let's hug a little longer."

"Um."

483

Chapter 483 Kushida Kikyo: Whose scent is this?

Every girl is a unique treasure. When Hashiba Hikaru embraced Horikita Suzune, he experienced a completely different feeling. Although she was shy, she had a unique and passionate emotion in her heart, making it hard not to be captivated by her.

After hugging for more than ten minutes, Hashiba Hikaru felt that the time was almost up. After resolving this matter, he still had to rush to the next place; that's how he managed his time.

"... Um?"

After feeling the boy's hand move away from her waist, Horikita Suzune looked up with a hint of confusion.

"It's almost time, we should head back."

Hashiba Hikaru whispered in her ear.

"Oh."

The black-haired girl nodded, her arms still wrapped around Hashiba Hikaru's waist. After understanding what she meant, Horikita Suzune reluctantly withdrew her hands.

"Well, now that the decision has been made, it's better for Suzune to work more with the group members. This way, we can unite everyone and achieve better results in the end."