Horikita Manabu: I'm Leaving Suzune in Your Hands. / An Unexpected Traitor.

"I understand, Guang doesn't need to worry."

Ichinose Honami nuzzled Hashiba Hikaru's shoulder. She had kept the fact that Sakayanagi Arisu. Although it had put a lot of pressure on her, the girl felt she wouldn't lose.

Memories gradually surfaced in her mind, Sakayanagi Arisu's words still lingered in Ichinose Honami's heart.

The silver-haired girl had a cold face and a condescending tone.

"You are not good enough for Hashiba Hikaru at all; he is not right for you."

She clenched her fists, her fighting spirit soaring even higher.

505

Chapter 505 Horikita Manabu: I'm counting on you for Suzune.

As the only full-day rest day during the Forest School activities, every student cherished this day, either taking the time to rest or spending time playing with their friends.

After having lunch with Ichinose Honami, Hashiba Hikaru Hashima stayed with her for a long time until night fell.

It's already January, and it gets dark very early. After dinner, the boy reluctantly saw his girlfriend off to the entrance of the girls' dormitory, then went back to his dorm to take a shower.

After finishing all these tasks, Hashiba Hikaru knocked on Horikita Manabu's door.

Although the bespectacled man had expected this, he still couldn't help but ask questions as the boy led him deeper into the forest.

Where are you taking me?

"Because we need to talk about something very important, we need to find a quieter place,"

Without turning his head, Hashiba Hikaru continued leading the way, saying, "Besides that, there's one more person who will join our conversation."

Who is it?

Following in Hashiba Hikaru's footsteps, Horikita Manabu understood what Hikaru meant, but his expression remained calm.

"You'll find out when we get there, Horikita-senpai, won't you? Please keep your expectations in mind."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly.

"Is that so?"

The man's attitude did not change; he simply nodded slightly and continued walking forward with Hashiba Hikaru.

After walking for a few minutes, the two finally arrived at the place where the boy and Horikita Suzune had agreed to meet. When the familiar figure appeared in his sight, Horikita Manabu was stunned at first, but then quickly regained his composure.

"Elder brother."

This time, it was Horikita Suzune who took the initiative to talk to him. Because Hashiba Hikaru was there, the girl's heart was filled with abundant courage.

"It's you."

Horikita Manabu nodded, then asked.

"I'm quite surprised to see you here. What's your relationship with Hashiba- kun now?"

"Well..."

When the question was asked, Horikita Suzune's face paled slightly, while Hashiba Hikaru quickly chimed in, saying, "Horikita- san and I are currently good friends."

"Good friend?"

The sharp-eyed man first scrutinized his sister's face, whose expression still showed some hesitation. Although there was an unconscious weakness in her expression, there was also a hint of a more determined emotion.

This is a sign of her growth.

"Yeah, I've known Horikita for so long, it's not surprising that we became friends, right?"

The boy smiled slightly, standing beside the black-haired girl with a gentle expression. "Or perhaps, Horikita-senpai, you think this is inappropriate?"

"No, since we've already reached an agreement, let's leave the decision of how to handle this to you Hashiba- kun."

Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses and said earnestly, "To be honest, I'm very satisfied with Hashiba- kun's approach in seeing Suzune grow."

Thank you for your compliment.

Hashiba Hikaru smiled and responded, then looked at Horikita Suzune beside her and said, "I need to talk to Horikita-senpai about some serious matters first. After we're done, the rest is up to you. Please tell him your true thoughts, Horikita."

"Um."

Horikita Suzune nodded earnestly, her expression quite gentle. After taking in this scene, Horikita Manabu gave Hashiba Hikaru a deep look but didn't say anything more.

"Then let's get down to business. Let's walk a few steps away and leave Horikita here."

"Can."

The two walked a short distance in the opposite direction, while Horikita Suzune remained where she was.

"So, what information does Hashiba- kun want to tell me?"

Horikita Manabu inquired about the highlight of today's meeting.

"I've figured out part of Miyabi Nagumo's plan; he's targeting a girl."

Hashiba Hikaru explained the information she had heard from Kiryuuin Fuuka.

"Is this targeting girls?"

Horikita Manabu frowned slightly.

"That's right, and the person in question is none other than Tachibana-senpai."

Hashiba Hikaru remembered the purple-haired girl who had been inseparable from Horikita Manabu back in the Student Council.

"Tangerine?"

After hearing the name, Horikita Manabu pondered for a moment and then understood what Hashiba Hikaru meant.

"... His goal is Private Points?"

"That's right. Horikita-senpai's group consists of core members from Class A of the Third Year. Even with the addition of students from other classes, their overall control is very strong. If Nagumo wanted to pull any tricks, the chances of that would be slim, so their final results will definitely be good."

Following up on what the other person said Hashiba Hikaru explained, "Aside from this direction, the girls in Horikita-senpai's class were taking the exam in a different group, and they even had Second Year girls as teammates."

"In that case, if someone holds us back or causes a problem, it could lead to a very serious failure."

The boy stared at Horikita Manabu's face. "Does Horikita-senpai know anything about this? Is Tachibana-senpai the [leader] of the group?"

"Yes."

Although boys and girls took the exams separately, Horikita Manabu, as the leader of the entire third year, had many channels for gathering information and knew who among the third-year students was in charge.

"Hmm, if the information I've gathered is correct, then this must be his objective."

Hashiba Hikaru thought for a moment, "If even one student drops out, not only will we have to pay 20 million Private Points, but the Class Points will also lose 300 points. That would be a huge blow."

"That's true. If the girls' group were really attacked, I wouldn't have been able to notice it in time."

Horikita Manabu took this exam very seriously, after all, this semester was his last period at the school, and he wanted to make a final contribution to the grade.

"Well, now that we know about this plan in advance, we can take countermeasures."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled. "I've delivered the intelligence. Let Horikita-senpai decide how to handle it."

"Yes, this information is very valuable. Thank you, Hashiba- kun."

"No need to thank me, aren't Horikita-senpai and I allies now?"

Hashiba Hikaru shrugged and smiled.

But Horikita Manabu's next words immediately took him by surprise.

What exactly is your relationship with Suzune?

The man pushed up his glasses again, staring directly into Hashiba Hikaru's eyes. "Besides friends."

"..."

Hashiba Hikaru was silent for a moment, then slowly asked, "Why would Horikita-senpai ask that?"

"I'm just curious. I won't force you to tell me if you don't want to."

Horikita Manabu suddenly relented. He looked at Hashiba Hikaru's handsome face and said slowly.

"Remember to take good care of her. I'm entrusting Suzune to you."

"..."

"I will."

506

Chapter 506 The Unexpected Traitor.

After talking with Horikita Manabu, Hashiba Hikaru and the other person walked back to Horikita Suzune's side.

"Alright, now it's my turn to stay on the sidelines. Horikita, go and talk to him. I believe you can convey your thoughts."

Hashiba Hikaru said gently to Horikita Suzune, "In any case, isn't showing Horikita-senpai your growth the goal you've been working so hard for all this time?"

"I will."

The black-haired girl nodded emphatically, then strode towards her brother.

Horikita Manabu glanced at Hashiba Hikaru, who was smiling. His last words were actually his true thoughts, since his sister would be staying here for two more years after he graduated.

Two years is not a long time, but it's not a short time either; it's enough for a person to undergo earth-shattering changes.

Entrusting it to Hashiba Hikaru a very good choice.

This wasn't just because Horikita Manabu admired the boy; more importantly, it was Horikita Suzune's own decision.

From a very early age, Horikita Manabu had been unwilling for his younger sister to keep imitating him. He would only feel gratified if she could follow her own heart and make her own choices.

Come here.

Horikita Manabu looked at his "good-for-nothing" younger sister and said something lightly.

"OK."

Looking at the brother and sister in the distance, Hashiba Hikaru maintained a faint smile.

To be honest, Horikita Manabu's statement just now is quite thought-provoking.

Does this mean she's gained her brother-in-law's approval?

The boy touched his hair, somewhat unsure if that was it.

But all in all, things are pretty good, aren't they?

About five or six minutes later, Horikita Manabu and the black-haired girl returned. Hashiba Hikaru glanced at their expressions and sensed that they had a good conversation.

"Well? Have you said everything?"

Hashiba Hikaru stared at Horikita Suzune with a concerned expression.

"Yes, I've already told my brother everything I needed to say."

The black-haired girl nodded, and it was clear that she felt quite relieved after expressing her innermost thoughts.

"That's good."

"Hashiba- kun".

Horikita Manabu, who was standing next to him, suddenly called out the boy's name.

"What's wrong, Horikita-senpai?"

"I'll head back now. You can take her back to the girls' dormitory later."

Horikita Manabu stared into the other person's eyes, as if giving a command.

"Yes, I will."

After the man, who appeared cold but was actually very emotional, walked away, Hashiba Hikaru looked at the girl in front of her and said gently, "Now that you've expressed your true feelings, Suzune should feel pretty good, right?"

"Yes, I told my brother about my goals and ideas, and he fully supports my decision."

The black-haired girl said earnestly, "Not only that, he also said he would prepare a gift for me before graduation."

"Gift?"

The boy was taken aback for a moment, but quickly understood.