Horikita Suzune: Can We Have a Meal Together? / Kushida Kikyo: You Owe Me Some Compensation Now.

"But."

The blond man abruptly changed the subject, shifting the focus to another area.

"The only victim in this matter is Ichinose- senpai. Now that the truth is clear, the punishment needs to be reported to the school. After all, the most I can do is remove him from the Student Council; I don't have the final say."

"I will report to the Chairman tomorrow and announce how to deal with Noda after I get the definite results. I promise to give Ichinose. Is that alright?"

He stared at Hashiba Hikaru's face, intending to use stalling tactics to buy himself some time.

"There's no need for Senior Nagumo to trouble yourself with that. Since you've already expressed your opinion, it would be too troublesome for you to report to the Chairman. We've already received the Chairman's written opinion; we just need to notify the homeroom teacher of Class 2-A."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly, her tone conveying a sense of consideration for the other person.

"Yeah?"

A flicker of surprise crossed the blond man's eyes, and the smile on his lips gradually froze.

"Yes, this is the solution proposed by the Chairman."

The boy took out the last document from his pocket. It contained the results of the investigation into Noda Shunwa, and was signed with the Chairman's seal, Sakayanagi Narimori.

"Then please let Hashiba announce it. After the results are announced, I'll take Noda to the homeroom teacher to explain the details."

"Sure."

Hashiba Hikaru cleared her throat, picked up the paper, turned around, and looked at all the students below.

"Second Year Noda Shunwa anonymously posted on the School Forum, publicizing various false pasts of first-year student Ichinose Honami. This is extremely malicious, not only causing a huge public opinion impact on campus, but also putting mental pressure on the person involved. This is absolutely unacceptable."

"The results of the investigation are now announced: Noda Shunwa of Class 2-A is suspended from classes for three months, effective immediately. 500,000 personal points will be deducted, and Class 2-A's Class Evaluation Points will be reduced by 300 points. Everyone is urged to take this as a warning and never repeat this mistake."

Hashiba Hikaru calmly read out the Chairman's decision. His voice was unhurried and carried to the ears of every student in the audience, allowing everyone to clearly hear the final outcome of this "rumor" incident.

"This is the Chairman's decision. Do you understand, Senior Nagumo?"

"... Since the Chairman has decided this way, then so be it."

Miyabi Nagumo glanced at Noda, whose face was ashen. Noda had indeed been a good helper to him, but that was now a thing of the past.

"Noda, let's go find our homeroom teacher."

"Yes... Nagumo- kun."

Just as Noda Shunwa was about to leave with Miyabi Nagumo, he turned back and glanced at Hashiba Hikaru.

In the man's view, the boy was surrounded by a large crowd.

In addition to the students from Class A of the First Year, there was Kiriyama Ikuto from the Second Year, Horikita Manabu from the third year, Sakayanagi Arisu from Class B of the First Year, as well as many students in the audience whose attitudes and positions had already shifted.

This is the power the other party currently possesses, and this is only a portion of what is visible; there is likely much more that Miyabi Nagumo is unaware of.

Faced with such an enemy... there's no other way but to fight with our backs to the wall!

Noda's downfall instilled fear in Miyabi Nagumo for the first time. Although the plan to impeach Hashiba Hikaru was still in its infancy, he felt he could not wait any longer and had to act immediately.

"Then I'll be going now, Vice President Hashiba."

"But I haven't given Senior Nagumo the points I promised yet. Should I wait until I transfer the money?"

Hashiba Hikaru smiled meaningfully.

"No need, I don't need that little bit of money!"

"Goodbye then, President."

Gazing at Miyabi Nagumo's departing figure, the young man glanced at the people standing beside him and muttered to himself.

Will he go all out and risk everything?

"Uncertain."

"But I'm really hoping he'll do it. There are still less than two months left in the Third Semester, which feels like a long time."

"I hope so."

Horikita Manabu looked at Hashiba Hikaru's profile, his mood calm.

If he could completely resolve Miyabi Nagumo's problem before graduating and leaving school, he would have no worries whatsoever.

534

Chapter 534 Horikita Suzune: Can we have dinner together?

As Miyabi Nagumo led Noda Shunwa to the Gymnasium entrance, the Class A of the First Year students waiting outside received a notification and immediately opened the gate.

"That concludes today's Clarification Assembly. Thank you very much for your cooperation. Please refrain from discussing this rumor in the future and try to let it fade from your memories."

Hashiba Hikaru stood on the podium and smiled slightly. He raised his hand and gestured to the students on both sides of the Gymnasium, "Now, please go and collect your points from the students in Class A of the First Year. This is a small token of my appreciation."

After that, the students in the Gymnasium split into two groups. One group lined up to collect their points from the students in Class A, while the other group, not caring about the amount of money, left as soon as the doors opened.

The boy didn't bring Ichinose Honami here today; instead, he had several girls keep her company in the dormitory. Now that things have come to a perfect end, he should call his girlfriend to explain.

"Hey, Honami."

"Hikari, is your business over?"

Ichinose Honami was sitting in Hashiba Hikaru's room in her pajamas, with Ando and Himeno beside her. Their task for the day was to keep her company.

"Yes, thanks to everyone, this matter is completely over, and no one will spread this false rumor anymore."

Hashiba Hikaru spoke gently, and besides attacking Miyabi Nagumo, another important purpose was to resolve her girlfriend's problem and prevent her from being criticized further.

"That's good. We were worried about this today. Hopefully nothing unexpected happened."

Ichinose Honami felt a little worried and wanted her boyfriend to come back soon.

"Nothing unusual happened, Honami, don't worry. I'll be back after the final touches are done."

"That's good. Come back soon, Guang. I'll cook for you."

"Uh-huh."

After hanging up the phone, Hashiba Hikaru felt a gaze on her. Turning her head, the boy found the silver-haired girl, who hadn't spoken since the beginning, staring at her face.

"Classmate Sakayanagi, what's wrong?"

For some reason, even though she hadn't done anything, feeling that gaze made Hashiba Hikaru feel inexplicably pressured.

"Does Classmate Hashiba remember our promise?"

Sakayanagi Arisu raised her small hand, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Of course I remember, but there are a lot of people here. Could you please wait a moment, Classmate Sakayanagi?"

Hashiba Hikaru looked at the students still collecting their points inside the room. Although everyone was busy with their own things, quite a few eyes were looking towards the podium.

The girls who had ties with the boy, such as Horikita Suzune, Sakura Airi, and Kushida Kikyo, all stayed.

"This doesn't conform to the agreement, does it?"

The silver-haired girl, with delicate, elfin features, frowned slightly, seemingly somewhat displeased. "Our agreement is that we must shake hands whenever we meet. This agreement must be kept until our next meeting today."

She held her little hand up, showing no sign of lowering it.

"..."

Hashiba Hikaru had no choice. This agreement was a crucial signal. Since she would be working with Sakayanagi for a long time to come, she had to appease her. After all, there were many situations where she could be of use to her.

"Oh well."

Although many girls below were watching her, Hashiba Hikaru decided to bite the bullet and go for it.

He raised his hand and slowly grasped the silver-haired girl's soft, boneless hand, a scene that immediately caught the attention of many observant people.

"?"

Kushida Kikyo, who was staring intently at the podium, changed her expression slightly, and her gaze toward Sakayanagi Arisu suddenly became very unfriendly, while Sakura Airi watched silently, not daring to say anything.

The only one who reacted strangely was Horikita Suzune. The girl had originally planned to talk to Hashiba Hikaru after everything was over, but she didn't expect to see this scene now.

The next moment.

The black-haired girl strode towards the podium, completely unconcerned about the stares of those around her.

The handshake with Sakayanagi Arisu lasted about a minute. When she released the girl's soft little hand, Hashiba Hikaru caught a glimpse of Horikita Suzune walking towards her out of the corner of her eye.

Sakayanagi Arisu also saw the other person, and after withdrawing her hand, her tone was light and airy, with a unique sense of sarcasm.

"It seems like Classmate Hashiba is really popular; girls come to you every day."

Sakayanagi Arisu glanced at Horikita Suzune, whose expression was aloof, out of the corner of her eye. The other girl was also outstanding in appearance, but was not popular with her classmates because of her personality.

"It's just good luck, Classmate Sakayanagi, you don't need to say that. You're very popular too."

Hashiba Hikaru gazed at her small face with a smile.

Perhaps.

Sakayanagi Arisu nodded slightly, without saying anything more. She quickly turned and left the stage, preparing to give the remaining time to Horikita Suzune who came up.

Both of them moved via the stairs to the right of the podium, so they passed each other on the stairs. Hashiba Hikaru saw that Sakayanagi Arisu seemed to open her mouth as she passed Horikita Suzune, but she didn't hear what she said.

After a while, the black-haired girl stood gracefully in front of the boy.

"Horikita, what can I do for you?"

"Well, it's nothing big, just a small idea."

Horikita Suzune sounded somewhat uneasy.

"Then please speak, but let's not stand here any longer, let's go backstage together."

Hashiba Hikaru didn't want to stand on the stage any longer; the position was too conspicuous. He led the black-haired girl into the Curtain Preparation Room behind the stage.

The curtains provided some sound insulation, and the two felt much quieter as soon as they entered. He took a bottle of the prepared drinks and handed it to the black-haired girl in front of him.

Would you like to drink this?

"Um."

After Horikita Suzune took a sip of her drink, she stared at the boy in front of her, her thoughts drifting away.

Although she had never been in a relationship, she felt that since she was Hashiba Hikaru's girlfriend, there were some things she had to take the initiative to do.

"Light..."

Since there were only two people left, the girl could naturally call him by his first name.

"What's wrong?"

Hashiba Hikaru's voice was very gentle.

"I'd like to have dinner with Hikaru... Is that okay?"

Horikita Suzune took a deep breath and brought up what she had been thinking about for the past few days.

"Sure, let me choose the specific time."

Hashiba Hikaru thought about it and realized that such things shouldn't be agreed upon casually.

"Okay, just decide on the time; I've already thought of the location."

"Oh, where does Suzune plan to eat?"

The boy suddenly became curious.

"My dormitory."

"... That's great, we can even cook together."

"I've already bought the groceries, I can come over whenever I have free time."

Horikita Suzune stared intently into his eyes. "I happen to have some things I want to discuss with you."

"OK."

535

Chapter 535 Kushida Kikyo: You should make it up to me.

Just as many things are gradually forgotten with the passage of time, the [Ichinose Honami Rumor Incident], which had caused a sensation on campus, was completely forgotten within a week after the Clarification Assembly in the Gymnasium.