Horikita Suzune: I'm Willing to Help. / Winning Her Big Brother's Approval (Not Really)

"If we were to quantify the overall quality of all students, wouldn't it have a significant impact?"

Horikita Suzune considered the many possibilities behind this plan, and her delicate brows furrowed slightly.

"Yes, if it is actually implemented, it will have a profound impact on all aspects."

Hashiba Hikaru looked at Horikita Manabu's face. "What possibility has Horikita-senpai considered?"

"If we were to quantify personal qualities such as athletic ability and academic performance, the first thing that would be affected would definitely be interpersonal relationships."

Horikita Manabu put forward the first possibility that came to mind.

"Because the school holds various Special Exam, once everyone's data is presented quantitatively, it means that everyone will inevitably face scrutiny from others, and this is unavoidable. If the data is too low..."

Horikita Manabu didn't finish his last sentence, but Horikita Suzune and Hashiba Hikaru, who were present, both understood what he meant.

When data is quantified, even if students aren't so pragmatic in their interpersonal interactions, they will subconsciously seek out better peers and teammates when facing exams. Those with lower scores will inevitably face disdain and even subtle bullying.

"Hashiba- kun, now that you've told me this plan, is there something you need me to do?"

Horikita Manabu stared into the boy's eyes; he knew the boy wouldn't do such a thing without a reason.

"No, the person I want to ask is Horikita- kun, not Horikita-senpai."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled, her gaze falling on Horikita Suzune's surprised expression.

"Then please tell us, Hashiba."

Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses and said expressionlessly.

Chapter 572 Horikita Suzune: I'm willing to help.

Horikita Suzune observed the boy's pretentious expression and couldn't help but wonder what he wanted to ask of her. Since her older brother hadn't left school yet, wouldn't it be better to have him do it?

"There is a very important piece of information that I haven't shared with you yet, and I need to inform you of this in advance."

Hashiba Hikaru remembered what Sakayanagi Narimori had told her before: he was about to leave the school, and the new school principal was already on his way.

There is a very important point here: the person who will succeed Chairman Sakayanagi came to the school a long time ago to handle the handover of work matters. The person had seen this plan and told Sakayanagi Narimori that the idea of this plan was very good.

When the silver-haired man told Hashiba Hikaru about this, the boy immediately understood that the plan was very likely to be implemented. After all, the other party was sent by the [White Room] and was unlikely to really care about the Student Council.

Once it begins, it will bypass the Student Council's authority, and Hashiba Hikaru will have absolutely no power to stop it.

"What intelligence is it?"

Looking at the other person's face, Horikita Manabu realized that although he had devoted most of his time to his studies after stepping down, his attention to the school had not diminished.

"The school's leadership is about to change, and the new leader may be more troublesome than the Chairman."

Hashiba Hikaru left herself some room for maneuver when she revealed the information, because the more important details could only be shared with Sakayanagi. She was only revealing these details now in order to leverage Horikita Manabu.

"What?"

Upon hearing this, the man's calm expression finally crumbled; this matter had clearly exceeded his expectations.

"Does Classmate Hashiba mean the Chairman is going to step down?"

Horikita Suzune knew that the real person in charge of this school was the Chairman, and that every teacher and class advisor was under the Chairman's management.

"The internal reasons are complicated, and I can't tell you openly right now. The only information I can share is that the school's leadership is about to be replaced,"

Hashiba Hikaru Horikita-senpai at Horikita Manabu's face with a serious expression, "Now you understand why I told you about this plan, right?"

"Because this plan has too high a level of authority, if it were to be implemented, the Student Council would definitely be unable to intervene."

Horikita Manabu, having served as Student Council President, quickly grasped the underlying logic.

"That's right!"

Hashiba Hikaru snapped her fingers, a satisfied smile curving her lips.

"What do you want me to do for you Classmate Hashiba?"

Horikita Suzune spoke up from behind him, her gaze fixed intently on the boy's face.

"If this plan is approved and implemented by the new school leaders, it will definitely cause a huge uproar on campus. In order to better protect everyone, I want to create a brand new department within the Student Council."

Hashiba Hikaru spoke calmly; he had long harbored this idea in order to counter the upcoming [new school principal].

"The function of this department is to comprehensively control students' behavior after the data quantification plan is implemented, and to monitor any misbehavior that may result from the quantification of scores."

"I see."

The Horikita siblings are both Akito. Although Hashiba Hikaru's explanation was very basic, they still understood the boy's true thoughts.

"Are you planning to ask Suzune to take charge of this department's work?"

Horikita Manabu's tone was slightly somber.

"Yes, I believe Horikita has the ability. After you enter your Second Year, the Student Council will be conducting a new round of large-scale recruitment, and I will provide Horikita with a capable assistant at that time."

"I understand, I'm willing to help!"

Horikita Suzune agreed almost without much thought. After sorting things out, although she wasn't sure if Hashiba Hikaru really wanted to protect her classmate, the girl felt she had to do it if she could help her.

"Hashiba- kun... can we talk alone?"

After hearing his younger sister agree, Horikita Manabu stood up and decided to have a private conversation with Hashiba Hikaru.

"Of course, no problem."

Hashiba Hikaru knew that Horikita Manabu to talk to him privately. Anyway, he needed to use Horikita Manabu's remaining influence to increase his control over the Student Council, so this was something he had to do eventually.

"Come out."

Horikita Manabu pushed open the door and walked out, while Horikita Suzune suddenly reached out and took Hashiba Hikaru's hand where he couldn't see.

"It's alright, let me have a chat with Horikita-senpai."

Hashiba Hikaru patted her small hand gently and said softly, "Horikita-senpai is a reasonable person, and I was hoping he could help me."

"Good..."

Seeing the confident expression on the other person's face, Horikita Suzune finally let go of his hand and watched the boy walk out of the private room.

After leaving the restaurant, Hashiba Hikaru and Horikita Manabu went to a quiet alley behind the restaurant. They faced each other, but neither of them spoke first.

About a minute later, Horikita Manabu finally took the initiative to start a conversation.

"You put Suzune in charge of this matter. Is it because you have confidence in her, or do you want her to do some troublesome things for you?"

The man's gaze was sharp as a knife, striking Hashiba Hikaru's face fiercely.

After listening to the boy's explanation, he instantly understood the series of consequences that would result from the boy establishing a brand new department.

Although the Student Council is the department that manages students, it does not have much coercive power. Everything must be done according to procedures. In the core design of the school itself, the places without cameras are the school's true intentions.

Horikita Manabu understood this very early on: it's okay to make mistakes, but you absolutely cannot get caught.

The new department that Hashiba Hikaru mentioned was not actually for monitoring the aftermath of the quantitative data scheme. His goal was to establish a larger centralized network, which would increase the prestige of the Student Council and expand his own power and status.

"I believe in Horikita's abilities, and I'm sure he will grow even more in the process of doing this."

Hashiba Hikaru scrolled down to a picture on her phone. "I've already submitted the proposal for this new department to the Chairman for review. I'll have full access before he leaves."

"... What does Hashiba- kun want me to do? It's not just something he wants me to hear, is it?"

Horikita Manabu recalled the Matoba his younger sister serving meat to someone, and his face grew even more gloomy.

"Horikita-senpai will be away from school for a while. Since Horikita- san is your younger sister, are you really unwilling to teach her?"

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly.

What if I refuse?

"That's alright. She'll gradually improve once she officially takes over these tasks."

Hashiba Hikaru spread her hands, looking helpless.

"..."

After a long silence, Horikita Manabu looked at Hashiba Hikaru with a complicated expression.

"Hashiba- kun, you've really surprised me too many times. I now feel that Nagumo is not qualified to be your opponent."

"Thank you for the compliment, Horikita-senpai."

"I will teach Suzune, but before that, I have one more question for you."

"What's the problem?"

"What exactly is your relationship with her? Besides being companions and friends, what else have you done?"

Horikita Manabu's aura suddenly changed, and his gaze was fixed firmly on the boy's face.

"Well..."

Hashiba Hikaru touched her hair; things seemed to have gotten more complicated again.

Chapter 573 Gaining the Brother-in-Law's Approval (Just kidding)

In the quiet alley, after Horikita Manabu that very sharp question, Hashiba Hikaru didn't know how to answer it at first.

On one hand, his relationship with Horikita Suzune was not a legitimate one that could be openly acknowledged. The boy's official girlfriend was Ichinose Honami, a fact that was basically known throughout the school.

On the other hand, although Horikita Manabu appears cold on the surface, he is actually a complete "siscon" (sister complex). If he were to tell the other person that his sister has become his lover, the situation might get out of control.

Is there some hidden reason that you can't explain to me?

After waiting for more than ten seconds, and still not hearing an answer from the usually eloquent Hashiba Hikaru, Horikita Manabu's gaze grew even colder.

"Although I don't quite understand why Horikita-senpai asked that question, you probably already had a guess in mind when you asked it, right?"

Hashiba Hikaru, then looked at his face as if she were the one in charge.

"That's a guess, but I'd rather hear the answer from you directly."

Horikita Manabu remained unmoved.

"What would you do if this answer wasn't what Horikita-senpai liked?"

Hashiba Hikaru knew that her greed was affecting the life choices of many girls, and those close to them certainly wouldn't just stand by and watch.

For example, Hasebe, the girl with blue hair, proves this point whether it's due to her personality or because she genuinely can't stand deception, by speaking up for Sakura Airi.

Horikita Manabu is Horikita Suzune's older brother, and once he learns the truth, many of his reactions will be unpredictable.

"That depends on just how much I dislike it. Classmate Hashiba is always so eloquent, I think you should just tell me the answer directly, instead of beating around the bush."

Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses. He certainly had many guesses, but he remained calm and waited for the boy's answer.

"Besides being friends with Horikita..."

Actually, it would be fine to keep it from Horikita Manabu, but Hashiba Hikaru felt that it wouldn't hurt to tell him the answer now, since she would eventually have to tell her "brother-in-law" anyway.

"They were also lovers."

"..."

Upon hearing this, a colder glint flashed in Horikita Manabu's eyes. The next second, he threw a punch at the boy's face with lightning speed, the movement so fast it was accompanied by a sharp whooshing sound.

"Smack!"

Hashiba Hikaru's expression changed drastically, and her reaction speed was even faster than his. In an instant, she got into a fighting stance to block the opponent's sudden attack. After mastering [Combat Techniques (Proficiency)], it was not difficult to do such a thing.

"Snort!"

Seeing his first attack blocked, Horikita Manabu let out a cold snort and continued his fierce offensive, which was completely different from his refined appearance. It was clear that the man's martial arts skills were quite good.

Hashiba Hikaru could roughly guess his opponent's true intentions. Instead of launching an attack, he used his Combat Techniques to defend himself, and the two engaged in several rounds of offensive and defensive battles in the alley.

"Smack!"

"Bang! Bang!"

"Click!"

Amidst the exchange of punches and kicks, Hashiba Hikaru seized an opportunity and suddenly blocked Horikita Manabu's two fists, locking his movements with her arms and holding him in a position where neither of them could move.