Sakura Airi: I'll Study Hard. / A Special Exam Announcement.

"Have you vented enough, Horikita-senpai?"

The boy stared blankly at the other person's face.

"... Let go."

After thinking for a moment, Horikita Manabu chose to deliberately release his strength and pull his arm out of the boy's arm.

"Now, Horikita-senpai, can we have a proper talk?"

Hashiba Hikaru also withdrew her hands and straightened the front of her school uniform, which had been slightly wrinkled.

"When did you start?"

Horikita Manabu rubbed his elbow. Although they had only exchanged a few simple blows, the boy's reaction speed and physical abilities were astonishing. If the fight continued, he might not be able to beat him.

More importantly, during the exchange of blows, the man had a vague feeling that his opponent hadn't used their full strength, like in a running race at Sports Festival, where the opponent might still be holding back.

"It was during the Forest Training Camp that Horikita and I officially started dating."

Hashiba Hikaru replied earnestly.

"If I remember correctly, Hashiba- kun hasn't broken up with his girlfriend whom he publicly announced to the whole school, right?"

Horikita Manabu was fully aware of this, and stared coldly at the boy's face, "Are you planning to have your cake and eat it too?"

"I didn't hide this from Horikita, and we only got together after we realized this."

Hashiba Hikaru spoke calmly and sincerely, explaining the truth of the matter.

"You mean Suzune knew you had a girlfriend, but still agreed to be your lover?"

Horikita Manabu's eyes flashed with surprise, and his tone noticeably weakened.

"Yes, I didn't lie about this. If Horikita-senpai has any doubts, you can go to Horikita to confirm."

"..."

After a moment of silence, Horikita Manabu's expression became complicated. Although he hadn't fulfilled his duties as an older brother, it didn't mean he hadn't paid attention to his younger sister.

"What are the specific steps?"

Seemingly wanting to find a convincing reason, Horikita Manabu spoke again, "How did you two get together?"

"I confessed to Horikita, and she said yes, it was that simple."

Hashiba Hikaru shrugged, as if she were talking about something very easy.

"..."

Looking at Hashiba Hikaru's calm expression, Horikita Manabu could tell that she wasn't lying. He knew his sister's personality very well; she wouldn't have agreed to date someone who already had a girlfriend if she didn't truly like the boy.

"Is there anything else you want to ask, Horikita-senpai? If you have any questions, I'm always happy to answer them."

Seeing the struggle in Horikita Manabu's eyes, Hashiba Hikaru felt a great sense of relief.

"... Since this is Suzune's own decision, I won't interfere too much. After all, I've said before that I hope she can forge her own path in life, rather than deliberately imitating my way forward."

Horikita Manabu did think so. In any case, if Hashiba Hikaru didn't rely on coaxing and coercion, then it meant that this was a private matter between the two of them, and as the older brother, he didn't have the right to forcibly interfere, otherwise it would contradict his original intention.

"So, Horikita-senpai agrees?"

Hashiba Hikaru's lips curled into a smile. If she could gain her brother-in-law's approval, everything would be perfect.

No, this does not mean agreement.

Horikita Manabu stared at his face, his tone still cold, "If you were single and dating Suzune, I would be happy to see this, but since you're in this situation, I can't approve of it."

"If Suzune wants to break up with you later, I hope you can make the best choice."

"That day will never come. I will always be with Horikita."

Hashiba Hikaru stared into the other person's eyes, her words earnest.

"Let's leave it at that for now. I'll mentor Suzune after your new department's plan is released."

Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses, his tone finally softening somewhat.

"Thank you, Horikita-senpai."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded seriously and bowed to the man in front of her. Although she hadn't fully gained her "brother-in-law's" approval yet, it seemed that she was close.

That's truly something to celebrate!

Chapter 574 Sakura Airi: I will study hard.

After their private chat in the alley ended, Hashiba Hikaru and Horikita Manabu returned to the private room to find Horikita Suzune.

After a brief chat about the plan they had just discussed, the three of them parted ways. The man went to attend to his personal matters, while Hashiba Hikaru escorted Horikita Suzune back to her dormitory.

What did Hikaru just say to his brother?

Walking along the quiet path, the black-haired girl chose to ask the question herself.

"Well, I'd like to ask Horikita-senpai to teach you a bit before you leave school."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly, her tone gentle.

"Teach me? Would my brother agree to something like that?"

Horikita Suzune was immediately taken aback, because based on her understanding of her brother, he would never agree to such a thing.

"Of course I agree. As I said, the bonds between family members are not easily severed. Since Suzune is going to help me with the work in that new department, she naturally needs to learn some things from Horikita-senpai."

"He was the Student Council President before, and we can learn from his practical experience and perspective. This way, Suzune can make greater progress. Isn't that a good thing?"

Hashiba Hikaru tilted her head to look at the girl's fair and pretty face.

"I see, I'll work hard!"

After understanding Hashiba Hikaru's meaning, Horikita Suzune realized what the other person was hoping for. If she really wanted to achieve the boy's goal, she would have to be reliable in terms of ability, and she would do her best.

"Yes, I believe in Suzune's abilities. Let's work hard together."

Hashiba Hikaru took her small hand in hers, a gentle smile on her face.

When the aloof and solitary girl's veil was lifted, she revealed a completely different side to the boy as his lover—gentle and obedient, a fact that truly surprised and delighted him.

"Good."

Enveloped in the boy's large hand, a thin blush spread across Horikita Suzune's pretty face. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, showing her great satisfaction. There were few people on the path, and the girl could fully enjoy her boyfriend's tenderness.

After taking her back to her dormitory, Hashiba Hikaru didn't go back. Instead, he turned around and went into the elevator to another floor. He had another appointment to keep.

Knock knock.

After two knocks, the door opened, and the red-haired girl peeked out. Once she saw the figure in the doorway, she immediately reached out and pulled the person inside.

"Good afternoon, Airi."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled as she looked at the red-haired girl in front of her. She had come today to keep her promise to meet her, since the girl couldn't deliver chocolates to Class A on Valentine's Day, so she had saved this opportunity for today.

"Hikari, I miss you so much!"

After the door closed, Sakura Airi nestled into the boy's arms like a fledgling returning to its nest, gripping his back tightly and pressing her head against his chest.

"Yes, I'm here. Don't rush, Airi, we have plenty of time today."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled. He had specifically told Ichinose Honami in advance that he might not be home for dinner because of Student Council matters and a meeting with Horikita Manabu.

The pink-haired girl naturally had no objection to this, saying that she was going to participate in the girls' study group and lead the girls in the group to prepare for the upcoming Final Exam, and might sleep in Ando's dormitory.

"Is Hikaru going to spend the night here?"

"Yes, I haven't had time to come over lately. I need to spend some time with Airi."

Hashiba Hikaru held the girl's soft, delicate body in his arms, gently patting her back in a soft voice.

"That's great! I haven't finished all the chocolates from last time!"

Sakura Airi lifted her little head from his arms, her beautiful eyes filled with affection.

Although many people give chocolates to boys on Valentine's Day, she dared not go to Class A to give chocolates to Hashiba Hikaru under the watchful eyes of everyone.

Moreover, the girl wasn't a member of the Student Council, so unless they met in the dorm, she wouldn't find a suitable opportunity to give her the handmade chocolate.

Hashiba Hikaru had this in mind, which is why he made a point of staying overnight today.

"Has Airi had dinner yet?"

Hashiba Hikaru lowered her head and asked the girl about this. Sakura Airi was probably the easiest to please among these girls; she didn't compete or fight, and was very obedient.

"We haven't eaten yet, but Guang said he was coming over today, so we were planning to eat together."

Sakura Airi pointed to the refrigerator, "I prepared a lot of dishes that Hikaru likes to eat."

"Okay, I'll cook then."

Although Hashiba Hikaru had just eaten at Horikita Suzune's birthday party, since she was already here, she couldn't refuse the girl's kindness, so she decided to eat only a little.

"Um."

Although she nodded, Sakura Airi had no intention of getting up from Hashiba Hikaru's arms and continued to cling to him.

"It's not really my place to cook like this, Airi. Why don't you go play for a while?"

"But I just want to stay here by the light, and I also want to learn how to cook."

Sakura Airi turned around around Hashiba Hikaru and pressed her body against the boy's back again.

"Alright then, I'm a fast cook anyway, Airi wants it this way, then so be it."

Hashiba Hikaru couldn't bear to refuse her. Having a girl leaning against him wasn't a big deal; it wouldn't affect his cooking process.

"Uh-huh."

Sakura Airi reached out and wrapped her arms around Hashiba Hikaru's waist. The ring on her right hand shimmered with a beautiful luster. Feeling the reassuring masculine aura emanating from him, the red-haired girl smiled contentedly.

"Hehe, what a silly child."

Hashiba Hikaru naturally knew that Sakura Airi didn't really want to watch her cook; she just wanted to be close to her. Since she didn't dislike that, it didn't matter.

While cooking, the boy chatted with Sakura Airi as he worked with the food in the pot; he had something he wanted to remind her of.

"Final Exam are coming up soon, how's Airi's studying going?"

"It's alright. The notes Guang gave me last time were very helpful. I feel like I can do a lot of math problems now."

Sakura Airi pressed her fair face against Hashiba Hikaru's broad back.

"The Final Exam are very important, Airi must study hard. If your grades improve significantly compared to the Midterm Exam, I'll give you a reward."

"Really?"

"Of course, I've never broken my promise to Airi even once."

"I will study hard and make great progress in my grades!"

A burning desire suddenly erupted in Sakura Airi's heart. If she wanted to get the reward, she had to study hard.

"Uh-huh."

Hashiba Hikaru put the lid on the pot, and after hearing the girl's loud statement, a gentle look appeared on his face.

In that scheme that quantifies student abilities, Midterm Exam and Final Exam account for a large proportion; if students can achieve better results, they can get higher scores.

This is important to Sakura Airi.

This also applies to the boy himself.

Chapter 575: A Preview of the Special Exam

With Valentine's Day over, the third week of February has quickly arrived.

The school announced the Final Exam date this Tuesday. Although the Third Semester is short, the Final Exam are just as demanding as those in the previous two semesters, allowing no room for carelessness.

Regardless of everyone's review progress, when the exam arrives, it means everything has been settled, and every student must head to the battlefield of the Written Exam to face their own learning Trial.

The exam is divided into two days. The papers are graded uniformly, and the results will be announced during the class meeting on Thursday. Then, the weekend will begin on Friday and Saturday. How you spend your weekend depends on your specific results.