Sakayanagi Arisu: I Want to Eat Your Cooking. / Sakayanagi Arisu Is Curious About Hashima Hikaru's Past.
Sakayanagi Arisu stood very close, and the boy could smell her fragrance.
"That's right, none of the students in our class want anyone to drop out, so everyone has chosen to pool their money to reach 20 million Private Points."
Hashiba Hikaru smiled and replied that the answer did not need to be kept secret.
"That's incredible, they managed to gather 20 million Private Points."
Sakayanagi Arisu appeared to be admiring, but her deep purple eyes remained calm.
"In contrast to this, what is your Class B's strategy for dealing with this?"
Hashiba Hikaru brought up this matter that he cared about again.
"If we really follow the exam rules this time, we plan to select one student to drop out of the school. After all, Class B doesn't have enough Private Points to go around. The candidate has already been decided, and we even know this person Classmate Hashiba."
Sakayanagi Arisu seemed to have no sense of secrecy, revealing the class's secrets without any regard for privacy.
"Hey, do I know him? Who is he?"
Upon hearing this, Hashiba Hikaru felt a surge of curiosity, but just as he was about to ask further, he met Sakayanagi Arisu's meaningful gaze.
"... Can I say that?"
"If we were to tell Classmate Hashiba, of course it would be fine, since we're in a 'romantic' relationship."
A soft smile played on Sakayanagi Arisu's lips as she stopped, seemingly wanting to whisper something.
"Then I shall accept your offer. Let me hear it."
Hashiba Hikaru looked completely at ease. He bent down slightly and brought his ear close to his face.
"It's Totsuka Yahiko."
Sakayanagi Arisu lowered her voice and whispered the name into Hashiba Hikaru's ear. Her soft voice, mixed with the girl's breath, made the boy's ear itch slightly.
"I see. Does Katsuragi have any objections?"
After standing at attention, Hashiba Hikaru rubbed her ears and asked with a hint of amusement, "Or have you already reached some kind of deal?"
"This Additional Exam is to select an unpopular student from the class to be expelled. Totsuka isn't very popular to begin with; quite a few people in our Class B don't like him. It has nothing to do with the terms of the deal."
As she explained this, a smile flickered in Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes.
"A lot of people dislike him?"
Hashiba Hikaru understood the implication in those words. Since the students of the Sakayanagi Faction already made up the majority of Class B, if Sakayanagi spoke up, wouldn't it mean that there were many people who "disliked" Totsuka Yahiko?
"Of course, since it's a vote by everyone, we need to reach a consensus first. I won't interfere with everyone's ideas."
"I see. Classmate Sakayanagi is indeed a very good class representative."
As they approached the Chairman's office, Hashiba Hikaru brought up another matter.
"Are you free after I finish work, Classmate Sakayanagi?"
"Available."
Sakayanagi Arisu's reply was very straightforward. She stared at Hashiba Hikaru's face, her mysterious purple eyes filled with complex emotions—a longing for closeness, pleasure, and a hint of curiosity.
"Then let me treat you to dinner. I also need to discuss some things with Classmate Sakayanagi."
Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly, her tone gentle.
"Is Classmate Hashiba inviting me on a date?"
Sakayanagi Arisu stared intently at Hashiba Hikaru's face, leaning forward slightly, almost resting her head on the boy's chest.
"Hmm... that's true, but what we're going to talk about might not be very romantic, so please be prepared for that Classmate Sakayanagi."
Facing the girl's slightly intense gaze, Hashiba Hikaru remained calm; he was still searching for the Sakayanagi Arisu.
"That's alright, but can I choose the meeting place?"
Sakayanagi Arisu shook her head slightly, not caring at all what they would talk about.
"Of course, no problem. Just send it to me once you've made your decision, Classmate Sakayanagi."
Hashiba Hikaru had no objection to this. After the rules for the Additional Exam were announced, the first person he originally planned to contact was Sakayanagi Arisu.
"Okay, then please continue with your own business, Classmate Hashiba. I'll go back to work now."
"Good."
After saying this, Sakayanagi Arisu turned away gracefully to say goodbye, as she had to return to the Student Council office to take care of some matters.
Watching the other person's departing figure leaning on their cane, the girl's slender shoulders rose and fell like a small boat bobbing on the waves.
Even though she was very intelligent, her physical problems were a major flaw that could not be concealed.
A thought suddenly popped into Hashiba Hikaru's mind.
Since the [Trading Shop] refreshes its inventory every month, is it possible that it will include medical-related skills or items?
If such a thing truly exists, perhaps a cure can be found.
"But these things can't be rushed, let's take it slow."
After putting these thoughts aside, Hashiba Hikaru raised her hand and knocked on the Chairman's office door. Soon, the clear voice of Sakayanagi Narimori came from inside.
"Please come in."
"Excuse me."
Chapter 582 Sakayanagi Arisu: I want to eat your cooking.
After submitting his reform plan for establishing a new department to the Chairman, Sakayanagi Narimori did not ask many questions and quickly signed the plan. However, just as he was handing the document back to Hashiba Hikaru, the man took the initiative to speak.
"Hashiba- kun, I heard you're planning to renovate the Student Council office?"
"Yes, the specific design plan is still being optimized. After the plan is finalized, I plan to renovate the Student Council offices during spring break."
Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly, meeting Sakayanagi Narimori's curious gaze.
Because Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School is a government-backed school, it has had relationships with many excellent construction teams and private companies since its establishment more than ten years ago. As long as the renovation plan is approved, it is easy to arrange to contact construction teams.
"Even if it's just renovating a clubroom, since this is a private request, all the required Private Points will be borne by your Student Council. Is Hashiba- kun planning to pay for it himself?"
Sakayanagi Narimori was fully aware of the funds allocated to the Student Council. Although it was a considerable sum, it wasn't enough to renovate the Student Council Office.
"That's right. My idea is actually very simple: once the Student Council Office environment is improved, even after we graduate, future students can still use it. This is a great way of passing on the torch."
"Haha, since that's the case, then I'll lend you a hand too."
Sakayanagi Narimori let out a few hearty laughs, then took a business card from his drawer and pushed it in front of Hashiba Hikaru.
"This is a construction team I know. If you call this number, they'll give you a discount."
"Thank you, Chairman."
Hashiba Hikaru was overjoyed and immediately thanked him sincerely.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Good."
After the pleasantries, Sakayanagi Narimori suddenly crossed his arms and stared at Hashiba Hikaru's face, saying slowly and deliberately, "Hashiba, remember to take good care of the important people in your life. It's a man's duty, do you understand?"
"..."
"I will."
The boy's answer was firm and resounding; he had certainly understood Sakayanagi Narimori's implication and immediately adopted a very clear stance.
"That's good."
The boy, who had turned around, couldn't see Sakayanagi Narimori's expression, but the gaze fixed on him remained; the silver-haired middle-aged man was still staring at him.
Hashiba Hikaru rubbed her temples, let out a long sigh, and then pushed open the door to leave the Chairman's office.
After the office door closed, Sakayanagi Narimori took out a suspension investigation document from the desk drawer. The deadline for leaving the school was the end of February, which was only a few days away.
As the school's Chairman, he was naturally aware of Hashiba Hikaru and Sakayanagi Arisu's collaborative plan. After leaving, the man still needed to take action and couldn't truly relinquish all control, after all, this school was the culmination of his hard work.
"Arisu... I hope you made the right choice."
"Is this an implication for me? Really."
Walking down the corridor to the Student Council, Hashiba Hikaru recalled Sakayanagi Narimori's last words. Although they hadn't explicitly stated their meaning, how could the boy not understand?
The other party was the school's Chairman the board. With his intelligence network and private access, it wouldn't be difficult for him to find out that he and Sakayanagi Arisu had become "half-lovers."
"But..."
After a moment of contemplation, Hashiba Hikaru wasn't too worried, because the other party's attitude was merely a simple warning and hint, without any overly harsh tone, which meant that Sakayanagi Narimori hadn't explicitly opposed the matter.
"Let's take it one step at a time."
Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly, composed himself, and then went back into the Student Council office to continue his work.
Because of this Additional Exam, the boy had already told Ichinose Honami that he would be very busy these few days, and the girl obediently said that she wouldn't bother him.
Around 5:30, Hashiba Hikaru received a text message from Sakayanagi Arisu, who had already chosen a meeting place.
Strangely, the silver-haired girl didn't choose a popular restaurant or cafe, but instead opted for a relatively quiet, handcrafted kitchen.
Hashiba Hikaru knew what that place was; it was a DIY kitchen where customers could cook their own meals, providing a full range of kitchen utensils and ingredients, with professional chefs standing by to provide guidance.
This kind of place is usually frequented by groups of girls who can learn to cook and strengthen their friendships. Ichinose Honami and Ando Sayo had been there before and even told the boy about it.
This is unlikely to be a good place for a date, because there are too many irrelevant people around.
But since the other party had already made that choice, Hashiba Hikaru naturally had to keep the appointment.
After entering the Keyaki Mall, the boy followed his memory to find the handmade kitchen. On the winter streets, many shops had wooden signs outside that read "Hot drinks available," a way to attract customers.
A girl in an older school uniform saw Hashiba Hikaru passing by, and some seemed about to come up and say hello, but seeing the boy's hurried manner, they gave up the idea.
After taking a detour for a while, Hashiba Hikaru finally arrived at the agreed-upon location.
It was a shop with a cute exterior, featuring a large white chef's hat on the signboard. Besides the words "Handmade Kitchen," the signboard was decorated with cartoonish green peppers and tomatoes. It's no wonder that this style was popular with girls.
Welcome!
The doorbell rang, and a female shop assistant in an apron immediately came forward. Upon seeing the handsome young man, she smiled and asked him a question.
"Hello, do you have an appointment?"
"Uh, I'm here for an appointment. The kitchen's name is... [Autumn Scenery]"
Hashiba Hikaru took out his phone and read out the name that Sakayanagi Arisu had sent him.
"Oh, okay, then I'll take you there. The guests who booked the kitchen have already arrived."
Upon hearing Hashiba Hikaru's reply, the female shop assistant recalled the scene from earlier. She remembered the silver-haired girl who had explained her appointment; the girl's appearance was truly stunning. If she were the young man's girlfriend, they could indeed be considered a perfect match.
"Thank you for your help."
Hashiba Hikaru followed the female shop assistant into the store and was taken directly to the second floor. [Autumn Scenery] was the name of one of the kitchens there, and there was a cartoon-style pumpkin painted on the wooden sign at the door.
"Excuse me, um, your companion has arrived."
Pushing open the door, Hashiba Hikaru immediately saw the silver-haired girl sitting on the soft chair, her cane placed beside her. To the boy's surprise, Kamuro Masumi was also there, standing behind Sakayanagi Arisu.
"I've heard that Classmate Hashiba is a good cook, and I'd like to eat your cooking today."
The silver-haired girl smiled slightly, staring into Hashiba Hikaru's eyes.
"Of course, no problem."
Hashiba Hikaru nodded. Since she had important matters to discuss with the girl, cooking for her was just a minor thing.
"But if it's a date, why is Kamuro here too?"
She was just passing by.
"..."
Chapter 583 Sakayanagi Arisu Hashiba Hikaru's past.