Ichinose Honami: I'll Support Every Decision Hikaru Makes. / Sakayanagi Arisu: Let's Play Truth or Dare.
Time always seems to fly when you're fully absorbed in something.
After Horikita Suzune sorted out her thoughts, she had a clearer understanding of Hashiba Hikaru's plan. Besides the issue of class competition, the girl knew that the other party's goal was to earn some Private Points.
"Now that the collaboration with Classmate Sakayanagi is complete, what are you planning to do with the Praise Vote she has?"
The black-haired girl wrote down all her thoughts, circling the key points.
"Besides blocking the road to Ryuen, I also plan to increase my influence."
Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly. His relationship with Sakayanagi Arisu was already quite close. With this support, he could sell these extra Praise Vote privately. He needed to hurry, because once each class had identified the candidates for the concentrated Criticism Vote, the Praise Vote would be useless.
"Don't you want the Praise Vote from our class?"
Horikita Suzune asked with some doubt, but after seeing Hashiba Hikaru's ambiguous smile, the girl immediately realized that she had asked a very stupid question.
"Of course I want to, but doesn't Suzune know what kind of people the students in Class D are? The only thing I want to cooperate with Class D on is blocking the road to Ryuen. Everything else is too troublesome. Rather than spending more energy on it, let's just skip it."
Hashiba Hikaru shook her head, her tone resolute.
The first year was almost over, and the overall value of Class D was very limited for the boy. Apart from the few girls he was close to, there was no hope of moving up to the next class. Moreover, they were all poor and couldn't be squeezed out much.
"I see."
After hearing Hashiba Hikaru's further explanation, Horikita Suzune's expression darkened as she realized what she was thinking about her own plan.
To be honest, staying in Class D was definitely not what she wanted. If possible, the girl would love to move up to Class A as soon as possible, so that she could not only achieve her initial goal, but also get closer to her lover.
Approximately how many Private Points does Suzune have?
Looking at the girl's face, Hashiba Hikaru could roughly guess what she was thinking, because it was all too obvious.
Hmm... let me see.
Horikita Suzune immediately pulled out her phone. All of her frugality since the start of the semester, her personal rewards for each Special Exam, and the two rounds of Private Points she earned with Hashiba Hikaru —all of these combined had brought Horikita Suzune's Private Points to over six million. This number was an astronomical figure compared to the generally poor students in Class D.
"We're still a ways off from 20 million points."
After seeing the numbers on the girl's Student ID, Hashiba Hikaru said something very calmly.
He actually had a feeling that when Horikita Manabu graduated, he might be able to get a huge amount of Private Points from him. After all, he would be leaving school after graduating in his third year, and the boy believed that the "sister-complex" wouldn't refuse such a thing.
"I will keep working hard and make sure I accumulate 20 million points before graduation."
After putting her phone away, Horikita Suzune's expression turned serious. No matter what, graduating from here as Class A student was an important goal for the girl.
Having spent so long in Class D, the black-haired girl knew very well that there was absolutely no hope of advancing to the next class. So, her only option was to pay 20 million points to advance.
"It's alright, there might be a new way for Suzune to get a large Private Points later."
Hashiba Hikaru looked at the girl's expression and spoke gently.
"Huh? What method is it?"
Horikita Suzune was taken aback at first, a look of confusion appearing on her snow-white face.
"I'll keep this a secret for now; you'll find out later."
Hashiba Hikaru smiled gently. He already had a general idea. This time, letting Horikita Suzune handle the matter would allow him to explain the reasons to Horikita Manabu.
After all, isn't the goal of that "sister-obsessed" guy simply for his sister to grow and mature?
"Alright, when does Guang plan for me to take action?"
Although Horikita Suzune really wanted to know the answer, there was nothing she could do since the boy was unwilling to tell her. She might as well focus on dealing with what was to come.
"Let's leave tomorrow for the situation to develop. Since the school has given us four days to think things through, let's take action on Monday. The vote is the next day."
Hashiba Hikaru thought for a moment. He was going to see Sakayanagi Arisu tomorrow, and he didn't know what that girl was planning to do.
"I see."
The black-haired girl nodded. During her conversation with Hashiba Hikaru, she had prepared a comprehensive negotiation strategy, which would give her more confidence when it came time to take action.
"I'll take you home after dinner."
Giving this negotiation opportunity to Horikita Suzune is essentially an initial training exercise. After all, in the boy's original plan, she would be needed to lead the new Student Council department that would be established, and the girl's aloof personality is very suitable for this position.
In this Praise Vote trading plan, besides recovering some Private Points, Hashiba Hikaru's other two goals are to get Ibuki Mio back as the class representative and to get Sakayanagi Arisu to completely bring down Katsuragi Kohei.
Once he achieves both of these goals, he will have greater control over the entire grade when he enters the Second Year.
This is a very important step.
After all, by then, the person in charge of the [White Room] should have arrived. Since he was there to take over the management of the school from Sakayanagi Narimori, he might cause some trouble. Centralization is a very appropriate way to deal with it.
Chapter 593 Ichinose Honami: I will support all of Hikaru's decisions.
After the start of winter time, the nights become much longer than the days. By the time dinner is finished, around six o'clock, dusk has already fallen, and all the streetlights are on, illuminating the way for students.
After escorting Horikita Suzune back to her dormitory, Hashiba Hikaru strolled slowly along the edge of the Artificial Island. He had been living here for almost a year since the day he enrolled and awakened the system.
During this time, the boy developed deep bonds with many girls, and his initial plans and ideas have now completely fallen apart because he cannot let go of anyone.
Humans are inherently greedy; everyone wants to possess beautiful things.
After activating the system, Hashiba Hikaru realized that many of her ideas were driven by self-interest.
He didn't think there was anything wrong with it, but after spending a lot of time with these girls, that idea had long since changed.
[I Want It All] may sound like a satisfying ending, but putting it into practice will encounter many problems. This is because everyone is a real person, and even if they like you, it is definitely not a simple matter to get them to accept sharing their boyfriend with others.
"This path hasn't revealed any major problems yet, but one day we'll have to face a choice."
Standing in front of the fence at the edge of the Artificial Island, Hashiba Hikaru gazed at the lake under the night sky. There was no wind tonight, and the sea was perfectly calm.
"Ichinose, Kushida, Sakura, Horikita, and Sakayanagi."
Hashiba Hikaru opened the System Bar. He now owns seven stocks, plus two more: Kiryuuin Fuuka and Shiina Hiyori.
Among these people Kushida Kikyo and Sakura Airi are probably the easiest to win over, while Horikita and Sakayanagi's attitudes are more subtle. Although they have become the boy's lovers, they haven't done anything too intimate yet.
Kiryuuin Fuuka and Shiina Hiyori are a bit further away, partly because there aren't many opportunities to interact with them, and partly because Hashiba Hikaru doesn't have much energy to spend with them at the moment.
"And there's one more crucial question... Honami's attitude."
Hashiba Hikaru placed his hand on the metal railing, the chill emanating from his skin clearing his mind.
Ichinose Honami, as the boy's official girlfriend, is truly wonderful. She has a gentle and considerate personality, perfect looks and figure, and is incredibly virtuous, helping Hashiba Hikaru in every way.
After catching Hashiba Hikaru and Kushida Kikyo in the act last time, the girl was furious, but she ultimately compromised and chose to turn a blind eye and let the matter pass quickly.
It's unclear how the girl will react if we tell her the truth.
After all, she might compromise once or twice, but that doesn't mean she'll accept all of Hashiba Hikaru's ideas.
No one wants to share their lover with others. Even though Ichinose Honami has already regarded Hashiba Hikaru as the most important part of her future life, the boy still doesn't dare to gamble on her feelings.
Lost in thought, Hashiba Hikaru gazed at the horizon, completely unaware of the slender figure approaching from behind.
The other person moved stealthily until they were within arm's reach of the boy before stopping.
"Smack!"
As Hashiba Hikaru was deep in thought, he suddenly felt a pair of small hands cover his eyes, and a familiar fragrance instantly enveloped his head.
Guess who I am?
The girl deliberately made a strange sound, but Hashiba Hikaru recognized her as soon as she pressed her back against hers.
"Isn't she the gentlest Honami?"
I was just pondering her question when the pink-haired girl unexpectedly appeared here, which inexplicably improved Hashiba Hikaru's mood.
"Hehehe, congratulations, you guessed right!"
Upon hearing Hashiba Hikaru call her name, Ichinose Honami immediately removed her small hand from his eyes.
"Honami, what are you doing here?"
Gazing at the pink-haired girl so close to him, her delicate face seemed veiled in a thin gauze under the streetlights, adding to her allure.
"I was just about to go to the convenience store to buy something when I passed by here and saw Hikaru standing here all alone, so I thought I'd come over and surprise you."
Ichinose Honami gently explained her emotional journey, explaining that Hashiba Hikaru had taken on all the Additional Exam, and although she didn't want to bother him, she was constantly thinking about him.
"So that's how it is."
Hashiba Hikaru smiled and casually mentioned her plans for the day, "I contacted a lot of people today, and if nothing unexpected happens, we should be able to recover a few million Private Points."
"Really? Everyone is waiting for the light to return in triumph."
Ichinose Honami stood close to her boyfriend; the girl was 1.6 meters tall, and her small head could rest comfortably on Hashiba Hikaru's shoulder.
"Yes, the fact that no one in our class had to drop out of school for this Additional Exam is already a huge success. Although it was hard work accumulating Private Points since the beginning of the semester, looking back now it was a perfect strategy."
Hashiba Hikaru spoke at a measured pace. As the class that had always Lead, Class A earned a lot of Private Points every month. Although everyone insisted on submitting half of their Ichinose Honami every month, their quality of life was not affected; on the contrary, it was getting better and better.
In the current Class Evaluation Points, each student in Class A can receive more than 200,000 Private Points per month. Even after submitting half of them, they still have more than 100,000 points available for disposal. This is why the students in Class A are all very wealthy.
Many of them live frugally, quietly accumulating Private Points for any unforeseen circumstances that may arise in the future.
"Yes, I heard that students in other classes are thinking about who to drop out of. If I had to choose, I definitely wouldn't be able to."
Ichinose Honami nestled gently against her boyfriend, her voice tender.
Actually, when Ichinose Honami passed by here just now, she immediately saw Hashiba Hikaru's back. But it was precisely this familiar back that made the girl feel a special aura emanating from the other person.
That wasn't the confidence or gentleness most commonly seen in Hashiba Hikaru, but rather something containing distress, confusion, and perhaps a touch of loneliness.
That's why the pink-haired girl could bring a smile to Hashiba Hikaru's face through a little game like "Guess Who I Am." She could actually sense that her boyfriend had a lot on his mind.
But she had never known these things, much less shared his burdens.
"Yes, we must keep working hard; we can't let anyone get expelled."
Ichinose Honami gazed at the boy's profile, which she had seen countless times, and a very firm thought suddenly popped into her mind. Even though she didn't know where the pressure in the other person's heart came from, the girl still wanted to express her attitude.
She and Hashiba Hikaru a couple and will become husband and wife in the future. Since they are of one mind, they should face all problems together.
"Light."
"Um?"
"No matter what happens in the future, I will support all of Light's decisions!"
"..."
"Honami. I will do my best."
"Uh-huh."
Chapter 594 Sakayanagi Arisu: Let's play Truth or Dare.
Sunday morning.
Because he had an appointment to keep today, Hashiba Hikaru started his morning exercise early. After finishing his workout, he took a long, hot shower and then stood in front of his wardrobe choosing his outfit for the day.
Although Hashiba Hikaru isn't a big shopaholic, after she started dating Ichinose Honami, she would drag him shopping whenever they were both free.
The boy's tall figure made him a perfect clothes hanger; he could basically pull off any outfit on the mannequins in the shop window. As their relationship progressed, Hashiba Hikaru's wardrobe became increasingly full.
"I'll wear this; it's quite warm today."
After thinking for about five or six minutes, Hashiba Hikaru changed into a rather simple winter outfit.
The outfit consists of a navy blue short jacket with black stripes on the sleeves, a white sweater underneath, black trousers, and warm leather boots. The whole look is casual and comfortable, perfect for a warm winter day.
"Sakayanagi's dormitory seems to be located in..."
He glanced at his phone; there were still more than ten minutes until seven. Hashiba Hikaru quickened his pace toward the girls' floor. He hadn't been to Sakayanagi Arisu's room yet, and since it was a pre-arranged agreement, arriving early was always the best course of action.
Upon reaching Sakayanagi Arisu's floor, the boy quickly found her room number, but instead of knocking, he began sending her messages.
Hashiba Hikaru: I'm at Classmate Sakayanagi's dorm room. Are you ready?
Sakayanagi Arisu reacted quickly, replying in about five or six seconds.
Sakayanagi Arisu: It'll be ready soon.
Hashiba Hikaru: Hmm.