Sakayanagi Arisu: I Want to Give You a Reward.

Katsuragi Kohei wasn't completely unprepared; he had collaborated with Ryuen Kakeru several times before, so he knew who Hashiba Hikaru was targeting this time.

"It seems you two have been exchanging a lot of information. Yes, he's the one I chose."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled and readily admitted that the buyer she had chosen was Ryuen Kakeru.

"Are you really confident that he will definitely want to make a deal with you, Classmate Hashiba?"

Katsuragi Kohei frowned slightly. "Even if you and Classmate Sakayanagi are close, Class D also gets Praise Vote, right?"

"Heh, you don't need to test me on behalf of Ryuen. I've already said that he's the buyer I've chosen. If he doesn't contact me, he can expect to be expelled from school."

The boy chuckled coldly. He had known about Katsuragi Kohei and Ryuen Kakeru's collaboration for a long time, but since the two of them were no longer a threat to Class A, Hashiba Hikaru wasn't particularly concerned.

"..."

Katsuragi Kohei saw the coldness in Hashiba Hikaru's eyes; he knew that Class C's current situation was not optimistic.

Ibuki Mio and Shiina Hiyori already have a following in the class, and many students in Class C don't like Ryuen Kakeru's style of doing things. If someone switches sides and Criticism Vote against him in this Voting Exam, they might be in a desperate situation.

"Let's talk about our collaboration."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled at him, "Our class's Praise Vote are temporarily irrelevant to you. If you're really sincere, I might be able to persuade Classmate Sakayanagi to change her mind."

"Real?"

Katsuragi Kohei was somewhat skeptical. After all, he had witnessed Sakayanagi Arisu's independent and self-willed nature far too many times. Even if the two were close, they weren't classmates, and it wouldn't be so easy for her to change her mind.

"Please rest assured on that point. If we reach a cooperation agreement, I will definitely persuade Classmate Sakayanagi to use a fairer method to select dropouts. Isn't that exactly what Katsuragi has been hoping for?"

In this Additional Exam, Hashiba Hikaru believed she could easily persuade the silver-haired girl, since she herself wasn't very interested in the exam, and no matter who dropped out, it wouldn't change the current class ranking.

"... What do you want me to do?"

After much deliberation, Katsuragi finally made his decision.

He doesn't have many supporters left. If Totsuka Yahiko "Katsuragi Faction staunch supporter" recognized by the students of Class B, is expelled, the others will feel a sense of impending doom. At that time, this bald guy may really be all alone, and he will never have a chance to turn things around.

"It's actually very simple."

Hashiba Hikaru snapped her fingers. "I want you to continue your partnership with Ryuen Kakeru, even after you move up to your Second Year. Do you understand what I mean?"

"You want me to be your inside man?"

Katsuragi Kohei's expression changed, and he immediately understood what the other party meant.

"That's right. If you really want to demonstrate your value, then take on tasks that only you can do."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled. "Whether it's you or Ryuen Kakeru, I don't believe you currently have enough ability to challenge Class A. My goal is simply to expand my influence."

"You're already the Student Council President, is there anything you can't do?"

Hearing this, Katsuragi Kohei somewhat puzzled, because although Hashiba Hikaru was also a first-year student, the power and resources she wielded were terrifying.

Putting aside things as direct as Private Points, the fact that he can completely control Class A is something that the other three class representatives cannot do. Even though Sakayanagi Arisu has become the person in charge of Class B, with Katsuragi Kohei around, the other party still cannot control everyone.

"This is none of your business. I've already said what I wanted you to do. If you agree, let's sign the contract."

Katsuragi Kohei needs to be bound by a contract, and Hashiba Hikaru has no interest in his thoughts or private life, as long as this guy can carry out the mission.

"..."

"Katsuragi, are you really going to agree?"

After listening to Hashiba Hikaru's explanation, Totsuka Yahiko's tone couldn't help but sound somewhat anxious.

Once you agree to this contract, it's equivalent to becoming the other party's subordinate, which is a huge change in status.

Would Katsuragi really agree to something like this?

Since the start of the school year Totsuka Yahiko has always regarded Katsuragi Kohei as his role model, believing that the other's integrity is something worth learning. However, now facing the cruel crisis of being expelled from school, this usually hot-tempered boy can't think of a better solution.

He really didn't want to drop out of school.

I promise you.

After hesitating for a while, Katsuragi Kohei gave his answer. He couldn't lose Totsuka Yahiko. Besides the element of friendship, he always believed that he still had a chance to make a comeback. If he refused, then there would be no chance at all.

"Real?"

"I agree to become Ryuen Kakeru's inside man, but you must guarantee that none of the Katsuragi Faction members in Class B will drop out of school during this Voting Exam."

Are you trying to bargain with me?

Hashiba Hikaru's gaze immediately turned dangerous; he vehemently disliked disobedient people.

"Since it's a collaboration, can I also set some conditions?"

Katsuragi Kohei's expression was somewhat serious. "If you can accomplish this, I guarantee I will tell you everything Ryuen Kakeru does and plans."

"... Hehe, okay then."

Seeing that the bald man wouldn't budge an inch, Hashiba Hikaru finally agreed to his terms.

At this moment, the boy suddenly remembered some information he had previously obtained: since someone had to drop out of school anyway, he might as well choose an undercover agent who was rooted in the Sakayanagi Faction.

He knew that person's name.

Hashimoto Masayoshi is a blond-haired man.

Hashiba Hikaru hates blond guys the most.

Chapter 602 Sakayanagi Arisu: I want to give you a reward.

After reaching an agreement, Hashiba Hikaru took out Contract he always carried with him. After Katsuragi Kohei signed the agreement, the boy watched them leave with a smile.

Back at the restaurant, Sakayanagi Arisu looked at the smiling boy and asked him with some curiosity.

Have you reached an agreement?

"It's settled. There are some things that need to be handled by Classmate Sakayanagi."

Hashiba Hikaru pulled out a chair and sat down, her face showing a hint of eagerness.

"Please speak, whatever Classmate Hashiba says, I will agree to."

Sakayanagi Arisu smiled gently.

"Well..."

For some reason, seeing Sakayanagi Arisu's expression, Hashiba Hikaru suddenly had a strange feeling: was this guy talking to me like he was coaxing a child?

What's the meaning?

"Katsuragi Kohei and I have reached a temporary agreement: for this Voting Exam, students from the Katsuragi Faction cannot drop out."

"Then let someone from our group drop out. It's a small matter."

Sakayanagi Arisu's expression remained unchanged, as if those who had always followed her were merely insignificant props, and she wouldn't feel any pain even if they were lost.

Don't you care what others think?

Hashiba Hikaru couldn't help but feel curious.

Why should I care what others think?

A look of confusion appeared on Sakayanagi Arisu's pretty face, as if she couldn't understand the question at all. "Since those who follow me want a strong person to lead them, and have given up their initiative, do they mean they won't complain when they're abandoned?"

"..."

"You're right."

Hashiba Hikaru remained silent for a moment, then handed the girl the contract he had just completed, letting her see its contents.

"Is this the scope of your collaboration?"

After a quick glance at the contract, Sakayanagi Arisu frowned and asked with some surprise, "Why do you still care about Ryuen's movements? He's already a loser, it's completely unnecessary, isn't it?"

"My idea is to expand my influence. Only by fully integrating the first grade can I accomplish more important things, right?"

A knowing smile appeared on Hashiba Hikaru's handsome face, Sakayanagi Arisu, sitting opposite him, immediately understood.

"For [the White Room]?"

"Of course, since I made a promise to the Chairman, I must keep it. This is the basis for my cooperation with Classmate Sakayanagi."

Hashiba Hikaru gazed tenderly at the other's pretty face, her expression gentle.

"Um..."

Feeling that gentle gaze, a warm current flowed through Sakayanagi Arisu's heart, and the romantic thoughts she had just suppressed resurfaced, causing her heart to beat faster.

"Very touched?"

Hashiba Hikaru wore a half-smile, the curve of her lips extremely beautiful.

"I'm truly touched, Classmate Hashiba..."

Sakayanagi Arisu seemed to want to get up and do something, but Hashiba Hikaru stopped her in time.

"Let's sit down first. We still have half the day left, no need to rush."

"Oh well."

Sakayanagi Arisu resumed her elegant sitting posture, Hashiba Hikaru explained her thoughts.

"I've already chosen the person who dropped out for you, it's this guy."

Hashiba Hikaru pulled up a screen on her phone and handed it to the girl opposite her.

"Hashimoto -kun?"

Sakayanagi Arisu took the boy's phone; it still seemed to retain the boy's body heat. The girl glanced at the screen and recognized the person on it immediately.

"That's right, this guy is a clever fence-sitter. Although he's nominally a member of your faction, he's actually been in contact with both Nagumo and Ryuen Kakeru in secret. He's really something."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled. Hashimoto Masayoshi was actually quite talented, but he didn't like people with questionable loyalty.

What's that saying again? Loyalty that isn't absolute is absolute disloyalty.

"Is that really how it is?"

After hearing Hashiba Hikaru's evaluation, Sakayanagi Arisu's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. Although she didn't care about the students in Class B, if a traitor appeared, she had to make an example of him.

"I found out this through the Student Council President's authority. It was originally just a coincidence, but since something like this has happened, please, Classmate Sakayanagi, remove him directly. I don't like traitors."

Hashiba Hikaru shrugged, expressing her attitude very seriously.

"I see."

"Uh-huh."

After lunch, Hashiba Hikaru and Sakayanagi Arisu walked out of the restaurant. It was around one o'clock when the silver-haired girl proposed a new itinerary.

"Classmate Sakayanagi, where do we go next?"

"I'd like to go to Classmate Hashiba's dorm. What do you think?"

The silver-haired girl used her cane to steady herself, leaning against the boy, the two very close together.

"Um?"

"What's wrong? Is there something inconvenient?"

Sakayanagi Arisu had never been to Hashiba Hikaru's dormitory, even though Kamuro Masumi had monitored it many times.

"No, but after hearing what Classmate Sakayanagi said, I've become curious about something else."

What is it?

"Was this Classmate Sakayanagi's original plan, or did you change it at the last minute?"

Hashiba Hikaru smiled, staring at Sakayanagi Arisu profile, his tone somewhat playful.

"Of course..."

Sakayanagi Arisu, then waved to the boy, as if she wanted to whisper something to him.

What is it?

Hashiba Hikaru couldn't do anything with her. Sakayanagi Arisu only 1.5 meters tall, so if they wanted to whisper, he had to bend down to hear her.

"Of course it was changed at the last minute, because I just heard a very good answer and I wanted to reward Classmate Hashiba."

"Are they Private Points?"