Kushida Kikyo: "You two did it?" / The Subtle Influence.

Looking at the people who remained, Hashiba Hikaru glanced at Horikita Suzune standing beside her. After this small meeting ended, the Student Council would announce the establishment of the new department through the official account on the Campus Forum, which would definitely cause a huge uproar.

Judging from the black-haired girl's stern expression, Hashiba Hikaru had a lot of confidence in her.

She can definitely do this well.

Chapter 620 Kushida Kikyo: You've already done it?

After the meeting with Horikita Suzune and the [Disciplinary Committee] ended, it was already dark outside. After everyone left, Hashiba Hikaru took the black-haired girl to dinner.

He took out his phone and glanced at it. The announcement about the establishment of the new department of the Student Council had been posted on the Campus Forum and had already become a popular post. After all, it not only included the responsibilities of the [Disciplinary Committee], but also specific personnel appointments.

The students had a very lively discussion about this, especially the first-year students, since many people knew Horikita Suzune. Although she was beautiful, she was usually a loner and had no friends. In fact, she didn't even have many people to talk to in Class D.

Many first-year students were speculating why the Student Council President had chosen her to be the chairperson of the [Disciplinary Committee]. After all, the black-haired girl wasn't a student in Class A of the First Year. If Hashiba Hikaru wanted to cultivate her own confidantes, choosing from the students in Class A would have been the most suitable option.

Some even began to speculate maliciously about the private relationship between Horikita Suzune and Hashiba Hikaru, creating a buzz of teenage gossip and making the replies and comments under this speculation very lively, even sparking all sorts of debates.

"It's really lively!"

Hashiba Hikaru couldn't help but chuckle twice. He had expected the establishment of the new department to spark heated discussions. However, the boy's initial idea was to make everyone pay more attention to the department's functions and what impact it would have on their school life in the future.

But he didn't expect that after several people had stirred things up, the students would start discussing the appointment of the [Disciplinary Committee] even more enthusiastically.

"No matter what others think, I will definitely do this well."

Horikita Suzune naturally saw the discussions and rumors under the Student Council post. She never cared about other people's opinions and her expression was very resolute.

"I'm not worried about you, I just think everyone here is like a hothouse flower. They clearly have more important things to care about right now, but they like to meddle in other people's private lives. Really."

Since Hashiba Hikaru has already decided to entrust this matter to Horikita Suzune, he will give her a high level of support and encouragement in terms of confidence.

"So, the [Disciplinary Committee] will officially begin its work tomorrow?"

Horikita Suzune knew the importance of this new department, but the Student Council office wasn't finished being renovated yet, so if she discussed things with her subordinates, it would be easy for people from other departments to overhear.

If it were a leak of extremely important intelligence, that would be very troublesome.

"Yes, you all need to get used to the specific work rhythm first. Once you move up to the Second Year, that's when you should really show your true colors."

Hashiba Hikaru thought about the things that might happen in the Second Year, such as the new system for scoring students' overall qualities, the arrival of new students, and the possibility of assassins in the [White Room], all of which he would have to deal with.

"Yes, I understand."

Horikita Suzune nodded. She had received many text messages from students in Class D since the beginning. Not many people knew her contact information, but since she had joined the class group chat, many people would take the initiative to tag her.

The most frequently asked question today was about what exactly the Disciplinary Committee was and why Hashiba Hikaru chose her for the crucial chairperson position.

The black-haired girl did not respond to anyone's questions. After having dinner with Hashiba Hikaru, she carried a stack of documents into her dormitory floor.

"See you tomorrow."

After seeing Horikita Suzune off, Hashiba Hikaru checked the time and prepared to return to her room.

Coincidentally, another girl appeared at his door. She was probably the person who visited most often besides Ichinose Honami; it was none other than Kushida Kikyo.

"Light?"

Upon recognizing the familiar person approaching, Kushida's delicate and charming face broke into a bright smile, seemingly in a rather pleasant mood.

"Is there anything going on today?"

Hashiba Hikaru lowered her voice and immediately opened the door after getting closer. After all, she couldn't let anyone see her chatting with the other person at the door, as quite a few people knew Kushida Kikyo.

After closing the door, the short-haired girl didn't rush into the other person's arms as before. Instead, she crossed her arms and looked at Hashiba Hikaru with a scrutinizing gaze.

"What's wrong? Kikyo isn't planning to interrogate me, is she?"

Hashiba Hikaru chuckled twice.

Why her?

Kushida Kikyo's words were tinged with complex emotions, including suppressed anger and a hint of jealousy.

The short-haired girl was also a Student Council officer. Hashiba Hikaru had naturally told her about the upcoming establishment of a new department long ago, but Kushida Kikyo didn't know who Hashiba Hikaru planned to appoint as the chairperson. When the announcement was made, she was just as shocked as everyone else.

More importantly, Kushida Kikyo always thought that she was the person most favored by Hashiba Hikaru besides Ichinose Honami, and that she should be told everything. Even though she had been helping the other party with her work, this prestigious position of chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee was completely irrelevant to her.

This feeling of imbalance instantly broke her defenses, even overshadowing her desire to be loved and cherished by the other person.

"Because Suzune is the most suitable; her personality and abilities are well-suited for this position."

Hashiba Hikaru looked intently into Kushida Kikyo's eyes. "You don't actually think this is a good job, do you?"

"..."

Kushida Kikyo was silent for a moment, but still raised her little face and asked, "Then why didn't you choose a student from Class A? Why did you choose this woman? What's so good about her?"

"Because her aloof personality is good at offending people, and with me taking the blame, we can achieve our goals more easily."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled and took Kushida Kikyo's small hand in his, gently comforting her.

"Kikyo is the most popular little angel in Class D. Do you really want to do a job that will offend people?"

"Then there's no need to choose her. Couldn't we choose a senior student?"

Feeling Hashiba Hikaru's gentle gaze, Kushida Kikyo's tone softened slightly, but anger still lingered in her heart.

Her considerations were more far-sighted than those of ordinary Student Council members. Because she was close to the teenagers, she understood that they were doing this to consolidate power. Moreover, although the title of [Disciplinary Committee] chairperson was prestigious, it could really offend a lot of people.

"Let Suzune handle this matter. I trust her more than the senior students."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly. Kushida Kikyo was indeed easy to coax. After hearing a few sweet words, her little body unconsciously leaned closer.

"You've done it?"

Suddenly, just as she was about to press her hand against Hashiba Hikaru's chest, Kushida Kikyo said something that left Hashiba Hikaru speechless.

"No."

"I don't believe it. If you say you can trust her, you must have crossed the line with her."

"... Really, no."

"Then you'll have to prove it!"

Kushida Kikyo raised her head, a charming expression appearing on her small face.

"Come on then, but remember not to beg for mercy later!"

"Hmph~"

Chapter 621 The Subtle Influence

After this special "vote to drop out" exam, the first-year students began the final stretch of their Third Semester. The teachers had already announced that the final Special Exam would be held next month. Although the academic pressure had lessened somewhat, everyone remained a little anxious.

Besides this, the Student Council's new department, the Disciplinary Committee, quickly got on track under Horikita Suzune's leadership. Although the Student Council's offices had not yet been renovated, the daily work had already been carried out, and those students who were usually more unruly were somewhat apprehensive.

After all, nobody wants to be labeled a "dangerous element," that would be a real problem, and could mean being called to the Student Council for questioning.

Since the establishment of this new department, Hashiba Hikaru has deliberately toned down his gentle demeanor when in the Student Council office. Whenever he sits in the Student Council President's seat, the boy always exudes a quiet, unassuming air.

"President, this is the last batch of funding applications that need to be reviewed this month. Please take a look."

A Second Year student stood respectfully in front of Hashiba Hikaru's desk, holding a document.

The establishment of the Disciplinary Committee not only caused a great stir among ordinary students, but also within the Student Council.

Everyone understands Hashiba Hikaru's intention to centralize power. Now, even the Student Council members are unwilling to provoke the Disciplinary Committee. Everyone just wants to finish each day's work peacefully.

"Alright, I've finished reading it. Let's proceed according to this method."

Hashiba Hikaru altered her seal on the document and then handed it to the other party.

"I see."

After her subordinate turned and left, Hashiba Hikaru rubbed her eyes.

With only a week left before the final Special Exam, he has been focusing all his energy on the Student Council, not only guiding the work of the [Disciplinary Committee], but also trying to increase the influence of centralized power and enhance his prestige within the Student Council.

"President, this is the Disciplinary Committee's work summary from last week. It will be announced to everyone at the regular meeting later."

Horikita Suzune walked over carrying a document. Perhaps it was intentional, but whenever the girl reported to the boy, she never stood across the desk, but walked directly to his side.

"Everyone has gotten used to the existence of the [Disciplinary Committee] over this period of time, and you guys have done a great job."

Hashiba Hikaru offered a few words of praise and then accepted the documents handed to her.

"Aside from the fact that everyone was initially unaware of the specific functions of the [Disciplinary Committee], the students now understand it very well. Yesterday, someone even took the initiative to report something to us."

A faint smile appeared on the pretty face of the black-haired girl; Horikita Suzune felt a great sense of accomplishment from this job.

"Oh? Reporting or exposing?"

Hashiba Hikaru was not only curious.

"It's about someone borrowing Private Points and not paying them back. A Second Year student borrowed 10,000 Private Points from a Class C of the First Year and hasn't returned them for over a month. After understanding the [Disciplinary Committee's] responsibilities, the student contacted us yesterday afternoon."

"Is it resolved?"

"It's been resolved. After all, we had Second Year senior as a colleague on the Disciplinary Committee, so the other party barely resisted and obediently returned the money after we revealed our identities."

Horikita Suzune recalled Hashiba Hikaru's appointment of the [Disciplinary Committee] members and felt that the other party's selection strategy was really perfect. If they were all first-year students, that Second Year senior might not have been so happy to accept it.

"This is a very good positive example. Only when there are more and more cases like this will everyone understand how important the [Disciplinary Committee] is."

Hashiba Hikaru tapped the table lightly with his index finger, satisfied with the current situation.

The impact of these events will eventually accumulate, and as people's perceptions change, his goal of centralizing power will become more effective.

Even though Advanced Nurturing High School is a special school, it cannot escape the ivory tower nature of a school. The students have not yet experienced the cruelty of society, and under collective pressure, very few dare to resist.

With the [Disciplinary Committee] leading the charge, he was confident that he could maintain the initiative, whether facing Tsukishiro or the new students of the [White Room] who might enroll.

"Keep striving, our goal is to make the school's discipline even better."

"OK."

Horikita Suzune nodded. Her impartial and aloof personality allowed her to handle tasks with a clear mind, after all, the young girl was not afraid of offending anyone.

After she left, Hashiba Hikaru's phone received a new message. When he opened it, he found it was from someone who surprised him quite a bit.

Chat interface.

Horikita Manabu: Your [Disciplinary Committee] is doing a pretty good job.

Hashiba Hikaru: Thank you for the compliment, Horikita-senpai. It was all possible because of everyone's support.

Horikita Manabu: No need to be modest. Although your motives were impure, at least you were genuinely helping your classmates, which makes you better than Nagumo in that respect.

"... Tsk tsk, you're really outspoken."

Hashiba Hikaru shook her head and continued typing her reply.

Hashiba Hikaru: Horikita-senpai probably didn't just come to praise me, did she? Could it be related to Horikita's matter again?

Horikita Manabu: Did she join the [Disciplinary Committee] voluntarily?

Seeing that this "sister complex" character didn't even want to act, Hashiba Hikaru just chuckled twice and gave a definite answer.

Hashiba Hikaru: That's right.

Horikita Manabu: Very good.

After sending the message, Horikita Manabu didn't say anything more. It seems that even though he was about to leave school, the former Student Council President was still worried about his younger sister. But it doesn't matter. Judging from his words, he seemed quite satisfied with the current situation, since Horikita Suzune was indeed moving forward.

"If possible, we might be able to get some resources from him before he leaves school."

Hashiba Hikaru thought for a moment. As the leader of the third year, Horikita Manabu must have a lot of Private Points at his disposal. Before graduation, he should be able to get some money from this guy, since his weakness is obvious.

"By the way, today is the last day of February. The [Trading Shop] should refresh tonight, right?"

After opening the System Panel, Hashiba Hikaru had new expectations.

He has already acquired seven different stocks. If he can refresh the list and obtain more unique items, it might make his later plans more successful.

Hopefully, it will be a good result.

The boy glanced silently at the time displayed in the lower right corner of the computer screen, finished his work, and prepared to return to his dormitory.