Interrogating Amamiya Natsuna Directly
"Real?"
Kushida Kikyo was a little skeptical. Although Ichinose Honami had a gentle personality, it didn't mean she wouldn't mind. Keeping her distance was fine, but having her around every day would make anyone unhappy.
"Of course it's true. You shouldn't overthink it. I'll keep things balanced."
Hashiba Hikaru patted her little hand, gesturing for her to stand up first.
"Hmph, I don't believe Honami can be that magnanimous. Where is Horikita's seat?"
Kushida Kikyo obediently stood up, but her words still wouldn't let her off the hook.
"You're such a gossip."
Hashiba Hikaru pinched Kushida Kikyo's soft, pretty face, then grinned and walked past her towards the outside.
"Where did you go?"
"I've finished my work for today. I'm going to meet an interesting female student later."
Hashiba Hikaru gripped the doorknob but didn't push it open immediately. "You can go out too. You can go back to the dorm after you finish your work."
"Junior?"
Upon hearing those two words, Kushida Kikyo's eyebrows shot up instantly, and she angrily demanded, "Who dares to seduce you!"
"This is my own business."
Hashiba Hikaru smiled and reassured her, "It's definitely not what you think. I have something very important to ask her."
"What could a freshman possibly have that you'd want to know? You're definitely lying to me!"
Kushida Kikyo pinned Hashiba Hikaru against the door, staring into his eyes and saying, word by word, "Aren't we enough to satisfy you? Why do you have to go looking for someone younger?"
"You've really misunderstood, I just..."
"I want to go too!"
Kushida Kikyo said in a tone that left no room for negotiation, "Otherwise, you can forget about ever working with me again!"
"Who really loses out in this situation? What an idiot!"
Hashiba Hikaru patted her head and said helplessly, "Alright, alright, then come with me. But you're not allowed to say a word later, understand?"
"Uh-huh."
Kushida Kikyo nodded emphatically, but a sense of unease rose in her heart.
There were already too many of them trying to Stealthy Cat, and she didn't want another junior to share Hashiba Hikaru.
This kind of thing must be nipped in the bud.
This is for the happiness of everyone.
Chapter 720 Direct Interrogation of Amasawa Ichika
The time arranged with Amasawa Ichika on her phone was around six o'clock. Because she needed to rush back for dinner, Hashiba Hikaru planned to finish quickly.
Why hasn't the other person arrived at the agreed meeting place yet?
Kushida Kikyo and Hashiba Hikaru stood together behind a secluded building. There were no security cameras there, making it a perfect spot to discuss some private matters.
"She's already on her way, you can be a little more patient."
Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly. He wasn't in a hurry. He had already figured out how to deal with Amasawa Ichika. It would be best if he could force out some information, but it didn't matter if he couldn't. There would be other opportunities later.
"Hikaru-kun, I feel like your smile is a little dangerous~"
Because they were so close, the short-haired girl was able to catch the subtle changes in the boy's expression and immediately moved closer.
"Is that so?"
Hashiba Hikaru slightly, then suddenly said to Kushida Kikyo, "When she arrives, try to stand as far away as possible."
"Why?"
Kushida Kikyo's expression instantly turned reluctant, and even a little angry.
"This is for your own good, because I might have to do something a little rough later..."
"?"
Upon seeing the stern aura emanating from her man, Kushida Kikyo suddenly realized that she might have been worrying in the wrong direction. Perhaps he wasn't trying to seduce a junior, but rather had something truly important to deal with.
"All right."
After understanding what the other person meant, Kushida Kikyo nodded obediently. Although she liked to use being unreasonable as an excuse to act cute, she would be very obedient whenever Hashiba Hikaru was serious.
"That's more like it."
Hashiba Hikaru patted her head, and the two waited for three minutes before finally hearing approaching footsteps.
"Good afternoon, Senior Hashiba... wait, why is there another person here?"
Amasawa Ichika's slightly playful voice reached Hashiba Hikaru's ears. He first shook his head at Kushida Kikyo, who was standing very close by, signaling her to shut up from now on.
"Good afternoon, junior Amasawa."
"Hmm, Senior Hashiba arrived even earlier than me. It seems you're quite interested in today's meeting."
A bright smile graced Amasawa Ichika's face; she had grown accustomed to feigning a cute demeanor, making it easy for people to develop a likable impression of her.
"Yes, I really care what Junior Amasawa is going to ask me."
Hashiba Hikaru for Kushida Kikyo to stand a little further away, then turned to the red-haired junior in front of her and asked, "If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
"Uh-huh..."
Just as Amasawa Ichika was about to speak, she caught a glimpse of Kushida Kikyo walking out from beside Hashiba Hikaru. The girl's face was expressionless, but with just one glance, Amasawa Ichika instantly realized that this girl looked somewhat like her.
"What, do you need to think about it some more?"
Hashiba Hikaru didn't pay much attention to Amasawa Ichika's hesitation. He had carefully chosen this meeting place, and he just wanted to achieve his goal as soon as possible.
"It's actually very simple."
Amasawa Ichika smiled and waved his hand, a strange light flashing in his golden pupils.
"Then tell me."
"I just wanted to ask..."
Amasawa Ichika paused deliberately, then pointed to Kushida Kikyo standing not far away, "Senior Hashiba, could you ask this senpai to stand a little further away? We can't let others know what we're talking about."
"Of course, no problem."
Hashiba Hikaru glanced at Kushida Kikyo again and said gently, "Why don't you go stand at that intersection over there and keep an eye on the surroundings for me? After all, what we're discussing is very important and can't be leaked."
"Um."
Kushida Kikyo nodded obediently and walked towards the intersection in the distance.
Once she was completely out of sight, a satisfied smile finally appeared on Amasawa Ichika's face.
"Alright, the bystanders can't hear our conversation anymore. Can you speak now, Junior Amasawa?"
Hashiba Hikaru remained very patient, her expression gentle.
"Sure."
The cute first-year student thought for a moment, then asked seriously, "My question is actually not complicated at all. Senior Hashiba only needs to answer yes or no."
"Yes, you can."
Hashiba Hikaru smiled and nodded, "If that's the case, Amasawa remember to help me find out more about Class D of the First Year, okay?"
"Yes, yes, I won't go back on my word."
"Then ask away."
My problem is...
After brewing for so long, Amasawa Ichika felt she had whetted the other party's appetite. She had only one goal for the time being when she came to this school: to help Tsukishiro figure out whether Hashiba Hikaru was a worthy partner. Only after completing the mission could she report back to the other party.
"Does Senior Hashiba know anything about Ayanokoji? I heard he got 50 points in every subject when he enrolled. Was that on purpose?"
Amasawa Ichika tried her best to control her tone of voice. After what she had seen and heard at the New and Old Student Exchange Meeting, she had been very concerned about this matter.
The reason she chose to ask this question was simple: she believed that even if Hashiba Hikaru and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, they couldn't possibly know about the [White Room]. If she could find out about their current relationship indirectly, it would be very helpful for the girl to complete her mission.
"Ayanokoji?"
Hashiba Hikaru was initially surprised, then answered seriously.
"I know him pretty well; after all, it's easy for boys to get close and then discuss very profound issues."
"Really? What does Senior Hashiba know about him?"
After asking the question, Amasawa Ichika's heart suddenly skipped a beat. She didn't know why, even though she felt she was about to know the answer, her body's instincts made her sense a dangerous atmosphere.
Did I ask the question wrong?
Impossible, he's just an ordinary person.
"That's quite a lot, for example..."
Hashiba Hikaru took a step forward somewhat abruptly, standing directly in front of Amasawa Ichika. Her height was about the same as Kushida Kikyo's, only reaching the boy's chest.
"For example what?"
The unease in Amasawa Ichika's heart grew stronger and stronger. She even dared not look into Hashiba Hikaru's eyes, which made the strange feeling in the girl's heart even more obvious.
"For example, Ayanokoji actually comes from a place called the [White Room], and Amasawa -senpai... you seem to be connected to that place too, right?"
"???"
Amasawa Ichika trembled. She never expected that Hashiba Hikaru would know this, and even bring it to her attention.
The danger she had just sensed came true immediately, and the girl instinctively tried to control her facial expression, intending to return to a normal posture.
But to Amasawa Ichika's surprise, a hand suddenly grabbed her neck and shoved her against the wall. The violent impact shot straight to the top of her head, and the pain made the girl unconsciously let out a whimper.
"Um, Yu... Senior Hashiba, what are you doing?"
Amasawa Ichika felt the hand around her neck tightening. She began to struggle violently, but the hand remained motionless, as if cast in molten iron.
The feeling of difficulty breathing made the girl's face turn bright red. Only then did she realize that she had misunderstood two things.
The first thing was that she mistakenly thought Hashiba Hikaru an easy person to manipulate.
The second thing is that it's foolish to go to an appointment alone with someone you don't know. Amasawa Ichika's fighting ability is actually quite good, but she never expected that Hashiba Hikaru would suddenly make a move.
Once someone stronger grabs her by the neck, she can't use any means of resistance, and even struggling becomes extremely difficult.
"I advise Amasawa not to struggle, otherwise you'll only suffer."
Hashiba Hikaru's cold gaze swept across her face, a cruel smile curling at the corner of her lips.
"I've already answered your question; now it's my turn to ask."
I ask, you answer.
"Did you understand?"
"..."
"Don't understand?"
Hashiba Hikaru increased the pressure on her hand, immediately making Amasawa Ichika's face turn even redder.
She felt a little breathless; the other person seemed completely unconcerned about the consequences of this dangerous act, their cold eyes looking at her as if she were already dead.
A chilling, suffocating feeling washed over him, and Amasawa Ichika trembled all over. Finally, he managed to speak in a hoarse voice.
"I... cough cough... I understand."
"That's more like it."
Hashiba Hikaru loosened her grip, allowing her breathing to become a little easier, and spoke softly.
"Did Tsukishiro send you?"
"..."