Amamiya Natsuna's Strange Psychology / Reaching an Alliance, Amamiya Natsuna's Backer

In the secluded back of the building, Kushida Kikyo had been observing the conversation between Hashiba Hikaru and the red-haired junior.

When she saw the boy suddenly grab the female student by the neck and slam her against the wall, her pupils widened in disbelief, her face filled with disbelief, because she had never seen Hashiba Hikaru be violent towards a girl before.

However, Kushida Kikyo quickly calmed down because she had just heard Hashiba Hikaru tell her about her plans. Since she had taken such an "extreme" action, she probably had something very important to deal with.

"Let's not go and bother him. Let Hikaru-kun handle it himself."

The short-haired girl silently made her decision. Although she was very curious, she knew what she should and shouldn't do.

On the other side, Hashiba Hikaru Hajime loosened her grip, but still held onto Amasawa Ichika's neck. The red-haired junior looked uncomfortable, but he wouldn't show her any mercy at this moment.

Is this question difficult to answer?

The boy stared into her eyes and warned, "I know far more than you think. If you cooperate obediently, I won't make things difficult for you in the following arrangements."

"Senior Hashiba... what are you planning to do?"

"Heh, now it's my turn to ask you a question. You have no right to ask me one."

Hashiba Hikaru's thumb slowly slid across Amasawa Ichika's throat, her voice cold, "I'll give you five more seconds to answer my question."

Amasawa Ichika's hands were resting on Hashiba Hikaru's arms. Although she was cornered, a strange thought suddenly arose in the girl's mind.

Who exactly is this Senior Hashiba?

Why does this give me a feeling...?

Wrong.

Amasawa Ichika shook her head, shaking off the strange thoughts in her head. Bathed in the boy's cold gaze, she decided to answer his question for the time being.

"It was indeed Tsukishiro who sent me."

"Oh? What is his purpose in sending you here?"

Seeing that she cooperated obediently, Hashiba Hikaru loosened her grip, making it easier for Amasawa Ichika to breathe.

"His plan was for me to get close to you... Senior Hashiba."

Amasawa Ichika was breathing heavily. For some reason, when Hashiba Hikaru loosened her grip on her neck, the girl felt a strange sense of security, which she found very odd.

"Approach me?"

This answer still surprised Hashiba Hikaru. He had always thought that the people Tsukishiro sent were all for Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, but he never expected that this junior named Amasawa Ichika was actually after him.

"Yes, is it surprising, Senior Hashiba?"

Although she was still being choked, Amasawa Ichika could no longer feel any force. Instead of struggling, she continued to place her small hand on Hashiba Hikaru's right arm.

"That's a bit unexpected, isn't it?"

Hashiba Hikaru raised an eyebrow, tightening her grip on his hand again. "Didn't I tell you? Now is not the time for you to ask questions."

"Cough cough..."

Amasawa Ichika coughed lightly twice, a smile appearing in her eyes. "Senior Hashiba, there's no need to be so nervous. Anyway, I'm in your hands now. If you have any questions, do you think I can just refuse to answer them?"

"Are you just going to accept your fate like this?"

Hashiba Hikaru's tone was slightly sarcastic, "Is this how the [White Room] educated you?"

"Regardless of how I was educated there, am I supposed to think of fighting a losing battle when facing someone far stronger than myself?"

That makes sense.

Hashiba Hikaru, "If you can answer my questions obediently, I can let go."

"No need, I think this pose is quite interesting."

Amasawa Ichika's lips curled up slightly; despite being a hostage, her tone suddenly became very relaxed.

"Okay, I'll continue asking questions, and you continue answering. Can you do that?"

"Sure."

The red-haired junior with twin ponytails carefully examined Hashiba Hikaru's handsome face, her golden eyes gleaming with an unusual light.

When they first met, she thought he was just a pretty but clueless guy, but after what happened today, many of her thoughts suddenly changed.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's previous respectful attitude, the boy's ruthless decisiveness, and his refusal to retaliate despite being threatened—all these factors contributed to his success.

After overcoming the initial fear and shock, Amasawa Ichika no longer dislikes the feeling. She is simply becoming more and more curious about Hashiba Hikaru, even more so than about anyone she has ever met before.

"Besides you, who else did Tsukishiro send to this school?"

"I don't know that. At the time, Professor Tsukishiro only sent me Senior Hashiba's information and then notified me that I was enrolled."

Amasawa Ichika spoke without any averting eye contact, and her attitude was very frank.

"I don't know if anyone else will come."

"Is that so?"

Hashiba Hikaru pondered the truthfulness of his words for a moment, "Besides assigning you tasks before the start of the semester, has Tsukishiro been contacting you again?"

"No, he told me to first find out what Senior Hashiba's position is, and then report back to him."

"Clarify my position?"

Hashiba Hikaru understood what he meant immediately. It seemed that putting on an act in front of Tsukishiro had made that guy wary, otherwise he wouldn't have sent someone to investigate him.

"It seems that Senior Hashiba understands what I mean. Do you have any other questions?"

Amasawa Ichika noticed the cold smile on the boy's face and immediately found it amusing.

"Now that we've laid our cards on the table, how do you plan to report this to Tsukishiro?"

Hashiba Hikaru suddenly released her grip on the other person's hand, took two steps back, and increased the distance between herself and Amasawa Ichika.

"How do you think I should report this, Senior Hashiba?"

The girl subconsciously touched her neck. She could feel the lingering warmth on it. Although Hashiba Hikaru had used quite a bit of force just now, she didn't feel any pain now.

"That's your business. Whether you report the truth or fabricate something is fine with you."

Hashiba Hikaru waved his hand; he really didn't care much about the matter, since he was bound to have a falling out with Tsukishiro sooner or later anyway.

If we want Sakayanagi Narimori come back, dealing with Tsukishiro is a must; it's just a matter of time.

The boy now wields absolute authority in the Student Council and has influence with several class advisors, so they can't do anything to him.

"If you wish, Senior Hashiba, I can give a fake answer."

A sly smile appeared on Amasawa Ichika's face, as if this was no big deal.

"Heh, as I just said, the decision is yours; I'm not interested."

Hashiba Hikaru thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Since you enrolled, has any third-year student Miyabi Nagumo contacted you?"

"Miyabi Nagumo?"

Amasawa Ichika thought for a moment, then realized that she had never met anyone with that name.

"No."

Is this the truth?

"Certainly."

"Good."

Carefully observing the other person's expression, Hashiba Hikaru's guess was confirmed.

If Amasawa Ichika wasn't lying, then Miyabi Nagumo must have been contacting someone else.

In other words, it's certain that Tsukishiro planted other people in the school; this can be directly confirmed.

Chapter 722 Cooperation Achieved, Amasawa Ichika's Backer

Although the distance between the two had increased, Amasawa Ichika's gaze remained fixed on Hashiba Hikaru, and he couldn't help but ask.

"Why is Senior Hashiba asking this person Miyabi Nagumo? Is there something else going on?"

"This matter has nothing to do with you either. Since you answered truthfully, you can leave now as agreed."

Hashiba Hikaru now knows everything she wanted to know. Regardless of whether everything Amasawa Ichika said was true or not, it's enough that she's gathered so much information.

Tomorrow he can contact Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Sakayanagi Arisu to synchronize the information. As expected, there are still people planted by Tsukishiro within the first-year students. With this definite possibility, there's no need to keep guessing.

"Senior Hashiba is really something. He asks for the answer and then tries to kick me out. That's so heartless."

After hearing Hashiba Hikaru's instructions, Amasawa Ichika showed no intention of moving, but continued to stare intently at the boy's face.

Is there anything else?

Hashiba Hikaru has lost interest in her. Amasawa Ichika was just someone Tsukishiro sent to test her, which means she doesn't know many internal secrets. In that case, there's no need to waste any more time on her.

"Hehe, I think I already know what Senior Hashiba is thinking."

Amasawa Ichika's eyes sparkled, and her delicate face revealed the confidence of a top student.

"Is that so?"

"Don't be such a spoilsport. I told Senior Hashiba everything I knew, shouldn't you thank me?"

"Okay, then you tell me first. If you guess my thoughts correctly, then I'll..."

The boy hesitated for a moment before not immediately asking for cooperation.

We've only just met Amasawa Ichika. Since this guy came from the [White Room], he might have some tricks up his sleeve that he hasn't revealed yet. Even if we want to use him, we should wait and see.

"If I've guessed correctly what Senior Hashiba is thinking, then can we continue our collaboration?"

Amasawa Ichika said with a grin, "After all, Senior Hashiba, right?"

"That's true."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded. "Why are you so sure you can guess what I'm thinking? What if you're wrong?"

"Because from Senior Hashiba's perspective, I already know everything that matters to you."

"Then please tell us."

"It's actually very simple."

Amasawa Ichika stared intently at Hashiba Hikaru's face and slowly said, "Senior Hashiba should have already confirmed that there are still people sent by Tsukishiro- sensei among the first-year students, right?"

"So what?"

Hashiba Hikaru wasn't surprised that she had guessed this, but rather looked forward to her next remarks.

"From the name that Senior Hashiba just uttered, I can be certain of one thing."

Like a detective, Amasawa Ichika analyzed logically, "This person named Miyabi Nagumo might be a spokesperson that Teacher Tsukishiro found at school, with the purpose of contacting other people he sent."

"Although I don't know who they are yet, I bet Senior Hashiba is very curious, right?"

"..."

"Looks like I guessed right."

Amasawa Ichika took in the boy's expression and smiled confidently.

The atmosphere had been tense just moments ago, but now it had suddenly become relaxed, which she found unbelievable.

"Okay, you guessed right."

Hashiba Hikaru did not give in immediately, but instead planned to continue to increase her influence.

"Although you guessed my thoughts correctly, you yourself said Amasawa you approached me with ulterior motives from the beginning. If I want to cooperate with you, I have to take certain risks."

"It's okay, I'll prove it to you with my results."

Amasawa Ichika shook his head, as if he had completely forgotten Tsukishiro's instructions.

"Is that so?"

"Alright then, to show my sincerity to Senior Hashiba, I'm willing to cooperate with you in this exam and team up with a student from your class."