Ichinose Honami's Negotiating Presence / Shiina Hiyori's Keen Insight
"Good."
Ichinose Honami, of course, was not intimidated and immediately took over the conversation.
Since the discussion was about formal collaboration, she immediately adopted the demeanor of a class representative.
"Readily!"
Ryuen Kakeru immediately took out two contracts from his pocket and pushed them to the center of the round table.
"This is a cooperation plan that our Class C has come up with. You can take a look at it first, and feel free to give us any feedback."
"You've certainly come prepared, Ryuen."
"I still have a lot to learn from you in this regard, Hashiba."
Chapter 765 Ichinose Honami's Negotiation Momentum.
Inside the private room, Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose Honami unfolded the contract handed to them by Ryuen Kakeru and carefully examined its contents.
[Special Exam Cooperation Agreement]
[Partners: Class 2-A, Class 2-C]
[Upon signing this contract, both parties agree to simultaneously fulfill the following terms. If either party forcibly violates these terms, they shall pay the other party compensation amounting to 20 million Private Points.]
[Article 1: From the effective date of this contract until the end of the next Special Exam, both classes will be partners. It is forbidden to secretly sabotage the other class, causing a decrease in their existing evaluation score or overall Private Points.]
[Article 2: Regardless of the content of the next Special Exam, at least three class representative meetings must be held before the exam to establish a cooperative strategy. Secretly bringing in outside help that could damage the cooperative relationship is strictly prohibited.]
[Article 3: The proceeds from the Special Exam must be distributed before the examination begins, and once established, they must be implemented. Any reneging midway will be treated as a breach of contract.]
The three clauses are written in great detail, basically covering all possible scenarios for the next Special Exam. It seems to have been written by a very meticulous person.
After reading the contract, Hashiba Hikaru subconsciously looked up at Shiina Hiyori sitting opposite her. The gray-haired girl felt his gaze and became somewhat shy, not daring to meet his eyes.
"This contract is quite detailed."
After reviewing the contract, Ichinose Honami was quite satisfied with the cooperation agreement proposed by Class C.
If it really has to be carried out in the next Special Exam, there's no need to worry about the other party doing anything wrong. After all, breaching the contract would cost 20 million Private Points. Class A currently has a lot of savings, but Class C definitely doesn't.
"This should be considered our first formal collaboration with your class, so we naturally need to be careful."
Ryuen Kakeru smiled slightly and asked directly to Hashiba Hikaru.
"Hashiba, what's your opinion? After signing this contract, we will both be bound by it, which will serve as protection for each other."
"It looks quite decent."
Hashiba Hikaru simply smiled and did not immediately agree to Ryuen's suggestion.
After all, Class 2-A held an absolute advantage. Even if they had made their promises beforehand, it didn't mean they had no conditions.
After observing the boy's expression from the side, Ichinose Honami immediately understood; she was already very familiar with this kind of cooperative behavior.
"Although this contract is very detailed, I think we still need to discuss the terms."
What terms do you want to discuss?
Ryuen Kakeru seemed to have anticipated this situation. The overall strength of Class 2-A was already quite good, and with the addition of the incredibly powerful Hashiba Hikaru, they were capable of accomplishing a great deal.
Although a swap agreement got Hashiba Hikaru to agree, getting him to cooperate would be far more complicated than that.
"It's an additional condition; after all, we need to protect our own interests."
Having served as class representative for so long, Ichinose Honami had a clear direction. After thinking for only about a minute, the girl put forward her idea.
"Although we can't confirm the exact rules of the next Special Exam yet, since we're going to establish a cooperative relationship, we need to discuss it in advance."
"Ichinose, how do you plan to protect your own interests?"
At this moment, Ibuki Mio interrupted the conversation, staring blankly at the pink-haired girl opposite her.
"Of course, it's about allocating the benefits in advance, such as the two types of rewards that will appear in Special Exam: Class Evaluation Points and Private Points."
Ichinose Honami said slowly and firmly, "Class Evaluation Points are the most important resource. Both of our classes need to work hard to achieve them. Whoever gets more will have to rely on their own abilities."
"As for the Private Points reward, after the exam, all the Private Points earned by the two classes will be distributed according to a certain ratio."
"Hehe, so what percentage do you Class A plan to take?"
A smile crept across Ryuen Kakeru's lips. Everything that was happening was within his expectations, so the man remained relatively calm and did not lose his composure.
"Light, what percentage do you think would be best?"
At this moment, Ichinose Honami suddenly turned to look at her man, because this issue of proportion was of utmost importance and could not be easily compromised.
"Hehe, if I had to choose, Class A would get 80%."
Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly and offered a very "generous" suggestion.
Are you kidding me?
Upon hearing this, Ryuen Kakeru's expression changed instantly.
The relaxed atmosphere in the private room vanished instantly, replaced by a tense and tense atmosphere.
"Of course I'm not joking. I'm all here today, naturally, to ensure a smooth negotiation and cooperation."
Hashiba Hikaru placed her palm on the table and gently tapped the surface with her index finger.
"You'll take 80%? We'll only get 20%?"
Ibuki Mio's eyes widened, her gaze dangerously fixed on Hashiba Hikaru's calm face, like an angry young beast.
"I think you need to understand one thing."
Faced with the two people's sharp rebuttals, Hashiba Hikaru simply smiled and calmly explained.
"I don't need to emphasize the overall strength of your Class C, right? Everyone's personal information is clearly visible now, there's no way to hide anything."
"Class C doesn't have anyone with outstanding individual abilities. If we take the exam together, Class A will most likely have to put in more effort. Don't you realize that?"
"You're underestimating me. While you are indeed very capable, are all the students in Class A elites? There are plenty of people who drag the class down too, aren't there?"
Before Ryuen could react, Ibuki Mio retorted, "Besides, four students in our class have A grades in sports. Your class, besides you and Shibata, doesn't have any A grades, right?"
Since they were there to negotiate, Ibuki Mio and Ryuen Kakeru had both reviewed the personal files of all the Second Year students and had a very detailed understanding of the situation.
What if Special Exam doesn't require Physical Ability?
Hashiba Hikaru raised an eyebrow and smiled knowingly, "Could you possibly know the rules for the next Special Exam?"
"This..."
After Ibuki fell silent, Ryuen Kakeru Sho immediately took over the conversation. He didn't offer any rebuttal, but instead gave his own considerations.
"No matter what you say, it's absolutely impossible for you to get 80%; this isn't how negotiations work."
"So what are your plans?"
Hashiba Hikaru shook her head, her tone carrying a hint of threat.
"Don't forget your current situation in Class C. The gap between Class D and you isn't that big. If you really fail in the Special Exam and fall to last place, don't blame us."
"..."
After Ryuen Kakeru fell silent because of Hashiba Hikaru's words, Shiina Hiyori, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.
"Classmate Hashiba, if we really follow your proposed profit-sharing method, we can only concede up to 60% at most."
What do you think?
Chapter 766 Shiina Hiyori's Sharp Thinking
"Sixty percent?"
Although Shiina Hiyori spoke with a firm tone, Hashiba Hikaru was not buying it at all.
His current stance is not that of a "fellow reader" of the other party, but rather that of a core figure in Class A.
"This is the final solution we can accept: you take 60%, and we can take 40%."
Ryuen Kakeru knew that Class C didn't have much of an advantage, so he had thought of this allocation model a long time ago.
"Heh, we won't back down."
Hashiba Hikaru continued to shake her head, her eyes unwavering. "If you are truly sincere, you should understand just how much you can gain by having me lead you."
This isn't boasting; it's a fact that everyone in Second Year knows.
From the very first Special Exam, Hashiba Hikaru's class has been reaping huge rewards, not only dominating the Class Evaluation Points but also accumulating tens of millions of Private Points.
"Isn't it that you're not being sincere? If you want 80% of it, then we'll be left to starve!"
Ibuki Mio couldn't help but slam her hand on the table, her body trembling slightly.
"Don't get so agitated. I've already given you my terms. If you don't agree, I can find someone else to cooperate with."
Hashiba Hikaru glanced at Ryuen Kakeru, her expression completely calm.
"I agreed to cooperate with you in the next Special Exam, but I didn't say I wouldn't set conditions. It's you who are unwilling, not me."
"Is that right, Honami?"
"OK."
Ichinose Honami had been listening to her man's exchange with the trio from Class C. Her initial thought wasn't 80%, since Class C also had to contribute in the Special Exam, and getting only 20% would indeed be a bit low.
But if she can successfully negotiate a deal, she certainly wouldn't mind.
The girl is kind, but she never compromises on matters of class interest.
"No!"
Ibuki Mio stood up abruptly, glaring at the two people opposite her. Her expression was uncertain as she pondered how to bargain.
"Is it really not going to work? You Class C need to think this through carefully."
Hashiba Hikaru poured herself a glass of water, not rushing to give her answer.
"Classmate Hashiba, the number you actually have in mind isn't 80%, is it?"
At that moment, Shiina Hiyori, suddenly spoke up. She stared intently at the boy's face, and she had already keenly sensed something.
Why do you say that?
The boy raised an eyebrow.
"This is a common negotiation tactic. If we keep going at an impasse, we'll only end up losing our shared interests."
Shiina Hiyori is known as the strategist of Class C, and this title is well-deserved; even Ryuen has great faith in her abilities.
"... So what do you think is the number in my heart?"
Observing the other person's serene face, Hashiba Hikaru asked directly.
"If it's 70%, would you be okay with that, Classmate Hashiba?"
Shiina Hiyori paused for a moment, then directly stated what was on her mind.
After she said that, both Ryuen and Ibuki's expressions froze.
"Hehe, it's Shiina-kun who's on the Shiina."
Hashiba Hikaru looked at Ryuen Kakeru and Shiina Hiyori across from her, her tone laced with sarcasm, "Are you willing to accept this proposal?"
"This..."
The two exchanged a glance. Although the probability had decreased from 80% to 70%, if they continued to remain deadlocked, it might really end badly.
If I could get 30%, that would be acceptable.
"If you agree to this profit-sharing arrangement, we can sign this contract!"
Ichinose Honami understood Hashiba Hikaru's thoughts; since Class A could get 70%, she was naturally happy to see it happen.
After a long while, Ibuki Mio silently sat back down, leaving the task of making a statement to Ryuen Kakeru.
"If Class A gets 70% of the points, can you guarantee you'll give it your all?"