Ichinose Honami's Worries

"Because I've been too busy with work, I've had to give up many of my old hobbies. Making tea is probably the only one I still have. Hashiba- kun, please try some."

The silver-haired man poured Hashiba Hikaru a cup of black tea, a smile playing on his lips.

"Thank you, Chairman."

Hashiba Hikaru took a sip of the black tea offered to him. Although he didn't know much about tea, he could still tell it was delicious, so he guessed it was a very expensive variety.

"Hehe, I'm glad you like it. Please have a seat."

In the Chairman's office, besides the desk and chair where Sakayanagi Narimori sat, there was also a very exquisite leather sofa, which was used for receiving guests.

After the silver-haired man sat down, Hashiba Hikaru placed her teacup on the table in front of her and turned to look at his face.

"Chairman, what do you think of our plan?"

"Hmm..."

Sakayanagi Narimori already knew about this, but because he represented the Sakayanagi Family, he couldn't show too obvious a stance at this stage, since the Kujo Family still had a lot of influence in the School Board.

Although we can't offer help openly, we can put in effort behind the scenes.

"If Hashiba- kun has really reached an agreement with the Koenji Family, then I believe that if you do obtain concrete [evidence of the scandal], it will be a very damaging thing."

Although Sakayanagi Narimori had never been a politician, as the head of a zaibatsu (financial conglomerate), he was well aware of many of the unspoken rules of high society.

Reputation is extremely important, sometimes even more important than life itself.

Because that represents the family's background and ability to wield power. If you can't handle scandals or are even led by them, it will only make others see that your family has no strength and can be bullied at will.

If this plan can be successfully completed, the Kujo Family will definitely suffer a huge blow. After all, the agent they selected after careful consideration is someone who doesn't care about his reputation, which will have an impact in many ways.

As for Ayanokoji Atsuomi, needless to say, the Koenji Family controls a powerful media conglomerate and has deep ties with the Public Security Bureau. If they can obtain conclusive evidence, they can completely destroy his future.

"Ayanokoji and I will probably be leaving next week. I'm really looking forward to it."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled. Although there were some risks involved, he wasn't too worried.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, on the other hand, was even more indifferent; he only wanted to destroy that man's career as quickly as possible.

"I can't help Hashiba with the specific arrangements right now, but I can arrange a driver for you before you leave,"

Sakayanagi Narimori's handsome face showed a serious expression. "The other party is not a business partner of the Sakayanagi Family. He is an old friend of mine. Even if we investigate, we won't be able to find out his identity."

"Thank you for the arrangement, Chairman."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded seriously. Before this matter was completed, they would need to arrange transportation to the White Room themselves. Only after completing the mission could they contact the Koenji Family to send someone to pick them up.

Before setting off, Koenji Morito would not take the initiative to break ties with the Kujo Family.

This is what Sakayanagi Narimori was thinking. Everyone here is a respectable person, and before everything is settled, everything depends on Hashiba Hikaru's own efforts.

"I'm really looking forward to Hashiba- kun's performance. I hope everything goes well for you."

Sakayanagi Narimori's tone was very serious; this matter was actually related to him, or rather, to the Sakayanagi Family.

Because the boy was the son-in-law he had chosen, and the future of his daughter.

"I will."

Hashiba Hikaru's eyes were resolute.

He must devote all his efforts to this matter; only after it is completely resolved can everyone embrace a brighter future.

A secluded spot somewhere in Tokyo, White Room.

In the innermost office, a secretary in a suit stood at the back, while Ayanokoji Atsuomi's gaze remained fixed on the monitor in front of him.

The image on the large screen was very clear, completely reflecting every corner of the room, giving him an unprecedented sense of control.

"How's it going lately? Have any promising young players emerged?"

Ayanokoji Atsuomi's gaze moved across the screen, which showed the situations in different rooms, mostly filled with children over ten years old, both boys and girls.

"Everyone is receiving their education step by step, and so far no one has exceeded their limits."

Without hesitation, the secretary replied that he had to organize everyone's learning progress every day and knew it by heart.

"Still no one has appeared? The base stats of this batch are much stronger than the last batch."

Ayanokoji Atsuomi tapped the table lightly; he quickly thought of something else.

"Have the specific campaign rules been finalized?"

"The campaign team has finalized the general direction of the campaign; some details are still being revised."

The secretary nodded and asked proactively.

"Should we send a copy to the Kujo Family?"

"..."

After pondering for a while, Ayanokoji Atsuomi sighed, "Let's send it. After all, that old man is keeping a close eye on it."

"Understood."

After the secretary left, the man rubbed his temples, his expression grave.

With the election date approaching, the Kujo Family has been putting increasing pressure on him lately.

Because the other party had placed a large bet on his side, Kujo Hayato, though old, was a man who wouldn't act without a reason. Since he had placed the bet, he was determined to get a return.

If he wants to break free from the Kujo Family's control, he has no choice but to cultivate his own power base.

This is the core reason why Ayanokoji Atsuomi still activated the [White Room]. The people here basically regard him as the absolute authority and ruler, and he is a useful ally.

Besides...

"Kiyotaka, as long as he can come back, we don't need to worry about this."

Ayanokoji Atsuomi was very satisfied with the growth of his Masterpiece, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. He would never have let him escape if it weren't for the betrayal from within.

"There's one more person."

"Hashiba Hikaru"

The man's eyes suddenly narrowed. The anger from being teased last time had not completely disappeared. If it weren't for the fact that the other party had the backing of the Koenji Family, he would definitely have retaliated.

"This is my base. As long as this place remains unaffected, no matter what, I can get back on my feet!"

Staring at the large screen in front of him, Ayanokoji Atsuomi's expression suddenly turned manic.

"I will not let anyone harm this place, absolutely not..."

"I will be the ultimate victor!"

Chapter 799 Ichinose Honami's Worries.

"If we infiltrate from here, it should be the least disruptive approach."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka pointed to a corner on the map. As someone who had actually carried out the escape plan from the [White Room], he was very confident in his judgment.

How often do the guards here take turns on duty?

Hashiba Hikaru sat opposite him, equally intently gazing at the contents of the map.

This map was created by Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Amasawa Ichika, and it contains a great deal of detail.

"The shifts are eight hours long, and the guards' rest area is far from here."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka remained calm. Although he had relied on Matsuo's strength, the prerequisite for his successful escape was mastering the rules governing the operation of the [White Room].

"Alright, let's start the breakthrough here. Ayanokoji, go in first, I'll follow you."

Having mastered the Exclusive Talent of [Stealthy Trace], Hashiba Hikaru felt that she could maximize the effect of this talent once she went in. After all, it was nighttime, and even if a battle broke out, she could ensure that she could take down the guards in the shortest possible time.

"Can."

"Our action plan this time has three clearly defined target locations."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka continued explaining while looking at the map, recalling the facilities in the [White Room] used for raising children, noting that there were three key locations.

"These are the [Combat Training Classroom], the [Confinement Room], and the [Main Monitoring Room]."

As Ayanokoji Kiyotaka explained these things, he exuded a sharp and cold aura, as if he were recalling the situation from back then.

"[Main Monitoring Room]?"

Hashiba Hikaru and concluded that this place was probably the most important, and it was very likely Ayanokoji Atsuomi's office.

"Isn't it dangerous here?"

"[The Main Monitoring Room] is that man's office, but he always considers himself the supreme ruler of the [White Room], so there are only cameras around the [Main Monitoring Room], and guards never come to patrol, because it would disturb his rest."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's analysis was comprehensive. He had been to the Main Monitoring Room several times and even witnessed firsthand the "horrific" scenes recorded by the cameras, such as young trainees collapsing one after another.

"There's another situation we need to consider. Koenji said the Cabinet Minister election will be held in late May. When we infiltrate, we might run into him, or we might not."

Both scenarios are possible, but Hashiba Hikaru believes the latter is more likely.

If Ayanokoji Atsuomi is truly running for Cabinet Minister, he must begin preparing well in advance.

This includes writing speeches and designing campaign platforms, as well as traveling to various locations to campaign. None of this can be done in the "White Room," because candidates must go to the sites in person, even at the risk of assassination.

"Given that man's habits, I think he's very likely not in the [White Room]; he'll definitely be campaigning in various counties."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka shared the same idea as Hashiba Hikaru, and his considerations were even more profound.

He understood that man's character well; Ayanokoji Atsuomi's most important task at this stage was to participate in the election.

This is his capital to continue climbing; the [White Room] can operate automatically, so he doesn't need to worry about it all the time.

"In that case, if he's not here, that's the situation we'd most like to see."

Hashiba Hikaru's lips suddenly curled into a cold smile. If Ayanokoji Atsuomi really wasn't in the [White Room], then he would definitely give him a big gift, something that couldn't be easily resolved by just taking a few photos.

The two continued discussing the action plan in the office.

We're about to set off, and many plans need to be carefully reviewed, just to be on the safe side.

"Hikaru, are you planning to do something soon?"

After the storm subsided, Ichinose Honami, her face flushed, noticed a shadow between her boyfriend's brows and couldn't help but ask him about it.

Why would Honami ask that question?

Hashiba Hikaru put her arm around her slender waist and asked with some surprise.

"Because I've recently noticed that Hikaru and Ayanokoji meeting up frequently, and you two are always discussing something. Although I don't know what it's about, I feel like something important is about to happen."

Ichinose Honami keeps all of Hashiba Hikaru's actions in mind. Although she won't interfere with her private time, it doesn't mean she doesn't care at all.

"Okay, you guessed right, Honami."

Hashiba Hikaru decided to tell his girlfriend about it, since he might be away from school for several days. The boy's original plan was to reveal the truth a few days later, closer to his departure.

"Are you really going to take care of something?"

Ichinose Honami could sense the seriousness in her boyfriend's expression, which further confirmed that this must be an extremely important matter.

"In a few days, Ayanokoji and I will be leaving school for a while to take care of something very important."

Looking into her clear, bright eyes, Hashiba Hikaru slowly explained, "I didn't tell Honami sooner because I was afraid you'd worry."

"What?!"

Why is she leaving school again now, when she just left recently?

Upon hearing Ichinose Honami's expression changed instantly, and she quickly asked.

"Is it something very troublesome?"

The pink-haired girl was naturally very worried about Hashiba Hikaru's situation. She didn't want her boyfriend to take any risks, since many things outside of school are unpredictable.

"It's not a very troublesome matter. I've already come up with the specific plan; it just needs to go through some twists and turns."

Hashiba Hikaru gently stroked her hair and said softly.

"Honami, just wait for me at school. I'll be back as soon as possible."

"Can I go with the light?"