The Players Are in Position / Horikita Suzune's Thoughts, Kushida Takes the Bait

So, was she really moving forward?

The girl understood that people couldn't live entirely on their own. But she couldn't overcome her timid nature, so she'd always worn a mask. She was afraid of talking to people and meeting their eyes, afraid of getting caught up in unfamiliar, troublesome situations. That was why she'd stayed all alone.

But that didn't mean she was against making friends. She just hadn't found anyone she could relate to and feel at ease with.

And Hashiba seemed to fit the bill perfectly. Even when he looked at her, Sakura Airi didn't feel afraid at all. His attitude and the emotions he showed made her feel completely at ease.

"That's right. We've both taken the first step, and that's what matters most."

Hashiba Hikaru looked at the light in the girl's eyes and continued, "Because we're friends, I want to bring up the topic I didn't get to finish earlier."

"What topic?" Sakura Airi looked into the boy's eyes.

"Relying on and trusting each other." Hashiba Hikaru suddenly smiled, his voice growing gentler. "In this world, the people closest to us after our parents and family are our friends."

"No matter what trouble we run into, we can tell our friends about it. Even if they can't solve it for us right away, I think just talking about it can give us strength."

The boy gazed into Sakura Airi's pale blue eyes and asked softly, "Now that we're friends, Sakura, can we talk to each other whenever something happens?"

"..."

Hashiba Hikaru's words naturally had an ulterior motive. It came from the employee at the electronics store he'd noticed today. The man had clearly been paying close attention to Sakura.

He was a school employee, and Sakura Airi didn't even know him, yet both times they'd met, he'd acted with an inexplicable eagerness.

The girl's clothes were decidedly unfashionable, and her thick bangs covered almost half her face. She was also with Kushida Kikyo, a beloved angel adored by everyone. Yet that guy had never once looked at Kushida.

It didn't make sense.

So, before he got to the bottom of things, Hashiba Hikaru wanted to talk to Sakura Airi. If anything troublesome happened to her, he hoped she'd come to him for help.

That was an important part of building trust.

After listening to the boy, Sakura fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Hashiba, if you run into any problems, you can tell me. I might not be able to help much, but I can listen."

"You can do the same, Sakura. If anything happens, be sure to tell me." The boy smiled, speaking casually. "After all, we're friends now. It's important to be honest with each other."

At the word "honest," Sakura Airi's small face froze. She had another side to herself, one completely different from the person she appeared to be, and Hashiba knew nothing about it.

"Honest with each other?"

A complicated light flickered in Sakura Airi's eyes. She couldn't talk about the pressure she was under. Until she'd resolved the situation, she didn't want to drag Hashiba Hikaru into it.

"Okay. I understand."

After replying in a quiet voice, the two of them had dinner together.

Once he'd walked Sakura Airi back to the eleventh floor, Hashiba Hikaru got into the elevator and returned to his dorm.

He'd barely sat down before someone knocked on his door.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

What was going on?

Hashiba Hikaru had no choice but to sit up from his soft bed and walk to the door. He peered through the peephole.

It was Kushida Kikyo.

"Open the door. Let me in."

A voice, cold beyond belief, came from outside. The boy froze.

What was with her? Had she stopped even pretending?

When he opened the door, the short-haired girl walked in with a blank expression. She didn't greet Hashiba Hikaru, but headed straight into his bedroom.

"Uh, Kushida, what's this about?"

"I have something to ask you." Without looking back, the girl sat down on Hashiba Hikaru's bed.

"All right. What did you want to ask me?"

Seeing how little she was bothering to hide her attitude, Hashiba Hikaru couldn't help finding it amusing. She must've been exhausted from pretending all the time.

"Why are you deliberately getting close to Sakura?"

"Why do you ask?" Hashiba Hikaru put on an innocent expression. "I like photography, and Sakura knows a lot about it, so I asked her for advice."

"I want the truth."

Kushida Kikyo had become a master at reading people. During their meeting that day, she'd sensed that Hashiba Hikaru had been going out of his way to please Sakura Airi. Sakura, however, hadn't noticed at all.

"That is the truth."

Hashiba Hikaru shrugged. He looked at Kushida's chilly expression, but inwardly he let out a cold laugh.

Did she think that just because he acted like he liked her, he'd really do whatever she said? He'd already sold all his shares in her. He had nothing to fear now.

She even dared to interrogate him?

If that was the case, he'd have to turn up the pressure.

Come on, then—let's bring Horikita Suzune into this!

Chapter 87: The Players Are in Position

In Room 301 that night, Kushida stared irritably at the boy, who still wore a smile.

She didn't know if she was annoyed because Pifang had become impossible to control, or for some other reason. But the thought of him trying to please Sakura Airi made her feel distinctly unhappy.

After Hashiba Hikaru said that he really was telling the truth, he even took a can of juice out of the fridge and offered it to her, as if he didn't care at all about her earlier interrogation.

"Are you thirsty, Kushida? Want a can of juice?"

Hashiba Hikaru had been a little irritated by Kushida's accusatory attitude. He'd just decided that tomorrow he'd approach Horikita Suzune in front of her and see if the short-haired little angel would lose her mind.

The gentler he acted now, the bigger the shock would be tomorrow.

How exciting.

Kushida Kikyo accepted the juice, and the cold can in her palm helped clear her head.

Her expression softened again, shifting back into a gentle smile. "Thanks, Hashiba. I'm sorry about earlier. I was just curious about the answer, so I got a little impatient."

"It's okay. I've always been completely honest with you, Kushida. I'd never hide anything from you."

Hashiba Hikaru waved a hand, his expression still warm.

"Yeah, I know."

"Good. Since Sakura has already agreed to help you, is she going to testify as a witness during the hearing?" Hashiba Hikaru decided to change the subject and talk business.

"Yeah. From what she said, she can testify at the hearing that she saw the other person start the fight, and that Sudo was acting in self-defense."

"That's good. If we can get the hearing to rule against the accusation, there shouldn't be much of a problem."

Hashiba Hikaru stroked his chin, though he was still a little worried.

When he'd ambushed Ryuen last time, he'd used a video recording. This time, a serious brawl had broken out, yet Class D hadn't submitted any crucial evidence.

If Ryuen had simply overlooked it, that was fine. But if he had another motive—if he planned to produce a recording during the hearing—then it would be checkmate. No amount of arguing would help.

"Hopefully we can get through this trouble without a hitch." Kushida looked at the boy's thoughtful expression and wanted to know what he thought. "What are you thinking about, Hashiba?"

"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking back over the photography techniques from earlier. I'm a beginner, after all, so there's a lot I need to learn and remember."

Hashiba Hikaru covered with a lie. His thoughts hadn't been tested, so there was no point in voicing them.

"All right. I'll head back for now, then."

Realizing she wasn't going to get any advice from him, Kushida stood up to leave.

Once the door closed, Hashiba Hikaru immediately pulled out his phone and started contacting Horikita Suzune.

Hashiba Hikaru: Horikita, are you free right now?

Horikita Suzune: ...What is it, Hashiba?

After seeing Hashiba Hikaru's message, Horikita Suzune rubbed her temples. She was trying to figure out how to handle the hearing in a few days. Hirata had already nominated her as the main speaker.

Hashiba Hikaru: You know Hirata asked Ichinose and me to help your class find witnesses to the Sudo Incident, right?

Horikita Suzune: Yes. We've confirmed a witness.

Hashiba Hikaru: I heard you'll be the main speaker. Have you thought about how to handle the Student Council's hearing?

Horikita Suzune: I'm thinking about it. This matter has nothing to do with you anymore, does it, Hashiba?

After seeing the message, Hashiba Hikaru immediately typed out a reply.

Hashiba Hikaru: Isn't there something you've overlooked, Horikita?

Horikita Suzune: What?

The black-haired girl raised an eyebrow, unsure what he meant.

Hashiba Hikaru: The Student Council is holding the hearing, which means Horikita-senpai might be there. Do you think you're ready to prove yourself in front of him?

After reading the message, Horikita Suzune's expression changed abruptly. She'd nearly forgotten about that.

For the past few days, after confirming Sakura Airi would help, the girl had focused on figuring out how to clear Sudo of responsibility for the fight. She'd overlooked this point.

If my brother is there to preside over the hearing, can I really... make a flawless impression?

Once she thought of that, Horikita Suzune suddenly felt unsure. She was confident in her abilities, but deep down, she was afraid of embarrassing herself in front of her brother. If someone put her on the spot and she couldn't answer, it would be humiliating, wouldn't it?

Hashiba Hikaru: So this is where I come in and fulfill my promise.

Horikita Suzune: What do you mean?

Hashiba Hikaru: Let's find a time to meet and talk about the hearing. I want to hear your plan and then add a few suggestions.

Hashiba Hikaru: Don't forget, this was part of my agreement with Horikita-senpai. I'll only offer a few pointers. The actual execution is up to you.

Holding her phone, the black-haired girl thought back to their meeting that night. She felt reluctant, but when she pictured her brother looking disappointed, she still pressed the button to send a message.

Horikita Suzune: Okay. When and where should we meet?

Hashiba Hikaru: I'll send you the details later. Make sure you go to the right place.

Horikita Suzune: I will.

After putting her phone away, Horikita Suzune lowered her head and continued working out her plan in her notebook. She believed her argument was sound, but if she was going to face her brother's scrutiny, she'd have to make it even more perfect.

After contacting the black-haired girl, Hashiba Hikaru's next step was to confirm Kushida's plans. After all, he could choose when to meet Horikita, but he couldn't predict what Kushida would do.

If he wanted to make their encounter look like a coincidence, he'd need to prepare more carefully.

The chat with Kushida Kikyo.

Hashiba Hikaru: Kushida, what are you doing tomorrow afternoon?

The short-haired girl had already changed into her pajamas. When she saw the message, she quickly picked up her phone and started typing.

Kushida Kikyo: Tomorrow afternoon? I've made plans to go shopping with a friend in the shopping district at Keyaki Mall. Did you need something, Hashiba?

After seeing the message, the boy smiled. That girl really was popular; she spent every day enjoying herself.

Hashiba Hikaru: Nothing important. I was thinking of having a meal with you sometime when you're free.

Kushida Kikyo: I can cancel my plans tomorrow. Do you want to meet?

Hashiba Hikaru: No, I don't want to put you in a difficult position. Let's do it another time. We'll have plenty of chances.

Kushida Kikyo: Mm-hmm.

After confirming Kushida's plans, Hashiba Hikaru messaged Horikita Suzune. Since she was going to the shopping district, he'd choose that café. It was right in the center of the district, and its wide windows offered a clear view. Kushida would be able to see who he was with.

The chat with Horikita Suzune.

Hashiba Hikaru: After school tomorrow, at the café in Keyaki Mall. I'll reserve a table.

Horikita Suzune: I'll be there on time.

Hashiba Hikaru: Great. See you tomorrow, Horikita.

The players were in position. Now all he had to do was draw Kushida into the act.

Chapter 88: Horikita Suzune's Thoughts, Kushida Takes the Bait

Until school let out the next day, Hashiba Hikaru spent his time organizing what he planned to say and anticipating what might happen. This was a crucial first test. It all depended on how Kushida would react.