A Restaurant Gathering with Suzune Horikita / Suzune Horikita Takes the Initiative to Change
During this time together, Kushida Kikyo was surprised to find that, apart from not being averse to physical contact with him, she even had the thought that it would be nice to continue this relationship.
That's why she took the initiative to reveal that information that day, even though the boy hadn't done anything yet.
Why is that? I...
The short-haired girl lay on the soft bed, her eyes glazed over. She didn't quite understand what this strange feeling was coming over her.
Regardless, the deal has now been struck, binding the two together temporarily like a contract.
He won't get rid of me easily!
On the other side, after finishing his conversation with Kushida Kikyo, Hashiba Hikaru immediately picked up his phone and started communicating with Horikita Suzune. Now, his relationship with her had taken another layer; besides being Horikita Manabu's assistant, he was also her creditor.
Horikita Suzune still owes her 75,000 Private Points. Their class's Class Evaluation Points for June was 362, so they only earned a little over 30,000 points, which is not enough to pay off the debt in the short term.
Hashiba Hikaru: Good evening, Horikita- kun. Are you free right now?
The black-haired girl, who had already finished showering and was sitting at her desk reading, rubbed her temples in exasperation when she saw the familiar words.
If this Classmate Hashiba the initiative to contact me, it's definitely not going to be anything good.
Horikita Suzune is already quite experienced in this area.
Horikita Suzune: Is there something you need, Classmate Hashiba?
Hashiba Hikaru: It's nothing serious. Are you free after school tomorrow?
Horikita Suzune: What are you planning to do, Classmate Hashiba, when you have some free time?
Hashiba Hikaru: Oh, I'd like to invite you to dinner.
Upon seeing this reply, Horikita Suzune immediately prepared to decline, but before she could send her message, the other party sent her another message.
Hashiba Hikaru: Horikita- kun should do me the honor, right? After all, I just helped you out. As Horikita-senpai's sister, you wouldn't want him to know that you treated someone who helped you rudely, would you? Isn't that a bit inappropriate?
"..."
Here we go again, using her brother as bait to force herself to meet him.
This is something that Classmate Hashiba has done many times before, but Horikita Suzune just can't do anything about it.
Horikita Suzune: What time?
Hashiba Hikaru: Tomorrow at 4 PM, at Family Restaurant in Keyaki Mall, I'll make a reservation and wait for you.
Horikita Suzune: I understand.
Chapter 131 Restaurant Gathering with Horikita Suzune
After concluding her conversation with Horikita Suzune, Hashiba Hikaru put her phone aside and began to think about tomorrow's meeting.
He has now reached an agreement with Kushida Kikyo, so it would be easy for him to get Horikita Suzune to meet him through his connection with Horikita Manabu.
However, this was done in order to lower Kushida's stock price, so most of the chat content was meaningless and just for show for the short-haired girl.
Now, she's trying to find out about Horikita Suzune's situation. To get this aloof black-haired girl to talk about this, they need to build a basic relationship of trust first. After all, they're not in the same class, and even though they can eat together privately, the distance between them hasn't shortened at all.
Then Hashiba Hikaru remembered a problem she had previously overlooked.
That concerns Horikita Suzune's stock situation. Because her initial stock price was very high, at 100 points, and to fully invest would require paying 300,000 yen in system funds, Hashiba Hikaru had never used the [Stock Analyzer] on her.
But now that I think about it, he's currently trying to boost Kushida's stock price. The final return on this high-quality stock, which he just fully invested in, will be astonishing. So there's no need to consider the cost of the 1,000-point [Stock Analyzer]; he can just use it directly.
When I have more money in the future and want to buy Horikita Suzune's stock, the results of this analysis will still come in handy.
"Let's do it this way. Let's find a way to get closer to Horikita Suzune, at least to establish a basic level of trust, so that we can better gather intelligence."
"Even if she doesn't want to talk about it, that's fine. The important thing is to show your attitude. That way, it will be acceptable to Kushida. By working on both sides at the same time, we can achieve the best results."
Having clarified her thoughts, Hashiba Hikaru's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
He hasn't fully grasped the complex relationship between these two people yet, but what does it matter? Not understanding is actually a good thing, as it allows him to bet on both sides and profit from both – that's what a qualified trading master should do.
The next day after school, since Ichinose Honami and Ando Sayo had already joined the Student Council, they had to go to the Student Council office immediately after school for activities, which gave Hashiba Hikaru more freedom.
He had considered this issue when selecting candidates for the Student Council. Although he enjoyed spending time with Ichinose, if he could keep her busy, he would need to explain himself less and less, and he wouldn't have to worry about her overthinking things.
Before leaving the classroom, Hashiba Hikaru declined Shibata and Kanzaki's invitation to dinner. After all, who would choose two grown men over eating with a beautiful girl?
After arriving at the Family Restaurant he had booked, Hashiba Hikaru stood at the door waiting for Horikita Suzune to arrive. However, Horikita was also a very punctual person, so he only waited a few minutes before that slender, black-haired figure appeared in front of him.
"Good afternoon, Horikita," Hashiba Hikaru greeted her with a smile.
"Good afternoon, Classmate Hashiba." The girl nodded slightly, and that was all.
"Let's go inside first, I'll take you to the table I reserved."
Hashiba Hikaru led the girl into the restaurant, where he immediately spent 1000 system funds to purchase the [Stock Analyzer] and used it on Horikita Suzune.
[Horikita Suzune Stock]
[Stock Information: A high-achieving, long-haired, straight-haired girl with an aura of "don't talk to me," she has no interest in socializing, prefers to be alone, dislikes teamwork, and adheres to a life motto of distrusting everyone.]
[Stock price increase recommendation: Build a relationship of trust, support her progress, and help her gain Horikita Manabu's approval.]
[Risk of reduced stock price: Devaluing her approach to life, underestimating her abilities, and doing things detrimental to Horikita Manabu.]
"Well..."
Looking at the stock analysis that popped up on the system, Hashiba Hikaru carefully memorized all the details.
After this period of contact, he could roughly judge that this girl cared a lot about Horikita Manabu's evaluation of her, but did she expect that doing something detrimental to Horikita Manabu would directly lower her stock price?
Although he hadn't yet bought any of her stocks, the boy quickly realized that Horikita's situation was quite different from Kushida Kikyo's.
Kushida can raise and lower the stock price through two-way operations, thereby achieving multiple cash-outs. However, if he were to lower Horikita Suzune's stock price by antagonizing Horikita Manabu, it would be quite complicated to do so.
It's not that Hashiba Hikaru can't do such a thing, but the key point is that if she really exposes her enmity with Horikita Manabu to Horikita Suzune, the stock price might drop, but it will definitely lead to a complete falling out with her, and there will absolutely be no second chance to raise the stock price again.
Therefore, if we want to achieve secondary utilization, we can only use the two approaches mentioned earlier.
Should I use words to provoke her?
That's something I might consider.
After leading Horikita Suzune to the reserved table, Hashiba Hikaru, as usual, first handed her the menu. Having used the [Stock Analyzer], he already knew very well what this black-haired girl cared about.
Although he knew the specific methods to boost the stock price, since Hashiba Hikaru hadn't bought any of her shares yet, there was no need to help her catch up with her brother. At this stage, establishing a basic relationship of trust was enough.
"Horikita, feel free to do whatever you like. It's not like it's the first time."
"It's true, this isn't the first time I've had dinner with Classmate Hashiba, but I hope you can be more natural in how you invite him next time, instead of always bringing..."
Horikita Suzune's cold gaze swept across the boy's face. She was already fed up with this Classmate Hashiba, using her brother as a topic to force her to agree to his demands.
"Well, it was just a simple idea. I didn't actually tattle on him to Horikita-senpai," Hashiba Hikaru shrugged and said slowly. "Besides, since Horikita-senpai said he wanted me to help Horikita grow, I naturally have to keep my promise. After all, I received a favor from him, and mutual benefit is the best way to make the cooperation last."
"Since that's the case, then may I ask why you came to see me today Classmate Hashiba? I haven't encountered any problems recently, so I don't need to ask you for advice." After putting down the menu, Horikita Suzune looked calmly at the other person's face.
"Don't be so cold, Horikita- san. I met Horikita-senpai yesterday, aren't you interested in this topic?" Hashiba Hikaru smiled, observing the changes in the girl's expression.
"... What is it?"
"Well, let's wait for the food to arrive. We can talk while we eat. Horikita- kun, don't be in such a hurry."
Chapter 132 Horikita Suzune's Proactive Change
After Hashiba Hikaru and Horikita Suzune chose their set meals, the strikingly good-looking couple sat facing each other, attracting many people's attention even without saying a word.
"So, can you speak now, Classmate Hashiba?" Horikita Suzune tucked her long black hair, which fell to her chest, behind her delicate little ear. Although her expression was calm, she stared straight at the boy's face.
"Horikita is really impatient. Alright then."
Hashiba Hikaru smiled. To build a relationship of trust with this aloof beauty, besides helping her advance based on stock price information, the rest might involve working on Horikita Manabu, which was probably this guy's most crucial weakness.
"I met Horikita-senpai in the Student Council office yesterday and had a brief chat with him."
"Yeah?"
Horikita Suzune pondered for a moment before asking, "If I ask Classmate Hashiba about your purpose for going to the Student Council, would that be considered spying on your class?"
"Well, well, maybe it counts if it's something else."
Hashiba Hikaru studied the other woman's expression. Although they had met alone several times, Horikita was still quite wary of her, and asking such a question was a test of her attitude.
"However, I can tell you what happened yesterday; the results will be announced soon anyway."
The boy calmly brought up the topic they had discussed last time. "Horikita- kun, do you remember what I briefly mentioned to you last time? It was about the Student Council."
"Remember."
The black-haired girl nodded slightly and said slowly, "After our last conversation, I thought about the current situation. If I want to join the Student Council, I might have to wait a little longer."
"Why?" Hashiba Hikaru raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips. "If Horikita wants to gain Horikita-senpai's approval, perhaps submitting your application to join him would be a good choice."
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, an unnatural expression flashed across the pretty face of the aloof black-haired girl, and even her previously maintained cool demeanor cracked slightly.
"Ahem... I need to think about this some more, but it's my own business, and I don't need Classmate Hashiba's help for now." Horikita Suzune made a small fist with her right hand and coughed awkwardly, changing the subject very stiffly.
"So, did Classmate Hashiba go to the Student Council yesterday to submit her application to join?"
"Pretty much. It was because I went to submit my application that I met Horikita-senpai."
Hashiba Hikaru shrugged and explained casually, "Since Horikita-senpai happened to be available, he was the one who reviewed our application materials."
Is... is that so?
Upon hearing these words, Horikita Suzune's small face clearly showed a very shaken expression. Her beautiful eyes flickered with a complex light, containing expectation, longing, and a hint of fear.
Furthermore, Hashiba Hikaru had also noticed the girl's unnatural expression, so it was easy for her to guess what she was thinking.
Horikita Suzune definitely wants Horikita Manabu's approval, but at the same time, she is very afraid to face him.
Perhaps it was because she had always been looked down upon by her older brother that the girl felt a strong urge to prove herself.
The Matoba that night was still vivid in his mind. Although Hashiba Hikaru couldn't understand why the awkward brother and sister were unwilling to talk things out directly, this relationship made it convenient for him to take action.
"Yes, Horikita-senpai, as the Student Council President, naturally has the authority to review the applications of students who want to join the Student Council. If there is an interview, there may be some conversation involved."
Hashiba Hikaru's current goal is to get closer to Horikita Suzune, so she plans to say some nice things about Horikita Manabu, hoping that the black-haired girl in front of her might lower her guard and change her attitude towards her.
"After all, Horikita-senpai is a very serious person. Even though he has so many official duties to handle, he still takes the initiative to make time to interview students who want to join the Student Council."
The boy's tone was appreciative, and his face showed admiration for Horikita Manabu.
This scene naturally caught Horikita Suzune's eye. Since childhood, the girl had regarded Horikita Manabu as the goal she wanted to surpass, and she had been working hard to achieve it, even adopting many of his habits.
Therefore, she believed that her older brother was very outstanding. After reaching school age, Horikita Manabu always kept a long way ahead of Lead peers. Perhaps there was no one in the school who could compare to him.
Upon seeing the look of admiration on Hashiba Hikaru's face, Horikita Suzune felt a connection with him for the first time, realizing that this boy who often used his older brother as bait to coerce her into going on dates might actually have some redeeming qualities.
"Yes, brother... Horikita-senpai has always demanded this of himself, maintaining a disciplined and responsible attitude at all times, and diligently completing every task."
A stubborn determination flickered in Horikita Suzune's eyes as she slowly uttered the next sentence. "That's why I... must try my best to keep up with him."
"I believe Horikita- kun can do it. After all, since Horikita-senpai made a request of you, it's probably because he believes you can do it."
After noticing the girl's softening expression, Hashiba Hikaru stated her goal for the day.
"Since we're talking about growth, has Horikita- san changed in any way lately?" The boy gazed at her pretty face and asked tentatively. "If you want to keep up with Horikita-senpai, you can't just stay stagnant, right?"
"There have been some changes..."
After noticing the boy's admiring attitude towards Horikita Manabu, Horikita Suzune's initial wariness eased somewhat, so she calmly replied, "I joined a study group organized by the girls in my class today."
"That's a good thing. No matter what, being able to study together will surely change things, both academically and in terms of interpersonal relationships."
Hashiba Hikaru wore a very restrained smile, neither too eager nor too casual, showing her happiness but not a mocking or contemptuous attitude.
"I was just helping everyone reinforce what they learned in math class that day. My math grades are pretty good, so I agreed to their request."
The black-haired girl glanced at Hashiba Hikaru's face and said indifferently, "As for interpersonal relationships, I'm not interested in that area for the time being, so I left after helping them with their lessons."
"Hmm, we can take our time with this."
Hashiba Hikaru again used Horikita Manabu to guide and imply, saying to the girl, "Since Horikita-senpai is the Student Council President, it means that he is not only excellent in academics or sports, but more importantly, he is also outstanding in handling interpersonal relationships."
"Otherwise, the complexity of coordinating and organizing such a large organization is unimaginable."
"If Horikita- kun wants to get closer to Horikita-senpai, he still needs to make some progress in this area."