Horikita Suzune's Unusual Expression

"Heh, perhaps this is fate's arrangement."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled faintly. After four months of this semester, he had actually gained a considerable understanding of the other three classes.

Class B, which dropped from first place and is currently embroiled in a power struggle among its class leaders; Class C, which rose to third place but has many problem children; and Class D, which is currently ranked last and has caused numerous violent incidents.

They all had some very obvious problems. If they had been assigned to those classes, perhaps the situation would have been completely different?

The boy didn't make any deep assumptions in his mind; he just wanted to help Class A maintain its first-place advantage and graduate smoothly.

"Actually, I have a selfish request right now, could you listen to it Classmate Hashiba?"

Ichinose Honami felt the aura emanating from the boy that she cherished so much, a certain thought suddenly surfaced in her mind, prompting her to blurt it out.

"What request?"

"I can... I can shout..."

Although she had thought of it for a long time, when it came time to actually bring it up, the pink-haired girl's heart started pounding with nervousness, causing her to choke on her words several times.

"May I... call Classmate Hashiba by his name?"

After uttering this request, Ichinose Honami's heart leaped into her throat, and her small hand, clasped in the boy's palm, began to sweat uncontrollably.

"This..."

Hashiba Hikaru pondered for a moment. In order to better manage his stock portfolio, he couldn't directly establish intimate relationships with any woman, otherwise he would encounter major problems in handling the issue of distance.

However, given the current situation, it would be too heartless to directly reject Ichinose Honami. In the past few months, he has truly felt that the girl has a heart of gold, is helpful, understanding, and is also a great cook.

All of this reminded Hashiba Hikaru of the photo in the [Life Album] she had unlocked earlier.

Will I marry Ichinose in the future?

Although it's a prediction and not necessarily a 100% certain outcome, it's still a possibility.

Just as the boy's thoughts were drifting away, Ichinose Honami suddenly spoke up, offering a compromise. After her previous romantic advance was fobbed off by Hashiba Hikaru, she had already learned her lesson.

If a request cannot be met, and I take a step back, what will Classmate Hashiba decide?

"If Classmate Hashiba feel uncomfortable, can I only call your name when we're alone?"

"..."

This sentence was like a perfect stepping stone, hitting the angle that Hashiba Hikaru had just hesitated at. If it was just calling out names when they were alone, there would be no problem and it wouldn't cause trouble for other people in the stock market.

"Well, okay then. Actually, I think I'm already quite close to Ichinose. We should be able to call each other by name a long time ago."

The boy smiled gently and nodded in agreement to the other party's request.

Regardless, Ichinose Honami was, after all, the first stock he ever bought, so it wasn't a big problem for him to receive some special treatment.

"Hmm, then..."

The girl seemed to be gathering her emotions, because she had been waiting for this moment for so long. After confirming the other party's consent, Ichinose's heart was instantly filled with joy.

"Light," she uttered softly.

"Yes, I'm here."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded slightly, her expression quite gentle.

"Light."

"... I'm here."

"Light."

"Are you a little kid learning to pronounce words Ichinose?" the boy said helplessly. "There's no need to keep shouting like that."

"Hehe, because I'm really happy right now. This is a perk just for me, so I have to enjoy it to the fullest."

After a while, Ichinose Honami spoke up again, saying, "Since I've already called Hikari's name, shouldn't Hikari call my name in return?"

"..."

"It's the same kind of time-out, why don't you give it a try? That would be fairer." The girl knew she was pushing her luck, but she was prepared and wouldn't back down.

"All right."

Hashiba Hikaru was a bit at a loss with her; after all, it was just her calling her name when they were alone, it wasn't a big deal.

"Then... Honami?"

The boy wasn't particularly shy, just a little awkward. After all, he didn't usually call his classmates by their names, even his close friends Shibata and Kanzaki, he would only call them by their surnames.

"Yes, I'm here."

The pink-haired girl squeezed Hashiba Hikaru's hand, a sweet smile playing on her lips.

Although they can't be lovers yet, Ichinose Honami believes that day isn't too far away.

"We've been here long enough, haven't we? Shouldn't we head back? It's almost nine o'clock; everyone should get some rest. We still need to gather supplies and explore the island tomorrow."

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at the watch the teacher had given her; it displayed the current time.

"Okay, let's go back together then."

The two stood up from the hillside and returned together to the campsite below.

Glancing at the girl's satisfied face, the boy saw a new notification pop up in the System Bar, and there were two of them.

[With your help, Class A successfully passed the first day of the Special Exam and won the title of class leader for Class B. Ichinose Honami is becoming increasingly dependent on you. Ichinose Honami Stock Price rose 10 points, currently at 180.]

[Being able to address each other by name when alone is quite important to Ichinose Honami possessiveness towards you even stronger. Ichinose Honami Stock Price rose 20 points, currently at 200.]

"Hiss..."

Upon seeing the two new notifications that popped up, Hashiba Hikaru's expression instantly turned somewhat strange.

Although the stock price rising to 200 did break the historical record, it increased the amount of money he could exchange for his Ichinose Honami Stock to another level.

But this heightened possessiveness is hardly a good thing, is it?

Although the young man has done a lot to build rapport, the other stock market figures haven't shown this characteristic yet; most of them just crave companionship.

"I have a feeling... something bad might happen."

Hashiba Hikaru touched her chin. No matter what, Ichinose Honami would always be the girl closest to her, and that would never change.

Regardless of whether any problems arise, nothing should happen before a romantic relationship is established.

Yes, right?

After entering the campsite, the two, as the key figures in the class who held the power of speech, began to call on the other students to prepare to rest. Thanks to everyone's efforts, the campsite had become quite comfortable, so everyone could spend a peaceful night.

However, in front of everyone, Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose Honami naturally had to revert to their usual forms of address as agreed.

Goodnight, Classmate Hashiba.

Goodnight, Ichinose.

Chapter 153 Horikita Suzune's Abnormal Expression

The next morning, the sun shone on Class A's camp.

Yesterday, two students were selected as wake-up supervisors and woke up the others one by one in the tent. After all, roll call is required in the morning, and not allowing students to stay in bed is also a test for them.

After roll call, the assigned cooks began preparing breakfast using the kitchen utensils, following yesterday's schedule. They would be exploring the island and collecting supplies later, and doing physical labor on an empty stomach would be very dangerous.

The students sitting together eating breakfast all turned their attention to Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose Honami, who were sitting in the middle. As the core figures of the class, they were the ones who would give orders for the exam the next day.

"Today, let's proceed with the plan as scheduled," Hashiba Hikaru took a sip of water, her gaze sweeping over everyone in the class, and said calmly, "The outpost our team discovered yesterday has already been occupied by Class B, so we can temporarily skip it. Our objective is to continue exploring the remaining outposts on the island."

Yesterday, a total of three teams were sent out. Apart from Hashiba Hikaru's team, Kanzaki Ryuji's team went to an open area that was not a base but an empty camp that had been artificially cleared out, so they could only collect some supplies and bring them back.

The Shibata squad, who returned last, found a base, but unfortunately, it had already been occupied by another class. What was even more frustrating was that although the base had been occupied, there was no one inside.

According to the rules, since the stronghold has already been occupied, members of other classes cannot use it, even if there are no members; otherwise, it would also be considered a violation.

Therefore, Shibata, who stayed there to gather intelligence, had no way to do anything. He could only stay there with the other two classmates to see if they could spot the class members who came to collect supplies. That's why they eventually returned to the camp.

"And besides the stronghold, we also have something else to do."

Holding a map from the handbook, the boy explained to the group, "This Uninhabited Island has varying elevations and depths, so in addition to searching for outposts, you can also find higher ground to get a better view; you might be able to spot other classes' camps."

"After all, fires need to be lit in the camp, and any fire will leave traces, which can help determine the distance between them and our camp."

"Now that we've confirmed the distance, can we better investigate their leader?" Shibata raised his hand. He was still bothered by yesterday's defeat and was determined to get back on his feet.

"Yes."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded and looked at Ichinose Honami beside her, saying, "Our class's current focus remains on finding out the names of the leaders of other classes. Does everyone understand?"

"Clear."

The students in the camp immediately answered in unison that Hashiba Hikaru had already told everyone yesterday that she knew the name of the leader of Class B, so everyone was full of enthusiasm.

"Then let's execute the plan according to the personnel allocation. Dismissed."

After giving the instructions, Hashiba Hikaru helped Ichinose Ho up from the ground. Today, just like yesterday, they would continue to scout out the base and gather intelligence as members of the same team.

Ando Sayo was in the same team yesterday, suddenly said this morning that she was going to join someone else's group. The boy didn't quite understand why, but he didn't think it mattered, so he didn't ask any further questions.

After Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose Honami set off from the camp again, this time they changed direction and took a different route than yesterday.

As they strolled through the forest, the two were very close, and since they were alone, Ichinose Honami quite naturally began to call the boy by his name.

"Guang, come quick and look! Is this some kind of special plant?" The girl crouched down and noticed a rather unusual plant under a tree, so she immediately called out his name.

"Really? Let me see."

After mastering [Wilderness Survival (Master)], Hashiba Hikaru gained a comprehensive understanding of the various plants that grow in the forest. If she can find something useful, she can maximize the use of her exam points.

"This... seems to be honeysuckle." The boy touched the plant's roots and stems, then picked it up and smelled it before finally making his judgment.

Honeysuckle? What can it be used for?

"Hehe, if we combine it with plants like mint or burdock, we might be able to make a herbal remedy for colds." Hashiba Hikaru dug up the honeysuckle she had found and said to the girl next to her, "Although our classmates are all relatively healthy right now, we still have six days. If we can make a herbal remedy for colds, we can have it just in case."

"I see." The girl nodded and carefully helped Hashiba Hikaru collect all the honeysuckle.

"Let's continue exploring."

The two continued walking along the road, keeping an eye out for the various herbs and plants along the way.

After walking for about ten more minutes, under some bushes, Ichinose Honami seemed to notice some rather unusual plants and quickly called out to the boy ahead.

"Guang, come quick and take a look. Is this the perilla leaf you mentioned before? The outermost ring looks purple."

"Wow, what a coincidence!"

"I think this is very likely a perilla leaf. What do you think, Hikari?" The pink-haired girl turned her head to look at Hashiba Hikaru's profile.

"Perhaps you guessed right, it seems we've discovered a new herb."

Hashiba Hikaru reached out and touched the plants, then began to collect them all. They had prepared bags before setting off, so they could hold quite a few.

After walking a while longer, they encountered two figures at the corner ahead.

Coincidentally, these two were acquaintances.

"Hey, Ichinose? And Classmate Hashiba too!"

After their eyes met, Kushida Kikyo, who had short hair, greeted them with a smile. Standing next to her was a black-haired girl with a cold expression, none other than Horikita Suzune.

"Kushida?"

Ichinose Honami was somewhat surprised, and Hashiba Hikaru, after carefully putting away the herbs, was equally puzzled by the current situation.

Kushida Kikyo... and Horikita Suzune?

Would these two really act together?

Knowing about their complicated relationship, Hashiba Hikaru looked somewhat bewildered, but still politely replied, "Good morning, Kushida, Horikita."

Kushida responded energetically, "Good morning, Classmate Hashiba! I didn't expect to run into you guys here."

"Good morning."

Although Horikita Suzune wasn't particularly fond of socializing, she felt it would be impolite not to greet Hashiba Hikaru, so she followed Kushida and spoke up.

However, her voice was a bit low now, and her originally energetic and aloof demeanor seemed to have dissolved considerably, making her look somewhat strange.

Upon realizing this, Hashiba Hikaru couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.

Oh dear, is she feeling unwell?