Wooing Hoshida No

Hoshida No had just stepped out of the auditorium when he was called out by Karuizawa Kei and Ichinose Honami.

"Brother No!" Karuizawa Kei's voice was a step faster than Ichinose Honami's. A natural smile graced her face as she hurried her pace, "Wait for us."

Ichinose Honami followed by her side, nodding gently, "Brother No, there are some things we'd like to discuss with you."

Hoshida No stopped in his tracks, his gaze falling upon the two of them.

He noticed that not far behind them, Class B's homeroom teacher, Hoshinomiya Chie, was walking over at a leisurely pace, that same languid smile hanging on her face.

"Hoshida-kun~" Hoshinomiya Chie's voice rang out as she naturally drifted over to the two girls, "Congratulations. The performance of Class D in this exam was truly impressive. Especially you."

She tilted her head slightly, studying Hoshida No with undisguised interest, "I've been observing you. From your Intelligence Analysis to the final execution, that level of composure and precision... it's a truly remarkable talent."

Karuizawa Kei seemed somewhat surprised by Hoshinomiya-sensei's appearance, yet she maintained a polite smile.

Ichinose Honami, however, seemed to have expected it, standing by with a gentle expression as she waited for the teacher to speak.

Hoshida No replied indifferently, "You flatter me, Hoshinomiya-sensei. Is there something you need?"

"My, how direct." Hoshinomiya Chie chuckled, stepping forward and lowering her voice just enough for the two girls nearby to hear, "I, for one, simply adore talented students. Seeing you in Class D feels like such a waste... Our Class B, whether in terms of class atmosphere or resources, would surely be a better fit for a brilliant child like you."

As she spoke, her gaze drifted naturally toward Karuizawa Kei and Ichinose Honami.

"And besides," Hoshinomiya Chie's smile deepened, her tone laced with enticement, "there are people here you are familiar with and care about, aren't there? Kei and Honami both rely on you so much. If you came to Class B, not only could you help them better, but you could all be closer together. And I could provide you with more... special guidance and support, too?"

Her words were heavy with implication, mentioning not only Karuizawa and Ichinose but herself as well.

Karuizawa Kei's fingertips tightened slightly, though her smile remained unchanged. Ichinose Honami's eyelashes fluttered once before she regained her composure.

They both understood the subtext of the teacher's words, yet neither spoke, simply watching Hoshida No in silence.

Hoshida No's expression remained unmoved, the calm in his dark eyes as steady as ever.

"Thank you for the invitation, Hoshinomiya-sensei." His voice was level and ripple-free, "I am quite comfortable in Class D at the moment, and I have no intention of transferring."

"Oh?" Hoshinomiya Chie was not discouraged, pressing further, "Why is that? Whatever Class D can offer you, Class B can double. And isn't it better to be with your friends? Or perhaps..."

Her eyes shimmered, "Do you feel that my sincerity is lacking?"

Just then, a cold female voice drifted over from the other side of the corridor.

"Hoshinomiya, save your sincerity for your own class."

Chazhu Zuo Zhi approached with a folder tucked under her arm, her stride brisk and decisive.

Her face was devoid of expression as her gaze lingered on Hoshinomiya Chie for a moment before shifting to Hoshida No.

"Hoshida No is a student of Class D, and both his talent and his place belong in Class D. Isn't it a bit disrespectful to my position as his homeroom teacher to poach him right in front of me?" Chazhu Zuo Zhi's tone was sharp.

"Chazhu-sensei..." Karuizawa Kei spoke instinctively.

Ichinose Honami also bowed slightly, "Good day, Chazhu-sensei."

The smile on Hoshinomiya Chie's face did not fade; it only grew more radiant, "Oh, little Zuo Zhi, don't be so serious. Everyone loves a talented student, isn't that normal? I'm simply offering Hoshida-kun a better choice."

She turned back to Hoshida No, her tone remaining soft, "What do you think, Hoshida-kun? You can take your time to consider. The doors to Class B are always open to you. And..."

She cast a meaningful glance at Karuizawa and Ichinose, "There are indeed reasons for you to stay here, aren't there?"

Chazhu Zuo Zhi let out a cold snort and addressed Hoshida No directly, "Hoshida No, Class D needs you. Your ability and your presence are vital to the class's ascent. I trust you are aware of this."

Hoshida No's gaze swept calmly between the two teachers before finally settling on Chazhu Zuo Zhi.

"Chazhu-sensei," he began, "I am currently a student of Class D, and I will continue to act as a student of Class D. This has nothing to do with any other factors."

He did not respond directly to Hoshinomiya Chie's insinuation regarding his reasons, nor did he show any emotional fluctuation at Chazhu Zuo Zhi's claim of need.

Chazhu Zuo Zhi seemed satisfied with this answer and gave a slight nod.

Hoshinomiya Chie blinked, letting out a light sigh, "What a pity... but don't worry, I won't be giving up."

She smiled at Karuizawa and Ichinose, "You two should also do your best to keep a good relationship with Hoshida-kun; who knows, he might change his mind one day."

The words were light, yet they once again placed the two girls in a delicate position.

Hoshida No did not respond further, simply saying to Karuizawa Kei and Ichinose Honami, "I'm heading back now."

"Mm, goodbye, Brother No." Karuizawa Kei replied immediately, her tone relaxed.

"Goodbye, Brother No." Ichinose Honami nodded with a smile.

Hoshida No gave a slight nod to the two teachers and turned to leave, his posture straight.

Chazhu Zuo Zhi glanced at Hoshinomiya Chie, said nothing more, and walked away in the opposite direction.

Hoshinomiya Chie remained where she was, watching Hoshida No's retreating figure, then looked at the two thoughtful girls beside her and smiled.

"What an impenetrable child..." she whispered to herself, "But the icier they are, the more interesting they are to melt, don't you think? Little Zuo Zhi, it seems you have aspirations of climbing the ranks again."

Karuizawa Kei and Ichinose Honami exchanged a glance, both seeing the complexity in the other's eyes.

Hoshinomiya Chie pulled her gaze back, the languid smile on her face deepening.

She turned around, affectionately linking her arm through Karuizawa Kei's, while her other hand gave Ichinose Honami's shoulder a light pat.

"Honestly, little Zuo Zhi is always so serious." She sighed, though there was little regret in her voice.

Karuizawa Kei shifted her arm uncomfortably, "Hoshinomiya-sensei, Brother No... he seems very firm in his own ideas."

"Mhm, I can see that." Hoshinomiya Chie nodded. "That's why I said you need to be patient. Besides..."

She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice with an air of intimacy. "Aren't you two on good terms with him? That's the best bridge you could ask for. You don't need to do anything deliberate; just keep things as they are. Let him see the merits of Class B from time to time, and let him feel your trust and... your need for him. That will be enough."

Ichinose Honami spoke up gently, "Teacher, I think we should respect his choice."

"Of course we have to respect it." Hoshinomiya Chie blinked. "It's not like I'm trying to force him. I'm just offering a better option. And besides, Honami,"

She looked at Ichinose, her expression carrying a deeper meaning. "Don't you think it would be better if Hoshida No were in Class B, making our class even stronger?"

Ichinose Honami remained silent for a moment, unable to deny it.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore." Hoshinomiya Chie let go and returned to her usual relaxed demeanor. "You've worked hard on this exam, so get some good rest. But remember what your teacher said, okay?"

She waved her hand and turned to leave, leaving Karuizawa Kei and Ichinose Honami standing where they were.

"Honami..." Karuizawa Kei spoke softly.

"Hm?"

"Do you think... Brother No..." Karuizawa Kei hesitated. "Is he really staying in Class D just because of the current situation?"

Ichinose Honami looked at her friend, seeing the same confusion and sense of loss in her eyes.

She recalled the perpetually indifferent expression on Hoshida No's face and his words from earlier about it having nothing to do with other factors.

"Brother No... probably has his own world and his own rules," Ichinose Honami smiled gently. "We just need to be ourselves and not add to his burden."

On the other side, near the vending machine outside the faculty office, Chazhu Zuo Zhi called out to Hoshida No just as he was about to leave.

"Hoshida No."

He stopped in his tracks and turned around.

Chazhu Zuo Zhi held out a can of coffee, holding another one in her own hand.

She leaned against the wall, pulled the tab, and took a sip before speaking. "Don't take what Hoshinomiya said to heart. She excels at using those kinds of tactics to sway people's hearts, especially students of your age."

"I know." Hoshida No took the coffee but did not open it.

"It's good that you know." Chazhu Zuo Zhi looked at him. "But I didn't stop you just to say that. You should know better than anyone the current situation of Class D. Even though we didn't lose any class points this exam, there is still a gap to reach Class A, and you are currently the most indispensable person in Class D."

She paused, her tone turning serious. "I don't care about your background, nor do I care about any personal friendships you have with those two girls from Class B. In this school, points are everything. Staying in Class D allows you to maximize your value and obtain what you want the fastest."

Chazhu Zuo Zhi's words were pragmatic, which actually aligned with Hoshida No's way of thinking.

"I understand." Hoshida No's reply remained brief.