Power is Everything

Even those involved in the underworld know that to make it, you need influence.

If you only have the ability to fight alone, you are nothing but a small-time thug.

Under the tutelage of the great Makoto Nishikado, Horikita Suzune has already realized that she used to be a small-time thug.

If she wants to improve, the first thing she needs to change is building a team.

An existence like Honami Ichinose is an indispensable part of any team.

Within Class D, the only ones with such talent are Kikyo Kushida and Yosuke Hirata.

To Horikita Suzune, neither of them is easy to get along with.

Yosuke Hirata is somewhat weak-willed; he turns a blind eye to disputes between classmates, blindly compromising to trade for the team's peace.

Kikyo Kushida is a bit strange; she feels like the other party dislikes her, yet in action, the other party is always drawing closer to her.

If she really had to choose, it would be better to choose Kikyo Kushida.

"She should be able to do it, right?"

Horikita Suzune looked at Honami Ichinose, comparing the two.

Kikyo Kushida always wears a sweet smile and can chat with anyone in the class.

She seems to possess an innate magic that can easily close the distance between herself and others.

She is like a brilliant sun, radiating warm light, attracting those around her to unconsciously draw near.

In this regard, her ability should be on par with Honami Ichinose.

If she could win her over, Class D should be able to be as united as Class B... right?

"No, that's impossible."

Horikita Suzune glanced at the active and energetic Class B students again, unable to help but shake her head.

Just as Makoto Nishikado said, even if she knew Class B's plan, she couldn't learn it.

The gap in the individual caliber of the students is simply too vast.

Even if she could imitate Makoto Nishikado, and even if Kikyo Kushida could replace the role of Honami Ichinose, it would still not be enough.

She couldn't help but ask herself why there is such a huge gap between the two classes.

Perhaps she could push all the responsibility onto the other students of Class D.

Horikita Suzune could easily find excuses for herself, claiming that the students of Class D are just too terrible, leaving her helpless.

But that is the mindset of the weak.

When Horikita Suzune compared the students of Class D with those of Class B, she was also comparing herself with Makoto Nishikado.

The conclusion she reached made her feel that she could not shift the blame onto her classmates.

Makoto Nishikado glanced at Horikita Suzune, nodding to himself after seeing her sigh.

As long as he could make Horikita Suzune realize her own shortcomings, it wouldn't be a waste of the money he earned from Horikita Manabu.

"Everyone, the unique nature of Advanced Nurturing might make some of you uneasy."

"But you must believe that in terms of unity, our Class B is invincible."

As he spoke, Makoto Nishikado signaled to Honami Ichinose with his eyes.

Honami Ichinose also knew very well what she should say at this moment.

"I have already inquired clearly; Class A has two class leaders, and they seem to be infighting."

"The class leader for Class C has not been decided yet; they seem to be planning to decide it through fighting."

"As for Class D... that doesn't even need to be mentioned."

Remembering that Horikita Suzune was still present, Honami Ichinose swallowed back her original assessment.

Actually, she didn't need to evaluate it; Horikita Suzune knew very well what Class D looked like.

She herself couldn't bear to look at it, so there was no need for Honami Ichinose to say anything more.

"Three years will be a very long process, and we will face many exams during this time."

"But I want to say now that even if we don't win every time, the ones who win in the end will definitely be us."

"During this period, I will not let a single person drop out; this is my promise, and this is what we must work together to achieve."

"In this school where ability is everything, the priority of Class B is unity and becoming stronger."

"I hope that by the time we graduate, everyone will have achieved sufficient growth in this school and have a fulfilling high school life."

After finishing, Makoto Nishikado looked at Chie Hoshinomiya.

The latter did not react, only watching the scene before her with a cheerful smile.

After the meeting dispersed, Makoto Nishikado sought out Chie Hoshinomiya.

"Student Ximen, is there something you need from your teacher in private? Don't tell me you've developed a crush on your teacher?"

Chie Hoshinomiya smiled happily.

By all accounts, seeing the class meeting that just took place, a teacher should indeed be pleased.

However, the system provided a clear notification: seeing Horikita Suzune attend the Class B meeting had earned Chie Hoshinomiya a massive amount of emotional points.

The reason was simple: Horikita Suzune was a member of Class D, and Chie Hoshinomiya was the person least willing to see Class D rise.

"Teacher, cultivating Horikita is a crucial part of my cooperation with the Student Council president. Don't hold me back."

Makoto Nishikado didn't stand on ceremony, speaking up to issue a direct warning.

"Teacher doesn't understand what you mean. Why would I ever cause trouble for students from other classes?"

Chie Hoshinomiya maintained her smile, though a hint of perfectly timed confusion crept into her expression.

If not for the system notification, Makoto Nishikado would have almost believed her.

"Just remember what I said, Teacher. I believe you also want our class to graduate as Class A."

There was still no smile on Makoto Nishikado's face.

Those who want to win do not go around grinning at a time like this.

"Fine, Teacher promises you."

Chie Hoshinomiya gave her word.

The statement was light, but Makoto Nishikado didn't ask for anything more.

He acted as if he already trusted her, just as he trusted the other students in Class B.

Once all the Class B students had left, only Horikita Suzune remained.

"Planning to contact Kushida Kikyo?"

Makoto Nishikado had already guessed Horikita Suzune's intentions.

"How did you know? Right, this was your line of thinking to begin with."

After her initial surprise, Horikita Suzune found it reasonable.

"Kushida and Ichinose are indeed similar on the surface. I'll help you contact her."

"Can I convince her? I feel like she isn't very friendly toward me."

"Don't worry. I'll set an example for you; just watch my performance."

Makoto Nishikado smiled and pulled out his personal terminal to contact Kushida Kikyo.

[Makoto Nishikado: If I can get in touch with Horikita Suzune and make her your friend, how will you thank me?]

[Kushida Kikyo: Really? Thank you so, so much, Ximen-kun.]

[Makoto Nishikado: Cut the useless talk. Is there any tangible reward?]

[Kushida Kikyo:...]

"Damn it!"

Kushida Kikyo lost control of her expression, thrashing wildly on her bed.

"Reward my foot! Just being in contact with a beauty like me is a blessing you've cultivated over three lifetimes! You need a reward for doing me a small favor? Do you even have a heart?!"

Kushida Kikyo typed out a long string of insults in the input box.

Once she calmed down, she deleted everything she had originally typed.

Horikita Suzune had been a classmate at her old school, just in a different class, and Kushida Kikyo remembered her face.

If I'm not sure if she knows, then that means she knows!

Kushida Kikyo decided to swallow her pride.

[Kushida Kikyo: Alright then, Ximen-kun, what kind of reward do you want? How about I treat you to a meal?]

Makoto Nishikado glanced at the system notification.

[Makoto Nishikado: Kikyo-chan, you really are flexible when you need to be.]

"Who are you calling Kikyo-chan!"

[Kushida Kikyo: Then I'll call you Cheng-chan from now on too, that's only fair.]

[Makoto Nishikado: As for the reward, a meal alone is a bit of a loss for me. Let's talk about what I want when we meet.]

[Kushida Kikyo: Aren't you afraid I'll go back on my word, Cheng-chan?]

[Makoto Nishikado: I actually hope you do. That way, I won't have to show any mercy.]

"Tch, who are you trying to scare!"

[Kushida Kikyo: Haha, I'm just joking. It's a deal then.]