"Does Hashima know that you invited me to meet?"
When Sakayanagi asked this question, Ichinose's expression instantly changed. She immediately recalled Hashima's earlier caution, so she replied, "That doesn't seem relevant to our meeting today, does it?"
"Indeed."
Sakayanagi nodded lightly, then said, "Ichinose is quite cunning. I've already answered your question, but you don't want to tell me anything. Isn't that a bit unfair?"
"I..."
Ichinose Honami felt somewhat speechless. As she struggled internally with whether to speak, she heard Sakayanagi continue.
"It's alright. I was just slightly curious. If Ichinose doesn't want to say, then let it be."
Sakayanagi raised the coffee in front of her and took a small sip, her tone becoming much softer: "Since Ichinose finds some questions difficult to answer, let's discuss something lighter. Unrelated to class competition, just consider it a tea party between girls, allowing us to understand each other better."
"After all, I'm quite interested in Ichinose. We're both leaders of our respective classes, so we must have many things in common."
"That sounds fine. I don't know what Sakayanagi likes yet."
Hearing this, Ichinose Honami's demeanor improved considerably. She wanted to regain the initiative, as she had been continuously led by the silver-haired girl across from her, which made her somewhat uncomfortable.
At this moment, Kamuro Masumi, standing behind Sakayanagi, internally scoffed when she heard Sakayanagi say she wanted to chat with Ichinose about girl topics.
If this little princess were really that kind of person, why would she have become her follower?
Really now.
Kamuro looked up at Ichinose Honami across the table. The girl's aura was gentle and healing—clearly the type of angelic character loved by everyone. Unfortunately, such a person was like a naive child before Sakayanagi, easily manipulated.
"I actually enjoy coffee of various flavors. Does Ichinose have a favorite beverage?"
Sakayanagi Arisu seemed genuinely engaged in the tea party with Ichinose. She extended her small hand to grip the rim of the cup, her snow-white skin seemingly becoming one with the white porcelain coffee cup, making it hard to distinguish the boundary.
"Beverage? I like oolong tea; it has a reassuring taste."
Sensing that Sakayanagi had retracted that imposing aura, Ichinose's tense demeanor relaxed considerably, and she began chatting with her.
"Oolong tea? I don't think I've tried it before."
Sakayanagi looked toward Kamuro Masumi beside her and asked softly, "Has Kamuro tried this?"
"Yes, I found it a bit bitter."
"Is that so?" Sakayanagi Arisu feigned disappointment and slowly said, "That's a pity. I don't really like bitter things."
"Haha, Hashima doesn't like it either. I offered him some last time and he refused."
Ichinose said this almost spontaneously, feeling that mentioning the boy's preferences should be unrelated to class competition.
"It's just a small preference of mine. Sakayanagi doesn't need to mind."
"Is that so?"
Sakayanagi nodded slightly, a knowing light flashing in her purple eyes.
She had agreed to meet with Ichinose Honami today certainly not to make friends, but to gather intelligence on Hashima Hikaru.
Apart from their first meeting when selling rules at the beginning of the school term, Sakayanagi Arisu had also heard his name from her father, so the girl had always been somewhat curious about what kind of person this boy was.
As Class B currently stood closest to Class A, Sakayanagi knew their leader was the pink-haired girl before her. But although Hashima wasn't the class leader, he wielded enormous influence.
The last encounter was a good example; he could almost fully represent Class B's intentions, with Ichinose merely serving as support.
Despite possessing such outstanding abilities, Hashima Hikaru was willing to let Ichinose be the class leader. This was something Sakayanagi couldn't understand before, but after this meeting, she began to grasp some things.
First, Hashima Hikaru and this Ichinose had a very good relationship—the tone of her voice revealed their closeness.
Second, Ichinose Honami was easy to deal with, or rather surprisingly naive in some aspects. This was her advantage in uniting classmates, but also her most fatal flaw.
Kamuro Masumi, standing behind her, listened to the conversation between the two girls and gained some insight. Although Sakayanagi said they were having a friendly tea party, she would seamlessly probe for information about that Hashima.
And Ichinose would cooperate by revealing it—the intelligence gathering process was indeed simple.
As she listened, Kamuro Masumi couldn't help but recall the scene from the first day of school when they were selling rules.
She wondered what kind of person this Hashima was, to actually attract Sakayanagi's attention and even prompt her to actively gather intelligence.
...
"What does classmate Hashima like to eat? You can order anything you want." The short-haired girl handed the menu to Hashima Hikaru sitting across from her, her expression eager.
"I'm fine with anything, I'm not very picky when it comes to food."
Hashima Hikaru took the menu, his fingers started moving on it, and soon he chose the dishes.
"Then let's have these two."
Hashima Hikaru chose two relatively ordinary dishes, so that the price of this meal wouldn't be too expensive.
"Is that enough? I heard that boys eat a lot, do you want to add some more?"
"No need, I can't take too much advantage of Kushida-san, after all, you spent 50,000 private points to buy the rules last time, right?" The boy smiled slightly and asked, "How is your Class D now? Is the class order getting better?"
"Ah, talking about this makes me feel troubled."
After Kushida handed the menu to the waiter, a hint of helplessness appeared on her pretty face.
"Even though everyone already knows the school's advanced rules, some classmates still don't pay attention in class, they make small movements or can't help but fall asleep, even though Hirata-san has been emphasizing it."
"Kushida-san has been advising everyone, you really care about others."
"It's just a small matter, I can do anything to help the class." A gentle smile appeared on Kushida's face, combined with her caring tone for the class, she looked like a little angel that anyone would admire.
Unfortunately, after knowing that the other party has a hidden side, the boy didn't buy it, he was thinking about how to get closer to her.
As a famous socialite in the whole grade, Hashima Hikaru sometimes heard Kushida's name in Class B, if it was just flattery or catering, it would probably become a common tool.
Also known as a lickspittle.
To get closer to Kushida, he must start from what she cares about, Hashima Hikaru thought of the information about the "Stock Analyzer", and planned to test the waters first.
"By the way, that Horikita-san I met before, did she take any action?" The boy deliberately mentioned Horikita Suzune's name, with a hint of curiosity in his tone, "Since she was willing to pay so many private points, she should be the type of person who works hard for the class like Kushida-san, right?"
As soon as he said this, Hashima Hikaru saw Kushida's face became a bit unnatural, but she still kept smiling and replied.
"It's okay... Horikita-san usually likes to be alone, so she doesn't show much."
"Is that so? I thought she was quite active."
"Actually, I really want to be friends with Horikita-san, but I haven't found a good opportunity yet," Kushida crossed her hands, looking a bit frustrated, "If Horikita-san can enthusiastically serve the class, she can definitely make a greater contribution."
Make friends with Horikita?
Hashima Hikaru was stunned, isn't this person trying to make her drop out? What's with making friends?
The boy felt a bit confused about her thoughts, but since she said it, he would start from here.
"Making friends is a good thing, after all, you are classmates, if you can build a friendship, you can definitely help Class D together." Hashima Hikaru smiled and comforted gently, "Since you haven't found a suitable opportunity, why not create one?"
"Create an opportunity?" Kushida seemed a bit curious, her gaze fell on Hashima Hikaru 's face.
"Yes, today Kushida-san treated me to a meal, I think I must do something in return, since you brought it up, I'll help you become friends with Horikita-san."
"Eh, is Hashima -kun very familiar with Horikita-san?" The short-haired girl's eyes still had a smile, but it looked cold.
Hashima Hikaru shook his head and said, "Of course not, I've only met Horikita-san once, how could I be very familiar with her, but I did think of a good way."
"What way?"
"Study group." Hashima Hikaru said word by word, "This is a very good form, it will definitely help you get closer to Horikita-san."