When Saturday arrived, Hikaru didn't sck off on his newly established workout routine. Sihere were no csses, he extended his run to a full hour before heading back to his dorm for a shower. Afterward, he sat down in his chair, waiting for Iose's message.

  The two had agreed the day before that they would meet Kushida from Css 1-D today. Though Iose had only spoken to Kushida a handful of times, given that they were both social butterflies, they had quickly bee friends.

  After Hikaru's "pep talk" with Iose, she had bee notably proactive iing css strategies. Wanting to gain insight into Css D's current situation, she arrao meet Kushida while bringing Hikaru along to prepare for Monday's point colle operation.

  Just as Hikaru absentmindedly flipped through the book on his desk, his phone vibrated with an ining message.

  [Hikaru-kun, I've met up with Kushida-san. We're at the café in Keyaki Mall—you e over now.]

  "That was fast."

  Hikaru checked the time on his pho was barely 9 AM.

  He could uand why Iose was so eager, but why was Kushida also this cooperative? It was the first weekend after enrollment—wasn't she the type who would want to sleep in?

  …He really didn't get it.

  Still, since he had received the message, Hikaru didn't hesitate. He left his dorm and headed toward Keyaki Mall. After spending the past few days expl, he had already familiarized himself with the yout of the shopping district, including various restaurants and stores. While he wasn't someone obsessed with pleting every experience, he did believe iing a broad uanding of his enviro.

  Upon arriving at the café, Hikaru gnced ihrough the gss and immediately spotted a familiar silhouette—Iose, sitting across from Kushida. The two seemed to be engaged in a lively versation, with Kushida wearing a bright, cheerful smile.

  As Hikaru approached, Iose quickly noticed him.

  "Good m, Hikaru-kun!"

  "M, Iose-san," Hikaru greeted her before turning to the short-haired girl opposite her. "Good m, Kushida-san."

  "Mm-hmm, good m, Hikaru-kun! I was really surprised when Honami- told me you'd be ing along," Kushida replied with a friendly, gentle smile, exuding an air of effortless warmth.

  Hikaru pulled out a chair and sat down beside Iose, tilting his head curiously as he looked at Kushida. "Why is that? Are you not happy that I came along?"

  "Of course not!" Kushida chuckled. "It's just that if it were a casual weeke-up, I'd assume Honami- would prefer to spend time aloh you rather than inviting me along."

  She fshed a teasing smirk, her eyes briefly dartiween Hikaru and Iose.

  After all, rumors had already begun spreading throughout Css B—that their two most promi figures, Hashima Hikaru and Iose Honami, might actually be dating.

  Romance gossip was a hot topic among high school students, and Kushida had a keen i in gathering io solidify her social standing.

  "K-Kushida-san, what are you even saying?!"

  Iose's face flushed a deep red at the teasing remark. She stole a quice at Hikaru's expression before hastily ging the topic.

  "A-Anyway! The reason I invited you out today is because I wao ask you something important!"

  "Hmm? What is it?"

  Kushida's gaze lingered on Hikaru, her red eyes shimmering with curiosity as she subtly assessed his presence.

  "It's about our css structures," Iose expined. "Previously, you mentiohat Css D's leader is you and Hirata-kun, right? I wao ask for some advice."

  "You must've misremembered," Kushida corrected her with a graceful smile. "Our actual css leader is Hirata-kun. I'm just his assistant."

  "Ah, I see. Well, my maiion was about how to manage css flicts," Iose tinued smoothly.

  After spending the past few days under Hikaru's influence, she had picked up on a few versation tactics—particurly the art of blending truth with deception.

  Even if Kushida could detect a lie, Iose eaking in half-truths. Sihey weren't close enough for Kushida to fact-check everything, the goal here was to subtly extract Css D's internal situation.

  "Css B is quite united on the surface," Iose tinued, her expression tinged with , "but sometimes, when disagreements arise, things get heated. Even when I try to mediate, it doesn't always work."

  "You're known for being someone everyone in Css D trusts, right? How do you hahese kinds of situations?"

  "Ahh, so that's what's b you, Honami-," Kushida beamed, her tone carrying a f warmth.

  She tapped a finger against her , pretending to think before replying, "Holy, I don't have any special teiques. Most of the time, I just rely on soft words to smooth things over."

  "Soft words? you give me an example of a situatiohat worked?"

  "Alright, let me think..."

  Kushida nodded, before sharing a simple story.

  "For example, there's Sudo-kun. He's really into basketball, and because of his talent, he's already beeed as a bench pyer for the team. So, he spends a lot of time at practice."

  "Mhmm. And?"

  "But… he doesn't like studying. Sometimes, he even fets to do his homework. And because he's got a short temper, most of our cssmates don't dare to front him about it," Kushida said with a slight smile, as if reminisg.

  "So, I stepped in and called Yamauchi-kun and Ike-kun, sihey get along well with him."

  "I enced them to persuade Sudo-kun to at least hand in his homewurly. That way, it wouldn't affect his club activities."

  "I see," Iose nodded in uanding, admiration flickering in her eyes.

  "Using an i approaake him accept the suggestion willingly—it's a great strategy. It avoids direct frontation while still achieving the desired result. That's really impressive, Kushida-san!"

  "It's nothing, really. I just want everyone in Css D to get along well," Kushida said sweetly, her expression radiating siy. "Since we'll be cssmates for three years, my dream is for everyoo be good friends."

  Her geone and i demeanor made it almost impossible to dislike her.

  A little angel, huh?

  The phrase suddenly popped into Hikaru's mind.

  Her initial stock price was the same as Iose's—was that just a ce?

  As he studied her subtle expressions, Hikaru found himself growing more intrigued by Kushida.

  If she truly was as easygoing and friendly as she appeared, building a solid rapport with her wouldn't be a bad move. If anything, it might even be profitable.

  "By the way, Honami-, are you doh your questions?" Kushida suddenly turned her gaze toward Hikaru, smiling mischievously. "Hikaru-kun, you came along too—do you have anything you'd like to ask me?"

  "?"

  Hikaru looked up, meeting Kushida's expet gaze.

  …Sharp.

  She was more perceptive than he expected.

  "Yeah, actually, I do have a question," Hikaru replied smoothly. "After all, you and I share a simir role—we're both assistants to our css leaders. I'm sure we'll have plenty to talk about."

  "Oh?"

  Kushida's smile deepened, her eyes gleaming with i.

  "Then go ahead, Hikaru-kun. If there's anything I help with, I'd be happy to share~"

  ~~~

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