When Kushida finished speaking, Hikaru immediately followed up without aation.

  "It's simple. Sometimes, when I try to handle certain css issues, I feel like I don't always get the bance right," Hikaru said, feigning a troubled expression. "Even though my iions are to help everyo sometimes ends up backfiring."

  "If that's the case, then there's o worry," Kushida said, her brows slightly furrowing as she adopted a more thoughtful expression. "As long as yerying to help the css, that's already a good thing. But… it's important to pay attention to how you approach it so that you don't iently pressure anyone."

  "Exactly," Hikaru nodded in agreement. "That's what I'm ed about—doing more harm than good. Sometimes, I hesitate to get involved because of that."

  Kushida smiled kindly. "In that case, before taking a, it might help to have a good chat with your cssmates and truly uand their thoughts. That way, you won't risk overstepping, and they'll appreciate your efforts."

  After a pause, she added, "No wonder everyone says that Css B is so united. It turns out that you and Honami- are stantly w hard behind the ses, eve stresses you out. You're both doing an amazing job!"

  "N-Not at all…"

  Iose's face turned slightly pink at the pliment. She g Hikaru and then redirected the versation back to Kushida. "Actually, I've been w… How does Hirata-kun usually mahings in Css D? Is he also a gentle, dependable type like you?"

  "Of course. Hirata-kun is incredibly reliable, and everyoh boys and girls—trusts him a lot," Kushida replied with a nod. Then, she lowered her voice slightly, adding mischievously, "In fact, because he's so dependable, quite a few girls in our css have a crush on him."

  "Actually… he's already dating Karuizawa-san."

  "Wait—what?!"

  Iose's eyes widened in shock. "They're already dating? That was fast!"

  "Ehehe, just don't tell anyone I said that, okay? It's ly a secret, though," Kushida said with a shy smile. "Karuizawa-san even walks around the school holding hands with Hirata-kun. They're n to hide it at all."

  "I see," Hikaru remarked thoughtfully before asking, "So, Hirata must hold a lot of influen Css D, right? Even dating someone doesn't seem to affeuch the girls trust him."

  "That's right! After all, Hirata-kun is really handsome," Kushida replied, her expression pyful. Then, as if something occurred to her, she g Hikaru. "Speaking of which… You're pretty handsome too, Hikaru-kun. Haven't any girls in Css B fessed to you yet?"

  That ued question immediately ged the atmosphere.

  Hikaru blinked, surprised that Kushida would ask something so direct, while Iose's expression subtly darkehe smile on her face freezing.

  "Uh… I haven't received any fessions so far," Hikaru said with a chuckle, casting a cautious g Iose's noticeably tense demeanor. "Besides, I think it's more important to focus on our studies right now. I don't have any pns to date at the moment."

  "Right! Kushida-san, don't ask stuff like that," Iose quickly chimed ione slightly strained. "Hikaru-kun is always busy thinking about how to help the css. He probably hasn't even had time to think about romance!"

  "Oops, my bad, my bad! That was a careless question," Kushida apologized with a sweet smile. But her sharp eyes had already picked up on the subtle ge in Iose's mood.

  Iing… Looks like Honami- cares about Hikaru-kun a lot more thas on.

  "It's fi's really not a big deal," Hikaru said easily. "Actually, we should be thanking you instead. You've been incredibly helpful by answering our questions."

  He smiled politely. "Let me treat you to lunch as a token of our appreciation."

  "Eh? That's not necessary!" Kushida excimed, waving her hands modestly. "I didn't do anything special—I just told you a few stories about our css!"

  "Oh, e on, Kushida-san. You agreed to meet us early on a weekend, and we feel a bit bad about that," Iose added, fshing a quice at Hikaru. She could tell he wanted more time to gather intel, so she pyed along. "Unless you have other pns today…?"

  "Well… I don't have anything urgent…"

  After hesitating briefly, Kushida finally nodded.

  "Great! Do you have any favorite foods, Kushida-san? Feel free to pick whatever you like—I'm buying," Hikaru said with a grin, gd for the opportunity to spend more time with her.

  "Hmm… I don't have any strong preferences. You choose!" Kushida replied cheerfully.

  "Alright. How about we go to that popur family restaurant nearby? I've been there before, and the food is pretty good," Hikaru suggested, recalling the spot where they had their first strategy meeting.

  "That sounds perfect!"

  With that settled, Iose gestured for Hikaru to stand up, preparing to head out with Kushida. Sihe main goal of the day was to gather more intel on Css D, they po chat as they wandered around Keyaki Mall before lunch.

  As the trio strolled through the mall, Hikaru discreetly accessed his system and purchased a Stoalyzer to check Kushida Kikyo's stock details.

  [Stoalyzer Activated.]

  Stock: Kushida Kikyo

  Profile: A charming and sociable girl known fhtening the atmosphere. Skilled at f es, she quickly bees friendly with new acquaintances. However, she possesses a hidden, aggressive side and harbors a secret past.

  Stock Pricrease Stratey:

  Build trust with Kushida.

  Help her keep her past hidden.

  Ensure Horikita Suzune drops out of school.

  Stock Price Decrease Risks:

  Develop a friendship or alliah Horikita Suzune.

  Support Horikita Suzune in any way.

  ---

  "…Huh?"

  Hikaru stared at the s, utterly baffled.

  Why was Suzuhe key to both increasing and decreasing Kushida's stock value?

  Was this girl secretly Suzune's biggest hater?

  And wait a minute… wasn't Suzune a stock that had already appeared in his system before? Did that mean she was also from Css 1-D?

  This was turning out to be some pretty explosive intel.

  ~~~

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