After leaving the student cil office, Hikaru's mi repying everything he had observed today. Not only had he successfully dealt with the nuisahat was Ryuen, but he had also gained valuable insight into the current state of the student cil.

  With Manabu now in his third year, his tenure as student cil president wouldn't st much longer. By the end of the sed semester, he would likely hand over the position to Nagumo Miyabi, the current vice president.

  Despite being fellow cil members, it was obvious at a ghat the two were far from allies. In fact, their rivalry had already begun to surface, both openly and behind the ses.

  "So they both want me iudent cil? There's no way it's just a simple invitation."

  Hikaru tapped his in thought, pieg things together.

  "Are they trying to pit me against each other?"

  His expression remained calm as he murmured under his breath.

  "I refuse to be a mere pawn. Being the one moving the pieces is far more eaining."

  If he could get involved with the student cil, he would undoubtedly gain access to privileged information—ihat could prove invaluable in css petition. However, without the right opportunity, he had no iion of gettiangled in their power struggle just yet.

  For now, he would take things oep at a time.

  Arriving at the dormitory entrance, Hikaru took out his phone and saw that Css B's group chat was already buzzing with activity. Clearly, his cssmates had been eagerly following the situation.

  Deg to ease their worries, he started typing a message.

  ---

  Css B Group Chat

  Kanzaki Ryuji: I wonder if Hikaru-kun succeeded? It's making me anxious.

  Shibata So: Rex! With Hikaru-kun's skills, there's no way he failed. He's probably already on his way back.

  Ando Sayo: I believe in him too! If he succeeded, should we throw a celebration party?

  Iose Honami: A party sounds like a great idea! We even invite Ibuki-san.

  Shiranami Chihiro: Iose, are you close with that girl from Css C?

  Iose Honami: We just met! You're overthinking it, Chihiro-san.

  ---

  At that moment, Hikaru's message was sent.

  Hashima Hikaru: Mission aplished. Ryuen has been suspended—he won't be attending css for aire month.

  The chat immediately exploded with notifications.

  Shibata So: Seriously?! That's amazing! I knew you could do it, Hikaru-kun!

  Ando Sayo: You're incredible, Hikaru-kun! We have to throw that celebration party—you have to e!

  Iose Honami: @Hashima Hikaru, where are you now?

  Kanzaki Ryuji: Has a location been decided? I'm at Keyaki Mall right now. If not, I reserve a spot at a family restaurant.

  Shiranami Chihiro: Are we really inviting students from other csses?

  Iose Honami: I sent a message to Ibuki-sa's see if she's ied.

  ---

  Hikaru chuckled as he scrolled through the lively versation.

  "How lively."

  If only this school was just a normal high school, he might have truly enjoyed moments like these.

  Unfortunately, this pce was anything but normal.

  Typing out a final response, he closed the chat and stepped into the dormitory.

  Hashima Hikaru: Let's do it tomorrow instead. I'm a bit tired today.

  ---

  Ba his room, Hikaru y on his bed, eyes closed as he gathered his thoughts.

  With Ryuen suspended, Css C would no longer be a problem for at least a month. Though Ryuen still harbored ambitions of reg his role as Css C's leader, his absence meant that Css B and Css C could i without his interference, makiiations far easier.

  Moreover, with three Css C students suspeheir Css Points would take a signifit hit. Ohe week ended, Hikaru po sell the hidden school rules to them, maximizing the gap between their csses.

  As for Css D, he o wait until Friday's homeroom to assess their Private Point ption before determining the best time to sell them the information.

  Once all four csses learhe hidden rules, the pying field would be level, but their respective capabilities would still create disparities.

  A fractured Css A.

  A weakened Css C.

  A silent Css D.

  How would things unfold from here?

  Hikaru couldn't wait to find out.

  ---

  The M

  After his usual m workout, Hikaru entered Css B's .

  The moment he walked in, his cssmates swarmed him, their faces beaming with excitement.

  "Hikaru-kun! I heard your pn worked again! You're amazing!"

  "As expected! I knew you wouldn't fail!"

  Hikaru responded humbly, exging a few words with everyone before heading to his seat.

  The students who had attehe Freshman Gathering all looked at him with admiration, happy to have such a reliable cssmate.

  "gratutions on your victory, Hikaru-kun. You've saved Css B from yet another problem."

  "Ando-san has already booked the venue. You're definitely ing to the celebratiht?"

  "Yeah, you don't have an excuse this time, Hikaru-kun." Shibata cpped a hand on his shoulder, grinning. "No bag out!"

  "Fine, fine. I'll be there."

  Hikaru smiled wryly—he wasn't about to ruin everyone's fun.

  As he settled into his seat, he noticed Iose sitting beside him, staring at her phoh an unreadable expression.

  "Iose-san, did Ibuki agree to e?"

  "No…"

  The pink-haired girl shook her head. Her striking blue eyes held aion Hikaru couldn't quite pce.

  "That's alright," Hikaru said lightly. "She's from Css C, after all. It's uandable if she doesn't want to join."

  However, the moment those words left his mouth, he noticed a subtle ge in Iose's expression.

  There was something… off.

  Her usual brightness seemed dimmed, a faint shadow clouding her normally cheerful demeanor.

  "...Iose-san? Is something b you?" Hikaru asked in a lowered voice. "You tell me. If there's anything troubling you, I'm sure the css would be happy to help."

  Iose hesitated for a moment before shaking her head, her gentle smile returning.

  "It's nothing. I was just thinking about Ibuki-san. She must be feeling relieved now."

  "Really?"

  "Really."

  Hikaru didn't press further, but deep down, he knew something was wrong.

  Ever sihat night's versation, Iose's mood had subtly shifted. She was still smiling, still eic—but there were moments of hesitation, as if she was holding something back.

  What had ged?

  What was weighing on her mind?

  Whether it was as a fellow cssmate, or as someone leading Css B with her, Hikaru wao find out.

  Because after all…

  Iose Honami was still his most valuable iment.

  And if something was affeg her, he o deal with it.

  "I o talk to her alone soon."

  As Hikaru watched the pink-haired girl smile at her phone, he quietly made up his mind.