The day passed quickly, and as the final school bell rang, Hikaru began pag up his things.
His scheduled meeting with Kushida was at 4:00 PM, which was earlier than Iose's meeting with Sakayanagi. This arra was deliberate—a safe and calcuted decision.
---
"Hey, Hikaru, do you have any pns ter? Want to go sing karaoke?"
Shibata approached, ever sihat disastrous ba where he had force-fed Hikaru with drinks, he had been actively inviting him to hang out.
Part of it was because Hikaru had a good temperament, rarely getting annoyed. But more importantly, many students trusted his abilities and wao build a good retionship with him.
"Nah, I've got something to do today. ime for sure."
Hikaru smiled but didn't eborate further before walking out of the , leaving Shibata scratg his head in fusion.
To him, Hikaru and Iose were usually inseparable, so he instinctively turo look for her—only to find that Iose was gone as well.
"Seriously…"
Shibata muttered under his breath aantly picked up his bag. With Kanzaki being anhly active member of Css B, he figured he'd go find him instead.
---
Exiting the school building, Hikaru returo his dorm first.
Sihis was his first private meeting with Kushida, he ged into casual clothes. It wasn't necessary to dress up, but making a good impression was still important.
After all, his goal was to increase her favorability—appearaurally pyed a role in that.
He chose a light-colored autumn casual outfit: a button-up shirt paired with fitted trousers. pared to the wine-red uniform, this look made him appear softer and more mature, less like a student.
"Not bad. This should do."
Standing before the mirror, Hikaru adjusted his attire.
The rexed style plemented his naturally strikiures, making him appear even more refined.
Satisfied, he sent Kushida a message:
[I'm heading out now.]
Then, he grabbed his phone a his dorm.
---
Keyaki Mall's Family Restaurant ce Hikaru had visited numerous times.
As one of the most popur dining spots among students, it was always crowded, so making a reservation in advance was necessary.
Since Kushida was the one inviting him, she had secured a spot well ahead of time.
At the same time, in her dorm, Kushida was also meticulously preparing.
Before heading out, she had deliberated for quite a while—ging into an adorable casual outfit and even applying light makeup, enhang her already delicate features.
"This should be fine."
Sitting at her desk, Kushida carefully adjusted her hairstyle, her face devoid of expression—this was her true, unguarded state.
Ag like a cheerful, eigel all the time was exhausting—there was o maintain the facade when alone.
"Hikaru-kun, good afternoon!"
Looking into the mirror, she practiced her greeting with a bright smile—a habit that made her feel more secure before social iions.
Once she stepped out of her dorm, her expression seamlessly shifted into a warm and friendly demeanor.
Along the way, several acquaintances greeted her—and upon notig her well-dressed appearance, curiously asked who she was meeting.
"It's a secret."
She answered pyfully.
It was a subtle, well-practiced response—ohat didn't reduce her image in their eyes but instead added a touystery and charm.
Today, Kushida was still the ever-popur, cheerful darling of the school.
---
As she he family restaurant, her gaze instantly locked onto a familiar figure standing by the entrance.
There he was.
Tall and well-proportioned, dressed in a light-colored autumn outfit, exuding a quiet yet captivating presence.
Many girls passing by couldn't help but slow their steps, sneaking g him. Some were even bold enough to approach him, asking for his name and css.
Kushida quied her pace, moving toward Hikaru.
She had to admit—his appearance aligned with her aesthetic preferences.
If she weren't so disied in romance right now, she might have even sidered him a viable option.
However, just before she reached him, she overheard a rather ued versation.
"Eh? You want to be friends with me, senpai?"
Hikaru chuckled, his respoeasi smooth.
"I'm in First-Year Css B—Shibata So. Oh, and I'm single, by the way."
"..."
The smile on Kushida's face froze.
She had always assumed that Hikaru and Iose were harmless, good-natured types—but hearing this pletely shattered that impression.
As someone deeply embedded in the social hierarchy of the school, Kushida immediately reized the name—Shibata So was also from Css B.
Then why the hell was Hikaru pretending to be him?
Was there some kind of personal flict between them?
Kushida paused momentarily, a wave of flig thoughts flooding her mind.
She felt the o reevaluate him.
After a few seds of silent ption, she gently patted her cheeks, posing herself.
Then, she called out from behind him.
"Hikaru-kun, I'm here!"
---
Hearing her familiar voice, Hikaru turned around.
His eyes quickly nded on Kushida, who had dressed up noticeably for the occasion.
She even wore light makeup.
"Kushida, good afternoon. You look great today."
"Thanks for the pliment, Hikaru-kun! You're looking pretty handsome yourself."
Kushida responded gracefully, her expression radiating warmth.
However, deep inside, her mind was still repying Hikaru's suspicious behavior from moments ago.
She felt pelled to reassess his character.
"Where's our table?"
"Follow me! I picked a really good spot."
Kushida led him inside. She was already familiar with the restaurant, knowing which seats were the most fortable and ideal.
"I'll trust your judgment. After all, today's meal is on you."
"Hehe~ I've been looking forward to this!"
As they entered, Hikaru goward the street outside.
Oher side of the buildings, the café where Iose and Sakayanagi were meeting was located.
For some reason, a vague sense of unease crept into his mind.
---
Meanwhile, at the Café Across the Street…
Iose and Sakayanagi had already taken their seats.
Beside Sakayanagi stood a tall girl with purple hair—Kamuro Masumi—who remained by her side, like a loyal attendant.
"Good afternoon, Iose-san. May I ask what brings you here today?"
Sakayanagi greeted politely, her demeanor poised and refined.
"You're certainly direct, Sakayanagi-san. I was expeg some polite small talk first."
Iose smiled lightly, her social skills on full dispy.
She had remained quiet during the Private Point colle pn because Hikaru was leading the charge—but that didn't mean she was incapable of taking the initiative.
"I already have a rough idea of what you want to discuss."
Sakayanagi's voice was calm and posed.
"So why don't you just state your purpose directly? That way, I firm whether my guess was correct."
"As expected of Sakayanagi-san. No wonder Hikaru—"
Iose caught herself mid-sentence, instinctively about to mention his name.
She paused briefly, quickly rew her statement.
"I actually have a question for you, Sakayanagi-san."
"Oh? And what would that be?"
"What are your thoughts on f alliances? For example, an alliaween our two csses—to help both of us gain more Css Points."
Sakayanagi's expression didn't ge, but her lips curled into an enigmatic smile.
Her response was calm yet absolute.
"I don't need allies. You're either my subordinate—or my enemy. There is no third option."
"...Is that so?"
Iose felt a chill run down her spine.
Yet, she pressed forward.
"But I heard that your cssmate, Katsuragi-kun, is currently seeking alliances. Does that mean you two aren't on the same page?"
Sakayanagi chuckled softly.
"That's just child's py—a predictable habit of his. He alrefers f groups before taking a."
She spoke openly, without a hint of hesitation, even when critig her own cssmate.
"There's o pretend with me, Iose-san. I already know that Katsuragi approached your css for an alliance."
"..."
"And if you're here to probe my stance, well—I've already given you my answer."
Sakayanagi's eyes gleamed with amusement as she abruptly shifted the topic.
"But I do have a question for you as well, Iose-san."
"What is it?"
"Does Hikaru-kun know that you're here meeting me?"
~~~
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