Inside Css 1-B's , Hikaru how to resolve a certain issue.

  "I o give Kushida a ving reason for my as. I hadn't fully sidered this before."

  He tapped his fingers lightly against the desk, thoughts running through his mind.

  "What's the best excuse to use...?"

  After a few minutes of ption, he came up with a simple yet effective reasohat would align with the current mi of high school students and provide a logical expnation for why he was helping her.

  But... would she buy it?

  "Good m, Hikaru-kun!"

  A familiar greeting rang out beside him. Looking up, he saw Iose walking over with a bright smile.

  "Good m, Iose-san."

  "Mm-hmm."

  After yesterday's talk, all traces of gloom from her face had vanished. Her expression was now warm, exuding the kind of reliability that made people naturally trust her.

  "Let's go over yesterday's intel first," Hikaru said, pulling out his notebook. He had already fabricated part of the story, so he o py the role vingly.

  "Alright, I'll start then."

  Iose's demeanor turned serious as she recalled her meeting with Sakayanagi.

  "First, regarding Sakayanagi's stance—she's against f an alliance. Or rather, she looks down on the idea entirely."

  "She looks down on it?" Hikaru raised an eyebrow.

  "Yes. She said that Katsuragi's attempt to form an alliah us was nothing more than child's py, and she's extremely fident in herself."

  Iose thought back to her versation with the silver-haired girl and tinued, "From how she spoke, I got the impression that no matter whether it's the css petition or her own power struggle with Katsuragi, she believes she'll ultimately e out on top."

  "I see."

  Hikaru houghtfully. After a moment, he said, "That means Sakayanagi is going to be a formidable oppo for us down the line. Given her physical limitations, she's essentially forfeited all physical education csses and exams."

  "Yet, despite that, she was still pced in Css A. That alone speaks volumes."

  Iose's expression grew more serious. Yesterday's meeting had made her realize just how difficult an oppo Sakayanagi was. Even though they had exged a fair amount of information, Iose still felt like she couldn't see through her.

  "So, what's your decisiarding the alliance? What do you think, Hikaru-kun?"

  "For now, we should put it on hold. We've firmed Sakayanagi's stance, and sisuragi doesn't have plete trol over Css A, w with them uhese ditions would be risky."

  Hikaru stroked his as he analyzed the situation.

  "Besides, we still have the reward from the school. Until month arrives, it's best to avoid sharing information with other csses."

  "I agree."

  Iose nodded in uanding. Then, her gaze sharpened slightly as she asked, "So, what did you learn from Kushida-saerday?"

  Seeing the sudden sharpness in her expression, Hikaru found it amusing but remained calm.

  "Oh, it was about the study group."

  "Kushida-san said their css is anizing a study group. Sihere are regur tests every month and an important midterm exam ing up, improving their overall academic performance would be beneficial in the css petition."

  "I see." Iose's eyes brightened with realization. "That makes a lot of sense. No matter how the css petition unfolds, we're still in a school setting, so academics are definitely important."

  "Let's hold our own study group too, Hikaru-kun!"

  Her enthusiasm was expected. Hikaru smiled gently.

  "Sure. I think it's a good idea. We divide into small groups for review sessions and help each other improve."

  "Mm-hmm!"

  Iose's excitement grew, as if pnning activities like this always brought her joy.

  "Then, I'll leave this to you, Iose-san. You take charge anizing the study groups."

  He stretched zily. "I think I'll take it easy and sck off this time."

  "No problem! You just rex, Hikaru-kun—I'll ha!"

  Iose nodded seriously. She uood that this art of the agreement he had set up for her to take initiative, so she was eager to fulfill her role.

  "I'll be looking forward to your results. Just let me know ohe groups are set."

  "Mm-hmm!"

  ---

  After school, while Iose was enthusiastically coordinating with her cssmates to form study groups, a simir gathering was taking p Css 1-D.

  At the ter was, of course, the highly popur Kushida. Beside her stood three boys—Yamauchi, Ike, and one more with a pletely indifferent expression—Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

  Yamauchi and Ike were clearly excited, not about studying, but about getting to spend time close to their css idol, Kushida-. Meanwhile, Ayanokoji looked someuzzled.

  "Um, why am I here? My grades arely—"

  "Ayanokoji-kun, I remember you struggling to ahe teacher's questions in css," Kushida said with a warm smile. "So why not join us? Horikita-san and I will be here to support everyone."

  Ayanokoji gnced over at Suzune, who was standio her, expression as cold as ever. Yet, she had agreed to join this study session.

  Would she really do something like this?

  "...Fine, I'll join."

  "As for you, Yamauchi-kun, Ike-kun, if you have any questions, you ask me or Horikita-san anytime. Let's all work hard together!"

  "O-oh! I'll do my best!"

  "Yeah! I'll show Kushida- how serious I am about studying!"

  The two boys were clearly more focused on impressing Kushida than actually learning.

  With the five of them gathered, they headed to the study room after school.

  It acious room filled with wooden desks, an ideal enviro for studying.

  "This pce looks good. Let's work hard today and quer our weaknesses!"

  Kushida cheerfully led the group to a table. Naturally, she and Suzu on one side while the three boys took the opposite seats.

  "Alright, let's get started. To assess your current level, I've prepared a small test."

  Suzune pulled out a stack of identical test papers from her bag and hahem out with a firm tone.

  "This test covers a variety of subjects and will help identify your weak areas. Start w on it, and I'll grade them afterward."

  "Oi, Horikita, are you treating us like kids?"

  Yamauchi immediately protested, crossing his arms.

  "Yeah, why do we have to take your test? You're not a teacher," Ike added.

  Ayanokoji silently took a test paper without ent.

  Seeing the growing tension, Kushida quickly stepped in, speakily, "e on now, Yamauchi-kun, Ike-kun, don't be like that. Horikita-san is trying to help. Why don't you just try it? Her grades are excellent, so she definitely guide us."

  "Hmph, fine. Si's Kushida- asking, I'll do it!"

  "I'll do my best! Watch me ace this, Kushida-!"

  Both boys dramatically took the test papers, suddenly filled with motivation.

  "I'm looking forward to seeing your efforts."

  Suzuone remai as she hahe st paper to Kushida.

  "Kushida-san, this one is for you."

  "...I have to take it too?"

  Kushida's smile twitched slightly. She wasn't here to actually study—her goal was to observe Suzune up close.

  "What do you think?" Suzune responded coolly.

  "Fine... I'll do it too."

  Suppressing her annoyance, Kushida accepted the paper with a posed smile before looking down to begin answering.

  Meanwhile, Suzune simply pulled out her own workbook and began quietly reviewing. If she was going to be here, she wasn't going to waste time.

  ~~~

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