After leaving his dorm in his uniform, Hikaru made his way to the meeting spot. Thanks to his prior exploration of the school, he had already memorized every notable ndmark on campus.

  "So, am I really going through with this?"

  Walking along the dimly lit path, he did a final mental review of his pn. His approach was simple—he would express i in Kushida. Not necessarily a direct fession, but just enough to make her feel that he genuinely harbored feelings for her.

  They were high school students, an age when romantic feelings were just beginning to take root. And Kushida was undeniably beautiful—her bright and charming presence made her stand out in any crowd, and her figure turned plenty of heads as she walked through campus.

  So, the logic was sound. However, The Stoalyzer had already provided valuable insights into her hidden nature.

  What kind of hidden side did she possess? He wasn't sure yet. Until he built a suffit level of trust, there was no way she would reveal it to him.

  Her rea to his affe, how she typically handled admirers, and whether she could be maniputed—all of these remained unknown variables. He would have to improvise.

  It was troublesome, but necessary. He had already ied iock, and with such a low initial price, it would be a waste to let this opportunity slip away.

  "No poiati's do this."

  Taking a deep breath, he stretched his facial muscles before putting on a gentle smile and heading toward the meeting spot.

  The Advanurturing High School was built on an artificial isnd, enclosed by iron feo maintain its isoted structure and prevent any acts he water.

  Upon arriving at the edge of the isnd, Hikaru immediately spotted the short-haired girl standing by the railing, gazing at the o uhe night sky. The sea breeze ruffled her hair as she stood there in quiet ption.

  "Kushida-san, you're really fast. I came as soon as I got your message, you know?"

  He greeted her with a lighthearted tone, subtly emphasizing how much he valued this meeting.

  "Good evening, Hikaru-kun."

  Kushida turo face him, her sharp eyes subtly his expression. Uhe glow of the streetlights, she noticed the faint sheen of sweat on his forehead, as if he had hurried over.

  "Sorry for calling you out so te. You didn't have to rush—I was just being a little selfish."

  "Not at all." Hikaru smiled and shook his head gently. "You could've just messaged me, and I would've responded."

  "If it's something important, it should be said in person. Anything else would be rude, don't you think?"

  Her expression turned slightly serious, as if emphasizing the significe of this versation.

  She's testing me.

  Hikaru realized this immediately. Just as he had po probe her, Kushida had been thinking the exact same thing.

  She's suspicious of me, but she's masking it with this charming attitude… What a troublesome woman.

  Still, that made things easier. If she had set the stage for this game, then all he had to do y along.

  "Hmm, you're right. Kushida-san is always so thoughtful."

  Keeping his tole, he carefully watched her movements, waiting for her move.

  "Actually…" Kushida hesitated slightly, a faint blush dusting her cheeks as she lowered her gaze. "There's something I want to ask you."

  "What is it?"

  "Well… Hikaru-kun, do you have someone you like?"

  Her voice was soft, her expression shy, as if she was embarrassed t up the topic.

  Had it been anyone else, they might have thought she was subtly fessing to them.

  But Hikaru wasn't fooled.

  She's fishing for information.

  Despite her wary attitude toward him, she utting on an i, love-struck act to see how he would respond.

  This girl is dangerous.

  Still, that made things even more iing.

  Since she had id the trap, he would step right in.

  "Why do you ask, Kushida-san? Is there a reason you're curious?"

  "Just indulging my curiosity, that's all." Her tone was sweet and pyful, but her gaze was scrutinizing, as if trying to dissect his rea.

  "Of course."

  Hikaru nodded as if affirming something deep within himself. Then, instead of looking at her, he turned his gaze toward the distant horizohe o.

  "…But it's plicated. If I were to fess, it would cause a lot of problems."

  "Why? If you like someone, why not just be ho about it?"

  She pressed further, eyes locked onto his face, sensing that she was onto something.

  "Because this school isn't ordinary." Hikaru pced a hand on the railing, his voice tinged with mencholic frustration. "If this were a normal high school, I would've fessed already. Maybe I'd even know what it's like to have a girlfriend."

  "But here, things aren't so simple. Kushida-san, I already expihe school's hidden rules to you before, didn't I? You should uand what that means."

  Kushida's eyes narrowed slightly.

  "…So the girl you like is from another css?"

  "Yeah."

  He turned back to her, his gaze sincere and unwavering. "She's in another css, which means—sooner or ter—our csses will be rivals."

  "If we were together, and she ever asked me about my css's strategies or crucial information, what would I do?"

  "…That…"

  Kushida momentarily faltered. She uood this problem all too well.

  That recisely why she had chosen to be everyone's friend rather than engage in any real retionships. This way, she could gather information from multiple sources while maintaining an untouchable, angelic persona.

  "…But even if that's true, doesn't it hurt? Liking someo not being able to say it?"

  Hikaru let out a quiet chuckle.

  "That's where you're mistaken, Kushida-san."

  She carefully studied his expression.

  "The act of liking someone doesn't always mean you have to possess them. As long as I stay close to her, as long as she trusts me, that's enough."

  His dark eyes shoh unwavering vi.

  "Maybe one day, I'll fess." He smiled faintly. "Or maybe… I never will."

  Kushida felt something stir in her heart as she listened.

  She had entered many fessions before—tless boys had professed their feelings for her. But their eyes always held a selfish desire, a possessive hunger.

  But Hikaru's gaze was different.

  It held something else.

  Gentleness? A longing to stand beside her? A wish for something deeper?

  For the first time, she found herself w—is he really…?

  At st, she voiced her final question.

  "If that girl ever fesses to you… would you accept her?"

  "Of course."

  Even though he maintained his calm facade, Hikaru felt a nervous thrill run through him.

  This was his first time pulling off a lie of this magnitude.

  But then, he reminded himself—Kushida Kikyo is a stock with enormous potential. If I py this right, she'll be a gold mine.

  The emotions reflected in his eyes slowly transitioned into something more tangible.

  The desire for trol.

  The yearning to shape her thoughts.

  But outwardly, all she saw was the affeate siy of a boy in love.

  "If she truly es to like me, I would definitely accept her." His voice was quiet but firm, his eyes locked onto hers. "Is this the answer you were looking for, Kushida-san?"

  "…Yes."

  After firming what she needed, Kushida's tense heart finally rexed.

  A bright, cheerful smile blossomed on her face.

  "You see, a girl from my css came to me with a problem."

  "Oh?"

  "She likes you, but she's too shy to fess. So she asked me to find out if you had feelings for anyone."

  Of course, this was a lie.

  But she delivered it fwlessly.

  "Really? That's surprising…" Hikaru widened his eyes, feigning shock. "Then, please tell her—I already have someone I like."

  "Got it! Thanks for indulgionight, Hikaru-kun."

  As she waved him goodbye, Hikaru watched her figure disappear dowh.

  A moment ter, his system sent a notification.

  [Kushida Kikyo has firmed her suspis. While her doubts about you have faded, she has also beore determio use you. Kushida Kikyo's stock price has increased by 10 points. Current value: 30.]

  "Success."

  ~~~

  Read 30 Chapters Ahead!

  > patreon./HudaLin