After Iose finished anizing the fridge in Hikaru's dorm, she even took the time to wash her face at the sink before quietly walking over.

  "Alright, let's start studying now."

  "Yeah."

  Although Hikaru had noticed her as, he wasn't quite sure what to say about them.

  For the past few days, Iose's stock price had remaieady at 150, showing no fluctuation. However, her behavior had subtly ged—she had beuch more proactive iing closer to him. The fact that today's study group session was being held at his dorm was undoubtedly her idea.

  Hikaru didn't dislike Iose. If nothing else, having a beautiful girl around was easy on the eyes.

  But his main priority at the moment was Kushida. He had just finished dispelling her wariness, and now was the perfect time to rapidly build rapport and profit from it. There was no room for distras.

  For now, I'll just go along with it.

  Having made up his mind, Hikaru sat down at the table with Iose. Once all five of them had their books out, the pink-haired girl took charge, effitly anizing the study session.

  "Shiranami struggles with math, so I'll be tut her first," Iose announced smoothly, having already gathered intel on everyone's weak subjects before f the study groups. "Shibata is weaker in sce, so Himeno will be helping him. As for history, Hikaru, since you're the best at it, you'll be tut both me and Shiranami ter."

  "No problem."

  "Sounds good."

  No one had any objes.

  pared to Css A, Css B was undoubtedly weaker in academics, but overall, their grades weren't too bad. Most students could at least maintain passing scores.

  Moreover, their personalities made group studyiively pleasant. Even if the subject matter was dull, the positive atmosphere made time fly by quickly.

  After about two hours, it was already 6:30 PM, time for dinner.

  Ohey ed up their study session, Iose naturally took the lead in deg where to eat. Meanwhile, Hikaru took advantage of this free moment to message Kushida, making sure to keep the e alive.

  After st night's romantid game, Kushida's messaging frequency hadn't ged much. Most of their versations still revolved arouudy group activities in Css D, as she remained focused on building a e with Suzune.

  Kushida Kikyo: I held audy group session today with a differe of cssmates.

  Hashima Hikaru: Did it go well?

  Kushida Kikyo: Yeah, this time things were much smoother. The students I invited were easier to get along with, so even Horikita's attitude was retively good. The session was a success.

  Hashima Hikaru: That's great. Kushida-san, you really work hard for your css. Must be tiring, huh?

  Kushida Kikyo: Not at all. Seeing everyone improve together makes me happy.

  Hashima Hikaru: Mmm, I see.

  Just as Hikaru sent his reply, Iose's voice rang beside him, tinged with curiosity.

  "Hikaru-kun, are you texting someone?"

  "Uh, just cheg the news," Hikaru replied nontly, swiping his s before looking up. "Have you guys decided where we're eating?"

  "Yeah, we're going with the family restaurant again."

  Though she had noticed Hikaru using his phone, Iose didn't push further. Her real wasn't what he was doing—it was whether he would tinue spending time with her.

  "Alright, let's head out!" Shibata stretched his shoulders, causing a few satisfying pops. "After studying for so long, I o properly reward my stomach!"

  "Weren't you supposed to be studying during css too?" Hikaru gave him a look of mock astonishment. "Don't tell me you've been sg off?"

  "Of course not! It's just that I was more focused this time, that's all. Don't get the wrong idea—I love studying!"

  "But Shibata-kun, weren't you just saying how much you wao py soccer in css?" Himeno Yuki casually exposed his lie. "Do you really expect us to believe that?"

  "Hey, Himeno! That's snder!"

  As Shibata's face turned red, he started rambling about how pying soccer was an important activity, how loving sports was a good habit, and how the school enced students to pursue well-rounded development. The dorm instantly filled with a lighthearted and lively atmosphere.

  Ohe teasing died down, everyo ready to leave.

  "Alright, is everything packed up?"

  Hikaru double-checked while holding a bag of trash. During the study session, he had taken out some of the snacks Iose had stored in his fridge to share with the group, which had resulted in some leftarbage.

  "Yep, let's go eat. And by the way, dinner's oonight."

  The others looked at him in surprise.

  "I'm ly hurting for points right now," Hikaru chuckled. "Besides, you guys brought snacks earlier, so this is just a little gesture from me."

  As they walked outside, the setting sun cast an e glow over the school grounds, the earlier heat dissipating into a pleasant breeze.

  Hikaru suddenly felt that this kind of peaceful life wasn't so bad.

  The initial few days had been packed with intense maneuvers, but now that most things were in pce, he could take it easy for a while—at least until the Special Exam arrived.

  Last time, he and Iose had worked on stabilizing the css structure, and now, with the implementation of study group sessions, Css B was making steady progress.

  To sum it up in four words: Its On the rise!

  "Tonight, I'm go until I drop, Hikaru. You better be ready," Shibata decred with a wicked grin.

  "Sure, sure. If you eat me into bankruptcy, we'll just stay and wash dishes together."

  "Haha! I sed that!" The girls giggled along.

  "If that happens, then Hikaru-kun be our waiter for the night," Iose teased with a pyful glint in her eyes.

  "Sounds good to me." Hikaru nodded calmly.

  As the su over the campus, Css B walked side by side, heading toward their destination.

  No matter what the future held, this camaraderie wouldn't easily fade in the dust.

  ---

  Days Passed in Tranquility

  For the while, Hikaru's life remained retively uful.

  Iose tinued managing study group sessions and reinf Css B's structure, while Hikaru participated in his group's study sessions and maintained tact with Kushida.

  Occasionally, he would exge a few words with Suzune, using the opportunity to gather intel on Kushida and maintain trol over the situation.

  But among these ordinary days, the only true anomaly was Iose.

  The amount of time she spent in Hikaru's dorm kept increasing.

  At first, it was uhe excuse of study sessions. But gradually, that excuse shifted into something else—experimenting with new dishes.

  It all started when Hikaru casually mentiohat he had some experieh cooking.

  Sih in his past life and his current one, he had occasionally o cook for himself, he naturally had some level of ary skill.

  Iose, upon hearing this, immediately expressed i in cooking and wao learn from him.

  At the time, Hikaru thought she was just being polite.

  But then, that very evening, Iose knocked on his door—this time, carrying various seasonings and ingredients.

  "Hehe, Hikaru-kun, I'm here for our cooking lesson!"

  Seeing the serious expression on her fad the determined glint in her eyes, Hikaru realized he had no choice but to go along with it.

  And just like that, his dorm became her personal test kit.

  More importantly—Iose was actually a good cook.

  Despite g she wao "learn," she ended up doing most of the cooking, while Hikaru simply ehe food.

  "…Something feels off," Hikaru muttered, spoon in hand.

  He g the pink-haired girl standing at the stove, a blue checkered apron, carefully frying tempura.

  "…Am I moog off Iose now?"

  Then, after another bite, he shrugged.

  "…Well, the food is really good. Might as well enjoy it."

  ~~~

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