After leaving Css D, Hikaru and Iose strolled leisurely across the campus, heading toward the cafeteria for dinner.

  "Although there were some hiccups along the way, the oute was still good in the end. We mao aplish oal for today," Hikaru said with a light chuckle, gng at Iose's profile.

  "Yeah… I didn't expect the students of Css D to be like that. Holy, I was a bit nervous back there."

  Although Iose had felt irritated earlier when Kushida exged taformation with Hikaru, the fact that they had successfully collected one million Private Points today helped offset her frustration.

  She uood that everything Hikaru did was for the css.

  As long as it was for Css B, she could e.

  Besides, he was still by her side—and they were about to have diogether, so Iose chose not to let her displeasure show.

  "If the school pced them in Css D, there must have been a deliberate reason behind it," Hikaru nodded as he reflected on what he had seen today. "The students in Css D are going to have a tough time moving forward."

  "I feel the same way. Hirata-kun and Kushida-sarusted by their cssmates for now, but when it es to making critical decisions, they don't seem capable of fully uniting the css."

  "They bring some people together, but it's not solid leadership. A css as united as ours is rare—that's thanks to you, Iose."

  "No way, it's obviously Hikaru-kun who does more for the css."

  Hearing his casual pliment, a faint blush crept across Iose's face. By now, she knew well enough that whenever Hikaru spoke like this, he was teasing her.

  "Oh? So, does that mean Iose-san is treatio dioday? I'm in the mood for a luxurious meal."

  "Of course! Whatever Hikaru-kun wants, I'll treat you."

  Iose gazed at him seriously, making it clear that she meant what she said.

  "…Fet it, I was joking. Let's just get the regur meal set."

  "Haha."

  Iose let out a soft ugh.

  She knew Hikaru would ake advantage of her, but she couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

  She thought their retionship was already close, but she still couldn't step into his heart.

  Hikaru's attitude had always been like this—he teased her from time to time, but he ruly crossed the line. His kindness was ge distant—something Iose couldn't accept.

  "Let's go." Hikaru, oblivious to her fleeting expression, said casually, "Even if you're not treatio dinner, you 't escape buying me a drink. I want a Coke."

  "Roger that! ing right up!"

  Side by side, they ehe cafeteria and eheir diogether.

  ---

  After dinner, Hikaru and Iose parted ways.

  He wasn't in the mood to return to his dormitory just yet and decided to wander around campus a bit longer.

  Over the past few days, he had been mapping out the school's security camera pts, and he was almost done.

  As night fell, streetlights illumihe quiet pathways.

  Walking along the dimly lit streets, Hikaru's expression grew serious.

  Security cameras were a crucial factor—knowing where they were pced and where they weren't could be invaluable for future pns.

  After spending some time the school, Hikaru had e to a clear realization:

  The school had desighis artificial isnd to simute a self-tained society—a petitive and ruthless enviro meant to push students to their limits.

  And just like in society, darkness existed within it.

  There were pces where security cameras were installed densely, but there were also empty zones with no surveil all.

  This wasn't an ht—it was iional.

  The school was allowing students to use these blind spots to engage in covert activities—whether that be scheming, pnning, or settling matters in ways that couldn't be done in pin sight.

  "Hmm… No cameras here. This would be a perfect spot to pull off something shady."

  Hikaru analyzed his surroundings carefully.

  He had reached a er near one of the school buildings. Between the wall of a building and a temporary stru barrier, there was a narrow passageway with a vending mae nearby.

  No visible cameras.

  He mentally his location for future reference.

  But just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard voices ahead.

  One was a deep, cold voice, while the other sounded hesita determined.

  "Suzune, I didn't expect you to chase after me all the way here."

  "…I-I'm not the same useless person I used to be! I came here to catch up to you, to prove myself!"

  "?!"

  Hikaru's expression shifted instantly.

  He reized both voices.

  One beloo Horikita Manabu, the highly capable Student cil President.

  The other was Horikita Suzuhe girl who had just paid a hefty sum of Private Points in Css D earlier today.

  "…Brother?"

  Now that he thought about it, they had the same surname—he should have figured this out earlier.

  "Man, I really should've put two and two together sooner."

  Hikaru let out a small sigh and decided to eavesdrop.

  This was too juicy of a revetion to ignore—and who knew, he might pick up some valuable intel.

  "Hmph. Catch up to me?"

  Manabu adjusted his gsses, his voice as cold as ever.

  "You still don't uand your own shortings."

  "You learhe school's hidden rules today. Do you really think you have what it takes to reach me?"

  "I—I will climb to Css A! Please, believe in me, brother!"

  Her voice carried a desperate determination.

  "No. You will never aplish that."

  "I will work hard—I will make it happen!"

  Suzuried tue further, but before she could finish, Manabu suddenly grabbed her wrist and pushed her against the wall.

  "?!"

  Hikaru's eyes narrowed.

  "If people find out that the Student cil President's sister ced in Css D, do you realize how humiliating that would be for me?"

  His voice was frigid, filled with undisguised pt.

  "Do you not uand what this means?"

  "I…"

  Suzune's previously posed demeanor was gone—she looked utterly vulnerable.

  Her usually sharp and fident expression had been repced with unease, as if she wao protest, yet couldn't find the words to fight back.

  "Drop out, Suzune."

  "…Otherwise—"

  Manabu raised his hand, seemingly about to strike his own sister.

  "…"

  Hikaru had seen enough.

  He swiftly stepped forward.

  "Hey now, wouldn't it be a problem if people found out that the Student cil President was out here at night… bullying a girl?"

  "…Hmm?"

  Hearing the unfamiliar voice, Manabu turned his head sharply—only to see Hikaru standing nearby.

  "…It's you, Hikaru-kun."

  "Yep, that's me, Horikita-senpai." Hikaru smirked slightly. "Didn't expect you to have su iing hobby."

  "…How much did you hear?"

  Manabu immediately let go of Suzune's wrist, his tourning eerily calm.

  "And what exactly do you io do?"

  "Rex. I don't io do anything." Hikaru shrugged.

  "I just happeo be passing by and learned somethihat Horikita Suzune is your sister."

  "Hmph. An inpetent little sister means a stain on my reputation."

  "I'll be ensuring she drops out."

  "Brother?!"

  Suzune's expression shifted instantly as she looked at Hikaru—the very person who had taken her Private Points earlier today—now standing before her once again.

  But what fused her even more…

  Why did it seem like Hikaru was already familiar with her brother?

  ~~~

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