With the css rankings shifting, students across all four csses were ing to terms with the new reality. Whether they were celebrating or menting, the ge was now set in stone, and everyone had to adapt.

  In Css B, the atmosphere was lively. While no one was arrogant enough to funt their success, within their own ranks, they had every reason to enjoy the victory.

  As Hikaru smiled faintly while anizing his otes, his phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Kushida.

  Chat Interface:

  Kushida Kikyo: Hikaru-kun, gratutions on your css advang to Css A!

  Hashima Hikaru: Haha, thanks! And grats to your Css D for moving up as well. Looks like we're both the wihis month.

  Kushida Kikyo: Hehe, if it weren't for you selling us information on the hidden rules, we probably would've lost even more points.

  Hashima Hikaru: Well, the rules were just one factor. The real credit goes to you and Hirata-kun for your hard work. I only pyed a small part.

  Kushida Kikyo: You're too modest, Hikaru-kun. But don't worry, I've already thought of a way to properly thank you.

  Hashima Hikaru: Thank me?

  Kushida Kikyo: Of course! You tributed to our css's promotion, and thanks to your help, I've also gotten closer to Horikita-san. That's something I wouldn't have achieved without you.

  Kushida Kikyo: So, I have to express my gratitude. And you're not allowed to refuse, Hikaru-kun!

  Hashima Hikaru: Alright… so what exactly do you have in mind, Kushida-san?

  Kushida Kikyo: I'd like to visit your dorm room this afternoon! I even bought a gift for you, and I want to give it to you in person today.

  "…?"

  A gift?

  Wouldn't it be easier to just hand it over in css? Why the o visit my dorm?

  Holding his phone, Hikaru found himself at a loss for words. The sudden shift caught him off guard, pletely outside his expectations.

  Seeing no immediate response, another message quickly followed.

  Kushida Kikyo: What's wrong? Do you not wao visit your room, Hikaru-kun?

  Hashima Hikaru: Of course not! I'd be happy to have you over, Kushida-san.

  Kushida Kikyo: Hehe, then look forward to it! What's your dorm number? I wouldn't want to go to the wrong room by act.

  Kushida Kikyo: Alright, see you iernoon then!

  ---

  After closing the chat, Hikaru goward Iose, who was surrounded by cssmates. She had bee a frequent visitor to his dorm, so if Kushida nning to e over, he o give her a heads-up.

  Otherwise, things might get… plicated.

  So, turning to her, he asked, "Iose-san, do you have any pns this afternoon?"

  "Nope, nothing scheduled. Why do you ask, Hikaru-kun?"

  "I'm meeting a friend ter, so we won't be able to discuss cooking today."

  At that, Iose's smile froze for a moment.

  She had gotteo visiting his dorm iernoons uhe pretext of "studying cooking." In truth, it was just an excuse for them to have diogether—she cooked, he ate.

  This simple arra had bee a fortable routine for her. So, his sudden ge of pns caught her off guard.

  "…I see."

  The pink-haired girl nodded slightly, though she couldn't help but feel a little uled. She khat they hadn't reached a stage where she had any right to question who he met or what he did.

  ---

  As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Hikaru picked up his bag ahe . Since Kushida was ing over, he figured he should do some tidying up in advance.

  At around 4:30 PM, a knock came at the door of Room 301.

  "Hikaru-kun, good afternoon~"

  Wearing her signature smile, Kushida stood at the doorway, dressed in her wine-red school uniform, holding a ly ed gift bag in her hands.

  "Good afternoon, e in, Kushida-san."

  With a weling smile, Hikaru stepped aside to let her in.

  It was her first time stepping into a boy's dormitory—something she had volunteered for. Naturally, she was curious.

  His room was simple. Other than a slightly cluttered desk, the space was mostly empty. No posters, no gaming soles, no manga stacks—just a minimalistic, arra.

  What caught her attention, however, was the faint but pleasant st lingering in the air.

  "This smell…"

  She racked her brain trying to pce it, but nothing came to mind. Of course, she couldn't just ask ht—that would be rude—so she decided to keep the thought to herself for now.

  As she took in the surroundings, Hikaru returned with tea and snacks. Unlike his more casual iions with cssmates, he made sure to observe proper etiquette with Kushida.

  "Thank you, Hikaru-kun."

  Taking the cup, she studied the boy sitting across from her.

  Dressed in a pin white T-shirt, with well-defined features and a posed demeanor, he gave off an effortlessly fresh and impression.

  A guy like this… it would be odd if he weren't popur.

  ---

  "Well then, time for the grand reveal!"

  With a pyful grin, Kushida took the gift from her bag and ha over with a ceremonious air.

  As Hikaru uned it, he found a transparent crystal snow globe inside. A delicate, snow-covered sat at the ter of the gss sphere—simple, yet exquisitely crafted.

  "What do you think? Do you like it?"

  Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

  This was a carefully chosen gift. Items like this, with a transparent and elegahetic, were all the rage among girls in the shopping district. While it might not be the most ventional gift for a boy, that recisely the point.

  It was a calcuted choice—to reinforce her persona.

  After all, the beloved "angel" of Css D had never been in a retionship before, nor had she ever been particurly close to any boys. Naturally, she wouldn't know what they liked.

  "It's really 'll make a great decoration for my room."

  Though a bit puzzled by her choice, Hikaru smiled appreciatively.

  "I've never given a gift to a boy before, and I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I picked this. I'm gd you like it."

  Pg a hand over her chest, Kushida let out a cute sigh of relief.

  "Really? Then I'll make sure to take good care of it."

  He responded with an exaggeratedly touched expression, as if receiving something truly precious.

  After chatting for a while, the versation finally shifted to the main topic.

  "So, Hikaru-kun, have you thought about how to help me befriend Horikita-san?"

  "I have a rough idea, but we'll o refihe details together." Hikaru tapped his thoughtfully before pulling out his notebook.

  "Oh? Tell me!"

  Seeing him take this seriously, Kushida felt a small wave of satisfa.

  This tool… I really did pick the right one.

  ---

  Hikaru id out his pn:

  "You've already been anizing study sessions, which means some students reize that you and Horikita-san are w for the css's be, right?"

  Kushida nodded.

  "So, why not build on that momentum? After a session, you could propose a casual get-together—maybe a group meal—and bring Horikita-san along. That might help strengthen your e."

  She sighed. "I've tried that. But every time, she leaves immediately after the session ends. She ays to socialize."

  "…I see."

  Hikaru nodded, feigning ption. Then, as if struck by sudden inspiration, he snapped his fingers.

  "There's another way—ohat she might actually agree to."

  "What is it?"

  He smiled.

  "You propose a subject proficy survey for the uping midterms…"

  ~~~

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