Seeing Hashima's puzzled expression, Kushida Kikyō began to explain.
"I still really want to become friends with Horikita-san, so I plan to keep trying to get closer to her."
Kushida stared into his eyes, speaking slowly. "But since Hashima-kun is already somewhat familiar with Horikita-san, could you wait for me a little?"
"Wait for you?"
Hashima pondered for a moment and immediately understood her implication.
She wants me to stop interacting with Horikita Suzune?
"That's right. My dream is to be friends with everyone, and right now, my goal is Horikita-san." Kushida's voice carried a hint of melancholy as she leaned against his shoulder. "I don't want to be left out between the two of you, so I want to catch up to you, Hashima-kun."
"Could you agree to that? Once I successfully befriend Horikita-san, I'll help bring you two closer. That way, we can all become friends."
This was Kushida's probe—a trade-off she had just conceived.
"Hah, so if I refuse, does that mean Kushida-san won't answer my earlier question?"
A faint smile played on Hashima's lips. He immediately grasped her intention—she was trying to tempt him with Class C's strategy in exchange for cutting off contact with Horikita.
For her, Horikita Suzune is more important than class competition?
"Hashima-kun, you're so mean. I never said that. I'm just asking for your help."
Realizing he had seen through her, Kushida playfully swatted his arm, though her eyes remained cold, scrutinizing his expression for any hint of his true stance.
"Sure, I can wait for you, Kushida-san."
Hashima nodded and continued, "I don't interact with Horikita-san that much anyway. She's the type who rejects others getting close. Asking about studies is fine, but she'd ignore any idle chatter."
"If Kushida-san wants to keep trying, I'll cheer you on."
"Mm, thank you, Hashima-kun. I'll do my best to befriend Horikita-san."
Seeing his agreement, the girl nodded firmly.
Then, Kushida prepared to propose her next move—a binding agreement to ensure his compliance. Mere verbal promises wouldn't reassure her.
But before she could speak, Hashima beat her to it.
"Actually, I have another idea..."
"If it's just a verbal promise, Kushida-san probably won't trust it, right?"
Noticing the short-haired girl's eager expression, Hashima guessed she intended to impose some restriction to enforce their "agreement." After all, she had resorted to a "handprint contract" that night to ensure his silence.
Now that she was offering intel, a mere verbal promise wouldn't satisfy her.
But Hashima had no intention of relinquishing control. He planned to pressure her into accepting his terms.
"How about this? To reassure Kushida-san, let's make a contract guaranteeing that after you share the intel, I'll honor our agreement and stop approaching Horikita-san."
"Once we truly befriend Horikita-san in the future, maybe we can even share this amusing story with her."
Hashima said this casually, but his sidelong glance monitored her reaction.
The implication was obvious. If Kushida cared so much about Horikita, it suggested a deep, unresolved history between them.
Her reluctance to let him interact with Horikita likely stemmed from fear of him uncovering something.
Thus, proposing restrictions now would only seem suspicious—contradicting her earlier "friendship" pretext.
Well? Do you dare bring it up?
Hearing this, Kushida's heart lurched. She suddenly realized she might have miscalculated. If she insisted on a contract now, how would she explain her urgency?
If Hashima grew suspicious of her past with Horikita, things could spiral beyond her control.
She couldn't afford to gamble.
After a rapid mental recalibration, Kushida forced a gentle smile and replied, "No need. I trust Hashima-kun's word. No contract is necessary. I just asked you to wait for me—I'll work hard to get along with Horikita-san."
"Alright, then. As you wish, Kushida-san."
Seeing her retreat, Hashima smirked inwardly. The advantage of holding information asymmetry is this. Since Kushida cares so much about Horikita, she won't dare take risks.
"Then, Kushida-san, can you tell me about Class C's midterm strategy now? The study pressure has been intense lately. If there's an easier way, that'd be great."
With their "agreement" settled, Hashima turned his attention back to Kushida.
"Of course. The plan is actually very simple. But first, Hashima-kun, have you interacted with any upperclassmen?"
Though she'd suffered a setback, Kushida reasoned that since she'd already proposed the trade, fabricating false intel now would be pointless. Better to offer a genuine favor—it might prove useful later.
She never cared much about class loyalty; most of her actions served her own interests.
"Upperclassmen?"
"Why would I need to interact with upperclassmen?"
"Because the exam papers in this school are reused." Kushida smiled faintly. "Our class discovered this and confirmed its validity."
"Is that so?"
Hashima was genuinely surprised. Given the school's resources and its goal of筛选 elite students, he'd assumed midterms and finals would be meticulously designed.
Yet the exams were recycled?
But soon, another thought struck him—this was likely intentional. With the omnipotent S-system overriding all rules, reusing tests might be a way to assess students' resourcefulness.
Gathering intel from seniors?
As Hashima pondered, the short-haired girl blinked and posed a question.
"So, can you guess what we did?"
"You bought past exams from upperclassmen."
Hashima immediately grasped the method. Knowing tests were reused, purchasing past papers from seniors was the obvious move.
After all, the S-system made it clear: In this school, anything can be bought with points.
This way, they could not only predict the test scope but also obtain all the answers.
"Exactly. Hashima-kun is as sharp as ever."
Kushida nodded. As Class A's core figure, it'd be strange if he couldn't deduce this.
After committing the intel to memory, Hashima looked at the girl solemnly. "This is crucial information. I really owe you thanks, Kushida-san."
"No need. Just keep our earlier agreement." Kushida shook her head lightly. "To me, friends matter most."
Tch, still putting on an act, huh?
Though Hashima had agreed not to initiate contact with Horikita, what if she approached him?
That wouldn't violate their deal.
He'd already planned this. With Kushida's stock now at 40 points, one or two more pushes could drop it back to the initial 10.
The final blow just needed perfect timing.
"I understand. I'll honor our agreement." Hashima nodded earnestly.
"Mm, then I'll take my leave. Talking with Hashima-kun is always so pleasant."
Kushida rose from his side, gave him a deep look, and prepared to leave.
"Likewise."
The verbal duel between two liars concluded once more.
After seeing Kushida out, Hashima reviewed today's events. No major slip-ups.
He didn't particularly dislike this two-faced girl. She was just a tsundere at heart.
Through their interactions, he'd deciphered her motives. As a 5000-share "treasure stock," maintaining contact was ideal.
Moreover, today's exchange revealed her new utility—intel gathering on Class C.
Though Sakura Airi was also from Class C, her presence was too faint. Given her timid nature, she'd never be involved in key strategies.
But Kushida, Class C's social queen, could access vital information.
From another angle, despite starting in last place, this class has students capable of devising such tactics.
The school's class assignments are far more nuanced than they appear.
"Buying past exams from upperclassmen? This intel is a godsend for us," Hashima murmured.
With Class B hot on their heels, knowing the previous year's questions would ensure victory in the midterms.
"How fascinating, this school's rules."
With a wry smile, he retrieved his swim trunks from the closet. It was almost time for his nightly swim—physical training couldn't be neglected.