With midterms over, the group study sessions were temporarily suspended. Honami believed everyone had worked hard and deserved to relax and enjoy campus life.
After school, Hikaru—having received Kushida's message—politely declined Shibata's invitation to hang out and headed straight back to his dorm.
Now that Kushida's stock price had reset, he needed to strategize. She'd proven to be an excellent test subject—responsive to both rises and drops in value, making her oddly easy to manipulate.
Her willingness to leak class intel just to spite Horikita confirmed she'd stop at nothing for her own gain.
Combined with her exceptional social skills, she was the perfect pawn.
Confident in his ability to control her, Hikaru planned to maintain close contact—who knew what unexpected benefits it might yield?
Back in his room, he tidied up slightly, set out some fruit-flavored drinks and clean glasses, then sat at his desk to await Kushida's arrival.
About ten minutes later, a knock sounded at his door.
"Coming."
Smiling, he opened the door to reveal the stunningly beautiful short-haired girl—though her face was devoid of expression, her cold gaze fixed on him.
"Please, come in, Kushida-san."
Playing oblivious, Hikaru ushered her inside, poured a drink, and offered it to her.
"I don't want it!"
Unlike last time, Kushida wasn't cooperating. The moment she stepped into his room, her mask crumbled. Her pretty face was frosty, her eyes devoid of warmth.
"Come now, it's hot out. This'll cool you down."
Seeing her drop the act amused Hikaru. This raw version of her was far more entertaining than her saccharine facade.
"Suit yourself." He set the glass down and studied her. "So, what brings you here in such a hurry?"
"You're so clever—can't you guess?" she snapped.
"Well, I have some ideas. But I didn't break our agreement."
Hikaru shook his head, explaining calmly, "Horikita reached out to me. I've kept my promise not to contact her."
"The result's the same, isn't it?"
Kushida's mind flashed back to the classroom—everyone praising Horikita's quick thinking.
That arrogant, condescending girl, who looked down on everyone, had still won the class's admiration just by borrowing points from Hikaru.
It was unbearable. Kushida's greatest desire was for everyone to loathe Horikita—not rally behind her.
"Lending so many points so freely? Now you'll have an excuse to keep seeing her when she repays you. Isn't that just another way to get closer?" She slammed a fist on the table, her rage boiling over.
"Hah."
Rather than engage, Hikaru simply smiled. The time for pretense was over—it was time to lay his cards on the table.
"What's so funny?!" His smirk only infuriated her further.
"Truthfully, you despise Horikita, don't you?"
He took a sip of his drink, his tone casual.
"..."
Kushida didn't panic. She'd prepared for this.
After multiple interactions, her perception of Hikaru had shifted. His initial "crush" on her was likely a ruse—he'd approached her with ulterior motives.
But to protect her secrets, she'd played along, maintaining the illusion that she wanted to befriend Horikita.
Today, however, was the last straw. For all she knew, the two had grown far closer behind her back.
She needed to seize the initiative—to lay everything bare and reclaim control.
"So what? Are you calling me a liar?" A vicious smirk twisted her lips.
"Not at all."
Hikaru shrugged. Noting the resolve in her eyes, he decided to probe further.
"Seems we're at an impasse. How tedious."
"Then let's skip ahead."
He leaned forward slightly.
"The real question is... why are you so afraid?"
His voice was soft, his gaze piercing.
"!"
Kushida's breath hitched. Her lips trembled as she met his eyes.
"...Do you actually know something?"
"Ah, so I was right."
Sighing, Hikaru extended his hand.
"Kushida-san, take my hand."
"..."
"What's your game?" She eyed him warily.
"Just do it. What I'm about to say... is the truth you want to hear."
His expression was calm, but internally, he was tense. This was a gamble—applying pressure to unsettle her, then offering reassurance to reel her back in.
A slap followed by a treat.
Whether it would work remained to be seen.
But with Kushida's mask off, feigning ignorance was pointless. It was time to escalate to Phase Two.
After all, she had no idea the system existed—no clue why he'd used Horikita to manipulate her.
"Since when do you tell the truth?" She scoffed.
"This is your chance. If you're not interested, our conversation ends here."
His tone was even, yet Kushida felt an inexplicable pressure.
"Tch."
"...Fine. Let's hear it."
After a brief hesitation, she placed her small, delicate hand in his.
The moment their skin touched, warmth radiated from his palm, sending a faint shiver through her.
Their last meeting had taught her one thing—her body didn't reject physical contact with him. If anything, that realization annoyed her.
"I once read that if words fail, adding physical contact can help convey emotions," Hikaru said, gently enclosing her hand in his. "So perhaps this will help you understand me better."
"How do I know you're not just groping me?" Though her tone was sharp, her hand remained still in his grasp.
"Assume what you will."
Steadying himself, he continued, "I've pieced together your thought process. That's why I sensed your fear."
"Go on."
Her face remained cold, but her eyes sharpened with focus.
COTE/Chapter 119: Operation "Tame Kushida" Commences!
"Then I'll begin."
Holding Kushida's hand, Hikaru spoke calmly as he laid out his analysis.
"First, why does Kushida-san want to befriend Horikita-san? On one hand, it might align with your stated wish—to be friends with everyone."
"Hah. And?"
"On the other hand, there's your series of... unusual actions." He listed his observations.
"For instance, despite claiming to want friendship, you were caught kicking a railing while cursing Horikita-san that night."
"..."
"Then there's your extreme reaction to my interactions with her. Clearly, there's a deeper reason."
"So you'd already guessed last time but still fed me a lie?" Kushida's eyebrow twitched, her voice laced with anger.
"Let's consider that water under the bridge. We're discussing new matters now."
Unfazed, Hikaru continued, "My theory is simple: Horikita-san might know a secret of yours."
"One so important that if exposed, it could damage your reputation." He sighed. "That's why you proactively—"
"Shut up! Don't you dare mention that!"
Kushida's cheeks flushed crimson as she cut him off.
"Hah, fine. I'll drop it."
Noting her evasive gaze, Hikaru smirked internally before pressing on. "If this theory holds, it explains your anxiety."
"You're worried that if Horikita-san and I grow closer, I might learn this secret—and thus gain leverage over you. Correct?"
"..."
By the time he finished, Kushida's palm was slightly damp. He'd nailed it. If not for her fear of Horikita exposing her past, she wouldn't be so fixated on controlling their interactions.
"Seems I was right."
Hikaru gave her hand a light squeeze, feeling the faint moisture—whether from nerves or dread, he couldn't tell.
"But regarding this, I think Kushida-san can relax—for now. I've heard nothing from her." His tone was earnest.
"Really?"
Kushida eyed him suspiciously, her gaze locked onto his face. The warmth from his palm was steady, and she could almost sense his calm heartbeat.
"Absolutely."
Nodding, Hikaru's tone then turned playful. "Though if I did learn your secret, I might make... other decisions."
"W-What other decisions?"
Noticing his eyes shamelessly roaming her figure—lingering particularly on her upper half—Kushida's face flushed anew.
"What are you doing?!" she snapped, unsure whether she was more furious or flustered.
"Just proving a point." He chuckled. "Last time, merely seeing you kick a railing made you resort to blackmail."
"If I actually knew this big secret, I might exploit it. After all, I've nothing to lose, right?"
"..."
As much as she hated to admit it, his logic made twisted sense. If he did know, his attitude would undoubtedly shift.
Who was the predator here—and who the prey?
She didn't dare dwell on it.
Though he'd never shown such intentions before, who knew what lurked beneath that calm exterior? He's still holding my hand, for starters.
"Seems my reasoning resonates." Smiling, Hikaru shook his head lightly. "Now that this is out in the open, your anxiety should ease somewhat."
"So what's your game?"
Despite accepting his explanation, Kushida's voice remained icy. "Lending points to Horikita—was that to cozy up and extract my secret?"
"Not at all. Pure coincidence—call it charity."
"You expect me to believe that?"
"Time will prove it." Hikaru glanced at their joined hands. "Can you feel your emotions shifting?"
"What shift?"
Though conflicted, Kushida realized her earlier agitation had inexplicably faded. Her body had relaxed considerably.
"Your unease. Hasn't it lessened?"
Seeing the perfect opening, Hikaru released her hand without hesitation.
"And now?"
The sudden loss of contact made Kushida shiver. Her hand hovered mid-air before slowly retracting.
"..."
As she withdrew, an odd sense of longing flickered within her—quickly stamped down.
"Your analysis is over. Anything else?"
"Of course. I've no intention of ending things here. That was just to ease your nerves." He shrugged. "Let's cooperate, Kushida-san."
"Cooperate how?"
"Simple—it still revolves around you."
Subtly, Hikaru opened his system panel.
[Sell Airi Sakura stocks?]
[Quantity: 1000]
[Current price: 150]
[Sale successful. Funds +150,000]
[Buy Kushida Kikyō stocks?]
[Quantity: 5000]
[Kushida Kikyō stocks maxed. Remaining funds: 110,660.]
"Since you fear Horikita might leak your secret, let me gather intel for you."
Post-transaction, Hikaru grinned. "She owes me points—we'll have plenty of chances to interact. Plus, she trusts me somewhat."
Thanks to her brother, she can't exactly ignore me.
"What do you want?" Kushida stared intently.
"Simple. I'll gather intel for you, and you'll do the same for me. Mutual benefit."
"..."