"Do you say things like that to everyone?"
Horikita Suzune hadn't intended to say such words—they sounded almost jealous—but today's experience left her unsettled.
"No, at least not to people I don't like."
Kaoru booped her nose. "Did something happen today?"
He actually already knew, but wasn't sure what Horikita Suzune was thinking.
Sure enough, Horikita Suzune's expression changed as she whispered, "I met a girl today—Amasawa Ichika from Class 1-A. What's going on between you two?"
"What did she tell you?" Kaoru didn't rush to answer.
If it were Karuizawa Kei, she would have grown jealous long ago and been angered by Kaoru's counter-question.
But the person before him was Horikita Suzune.
"She's very concerned about your affairs—including how you started dating Honami and how you got together with Kei and the others. Amasawa-san kept asking about these things."
Horikita Suzune recounted her day's experiences to Kaoru.
After finishing, she naturally felt puzzled—specifically why Amasawa Ichika would claim to have been threatened by Kaoru.
"Because she tried to plant a listening device on me and I accidentally caught her."
Kaoru briefly explained before changing the subject. "That underclassman isn't honest—she must have ulterior motives for approaching you all."
Hearing about the listening device, Horikita Suzune was shocked, then deeply frowned.
She certainly felt something was off about Amasawa Ichika—the timing of her appearance was too convenient.
"The people from Class 1-D are strange. Their leader, Hōsen, came to our grade saying he wanted to find collaborators, but ended up causing a scene before leaving."
"If he looks down on Class 2-C and Class 2-D, why hasn't he actively approached our Class A or Honami's exchange meeting? You said Hosen wants Personal points - our Class A could offer 100,000 Personal points, but he didn't agree from the start."
"Taking a step back, if he wants to jack up the price, that's understandable. But isn't 500,000 too exaggerated? Who could possibly afford that price?"
Horikita Suzune fell into deep thought.
After Kaoru's analysis, she felt she had discovered something, yet everything seemed to become more unclear.
"Do you think Class 1-D doesn't want to interact with us?"
Horikita Suzune thought of a business strategy - if merchants don't want someone to buy a particular item, they often set the price at the highest level.
"The price is too high. 500,000 per person, 1 million for two people - even I can't afford that price."
Kaoru paused, "Such pricing is actually quite unreasonable. Although second-years face the risk of expulsion, when the exam day arrives, everyone will be forcibly paired. The later it gets, the less valuable first-years become."
To be precise, the later it gets, the less valuable Class 1-D becomes.
Because aside from Class 1-D, other classes also have honor students.
If the goal is simply to avoid expulsion, everyone could cooperate with honor students from classes other than 1-D.
Assuming other classes aren't idiots, the prices they offer would definitely be lower than Class 1-D's.
Simply jacking up prices against second-year students for some Personal points, without leaving any room for retreat, is too easy to generate resentment.
"Actually, I don't want to get involved in the points competition between your Class A and Class D."
Horikita Suzune suddenly said, "On one hand, our Class C really doesn't have many points. On the other hand, I believe the first-years also have their own anxieties."
Kaoru was somewhat surprised, then heard her continue.
"Although first-years don't face the risk of expulsion, they've learned the truth about this school and know that Class A is the target they need to catch up with. This means Class Points are equally important to them."
The rewards for this exam are minimal - the first-place class only gets 50 points.
But however few Class Points they may be, they're still Class Points.
"If they have ambition, they'll definitely gather information about our grade and the third-years. Then they'll realize that the early stage is the easiest time to surpass Class A."
Kaoru smiled, "I remember in our first semester, the gap between Class A and Class B was about 200 points - a difference that could be overturned by a single Special Exam."
Horikita Suzune's lips twitched slightly.
After a long while, she said, "I think not only do we need honor students, but the first-years will also need honor students. Being able to exchange honor students with each other would be the best outcome."
Simply selling their own honor students would at most earn them some Personal points, while their class standing wouldn't change at all.
In Horikita Suzune's eyes, such transactions were meaningless.
"Your idea is good, but it depends on whether the first-years can realize this."
Kaoru said quietly, "From what I know, some classes don't even have leaders yet. They can't move in unison, and many people are forming teams privately."
Horikita Suzune fell silent.
The reason she was attracted to Class 1-D was precisely because Hosen Kazuo could control the entire class and maintain unified action.
"However, Amasawa said she could help you solve the problem, right?"
Kaoru thought for a moment, "I think you should engage with her. She definitely has some purpose, and perhaps the person Class 1-D truly wants to target is you."
Horikita Suzune didn't react immediately, only startling when Kaoru began rubbing her shoulders.
"You know their intentions?"
"I know a little, but not how they plan to execute it. Did you agree to her conditions?"
"I was planning to discuss it with you after returning."
"Go ahead and agree. Just mention that I might have the Hypnosis App and warn her to be careful."
"..."
Horikita Suzune understood—even if she were to betray this guy, he wouldn't particularly care.
"However, for safety's sake, I suggest you don't get too involved with Class 1-D."
Kaoru said, "Isn't Hirata in your class? Let him help. Both he and Kushida can handle most of the freshmen for you."
Horikita Suzune hesitated, wanting to say that Hirata Yosuke had been depressed for a long time and she wasn't sure if he could recover.
"Honor students have friends too. Win over their friends, then use your earlier idea to persuade many people. It's best to act quickly, or they'll all be recruited by others."
Horikita Suzune immediately grew serious.
Besides Sudo Ken, the struggling student, many in Class 2-C were at risk of expulsion.
Every day of delay now could increase the danger.
Just as she tried to get up from Kaoru's lap, he lifted her into his arms, forcing her to wrap her arms around his neck.
"What are you doing!"
Horikita Suzune began blushing fiercely because the two had been maintaining a certain intimate posture without separating at all.
"Since we've finished eating, it's time for a bath now."
Kaoru smiled faintly and carried her toward the bathroom.
Horikita Suzune felt both embarrassed and angry, but mostly helpless.
She could only cling tightly to his neck, trembling slightly with every step he took, her heart pounding in fear.
However, shortly after they entered the bathroom, they soon heard Karuizawa Kei's voice.
"I'm back!"
Horikita Suzune's expression changed drastically.
Without thinking, she began struggling—she couldn't let Karuizawa Kei see her like this!
"Strange, there's a familiar scent..."
Karuizawa Kei's footsteps echoed from outside. "You're back, Kaoru!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the bathroom door was suddenly thrown open.
Kaoru clearly felt Horikita Suzune in his arms jolt and freeze completely. He sighed and turned around, indeed seeing Karuizawa Kei.
"You two! Always doing naughty things when I'm not around!"
Karuizawa Kei puffed her cheeks. "No wonder I smelled something strange!"
"Are you a puppy?"
Kaoru had long wanted to tease her about this skill.
"I'm not a puppy!"
Karuizawa Kei was somewhat angry, feeling Kaoru was too proactive with Horikita Suzune.
"How long have you been like this? The scent is too strong! Damn it, I'll wear an apron next time too!"
Horikita Suzune already wanted to cover her face. She felt Kushida Kikyo and Karuizawa Kei would have new material to tease her about.