The Value of Intelligence

After the class rankings changed, students from all four classes were digesting this new reality. Whether happy or sad, it had become an established fact that everyone had to get used to.

Class B's classroom was always lively. Although everyone was well-behaved and wouldn't deliberately go out to show off, they still wanted to properly enjoy their victory within their own class.

Just as Hashima Hikaru was looking down with a smile on his face organizing his class notes, he suddenly received a new message on his phone from Kushida Kikyo.

On the chat interface:

Kushida Kikyo: Congratulations on your class advancing to Class A, Hashima!

Hashima Hikaru: Haha, congratulations to your Class D on successfully advancing too. It seems our two classes are the winners of the first month.

Kushida Kikyo: Hehe, if you hadn't come to our class to sell the hidden rules, we might have lost even more points.

Hashima Hikaru: Well, the rules were just one aspect. What's more crucial was the efforts of you and Hirata. I probably only played a small role.

Kushida Kikyo: Hashima, you're so modest! But that's okay, I've already figured out how to thank you.

Hashima Hikaru: Thank me?

Kushida Kikyo: Our Class D's successful promotion definitely has some credit that belongs to you, and during this time I've also gotten closer to Horikita, which was also accomplished with your help.

Kushida Kikyo: So I want to thank you properly. Showing gratitude is very important, and you're not allowed to refuse!

Hashima Hikaru: Alright... so what do you plan to do?

Kushida Kikyo: I'd like to visit your dorm room this afternoon. I bought a gift that I want to give you today.

"?"

A gift?

Couldn't she just hand it over directly? Why does she need to come to my dorm?

Hashima Hikaru held his phone and didn't know what to say for a moment. This turn was too sudden, exceeding his expectations.

Seeing that he didn't immediately reply, the next message arrived promptly.

Kushida Kikyo: What's wrong? Does Hashima not want me to come to your dorm?

Hashima Hikaru: Of course not. I'm certainly happy that you're coming to visit, Kushida.

Kushida Kikyo: Hehe, then please look forward to it! What's your room number?

Hashima Hikaru: 301. Don't get lost, Kushida.

Kushida Kikyo: Okay, see you this afternoon then.

After exiting the chat interface, the young man glanced at Ichinose Honami, who was surrounded by classmates beside him. She had become a regular guest in his dorm, so if Kushida was coming over, he needed to let her know in advance.

Otherwise, there might be some not-so-beautiful encounters.

So Hashima Hikaru asked Ichinose beside him, "Do you have any plans this afternoon, Ichinose?"

"No plans. Is there something you need, Hashima?"

"I'm meeting a friend this afternoon, so I won't be able to discuss culinary skills with you today."

Upon hearing this, the smile on Ichinose Honami's face instantly froze. She often went to the young man's dorm in the afternoon, supposedly to study culinary arts, but in reality, it was just the two of them having dinner together—she would cook, and Hashima Hikaru would eat.

This lifestyle made Ichinose very content, so Hashima Hikaru's sudden statement surprised her.

"Okay, I understand."

The pink-haired girl nodded slightly. Although she was somewhat concerned, she knew she and Hashima Hikaru hadn't reached the stage of establishing a relationship, so she had no right to ask who he was meeting.

After the dismissal bell rang, Hashima Hikaru grabbed his backpack and left the classroom. Since Kushida would be coming over later, it was better to make some preparations in advance.

Around 4:30 PM, there was a knock on the door of room 301.

"Good afternoon, Hashima," greeted the short-haired girl wearing a burgundy school uniform, holding a delicately wrapped package, smiling at the doorway of Hashima Hikaru's dorm.

"Good afternoon. Please come in, Kushida," the young man immediately displayed a welcoming smile.

After Kushida Kikyo entered Hashima Hikaru's bedroom, she inevitably became curious, as this was her first time entering a boy's room of her age, and at her own request.

The dorm room looked very simple. Except for the desk, which had more items than usual, the other areas were quite spacious, with no posters, game consoles, or manga.

However, what concerned her was that there was a pleasant fragrance floating in the room. The scent was faint, but Kushida Kikyo still noticed it.

"What's this... smell?"

Kushida Kikyo tried to recall for a while but couldn't figure out what the scent was. Since she couldn't ask directly as it would be impolite, she had to keep her curiosity to herself for now.

While she was examining Hashima Hikaru's room, the young man had already come over with snacks and tea. After all, Kushida Kikyo wasn't like his classmates—basic hospitality etiquette was necessary.

"Thank you, Hashima."

After accepting the paper cup, Kushida Kikyo couldn't help but observe Hashima Hikaru sitting across from her.

The young man was wearing a simple white t-shirt, which, paired with his handsome face, made him look very refreshing.

A person like this would be strange if he wasn't popular.

"Now, it's time for the important gift reveal!"

Kushida Kikyo took out the gift from her bag and handed it solemnly to the young man before her.

When Hashima Hikaru tore open the gift wrapper, he found a transparent crystal ball inside. It was a decorative item featuring a snow-covered cabin in the woods, looking quite exquisite.

"So, do you like it, Hashima?"

The short-haired girl's eyes sparkled with anticipation. This gift was carefully prepared by her. Such pretty, transparent glass products were popular among girls in the shopping district, and might not be entirely suitable for a boy.

But this was precisely Kushida Kikyo's intention—to reinforce her persona.

After all, the "little angel" who was very popular in the first year had never dated anyone nor had any close male friends, so naturally wouldn't know what boys liked.

"I like it very much. It's very beautiful and will make a nice decoration for my room."

Although Hashima Hikaru was puzzled about why she chose this, he still displayed an extremely satisfied expression.

"This is actually the first time I've given a gift to a boy, and I don't really know what you like, Hashima, so I bought this. I'm so glad you like it." Kushida placed her small hand on her chest and let out a cute sigh, as if relieved.

"Is that so? Then I'll definitely cherish it."

Hashima Hikaru immediately showed a flattered expression and solemnly stated that he would never let it suffer any damage.

After chatting for a while, Kushida Kikyo finally began to talk about the real business.

"How have you been thinking about helping me become friends with Horikita?"

"I have some ideas, but I need to discuss the specific approach with you."

"Ooh, what is it?"

Seeing Hashima Hikaru holding a pen with a serious look, Kushida felt secretly delighted.

This tool was indeed not chosen wrongly.

"I have a simple idea. Let's see if you think it's suitable." Hashima Hikaru wrote down his plan in his notebook.

"You've already organized study sessions, so some students definitely know that you and Horikita are working hard for the class, right?"

"Mm-hmm."

"So, why not expand on the study sessions? For example, after one of the sessions, you could suggest having a meal together with everyone, and bring Horikita along. You could use this process to get closer to her."

After presenting this idea, Hashima Hikaru carefully observed Kushida Kikyo's expression. This plan was obviously nonsense—he had met Horikita Suzune several times and knew very well that the black-haired girl wasn't the type to participate in group activities.

But by first proposing a plan that wouldn't work, and then offering the real plan after it was rejected, it would make Kushida Kikyo think he was more thoughtful.

"I've already tried this method, but it doesn't work," Kushida Kikyo sighed, looking somewhat dejected. "I've invited Horikita several times, but she always leaves immediately after the study sessions end. She's not willing to stay with everyone for even a moment longer."

"...I see."

Hashima Hikaru nodded, and after pondering for a moment, his eyes suddenly lit up, as if struck by a realization. "There's another way that might help you get closer to Horikita."

"What way?"

"Judging from Horikita's agreement to participate in your study sessions, I think she's probably someone willing to act for the benefit of the class. If you want to get closer to her, starting from helping the class should be the right approach."

The young man began to explain his idea to Kushida: "So we can focus on the upcoming midterm exams next month."

"Midterm exams?" The short-haired girl blinked her pretty eyes, seemingly not understanding his meaning.

"You could organize a subject proficiency assessment plan with Horikita," Hashima Hikaru wrote down his thoughts in his notebook. "The participants would be everyone in the class, to find out which subjects each person is good at and which they struggle with. Sometimes report cards don't reflect everyone's true abilities, as people can make mistakes in exams, so this information would be valuable."

"During this information gathering process, you could work together with Horikita. Not only would it deepen your understanding of your classmates, but it would also provide an opportunity to get closer to Horikita."

"What do you think?"

"Well..."

After hearing this plan, Kushida Kikyo fell into thought.

Although she was the "little angel" of the class who could talk to everyone, she didn't actually care about how her classmates were performing academically. Organizing study sessions was just to build her image as someone helpful.

Since the hidden rules of the school were revealed until the end of the first month, the girl had completely lost hope in Class D, not believing these people could rise to Class A.

All of her current actions were just to get close to Horikita Suzune, all for the "secret" related to herself.

But this person's attitude had remained cold until now. If invited to collect subject preferences together, would she really agree?

"But Horikita usually likes to be alone. She leaves right after the study sessions end. Will she really agree?"

Observing Kushida Kikyo's somewhat hesitant expression, Hashima Hikaru inwardly smiled. You don't need to worry about that—I'll make her agree.

"That's why we're bringing up the midterm exams. You can use this approach to persuade Horikita. I believe she'll accept it, just like she agreed last time. Once there's a first time, there will definitely be a second."

"Hmm..."

Kushida Kikyo mentally reviewed that woman's various behaviors when attending study sessions and felt it was worth a try.