Following the message sent by Honami Ichinose, the group quickly arrived at a small, vacant conference room near the Class A classroom.
This place had evidently been arranged in advance by Honami Ichinose; it was much tidier and more formal than the activity room the Class D group had just occupied.
After knocking and entering, they found three people already waiting inside.
Sitting in the main seat was precisely the leader of Class A, Honami Ichinose. She wore her customary gentle and affectionate smile. Her long pink hair draped over her shoulders, and her lovely face was full of vitality, a vast difference from the usually stern-faced Suzune Horikita.
However, deep within those azure eyes, a clear and calm light flickered. Standing beside her was Ryuji Kanzaki, who scanned the entering Class D group with a sharp gaze, lingering on Subaru for a moment longer than the others.
Ryuji Kanzaki had determined shortly after school started that Subaru was no ordinary person.
There was also a quieter-looking girl sitting to the side, who seemed to be responsible for taking notes.
"Horikita-san, Hirata-kun, Kushida-san, Ayanokoji-kun, welcome!"
Honami Ichinose stood up, smiling as she greeted them, then turned her head to look at Subaru, a smile blooming on her face.
"And Natsuki-kun as well!"
"Mn, Ichinose-san," Subaru responded simply.
Honami Ichinose turned her head, her gaze resting on Suzune Horikita's face for a moment, revealing sincere concern.
"Horikita-san, I heard about what happened to you. I am truly very sorry. To think such an unpleasant thing would happen in our school... are you alright?"
Her tone was sincere, fundamentally different from Kikyo Kushida's disguise.
Suzune Horikita seemed unresponsive to this direct concern. She nodded slightly in acknowledgment, speaking with an expressionless face:
"I'm fine. Ichinose-san, there is no need for pleasantries. Let us get directly to the main topic."
"Alright."
Honami Ichinose sat down quickly, signaling for the Class D group to sit as well.
"I had wanted to discuss relevant matters with Horikita-san earlier. The fact that you were willing to respond to me must be due to the recent situation with Class D, and... perhaps also the trouble caused by some of Class C's actions now?"
Although some unpleasant things had happened between the different classes, Honami Ichinose maintained an incomparably friendly and sincere attitude.
"You could say that."
Suzune Horikita sat opposite Honami Ichinose, trying hard to straighten her back in an attempt not to lose ground in terms of presence.
"The current situation is very clear. Class C's Kakeru Ryuen has adopted a destructive tactic that borders on roguishness. His goal is not merely directed at our Class D, but to muddy the waters for the entire first year, dragging down the scores of all classes to create an opportunity for Class C to overtake later on. Leaving this unchecked is equally disadvantageous for Class A."
Honami Ichinose listened seriously, nodding gently from time to time to show she was thinking carefully.
"Indeed, Class C's behavior in the last two days... is very radical and worrying. It feels like this has already exceeded the scope of normal competition."
She changed the subject, her tone remaining gentle.
"However, Horikita-san, Class D's previous actions also seemed... well, quite 'distinctive,' didn't they?"
She used the neutral word 'distinctive,' but the meaning was self-evident.
Suzune Horikita's expression did not change:
"Those were necessary means to achieve a goal. Moreover, Class D's actions were at least restrained and selective. Our target was clearly class points, whereas Class C's behavior is more like indiscriminate harassment and intimidation. The nature is different."
"The goal is to lower the opponent's class points. Looking at the result, there doesn't seem to be a fundamental difference," Honami Ichinose said with a smile. Her tone remained soft, but the weight behind her words made Suzune Horikita frown.
"Ichinose-san, let's speak directly."
Suzune Horikita decided to cut to the core.
"I believe that under the current circumstances where Class C has become a common threat, Class D and Class A have a foundation for cooperation. We can temporarily set aside previous friction and even coordinate our actions to contain Class C's offensive. This would be entirely beneficial and harmless for stabilizing Class A's leading position."
"Cooperation..."
Honami Ichinose pondered for a moment. Her gaze swept over the Class D group, lingering briefly on the face of Subaru, who was watching calmly from the sidelines. She seemed to be observing his attitude. Seeing that he had no reaction, she returned her attention to Suzune Horikita.
"Regarding the cooperation Horikita-san mentioned, what does it refer to specifically? How does Class D... plan to coordinate with Class A? And what kind of... 'help' can you provide?"
This question struck straight at the core and also exposed the pallor of Suzune Horikita's proposal.
Class D could hardly protect itself right now. With zero class points, apart from continuing to harass others with that 'self-destruct' style method, they could produce almost no substantial bargaining chips.
Suzune Horikita evidently realized this as well, but she had prepared beforehand:
"We can share information regarding Class C's movements. At the same time, Class D can adjust the focus of its actions, concentrating our main targets on Class C, or... at least guarantee not to make Class A a priority target. We can even provide protection for your students. This can alleviate pressure for Class A, allowing you to deal with Class C, or even Class B, more calmly."
She paused deliberately.
"Of course, Class A needs to give us a certain amount of personal points in return."
Suzune Horikita had now realized the importance of personal points. Although class points seemed to be the sole factor determining class rankings, personal points could stabilize the students' hearts.
While Suzune Horikita was speaking, Yosuke Hirata and Kikyo Kushida listened quietly from the side.
Kikyo Kushida maintained an expression of worry and support on her face, but she laughed secretly in her heart:
'This woman really... thinks she's something special. How could Ichinose possibly accept such empty promises?'
Sure enough, the smile on Honami Ichinose's face faded slightly. She shook her head gently, her tone still gentle but carrying an unquestionable, clear logic:
"Horikita-san, thank you for your proposal. However, please forgive my bluntness; the cooperation you proposed carries more risk than benefit for Class A."
"Risk?" Suzune Horikita frowned tightly.
"Yes." Honami Ichinose analyzed with clear reasoning.
"First, information sharing. How can Class D ensure it obtains accurate and critical intelligence on Class C? You don't have reliable information channels inside Class C, do you? How can I guarantee your intelligence is correct?"
"Second, regarding Class D adjusting its targets. This sounds like Class A needs to pay protection money to Class D to avoid being harassed. But the problem is—"
Honami Ichinose leaned her body forward slightly, those blue eyes looking straight at Suzune Horikita.
"Horikita-san, can you really completely control Class D's actions? Even if you can, is your Class D really capable of giving us Class A enough help?"
Honami Ichinose pursed her lips, showing a slightly polite apology.
"Although I am sorry to say this, Horikita-san, as the leader of Class D, you were still targeted by Class C, weren't you? You couldn't even protect yourself."
Suzune Horikita's face became even paler.
Honami Ichinose's logic was rigorous, dismantling her self-righteous negotiation capital almost completely cleanly.
She had originally thought Class C's disruption could facilitate an alliance between Class A and Class D, and that Class C's action against her was merely simple retaliation. But now, Suzune Horikita realized that Kakeru Ryuen's goal was probably not that simple.
Is this current situation also part of Kakeru Ryuen's plan?
Ryuji Kanzaki stood to the side. Although he did not speak, he nodded slightly and felt displeased with Class D's proposal, which bordered on extortion.
"Furthermore," Honami Ichinose continued, her tone holding a trace of regret.
"Horikita-san, I have heard, you know. You guaranteed to the students of Class D that you could negotiate with us and bring back enough personal points."
This sentence made Suzune Horikita purse her lips.
To stabilize the class, she had made a guarantee to her classmates. It was precisely because Suzune Horikita believed this cooperation would absolutely succeed. However...
If the negotiation broke down, and Suzune Horikita couldn't get the points, the students in the class would naturally be dissatisfied, and some unexpected situations would definitely arise then.
Suzune Horikita could only accept the single outcome of a successful negotiation. This was her greatest weakness.
Subaru merely watched Suzune Horikita from his peripheral vision. The expression on the other party's face had changed from the initial confidence and composure to showing some wavering now. This blind confidence was just like his former self.
Only after experiencing the brutal beatings of life could one evolve.
Honami Ichinose, meanwhile, observed Subaru's actions from the corner of her eye from time to time. From entering the room to starting the conversation, Subaru hadn't spoken much. The original Honami Ichinose was somewhat concerned internally about whether the other party would take any action, but he didn't seem to intend to do so.
Honami Ichinose couldn't see through Subaru.
And at this moment, the hand Suzune Horikita had placed under the table clenched slightly. She had anticipated the negotiation might not go smoothly, and that there might be some disagreements on the distribution of benefits, but she hadn't expected it to be so one-sided.
Honami Ichinose's gentleness was just a facade; her thinking and negotiation skills far exceeded her own.
The cooperation proposal she brought was, in the other party's eyes, basically a hollow framework full of holes and lacking attraction. She only realized now that what Subaru had said to her earlier about not being optimistic regarding this negotiation...
Was all of this within Subaru's expectations?
The scene was somewhat cold for a moment. Yosuke Hirata looked awkward and anxious, yet didn't know how to interject. Kikyo Kushida timely revealed an expression of sadness and being at a loss, while her heart was blossoming with laughter. Kiyotaka Ayanokoji also didn't speak directly. He wanted to see what Suzune Horikita would do.
Subaru, who had been silent all along, leaned back lightly against his chair at this moment. His gaze calmly swept over Suzune Horikita, whose face was ugly, and then looked toward the opposite side at Honami Ichinose, who was firm in her stance despite her gentle tone, as well as Ryuji Kanzaki behind her, who stood like a rock.
It was about the same as he had predicted.
Suzune Horikita was too anxious and also overestimated the cards in her hand. Before an opponent of Honami Ichinose's level, her petty calculations and persistence were easily seen through and neutralized. This was reality.
Without sufficient strength and bargaining chips, so-called negotiation and cooperation were nothing but the extravagant hopes of the weak.
He turned his head to look at Honami Ichinose. This angel-like leader, with her calm, clear mind and methods that hid needles within cotton, was indeed... a little bit better than Suzune Horikita.
Although, she still had no color. In the end, she was also just an 'imitation' similar to Suzune Horikita.
Suzune Horikita took a deep breath, seeming to want to make a final struggle:
"Ichinose-san, do you think Class A can deal with Class C and Class B alone, as well as... possibly other variables? One more friend is always better than one more enemy."
Honami Ichinose smiled. That smile remained warm, but her words carried a clear sense of boundaries:
"Horikita-san, Class A has always welcomed healthy competition and true cooperation based on mutual benefit. But the premise is that this cooperation is equal and beneficial. I do not see such a foundation in the current proposal. Moreover, if Horikita-san does not successfully bring back personal points, you will definitely fall into a very awkward state."
As she spoke, a friendly smile appeared on Honami Ichinose's face.
"So on my side, I am willing to provide 200,000 personal points. 200,000 personal points isn't much, but it should be able to solve your urgent needs. Although we are competitors, we are also schoolmates. As a response, your Class D students must also occasionally coordinate with our Class A in actions, and during the cooperation period, no longer move against our Class A."
"I hope Horikita-san considers this carefully before making a decision."
After saying these words, Honami Ichinose looked at Kikyo Kushida with slight apology.
"Sorry, Kushida-san... although we are friends, as the leader of Class A, naturally I must also place the class's interests first."
"Mn, I can understand Ichinose-san! This won't affect the fact that we are friends!"
Kikyo Kushida hurriedly nodded and spoke to Honami Ichinose. Her heart grew increasingly joyous, especially capturing the expression of Suzune Horikita beside her, which was becoming uglier and uglier.
Great, just how many times is this woman going to be humiliated today? When will she hurry up and get the hell out of this school?
It was just that the current Kikyo Kushida still needed to disguise herself. At least in the eyes of others, she definitely had to maintain the image of a little angel not much different from Honami Ichinose.
But Suzune Horikita, at this moment, was still somewhat unwilling. Her initial expectation was one million personal points; if that failed, six or seven hundred thousand should have been no problem.
But Honami Ichinose was only willing to provide 200,000? It was merely one-fifth. Even in Suzune Horikita's eyes, these 200,000 points had a hint of pity.
This brought a huge psychological gap to Suzune Horikita.
"This is a bit too little!"
"This is already the only condition I can offer. But if Horikita-san is unwilling, we won't force it. Let's wait until there is an opportunity to cooperate in the future."
Honami Ichinose's face bore a polite smile, forming a stark contrast with Suzune Horikita's face, which was becoming increasingly gloomy.
____
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