Chapter 307: Horikita Suzune's sneak attack
"Repayment?
How do you want me to repay you?"
Horikita Suzune gazed at him with a look of confusion.
"That's for you to figure out yourself."
In truth, Hachiman didn't actually expect any repayment from her; he was simply using it as a pretext so that the next time they bickered, he could hold it over her head.
Suzune seemed to be giving it serious thought. She pursed her lips, and a rare trace of bashfulness surfaced on her brow.
After a long silence, she finally spoke: "You... you close your eyes first..."
"What's this? Why the mystery?"
Hachiman's face showed his lack of understanding.
"Just close them!"
Suzune urged him.
"Fine, fine."
Hachiman closed his eyes.
He felt a sudden waft of fragrant wind approach, followed immediately by a soft, moist sensation against his lips.
Hachiman snapped his eyes open, only to see that Suzune had already executed a tactical retreat. She stood with her head bowed, her face covered in a flush as red as sunset clouds.
"..."
"Don't get the wrong idea... T-This is just... repayment for you helping my brother..."
Having said her piece, Suzune turned and fled as if running for her life.
"This repayment is a bit too valuable..."
Hachiman reflexively licked his lips. He wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but he seemed to taste a hint of sweetness.
His heart couldn't help but flutter involuntarily.
Even though this was nothing compared to the erotic experiences he had encountered in his dreams, in reality, this was his first time having such an intimate interaction!
"Wait, was my first kiss just stolen like that?"
Hachiman's feelings were complicated.
That girl Suzune usually looked so serious and upright; he hadn't expected her to be capable of such a bold and reckless move.
One could even call it a foul play—a sneak attack!
Of course, if you were to ask him if it felt good...
It was definitely super good!
A beautiful girl taking the initiative to offer a kiss? In the past, he wouldn't have even dared to imagine it!
Hachiman seriously doubted if he had become the protagonist of some light novel.
Tonight, he was destined to have a good dream... or so he thought!
In the dream:
Kikyo and Suzune confessed to him at the same time and demanded to know who he would choose!
Hachiman hesitated, cautiously testing the waters: "Can I have both?"
The result was a combined beatdown from Kikyo and Suzune!!
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Forest School Exam, Day 5.
"Hikigaya, are you alright?"
"Your complexion looks pretty bad."
Shibata Souta greeted him with a concerned look.
"No... it's nothing..."
Hachiman reflexively felt around his body to confirm all his parts were still attached before letting out a sigh of relief.
"What? Did you have another lewd dream?"
Ryuen Kakeru was in his usual punchable mood.
"Pity I didn't hear any interesting sleep-talking."
"Hikigaya, you really have some endurance."
Hashimoto teased with a hint of regret.
"Daydreaming every day, why don't you just ascend to heaven already?"
Ishizaki Daichi grumbled with an annoyed expression.
"Exactly. A dream is just a dream; you have to wake up eventually."
Yahiko joined in on the roasting.
"Shut it!"
"If you have time to talk nonsense, hurry up and get out of bed to brush your teeth and wash your faces!"
Feeling vexed, Hachiman had no choice but to use his status as the group leader to forcibly suppress the crowd.
During the day, the schedule was packed with classes as usual.
In the afternoon, it was Physical Education.
After five consecutive days of training, the physical stamina of the members of each group had improved.
The only headache was Koenji Rokusuke. He continued to act entirely on his own whims, disappearing the moment the run began.
Supposedly, someone from another group saw Koenji chasing a wild boar...
Something this bizarre is usually hard to believe, but when it came to Koenji, the credibility was unexpectedly high.
Using the search for Koenji as an excuse, Hachiman detached himself from the group.
In reality, he was heading toward the location he had scouted from Kikyo regarding the third-year student, Ishikura Ren.
Before long, on a clearing halfway up the mountain, he found an upperclassman group taking a break.
"Hey, what class are you from?
How'd you end up alone?"
An upperclassman kindly handed him a bottle of mineral water.
"Thanks, I got lost while running."
Hachiman fabricated an excuse on the spot.
"I know you.
Hikigaya Hachiman from the Student Council."
Ren Ishikura's eyes were fixed on him.
As the leader of the third-year Class B, he naturally kept track of information regarding the Student Council.
"Hikigaya Hachiman?"
"He's that annoying Public Morals committee member?"
"The first-year Great Demon King?"
The gazes of the others suddenly became wary.
"It seems my reputation among the senpais isn't very good."
Hachiman gave a bitter smile.
"Stop beating around the bush.
What's your goal in approaching our group?"
Ishikura asked directly.
"I have business with Ishikura-senpai. Could we step aside to talk?"
Hachiman was equally straightforward.
"I refuse.
The third-years and first-years aren't in competition, so I don't see what we have to talk about."
Ishikura expressed zero interest.
"It's about Ikari-senpai..."
"!!!"
As expected, the intel Kikyo provided was correct.
From the change in Ishikura's eyes, it was clear he had a deep relationship with Momoko Ikari.
Ishikura shot him a deep look and said nothing, but he walked away from the group alone.
"What exactly do you want to say?"
Arriving under a secluded tree, Ishikura asked with a heavy frown.
"First, I want to confirm something.
Have the 20 million private points President Nagumo promised already been transferred to your account, Ishikura-senpai?"
Hachiman's opening line was a bombshell.
Ishikura's expression changed violently, but he reacted quickly, adjusting his facial emotions: "What 20 million? Ridiculous!"
Hachiman knew the other party wouldn't admit it easily, so he decided to lay it all out: "As the person in charge, Ikari-senpai's reckless targeting of Tachibana-senpai means she must have already accepted the outcome: her group coming in last and her being expelled...
The 20 million is the only way to save herself. For Miyabi Nagumo to drive the third-year Class B to do his bidding, he would definitely pay that 20 million out of his own pocket."
"While I don't know what you're talking about, let's assume for a moment your guess is correct. What then?"
Ishikura couldn't deny it, but he wouldn't active admit it either, especially to prevent any recording.
"The result wouldn't be much.
Given Horikita-senpai's personality, he will undoubtedly pay the 20 million points in the end to protect Tachibana-senpai.
If that happens, Class B will merely have gained 20 million points, which isn't enough to change the gap between Class B and Class A."
Hachiman hit the nail right on the head.
"Even so, I won't let any opportunity pass to lead my class in a confrontation against Class A!"
Ishikura's face was full of fighting spirit, his eyes burning with drive.
"What ambition!
In that case, has Ishikura-senpai ever thought about doubling the chips in your hand?"
Hachiman began his persuasive lure.
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