Chapter 291: Buy-One-Get-One Benefits / Suzune's Embarrassment Redux
Noon.
After returning to the dormitory, Shimizu Akira was still holding Sakura Airi's camera.
He had initially intended to return it to her directly, but she had shook her head and refused. Sakura said she wanted him to hold onto it until the photos they took earlier were saved.
Shimizu Akira initially suggested simply taking out the SD card to save them, but before he could finish, a blushing Hasabe Haruka interrupted him. She hurriedly said the two of them had things to do and practically dragged Sakura away from the pool.
Looking at her, it was clear Hasabe Haruka hadn't quite recovered from what happened just now. In truth, Shimizu Akira himself had a bit of a reaction.
After all, standing before him was the girl with the best and most eye-catching figure in the first year. She had deliberately arched her back and thrust her hips out in front of him earlier; that posture was clearly not how one poses for a proper photo. Even a professional photoshoot wouldn't be done that way—she was clearly seducing him.
As a man, it was natural to get excited by such a display; he couldn't be blamed for that. But they were at the pool. Even if they had booked the place out, there were some things that simply couldn't be done there.
Back at the dorm, Shimizu Akira thought about it and decided to send Hasabe Haruka a message.
Shimizu Akira: Hasabe, that pose earlier was too seductive. I'm a boy after all, it was a bit hard to handle. You can't do that next time.
This was the honest truth. He felt that being candid was a way to give her a heads-up. Men really are creatures that think with their lower halves sometimes; that saying wasn't wrong.
The moment the message was sent, she replied instantly.
Hasabe Haruka: Little Kiyoshi, so you really did get a bit excited!
This classmate's focus was way off. Shouldn't the point be that she shouldn't do it again?!
He had no choice but to reply: I admit I was a bit excited.
Hasabe Haruka: ...Are you very interested in my body?
What kind of soul-piercing question was that! Shimizu Akira felt his head full of black lines, but he honestly replied: I am quite interested.
Hasabe Haruka: If it's Little Kiyoshi, it's okay, you know!
Shimizu Akira: ? What do you mean!
Hasabe Haruka: Well, it means I can let you touch me... If it's Little Kiyoshi, it's fine! It just so happens we're planning to do a "sunscreen photoshoot" album. I'll have to trouble Little Kiyoshi then.
Shimizu Akira's heart skipped a beat. Hasabe Haruka's figure was truly beyond reproach—the curves, the lines, the size—everything was top-tier.
But... it was already winter. A sunscreen photoshoot? Was she seriously going to apply sunscreen?
Before he could think further, Hasabe Haruka sent two more messages.
Hasabe Haruka: However, I have two small requests!
Hasabe Haruka: First request: Neither of us is very good at studying. Please take care of our tutoring for the final exams! Second request: Airi wants it too! It's not just me; both of us want it!
'Huh?! Is this a buy-one-get-one deal?!'
Shimizu Akira's mouth twitched, completely stunned by these words. Were the two of them really that close? They could even share this kind of thing?!
To be honest, while he had thoughts of building a harem, he hadn't actually considered being this intimate with multiple girls at once. This was a multi-layered experience! Applying sunscreen to girls meant there were many areas he could come into contact with; it would all depend on their level of tolerance.
Suppressing his racing heart, Shimizu Akira replied: It's hard for me to refuse! Hasabe, let me ask you one last time: are you sure it's okay?
Hasabe Haruka: Little Kiyoshi seems so excited, how cute! Of course it's okay! After all, Little Kiyoshi is our exclusive photographer now. We'll be bothering you a lot in the future, so it's only right to give you some benefits~ A photographer has the right to apply sunscreen to their own models!
Fine then. Even now, she was still playing the "big sister" role and teasing him! Also, which photographer has that kind of authority?!
Shimizu Akira: Fine. Then the two of you will study with me starting next month.
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In the eighth-floor dormitory, Hasabe Haruka stared at the message from Shimizu Akira, her cheeks uncontrollably turning red again.
This time, she really had been too bold...
But thinking about her academic issues, she bit her lip. To avoid failing, paying this small price seemed worth it.
"Ha-Haruka..." Sakura Airi's face was so red it looked like it was about to bleed.
"It's... it's winter. Why are we taking... taking photos of applying sunscreen?"
She kept her head buried low, not daring to look up, only stealing glances at her best friend. She was clearly terrified by this bold proposal. Today's developments were simply too fast—so fast that her timid self couldn't process it.
"Photoshoots have this kind of theme all the time!" Hasabe Haruka defended herself righteously, reaching out to gently nudge Sakura's arm.
"Alright, Airi, you don't want to be expelled, right? Let Little Kiyoshi tutor us; he's so good at studying..."
She never considered herself an innocent girl; using her advantages to achieve a goal seemed perfectly normal to her.
As a girl, she didn't have any special talents or other bargaining chips, so this seemed like the only way to offer a "reward."
"Don't be afraid... just close your eyes and it'll be over quickly!" Hasabe Haruka said, patting Sakura's hand reassuringly.
Sakura Airi's face grew even redder. She twisted the hem of her shirt, and after a long while, she whispered: "Okay..."
In truth, from the moment Shimizu Akira stood up for her at the start of school, to him helping her drive away the stalker, resolving the elevator incident, and his brilliant performances in the special exams, she had long ago secretly placed this person in her heart.
If she didn't like him, given her timid nature and how she cherished her belongings, there was no way she would just lend her precious camera to someone else. Not to mention taking photos specifically for him.
Since... since Shimizu Akira was very interested in her...
Just thinking about the day of their appointment made Sakura Airi's heart race. Her head sank lower, her emotions in a total whirl.
'Yes! Just like Haruka said, it's just applying some sunscreen for a photoshoot... it's... it's no big deal.'
"Um..." Sakura Airi's brain finally caught up to a certain point. She suddenly remembered something. Her voice was thin and soft, laced with uncertainty: "Haruka... I remember you know Yukimura-kun, right? Why didn't you ask him for help with tutoring this time?"
Hasabe Haruka couldn't help but smile tenderly, reaching up to gently rub Sakura's hair. "Yukimura has to partner with Sudo Ken. You're timid to begin with; I know you aren't good at dealing with that redhead. With Little Kiyoshi, we're familiar with him, we know his character, and you won't feel nervous."
At this, her tone shifted, becoming playful: "And of course, there's a small reason—don't both of us want to get closer to Little Kiyoshi and deepen our relationship?"
"Mhm!" Sakura Airi nodded heavily.
"Physical contact is actually the fastest way to bridge the distance," she continued, shaking Sakura's arm.
"During this three-person study session, let's just go ahead and exchange nicknames! Have Little Kiyoshi call you 'Airi' directly from now on. How intimate would that be, right?"
"Ai... Airi?" Sakura Airi murmured the name. Her head was so low it was almost touching her chest.
The thought of Shimizu Akira calling her "Airi" in a gentle tone in the future made her both nervous and expectant. An indescribable tingling sensation, like tiny sparks of lightning, spread from her heart to her entire body.
It felt wonderful.
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Horikita Suzune had already sent a message saying she would head out in five minutes to go play chess at Horikita Manabu's place.
Shimizu Akira had just finished packing his things and was about to leave when his phone vibrated. He thought it was a change of plans from Suzune, but when he opened it, the message was from the class manager, Karuizawa Kei.
Karuizawa Kei: Shimizu! Thanks to you for this final exam, I owe you one~
Karuizawa Kei: I'm giving this photo to you! You aren't allowed to send it to anyone else. You can only look at it secretly by yourself!
'You're sending a photo too?!'
Shimizu Akira's heart thumped. Could it be another "benefit" photo like Hasabe Haruka's? He felt a strange sense of anticipation, but when he clicked the image, he was dumbfounded.
The photo wasn't a sexy pose at all; it was a selfie of Karuizawa Kei in cute, pale-yellow pajamas. Her signature ponytail was down, her hair draped loosely over her shoulders. Her eyes had the dampness of someone who just stepped out of the bath, exuding a soft aura.
Karuizawa Kei's message followed immediately: Finished looking? Hurry up and give me a review!
Shimizu Akira: Yeah, it's quite cute.
Karuizawa Kei: And then?! That's it? What about the sense of contrast? Didn't you feel any sexiness? Say more complimentary things!
Shimizu Akira helplessly added: There is a contrast, it really is very cute.
Whether it was the act of proactively asking for praise or the photo itself, "cute" was the only way to describe it.
"Sexy" was truly off the table.
He picked up the camera on the desk and reflexively flipped through it. Inside were freeze-frames of Sakura Airi looking sweet and shy, along with Hasabe Haruka's bold and outgoing sexy photos.
Honestly, "cute" really did seem a bit trivial when placed next to "sexy."
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The place Horikita Manabu requested to meet was a lounge; this school didn't have a dedicated chess room. By the time Shimizu Akira and Horikita Suzune arrived, Tachibana Akane was already waiting at the door, greeting them with a smile just like last time.
"Tachibana-senpai!"
"Good afternoon!"
The two responded in turn and followed Tachibana into the room.
Horikita Manabu was already sitting inside, with a chessboard and pieces set up on the table. He saw his younger sister had come along but said nothing. Tachibana Akane brought over three cups of black tea and set them gently on the corner of the table.
Horikita Manabu pointed to the seat opposite him. "Sit. Suzune, you sit next to Shimizu. You can offer him some pointers occasionally."
He pushed the black pieces toward Shimizu Akira.
"Shimizu, you take black and go first. Just do your best."
Shimizu Akira was a beginner, after all. He thought about it and followed a common routine, opening with a King's Pawn move to take the center squares. Horikita Manabu responded rapidly, beginning to build defensive fortifications step by step.
Only five moves in, Shimizu Akira felt an intense pressure. Every one of the opponent's moves precisely anticipated his own, as if Manabu could see through all his thoughts.
"Your opening is too conservative. Is it because you're a beginner?" Horikita Manabu spoke while placing a piece, his eyes never leaving the board.
"Chess is like class competition; constant defense only leaves you as a passive target. You must learn to find opportunities for a counterattack while defending."
Shimizu Akira looked up at him. Horikita Manabu's gaze was sharp; he clearly wasn't just talking about the game.
"I remember during the deserted island exam, you deliberately let Class A off the hook." Horikita Manabu suddenly changed the subject, though his movements on the board didn't stop. "You clearly had the chance to deal Class A a crushing defeat. Why did you choose to stop?"
Beside him, Horikita Suzune also looked over, curiosity in her eyes.
Shimizu Akira thought for a moment before speaking. "I didn't want the Sakayanagi faction to become dominant. There are already factional rifts within Class A; maintaining their system of checks and balances is more beneficial than crushing them all at once."
A very faint smile appeared at the corner of Horikita Manabu's mouth, signaling his approval of the answer. "Not bad. It seems you understand calculation better than I thought." He placed a piece. "However, calculation must be built upon strength, just like this move—"
With the placement of that piece, Shimizu Akira's black pieces were completely surrounded. He stared at the board and repeatedly calculated for half a minute, finding that no matter how he moved or adjusted his path, his core pieces could not escape being taken.
"I lose." Shimizu Akira calmly pushed the board back.
"It wasn't a total loss." Horikita Manabu leaned back in his chair, his tone softening slightly. "Your counterattacks in the last three moves were very thoughtful. Unfortunately, your foundation is too weak to form an effective breakthrough."
Afterward, Horikita Manabu didn't do a full review of the game. Since Shimizu Akira was a complete novice, overly complex analysis was unnecessary. Instead, he took the opportunity to explain several opening strategies and basic movement techniques.
Occasionally, when there was something Shimizu Akira didn't understand, Horikita Suzune would chime in with supplementary explanations to help him straighten out the knowledge points.
Following that, Horikita Suzune played a match against Horikita Manabu. In Suzune's offensive and defensive rhythm, there were inexplicably traces of Horikita Manabu's style—it was almost like shadow-boxing. Unfortunately, facing the man himself, Horikita Suzune was forced to concede in less than half the time she usually spent in a match against Shimizu.
Horikita Manabu offered a couple of comments: "You are too fond of imitating my style and lack your own judgment. That is your greatest weakness."
Horikita Suzune stared down at the board, touching her captured King piece. She didn't argue, only whispering a response: "I understand, Brother."
Watching from the side, Shimizu Akira suddenly remembered that in several previous special exams, Horikita Suzune always had a habit of pushing forward according to an "optimal template," rarely showing flexibility—this was very similar to the problem Horikita Manabu pointed out.
Tachibana Akane brought out fresh tea to smooth things over.
"Suzune-kohai has already improved a lot. Being able to keep up with the President's pace for this long makes her better than many senpai."
Horikita Manabu didn't respond, simply resetting the pieces. "One more game. This time, you aren't allowed to imitate my moves. Follow your own logic."
"Mhm!" Horikita Suzune immediately looked up. The disappointment in her eyes vanished, replaced by total focus.
In this round, Horikita Suzune's moves were noticeably slower.
She was no longer as crisp and decisive as before, pausing for a few seconds before every move, clearly thinking deeply. her layout no longer leaned toward Horikita Manabu's sharp style; instead, it gained a bit of steadiness, with the occasional unexpected risky move.
Horikita Manabu's pace also slowed down. There was more scrutiny in his eyes, no longer the calm aura of total control. The game remained deadlocked for over forty moves before Horikita Suzune finally exposed a flaw and had to concede.
"Better than before." Horikita Manabu packed up the pieces, his tone carrying a more obvious hint of approval.
"However, don't think I can't see it—you used a variation of the logic from Shimizu's final three moves. Fortunately, your foundation is much more solid than his, so you were able to thoroughly lay the groundwork for that logic."
The corners of Horikita Suzune's mouth had just begun to turn up, but before she could truly smile, her face sank upon hearing the second half of the sentence. She was clearly unhappy.
Shimizu Akira truly hadn't noticed, as he was a complete beginner. After Horikita Manabu pointed it out, he leaned over the board to study it for a long time. The more he looked, the more he felt something was off.
"No kidding, it really is a bit similar!"
He turned to Horikita Suzune.
"Suzune, Horikita-senpai just told you not to imitate others. You stopped learning from him, but then you turned around and started learning from me?"
"...You're overthinking it." Horikita Suzune refused to admit it, immediately retorting stubbornly, "I just felt your moves were the optimal solution at the time, so I simply referenced them."
Seeing this, Horikita Manabu spoke up: "Well said!"
Shimizu Akira thought he had found immediate support and followed up: "See, even your brother..."
Before he could finish, Horikita Manabu's gaze turned to his sister, and he said seriously: "I wasn't talking about you, Shimizu. I think Suzune did the right thing. Sometimes, one should indeed reference the effective tactics of others. Especially for her at this stage, learning from you is quite enough."
"Heh..." A flash of triumph crossed Horikita Suzune's eyes. A shallow smile graced her lips as she looked up at Shimizu Akira. Her expression clearly said, "See, my brother is on my side."
"Huh?!" Shimizu Akira was completely stunned, looking utterly lost.
What was going on? This pair of siblings was doing this on purpose, right?! They were actually joining forces to target him?
But wait—this exchange felt strangely familiar. He thought about it carefully... wasn't this exactly what happened in the first month of school? When the Horikita siblings were arguing, he had rashly interrupted to say Suzune was wrong, which caught Horikita Manabu's attention.
Could this be a "delayed counterattack" from back then?! They were way too vengeful! The Horikita family... honestly!
"Hehe..." Beside them, Tachibana Akane watched the three of them going back and forth and couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
"Speaking of which! Suzune, you're so good at imitating your brother, and you're only two years apart—did you go to the same schools for elementary and Junior High?" Shimizu Akira asked, having suddenly thought of it.
"Correct. Suzune and I did indeed promote from the same school," Horikita Manabu nodded immediately. "I am two years older than her, so there was exactly one year where we attended the same school."
"Just asking out of curiosity, President, do you know any other students in this school?" Shimizu Akira followed the topic.
Without a second's hesitation, Horikita Manabu replied: "Yes, there is one in your class—I believe the name is Kushida Kikyo? She was my kouhai at the time; we spoke a few times back then."
"Brother!" Horikita Suzune snapped her head up, her face full of shock as she looked at him.
"Suzune, why that expression?" Horikita Manabu looked back at her, puzzled. "I never forget people I've met. Kushida is in your year, right? Since you were classmates in Junior High, shouldn't you have become acquainted quickly at the start of school? I remember her as a very cheerful kouhai; she surely would have taken the initiative to greet you. Can you not recognize your old classmates?"
"Uh..." Shimizu Akira was also completely stunned.
He never expected that Horikita Manabu would know Kushida Kikyo from the start! But on second thought, Manabu graduated when he was in the third year of Junior High, so he likely didn't know about the chaotic incidents Kushida caused later.
But then again... the brother could remember Kushida Kikyo's name across a two-year gap, yet the sister, Horikita Suzune, was in the same grade as her for three years, and Kushida was a celebrity at school—yet Suzune didn't even recognize her during the first few months of school.
'This is too embarrassing, Suzune!'
No wonder your brother looks down on you; even he was starting to feel a bit of second-hand embarrassment!
Sensing the "double-disdain" in the eyes of both her brother and Shimizu Akira, Horikita Suzune's cheeks were instantly stained with embarrassment.
This was likely the most humiliating moment of her life.
She hurriedly explained: "At first, I truly didn't realize she was a classmate I knew. It wasn't until that study session where I saw everyone crowding around her that I realized it in hindsight..."
"Is that so?" Horikita Manabu nodded understandingly.
"As I expected. It seems you really didn't pay any attention to those around you in Junior High."
His words weren't exactly a lecture, but they made Suzune's face turn even redder. She whispered a defense: "I was only focused on my studies back then and didn't notice those things..."
Shimizu Akira watched from the side, unable to stop shaking his head.
"Kushida-kouhai had a very likable personality; she was very popular at school back then." Horikita Manabu added, as if remembering something.
"I didn't expect her to be in the same class as you. If you get the chance, you should say hello."
"Brother!" Horikita Suzune spoke up urgently, as if wanting to stop something.
She now knew Kushida Kikyo's true face; her brother's approval would undoubtedly act as a protective umbrella for Kushida, which was definitely not a good thing. But the words died in her throat; she didn't know how to explain.
She couldn't just say Kushida was two-faced!
Especially with Shimizu Akira himself right there! To badmouth someone's girlfriend right in front of them—she still couldn't bring herself to do that. She could only turn her gaze to Shimizu Akira.
Shimizu Akira interrupted at the right time.
"Actually, Suzune and Kikyo are practically friends now. They talk from time to time. By the way, President, do you think Kikyo's current personality has changed at all since Junior High?"
He decided to test the extent of Horikita Manabu's understanding of Kushida.
Horikita Manabu thought for a moment and replied: "It's been too long. Since entering high school, she and I have only spoken once. She should be a cheerful kouhai; that much hasn't changed."
As expected. Since they weren't people who spoke often, Horikita Manabu really didn't know Kushida Kikyo's true colors.
"Alright, let's leave the talk of the past there." Horikita Manabu took a sip of his long-cooled tea and changed the subject.
"Let's talk about the future. What do you think of the various policies Nagumo Miyabi is pushing after taking office?"
"Lowering the advancement standards has pros and cons. The pace of reform is a bit too fast, and he's enacted clauses that benefit him too early," Shimizu Akira responded without hesitation.
Regarding the lowering of the Class D advancement standards, he had discussed the benefits with Suzune before, but there were downsides too. What would happen during the special exams in the first month for the next batch of freshmen? Others aren't stupid; they'll easily notice the difference in treatment.
Furthermore, the subsequent regulations regarding the student council—especially the terms of office—were glaringly biased toward Nagumo Miyabi. This way, even by the third semester of the second half of the year, he could continue to serve as President. Only Nagumo Miyabi would be busy seeking personal gain on his very first day.
"I am curious, though. Setting aside the second and first years, why hasn't anyone from the third-year Class D given him any trouble?" Shimizu Akira was truly puzzled. "Logically, these
people are about to graduate and have no chance of moving up. What could happen even if they had a falling out with Nagumo?"
"Because he has already taken control of the entire third-year Class D, promising those who perform well that they can transfer to Class A," Horikita Manabu replied after some thought. "The specific contract details should be largely the same as how he controls the other four classes in the second year."
'He took control of another class?'
Shimizu Akira was secretly amazed; Nagumo's movements were too fast. Previously, he had never meddled in third-year affairs. It seemed that by using the power of the Student Council President, he could now strike at the third years.
"Wait, I still don't quite understand." Shimizu Akira frowned and pressed further. "Even if Nagumo can let third-year students transfer to your class, if they transfer in just before graduation, will the school really recognize that slot?"
"If he can get the timing right and provide 20 million private points, according to the current school rules, it is theoretically possible," Horikita Manabu confirmed with a nod.
If it could be done, that Class A slot would be incredibly valuable. Honestly, even if a person lacked ability or wasn't smart enough for a top-tier university, graduating from Class A meant they could freely choose any university.
At worst, they wouldn't go to a top school, but not having to take the entrance exams and choosing a mid-tier university was already a huge draw.
This was likely why third-year Class D was willing to sign with Nagumo.
"By the way, let me tell you one more thing." Horikita Manabu added, having suddenly remembered.
"Every year, the school holds a special exam involving cross-year cooperation. It hasn't happened yet. Since the school is focused on finals this semester, that joint special exam will likely be held next semester. Shimizu, stay alert. Nagumo didn't make a move during the Sports Festival, but he certainly will this time."
"Horikita-senpai, I think you should worry about yourself instead," Shimizu Akira reflexively replied.
Given Nagumo's current speed, since he had already taken down third-year Class D, the next targets would likely be third-year Classes B and C. By then, within the entire third year, the Senior's Class A might be the only one left standing alone.
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