In fact, after the information is refreshed, they always want to attack me!

"Oh, right!" Shimizu Akira suddenly clapped his hands, as if he had thought of something, "Let me treat you to the coffee this time, as a thank you for your advice earlier."

Ayanokouji's eyes widened slightly, clearly surprised by the sudden invitation.

Chapter 62: 061 Is Kikyo Kushida trying to pre-select me?

Akira Shimizu had a good impression of Kiyotaka Ayanokoji.

He quite liked the other person's unassuming and calm demeanor—although to some extent, this low-key attitude was more like a disguise.

A brief silence slowly spread between the two.

Conversations between men usually revolve around the opposite sex, studies, games, or mutual boasting.

As for Akira Shimizu, he had absolutely no idea what kind of topics the other person would be interested in.

(I still can't find common ground.)

Shimizu Akira shook his head inwardly, silently took out his phone to scan the QR code to order, and paid the other party's fee.

Considering that consuming caffeine in the evening might affect sleep, he ultimately opted for a refreshing mango juice.

About ten minutes later, the waiter brought out everyone's drinks.

Kikyo Kushida coughed lightly and tapped the inside of her coffee cup gently with her slender index finger.

She only revealed her signature sweet smile when all eyes were on her.

"Thank you all again for gathering here today... Thank you so much for your votes and encouragement. From today onwards, we are..." After a slight pause, he said in a more determined tone, "a group bound by a shared destiny!"

(Are you also talking about a community of shared future?)

Akira Shimizu, standing to the side, seemed to have touched on a key word and couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly.

Has this Kushida-san watched too many band anime series?

Anyone who didn't know better would think they were forming some kind of five-person band of rich girls playing house.

"I will definitely give my full support to Kushida-kun!"

"That's right! Kushida is definitely the class monitor this month!"

However, Kikyo Kushida's passionate declaration clearly struck a chord with most of the people present, and enthusiastic applause instantly filled the coffee shop.

Especially Haruki Yamauchi and Kanji Ike, those two lively characters, clapped their hands until they were red, just like two enthusiastic fans who had met their idols.

(...So...our community is bound to disband in the future, right? After all, the last band ended up like that.)

Akira Shimizu suppressed the urge to facepalm, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kiyotaka Ayanokouji mechanically clapping along to the rhythm, his poker face showing no emotion whatsoever.

(This guy is actually playing along...)

(Should we call him dedicated or... just perfunctory?)

Kikyo Kushida, her hands still folded on the table, said sincerely, "First of all, I want to clarify that although Hirata-kun and I are competitors for the class representative position, we are both working for the betterment of the class. I hope that everyone will not harbor any resentment towards Hirata-kun because you support me."

"As expected of Kushida-kun! His magnanimity is truly admirable!"

"Exactly! If Hirata didn't always act like such a popular guy, I wouldn't have chosen to join Kushida's side!"

The students responded enthusiastically, their voices full of admiration for Kushida.

Kikyo Kushida straightened her skirt again. "As the vice class representative, I hope everyone will respect some basic principles."

She held up a slender finger, her tone suddenly turning serious: "The first rule, concerning those hidden rules—" Her gaze slowly swept over everyone present, "absolutely, absolutely cannot be revealed to other classes. After all, by the rules, every class is a competitor."

Then she held up a second finger: "Secondly, I hope everyone will strictly abide by the student code of conduct from now on." Her voice was earnest. "We can no longer allow precious class points to be deducted for disciplinary violations."

"Understood! We're from Class D!" Chi Kuanzhi shouted, patting his chest, his face full of a sense of mission.

Haruki Yamauchi immediately chimed in, "Exactly! How could such crucial information possibly fall into the wrong hands and be given to other classes? This information was obtained at the cost of a full million personal points!"

"You two should worry about your attendance first!" one girl couldn't help but interject. "The class's points have been deducted countless times because of you two in the first week of school!"

"Hey, hey, you can't blame us entirely, can you?" Haruki Yamauchi retorted, unconvinced. "Doesn't Koenji always arrive late? Why doesn't anyone say anything about that!"

Kikyo Kushida's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but she quickly replaced it with a reassuring smile: "Alright, alright, let bygones be bygones. The important thing is that from now on, everyone must strictly abide by the school rules~"

Then, Kushida glanced at the time on her phone, clasped her hands together in an apologetic gesture, and said, "It's getting late, and I have one last small personal request..." She bowed deeply to everyone, "I hope you can all help me persuade those who didn't vote for Hirata-kun."

"Hey~ Is there any reward?" a boy asked half-jokingly.

"Yeah, give us some motivation!" The others chimed in.

Haruki Yamauchi jumped up, exclaiming, "If I could go on a date with Kushida-kun, I'd be absolutely thrilled!"

Kushida's cheeks flushed slightly. After hesitating for a moment, she bit her lower lip lightly. "Okay, okay... whoever gets the most votes wins. As a reward for the winner, if it's a single guy, I can agree to go on a date with him..." She quickly added, "If it's a girl, I'll give her an extra 80,000 personal points as a thank you!"

(They actually used this condition...)

(They really went all out!)

Akira Shimizu raised an eyebrow.

The boys around them were already in an uproar, like a group of sharks that had smelled blood.

The girls' group also had a lot of discussion, after all, 80,000 points is not an easy number, enough for an ordinary student to live a carefree life for several days.

"That's all for today. Feel free to contact me in the group chat if you have any questions." After announcing the disbandment, Kikyo Kushida suddenly called out to Akira Shimizu, who was about to leave: "Um... Shimizu-kun, could we talk alone for a few minutes?"

Noticing the questioning looks from the boys around her, she quickly waved her hands and explained, "Don't misunderstand, everyone! It's just that Shimizu-san and Koenji-kun are good friends, and I wanted to ask him to help me get votes~"

The boys, who were initially quite agitated, immediately fell silent upon hearing the name "Koenji Rokusuke"—after all, that guy had indeed publicly stated last week that he owed Shimizu Akira a favor.

After everyone else had left the coffee shop, Kikyo Kushida sat down opposite Akira Shimizu, her hands nervously folded on her knees.

"Shimizu-san..." her voice was a few decibels lower than usual, "Um... can I give you all the people I found?"

Akira Shimizu was about to politely decline—he really had no reason to get involved in this matter.

Unexpectedly, the other party did not mention Enji Rokusuke at all.

(Is this an implicit assumption that I'm the designated person?)

Chapter 63: 062 Kikyo Kushida: You bastard! You're so mean! Your mind is full of points!

Kikyo Kushida is determined to get the position of class president.

She had already meticulously planned every step of this election.

The boys' jeering was exactly what she had expected—or rather, it was the result of her careful guidance.

The boy was the winner, and Kikyo Kushida went on a date with him.

The girl is the winner; Kushida will pay her 80,000 personal points as a thank you.

However, Kikyo Kushida was only saying it.

She was disgusted by the boys who were lusting after her; how could she possibly date them sincerely?

However, 80,000 points is not a number that can be easily given away.

Ultimately, this competition was nothing more than a pie in the sky, a pie in the sky designed to motivate students.

She couldn't possibly give up anything.

But there can't be any loopholes, after all, the other students aren't stupid either.

Almost instantly, she came up with the best solution: find a suitable collaborator.

Ideally, it should be a boy—when other boys see them interacting intimately, they'll be more eager to serve her next time.

The perfect candidate immediately came to mind—Akira Shimizu.

The reason? It couldn't be more convincing.

First, he's good-looking enough.

His tall, upright figure and handsome appearance perfectly matched her aesthetic.

Although Kikyo Kushida appears to be gentle to everyone, her standards for the opposite sex are anything but low.

Secondly, it's very easy to get along with him.

His natural compliments at the poolside last time made her feel unusually happy.

After all, she spends every day carefully trying to please others, so it's rare for her to speak without having to think so much for the first time.

Third, he is simple and easy to control.

The other party is a kind-hearted person with a pure heart, making him a perfect partner for her.

Of course, there's also the most important point—she can use this opportunity to extract information about Horikita Suzune from Shimizu Akira.

"Um... actually, this is a little secret of mine~" Kikyo Kushida lowered her head slightly, a shy blush rising on her cheeks, her long eyelashes trembling gently. "I hope Shimizu-san can keep this a secret for me, okay? Because... in my heart, I'd rather see Shimizu-san win."

She raised her big, watery eyes and gave a sweet smile that was tinged with shyness.

perfect!

She secretly smiled smugly.

This is one of her specialties—first, she creates a sense of intimacy by sharing secrets, and then uses phrases like "I hope the other person wins" to close the distance.

Given her status as the class's most beautiful girl, wouldn't anyone soften and agree to such a suggestive whisper, coupled with her act of vulnerability?

However, the other party's reaction was completely unexpected.

Shimizu thoughtfully stroked his chin, then pointed out incisively, "...This must mean it was pre-arranged."

"Cough...N-no, it wasn't pre-arranged!" Kushida hurriedly waved her hands, her voice unconsciously rising a few decibels, before immediately reverting to a pitiful tone, "I'm just...a little afraid of the looks those boys are giving me..."

"But on Monday at the swimming pool," Shimizu calmly interrupted her, "I didn't see you showing any such concern."

This sharp rebuttal left Kushida speechless, his carefully crafted lines stuck in his throat.

Kikyo Kushida's smile froze for a second, but she quickly regained her innocent expression.

She tilted her head slightly and said in a slightly aggrieved tone, "Shimizu-kun, really... I'm clearly thinking of you, why do you always treat me like a bad person?"

She silently tightened her fingers hidden behind her back, her nails almost digging into the flesh of her palms.

Why is this Shimizu Akira suddenly so difficult to deal with?

Even when they're at the swimming pool, he'll say things to make her happy and comfort her.

Why did she suddenly change her personality?

annoying!

"...Kushida-kun." Shimizu Akira suddenly shrugged. "Let's stop arguing. You can arrange it beforehand if you want, but it'll be 80,000 points."

"..."

Kikyo Kushida lowered her head deeply, and the corner of her mouth twitched violently under the shadow of her bangs.

(That bastard!!!)

(They actually want points from me?)

(Could all those words that made her happy by the pool... just be a setup for this whole drama?!)

(Otherwise, I wouldn't have chosen to contact him today!)

This thought inexplicably fueled her anger even more.

"Shimizu-kun..." she suddenly smiled sweetly, but her tone carried a subtle barb, "This sudden request for points doesn't seem quite in line with your usual persona."

Akira Shimizu shrugged indifferently: "I've always been like this: equal exchange, fair trade."

He then looked puzzled. "But Kushida-kun... what kind of person am I in your eyes?"

Before she could answer, Shimizu Akira turned around decisively: "Anyway, since you want my help, you have to give something in return, otherwise forget it."

Watching his departing figure, Kikyo Kushida couldn't suppress the inexplicable restlessness in her heart—a mixture of anger at having her plans disrupted and a vague sense of loss.

(How could we just let him go like that!)

If she lets this person who saw through her plan leave, and he happens to reveal the truth about the pre-arranged deal, the other students in the class will definitely look at her with contempt—at that point, the perfect image she has painstakingly cultivated in Class D will completely collapse.

She glanced at the few customers scattered around the coffee shop and forced herself to maintain a sweet smile.

In such a public setting, she could neither get angry nor take any more drastic measures.

"...Shimizu-san," she quickly caught up with the boy who had already reached the door, her voice so soft that only the two of them could hear, "if you promise to keep the secret and become my assistant..." Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly, "...80,000 points, or a promise with me..."

"Okay, then let's go with 80,000 points."

The other party's immediate response made her gasp.