"The Kanzaki Conglomerate... I think I've heard of it..."
Hearing this, Mio Ibuki gave Ryūji Kanzaki a surprised look. "You mean Kanzaki Heavy Industries?"
Hiyori Shiina tilted her head, and Honami Ichinose was also a bit surprised. "You've heard of it, Ibuki-san?"
Ibuki looked confused and asked quizzically, "Doesn't it come up on the NHK evening news all the time? Kanzaki Heavy Industries, the one with the Shinkansen technology.
Last year, there was even a scandal about them embezzling funds for submarine maintenance. Don't any of you know about that?"
"???" Ichinose and Hiyori turned to look at Kanzaki.
"Don't look at me, I don't really follow that kind of stuff." Kanzaki waved his hand, a bit embarrassed, but he had a feeling—it was most likely true.
'No doubt about it. Something that sounds this ridiculous has to be true,' Symon quipped internally. 'Should I say, as expected of a zaibatsu? Fits my stereotype of them perfectly.'
'That's not the point...' Hiyori replied gently in her mind. She smiled at the slightly awkward Ibuki and asked with feigned curiosity, "Ibuki-san, you like watching serious news programs like that?"
"Is it weird for a girl to be interested in that?" Ibuki asked hesitantly.
"Not at all, it's just a little surprising," Hiyori said, shaking her head with a smile. "In that case, do you recognize the surnames Sakayanagi and Kōenji?"
She wasn't actually that curious, but considering the other girl's feelings, it was better to just go with the flow of the conversation.
Ibuki quietly sighed in relief, lowering her gaze in thought. "The Kōenji surname isn't that famous, but if I say the Mitsuba Group, I think you've all probably heard of it. As for Sakayanagi... I'm not too sure about that one..."
Ichinose and Hiyori turned to look at Kanzaki.
Kanzaki averted his gaze slightly, speaking in a feignedly casual tone. "The Sakayanagi family is an aristocratic one. The current head is Arisu Sakayanagi's grandfather, who once served as the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Sakayanagi's father is now the Chairman of the Advanced Nurturing High School."
Since Sakayanagi had sold him out, it was only fair that he return the favor. Tit for tat.
Symon chuckled to himself. 'Yep, Sakayanagi really is a rich loli. If I get the chance, I should ask her if she needs a bed warmer. I think we'd be up for it.'
'You'd be called a hentai,' Hiyori retorted silently in her mind. 'Still, I never imagined the Advanced Nurturing High School was an enterprise of Sakayanagi-san's family. If that's the case, I think I understand how she knew about Airi Sakura's situation...'
'Yeah, I figured as much too,' Symon said nonchalantly. 'The problem is, you know it's unfair, but there's nothing we can do about her. It's better to just try and look on the bright side.'
Hiyori asked with a soft laugh, 'Even you have no way, Mr. Ghost?'
'Hiyori, you're underestimating the power of authority a little.'
Symon admitted it frankly, explaining with a mental smile, 'The only thing that can ever restrain power is greater power. Every other method you can think of is, in essence, just a search for that greater power. At least for now, there's nothing we can do about her. We can only take it one day at a time.'
He hadn't forgotten their status as "tuition fee thieves," and he wasn't going to get worked up over something like this. If Sakayanagi ever went too far, they could just transfer schools at worst. If you can't beat them, run.
Seeing that he'd said as much, Hiyori gave a light chuckle in her mind, then lifted her gaze to the two from Class B and asked with a smile, "It feels like we've learned some incredible secrets. By the way, what brought you two here today? If it's to gather intelligence, then I'm afraid I must decline."
"Ah, I almost forgot about that..." Ichinose clapped her hands to her cheeks, clearing the chaotic thoughts from her mind. She then began tentatively, "Regarding Nishino-san... do you know about her, Shiina-san?"
"Yes," Hiyori nodded, speaking gently. "You must be aware of it too, Ichinose-san—Ryūen-kun sent her over to investigate the identity of your class's leader."
In her opinion, while Ichinose was pure-hearted, she was by no means stupid. Including the previous incident with Nagumo, she understood things with just a hint. A scheme like this probably wouldn't fool her.
"I know, but there's nothing I can do about it," Ichinose said, a somewhat forced smile on her face. "When that girl arrived, she was filthy and had bruises on her face from being beaten. If I just left her alone, I don't think I could live with myself."
Hiyori blinked, looking at the girl whose expression didn't seem feigned. After a moment's thought, she asked softly, "Ichinose-san, are you hoping I'll bring her back?"
Ichinose's face lit up. "If you could, that would be for the best."
"I'm very sorry, but I can't do that," Hiyori said, putting her hands together apologetically and with a hint of helplessness. "Ryūen-kun and I have always had a tacit understanding not to interfere with each other. If I were to do this, Class C would most likely split apart."
Her words were sincere, and both Ichinose and Kanzaki could hear the difficulty in her voice.
However—
Kanzaki stood up and spoke in a calm tone. "Shiina-san, may I ask a question? If we were to expel Nishino from our camp, would she face retaliation from Ryūen?"
Hiyori Shiina thought for a moment, then shook her head and said gently, "Most likely, yes. Knowing Ryūen-kun, he'd probably just think he didn't hit her hard enough."
The moment she finished speaking, all three of them—including Ibuki—winced. That's right, that was definitely Ryūen's style.
Ichinose looked dejected. "That's just too cruel."
Kanzaki looked at Ichinose, sighed faintly, and then said, "Thank you."
"It's no problem," Hiyori Shiina shook her head. After a moment's thought, she asked with a smile, "But, is this really okay? Knowing that your kindness is being exploited by others."
"I don't believe kindness is a mistake." Kanzaki pondered for a moment before saying seriously, "Acting with integrity is never the reason for failure. Weakness is!"
Beside him, a smile spread across Ichinose's face. She stood up, placed a hand on her hip, and declared in a solemn tone, "I believe that too."
'A rather nice resolve, but this girl is still a bit too green,' Symon commented internally.
'Mr. Ghost, you actually approve of that answer?' Hiyori was a little surprised.
'It's more that this answer is, in itself, the correct one for Class B.'
Symon replied calmly, 'Just as I've said before—truly exceptional people don't care about the evaluation of Class A. With this girl's personal charisma, combined with Class B's already solid foundation, it wouldn't be difficult to lead everyone forward together. It's just that she doesn't seem to have realized this yet.'
From his perspective, Class B had almost all the conditions necessary to walk the 'royal road' to victory. Their only shortcomings were the lack of a guide and a clear plan of action, leaving them to waste their time aimlessly.
'So that's what you think, Mr. Ghost.'
With that thought in mind, Hiyori looked at the two from Class B, who seemed ready to leave. She put her hands together and said with a smile, "It's wonderful that you think that way. I'll leave Nishino-san in your care, then."
Ichinose puffed out her chest. "Leave it to me!"
Kanzaki nodded helplessly. "I suppose we can, but is there a reward?"
"Probably not..."
Hiyori Shiina said this, then asked as if it were an afterthought, "By the way, about that business with the Student Council before... how did you handle it, Ichinose-san? I never heard what happened."
The smile on Ichinose's face stiffened. "It's fine. I'll take care of it."
"That Nagumo is a dangerous person, you know. Remember to protect yourself," Hiyori said casually.
Ichinose forced a smile and nodded. "I know. See you next time."
With that, Ichinose turned hastily and pulled Kanzaki away with her.
At the same time, Hiyori Shiina's gaze met Kanzaki's as he looked back. Seeing the boy's furrowed brow, she smiled and gave a small wink—that was the reward.
Across the way, Ryūji Kanzaki nodded. He looked back at Ichinose walking ahead of him and, after a moment's hesitation, quickened his pace to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with her.
Under the tree, Hiyori took a breath. "With this, things should be fine with Nishino-san. I hope Ichinose-san doesn't think I'm being too meddlesome."
Kakeru Ryūen let out a cold laugh. "Heh, you really let me listen in on a good show!"
"???"—Hiyori, Symon, Ibuki.
Wait, when did you get here?!
_____
🔥 New content is here! 🔥
🔥 New history!: Genshin Impact: Starting by Stuffing Columbina 🔥
✅ Jump 40 chapters ahead of the public release!
✅ Get access to special perks and news!
Help smash these goals:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter (for everyone)
🚀 80 MEMBERS = +5 extra chapters (for all stories)!
👻 P - Walnutchan