Chapter 172: Physical Strength Secret Medicine, Airi Sakura Misinterprets on the Spot (Combined Chapter 5k) (Patreon)

September 16.

Only about ten days remained until the Sports Festival.

As usual, Class A was holding its Monday homeroom meeting. Once everyone had arrived, Kohei Katsuragi glanced over at Hikaru Naruse, who sat off to one side.

Their eyes met across the classroom for an instant, and Kohei Katsuragi received his approval.

Then, as the class representative, Kohei Katsuragi stepped up to the lectern and began to speak.

Naturally, he was there to discuss the cooperation plan with Class B. The matter was important, so he went into great detail and added a few thoughts of his own.

"Everyone, I think this is an excellent opportunity.

"If we can build a long-term partnership with Class B, we'll have one less enemy in the Special Exams to come.

"And once we join forces, we can create even more possibilities."

When Kohei Katsuragi had laid out the whole story from start to finish, Class A reacted in all sorts of ways. Some approved of the plan, some were puzzled, and a few thought they shouldn't agree so easily.

"Why does Class B suddenly want to cooperate? I don't think we need partners."

"Right, our lead is already big enough."

"I actually think it's a good decision. If we cooperate, we can be a powerhouse alliance from now on."

"I'm more curious how Class B plans to scrape together twenty million Private Points."

"Don't forget, they still owe us points."

"Yeah, we should think about this carefully."

In short, everyone in Class A spoke freely and shared their own views. Each person had different concerns, and the debate rose and fell in waves.

Naturally, Hikaru Naruse had expected this reaction.

After all, he trusted Honami Ichinose deeply, and Kohei Katsuragi trusted Class B because of Hikaru Naruse. The rest of the class had no such grounds for trust.

So the boy simply stood up and took over from Kohei Katsuragi.

"Everyone, please hear me out."

"This proposal was really started by me. I've already confirmed with Class B that they truly intend to cooperate."

The moment Hikaru Naruse rose to speak, nearly everyone turned to look at him.

After so long spent building his prestige, his every word and action carried real weight in Class A.

"I've also already spoken with Class B's representative, Ichinose. As long as we reach a preliminary agreement to cooperate, we'll become allies with Class B before she transfers over."

"Being allies means that in future class-versus-class exams, we can help each other out and divide the gains afterward."

"And the ratio of that division is still open to negotiation later. As Class A, we can easily take the lion's share."

The boy paused briefly, swept his gaze across the other students in the classroom, and went on.

"I think this is a very good chance to cooperate, because I believe Class B is a group worth working with."

"If we cooperate, we won't just gain profit, we'll gain an ally.

"Don't you all think this is a deal with no downside?"

After hearing him out, everyone in Class A understood at once. If both Kohei Katsuragi and Hikaru Naruse were speaking up, the two of them had settled this long ago.

Bringing it up at today's homeroom wasn't really about asking for opinions. It was only meant to get everyone on the same page.

Those who already supported the plan made up their minds immediately and voiced their agreement one after another.

At that moment, Masayoshi Hashimoto spoke up again.

"Naruse-san, were you the first one to confirm this?"

"You could say that. Ichinose and I get along well in private, so as soon as they settled on cooperating, she told me right away."

"I see."

Masayoshi Hashimoto nodded. As a man who put profit above all, he thought for a moment before speaking again.

"If that's the case, then I can trust Naruse-san."

"After all, everyone has seen Naruse-san's abilities with their own eyes. Can I take part in the negotiation?"

Masayoshi Hashimoto was the head of a small group with some influence in Class A, and ever since the school year began, he had admired Hikaru Naruse's abilities greatly.

In the first month or two after the term began, Masayoshi Hashimoto had in fact disliked the way Kohei Katsuragi led the class. He felt that a steady approach was proper enough, but that it was unwise for getting ahead under the rules of class competition.

But as events unfolded, after Hikaru Naruse led Class A through the two Uninhabited Island Special Exam, he understood in an instant who Class A's real trump card was.

To preserve his standing in Class A, Masayoshi Hashimoto was now an openly declared member of the "Naruse faction."

Of course, since he knew Hikaru Naruse had no interest in being class representative, his "loyalty" carried no hint of sucking up. It was purely admiration for a person's ability.

Once he had stated his position, the others followed with their support.

Kohei Katsuragi could sway some people, and Hikaru Naruse could sway many more. Once both of them said the plan was worth pursuing, everyone finally accepted it.

"I think this cooperation really is a good thing."

"Right, Class B's students are decent people. They have good personalities, too."

"As long as it isn't Class C or Class D."

"Of course. Naruse-san doesn't think much of those two classes either, right?"

"If we cooperate, as long as we sort out the details and sign a contract, we have nothing to worry about."

"Exactly!"

Everyone agreed to the partnership, but they wanted to be careful in the negotiations and, ideally, draw up a formal contract to protect both sides' interests.

Once that discussion ended, the rest of the homeroom period went to choosing who would take part in the negotiations.

Kohei Katsuragi wanted to ask Arisu Sakayanagi whether she'd be willing to appear at the negotiation. She had little say in Class A these days, but she was still a strategist and might help patch any holes in their plan.

He walked to the corner of the classroom, where the silver-haired girl sat quietly at her desk.

"Sakayanagi-san, would you like to come to the negotiations with us?"

Hearing this, Arisu Sakayanagi first gave a faint smile, then glanced at Hikaru Naruse across the room.

"Does Naruse-san want me to go?"

"Go if you want to. You don't need to ask me," Hikaru Naruse said, without a trace of extra warmth for her.

"Very well, then. I'll attend."

"Good."

With Arisu Sakayanagi chosen, Kohei Katsuragi thought it over a little longer and finally picked the five negotiators together with Hikaru Naruse.

They were Kohei Katsuragi, Hikaru Naruse, Arisu Sakayanagi, Taiga Shijou, and Masayoshi Hashimoto.

Of the five, Sakayanagi was a late addition, while Taiga Shijou and Masayoshi Hashimoto were both openly part of the "Naruse faction."

With both tasks done, Hikaru Naruse sent Honami Ichinose a message.

Class A and Class B had agreed to hold the cooperation negotiations this Friday, with the aim of settling the contract's terms that same day.

Kohei Katsuragi thought it over and decided to hold it in one of the multimedia classrooms in the school building, preferably one with a projector so they could write on the board.

The best thing about the S-System was that, as long as you had Private Points, reserving a classroom was ridiculously easy. You only needed your phone.

Renting a multimedia classroom privately was also a way to keep things confidential.

"In that case, please wait for our good news on Friday."

Hikaru Naruse smiled faintly. His gaze passed over the people in the classroom, including the girls he was close to.

"Good luck, Naruse-san!"

"Mm."

*

Just before dismissal on Monday, Hikaru Naruse received a text from Airi Sakura.

"Hikaru-kun, can you come over tonight?"

His schedule for the week wasn't fully settled yet, so Hikaru Naruse decided to drop by Sakura's place first.

Before setting out, he also redeemed the reward from Honami Ichinose's last task.

[Basic Constitution Elixir]

[Pour into water and drink. Grants a small boost to those with weaker bodies, improving physical endurance and overall stamina.]

The system's elixir came in a tiny glass vial, about the size of a finger. It didn't look like much, but Hikaru Naruse knew what it was worth.

He might as well bring it to Airi Sakura this time and test its effect.

He walked to Airi Sakura's room as if on autopilot. The moment the door opened, the girl threw herself at him.

"Hikaru-kun~"

"Mm, good evening, Airi."

After closing the door, the boy held Airi Sakura in his arms and led her over to the sofa.

She was like a cat who had finally gotten her owner home. She wrapped both arms tightly around Hikaru Naruse's waist. She was wearing a very loose set of loungewear today, and she had even tied her hair into cute twin tails.

"Hikaru-kun, I missed you so much."

"What's this… I'm here now, aren't I?"

Hikaru Naruse's voice was gentle as he pressed further.

"You're so worked up, Airi… did something happen?"

Airi Sakura hesitated. She didn't spill everything about what Kikyo Kushida had said that day, and came at it from a different angle.

"Actually, I had a dream…"

"What kind of dream?"

Airi Sakura looked uncomfortable. She wasn't good at lying, so she stumbled through her words.

"I dreamed that… Hikaru-kun didn't want me anymore.

"Then I woke up scared…"

"Heh."

Hikaru Naruse burst out laughing. He never expected Airi Sakura to have a dream like that.

"How could that ever happen? Don't let your imagination run away with you."

The boy reached out and cupped Airi Sakura's little face, speaking to her earnestly.

"Didn't I tell you? No matter what happens, I won't ever part from you, Airi."

But in the next moment, the situation Kikyo Kushida had described that day was so frightening that Airi Sakura blurted out without thinking:

"But I'm not Hikaru-kun's girlfriend. What if Karuizawa asks about it?"

"Hm?"

Feeling the girl tremble in his arms, Hikaru Naruse was about to comfort her when something suddenly struck him as off.

"Airi, calm down for a second."

"Kei… she isn't actually the type to mind something like this. Even if she found out, it wouldn't be a big deal."

"Our relationship isn't something we have to hide. I just figure it's better to avoid trouble where we can, so I've kept things as they are."

"Airi, do you understand what I mean?"

"I understand."

Airi Sakura knew Hikaru Naruse wasn't just placating her. They had shared a bed for so long now that she understood him quite well.

His reaction to her question had made things plain enough.

He didn't seem troubled at all by the idea of Kei Karuizawa knowing about the two of them, which meant what he'd just said was true.

At that moment, though, Hikaru Naruse reached out with both hands and pinched Airi Sakura's cheeks, one on each side, and said seriously:

"More than that, there's something else that bothers me."

"Did someone say something to you, Airi? Are you going to hide it from me?"

"Mm…"

Airi Sakura couldn't stand her man's gaze. She didn't dare hide anything from Hikaru Naruse, afraid he'd be angry.

After a while, the girl couldn't hold out any longer and told him everything Kikyo Kushida had brought up before.

"?"

When he heard it all, Hikaru Naruse didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

So this was the plan Kikyo Kushida had mentioned in her last text. That woman really had too much time on her hands, and she'd picked a soft target to scare, too.

Then the boy held Airi Sakura tightly and soothed her for a good while.

"Airi, you don't need to worry about any of this.

"Kei really isn't an unreasonable girl. She won't take what Airi and I have too much to heart."

The boy paused, then went on gently.

"I told her long ago that the time I can spend with her is limited, and she accepted that."

"Otherwise, do you think I'd have to ask her permission before coming to stay the night with you?"

Airi Sakura's eyes went wide when she heard that.

"Really?"

"Really. Set your heart at ease, Airi, and stop overthinking."

Hikaru Naruse's voice was gentle as he softly stroked her head.

"You're so good. How could I bear to not want you?"

At those words, sweetness flowed through Airi Sakura like a river.

She nestled into Hikaru Naruse's arms, acting spoiled. It was as if a heavy load had been lifted from her, and she grew even more charming.

*

After they had cuddled for a while, Hikaru Naruse suddenly said:

"Airi, go pour me a glass of water. I'm going to give you a present."

Airi Sakura was very obedient. She sprang up from the sofa, trotted off to the kitchen, and came back carrying a glass of warm water.

"Hikaru-kun, here's the water."

"Good."

Then Hikaru Naruse took the [Basic Constitution Elixir] out of his pocket. By appearance, it was nothing but an ordinary clear liquid.

Without hesitation, the boy twisted off the glass cap and poured the whole vial into the glass.

Airi Sakura stood to one side, staring blankly as Hikaru Naruse poured that strange-looking liquid into her water.

What was that?

"Mm…"

Who knew what she'd thought of, but the girl's mind veered off course at once, and her face flushed bright red.

Face burning, Airi Sakura asked:

"Hikaru-kun, do you want to try some new kind of play?"

Her voice was soft and sweet, and she didn't quite dare meet Hikaru Naruse's eyes.

"If you like it, I'm okay with anything. I can pretend to be asleep, or pretend to be unconscious…"

"?"

Hikaru Naruse rapped her on the head, exasperated.

"What are you thinking?"

Maybe it was because Airi Sakura was such a skilled internet surfer, but the girl's head really was full of racy material. She certainly knew far more tricks than Kikyo Kushida, who was all bark.

"This is a body tonic. It's meant to build up your stamina, Airi. Give it a try."

"Oh, oh."

Only then did Airi Sakura realize she'd gotten the wrong idea, and her little face turned even redder.

"Sorry, Hikaru-kun~"

"It's fine. I've always known you were a… heh heh."

"Mm."

Since it was something Naruse had brought her, Airi Sakura didn't hesitate at all. She tilted her head back and drank it down in one go.

The warm water slid down her throat with a faint sweetness, spreading through her body like a gentle current.

"I don't feel anything…"

"Maybe it takes time."

With that done, Hikaru Naruse beckoned again and pulled Airi Sakura back into his arms.

He didn't expose Kikyo Kushida's lie directly. He planned to deal with her later.

The fear and unease Kikyo Kushida had woven had hit Airi Sakura hard, so tonight he had to comfort her properly.

Leaning against his chest, Airi Sakura wore a very tender smile.

"By the way, after Kushida told you all that, did the two of you work out a solution?"

"We came up with one."

Airi Sakura's face flushed again, even hotter than before.

"What's the plan?"

"It's…"

Perhaps the words were too embarrassing. Airi Sakura could only lift her head and press her lips to Hikaru Naruse's ear, whispering softly.

"It's…"

"Hm?"

This time it was Hikaru Naruse's turn to be stunned. He stroked Airi Sakura's little face and asked softly:

"That kind of thing… for a girl, isn't really a novel experience, is it? I'm the only one who benefits."

"But if it makes Hikaru-kun happy, I'm fine with anything."

She meant it from the bottom of her heart.

A threesome sounded great, but it asked a lot of the two girls, and not everyone was shameless enough for it.

Airi Sakura was shy, and Kikyo Kushida was only acting tough. She might not truly like that kind of thing.

"You, and that Kushida."

"Next time, I'll ask her. I don't want either of you carrying any mental burden.

"But…"

Airi Sakura smiled softly, her eyes fixed on the boy's lower lip, and said slowly:

"Hikaru-kun must be interested, right?"

"You mean the threesome?"

"Mm."

"I am a little interested, yes…"

"Then I… I'm willing to try."

Airi Sakura nodded.

"Really?"

"Really. As long as Hikaru-kun is comfortable, I'm willing."

"You…"

Hikaru Naruse held Airi Sakura close again and murmured:

"If you spoil me too much… you'll ruin me."

"I just want to spoil Hikaru-kun~"

Airi Sakura's eyes were misty, and warmth began to spread through her chest.

"It's rare to see Hikaru-kun show his cute side, too."

"Hmph, just watch what I do to you tonight!"

"Mm-hm."