When someone feels truly speechless, they really will fall silent.
Hiyori looked at the book Ryunosuke offered; her heart really wanted to accept it, but she looked around at her classmates and felt somewhat hesitant. If she accepted it, wouldn't that mean she accepted a bribe?
That couldn't be allowed!
Hiyori swatted away the book in Ryunosuke's hand, but the fallen book she quickly grabbed and hugged to her chest.
Ryunosuke: "😐"
People: "😐"
"Ahem!" Hiyori immediately cleared her throat, pretending to be clueless and said: "This much down payment isn't enough yet."
Ryunosuke snapped his fingers: "Understood. How about I add the identity of Class A's leader?"
"Agreed!" Hiyori and Ryunosuke joined hands, clapping as a sign of this transaction agreement.
Ryunosuke brought the two girls away from there. Before leaving, he glanced at Rizu. "Ogata-san, not interested in moving to my place? The facilities at my place are very tempting, you know."
Rizu pushed up the red-framed glasses on her face.
"Sorry, sir, I won't betray my class. Please look for someone else."
Ryunosuke didn't feel upset despite being rejected. He turned to look at Fumino, then took out candy and several bags of potato chips from his pocket.
Fumino's eyes sparkled, drool dripping from the corner of her mouth; clearly she was tempted.
Hiyori furrowed her brow deeply. "I told you, don't poach my people! Ryunosuke!!!"
Seeing Hiyori so angry she stopped calling him with honorifics, Ryunosuke knew he had gone too far. He immediately stopped and put back the chips and candy.
Disappointment was clearly visible on Fumino's face.
"Why like that? At least let me taste just a little..." Fumino said softly, while her eyes occasionally glanced toward Ryunosuke's shirt pocket containing snacks. That longing gaze couldn't be hidden at all.
Ryunosuke gave an eye signal toward the bushes on the side.
Fumino immediately understood and pretended to say seriously, "Friend, please don't tempt me! My life and death belong to Boss Shiina, I will never betray her!"
Hiyori was slightly surprised.
(Since when did Furuhashi-san become so loyal?)
Shortly after, Ryunosuke left. Fumino breathed a sigh of relief, patted her small chest, and said to Hiyori while smiling.
"I successfully resisted the temptation, Boss!"
Fumino clenched both fists with sparkling eyes, as if asking for praise.
Hiyori said resignedly, "Alright, go do your duty. Food for dinner tonight... control yourself, don't eat too much."
What Hiyori meant was she could eat as much as she liked for dinner later, but don't overdo it because it's not good for health.
After getting permission, Fumino's eyes immediately lit up. She licked her thin lips and smiled.
"Ready! Boss Shiina, then I'll go patrol first."
Fumino gave a standard military salute, then ran quickly into the bushes to complete her patrol duty.
Hiyori shook her head resignedly. She looked at the book obtained from Ryunosuke, stroked it lovingly, then immediately opened it to read. Everything and sounds around her seemed isolated, not disturbing her reading concentration at all.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
On the other side, Fumino arrived at a small forest with suspicious movements, afraid of being found out by others. Ryunosuke had been waiting there for a long time carrying three bags of potato chips and half a kilogram of fruit candy.
"Ahem!" Fumino pretended to act elegant and gentle, stepping closer step by step, but her eyes stared straight at... the snacks in his hands.
Ryunosuke grinned and generously gave the snacks to her.
Fumino received them with both hands, her cheeks feeling somewhat hot when she said.
"Um... sorry, I'm indeed a bit greedy."
Fumino scratched her head awkwardly. This was the first time she acted so embarrassingly in front of a man. Usually she could disguise herself well, but somehow this man happened to bring the food she liked most.
(Is this a coincidence?)
Fumino didn't really understand; just consider it a coincidence. After all, how could this person know her preferences?
After saying thank you, Fumino left. Ryunosuke didn't ask her to do anything. This was enough... get acquainted first, they'll become close later.
The two people hiding in the bushes came out. Megumi's voice sounded soft entering Ryunosuke's ears.
"Ryunosuke-kun, you're really a womanizer~"
"Are you intending to seduce someone?"
"That's natural, after all she's also a beautiful woman."
Ryunosuke felt uncomfortable hearing Megumi's sarcastic insinuation; he immediately explained.
"N-no, it's not what you think! Can't you read minds? You should know what I'm thinking..."
"Oh~" Megumi pouted her lips, clearly not easily convinced. She knew what Ryunosuke was thinking, but she couldn't accept the process.
Ryunosuke was hers alone. She didn't want anyone else to touch him in the slightest. No one was allowed!
Jealousy could make people crazy, Megumi included. She knew better than anyone that besides Ryunosuke, she might never find anyone else who could notice her. Even if she found them, she didn't want anyone besides Ryunosuke.
Because she had already fallen in love first, whoever came after could never match the first. That was the power of first love. The harder it was to get, the greater the desire to possess it.
Don't be fooled by Megumi's attitude that seemed unwilling to compete or fight; her level of cunning was no less than others.
Suzune herself didn't feel anything strange. Just poaching people. She didn't deign to do such things.
Ryunosuke needed a long time to explain to Megumi until finally he was forgiven. He also didn't know why he had to explain, but he felt if he didn't, Megumi might not help him again in the future. His feelings told him so.
For the first time Megumi showed a bit of anger; she turned her face away and pouted her lips, ignoring him.
Ryunosuke also felt dizzy, not knowing what else to say. The conditions he had to fulfill in this exam were quite heavy and couldn't have the slightest error. He couldn't do it without Megumi, because she was his only chance of winning.
As if knowing the future, Megumi saw through Ryunosuke's thoughts and took the opportunity to propose her own condition.
"After this exam ends, you must agree to one condition from me, then I'll help you."
This was clearly a trap, but Ryunosuke had no more time to think. He immediately nodded in agreement, then brought Suzune and Megumi hurriedly to Class B's location.
Time was very tight; he had to hurry...
Megumi showed an expression as if her plan had succeeded.