In practice, I can issue tasks to my master.

Thinking about it this way, my feelings are really complicated.

"Who is it? Is it also a student in Class D?"

Horikita became quite interested.

He had initially thought that it would be nice if Horikita Suzune had come up with all of these ideas herself, but if they were inspired by someone else... that wouldn't be so bad either.

At least my sister won't be fighting this battle alone anymore.

Well, that is, provided she can get rid of this bad habit.

“Yes, his name is… Nangong Cheng.” Horikita Suzune said Nangong Cheng’s name through gritted teeth.

She still couldn't get over what happened at the school gate.

At that moment, Nangong Cheng seemed to be trying to push her away, but in reality, his hands touched almost her entire body.

The thought of this made her feel like she wouldn't be able to sleep for several nights.

“Nangong Cheng…”

Horikita Manabu repeated it in a low voice.

He didn't have a particular impression of the name, but the unexpectedness of the students in Class D was indeed hard to define in words.

Perhaps he can change the sound of the bell?

"Lingyin, the fact that you were able to make such a deduction based on the inspiration your classmates gave you shows that you are indeed somewhat different from before."

Horikita Suzune's eyes lit up at the words, but before she could be happy, Horikita Manabu poured cold water on her joy.

"But without the inspiration that Nangong Cheng gave you, would you still be aware of these problems?"

"If you can't, it means you're still far from being truly excellent."

Horikita pushed up his glasses.

A fleeting glint of light flashed across his glasses as he stared at his sister, who was gradually lowering her head again, reverting to her usual soft and gentle form.

"Go and observe Nangong Cheng carefully, and see what he does."

"I hope you won't let me down next time."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Horikita Suzune silently watched Horikita Manabu's departing figure, her heart filled with a mixture of joy and resentment.

She was overjoyed because she had finally received praise from her brother, even though it was something similar to what he had said before. But she was certain it was a compliment!

Her resentment stemmed from her brother's belief that she couldn't discover the true nature of the school on her own, a statement she couldn't refute.

"Phew~ Calm down!"

Horikita Suzune took a deep breath.

Although the result was somewhat different from what I expected, it at least showed that the information about the system's transactions was basically true.

She needs to understand what this will mean.

"System, open the panel."

[Host: Horikita Suzune]

[Age: Female high school student]

Measurements: B:79 W:54 H:79

[Personal Information: Single, no dating history, brother-obsessed, loner]

[A Community of Shared Future: Nangong Cheng]

Points held: 0

Horikita Suzune didn't want to comment on the labels the system had given her, so she looked down immediately.

“Nangong Cheng…”

Horikita Suzune stared at the name Nangong Cheng displayed on the panel and murmured something in a daze.

What is a community of shared future?

It's easy to understand literally—the two people's fates are intertwined.

Shared interests, shared responsibilities, shared emotions...

This relationship is even closer than that of a married couple, and even a woman like her, who has always scoffed at romance, cannot deny that such a relationship is wonderful.

Horikita Suzune didn't believe that anyone in the world could have such a fairytale-like relationship, but the system told her that it was possible.

She might even be one of the parties involved.

"We need to have a serious talk with him."

Leaving aside the so-called community of shared destiny.

Since her brother told her to observe Nangong Cheng carefully and see what actions he would take, she would definitely do as he said.

Furthermore, as long as she wants to gain convenience from the system store and the so-called community of shared destiny, she is almost destined to have contact with Nangong Cheng in the future.

But given their current relationship...

"At worst, I'll just be ridiculed."

Horikita Suzune didn't care about such things.

Because she was always the one who was ostracized and isolated from childhood, she experienced all kinds of ridicule, gossip behind her back, and even school bullying.

Let's take a step back.

She didn't believe that Nangong Cheng knew more information than she did, which gave her leverage to gain the upper hand in negotiations.

But where should I look for him?

The idea was wonderful, but Horikita Suzune suddenly realized that she had no idea where to find Nangong Cheng, and she felt a little frustrated.

However, her eyes soon lit up again.

Volume 1: 9. But this is, the mindset of a waste.

A coffee shop on the street corner.

Nangong Cheng took a sip of coffee, the slightly bitter taste going down his throat and into his esophagus, just like his mood at that moment.

"Nangong doesn't seem very happy to see me... Did I do something annoying?"

The brown-haired girl sitting opposite looked pitiful, as if she was about to cry at any moment.

But it was all just acting.

Nangong Cheng cursed inwardly, but his face wore a forced smile.

"Because I generally prefer to be alone and don't like overly noisy atmospheres."

"I'm curious how Kushida and Horikita met."

Kikyo Kushida and Suzune Horikita travel together...

What is he dreaming about?

"We just happened to run into each other on the road." Horikita Suzune crossed her arms, her face showing a very natural expression.

"Yes, Horikita asked me where you were, Nangong. Luckily, the school-issued phones have GPS, so I brought Horikita to find you."

Kikyo Kushida still put her hands in a praying gesture in front of her chest, feigning cuteness as always.

Nangong Cheng was exhausted after listening to the story.

I'll pay to cancel the location service right away!

"So, what do you want from me?"

“I obtained some information from an upperclassman and would like to confirm it with the information you have.”

Horikita Suzune also took a sip of coffee, skipping the meaningless chatter, and went straight to the point.

"If our intelligence aligns, perhaps we can cooperate."

As expected, but...

Information provided by an upperclassman?

It's probably something you got from the system store, right?

After all, this was bait he personally put in to lure you, Horikita Suzune, into the trap.

"No need to confirm."

"If I'm not mistaken, the information you have is the same as the information I have."

Because Kikyo Kushida was present, Makoto Nanami didn't want Suzune Horikita to blurt it out there like a fool.

This attitude naturally displeased Kikyo Kushida, but she could only curse inwardly while outwardly continuing to act like a good girl.

"Nangong-kun, Horikita-kun, what are you talking about? Can you tell me?"

"..."

Horikita Suzune glanced at Nangong Cheng and understood what he meant.

Although she only wanted Kikyo Kushida to show her the way, as a classmate, Suzune Horikita felt that the other party also had a certain right to know.

But since Nangong Cheng has already said so.

In order for the conversation to proceed smoothly, she had no choice but to let Kikyo Kushida leave first.

"Kushida-kun, you can go now."

"What we're going to talk about next is something I can't let you know."

Nangong Cheng didn't expect Horikita Suzune to be so direct, but that was indeed her style, and it was quite suitable for a mouth substitute.

But to be fair, Kushida Kaoru and Horikita Suzune are truly a pair of star-crossed lovers, aren't they?

This route was definitely a waste of time.

"Ah... okay..."

Kikyo Kushida was indeed taken aback by Suzune Horikita's straightforward way of speaking.

In Japan, where everyone is expected to be able to read the room, Horikita Suzune's unconventional personality is like a mudslide.

It's a complete incompatibility with her kind of social butterfly who's adept at making money from all sides.

"But Horikita-kun, could we exchange contact information? And I can add you to the class group chat while I'm at it?"

Horikita Suzune pondered for a moment, then nodded.

Seeing that her request had not been rejected, Kikyo Kushida finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Regardless, one objective has been achieved.

See you tomorrow!

Nangong Cheng watched as Kushida Kikyo left the coffee shop, turning back every three steps, before picking up his coffee and taking another sip.

I thought you would refuse.

“Normally I would refuse such meaningless social interaction, but after learning the truth about this school…”

"You've changed your mind?"

Horikita Suzune nodded, but then shook her head.

"It's just an adaptive adjustment. I still have my own opinions on meaningless social behaviors."

I'm making an adaptive adjustment.

Nangong Cheng suppressed the urge to complain and changed the subject to the next one—

"Alright, I'm too lazy to comment on your personal thoughts, and I'm not interested in the collaboration you mentioned."

"why?"

Horikita Suzune looked puzzled: "Do you really want to stay in Class D? Especially knowing exactly where this school is?"

Nangong Cheng simply shrugged with a little bear.