COTE: Bag And Love System

"Eh?"

　　 Ichinose Honami was stunned at first, but soon stood up as if she had thought of something.

　　 "Hey, what are you two talking about in low voices? Can't we listen?"

　　 Ando's lips curled up in a mocking manner and he looked at the two people in front of him with an extremely ambiguous gaze, looking quite happy.

　　 "Yeah, yeah, is there anything that can't be said here?" Shibata also followed suit, a mocking look on his face. "Is there any secret that can't be told to us?"

　　 "Enough, I have something important to discuss with Ichinose-san, so I'll excuse myself for now."

　　 Hashima Hikaru had no intention of dealing with everyone's mockery. After explaining, he turned around and left the private room. Ichinose, behind him, just smiled at everyone and then silently followed the boy.

　　 "What secret do you think Hashima-san and Ichinose-san are going to tell you? Could it be… that one?"

　　 After the two of them disappeared, Ando immediately became excited. In fact, during the first few days of school, there were rumors among the students of Class B that the two of them might be secretly dating.

　　 After all, they are the current leading duo of Class B. Not only are they deskmates, but they also seem to have a very good relationship. Furthermore, both the boy and the girl are extremely handsome, so it wouldn't be surprising if they actually ended up together.

　　 "Since Hashima-san doesn't want to talk about it, it must be something very important. Let's not speculate."

　　 Shiranami Chihiro knew what Ando meant and her little face showed a bit of anxiety. He didn't want to continue discussing this topic with everyone.

　　 "If Hashima is really with Ichinose, isn't that a good thing?"

　　 Since Shibata was also very popular among the girls in Class B, he naturally knew what topics they often discussed. He nodded seriously and said to them, "I think they're a good couple."

　　 "I think so too. After all, Hashima-san and Ichinose-san are the most important members of our Class B. It would be good for everyone if we could work together for the next three years."

　　 Kanzaki Ryuji had the same idea as Shibata. He also knew about the rumors circulating in the class. Tokyo Metropolitan High School didn't have strict rules about relationships between opposite sexes. If Hashima Hikaru and Ichinose Honami really became a couple, it would be something that the students in Class B would welcome.

　　"Are they really dating? It's unlikely..."

　　Shiranami Chihiro, the only one who had a contrary opinion, looked unhappy, but seeing that everyone was very excited about this matter, she didn't say anything more and could only bury this doubt in her heart for the time being.

　　 She planned to ask Ichinose tonight, otherwise she wouldn't be able to sleep.

　　 After Hashima Hikaru and Ichinose left the private room of the barbecue restaurant, he took a look at the surroundings and then led the girl to sit on a bench on the other side of the restaurant.

　　"Ichinose-san, I called you because I wanted to talk to you about what happened in the past few days."

　　 Hashima Hikaru got straight to the point. He looked at the girl sitting beside him and said in a gentle tone, "A lot has happened lately. I'm sure Ichinose-san has a lot to say."

　　 "Yes, Hashima-san has been coming up with various schemes to help Class B gain an advantage," Ichinose said with a hint of mockery, "Compared to you, I'm really not qualified to be a class leader."

　　 ".....Is that so?"

　　 Hearing her say that, the boy's expression suddenly became complicated. He didn't expect Ichinose's internal struggle to be because of that.

　　 "Ichinose-san, you don't have to compare yourself to me. No matter what I do, my starting point is the same as yours, which is to improve Class B."

　　 "You are very important to Class B. Since everyone has chosen Ichinose-san as the leader of Class B, it means that they believe in Ichinose-san's ability."

　　 After understanding the girl's inner thoughts, although Hashima Hikaru was surprised, he began to quickly think in his mind how to comfort her.

"The recent series of measures is certainly a bit hasty, but generally speaking we are dealing with various emergencies to ensure the proper implementation of the original plan."

　　 "I don't want Ichinose-san to have any crazy thoughts or start to doubt her own abilities." The boy looked into Ichinose's eyes seriously and said slowly, "How about Ichinose-san and I make a promise, a promise that will allow us to trust each other more?"

　　 After hearing this, Ichinose Honami's gloomy expression suddenly changed and she quickly asked, "What kind of agreement?"

　　 Over the past two days, Ichinose has been thinking about what she has done as the class leader, but the conclusion she came to was disappointing.

　　 The girl realized that she had actually trusted Hashima Hikaru since the first day of school. Not only did she obey his plans, but most of the time she didn't even think about it too much and thought that there wouldn't be any problems.

　　 At first, Ichinose thought that there was nothing wrong with that idea. After all, Hashima Hikaru would always be her closest companion in the future, so she believed that everything would be fine.

　　 But since Ibuki rejected her in person yesterday, Ichinose Honami immediately thought of a possibility that scared her extremely.

　　 What should I do if one day Hashima-san isn't by my side or leaves for another class?

　　 Do I really have the ability to continue leading everyone in Class B forward?

　　 Can I really graduate from Class A with everyone?

　　 These questions were like huge mountains that instantly crushed Ichinose Honami's spiritual world. She knew that Hashima Hikaru was very outstanding, but did she really know him well?

　　 From the first time they met, Ichinose knew that the other party had always been a very headstrong person. From collecting class points to formulating different battle plans, all of these things were done by Hashima alone.

　　 But if one day Hashima-san gets bored of Class B and wants to change classes, can I stop him?

　　 Maybe he thinks that joining Class A will make it easier for him to achieve his goal. Anyway, 20 million points is not very difficult for Hashima. He can perceive the detailed rules of the school from the first day of class and will surely shine in the subsequent exams.

　　 These doubts kept appearing in her heart, causing Ichinose Honami to fall into an endless entanglement during this period of time, and she even began to have considerable doubts about her own abilities.

But now, when the girl heard Hashima Hikaru say the word "promise," her heart suddenly began to beat uncontrollably faster, like a mechanical doll whose battery had been replaced, and she was instantly injected with powerful energy.

　　 "Oh, actually this agreement is very simple and only a few words are needed to explain it."

　　 Hashima Hikaru smiled sweetly. After understanding the girl's inner struggle, he thought of a way to eliminate her anxiety.

　　 She hates trouble, so if there is something to say it is best to say it face to face, to avoid misunderstandings and getting more and more entangled.

　　 "In order to make Ichinose-san feel more comfortable, I have two considerations."

　　 "First of all, in the next class competition, we have to brainstorm. When we are faced with different situations, we have to discuss them with each other, and finally come up with a plan that we can all agree on."

　　 "Secondly, after this month's point collection plan is completed," Hashima Hikaru looked into Ichinose Honami's blue eyes and suggested in a soft voice, "I plan to let Ichinose-san decide all the collective actions for the next month."

　　 "I will let Ichinose-san perform alone on the big stage. I will not take the initiative to perform until you ask me for help."

　　 There was a glint in Hashima Hikaru's dark glasses, and he looked at the girl with fiery eyes, "Since Ichinose-san is worried that you are not as good as me, then when you are given all the opportunities, you will definitely be able to perform better, and your worries will naturally disappear."

　　"How about you accept this promise?"

　　 "..."

　　After hearing the boy's declaration, the emotions in Ichinose Honami's heart suddenly burst forth. Two lines of tears fell down her beautiful face without warning, and her entire person seemed to be sobbing uncontrollably.

　　 It seems that she has been under a lot of pressure lately. When there was a space for release, the girl's tear glands immediately collapsed.

　　 "Eh?"

　　 Unexpectedly, her reaction frightened Hashima Hikaru, who was standing next to her. Originally, he had planned to use "oral persuasion" to make Ichinose eliminate her inner anxiety so that she could better lead Class B.

　　But he didn't expect that the other party would start crying, which immediately left the boy puzzled. He wondered if it was because he used too much force that Ichinose couldn't hold back.

　　 "Um, I'm sorry, Ichinose-san, are you okay? I didn't mean it like that..."

"Why don't you just pretend I didn't say anything and stop crying?"

　　 The pink-haired girl, still with tears streaming down her face, burst into laughter when she saw the usually confident boy display a look of a child who had made a mistake.

　　 She wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand and explained, "I'm fine. Something got into my eye, so I felt a little pain and cried. Don't worry, Hashima-san."

　　 "Really?"

　　 "Don't worry," Ichinose Honami wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand, her eyes becoming much brighter, "I agree with Hashima-san's promise, I will never let everyone in Class B down, please let Hashima-san supervise me."

　　 "Okay, I want to make it clear in advance that I am very strict. I hope Ichinose-san doesn't make any mistakes."

　　 The two of them stretched out their little fingers and intertwined them, looked into each other's eyes and said in unison, "The agreement is set, let's witness it together."

　　 "Well, now that the discussion is over, let's go back and eat the barbecue."

　　 A radiant smile appeared on Ichinose Honami's cute face again. She stood up and called Hashima Hikaru back to the box.

　　 At that moment, the sadness between the girl's eyebrows seemed to have completely disappeared, and she turned into the gentle and bright archangel before him.

　　 "This is… everything is fine."

　　 Hashima Hikaru touched his chin, it seems that his calling therapy was very effective.

　　At that very moment, a new message suddenly appeared in the system bar.

　　 [The deal you proposed cheered Ichinose Honami up again. Ichinose Honami decided not to rely on you anymore. This emotion quietly turned into a strong possessiveness towards you. Ichinose Honami's stock price rose by 30 points. The current stock price is: 150]

"..."

　　When Hashima Hikaru and Ichinose returned to the barbecue restaurant, several of the classmates present immediately looked at them.

　　 "Ichinose-san, you're back."

　　 Shiranami Chihiro seemed extremely excited and quickly greeted Ichinose, while the two boys who were originally sitting next to Hashima Hikaru began to look at the boy's expression, and when they saw that he had a smile on his face, they quickly asked in a low voice.

　　 "How's everything? Did something good happen?"

　　 "What good news?"

　　 After Hashima Hikaru sat back in his seat, he was slightly confused by their sudden questions.

　　 "Ichinose-san no..."

　　Shibata wanted to find out if what everyone imagined was really happening outside. If they really became a couple, everyone would be happy.

　　 "What's the meaning?"

　　 Hashima Hikaru had no idea what they were thinking, but she still explained to them, "Just now Ichinose-san and I went out to discuss the subsequent lesson plans."

　　 "It's almost Friday. After settling Class C's big problem, we should quickly come to a conclusion on what to do next."

　　 "Yes," Ichinose Honami took control of the boy's conversation with a faint smile on her face, "Hashima-san originally had some ideas, but he wasn't sure yet, so he came to talk to me first."

　　 "Or what do you think we're going to say?"

　　 "Ah, so it's like that!"

　　 Shiranami Chihiro's face lit up with joy and she quickly said with a smile, "Hashima-san is very serious. He even thinks about how to help the class while eating. It's amazing!"

　　 "I can't help it. Since I'm Ichinose-san's assistant, I have to think about how to gain an advantage for Class B all the time."

　　 Hashima Hikaru spread his hands and after saying this, he couldn't help but look at Ichinose Honami who was sitting in front of him.

　　 Before returning to the private room of the barbecue restaurant, Ichinose Honami went to the bathroom to wash her face, completely covering her previous disheveled appearance. At this moment, her little face maintained a gentle expression, as if nothing had happened.

　　 After hearing her statement, Ichinose quickly added, "Hashima-san and I will always work hard for Class B. Please believe in us."

　　"I understand. We all trust Ichinose-san and Hashima-san."

　　 When Ando saw that the two were behaving normally and that there was nothing unusual between them, the fire of gossip burning in his heart felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured on him, so he had to give up on the idea of supporting the couple for the time being.

She then asked everyone to start eating. After all, the barbecue was already served and they were just waiting for the two of them to return.

　　 Facing the steaming and delicious food, the six people immediately immersed themselves in the enjoyment of the banquet, chatting while eating the barbecue.

　　 After spending these days together, our relationship has become very familiar, and we can even joke around a bit.

　　 It took about two hours for the meal to be finished. Realizing that almost everyone had finished eating, Hashima Hikaru wanted to get up and pay the bill, but Ichinose Honami blocked her way with her hand.

　　 "Hashima-san, don't forget, this is a celebration party that we all organized to reward you for your hard work these days. You are not allowed to pay for it."

　　 "Yes, this is the key to our situation this time." Sit down, Hashima-san.

　　 Ando raised the corner of his mouth, stood up and took Ichinose Honami's arm, and together with Shiranami Chihiro, the three girls left the cash register to pay the bill.

　　 "Okay."

　　 Seeing that everyone had a clear attitude, Hashima Hikaru had to give up the idea of paying the bill. After all, he was the one with the most personal points among everyone present, so it was easy for him to pay for the meal.

　　 "Hahaha, we already transferred the points to Ichinose-san," Shibata put his hand on Hashima Hikaru's shoulder and carelessly explained, "It won't be too expensive if it's shared by five people, so don't think too much about it, Hashima-san."

　　 "Yes, tomorrow's class meeting will still have to be organized by Hashima-san, so I'll have to trouble you again then." Ryuji Kanzaki beside her had a faint smile on his face.

　　 Actually, the boys find it very easy to get along with each other. Hashima Hikaru's skills are acknowledged by them, so they all like to play with him.

　　 After the three of them chatted for a while, they heard the box door open.

　　 Hashima Hikaru turned around and saw the girls coming in, but to his surprise, besides the three girls from Class B, there was another figure.

　　 It was a girl with short brown hair, a beautiful appearance, and a plump figure. She had replaced Ando and was walking towards the boys holding onto Ichinose Honami's arm.

　　 "Hashima-san, let me introduce you, this is Kushida-san from Class D."

　　 Ichinose Honami had a gentle smile on her face and introduced the girl beside her to the three boys, "I ran into her when I was paying the bill just now, so I brought her here to introduce her to all of you."

　　 "Hello."

　　 The girl named Kushida was very natural. Even when she met someone for the first time, she wasn't nervous at all and confidently introduced herself, "I'm Kikyo Kushida from the first-year Class D. My dream is to make friends with everyone. I hope everyone from Class B can give me some advice."