COTE: Starting With Love Stock Market System

After stepping out of the private room at the yakiniku restaurant, Hikaru glanced around the surroundings before leading Ichinose to a bench across from the restaurant, where they sat down.

"Ichinose, I called you out here because I wanted to talk about everything that's happened over the past few days."

He got straight to the point, his tone gentle as he looked at the girl sitting beside him. "A lot has happened recently. I'm sure you have a lot on your mind too, right?"

"Yeah… Hikaru-kun has been constantly coming up with strategies to help Class B gain the upper hand," Ichinose said with a self-deprecating smile. "Compared to you, I feel like I've failed as a class representative."

"…Is that what you think?"

Hikaru's expression grew complicated. He hadn't expected Ichinose's struggles to be rooted in this.

"You really don't need to compare yourself to me. No matter what I do, my goal is the same as yours—to make Class B stronger."

"You're important to Class B. The fact that everyone chose you as our representative means they believe in your abilities."

Now that he understood the source of her concerns, Hikaru was surprised, but his mind was already working to find the best way to reassure her.

"The recent plans may have been rushed, but they were all responses to unexpected situations, just patchwork solutions to keep things on track."

"I don't want you to overthink things, let alone start doubting yourself," he said, gazing directly into Ichinose's eyes. "So, how about we make a promise? One that will help us trust each other even more."

Ichinose blinked in surprise and quickly asked, "What kind of promise?"

For the past few days, she had been questioning her own role as class representative, and the answer she had come to deeply unsettled her.

Since the first day of school, she had been relying on Hikaru. Not only had she followed all his plans without hesitation, but she had also stopped thinking critically about them—just assuming that whatever he decided would work.

At first, she hadn't found anything wrong with that. After all, Hikaru was her closest ally in Class B. Trusting him didn't seem like an issue.

But after her conversation with Ibuki the day before, something changed.

A terrifying possibility had taken root in her mind.

What if one day Hikaru wasn't by her side?

What if he decided to leave Class B and join another class?

Would she be able to lead the class on her own?

Could she still graduate as a member of Class A?

These questions pressed down on her like an insurmountable weight, crushing her spirit.

Yes, Hikaru was incredibly talented. But did she really know him?

From their first meeting, she had seen how capable he was. He had figured out how to collect Class Points and Private Points from the start, then formulated strategy after strategy. He had done everything alone.

And if one day he decided that Class B wasn't good enough—if he thought it would be easier to achieve his goals in Class A—what would stop him from leaving?

After all, two million points weren't impossible for him to gather.

He had discovered the school's hidden rules on the very first day. There was no doubt he would continue to shine in future exams.

The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. Her confidence wavered, and she even began doubting herself.

But when Hikaru mentioned making a promise, her heart skipped a beat.

Like a toy with fresh batteries, a surge of energy filled her.

"Heh, it's actually pretty simple. It won't take long to explain," Hikaru said with a light chuckle. Now that he understood her concerns, he had already devised a way to resolve them.

He hated unnecessary trouble. If something could be addressed directly, he preferred to settle it on the spot before misunderstandings piled up.

"To put your mind at ease, I have two conditions."

"First, in future class competitions, we'll brainstorm ideas together. Whenever a situation arises, we'll discuss it as a group and come up with a strategy that everyone agrees on."

"Second, after we complete this month's point collection plan…" Hikaru met Ichinose's blue eyes, his voice warm as he proposed, "I'll let you take full control of next month's operations."

"You'll be the one making all the decisions for Class B. Until you ask for my help, I won't interfere."

His dark eyes glowed with determination as he continued, "Since you're worried that you aren't as capable as me, then let's test that theory. When the stage is entirely yours, I'm sure you'll do just as well—if not better. That way, all your doubts will disappear."

"So, do you accept this promise?"

Ichinose's heart clenched at his words. The emotions she had been suppressing surged to the surface.

Before she realized it, warm tears streamed down her cheeks, and her shoulders trembled with soft sobs.

She had been holding in so much. The moment she found an outlet, her emotions broke free.

"Eh?"

Hikaru stiffened in panic.

He had intended to resolve her worries through reason, making her more confident in leading Class B.

But now she was crying.

He must have gone too far. Had he put too much pressure on her?

"A-Ah, I'm sorry, Ichinose! That wasn't what I meant…!"

"Forget what I said, okay? Just—just don't cry!"

Ichinose saw the rare moment of panic on his face and suddenly burst into laughter through her tears.

She wiped her face with the back of her hand and reassured him, "I'm fine. Something just got in my eye, that's all. Don't worry about it, Hikaru-kun."

"…Really?"

"Really," she smiled, her tears finally drying. "I accept your promise, and I won't let Class B down. Please watch over me, Hikaru-kun."

"Alright. But just so you know, I'll be strict. Mistakes is not an option."

The two of them extended their pinkies and hooked them together. Their gazes met as they spoke in unison.

"A promise is a promise. Let's see it through until the end."

"Phew, now that we've talked everything out, let's go back and eat some yakiniku," Ichinose said, her expression finally bright and carefree again.

As she stood up and beckoned him back inside, Hikaru could see that the gloom that had lingered in her expression was gone.

She was back to being the warm and radiant leader of Class B.

"Looks like she's alright now."

Hikaru stroked his chin, satisfied with the outcome of their conversation.

Just then, a notification from the system appeared.

[Your promise has helped Ichinose Honami regain her confidence. She has decided not to rely on you anymore, but in doing so, her emotions have silently transformed into an intense possessiveness towards you.

[Ichinose Honami Stock price increased by 30 points.]

[Current Stock Price: 150.]

"…"

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