COTE: Starting With Love Stock Market System

Once Ichika confirmed that the private points had been received, Hikaru turned to Ibuki.

"Don't worry. Since you've all paid, I won't go back on my word."

"Here, this notebook contains all the hidden rules. We've written down everything in detail."

He handed over the unused notebook from the previous day to Ibuki, then smiled.

"Well, our business is done. You can read it yourselves—no need for me to stick around."

"What do you mean? You're just going to hand us a notebook and leave?"

Ibuki, sensing Hikaru was about to slip away after taking their points, immediately raised her voice.

"We just paid you a million points, and you're just going to walk out after handing us a notebook?"

"But the rules are all written in there, aren't they? It doesn't really matter whether I stay or not. Unless… you guys can't read?"

Hikaru had no interest in lingering any longer. After orchestrating this elaborate plan, he had finally recovered the full three million points. Now, all he wanted was some well-earned rest.

"You—!"

The short-haired girl was infuriated by Hikaru's nonchalant attitude, but she had no way to force him to stay.

At that moment, Ichinose stepped in to mediate.

"Ibuki, don't get upset. We still have things to do. The rules are clearly written down—you can just read them."

She, of course, had no desire for Hikaru to remain here any longer. All she wanted was to leave with him as soon as possible.

Ibuki turned to glance at the notebook. As she flipped through the pages and saw the detailed handwritten notes, she fell silent.

Indeed, everything was thoroughly recorded. It would be just as effective for her to explain it to the class herself.

"Ibuki, we'll be going now."

"Fine. Just don't come bothering us again."

Ibuki waved them off impatiently, frustration evident in her expression.

Although she disliked Hikaru's manipulative tactics, she couldn't help but acknowledge his ability. The timestamp on the transaction receipt revealed something that truly shocked her—he had purchased the school's hidden rules on the very first day of enrollment.

To act so quickly and decisively, possessing both insight and an iron grip on execution—this guy was dangerous.

She had a feeling she'd be hearing his name a lot more in the future.

"See you around, Ibuki."

Ichinose glanced at Ibuki's complicated expression and offered a polite farewell before following Hikaru out of Class C's classroom.

Finally, after all the effort they had put in since the beginning of the school term, the point recovery plan had come to a close.

Now, it was time to share the good news with the rest of Class B.

---

Meanwhile, in Class C, Ibuki and Hiyori began reading through the contents of the notebook.

As they read, their expressions gradually hardened.

One revelation after another—it was more shocking than they had imagined.

"This… is insane."

Hiyori, usually calm and composed, had a rare look of concern on her face. As she finished reading the rules, she immediately thought back to the two people who had just left.

They had known about these rules since the first day of school. Yet, they had chosen to sell the information at half price.

Why?

Was there another motive behind their seemingly generous offer?

"Ibuki, do you remember the transaction receipt from earlier?"

"You mean the one that showed they knew the school's rules from the very first day?"

Ibuki was quick to grasp what Hiyori was implying.

"If Hikaru and his group knew about these hidden rules from the start, then the plan to get Ryuen suspended must have had deeper motives behind it."

Hiyori pointed at a specific line in the notebook.

"For example, the deduction system for Class Points—if a student is suspended, the penalty is far more severe than using a phone in class or chatting during lessons."

"That bastard… he was playing us from the start!"

The realization hit Ibuki like a ton of bricks. She clenched her fists in frustration.

She had been used.

Ryuen's suspension had multiple consequences.

First, Class Points. If the notebook was correct, then a suspension likely resulted in a heavy deduction, further widening the gap between Class C and Class B.

Second, leadership vacuum. With Ryuen gone, Hikaru had a perfect opportunity to sell the hidden rules without facing his interference.

Once Class C fully understood the school's ranking system and the necessity of class competition, they would be forced to restrain Ryuen's behavior in the future.

As the Class Representative, Ibuki now had to shoulder that responsibility.

"Damn it! He must have planned this from the beginning, just to set us against Ryuen!"

Ibuki gritted her teeth in frustration. The current situation was a complete mess.

When Ryuen returned, he would undoubtedly try to reclaim his authority over Class C. Right now, her classmates were on her side—but once everyone processed these rules, their opinions might change.

After all, Ryuen wasn't someone whose actions could be predicted by normal logic.

If he managed to frame his return as an effort to "help the class," it was entirely possible some students would switch allegiances.

"Don't worry, Ibuki."

Hiyori, observing the turmoil on Ibuki's face, spoke softly.

"Your classmates support you. Yamada and I are on your side, too."

"...Really?"

"No matter what Ryuen does, we'll face it together. After all, I was the one who suggested you as the class representative—I believe in you."

"Alright. Then we'll wait for that bastard to come back."

Resolving herself, Ibuki firmly grasped the weight of her role.

She wasn't alone. She had allies.

With that, she stepped up to the podium.

It was time to explain the hidden rules to Class C.

A storm of revelations was about to sweep through the entire class.

---

Outside the classroom, Hikaru and Ichinose stood before a vending machine.

Hikaru was buying a drink while Ichinose, holding her phone, was chatting with their class group.

Everyone had already heard the good news—the final point recovery was a success. Now, they were enthusiastically discussing where to hold a celebratory party.

Seeing Ichinose's bright, beaming smile, Hikaru felt a sense of satisfaction.

After all, this plan had been anything but smooth.

At every step, they had encountered obstacles, solved problems, and then faced even more obstacles.

But they had pushed forward, overcoming every challenge, and had successfully reclaimed three million private points.

With this, they had taken their first real step toward the twenty-million-point plan.

"How's the discussion going?"

leaned toward Ichinose, his expression relaxed as he inquired about the party plans.

"Hmm… They're still deciding. We've got a few choices, but no consensus yet."

Ichika giggled as she read through the messages, but then suddenly paused.

Her cheerful expression flickered with uncertainty.

"Hikaru… someone's looking for us."

"Huh?"

He turned around.

Two figures stood in their path.

"Hikaru-kun, Ichinose-san. Good afternoon."

"?!"

Hikaru's eyes narrowed as he recognized the familiar face.

It was Katsuragi Kōhei.

And standing beside him was his ever-present follower, Totsuka Yahiko.

"You guys…"

Hikaru's expression turned inquisitive.

He hadn't checked on Class A in a while.

What were they up to?

"Would you mind sparing us a moment?" Katsuragi asked politely.

"There's something we'd like to discuss with you."

Hikaru exchanged a glance with Ichinose.

It seemed the next stage of the game was already starting.

~~~

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