COTE: Starting With Love Stock Market System

"Does Hikaru-kun know that you're here meeting me?"

The moment Sakayanagi asked this question, Ichinose's expression visibly shifted.

She immediately recalled Hikaru's prior instructions, so she responded calmly:

"I don't see how that's relevant to today's meeting."

"That's true."

Sakayanagi nodded lightly before adding with a playful smirk:

"But, Ichinose-san, you're quite cunning, aren't you? I've already answered your questions, yet you don't intend to share anything with me. That doesn't seem very fair, does it?"

"..."

Ichinose felt momentarily speechless.

Just as she was debating whether to respond, Sakayanagi spoke again.

"No need to worry. I was merely curious. If you don't wish to answer, that's fine."

Lifting her cup, Sakayanagi took a small sip of coffee, her tone turning noticeably gentler.

"Since Ichinose-san finds certain topics difficult to discuss, why don't we talk about something more relaxed? Let's set aside class competition for a moment and just have a nice chat between girls—perhaps we'll understand each other better that way."

She smiled slightly, her words inviting yet deliberate.

"After all, I find you quite fascinating. We're both class leaders—I'm sure we have much in common."

"That sounds good. I don't actually know what Sakayanagi-san likes yet."

Hearing this, Ichinose's posture straightened slightly, eager to reclaim some initiative in the conversation.

Up until now, Sakayanagi had been leading the discussion, making Ichinose feel somewhat frustrated.

Meanwhile, Kamuro Masumi, standing behind Sakayanagi, couldn't help but scoff internally.

"If she were really just looking for a friendly chat, why the hell would I be here?"

Kamuro's gaze shifted toward Ichinose—

The girl exuded warmth and kindness, the type of person naturally adored by those around her.

But against Sakayanagi, someone like that was nothing more than an easy target.

---

"I actually enjoy coffee in all its varieties. How about you, Ichinose-san? Any favorite drinks?"

Sakayanagi's delicate fingers traced the rim of her cup.

Her pale skin blended seamlessly with the white porcelain, almost making it difficult to tell where one ended and the other began.

"Drinks? I like oolong tea. It has a comforting taste."

Sensing that Sakayanagi's overbearing aura had softened, Ichinose visibly relaxed as well, falling into a more natural rhythm of conversation.

"Oolong tea? I don't believe I've ever tried it before."

Sakayanagi turned to Kamuro.

"Kamuro-san, have you had it?"

Kamuro responded indifferently:

"Yeah. A bit too bitter for my taste."

"Oh, is that so?"

Sakayanagi's tone carried a trace of regret as she mused:

"What a shame. I'm not particularly fond of bitter things."

"Haha, neither is Hikaru-kun. I tried offering him some once, and he refused outright."

Ichinose spoke naturally, believing that mentioning Hikaru's personal preferences had nothing to do with class competition.

"Oh? Just a little personal habit, then. No need to dwell on it."

Sakayanagi's expression remained pleasant, but in her violet eyes, a flicker of understanding flashed.

---

She hadn't agreed to this meeting simply to chat.

Her true goal was to gather intel on Hikaru.

Aside from their brief encounter during the rule-selling incident, she had also heard his name mentioned by her father.

Naturally, this piqued her curiosity—she wanted to understand who this boy really was.

From a strategic standpoint, Class B posed the greatest threat to Class A, making Ichinose their primary target.

However, despite being the class representative, Ichinose wasn't the one truly driving the class forward.

The real orchestrator was Hashima Hikaru.

During their first meeting, it was he who led the negotiations and dictated the terms, while Ichinose merely assisted from the sidelines.

And yet, despite his evident capabilities, Hikaru remained in the background, letting Ichinose take the spotlight.

Sakayanagi had found this puzzling at first, but after today's meeting, she finally understood.

---

First, Ichinose and Hikaru's relationship was exceptionally close.

The way she spoke about him made it evident that the two were deeply familiar with each other.

---

Second, Ichinose was easy to manipulate.

Her kindhearted nature was an asset in gathering allies, but it was also her greatest weakness.

---

Listening to their conversation, Kamuro gradually put the pieces together.

Sakayanagi claimed this was just a casual tea party—but in reality, she was extracting information about Hikaru piece by piece.

And Ichinose?

She was giving it away freely.

Kamuro couldn't help but wonder—just what kind of person was Hikaru, to warrant this level of attention from Sakayanagi?

---

Meanwhile, at Keyaki Mall's Family Restaurant…

"Hikaru-kun, order whatever you like! It's on me today."

Across the table, Kushida handed him the menu, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

"I'm fine with anything. I'm not too picky."

Hikaru took the menu and scanned through it, quickly selecting two relatively simple dishes—enough to not be too expensive.

"That's it? But I heard boys eat a lot—shouldn't you order more?"

"No need. I wouldn't want to take advantage of you, Kushida-san. After all, you spent 50,000 Private Points to buy those rules last time, didn't you?"

Hikaru smiled slightly before changing the subject:

"So, how's Class D doing? Has the situation improved?"

"Ah, don't even get me started…"

Kushida sighed as she handed the menu to the waiter.

A hint of exasperation crossed her face.

"Even though everyone knows the school's hidden rules now, some students still don't take class seriously. They slack off, doze off, or mess around during lessons—even though Hirata keeps reminding them."

"You must be working hard to keep things together."

Hikaru's compliment sounded genuine, but internally, he wasn't buying the act.

Kushida's reputation as a social butterfly preceded her.

In Class B, her name often came up in conversations, as she had connections everywhere.

If he simply flattered her, he'd risk being reduced to just another tool in her network—nothing more than a mindless sycophant.

To truly build a connection, he needed to find what she genuinely cared about.

And he already had a lead.

---

"What about that other student I met before—Horikita-san? Has she done anything noteworthy?"

Hikaru intentionally brought up Suzune, his tone laced with curiosity.

"She paid a lot of points upfront, just like you, right? She must be pretty dedicated to the class."

The moment he mentioned Suzune's name, he noticed a subtle shift in Kushida's expression.

Though she maintained her usual smile, her body language betrayed slight discomfort.

"Well… she keeps to herself, so she doesn't stand out much."

"Really? I thought she'd be quite proactive."

Kushida hesitated before responding.

"Honestly, I'd love to be friends with Horikita-san, but I just haven't found the right opportunity yet."

Her expression turned wistful, hands folded neatly together.

"If she were more involved, she could contribute so much more to Class D."

'Friends? With Suzune?'

Hikaru raised an eyebrow internally.

Wasn't she actively trying to get her expelled?

What kind of twisted logic was this?

Now he was even more confused about her true intentions.

Still, he decided to play along.

"Friendship is important. Since you're both in the same class, why not create an opportunity to get closer?"

He smiled.

"How about a study group?"

~~~

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