COTE: Starting With Love Stock Market System

Compared to the elated atmosphere in Class B, where students were still celebrating their promotion, the mood in Class A was much heavier.

Their homeroom teacher, a short-haired man in a neatly pressed black suit, stood at the front of the classroom, his tie perfectly straight—a man who exuded seriousness in every aspect.

After writing the updated Class Points on the blackboard, a brief commotion broke out among the students.

However, Katsuragi and Sakayanagi swiftly intervened, restoring order.

As they analyzed the numbers, a single name came to mind—

A student who had sold them information on hidden rules on the very first day of school.

Hashima Hikaru.

The Special Exam had yet to begin, yet Class B had already surpassed 1,000 Class Points—something clearly unusual.

There had to be a deeper reason, and without a doubt, that reason was linked to him.

"Katsuragi-kun, Sakayanagi-san, do you have any questions?" asked Mashima Tomonari, their homeroom teacher, his sharp gaze falling on the two.

Katsuragi immediately spoke up.

"Sensei, could you explain why Class B has over 1,000 Class Points? Did something happen that we weren't aware of?"

"That information is not something I can disclose."

Mashima's tone was firm.

"If you want answers, you'll have to find them yourselves. The school does not provide competitive intelligence between classes."

With that Mashima turned his attention back to Katsuragi and Sakayanagi.

He knew these two were locked in a power struggle for control of the class.

However, it wasn't his place to intervene.

At this school, students were responsible for their own battles.

"Katsuragi, Sakayanagi, the future of Class A rests in your hands," Mashima continued.

"Although we've been demoted to Class B, the point difference isn't too large. If you both remain diligent, we can reclaim our position."

"…Understood, Sensei."

Katsuragi's face remained serious.

"I will handle this matter properly."

Meanwhile, Sakayanagi gave a calm, composed response.

"I'll be sure to take it seriously as well."

But deep inside, she had already figured out the truth.

Her mind drifted back to the boy who had once stood before her, selling classified school rules on the first day—

Hashima Hikaru.

And his classmate, Ichinose Honami.

"How fascinating…"

The silver-haired girl murmured softly, her piercing gaze gleaming with thought.

"To think they'd surpass us so quickly."

Hashima Hikaru, I'm becoming more and more intrigued by you.

---

In Class C, a bespectacled middle-aged man calmly wrote the updated Class Points on the blackboard.

Then, he turned to observe the students.

The current class leader, Ibuki Mio, stood up.

Her expression darkened the moment she saw the numbers.

"What… happened to our points?"

Her voice was shaken, struggling to comprehend how much they had fallen behind.

"It's obvious, isn't it?"

Sakagami Kazuma, adjusting his glasses, spoke matter-of-factly.

"It's because of those three."

The two recently reinstated students, Ishizaki Daichi and Komiya Kyogo, shifted uncomfortably under the icy stares of their classmates.

"A suspension is a serious offense," Sakagami continued.

"It results in a massive deduction of Class Points."

His gaze sharpened as he looked toward Ibuki.

"I heard Ryuen's suspension was your fault, wasn't it?"

"…I won't deny it."

Ibuki took a deep breath, showing no sign of regret.

She expected this outcome from the moment it happened.

Still, seeing the actual numbers on the board, the reality of it all weighed on her.

"No matter the circumstances, our class has fallen far behind the others," Sakagami said.

"You'd better start thinking about a strategy to climb back up."

He paused before adding—

"As the new Class Representative, the responsibility falls on you."

"…I understand, Sensei."

With that, Ibuki sat back down, gripping her fists tightly.

Sakagami was a pragmatic teacher.

He didn't care who threw the first punch.

He didn't care who was the victim.

All that mattered to him was whether the class could advance.

"Ibuki, don't worry—we're all behind you."

Shiina Hiyori, ever calm and kind, offered her support.

"Ryuen-kun will be back soon. Until then, you'll have to keep him in check."

"Yeah… that bastard…"

Today was May 1st.

Ryuen's suspension had three days left.

Even though he wasn't physically present, ever since Ishizaki and Komiya returned, he had been gathering intelligence through them.

Whatever he was planning, it was already in motion.

"I won't let him do whatever he wants."

"This is our class. Not his personal playground."

"Haha, I believe in you, Ibuki."

Hiyori's gentle voice reassured her, but her gaze remained fixed on the blackboard.

B-Class CP: 1010.

That boy's class… had surpassed 1,000 points?

Hashima Hikaru.

What exactly did he do?

---

Class D (Now Class C): Rising from the Bottom

Unlike the serious tone in Class A and Class C, the atmosphere in Class D—or rather, the newly promoted Class C—was filled with excitement.

After writing the updated Class Points, their homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae, turned to the class.

"Well, it looks like your efforts paid off this month."

"Congratulations."

"You're no longer at the bottom."

"YES!!"

Hirata Yosuke clenched his fists in excitement.

The first month, and they had already climbed up one rank.

"We knew trusting Hirata's strategy was the right choice," said Kushida, smiling warmly at her classmates.

"Although we lost a fair amount of Class Points, this is still a huge achievement."

"This victory belongs to all of us."

"Yeah! It's all thanks to Hirata and Kushida-chan!"

Yamauchi grinned, looking at the numbers.

Even though they had point deductions, they still received 53,000 Private Points this month—more than enough to get by.

"We should celebrate! We might actually have a shot at Class A!"

Ike joined in, eager to ride the momentum.

Meanwhile, Kushida and Suzune both stared at the blackboard—

Eyes locked on one particular number.

B-Class CP: 1010.

"They made it to Class A?"

Hikaru's class had overtaken the 1,000-point mark.

An even more shocking feat than their own promotion.

"…It's him, isn't it?"

Suzune murmured to herself.

Her brother had acknowledged his strength.

It wasn't surprising.

Meanwhile, Kushida's thoughts were far more complicated.

So… you managed to climb to Class A, huh?

What exactly did you do, Hikaru?

Recalling their recent conversations, she narrowed her eyes.

This wasn't enough.

She needed to push him further—make him work harder for her.

With that in mind, she picked up her phone—

And sent him a message.

*(TL/N - LoL, who's gonna tell her)

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