In Classroom of the Elite, My Love Stock Market Only Wants to Go All In

"I understand. Bring him to the conference room."

Nagumo Miyabi skillfully directed them to act, then turned to explain the situation to Hashiba Hikaru and Ibuki Mio, who were standing to the side.

"Actually, when an accusation like this occurs, it is usually required for the homeroom teachers of both parties to be present. However, since both protagonists are students of Class C, there is no need to trouble Sakagami-sensei. We in the Student Council can handle it."

"Follow me."

"Understood."

Hashiba Hikaru and Ibuki followed behind Nagumo Miyabi, and the three of them walked together toward the Student Council conference room.

"President, should we go as well?" Tachibana Akane still looked somewhat worried.

"No need. Nagumo's ability is clear for all to see; I don't believe he will make a biased judgment," Horikita Manabu watched Hashiba Hikaru's retreating back, a faint sense of anticipation in his tone. "Besides, this is clearly a very good opportunity."

"An opportunity?"

"To see what kind of performance Hashiba-kun displays when facing Nagumo." Horikita Manabu recalled the conversation from their first meeting, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"I see." The purple-haired secretary nodded, though her expression shifted subtly as she looked at Hashiba's back.

After Hashiba Hikaru and Ibuki followed Nagumo Miyabi into the Student Council conference room, they saw an extremely spacious long table inside, with many seats arranged on both sides.

"You two sit over there, and... Ryuen-kun, you sit on the opposite side."

Nagumo Miyabi looked at Ryuen Kakeru as he walked in and raised an eyebrow. He really didn't care for the appearance of this first-year student; not only did he have long hair, but he also looked like a delinquent. It was no wonder he was being framed.

However, he didn't dwell on it and instead gave his instructions: "Now, I ask both parties to begin the debate. I will summarize all the testimonies you provide and, in the end, make a correct judgment in accordance with school rules."

"Begin!"

Once the start was announced, the first to speak was the accused, Ryuen Kakeru.

"So it was you, Ibuki."

After Ryuen sat down carelessly in his chair, his cold gaze locked directly onto Ibuki Mio opposite him, his tone carrying a heavy sense of threat.

"I thought you had finally learned your lesson and agreed to join my faction. To think you had something like this up your sleeve—truly impressive."

"You want me suspended? Do you have proof?"

"Of course I do. Not only proof, but witnesses as well." Ibuki Mio crossed her arms, completely unfazed by Ryuen's knife-like glare, and reached out to point at Hashiba Hikaru beside her.

"Didn't you just meet? This is Hashiba-kun from Class B, and he is my witness."

"Oh, so it's you. What kind of evidence do you have? Can I see it?"

Although Ryuen Kakeru had just met Hashiba Hikaru, he hadn't paid him much mind; he figured he would deal with him later anyway.

"Good afternoon, Ryuen-kun. I am Hashiba Hikaru."

Meeting the other's fierce gaze, Hashiba Hikaru finished his introduction and said in a gentle tone: "When I was picking up something in the Science Classroom earlier, I happened to witness your act of violence against Ibuki-san, so I recorded it directly."

"This is video evidence. Would you like to take a look?"

Hearing Hashiba Hikaru say this, Nagumo immediately signaled the Student Council member standing nearby to project the video from his phone onto the large screen at the back of the conference room.

The next moment, watching the violent footage playing on the screen, Ryuen's face darkened. He hadn't expected the angle of the recording to be so tricky; it didn't show the part where Ibuki used her leg techniques to fight back at all.

"Do you have any further defense, Ryuen-kun?"

Nagumo Miyabi knew very well that this was a frame-up, but everyone in the Student Council was watching him. If he couldn't make a judgment that satisfied everyone, it would likely diminish his authority.

"This is a frame-up! I was fighting with this person, not beating her unilaterally."

Ryuen pointed at Ibuki across from him and shouted sharply: "They definitely colluded! It's all to frame me!"

"Oh? And do you have any evidence you can present?"

Nagumo was somewhat interested and offered a prompt: "For example, witness testimony would be acceptable."

"I request to have my companions brought here. They all know I was fighting with this person," Ryuen Kakeru remembered Ishizaki and Komiya, whom he had set up as an ambush earlier, and shouted loudly, "As soon as they arrive, the truth will come to light."

"Very well. That is your right."

Nagumo nodded and then told him: "Contact them directly and have them come over quickly."

"I understand."

Ryuen glared viciously at Hashiba Hikaru and Ibuki across from him before starting to send a text message on his phone.

"Hashiba-kun, what do we do now?"

Standing on the other side, Ibuki reached out and tugged on Hashiba Hikaru's sleeve. She was worried that if those two had actually overheard her challenging Ryuen to a fight, the outcome of this deliberation might take a different turn.

"Don't worry, this is exactly what I wanted," Hashiba Hikaru said with a smug smile, whispering to Ibuki, "Once Ryuen plays this move, he is guaranteed to lose."

"Why?"

"Let's wait and see, Ibuki-san."

About five or six minutes later, the two boys arrived at the Student Council room, panting. By the time they were brought into the conference room, their faces were still covered in sweat, clearly having run all the way.

"Ryuen-kun, how is it?" Ishizaki Daichi was very concerned about Ryuen, worried that he had already been suspended.

"Don't worry, the Student Council has to follow the rules too," Ryuen Kakeru looked toward Nagumo Miyabi, who was sitting at the end of the long table, and said loudly: "These two are my witnesses. They can prove that Ibuki provoked me first and then invited me to a duel."

"Is that so?"

Nagumo's gaze fell upon the two Class C students, and he coldly demanded, "Can you prove that what he said is true?"

"We can!"

The two replied to Nagumo's question in unison. After speaking, Ishizaki Daichi even pointed at Ibuki's nose and cursed.

"You traitor, why are you framing Ryuen-kun? Are you even still a part of Class C?!"

"I am indeed not one of you, but I am no traitor to Class C."

Ibuki ignored their glares and turned her head to look at Hashiba Hikaru standing to the side.

Although the girl felt that he was a liar who spoke nothing but nonsense, she felt an inexplicable sense of trust toward him, though she herself did not know why.

"Heh, you've come at the perfect time. I have one more piece of evidence I haven't submitted yet, and I was just waiting for you to arrive so I could present it to Nagumo-senpai all at once."

Hashiba Hikaru looked toward Nagumo Miyabi, who was sitting upright in his seat, and chuckled, "Nagumo-senpai, please listen to this recording."

"Beep."

The phone recording began to play.

"Although I don't know what you're trying to do, since I'm here today, I'm going to beat you into submission once and for all!!!"

"Don't blame us, Ibuki-san. Who told you not to listen to Ryuen-kun?"

"Yeah, I didn't want to get rough with you either."

"Actually, our previous accusation wasn't complete; we only stated the first part," Hashiba Hikaru said, placing his hands on Ibuki's shoulders and explaining softly to Nagumo. "Ibuki-san not only suffered a violent assault by Ryuen earlier, but he also called for backup afterward, intending to force Ibuki-san to vote together."

"This is the complete audio recording. Nagumo-senpai should be able to tell it's their voices, right? Isn't there a ready-made comparison right here?"

"..."

After listening to the recording, Nagumo Miyabi's expression changed abruptly. He was no fool; if he still tried to go easy on them at this point, he would truly become a laughingstock.

"All three of you are staying here. I will make sure you learn what kind of punishment you face for using violence in this school!!!" The blonde Student Council Vice President roared at the three of them, his eyes flashing with a predatory light.

"Thank you for your impartiality, Nagumo-senpai. May we stay and hear the verdict together?"

Upon hearing Hashiba Hikaru's words, Nagumo looked at the boy holding the phone, and a brand-new idea suddenly sprouted in his mind.

A gentle smile appeared on his face as he said to Hashiba, "Of course. Hashiba-kouhai and Ibuki-kouhai may both stay and listen. After all, you are the parties involved, so you naturally have the right to know the result."

"Thank you, Nagumo-senpai."

Chapter 30: Nagumo's Recruitment

"Ryuen Kakeru of First-Year Class C, on the afternoon of April 4th at the school's Special Building, committed acts of violence against his classmate Ibuki Mio because his own desires were not met. Although no serious consequences were caused, given the extreme malice of such behavior, I, representing the Student Council, hereby issue the following penalty."

There was no expression on Nagumo Miyabi's face. After Hashiba Hikaru produced that recording, he had already made up his mind. After all, Horikita Manabu was still watching from the outside, and he had to show his stance.

"Ryuen Kakeru, suspended for one month, effective today, and you may not return to class until May 5th. You are forbidden from entering the school buildings during this period!"

He stared at the sullen-faced Ryuen Kakeru and read his declaration aloud.

In truth, if it were merely an act of violence without serious consequences, a suspension of one week to half a month would usually suffice. However, given that Ryuen not only committed violence this time but was also recorded with clear evidence, and even incited two accomplices to join in assaulting a girl, such behavior was truly too egregious and had to be punished at the maximum level.

"If you are found disobeying this penalty or sneaking into the school buildings for class," Nagumo said with a cold sneer, staring at Ryuen, "you will be expelled immediately!"

"Do you understand?"

"...I understand."

Ryuen Kakeru cast his gaze toward Ibuki Mio standing to the side. After hearing the recording in Hashiba Hikaru's hand, he immediately understood that he was doomed today, so his state of mind was actually quite calm.

"I'll count this as my loss, Ibuki. I'll win it back next time; the position of Class C leader will definitely be mine!"

Immediately after, he looked toward Hashiba Hikaru, who still wore a smile, and said slowly, "Your name is Hashiba Hikaru, right? I've remembered you."

"Eh, am I that famous now?" The boy showed no fear at Ryuen's threatening gaze, merely shrugging his shoulders and saying lightly, "It's not bad to have Ryuen-kun remember me."

"We'll be seeing each other often in the future. Come play again next time."

"Hmph!"

Ryuen Kakeru's face was livid. He didn't continue speaking, but instead walked straight out of the conference room.

At this moment, Nagumo's gaze swept over the other two Class C boys and continued, "And as for your penalties, listen up as well."

"Komiya Yogo and Ishizaki Daichi of First-Year Class C, instigated by Ryuen, laid an ambush at the Special Building on the afternoon of April 4th with the intent to commit violence against Ibuki Mio. Although you did not succeed, the intent to commit violence was clear."

"Therefore, both of you are suspended for one week starting today, and you may not return to class until April 12th. Do you understand? This penalty will be sent to Sakagami-sensei shortly, and he will be informed of the full situation regarding the three of you."

"...Yes."

Facing the powerful upperclassman, Ishizaki and Komiya, though once unruly delinquents, dared not argue further at this moment. They did not want to be expelled.

After the three Class C boys had left, Nagumo looked back at Hashiba Hikaru and Ibuki, wanting to know their attitude.

"Alright, the accusation initiated by Ibuki-san ends here. I wonder if the two of you are satisfied with my verdict?"

"Of course I am. Nagumo-senpai is truly worthy of being the Student Council Vice President. Not only was the judgment impartial, but your presence was so imposing that they didn't even dare to quibble. Truly amazing!"

Hashiba Hikaru continued to exercise the spirit of "shamelessness is invincible," showering Nagumo with flattery, which the blonde man found very gratifying, the smile on his face growing even broader.

"Can we leave now?"

Ibuki didn't want to stay here any longer; since she had already understood the situation, it was naturally time to go.

"Indeed. Thank you for your time today, Nagumo-senpai. We'll be taking our leave."

Just as Hashiba Hikaru and Ibuki turned around to leave the meeting room, Nagumo suddenly spoke up from behind them.

"Um, could Hashiba-kun stay for a moment? I have something I'd like to discuss with you."

"?"

Ibuki, who had been about to take a step forward, glanced quickly at the boy beside her upon hearing Nagumo's request. Seeing the corner of his mouth curl into a smile that suggested a scheme had succeeded, she realized what was happening in an instant.

Hmph, this guy is starting his games again.

No wonder he had been acting so incredibly respectful toward this Student Council vice president; he must have been waiting for this very moment.

"Good grief."

Muttering under her breath, the girl didn't linger any longer. She quickened her pace and walked out of the meeting room, wanting nothing more than to get away from Hashiba Hikaru before he could scheme against her again.

"Oh, is there something you need, Nagumo-senpai?"

Hashiba Hikaru turned around, his expression remaining as respectful as ever. Based on what he had just witnessed, although this second-year Student Council senior was the vice president, his relationship with Horikita Manabu was quite delicate.

The two were nominally the highest-ranking officials in the Student Council, but there was clearly a competitive tension between them, and that third-year girl with purple hair seemed to dislike him intensely.

He had to make good use of this discovery, otherwise, it would be a complete waste.

Just as Hashiba Hikaru was pondering this to himself, Nagumo, standing opposite him, began to speak.

"Hashiba-kun is from Class B, right? You really are a talented individual."

"I wouldn't go that far. In front of Nagumo-senpai, I can only be considered ordinary. You flatter me too much."

"No, no, no, there's no need to be so humble," Nagumo said, a sincere expression appearing on his face as he addressed the boy. "I was also in Class B when I was a first-year, you know, but I eventually managed to secure a firm foothold in Class A. I believe that Hashiba-kun will certainly be able to do the same as I did."