The First Rise in Sakayanagi's Stock / Sakura Airi's Study Group
"You..."
Although she was very unwilling, for some reason, Ibuki Mio still stood up from her seat and slowly walked to Ryuen's table.
"What you do?"
Upon seeing the other person, the long-haired man looked somewhat displeased. Although he had now taken control of Class C, there were still a few students in the class who only obeyed Ibuki's orders, which left him feeling unsatisfied.
"Hashiba has something to ask you."
"Hashiba?"
"Hello, is this Ryuen? I have a question for you, could I take up a little of your time?"
Upon hearing the voice on the other end of the phone, Ryuen Kakeru's expression instantly darkened. A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips as he said in an extremely contemptuous tone, "Oh, isn't this our Vice President? What do you want with me?"
"It's nothing, just a small thing."
"What I want to ask is... have you met Katsuragi?"
"..."
352
Chapter 352 The First Rise in Sakayanagi's Stock Price.
Upon hearing Hashiba Hikaru's direct question, a strange glint flashed in Ryuen Kakeru's eyes. His connection with Katsuragi should have been a highly secretive affair, so how did Hashiba Hikaru know?
"Hey, are you still there? Did you hear my question?"
Since Ryuen Kakeru hadn't answered, Hashiba Hikaru called out a few more times, and then he heard the long-haired man's extremely wary question.
How did you find out about this?
"Hey, how I know isn't important. I just want to ask one thing: did you approach him first, or did he approach you first? Just answer that question."
"Heh, have you lost your mind? Why should I tell you?"
Ryuen Kakeru let out a cold laugh, his tone extremely impolite.
"Honestly, I'm just curious, can't you even tell me such a small thing?"
Hashiba Hikaru persisted, "I already know about your collaboration. I just want to know who made the first move, isn't that enough?"
"How stingy."
"..."
Hashiba Hikaru's self-righteous complaints left Sakayanagi Arisu and Kamuro Masumi on the boy's side, as well as Ibuki and Shiina, who were listening to the conversation on Ryuen's side, speechless.
"You're really shameless, Hashiba."
"What's wrong? Didn't you say you were my fan last time? Can't you even answer one of my questions?"
Another three questions followed, once again silencing the short-tempered Ryuen Kakeru. After a while, the man suddenly laughed.
"I can tell you, but you'll have to exchange it for something."
What do you want?
Give me 300,000 Private Points, and I'll tell you who contacted whom first!
Ryuen Kakeru grinned, as if the initiative had been regained in his own hands.
"Sure, I'll pass it on to Ibuki, and then he'll pass it on to you."
Hashiba Hikaru didn't hang up the phone; she immediately accessed her personal account and transferred the points.
When the short-haired girl's phone beeped with a payment notification, a hint of surprise finally flashed in Ryuen's eyes. He hadn't expected Hashiba Hikaru to be so quick to agree; given her personality, she would never have given him the money so easily.
Aren't you afraid I'll deny it?
He probed again.
"So I'll forward this to Ibuki first. I believe she'll make the right judgment."
Hashiba Hikaru said nonchalantly, "Or do you think you can get points from her without answering?"
"You..."
Ryuen Kakeru looked up at Ibuki Mio. According to school rules, it was forbidden to force others to transfer points to his account. He and Ibuki were not partners or friends, but only classmates for the time being. There was no way he could get her to help him voluntarily.
"So, what's the answer?"
Hashiba Hikaru urged him on the phone.
"Hmph, then I'll tell you."
Ryuen Kakeru didn't delay any longer. Since the other party had already discovered this, there was no harm in telling him.
"I contacted Katsuragi first, and then he came to see me as agreed. That's the answer you wanted."
"Haha, that's great!"
After hearing the answer she wanted, Hashiba Hikaru happily said to Ibuki, "Then please transfer the points to him, Ibuki. I'll treat you to dinner next time."
After saying that, the boy hung up the phone. He shook his phone and looked up at Sakayanagi Arisu on the other end.
"Well? Classmate Sakayanagi, you should have heard the answer by now."
"Yes."
The silver-haired girl had just listened to the entire phone call and naturally knew she had guessed wrong. However, she didn't really care about the result; she had only agreed to Hashiba Hikaru's bet to see what he would do.
"Shouldn't Classmate Sakayanagi keep her promise?"
Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly. According to the [Stock Analyzer] results, if she could beat her, the stock price should rise.
"Of course, I will keep my promise."
Sakayanagi Arisu paused, then said in a very calm tone, "I lost."
"Hehe, having the courage to admit your mistakes is a great personal quality."
Hashiba Hikaru was very happy, but when he hurriedly opened the System Panel, no message popped up.
What's going on?
The boy glanced at the text message on the [Stock Analyzer] again. Wasn't it supposed to boost the stock price by beating her? Why isn't it responding now?
Could it be...?
"Then let's go."
After the brief meeting, Sakayanagi Arisu was about to leave with Kamuro Masumi when Hashiba Hikaru thought of another reason and spoke up again.
"Classmate Sakayanagi, I actually lied just now."
"Really? Then would you be willing to tell me your true thoughts?"
Sakayanagi Arisu stopped in her tracks, curious about what Hashiba Hikaru would do after learning of Katsuragi's betrayal, but the girl believed that he wouldn't tell her.
"I'm going to talk to Katsuragi. Since he's choosing an ally, I believe I'm more suitable than Ryuen."
A smile appeared on Hashiba Hikaru's lips, as if she really had a new plan in mind.
"This plan is indeed surprising, but can Classmate Hashiba really convince Katsuragi?"
"I can try my best. Anyway, it's still a long time before the final result is announced, and anything is possible."
The boy shrugged; he knew Sakayanagi Arisu was curious about this, so he said it on purpose.
"Then I'll look forward to your actions; perhaps things will turn out differently in the end."
"Um."
Watching the girl's departing figure, Hashiba Hikaru waited for a new notification sound. About a minute later, a new notification popped up in the System Bar, just as expected.
[Sakayanagi Arisu is curious about your subsequent actions; she's very concerned about what will happen next. Sakayanagi Arisu Stock price has risen by 20, currently at 40.]
"Hehe, it really works. At this stage, arousing her curiosity is more effective in boosting the stock price. It's a bit too early to expect her to accept defeat wholeheartedly..."
Hashiba Hikaru touched his hair, relieved that his 300,000 points today hadn't been wasted. Several of the stocks he'd bought were now quite valuable, and with so many reserves, the new shop update next month would be even more exciting.
Just then, the boy's phone received a new text message.
Sakura Airi: Hikaru, my followers are growing so fast! Are you coming to my dorm tonight?
Hashiba Hikaru: Of course, I'll be there on time.
Sakura Airi: I'll wait for you in the dorm. My new clothes arrived, and I'll wear them for Hikaru to see later.
Hashiba Hikaru: Okay.
353
Chapter 353 Sakura Airi's Study Group.
After finishing her meeting with Sakayanagi Arisu, Hashiba Hikaru had dinner and then went to Sakura Airi's dormitory as agreed.
Upon entering the red-haired girl's room, they found her seemingly preparing a meal, a unique aroma wafting from the stove.
"Light, you've come."
Sakura Airi looked at Hashiba Hikaru with a joyful expression, her eyes sparkling with a clear light.
"Yes, is Airi cooking?"
Hashiba Hikaru walked to the stove and looked at the contents of the pot; it seemed the other person was making a stew.
"Yes, I recently bought two cookbooks to improve my cooking skills, so that next time I can just eat here."
After Sakura Airi began to change, her initiative increased significantly.
"That's great! How do you feel about your performance, Airi?"
"Uh, I feel it's a little undercooked... Let me try it first. If it's not bad, please come and try it."
"There's no need to rush this; learning to cook is a long-term process."
Hashiba Hikaru patted her hair and said with a smile, "Then I'll go rest for a while and wait for Airi to finish."
"Uh-huh."
After entering the girl's bedroom, Hashiba Hikaru went straight to her computer's backend. Since the release of her debut song "Hikari," Sakura Airi's fanbase on her trumpet was growing rapidly, and the song's play count was steadily increasing, making it a pretty good start.
"If that's the case... we can wait a bit longer before trying to release a second song. As long as we have an original song with good catchiness, it will definitely increase our influence."
About ten minutes later, Sakura Airi ladled out the thick soup from the pot, and a rich, creamy aroma filled the room.
"Hikaru, why don't you give it a try? I just tried it, and it was pretty good."
The girl called out the other person's name, intending to show him her cooking skills.
"Okay, I understand."
When the two sat side by side at the table, Hashiba Hikaru glanced at the cream soup served in a small bowl. To be honest, it looked pretty good; it seemed that Sakura Airi had really put in the effort.
"Hmm, it tastes pretty good. Airi's cooking is quite good."
After taking a bite, the boy praised the other person quite earnestly; this wasn't flattery, but rather a genuine compliment.
"Mmm, if you like it, I can make it for you again next time."
The red-haired girl's eyes curved into crescents as she was praised by her beloved, which pleased her greatly.
"How's Airi's studying lately? Aren't there going to be quizzes and final exams soon?"
While eating, Hashiba Hikaru asked about something important.
"Me? I've always been working hard at my studies. Horikita and the others have already decided on a strategy for this Special Exam."
Sakura Airi remembered the black-haired girl's suggestion and brought it up.
"Oh, Horikita, do you have any suggestions?"
"It seems that Horikita and the others have figured out the grouping rules, so they've arranged for us to control our scores according to our individual abilities, so that we can be grouped with the best candidates."
When facing Hashiba Hikaru, Sakura Airi had no intention of hiding anything, not even important matters within the class, she would not hesitate for a moment.
"Wow, they've already thought of this much?"
Hashiba Hikaru was somewhat surprised to learn that the students in Class D had already come up with the idea of using the scores from the quiz to determine the group members. She had to admit that although Class D was currently at the bottom of the rankings, they still had quite a few Secret Weapon.
Who proposed this plan?