A New Skill Acquired; Launching a Counterattack Against Sakayanagi
The pink-haired girl nestled on Hashiba Hikaru's sofa, hugging the cushion she had brought with her, a soft smile on her lips.
"Do you need to be so polite with me? You're such an idiot."
Hehehe.
Although Hashiba Hikaru had been living Ichinose Honami's cooking, his own culinary skills improved steadily in Sakura Airi's dorm room. Once he started preparing, the aroma of food would soon fill the room.
"That's what Hoshinomiya-sensei said?"
While busy with her work, Hashiba Hikaru inquired about important matters, since the exam papers would have to be returned for revision if they failed.
"The teacher hasn't replied yet. I heard that the exam papers need to be reviewed by multiple teachers, Hoshinomiya-sensei can't make a decision by herself."
Ichinose Honami leaned back on the sofa and slowly explained her boyfriend's question.
"Alright, let's wait a bit longer. As long as we pass the exam, we can focus on studying for the last two weeks."
Hashiba Hikaru considered the target assignments for this attack: Class A's opponent would be Class D. This assignment was not bad, as it would reduce the pressure on everyone.
"Okay, let's have a study session then!"
Ichinose Honami also hoped that her first submitted exam paper would pass immediately, so that she could spend more time with her boyfriend. During the time she was compiling the exam papers, she was only able to spend the night with him twice a week, which made her very dissatisfied.
"Okay, okay, I'll do whatever Honami says."
Hashiba Hikaru had no objection to this, because he was thinking about something else entirely.
After hearing about the [White Room] from Sakayanagi Arisu, the boy searched for clues online and even consulted the previous Student Council President, Horikita Manabu.
He ultimately came to two conclusions.
First, the [White Room] is not only real, but it's also rumored that the previously interrupted training model has been revived, with related news appearing through various clandestine channels.
Secondly, Hashiba Hikaru was able to confirm that Ayanokoji, Class D of the First Year, was a member of the [White Room] because he directly used his Student Council Vice President privileges to view the student's past records, including every exam score and past school evaluations.
When all this information was put together, it presented a rather unusual file, clearly tampered with. Even Horikita Manabu considered it a very special case.
About half an hour later, the delicious food was ready. Hashiba Hikaru brought the dishes to the table one by one, and she and Ichinose Honami began to enjoy their dinner.
After dinner, the two snuggled together to watch a movie. The girl had been working very hard lately, so Hashiba Hikaru suggested that she relax today and not worry about anything else.
"I've heard this movie has good reviews, how about we watch it?"
"It will be all right."
Hashiba Hikaru let Ichinose Honami sit in her lap to watch the romantic movie together. Although Ichinose Honami was a smart and clever class representative, she was enthusiastic about things that little girls liked, such as clichéd romantic movies, or all kinds of cute dolls and accessories.
As the movie played, Hashiba Hikaru glanced at the girl who was engrossed in the story and then opened her System Panel.
Today is the last day of November. Normally, the [Trading Shop] should refresh with new items at 12 o'clock today, and he hopes to have a lot of new goods.
After opening the [Stock Interface], rows of data appeared before the boy's eyes.
[Ichinose Honami Stock]
[Current Price: 300, Number of Quantities Held: 2000.]
[Sakura Airi Stock]
[Current Price: 330, Number of Quantities Held: 2000.]
[Shiina Hiyori Stock]
[Current Price: 130, Number of Quantities Held: 3000.]
[Kushida Kikyo Stock]
[Current Price: 300, Number of Quantities Held: 4000.]
[Horikita Suzune Stock]
[Current Price: 100, Number of Quantities Held: 3000.]
[Sakayanagi Arisu Stock]
[Issue price: 60, Issue quantity: 3000.]
Since starting school, Hikari has worked hard and has accumulated a considerable number of stocks, most of which have reached relatively high prices. Even though the newly acquired items and skills are expensive, Hashiba Hikaru is no longer in the dire straits she used to be in.
"If I had to choose, I'd still prefer things that enhance physical fitness. After all, [Potential Burst] only lasts a short time, and it's not really your own anyway."
Hashiba Hikaru recalled the morning he walked out of Kushida Kikyo's bedroom; even though he exercised regularly, he still felt his body was struggling.
God help us.
The boy touched his forehead, closed the System Panel, and watched a movie with his girlfriend. When the movie was about to end, Ichinose Honami suddenly hugged Hashiba Hikaru's waist.
"Light..."
Seeing the blush on her pretty face and the movements of her hands, Hashiba Hikaru naturally understood what needed to be done at this moment. After dating for so long, she could understand the deeper meaning behind the changes in the tone of her voice when calling her name.
"How about I go take a shower first?"
"No need~ Hikaru doesn't smell at all!"
The pink-haired girl nestled tightly in his arms, her eyes brimming with tenderness and affection.
"Oh well."
Their figures slowly overlapped under the lights, and the sweet time exclusively for couples began right after dinner. Hashiba Hikaru could sense the girl's enthusiasm today; it might go on until very late again.
--
Several hours later, it was past midnight. Hashiba Hikaru didn't turn on the bedside lamp. Instead, she looked at Ichinose Honami was fast asleep beside her, and then tiptoed to the balcony.
Actually, he had already noticed the new notification pop up in the System Bar, and now he could inspect the goods directly.
[A new month has begun, the Trading Shop has been refreshed, please check your inventory!]
"Please, give me some better items and skills!"
"Open the Trading Shop!"
377
Chapter 377 Acquiring New Skills, Launching a Counterattack Against Sakayanagi.
Standing on the balcony at midnight, Hashiba Hikaru opened the newly updated [Trading Shop], and a row of item and skill names instantly came into view.
[Trading Shop]
[Stock Analyzer: 1000]
[Colorful Puzzle: 5000]
[Physical Constitution Booster): 200,000]
[Mastery of All Chess: 150,000]
[Piano Performance): 250,000]
[Intelligence: 500,000]
After seeing the names of the newly released items and skills, Hashiba Hikaru became excited because the item he had been longing for that could improve his physical abilities had finally arrived, and it seemed there was also a skill related to chess. It was truly a double blessing.
The boy first looked at the [Physical Constitution Booster) ], and soon a line of text description about the item popped up.
[Physical Constitution Booster) ]
[An excellent item that can improve the host's physical fitness. After use, there are no restrictions on the type or duration of exercise. Each time, Exercise Points will accumulate based on the exercise performance. When the Exercise Points reach a certain standard, a level leap will be completed, and the host's physical fitness will become increasingly excellent with each level leap!]
"That's pretty impressive..."
Hashiba Hikaru touched her chin, feeling that the tool was quite effective.
His current stamina is 6 points. If he uses this [Physical Constitution Booster) ], he will accumulate Exercise Points with every workout. Once the Exercise Points reach a certain level, he will level up. According to his current exercise habits, it will be like an engine that can continuously enhance his physical fitness.
"The price is 200,000, but it doesn't feel like much at all, since I've never missed my daily morning run training."
The young man didn't hesitate much; he still had 119,600 in funds, and all he needed to do was sell another stock.
However, Hashiba Hikaru didn't rush to buy it, but instead continued to look at other new skills.
[Mastery of All Chess]
[After mastering this skill, the host will possess proficiency levels in various board games. With continuous practice and training, the host's skill level in different board games will improve significantly, helping the host achieve even more outstanding accomplishments in the field of board games.]
"... This is just like a pillow being delivered when you're about to fall asleep!"
After reading the skill description, Hashiba Hikaru also decided to purchase the skill. Putting aside how powerful the effects of mastering various board games are, the more important thing is that Sakayanagi Arisu, whom he is currently mainly trying to boost the stock price, is someone who can play all kinds of board games. Beating her will increase the stock price, so it's a very cost-effective option.
"Looks like there's a lot to buy this month."
Hashiba Hikaru smiled with satisfaction. The next moment, he began to operate his trading panel. The combined price of the two items was 350,000, and he had to sell some of the stocks.
[Should I sell my Kushida Kikyo Stock?]
[Quantity for sale: 1000]
[Sale successful, received 300,000.]
[Purchase Physical Constitution Booster)?]
[Purchase successful.]
[Should I purchase Mastery of All Chess?]
[Purchase successful.]
[Current Funds Balance: 69600]
After a series of actions, Hashiba Hikaru had a bottle of beverage similar to the previous [Exercise Booster] in his hand, while a massive stream of information, consisting of rules and experiences of various board games, flooded into his mind.
Having understood this, the boy immediately closed his eyes and carefully absorbed and summarized this information. The vast amount of data slowly accumulated, building a unique system in his mind.
After a long while, Hashiba Hikaru finally opened his eyes. He blinked hard, then rubbed his temples. Forcing so much knowledge into his brain wouldn't allow him to grasp it directly; how well he would digest it would depend on his subsequent training.
"And this..."
Upon entering the bedroom, Hashiba Hikaru looked at the bottle in her hand that resembled mineral water. This item had cost her 200,000 yen, so there was no need for any hesitation.
"Gurgle, gurgle."
After drinking the [Physical Constitution Booster) ] in one gulp, Hashiba Hikaru did not feel any obvious changes in his body. He locked his System Panel and found a new line of information at the bottom of the [Character Information] section.
[Character Information]
[Name: Hashiba Hikaru]
[Age: 15]
[Intelligence: 7]
[Charm:8]
[Stamina: 6]
[Skills Mastered: Combat Techniques (Proficient), Wilderness Survival (Master), Potential Burst (Proficient), Songwriting (Master), Mastery of All Chess) ]
[Items held: Life Album, Stock Locator]
"My current level is Lv.0. Do I need to gain 100 points of Exercise Points to level up?"
Hashiba Hikaru carefully read the detailed description of the item. Each exercise session would grant a certain amount of Exercise Points based on the specific circumstances. Only by accumulating enough Exercise Points would the item level up, and leveling up would bring an all-round increase in physical fitness.
"In that case, let's steadily improve my physical fitness..."
Hashiba Hikaru glanced at the pink-haired girl sleeping soundly on the bed. After becoming entangled with more and more girls, improving her physical fitness was crucial; it was the core of paving the way to happiness.
A few minutes later, the boy washed his face, dried it, and returned to bed. Ichinose Honami seemed to sense something and immediately reached out and hooked her small hand around his waist.
Goodnight, Honami.
With her eyes closed, Hashiba Hikaru felt an even greater anticipation for her Go match against Sakayanagi Arisu tomorrow.
--
During the second day's class meeting, Chie Hoshinomiya smiled and announced some good news to the Class A of the First Year: the Final Exam paper, which was prepared by Ichinose Honami's team, had been approved by the teachers, so everyone could now focus on preparing for the exam, as the task of compiling the exam paper was finished.
"Great, Guang! This way, we can organize study sessions and we won't have to worry about the exam questions anymore!"
Ichinose Honami had been busy for so long, seemed particularly happy. After all, it was not an easy task. From the initial selection of topics to the selection of difficulty levels in the question bank, everyone had put in a lot of effort.
"Yes, everyone has worked hard."
Hashiba Hikaru expressed her gratitude to the students on the Exam Paper Production Committee, and taking advantage of this friendly atmosphere, she immediately began to make promises to everyone.