In Classroom of the Elite, My Love Stock Market Only Wants a Full Position

It was past eight in the evening; sending a message to Horikita Suzune shouldn't count as harassment.

Mobile chat interface.

Hashiba Hikaru: Horikita-san, are you busy right now?

After this message was sent, it took about three minutes for a reply to arrive.

Horikita Suzune: Hashiba-kun, may I ask what you need?

Hashiba Hikaru: There is something I need to ask you to agree to, Horikita-san.

Horikita Suzune: What is it?

Hashiba Hikaru: Tomorrow, Kushida-san from your class will likely invite you to a study session she is organizing. You should join it.

At this moment, in her own dormitory room, Horikita Suzune had also just finished bathing. Her long black hair hung freely behind her, and as she held her phone, she seemed not to understand what this Hashiba-kun was talking about.

Horikita Suzune: Why?

Hashiba Hikaru: It's a bit complicated to explain, but in short, doing this will definitely be helpful to you.

Horikita Suzune: Can I refuse? I can study on my own; I don't need anyone else's help.

Hmph, that's not up to you. Time to call upon Horikita Manabu!

Hashiba Hikaru smiled faintly, navigated his phone to Horikita Manabu's contact page, and took a screenshot of the "typing" indicator.

Hashiba Hikaru: Image sent.

Upon seeing the image the other party had sent, Horikita Suzune's heart tightened immediately, because if she refused, this guy would message Horikita Manabu to say she was resisting their previous agreement.

A girl who didn't want to disappoint her brother would, of course, never allow such a thing to happen.

"Damn it..."

Ever since their meeting that night, Horikita Suzune had actually had a feeling that this seemingly gentle Hashiba-kun was definitely not a good person.

Although his aura could rival her brother's, his style of conduct was vastly different. To brazenly use such threats against a girl—it was truly despicable.

Hashiba Hikaru: Well, Horikita-san, have you figured it out now? Have you changed your mind?

Horikita Suzune:...

Horikita Suzune: I agree. Is there anything else you want to say while you're at it?

Hashiba Hikaru: Don't be in such a rush. Since I promised Horikita-senpai that I would help you, I naturally won't go back on my word. Joining the study session is a very good start.

Horikita Suzune: What do you mean?

Hashiba Hikaru: After joining the study session, you can take the opportunity to get to know the other students in your class and, incidentally, expand your own influence.

Horikita Suzune: I have no interest in such things. If that is your goal, I will agree to it tomorrow. Let's leave it at this; I'm going to rest.

"Geez, I wasn't finished yet."

Hashiba Hikaru couldn't help but shake his head. It was no wonder Horikita Manabu had emphasized last time that, based on her abilities alone, Horikita Suzune would absolutely never reach Class A. Being a lone wolf in this school would only lead to trouble.

Unless you truly possessed strength that surpassed everyone else and could crush all opponents in every aspect, then it wouldn't matter if you didn't team up; people would inevitably follow you.

Otherwise, trying to reach Class A on one's own strength was indeed unlikely, and even the twenty-million-point route was difficult.

After all, collecting Private Points was no easy task. Even if rewards in Private Points appeared in future special exams, without companions, it would be difficult to complete any plan.

"Whatever, since she agreed, let's leave it at that for now."

Hashiba Hikaru didn't intend to dwell on it further. Once this girl hit a wall, she would likely understand.

He then picked up his phone to message his next target.

Hashiba Hikaru: Kushida-san, are you busy right now?

The reply speed this time was much faster than Horikita Suzune's; it arrived in less than ten seconds. It seemed this incredibly popular little angel was quite free—was she just playing on her phone the whole time?

Kushida Kikyo: Is there something you need, Hashiba-kun? I'm free right now.

At this moment, the short-haired girl had already changed into her pajamas and was lying on her bed, boredly scrolling through her phone. She was in many group chats, most of which were small circles among girls, as well as the Class D group chat and so on.

Hashiba Hikaru: Oh, I wanted to ask if you've decided how to talk to Horikita-san tomorrow? About the study session.

Upon seeing the message sent by the boy, Kushida Kikyo immediately sprang up from her bed. She was somewhat wary of Hashiba's overly concerned attitude.

Kushida Kikyo: I'm actually worrying about that right now. What should I do if Horikita-san doesn't agree?

Hashiba Hikaru: Don't worry. I believe that with Kushida-san's ability, you will definitely be able to pull it off. After all, this is a great thing that benefits the class.

Hashiba Hikaru: Have the other spots for the study session been decided?

Kushida Kikyo: Yes, they've been chosen. They are all students in the class who aren't doing very well in their studies. I discussed it with Hirata-kun, and he strongly supports my idea.

Hashiba Hikaru: I see.

Kushida Kikyo: Yes, yes, I will do my best.

Seeing the reply, Hashiba Hikaru put down his phone.

Meanwhile, the short-haired girl on the other end waited for a long time without receiving another message from Hashiba Hikaru, and a look of confusion appeared on her pretty face.

What exactly is this guy's goal? Why did he suddenly go quiet?

If he really wanted something from me, he should be able to say it by now, right? Could there be some information I'm missing?

Kushida Kikyo recalled everything from the moment she met Hashiba Hikaru to their dinner today. Aside from that one moment where she caught him lying, he had acted incredibly friendly most of the time.

Could it be that he helped me just because he wanted to be friends?

The moment this thought crossed her mind, Kushida extinguished it.

The girl had always believed in one thing: outside of family, no one is kind to another person without a reason. This Hashiba classmate had only just met her, after all.

Having learned about the Deep Rules of the school, Kushida Kikyo understood the importance of class competition. She had invited Hashiba Hikaru to dinner specifically to see if the boy could be a useful tool—someone who could help her scout for information on Class 1-B.

But after today's meal, Kushida felt as if she were the one being led by the nose.

Not only that, but he was so attentive to her thoughts that it was hard not to wonder what he was actually up to.

Could he be trying to scout for information on Class D?

But that didn't seem right either, because the focus of everything Hashiba Hikaru said revolved entirely around her.

Unable to make sense of it, Kushida Kikyo flopped back onto her bed. The short-haired girl raised her phone and saw the reflection on the screen: her own face, with delicate, captivating features that could stir endless fantasies in any man with just a glance or a smile.

Could it be...

Kushida Kikyo carefully recalled the way he acted when they were together. If that were the case, it would make sense; after all, many boys had confessed to her since the start of school. But could the reason really be that simple?

She still felt uncertain, but she couldn't think of any other possibilities for the time being.

When dawn broke the next day, a haggard-looking Kushida Kikyo sat up in her bed.

She had stayed up until two in the morning yesterday trying to figure out why that guy would help her—they weren't even in the same class—but she eventually got too tired and fell asleep.

After getting up, the girl went through her familiar routine of washing up and changing clothes. Standing in front of the mirror, Kushida Kikyo looked at the dark circles under her eyes and couldn't help but curse Hashiba Hikaru; it was all his fault she hadn't slept well.

Regardless, she had to go invite that woman, Horikita Suzune, to join her study group today. This was the thing Kushida Kikyo cared about most right now, and she had to handle it with the utmost seriousness.

Once she entered the Class D classroom, Kushida Kikyo, who was popular with everyone, was immediately greeted by a chorus of voices.

"Good morning, Kushida-san."

"Kushida-chan, good morning!!"

There were both boys and girls greeting her. After responding to everyone with a bright smile, Kushida Kikyo spotted her target: the lonely girl sitting at her desk as if she existed in a world apart from everyone else, Horikita Suzune.

"Whatever, I'll just try it."

Kushida Kikyo took a deep breath. She knew the girl had a poor opinion of her and that her previous attempts to talk had failed, so she couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

"Um, good morning, Horikita-san."

"?"

Horikita Suzune put down the book in her hand. She immediately remembered the message Hashiba Hikaru had sent her yesterday, so she gave the short-haired girl a calm nod, acknowledging her presence.

"Horikita-san, I have a request, and I hope you'll agree to it."

"I'm planning to organize a study group. Since your grades are so good, Horikita-san, would you like to join me? Let's work together to help our classmates improve their grades."

"..."

Seeing the girl's expression remain indifferent, Kushida Kikyo's heart sank.

"Fine, I agree. Just call me when you hold the study session."

"Really?"

Upon hearing the girl's agreement, a radiant, joyful smile instantly bloomed on the short-haired girl's face. "I understand! I'll come get you when the time comes."

Meanwhile, in Class 1-B, Hashiba Hikaru was pulling his textbook from his desk when he suddenly heard the system notification.

[Horikita Suzune has joined Kushida Kikyo's study group. Although Kushida Kikyo remains wary of you, she wants to continue utilizing your abilities. Kushida Kikyo Stock has risen by 10 points; current price is 20.]

"Wary of me?"

Seeing the text on the system interface, Hashiba Hikaru froze.

Did my overly enthusiastic attitude raise her suspicions?

What a troublesome person.

This was the butterfly effect caused by being in different classes. Since they had only just met, it was impossible for Hashiba Hikaru to gain Kushida Kikyo's trust immediately, but he couldn't stop proactively engaging with her if he wanted to raise her stock price.

After pondering for a moment, the boy rubbed his chin and muttered to himself, "Regardless, this is a good start. It's now proven that moving in the direction of Horikita Suzune is the right path."

"But how do I get Kushida Kikyo to drop her guard? I need to come up with a reasonable excuse first."

Chapter 64: The Serious Horikita Suzune

Inside the Class 1-B classroom, Hashiba Hikaru was thinking about how to solve this problem.

"I must give Kushida a reason for my actions that she can accept. I didn't think that part through carefully enough before."

Hashiba Hikaru tapped his desk lightly, his thoughts racing.

"What kind of excuse would be best..."

After a few minutes, he thought of a very simple reason—one that fit the current mindset of young boys and girls, and one that could easily explain why he had taken the initiative to help her.

But would she really believe it?

"Good morning, Hashiba-kun!"

A familiar greeting came from the side. Hashiba Hikaru looked up at Ichinose Honami as she approached and said with a smile, "Good morning, Ichinose-san."

"Mm-hmm."

After yesterday's heart-to-heart, the girl no longer showed any trace of the gloomy expression she had worn; her features were soft, and she radiated an aura that invited trust.

"Let's start by reviewing the information from yesterday," Hashiba Hikaru said, taking out his notebook. Since he had already told a lie, he had to see the act through to the end.

"Alright, I'll start then."

Ichinose Honami's expression turned serious as she looked at the boy before her and began, "First, regarding Sakayanagi's attitude: she does not agree to an alliance, or rather, she looks down on the very act of forming one."

"Looks down on it?" Hashiba Hikaru asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Yes. She said that Katsuragi-kun's attempt to form an alliance with us is just child's play, and she has a lot of confidence in herself," Ichinose Honami said slowly, recalling the conversation she had with Sakayanagi yesterday. "She seems to believe that whether it's the class competition or her struggle against Katsuragi-kun, she will be the one to emerge victorious in the end."

"That's the impression I got."

"I see."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded. He thought for a moment before continuing, "It seems this Sakayanagi-san will definitely be a difficult opponent for us in the future. After all, she has a clear physical disability, which effectively means she has to give up on all physical education classes and exams."

"Yet, despite that, she was still placed in Class A. That alone speaks volumes."

Ichinose Honami's expression grew heavy. She had realized the extent of the girl's prowess yesterday; even though they had exchanged quite a bit of information during their conversation, she still felt she couldn't see through her.

"So, what about the decision regarding the alliance? What do you think, Hashiba-kun?" the girl asked.

"Let's shelve it for now. Since we already know Sakayanagi's stance, and given that Katsuragi-kun doesn't have full control over Class A, it would be too risky to cooperate under these circumstances."