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

After hearing her reminder, the students of Class B finally reacted.

That's right, everyone had agreed to that most important plan: to submit half of their Private Points to Ichinose as a dropout insurance fund.

"Ichinose-san, when will you be collecting the points? I've already got mine ready," a student proactively offered, fully cooperative.

"Yeah, we all agreed to it when we made the plan. Plus, we've promoted to Class A, and that's all thanks to Hashiba-kun and Ichinose-san. Besides, the points are even more than fifty thousand now, aren't they?"

"Hahaha, that's true! Maybe there will be even more next month."

After this past month, the students of Class B had come to trust Ichinose Honami, their class leader, and Hashiba Hikaru, the backbone of the group, implicitly. Seeing that their Class Evaluation Points had surpassed Class A, who had originally held the top spot, this sentiment only grew stronger.

Everyone had only one thought in their minds: as long as they followed Hashiba-kun and Ichinose-san, all the plans they had made would surely succeed!

"Thank you all for your trust in me. Let's collect the points during the break later; isn't it time for class now?"

The girl stood up, facing her classmates with a beaming smile: "Our class has achieved a very important leap forward today. This is the result of everyone's hard work, so let's give each other a round of applause."

"Clap, clap, clap!"

Warm applause immediately erupted in the classroom. Everyone's hearts were stirred with joy; even if they hadn't widened the gap with Class A, they were now, regardless, the number one class among the first years in this school.

Standing at the podium, Chie Hoshinomiya looked at the pink-haired girl who had stood up to applaud with everyone else, feeling that her luck was truly good to have such outstanding core figures in her class.

Ichinose Honami and Hashiba Hikaru.

One acted as the public leader to unite the class and maintain the atmosphere, while the other formulated unique plans to enhance the class's advantages. These two had fully demonstrated their talents and gained everyone's trust and support, leaving no resistance to any arrangements they pushed forward.

More importantly, their relationship was excellent, and they trusted each other, which was a rare thing.

Hoshinomiya couldn't help but think of the situation in Class 1-A. She had heard that their class leadership seemed to be rotated between two students who were already at odds, with the students split into two factions and the relationship between them quite tense.

"How childish. In this school, division is the most foolish behavior of all..."

As a graduate of this school, Chie Hoshinomiya had a profound understanding of it. The ones who could ultimately achieve victory were always the classes that stood united. If a class leader couldn't control everyone, the consequences would be incredibly painful.

Chapter 71: The Situation of Each Class

Compared to the students of Class B, who were immersed in the joy of their rise in the class rankings, the atmosphere in the neighboring Class A was much heavier.

Their homeroom teacher was a man with short hair, wearing a crisp black suit with his tie knotted meticulously, giving off the impression of a very serious personality.

After writing the newly released Class Evaluation Points on the blackboard, a very brief commotion broke out in Class A, but it was quickly quelled by the actions of Katsuragi and Sakayanagi.

As they stared at the numbers on the blackboard, one person came to mind for both of them simultaneously.

After all, the special exam hadn't even started yet, yet Class B's Class Evaluation Points were already over 1000. There must be some other hidden reason for this, and that reason surely had to do with that Hashiba-kun who had come to sell rules on the very first day.

"Mashima-sensei, I would like to ask why Class B's Class Evaluation Points are over 1000. Did something happen?" Katsuragi was very concerned about this and immediately raised the question.

"Regarding that, I cannot tell you the answer at this moment. You will have to investigate the specific circumstances yourselves; after all, I will not provide you with intelligence regarding class competition."

Having said that, Mashima Tomoya cast his gaze toward the two leaders of the class. He was, of course, aware of the struggle for control over the class between these two, but that was not within the scope of what he needed to manage. The school's educational policy was to prioritize student autonomy above all else.

"Sakayanagi, Katsuragi, you two will remain responsible for future class competition. Although we have dropped to Class B, the gap in Class Evaluation Points is not that large, so I ask that you be more diligent."

"I understand, Mashima-sensei." Katsuragi's expression was very grave.

"Understood, I will take it seriously."

The silver-haired girl only responded calmly. She had already guessed the answer, so she couldn't help but think of that Hashiba-kun who had come to Class A to sell hidden rules, as well as Ichinose Honami, who was in the same class as him.

"How incredible, to have surpassed us so quickly?"

"Hashiba-kun, I am becoming more and more curious about you."

Sakayanagi whispered to herself, her beautiful eyes flashing with a thoughtful light as if she were conceiving some kind of plan.

In Class 1-C, the homeroom teacher in charge was a middle-aged man wearing glasses. After writing the Class Evaluation Points on the blackboard, he began to observe the atmosphere within the class.

First, Ibuki, who was currently acting as the class leader, stood up. Due to the shock, her expression had become very ugly.

Ibuki Mio asked the teacher: "Why were so many points deducted from our class? Did something go wrong somewhere?"

"Regarding that, I believe it must have something to do with those three people."

Sakagami Kazuma pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose. Aside from Ryuen, the other two suspended students had already returned to the classroom. Ishizaki Daichi and Komiya Yogo felt the cold gazes of their classmates and were somewhat restless.

"Suspension is a very serious offense that will result in a significant deduction of Class Evaluation Points," the man looked at Ibuki Mio, his tone seemingly dissatisfied. "I heard you even purchased some hidden rules; did you not realize this?"

"This..."

"And I heard that the matter of Ryuen-kun's suspension has to do with you, is that right?"

"It does indeed have to do with me, and I had already anticipated this," Ibuki Mio's tone remained firm. "That guy's vicious behavior of hitting people caused a lot of Class Evaluation Points to be lost in the first place; I was protecting our classmates."

"Regardless, the gap between our class and the others has now widened. I hope you can think carefully about future strategies to help our C..."

When he said this, Sakagami Kazuma paused, then spoke again: "Since you are the class leader of our Class D, I hope you will work hard."

"I will, Sakagami-sensei."

After saying this, Ibuki sat back down. She understood that the teacher before her was a person who prioritized the interests of the class above all else. He didn't care who hit whom, nor did he care if anyone had been bullied; he only cared about whether the class could climb higher.

"Don't worry, Ibuki-san, we will all support you." Shiina Hiyori looked at the girl's livid face and comforted her, "Ryuen-kun will be back soon, and we will need Ibuki-san to restrain his behavior then."

"Yeah, that guy..."

Today is May 1st, and there are three days left until Ryuen returns from his suspension.

Although he is not in the classroom, ever since Ishizaki Daichi and Komiya Yogo returned to the class early, that man has started gathering current intelligence through them, as if he is plotting some kind of action.

"I won't let him do as he pleases. This is our shared class, not his personal playground!"

"Mm-hmm, I believe in you, Ibuki."

Shiina Hiyori nods gently, but her gaze drifts involuntarily toward the Class Evaluation Points written on the blackboard.

Class B, 1010cp.

Has that student Hashiba Hikaru's class actually exceeded the initial 1000 points? It is truly intriguing.

What on earth did he do?

Meanwhile, in the Class D classroom, Chabashira Sae, with an indifferent expression on her face, writes the brand-new Class Evaluation Points for each class on the blackboard before looking at the students in the room.

"It seems everyone worked quite hard this month. Congratulations on completing the class ranking jump; you are now Class C of the first year."

"That's great!"

Hirata looks very excited. He did not expect to lead the class to a ranking increase in the very first month, and his eyes are sparkling with excitement.

"It turns out trusting Hirata's strategy was the right move. Everyone has worked hard during this time; this is the result of everyone's collective effort," Kushida Kikyo says with a smile to the rest of the class.

"Although we still had quite a few Class Evaluation Points deducted, being able to achieve a class promotion is already wonderful. This victory belongs to everyone here."

"Right, this is all thanks to Hirata and Kushida. We aren't at the bottom anymore; this is really great!" Yamauchi Haruki looks at the numbers on the blackboard. Although a lot was deducted, the Private Points received this month still amount to 53,000, which is enough to spend for a while.

"Exactly! Should we hold a celebration party together? We achieved a class ranking increase in the very first month; maybe we really have the strength to challenge Class A!"

Ike Kanji immediately echoes the cheerful atmosphere in the class and boasts. Although it is a bit unrealistic, in this atmosphere, it still makes everyone laugh happily.

At this moment, both Kushida Kikyo and Horikita Suzune naturally notice the key information on the blackboard.

Class B, 1010cp.

This has already exceeded the initial 1000 points. They have completed a reversal and are now directly Class A. This is an even more exaggerated achievement than Class D completing its promotion.

"Is it related to Hashiba?"

Horikita Suzune has a guess in her heart. After all, he is a man recognized by her brother; it is not strange for him to have such strength.

As for Kushida Kikyo, who is staring at the blackboard, the thoughts in her mind are even more complex.

Did this guy actually lead his class to Class A?

And the Class Evaluation Points actually exceeded 1000; he must have definitely accomplished something important in secret.

Thinking about the situation of her conversation with Hashiba Hikaru yesterday, Kushida feels that she needs to add more fuel to the fire to make him work even harder to help her devise strategies.

Thus, the girl picks up her phone and starts sending him a message.

Chapter 72: The Value of Intelligence

After the class rankings changed, students in all four classes were digesting the current situation. Whether happy or sad, it had become a fixed fact that everyone had to get used to.

The Class B classroom has always been lively. Although everyone is a good kid and wouldn't deliberately go out to show off, they still want to enjoy their victory within their own class.

Just as Hashiba Hikaru is lowering his head to organize his class notes with a smile on his lips, he suddenly receives a new message on his phone from Kushida Kikyo.

Chat Interface.

Kushida Kikyo: Hashiba-kun, congratulations on your class promoting to Class A!

Hashiba Hikaru: Haha, congratulations to your Class D for successfully promoting as well. It seems our two classes are the winners of the first month.

Kushida Kikyo: Hehe, if Hashiba-kun hadn't come to our class to sell the hidden rules, maybe we would have had even more points deducted.

Hashiba Hikaru: Well, the rules are only one aspect. The more critical factor is the result of the hard work by Kushida-san and Hirata-san. I probably only played a tiny role.

Kushida Kikyo: Hashiba-kun is truly humble. But that's okay, I've already thought about how to thank you.

Hashiba Hikaru: Thank me?

Kushida Kikyo: A portion of the credit for Class D's successful promotion definitely belongs to Hashiba-kun. Plus, I've also managed to get closer to Horikita-san during this time, which is also something Hashiba-kun helped me achieve.

Kushida Kikyo: So I want to thank you properly. Knowing how to repay kindness is very important, so Hashiba-kun is not allowed to refuse.

Hashiba Hikaru: Alright... then what does Kushida-san plan to do?

Kushida Kikyo: I want to visit Hashiba-kun's dormitory this afternoon. I bought a gift and want to give it to you today.

"?"

A gift?

Couldn't she just bring it over? Why go to his dormitory?

Hashiba Hikaru holds his phone, not knowing what to say for a moment. This turn of events is too sudden and exceeds his expectations.

Seeing that he doesn't reply immediately, the next message follows right after.

Kushida Kikyo: What's wrong? Does Hashiba-kun not want me to come to your dormitory?

Hashiba Hikaru: Of course not. I would be very happy if Kushida-san could come to visit me.

Kushida Kikyo: Hehe, then please look forward to it, Hashiba-kun. What is your dormitory room number?

Hashiba Hikaru: 301, make sure you don't go to the wrong room, Kushida-san.

Kushida Kikyo: Mm-hmm, see you this afternoon then.

After exiting the chat interface on his phone, the boy glanced at Ichinose Honami, who was currently surrounded by classmates nearby. She was a frequent visitor to his dorm room now, and if Kushida were to come over, she would have to give him a heads-up in advance.

Otherwise, some rather unpleasant encounters might occur.

So, Hashiba Hikaru turned to Ichinose beside him and asked, "Do you have any plans this afternoon, Ichinose-san?"

"No plans. Is there something up, Hashiba-kun?"

"I'm meeting a friend this afternoon, so I won't be able to discuss culinary arts with you today."

As soon as these words left his lips, the smile on Ichinose Honami's face froze for a split second. She often headed to the boy's dorm in the afternoons under the guise of studying cooking, though in reality, it was just the two of them eating dinner together—she would do the cooking, and Hashiba Hikaru would do the eating.

Ichinose found great satisfaction in this routine, which made Hashiba Hikaru's sudden announcement catch her off guard.

"I see. Understood."

The pink-haired girl nodded slightly. Although she felt a bit bothered by it, she knew that she and Hashiba Hikaru hadn't reached the stage of a committed relationship yet, so she had no right to pry into who he was meeting.

After the school bell rang, Hashiba Hikaru grabbed his bag and left the classroom. Since Kushida would be coming over later, it was better to make some preparations in advance.

Around 4:30, a knock sounded at the door of 301.

"Good afternoon, Hashiba-kun."

The short-haired girl, dressed in her burgundy school uniform and carrying an exquisite gift bag, appeared at the door of Hashiba Hikaru's dorm with a smile.

"Good afternoon. Please, come on in, Kushida-san." A welcoming smile immediately appeared on the boy's face.