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

It seems the relationship between the homeroom teachers isn't so simple either; that's truly incredible.

Hashiba Hikaru silently tucked this discovery away, but just then, he saw a new notification pop up on his System Panel.

[Ding! Chabashira Sae Stock is now online!]

[Current Share Price: 50]

[Total Shares Issued: 4000]

Huh???

The boy, who had been sneering inwardly just a moment ago, was completely dumbfounded by this new notification. So, it turns out you can increase favorability with teachers too?

Is this system even serious?

Chapter 7: The Excellent Class A

After returning to the classroom with the textbooks and printed Contracts from the homeroom teacher's office, Hoshinomiya announced the Class B class leader election.

Unsurprisingly, upon learning of this, all the students in Class B immediately turned their gazes toward Hashiba Hikaru, who had just stepped up to offer strategies for the class.

But as they looked over, they found the boy whispering something to Ichinose beside him, before standing up and saying loudly: "Classmates, I hope that Classmate Ichinose will serve as the leader of Class B."

"Classmate Ichinose possesses many strengths that I lack. I believe she can become the pillar of our class, lead everyone forward, and ultimately fulfill our shared wish of graduating from Class A."

"I will serve as Classmate Ichinose's assistant to support her work from the sidelines, and together, we will contribute to Class B."

Hashiba Hikaru had thought up this speech on the way over. He didn't want to be the class leader; otherwise, it would be very troublesome to interact with newly listed stock characters later on. Being an assistant was much more relaxed.

At this moment, among the students of Class B, many had already become fans of Hashiba following his plan presentation earlier. They had hoped the boy would take on the role of class leader to lead Class B through thick and thin.

But since the person in question had now clearly expressed his lack of interest, there was naturally nothing they could do.

Following that, the students of Class B expressed their agreement one after another: "Since Classmate Hashiba says so, then I trust your judgment."

"Yes, Classmate Ichinose is also excellent; she will definitely be able to unite everyone in Class B."

"I support Classmate Ichinose for class leader!"

Just like that, what should have been a fierce, contested election was quickly decided due to the boy's proactive guidance.

Ichinose Honami, sitting in her seat, saw everyone pushing for her and had no choice but to stand up and accept their request, becoming the class leader of Class B.

In truth, the whisper Hashiba Hikaru had shared with the girl was simple: he pointed out that unity among classmates would be critical in future class competitions, but he himself couldn't achieve that because he lacked experience in managing students, and Ichinose, who had served as a class representative before, was perfectly suited for the position.

Finally, Hashiba Hikaru added that he trusted Classmate Ichinose very much and hoped she would take on the responsibility, as it was the best plan for Class B, so Ichinose Honami had agreed.

After the class officer election ended, the students of Class B did not disperse. Instead, they all remained in the classroom, watching Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose depart, waiting for the results of their first transaction with Class A.

On the other side, Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose Honami, carrying the contract and a notebook containing the rules, arrived at the corridor next to the Class A classroom, where a class officer election was coincidentally taking place.

Standing on the podium was a very eye-catching boy—not because of his handsomeness, but because he sported a hairstyle exclusive to the strong: a shaved head.

The other party had a proper appearance, a sturdy build, and looked extremely composed. His name was written on the blackboard: Katsuragi Kohei.

He was currently canvassing for votes through a speech.

And next to Katsuragi Kohei's name, there was another set of extremely elegant handwriting: Sakayanagi Arisu.

"It seems we've run into the Class A officer election."

Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose stood in the corridor, looking through the window at the scene inside the classroom together.

"But why is there no teacher in Class A? Could they have already returned?"

Ichinose Honami quickly discovered the anomaly in the classroom; one could only see boys and girls dressed in burgundy uniforms, with no sign of anyone resembling a teacher.

"Even without a teacher, isn't it completely quiet in the classroom?" Hashiba Hikaru narrowed his eyes involuntarily. He intended to take this opportunity to observe Class A.

After all, this was the most excellent class arranged by the school, and also the most important opponent for Class B.

"Yes, the teacher for Class A must have completely left this matter for the students to handle themselves."

Ichinose Honami's expression became solemn. After seeing the atmosphere in Class A with her own eyes, she gained a deeper understanding of the school's sorting rules.

Even though there was no teacher in the classroom and they were only conducting a class officer election without any study tasks, none of the students were slacking off; they were all listening intently to the candidate's declaration.

"That concludes my campaign speech. I hope everyone can support me."

After the bald boy finished his pitch, enthusiastic applause immediately erupted in the classroom. It seemed his popularity in Class A was quite high.

At this moment, another boy standing next to the podium spoke up: "Next, Classmate Sakayanagi."

"Oh, oh, oh!"

"Go, Classmate Sakayanagi, we support you."

When it was this Classmate Sakayanagi's turn, even more enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted in the classroom, and some people even called out her name.

The next moment, Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose Honami saw a petite figure stand up from her seat and slowly walk toward the podium.

It was a girl with short silver hair and fair skin. Her elf-like appearance looked even more delicate against the backdrop of her silver hair. What was most impressive was that as she walked, she leaned on a black cane with her right hand, seemingly needing external help to move smoothly.

"Is this... a physical disability?"

Hashiba Hikaru rubbed his chin, but soon, he thought of another question.

According to school regulations, those assigned to Class A possess the highest overall aptitude among the current year's students, yet this girl named Sakayanagi Arisu had such an obvious physical handicap.

If she needed a cane just to walk, physical activities were completely out of the question; she was at an even greater disadvantage than Hashiba Hikaru, whose physical strength was a mere 3 points.

But even so, the fact that she remained a student of Class A meant she must possess even more terrifying talents in other areas.

Intelligence? Brainpower? Or perhaps analytical ability?

All of these were possibilities.

Just as the expression on Hashiba Hikaru's face shifted slightly, a soft call emanated from within the classroom.

"The two students outside, would you mind telling us what you are doing?"

Sakayanagi Arisu, with her silver hair, had already noticed the two people outside the window and had even locked eyes with Hashiba Hikaru.

"..."

It seemed they had been discovered.

Seeing that they had been noticed, Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose Honami beside him simply walked into the Class A classroom together.

"Sorry, we didn't intend to eavesdrop on your class representative election; we just came to discuss something with you."

Ichinose Honami spoke first. Since she had become the leader of Class B, she needed to shoulder her responsibilities.

"May I ask what this is about?"

The one who spoke was the bald boy who had just finished his campaign speech, Katsuragi Kohei. His expression was calm, and he possessed a steady aura just by standing there.

"It's about the school's hidden rules," Ichinose Honami said, first revealing their identities. "I am Ichinose Honami from Class 1-B, and this is my classmate, Hashiba."

"What we have to say is very important, so could you please take a look at this first?"

The girl held out the Contract in her hand. Just as Katsuragi Kohei was about to reach out and take it, he heard Sakayanagi Arisu speak from behind.

"Classmate Katsuragi, please wait a moment."

"Does Classmate Sakayanagi have a question?"

"What I want to say is, why don't you let me finish my campaign manifesto first?" Sakayanagi Arisu curled her lips into a faint smile. "Isn't it the most appropriate policy to wait until the winner is decided before the class leader engages with students from other classes?"

"..."

Good grief, this Classmate Sakayanagi looked so delicate and weak, but was she actually this aggressive?

Hashiba Hikaru exchanged a glance with Ichinose Honami beside him. They both sensed that something was off; it appeared that these two candidates for class representative didn't get along very well.

Ichinose Honami whispered into Hashiba Hikaru's ear, "Classmate Hashiba, what should we do now?"

"No rush. When in Rome, do as the Romans do; we can wait until they finish their discussion." Hashiba Hikaru shook his head. There was still time, anyway. "As the saying goes, it's easier to catch fish when the water is muddy."

"What kind of saying is that? I've never heard of it."

"Uh... just pretend I invented it."

Chapter 8: The Divided Class A

After Sakayanagi Arisu quite rudely stopped Katsuragi Kohei from reaching for the Contract, the atmosphere in the classroom suddenly became tense.

Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose Honami happened to be standing quite close, so they watched as the bald boy, having been rebuffed by Sakayanagi Arisu's words, had no choice but to awkwardly retract his hand.

"Classmate Sakayanagi makes a valid point. Then please, continue with your campaign speech."

Although Katsuragi Kohei's expression was unpleasant, he did not lash out on the spot. Instead, he walked over to Hashiba Hikaru's side, and together with Ichinose Honami, the three of them stood by the podium, waiting for Sakayanagi's speech.

"Alright, thank you for your cooperation, Classmate Katsuragi."

After Sakayanagi Arisu smiled gently, she leaned on her cane and began her speech on the podium. The content was the usual old tropes, such as helping the class and uniting the students.

But because Sakayanagi was born delicate and cute, coupled with her fairytale-like silver hair, she truly captured everyone's attention. After all, who doesn't like a beautiful girl?

After a while, her campaign speech ended, and thunderous applause erupted once again in the Class A classroom.

The next step was the vote count. The students responsible for organizing the election began collecting the ballots cast by their classmates and then recorded the totals under the two names on the blackboard.

Seeing this, Hashiba Hikaru, who was enjoying the spectacle from the sidelines, leaned over to Ichinose Honami and asked.

"Classmate Ichinose, who do you think will win?"

"I'm not quite sure. I feel like both Classmate Katsuragi and Classmate Sakayanagi are quite popular."

Ichinose Honami couldn't judge the current situation, but from a personal standpoint, she admired Sakayanagi Arisu more.

After all, even though the other girl had a physical ailment, she was still able to display such an excellent side of herself, which couldn't help but make Ichinose, as a fellow woman, feel a sense of admiration.

"What does Classmate Hashiba think?"

"I think... the result might just exceed everyone's expectations."

Hashiba Hikaru shrugged, his gaze fixed on the student tallying the votes on the blackboard. The vote counts under the names of Katsuragi Kohei and Sakayanagi Arisu were growing at the same rate, making it truly difficult to judge for the moment.

About five or six minutes later, the counting finally concluded.

"The results of the vote are in."

"Katsuragi Kohei, 20 votes." The boy wearing glasses who announced the results looked completely incredulous. "Sakayanagi Arisu, 20 votes... so the result is a tie!"

"What the, what kind of result is this?"

"To think it could actually end in a tie?"

Inside the Class A classroom, the tense atmosphere suddenly turned rowdy. No one had expected this result after all that voting, and even Katsuragi Kohei, standing beside Hashiba Hikaru, fell into a silence.

"How about we hold another round of vote counting?"

Someone suggested this, but it was quickly shot down.

"What if the result is the same after counting again? Do you intend to have everyone waste all their time here?"

"Uh, that's not what I meant."

"Then tell me, what did you mean?!"

The person who retorted was quite hot-headed and seemed unable to accept this outcome. Just as he was about to lash out, Hashiba Hikaru heard Katsuragi suddenly speak up.

"Yahiko, sit down. Now is not the time for arguing."

"Understood, Katsuragi."

The boy Katsuragi called Yahiko had short hair and appeared to trust Katsuragi implicitly. Upon hearing the instruction, he quickly shut his mouth and sat back in his seat.

Katsuragi Kohei then turned his head to look at Classmate Sakayanagi, who was standing on the other side of the podium, and said, "Classmate Sakayanagi, what do you intend to do in the event of a tie?"

"I have no particular thoughts on the matter. If this is the will of the students, then I have no choice but to comply."

In other words, she would absolutely not compromise; either they recount the votes, or no one would take the position.

"You..."

"Um," Hashiba Hikaru suddenly stepped forward to interrupt their conversation, as he did not want to continue wasting time. "I have a proposal. How about we pause the election for now? Why don't you recount the votes after we've finished discussing the matter at hand?"

"After all, what we are about to discuss is very important. It might even change the minds of the students in Class A."