June Arrives, and the Shop Restocks / Class Ratings Updated, Cliques Make Plans
"Hmph, haven't you lied to me enough already!"
Kushida Kikyo walked towards the door. After the door opened, she turned her back to the boy and coldly uttered her last words before her figure completely disappeared from Hashiba Hikaru's room.
"The person who proposed buying the exam papers is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. Remember your task; contact me immediately after you complete it!"
[Kushida is very satisfied with this transaction plan. Your attitude has reassured her a lot. Kushida Kikyo Stock has risen 10 points, currently at 20.]
After glancing at the system notification, Hashiba Hikaru repeated the name several times.
"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka... Ayanokoji Kiyotaka..."
Who was it again?
Chapter 121 June Arrives, Shops Refresh
After reminiscing for a long time in the room, Hashiba Hikaru finally Ayanokoji Kiyotaka with the person in the picture.
The other person seemed to be sitting in a corner of Class C classroom. He had contributed a relatively large amount of points when we went to collect our Private Points earlier, and he had also helped in the search for witnesses to the Sudo incident.
"But why do I have absolutely no recollection of him?"
Hashiba Hikaru touched her chin. She only had a vague memory of this Ayanokoji. She didn't know if it was because he had a low profile or because she had overlooked him.
"But, did he actually come up with the idea of buying exam papers?"
Since this Ayanokoji came up with the idea of buying exam papers, it means he has outstanding Thinking Ability, and we might even face him in the future.
"It seems Class C is indeed more interesting than I thought, with so many complex and multifaceted classmates. I'm sure I'll experience their uniqueness firsthand in the future."
After memorizing the name, Hashiba Hikaru reopened her System Panel.
After repurchasing Kushida Kikyo's stock, he now holds a considerable number of shares, a total of four.
[Stock Interface]
[Ichinose Honami Stock]
[Current Price: 150, Number of Quantities Held: 3000.]
[Sakura Airi Stock]
[Current Price: 150, Number of Quantities Held: 4000.]
[Shiina Hiyori Stock]
[Current Price: 40, Number of Quantities Held: 3000.]
[Kushida Kikyo Stock]
[Current Price: 20, Number of Quantities Held: 5000.]
The boy's gaze swept over the information on these stocks one by one, recalling the faces of each in his mind. He had to admit that, apart from Ichinose Honami's stock price increase being related to class competition, the other three had nothing to do with class competition.
One is a die-hard fan of Horikita, another is a fellow book lover who reads books in the Library, and the third is a two-faced idol whose popularity can be increased simply by keeping them company.
"Besides, even though Sakura Airi is Akito in class, maybe we can get some information from her?"
He now has Kushida and Sakura in his plans for Class C.
On the surface, it's Kushida Kikyo, who's very popular in the class, but in the shadows, it's Sakura Airi, who has almost no presence.
Given the red-haired girl's timid nature, it would be unlikely that she would be able to gather information, but as a member of the class, it's improbable that she would be completely unaware.
"We should be able to give it a try."
The boy stroked his chin. If he wanted to control an entire grade like Nagumo, he would definitely need to place his own pieces in all four classes.
Now that Class A is fully integrated, there's no need to mention it. Class C has two members, and Class D has met Shiina Hiyori. As the strategist for class leader Ibuki Mio, she might know some important information, but it's still uncertain whether it's appropriate to try and find out.
Class B, on the other hand, had no connection whatsoever. As the class that followed closely behind, they actually posed the greatest threat to Hashiba Hikaru's class, and the overall quality of their students was not to be underestimated.
"Looks like I still need to keep trying..."
Hashiba Hikaru lay down on her bed. In two days it would be June 1st. Not only would the system's [Trading Shop] refresh, but the Class Evaluation Points would also be updated. The value represented by this Midterm Exam would soon be revealed to everyone.
"Furthermore, it's time to put our involvement in the Student Council on the agenda. After all, the Midterm Exam are over, and it's time to make arrangements in this regard."
The boy, whose mind was filled with all sorts of ideas, was devising various plans. He had too many things he wanted to do and needed to organize his thoughts first.
Time flew by unnoticed, and soon it was May 31st.
At 9:30 p. m., the boy, who had finished his swimming practice Kiryuuin Fuuka. Although he often ran into this senior at the swimming pool in the evenings, Hashiba Hikaru always treated her as a swimming coach and did not make any move to get closer to her.
After all, she was a Second Year student. Even if she had access to stocks online, it would still be troublesome for her to frequently engage with them. Until a suitable opportunity arose, Hashiba Hikaru felt it was more prudent to put it aside for the time being.
Before leaving, the tall, white-haired girl asked another question.
"Classmate Hashiba, your swimming pool access expires today, right?"
"Yes, Kiryuin."
Will you be coming again next month?
"Well, that depends on my schedule," Hashiba Hikaru said politely, bowing deeply to Kiryuuin Fuuka. "Thank you so much for your swimming guidance, Kiryuin- senpai. I will keep your techniques in mind."
"Okay, I understand."
Kiryuuin Fuuka looked the younger student standing in front of her up and down. Since they met at the swimming pool that day, she hadn't come every day, but seeing his increasingly improved swimming skills, she knew he hadn't slacked off at all.
"Then I'll take my leave. Goodbye, Kiryuin- senpai."
Hashiba Hikaru turned and left, while the white-haired girl stood in the water, gazing at his retreating figure, lost in thought.
For some reason, she had a premonition that they would meet again in the future.
"Keep growing, Classmate Hashiba. I hope you can surprise me again, hehe."
After leaving the Swimming Pool, the boy immediately saw a new notification pop up in the System Bar. He had started swimming training on May 2nd, so today was the last day.
[Current exercise time: 60 minutes.]
[Daily exercise goals achieved, data compiled.]
[Exercise Booster in effect; 30/30 of exercise goals achieved.]
[Stamina: 4→5.]
[The Exercise Booster (30 days) has expired.]
Feeling the subtle changes occurring within her body, Hashiba Hikaru felt somewhat excited.
Two months of continuous training transformed his originally frail body, and his stamina has now recovered to 5 points, completely shedding his weak constitution. With his continued swimming and running, Hashiba Hikaru's physical condition may even be better than that of an average person.
However, the boy was more concerned about the [Trading Shop] that would be refreshed tonight.
To see the store refresh as soon as possible, Hashiba Hikaru stayed up all night for the first time. He usually goes to bed before 11 p. m., since he has to get up early to run the next day.
Now holding multiple stocks, he was quite curious about what items the [Trading Shop] could refresh, so he broke his usual routine and stayed until midnight.
[A new month has begun; the items in the Trading Shop have been refreshed. Please check your inventory.]
[Trading Shop]
[Stock Analyzer: 1000]
[Extracurricular Reading Material: 3000]
[30% Off Coupon (one piece): 20000]
[Soccer (Mastery) 200000]
[Violin Performance (Beginner) 120000]
[Intelligence: 500,000]
"?"
The boy immediately spotted a unique item he had never seen before and began to examine its detailed description.
[30% Off Coupon (one piece): 20000]
[The discounted items offered by the Trading Shop grant a one-time discount opportunity to purchase more valuable and expensive items. Please carefully consider when to use this offer to maximize its value.]
"Hiss."
After reading this information, Hashiba Hikaru gasped in surprise, because he immediately thought of a brilliant use for it.
The most expensive item that appears in the [Trading Shop] each month is actually just a small attribute value, such as Intelligence or charm, but it costs 500,000 funds, which is far too expensive and is not even considered by him.
But with this 30% off coupon, it would be 150,000 cheaper, which is a significant discount.
While Hashiba Hikaru doesn't really need Intelligence and charm right now, what if she gets stamina instead?
You can exchange 370,000 coins for a little bit of stamina, and there are no additional costs. You don't need to run or swim to increase your stamina directly.
Isn't that enough?
Hashiba Hikaru admits she's tempted; this [30% Off Coupon] is the first item she wants to get this month!
Chapter 122 Class Evaluation Update, Small Group Formation
On the morning of June 1st, Hashiba Hikaru's early-rising biological clock, honed through consistent exercise, successfully woke him up at 6:30 a. m. He glanced at the time and saw that there were still about two hours before class, so he could sleep a little longer.
After spending 20,000 system funds last night to buy the [30% Off Coupon], the boy still has 90,600 system funds left. He hasn't refreshed his stamina this month, so he can't use it for now, but he still has to buy it, since it won't be available next month.
As for other items and skills, Hashiba Hikaru felt there was nothing particularly needed. The items refreshed in the [Trading Shop] this month were all rather ordinary, but this unique discount coupon made him buy it without hesitation.
After the effects of the [Exercise Booster] wore off, the boy planned to rest for a few days to see how things went. After all, he needed to manage his time, and the previous restrictions had been a bit too strict, requiring him to exercise continuously day and night.
Now that he doesn't need to exercise, it means he has more free time to trade.
Whether it's Sakura Airi, Kushida Kikyo, or Shiina Hiyori who's a regular at the Library, you can spend more time with these people. As for Ichinose Honami, as her classmate, he has already chosen a more important task for her.
Let's talk about it when we get to the classroom.
Hashiba Hikaru closed her eyes again, enjoying a long-awaited moment of staying in bed. It felt really good.
About an hour later, the boy sat up in bed, washed up, changed his clothes, and went out. Today, the first day of June, the new class rankings and new Class Points would be announced.
Following last month's routine, Ichinose Honami is going to collect points for the second time. Her Private Points have now exceeded five million. If she does another round today, she will gain more than two million points, getting closer and closer to her goal of twenty million.
After stepping into the classroom, Hashiba Hikaru glanced at the students inside and found that almost everyone was there. After all, today was the 1st, which was quite important for everyone.
Good morning, Classmate Hashiba!
Good morning, Classmate Hashiba.
Good morning, everyone!
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Hashiba Hikaru returned to his seat, where the pink-haired girl was now smiling at him, speaking in a very gentle tone.
"Good morning, Classmate Hashiba, it's June today."
"Good morning, Ichinose." After putting his schoolbag away, Hashiba Hikaru immediately noticed a very pleasant scent emanating from the girl, which was different from her usual fragrance, making him somewhat surprised.
"Classmate Hashiba, did you notice anything different about me today?" Ichinose tugged at the boy's sleeve with a grin, and the delicate fragrance wafted even more strongly into Hashiba Hikaru's nose.
"Oh? Then let me guess."
Hashiba Hikaru turned her head and began to carefully examine Ichinose Honami's outfit today.
Since she was in the classroom for class, the girl naturally wore a burgundy school uniform top and a white skirt. Her face was still naturally made up, and she didn't look much different from her usual appearance.
However, the boy actually understood what she meant. If there was anything different, he had just sensed it: the new fragrance emanating from Ichinose. He wondered if she had changed to a new type of perfume.
"Did Ichinose change her perfume? It seems a little different from before."
Hashiba Hikaru smiled and gave her answer: when a girl changes and then asks you about it, she's hoping you'll notice it immediately, especially when the answer is so obvious.
"Correct answer!"
Ichinose Honami's blue eyes sparkled with pleasure. She was quite satisfied with Hashiba Hikaru's reaction. After all, she was the boy's deskmate and President with him every day, so he should have noticed the change immediately.
"I bought it yesterday when I went shopping with Ando and the others. It wasn't expensive, and I was thinking of making a change for myself."
The pink-haired girl smiled and explained to him, then proactively offered her soft, white hands to Hashiba Hikaru, saying, "Classmate Hashiba, would you like to smell this again and see if you can guess what scent it is?"
"Well, I don't know much about perfumes..."
The boy, who was about to refuse, glanced at Ichinose's eyes and swallowed back his next words before he could finish them.
"..."