Arisu Sakayanagi's Stock Is on the Rise / Hoshima: Horikita, You Wouldn't Want...

"So I'm very curious about what Classmate Sakayanagi does. How can one gain everyone's trust more effectively? Could Classmate Sakayanagi share her insights with me?"

"Hehe, the answer to this question is actually very simple." Sakayanagi Arisu said calmly and casually, "My method has no secrets, it's just about helping the students. After they receive my help, they might vote for me."

"I see. So all the students in your class really enjoy helping others, whether it's Classmate Sakayanagi or Kamuro."

Hashiba Hikaru feigned sudden realization, quickly glanced at Kamuro standing behind Sakayanagi, and replied with a smile, "I understand now. I'll try even harder to help my classmates."

"Alright, I've answered all my questions. Now, Classmate Hashiba, can you tell me the answer to the question I just asked?"

"Can."

After a pause, the boy explained, "We were very lucky; two of our classmates passed the Student Council's assessment."

"... Is that so?"

Sakayanagi nodded slightly. Where Hashiba Hikaru couldn't see, she gently touched the cane she always carried, her purple eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Chapter 129 Sakayanagi Arisu Stock Go Online

Inside the pleasant café, Hashiba Hikaru watched Sakayanagi Arisu quiet down after she gave her answer, her thoughts still racing.

According to information obtained from Horikita Manabu, Miyabi Nagumo 'Sakayanagi application to join the Student Council. Is there any connection between these two?

Or was it just a coincidence?

Hashiba Hikaru was eager to know the answer to this question, so she pretended to be clueless and asked, "Is Classmate Sakayanagi interested in the Student Council?"

"I'm interested! Just like what Classmate Hashiba said, I'm someone who likes to help others. If I could join the Student Council, I might be able to help even more students."

"I see. Classmate Sakayanagi, you really put me to shame. I didn't have that thought; I only wanted to act for myself." The boy touched his hair, looking embarrassed.

"Wasn't Classmate Hashiba among the two spots that were approved?"

Upon hearing what the other party meant, Sakayanagi couldn't help but feel a sense of doubt.

When she submitted her application, she heard the boy's name from the Vice President, who also appeared extremely confident, assuring her that Hashiba Hikaru would definitely report to the Student Council. This information was then noted down by Sakayanagi.

Sakayanagi joined the Student Council not for anything like helping her classmates; in fact, she didn't care about the students at the school at all, not even her own classmates' supporters.

However, after meeting Hashiba Hikaru on the first day of school, Sakayanagi Arisu developed some interest in him.

This feeling of curiosity is rare for a young girl, which is why she later agreed to Ichinose Honami's request to meet and actively tried to find out about her.

Later, she even sent her "capable assistant" Kamuro to secretly follow him in order to gather intelligence. Today, she took the initiative to meet him to test Hashiba Hikaru's true thoughts.

But he didn't join the Student Council?

Why? Did it fail the review?

Sakayanagi had a few questions in his mind. If Hashiba Hikaru didn't pass, then those two spots would belong to the two girls who had traveled with him.

In terms of individual ability, she didn't believe that the person in front of her could lose to them.

After her conversation with Ichinose, Sakayanagi Arisu gained a deeper understanding of the pink-haired girl's abilities. If it came down to personal qualities, she was definitely no match for Hashiba Hikaru.

Furthermore, judging from Ichinose Honami's expression, this leader of Class A clearly relies on him a lot. In that case, how can he possibly beat him in the Student Council's audit?

It has to be said that Sakayanagi Arisu felt even more curious, which is why she took the initiative to ask this question.

"Yes, I didn't join the Student Council, but the two classmates who came with me did. Classmate Sakayanagi will probably see their names in a few days." Hashiba Hikaru smiled lightly, her expression very calm.

"Is that so? That's really impressive, your classmates."

Sakayanagi Arisu nodded slightly and praised, "Even Classmate Hashiba's abilities couldn't pass, but others can. It seems there are many outstanding individuals in Class A."

Upon hearing this, Hashiba Hikaru studied Sakayanagi's expression. Although she did show an expression of admiration, there was no surprise in her purple eyes, and she didn't even bother to pretend.

"Maybe so. After all, everyone has a time when their Potential Burst, and there are quite a few such cases."

Hashiba Hikaru didn't plan to tell Sakayanagi that she hadn't applied to join the Student Council; the answer would naturally be revealed when she started working in the Student Council.

What will happen to her then?

I'm kind of looking forward to it.

After the Q&A session, Hashiba Hikaru and Sakayanagi Arisu tacitly avoided the topic of class competition and began chatting about other things, such as movies or popular trends.

Sakayanagi has a wide range of knowledge. Although her interests and hobbies are different from those of other girls, it doesn't mean she doesn't know these things.

As Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose's relationship grew closer, Hikari learned a lot about topics that girls would discuss, which came in handy at this time.

Although they both knew perfectly well that this was just to maintain a polite atmosphere, the fact that they could talk smoothly without any awkward silences made both Hashiba Hikaru and Sakayanagi feel very relaxed.

The conversation lasted for about half an hour. After the coffee in their cups had completely cooled down, the two began to prepare to say goodbye.

"I had a very pleasant chat with Classmate Hashiba today. Time flew by without me noticing, it's amazing." Sakayanagi stood up from his seat, a gentle smile still on his lips.

"Yes, I also enjoyed chatting with Classmate Sakayanagi." Hashiba Hikaru smiled, also expressing a feeling that she wanted more.

"That's all for today, excuse me, Classmate Hashiba."

Sakayanagi gripped his cane to support himself, and after nodding slightly to Hashiba Hikaru, he prepared to turn and leave.

"Okay, goodbye, Classmate Sakayanagi- san."

But at that moment, Sakayanagi turned to Hashiba Hikaru and asked, "Actually, Classmate Hashiba didn't submit an application to join the Student Council, did she?"

Why would Classmate Sakayanagi think that way?

Hashiba Hikaru's smile remained unchanged, but she was inwardly startled. Could it be that she still had a spy in the Student Council?

"It's intuition, a girl's intuition."

A stunning smile appeared on Sakayanagi's small face as she slowly said, "Judging from Classmate Hashiba's expression, I think I guessed right."

"You can't hide it from Classmate Sakayanagi after all. Yes, I didn't submit an application." Hashiba Hikaru shrugged helplessly. "Because I'm not interested in joining the Student Council."

"Okay, I understand your attitude. See you next time, Classmate Hashiba."

After confirming her guess, Sakayanagi Arisu's curiosity about Hashiba Hikaru grew even stronger. She didn't know why Hashiba Hikaru would bring her classmate to apply for Student Council.

If the goal is to seize power in the Student Council, wouldn't it be more reliable to take direct action?

Moreover, all two of the students who accompanied them passed the review.

Is this a coincidence, or is there a deeper reason behind it?

That's an amazing person.

Sakayanagi pursed his lips, deciding to have Kamuro Masumi continue to follow him, determined to find out exactly what he was planning.

As she watched the silver-haired girl's slender figure disappear into the distance, Hashiba Hikaru's smile faded, and her gaze turned much colder.

It's no wonder that she was able to enter Class A despite her physical disability. Whether it was a pieced-together answer or a so-called intuitive guess, it all surprised Hashiba Hikaru quite a bit.

Just as the boy was deep in thought, he saw a new message pop up in the System Bar.

[Beep! Sakayanagi Arisu Stock is now available!]

[Current stock price: 20]

[Number of shares issued: 2000]

"..."

No, if you're going to list this guy's stock, why was there no reaction when we first met?

Could it be a system delay?

Chapter 130 Hashiba: Horikita- kun, you didn't want this either...

After Sakayanagi and Kamuro Masumi disappeared from his sight, Hashiba Hikaru silently glanced at the notification that had just popped up in the System Bar, then walked out of the coffee shop and returned to her dormitory.

After taking a shower, Hashiba Hikaru sat down at his desk and began to review the day's events. This was a habit of his; going through the sequence of events from beginning to end allowed the young man to find more angles to consider his thoughts.

First, he met Miyabi Nagumo in the Student Council, who extended an olive branch to him for the second time. However, Hashiba Hikaru remained unmoved. He had already told his classmates about the guy's "evil deeds," so naturally he would never consider joining him.

If you want to control the Student Council, you might as well continue to exploit Horikita Manabu.

Although the Student Council President is aloof, Hashiba Hikaru feels that she can get closer to him after forming a unique connection with him because of Horikita Suzune. Even if the boy doesn't currently intend to become Student Council officer, who can predict the future? Maybe he will change his mind later.

There's also the news I heard from Horikita Manabu about Sakayanagi joining the Student Council. Since this girl, who is currently vying with Katsuragi Kohei for control of the class, has joined the Student Council, it means she has gained some advantages and may put more pressure on the Katsuragi Faction.

Today's conversation actually bothered Hashiba Hikaru, because Sakayanagi displayed some strange attitudes during their seemingly casual conversation.

Regardless, Class A and her Class B should definitely be rivals. Given that the gap between them is not significant, they should keep their distance from each other.

But even after today's conversation ended, Hashiba Hikaru didn't sense any aggression from the silver-haired girl, which was completely different from her demeanor when she confronted Katsuragi on the first day of school.

Even though I was the "enemy," her attitude was strangely proactive.

There might be other reasons behind this, and how did she even know that she was bringing people to the Student Council today? Hashiba Hikaru's chosen route should never have passed by Class B's classroom.

"Well, in short, this Classmate Sakayanagi gives off a rather peculiar vibe, and one must be constantly vigilant when interacting with her." Hashiba Hikaru tapped the table lightly with her index finger, a thoughtful look in her eyes.

He glanced at the newly listed stock in the system's [Stock Interface]. Although Sakayanagi's initial share price was low, the number of shares issued was not large, only 2,000, so the total return didn't seem to be too great.

Hashiba Hikaru currently holds a considerable number of stocks, most of which are high-quality stocks unrelated to class competition, making them the most suitable for him.

As for Sakayanagi Arisu, before using the [Stock Analyzer], he couldn't determine what exactly caused the stock price fluctuations of this Classmate Sakayanagi.

"Let's see when we meet next time. If it's related to class competition, then let's just put it aside."

Since he started managing his time, Hashiba Hikaru has become accustomed to wearing a mask when dealing with these girls. On one hand, it's to boost the stock price to earn system funds, and on the other hand, it's to prevent them from discovering her true emotions.

Kushida Kikyo probably sensed this that day, but she was just bluffing and didn't delve any deeper. Later, Hashiba Hikaru completely took control of the situation and led her to the final deal.

The boy sighed softly. After Ichinose Honami's passionate confession, he felt that his mindset had changed somewhat.

We are all living, breathing human beings, not game characters whose beautiful CGs are automatically unlocked upon completing a walkthrough.

During the process of managing multiple operations, the girls' thoughts may change at any time, which is completely unpredictable for him. He is not a mind-reading expert, so he can only rely on guidance and communication to achieve a more harmonious interaction.

"Forget it, let's not worry about it anymore. Let's just take it one step at a time," Hashiba Hikaru murmured to herself, stroking her chin. "As long as there's no substantial change in the relationship, the initiative is still with me."

After suppressing the jumble of thoughts that had arisen in his mind, the young man concluded his review and reflection for the day.

Now, under his arrangement, two students in the class have entered the Student Council. Although it's not a unique first move, it at least gives them a certain numerical advantage. Whether this will become a game-changer in the subsequent class planning depends on how it's implemented.

Just then, the boy's phone rang; it was a text message notification.

Kushida Kikyo: Classmate Hashiba, are you free right now?

Upon seeing the sender's name, the young man smiled slightly and immediately typed a reply.

Hashiba Hikaru: Yes, I'm free. Is there anything I can help Kushida?

The short-haired girl sitting on her bed at that moment had a cold glint in her eyes after seeing the reply.

Because she saw today that the usually aloof Horikita Suzune had actually agreed to the request of the girls in her class and participated in their group study session, which was beyond Kushida's expectations, he immediately thought of his partner and wanted him to take action right away.

Kushida Kikyo: What else could it be? Have you forgotten the terms of our deal?

Hashiba Hikaru: Of course I haven't forgotten, but I've been too busy lately, so I haven't found a suitable opportunity to ask Horikita out. Have you seen her chatting with anyone in class?

Kushida Kikyo: Of course I am, otherwise I wouldn't have come to find you.

The short-haired girl typed out a long paragraph explaining her discovery that day, and then continued typing.

Kushida Kikyo: May I ask, busy man Classmate Hashiba, when will you have some free time to help me find out about the other party?

Hashiba Hikaru: Please don't worry about that, Kushida, I'll be free tomorrow.

Kushida Kikyo: Then please hurry up and act. I want to know what that woman Horikita talked about with the girls in our class. Can you find out that information?

Hashiba Hikaru: I'll try my best. I'll let you know as soon as I have any news.

Kushida Kikyo: Okay, I'll wait for your message.

After typing the last message, the short-haired girl stared blankly at her phone screen. Although she was always quite active in class, Kushida actually preferred a quiet atmosphere when she was alone.

Kushida was fully aware that he had been led by the nose throughout the entire transaction with Hashiba Hikaru that day.

However, she had no intention of making it clear at all; instead, she actively cooperated with the boy's ideas to push the deal forward.

Hashiba Hikaru's outstanding abilities and the qualities that Horikita trusted both demonstrate that he was a very suitable candidate.

Kushida had long since erased the misunderstanding that the other person was pretending to like her from her mind, but as a sensitive girl, she could sense something else—this guy definitely wanted something from her.

From the initial "fingerprint" incident to the subsequent proactive conversation and the formation of the transaction, Kushida Kikyo clearly remembers that she exposed almost all her true feelings and emotions to the other party during this process.

However, Hashiba Hikaru's reaction was quite strange. Not only did he not show any sign of wavering, but he also took the initiative to propose various solutions to the problem. Although most of them were just deceiving himself, Kushida did not feel any disgust or impatience from him.

This discovery lingered in the girl's mind, but the other party's true intentions were never explicitly stated. Kushida did not believe that he simply wanted to help; he must want something from her.