Year 1, Css B – Hashima Hikaru
It was on knowledge that opening ceremonies were among the dullest events of student life.
Not only did one have to arrive on time, but they also had to stand in long, orderly lines, enduring speeches from school officials. Even if boredom set in to the point of drowsiness, leaving early was not an option.
Yet, something about this particur opening ceremony struck Hikaru as… off.
This ivotal moment—the indu of aire new grade into the school. A, not a sieacher resent in the grand auditorium.
Instead, the event was being overseeirely by student cil members, identifiable by the armbands they wore. They directed the udents to their assigned css ses, maintaining order with practiced efficy.
Even more bizarrely, the uppercssmen showed no signs of surprise or fusion.
Hikaru stood within the Css 1-B group, sing the hall before his gaze settled on the podium at the front.
"I am the Student cil President, Horikita Manabu."
A tall, bespectacled young maed both hands on the podium. His tone was steady yet carried undeniable authority.
"On behalf of the student cil, I extend a warm wele to all of you newly enrolled at this institution."
"Our school is renowned for both its academic excellend its strong emphasis on physical education. As you may know, we boast high rates of uy admissions and career pts—achievements made possible through the tireless efforts of past and present students alike. These are the pride of our school."
"I hope you will carry on this tradition. This school operates under a meritocratic philosophy. You are expected to demonstrate your capabilities and make the most of this rare opportunity."
There was a clear keyword in his speech:
Strength.
Not just academic strength, but strength in a broader sense.
Shouldn't a school's primary be its students' grades? And what did he mean by expected capabilities?
Had the school already assessed every student's potential before admission?
What were their evaluation criteria?
"This school seems more plicated than I expected," Hikaru muttered, rubbing his temples.
As a reinator, Hikaru had graduated top of his css from a public middle school. His principal had then offered him a special admission opportunity—ohat led him here.
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanurturing High School, located on an artificial isnd iy ter, covered nearly 600,000 square meters. Tuition for all three years was fully covered.
The school's public image was almost too pristine.
It boasted a 100% uy acceptae and a 100% employment rate—a perfect record. Despite being founded over a decade ago, not a single sdal had surfaced that could tarnish its reputation.
That only reinforced how valuable a diploma from this school truly was.
For Hikaru, the tuitioion was sedary. What he truly cared about was seg a good future.
The past was behind him. In this life, his goal was to enter a top-tier uy—a way to repay his new parents for raising him.
"Well," Hikaru sighed, pushing his doubts aside. "The school was established by the gover, after all. No matter how unusual it seems, it should still fun as an educational institution."
With the student cil president's speech cluded, Hikaru followed Css 1-B in filing out of the auditorium.
That was wheiced something… unusual.
The girls at this school were on another level.
He had already taken note of a pink-haired beauty within his css lineup. He hadn't caught her , but her delicate features far surpassed any of the girls he had ever met.
As he exited the hall, he spotted several other stunning girls iher first-year csses. Some were even parable to the pink-haired girl.
"But… why are they all grouped in Css 1-D?"
After gng at Css 1-D's lineup a few more times, Hikaru finally withdrew his gaze. While it was surprising to see so maies clustered together, having eye-catg cssmates wasly a bad thing.
---
Upourning to Css 1-B, Hikaru found his assigned seat.
Unfortunately, it was her at the back row nor by the window—just an unremarkable middle seat.
But just as he processed his disappoi, the pink-haired girl he had noticed earlier sat dht beside him.
She was his seatmate.
"Hi there! I'm Iose Honami. Let's get along!"
She turo face him, her dazzling blue eyes radiating warmth. Now that they were so close, Hikaru took a better look at her.
There was no denying it—Iose Honami was stunning.
Her crystal-clear gaze, delicate facial features, ale, inviting smile gave off a pure and trustworthy aura.
Like an angel—someone who was effortlessly easy to like.
"o meet you. I'm Hashima Hikaru."
The brief exge ended, but just then, a robotic voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
A translut blue holographic s materialized before his eyes.
[Ding!]
[Love Stock Market System Loading…]
[Host successfully bound. Funs activated.]
[Character Information Unlocked.]
[Newbie Funds Received. Please check your bance.]
[Important Notice: The Love Stock Market System ily requires iions with multiple female characters. Please proceed with caution. Any risks to personal safety are solely the host's responsibility. The system is not liable for any "acts." Happy trading!]
"...What?"
Hikaru froze, gng at Iose.
Seeing her engaged in versation with other cssmates, he rexed before discreetly opening the system interface.
A sleek, glowing menu appeared, dispying three core tabs:
[Character Information]
[Stock Market]
[Trading Shop]
Hikaru sed them before clig [Character Information] first.
---
Name: Hashima Hikaru
Age: 15
Intelligence: 7
Charm: 8
Physical Ability: 3
Owocks: None
Skills: None
Funds: ￥100,000
---
"So I'm smart and good-looking, but my stamina is garbage."
He clicked [Trading Shop], sing items like Athletic Boosters, Skill Scrolls, and even Stoalyzers.
Just then, a bright red alert fshed across the system.
> [Ding! Iose Honami's stock is now avaible!]
[Current Price: ￥10]
[Total Shares Issued: 5,000]
Looking at the girl now surrounded by cssmates, Hikaru's gaze sharpened.
