The student supermarket was bustling with activity.
Students moved through the aisles, carefully seleg products, their expressions filled with anticipation for their new lives.
The atmosphere was rexed and leisurely—a rare moment of calm before the storm of css petition.
---
Hikaru stood before a bck metal shelf, pretending to examiems.
However, his real focus was on the girl who had just walked past him.
Horikita Suzune.
The stock added to his system.
Her appearance was striking—a beauty with waist-length bck hair, a small braid tied with a white ribbon on the left side.
Her purple eyes were sharp and cold, exuding an aura of isotion.
Her expressionless face clearly sent a message:
"Don't talk to me."
Uhe irls, who shopped in groups, Horikita was alone, carefully seleg items without any i in quality or branding.
Everything she pced in her basket was inexpensive.
Hikaru was intrigued.
Not just because she was audent from a different css, but because—
Her starting stock price was insane.
His system interfaow dispyed three stocks:
[Iose Honami Stock] – Current Price: 70
[Chabashira Sae Stock] – Initial Price: 50
[Horikita Suzuock] – Initial Price: 100
Hikaru clicked his tongue in disbelief.
Suzune's starting price was higher thaher two bined.
"That's absurd."
After purchasing Iose's stock, he had limited funds left.
He wao expand his portfolio, but he had no i in dealing with Chabashira-sehe strid troublesome homeroom teacher.
Now, a ock had appeared, yet—
It was someone even harder to approach than Chabashira.
A cold and distant bck-haired girl.
"Fet it. I'll focus on Iose for now."
Hikaru studied Suzune's back, but after some thought, he decided to dey iing in her.
She was from a different css, and her initial stock price was intimidatingly high.
It was too risky at the moment.
Besides—this school was a closed enviro.
There would be plenty of ces to i with her ter.
---
After purchasing daily ies, Hikaru quickly checked out and headed toward his dormitory.
He was curious to see what his living space looked like.
Upon arrival, he was not disappointed.
The room wasn't massive, but for a single oct, it was more than enough.
His assigned room was 301, approximately 20 square meters—a cssic studio apartment yout.
Right by the entrance, a row of ets stood against the right-hand wall, with a small kit area below.
A gas stove, sink, and tertop provided basic cooking facilities.
A washing mae and refrigerator were tucked ly into the er.
The bathroom was separated from the living space, ensuring privacy.
Beyond the entrahe room opened up into the bedroom area.
A single bed ositioned against the wall, apanied by a desk and a TV.
Everything was brand new.
Hikaru y down on the bed, enjoying the softness of the mattress.
"This kind of apartment would be crazy expensive in Tokyo. The school is surprisingly generous…"
He muttered to himself, arms behind his head.
Three years.
He would be living here for three years.
It still didn't feel real.
Thinking ba the first day, Hikaru realized—
This school was far more intehan any other opening ceremony he had ever experienced.
Css petition, Private Points, Special Exams—these were the true priorities of the students here.
A—
Looking at his system panel, a smirk formed on his lips.
"Maybe this will be… iing."
---
Currently, the only stock he held was Iose.
As his seatmate and css representative, she was easy to i with.
Every correct decision he made increased her favorability.
The system notifications firmed it.
[Iose Honami Stock]
Current Price: 70
Shares Owned: [FIDENTIAL]
Hikaru had already made up his mind.
Once Iose's stock hit 100, he would cash out a portion to purchase items.
First priority? Stamina boosters.
The sooner he increased his Physical Ability, the stronger his position in future css petitions.
"Wait… what time was the gathering again? 4 PM? 5 PM?"
Cheg the time, Hikaru decided to head out early.
Beio a social event as a guy wasn't a great look.
Better to arrive ahead of time.
---
Keyaki Mall – Family Restaurant
The dormitory plex was massive.
Male and female students were assigo different floors, and the only shared area was the elevator lobby.
After navigating through the campus, Hikaru quickly found the family restaurant Iose had mentioned.
To support student dining, the school provided:
1. A massive cafeteria
2. Various restaurants in Keyaki Mall
Among them, the family restaurant was the most popur.
Designed froup dining, it featured long tables—perfect for social gatherings.
Many students had gathered at the entrance, chatting while waiting in line.
Hikaru gnced around, noting the crowds.
"No wohey needed a reservation. This pce is packed."
Then again—this school only had three grade levels.
Even at full capacity, there were only around 1,200 students.
pared to public schools with thousands of students, it was manageable.
While waiting outside, Hikaru casually scrolled through his phone.
Just then, a familiar voice called out from behind.
"Hikaru! You're here already?"
He turo see a group approag.
At the front was Iose, leading the way.
Behind her were three unfamiliar girls—most likely the anizers of the gathering.
Apanying them were two male students—both of whom Hikaru reized.
Shibata Sō, the athletic short-haired guy.
And—
Kanzaki Ryūji, the cool-headed strategist with purple hair.
Both had spoken up during the strategy meeting earlier that day.
"Heh. Looks like Css 1-B's top pyers are all here. What an honor."
Hikaru chuckled internally.
He greeted them with a calm nod.
"I just got here. Didn't expect it to be this crowded."
"That's why Andō made reservations ahead of time!"
Iose giggled, stepping beside Hikaru.
She pyfully patted his shoulder, fshing him a cheerful grin.
Then, with a leader's fidence, she took charge.
"Alright, everyone! Let's go in!"
"Css 1-B's first student gatheri's make it a good one!"
