COTE: Bag And Love System

A soft smile appeared on Ichinose Honami's cute face. She had put a lot of effort into looking for Ibuki today.

　　 At first, Ibuki didn't trust Ichinose and didn't even intend to get along with her in a friendly manner, but the pink-haired girl wasn't discouraged. Instead, she used her experience as a class monitor to build a closer relationship. Furthermore, Ichinose kept emphasizing that there was something very important to tell her, and eventually, she managed to impress Ibuki and got the chance to have this conversation.

　　 "The plan is for Ibuki-san to call Ryuen-san and then deliberately force him to attack you. Then we'll film it using violence from the side."

　　 Ichinose Honami slowly explained, "As long as we record a video and send it to the student council for review, Ryuen-san will definitely be suspended."

　　 "Will this limit him? It's not like he'll be expelled from school directly."

　　 Ibuki expressed her incomprehension at this, saying that this was just a delaying tactic and wouldn't cause any real harm to Ryuuen.

　　 "Of course it's not that simple," Hikaru Hashima interrupted the conversation between the two, "The reason we want Ryuen to be suspended from classes is because we have an important matter that requires the cooperation of his Class C, but since we know what he did, we came up with this idea."

　　 "If Ryuen isn't suspended from class, we can't trust those people, so naturally we can't go ahead with the plan."

　　 "Cooperation, what kind of cooperation?"

　　 After hearing Hashima Hikaru's explanation, Ibuki seemed to become interested and a thoughtful glint flashed in her eyes.

　　"That's a story for later. After Ryuen-san is suspended from school, I'll go to Class C with Ichinose-san. You'll know then." Hashima Hikaru didn't explain directly, but instead diverted the topic. "I can assure Ibuki-san that you won't suffer any losses in this matter."

　　"…Humph, God knows what you're up to."

　　Ibuki didn't comment on Hashima Hikaru's statement, but she really didn't want Ryuen to become the class leader, so she looked at Ichinose and asked, "Is it okay if I ask him out?"

"That's right. Although Ibuki-san can beat Ryuen, we don't want the scene to be a fight between the two of you, but rather Ryuen bullying you one-sidedly." Ichinose added, "Ibuki-san just needs to dodge."

　　 "I see."

　　 Ibuki nodded thoughtfully. Her motor nerves were well-developed, so it wouldn't be a big problem for her to simply dodge.

　　 "So, it's already decided. Have you decided on a specific time?"

　　 "Hmm…" Ichinose tilted her head, looked at the boy, and asked, "What do you think, Hashima-san?"

　　 "The sooner the better."

　　 Hashima Hikaru looked at the time in the cafe and saw that it was about to close.

　　 "My idea is to execute this plan tomorrow and not give Ryuuen any time to react. Can Ibuki-san do this?"

　　 "No problem. I can ask him out on the pretext of challenging him. Just tell him that I don't agree with him being the class leader."

　　 "Well, Ibuki, let's exchange contact information. Tomorrow you should pay attention to the class's movements, and once you find the right time, you can talk to him directly." Hashima Hikaru's eyes were burning and he looked at Ibuki's face seriously and gave her instructions.

　　 The execution of any plan requires time. If it takes too long, unexpected mistakes may occur.

　　 "I see."

　　 After Ichinose Honami and Hashima Hikaru exchanged contact information with Ibuki Mio, the three of them left the cafe and dispersed.

　　Bathed in the moonlight, the pink-haired girl looked a little melancholic. Hashima Hikaru surely knew what she was thinking, so he asked in a low voice.

　　"Is it because I just asked you to help me lie, Ichinose-san?"

"Yes…" Ichinose's voice sounded a little muffled and seemed troubled. "Even though I know Hashima-san is trying to get Ibuki-san to believe us, I still think it's not good."

　　 "Don't think too much. Ichinose-san can change your way of thinking. We're doing this to reduce the incidence of violent behavior. As long as Ryuuen's behavior is restricted, the students of Class C won't suffer any further harm."

　　 Hashima Hikaru's tone was very gentle, trying to stop Ichinose from having wild thoughts, "If Ichinose-san really feels bad, after the plan is complete, we can apologize to Ibuki-san together."

　　 "Wouldn't it be fine if I explain it clearly then?"

　　 After hearing the explanations reaching her ears, Ichinose Honami fell silent for a long while. Suddenly, she raised her head and looked into Hashima Hikaru's ink-black eyes and spoke in a low voice.

　　 "Hashima-san, will you lie to me again in the future?"

　　 "..."

　　After finishing the planned meeting with Ibuki, Hashima Hikaru returned to the dormitory. She sat down at the table and couldn't help but recall the scene that had just happened in her mind.

　　 Ichinose Honami stared at the boy's face with her blue eyes and asked if he would lie to her. Although Hashima Hikaru was surprised by the sudden question, he quickly answered.

　　 "Of course not. Ichinose-san and I will always be close comrades in the future. I won't lie to you."

　　 "But even if Hashima-san is lying, he can do so without revealing any flaws."

　　 "Ichinose-san, you're thinking too much. I'm doing this just to compete in class."

　　 "But I suddenly have a feeling that if Hashima-san really lies to me one day," Ichinose Honami looked at the boy pretending to be relaxed and said with a strange tone, "I won't be able to tell the difference either."

　　 "..."

　　"This is all an illusion of yours. If it weren't for Class B, I wouldn't lie. Ichinose-san can understand this as a tactic."

　　 "Okay, I'll take you back to the dorm first, don't think too much."

　　 "Umm."

　　 Although the girl nodded, something wasn't right on her face. Hashima Hikaru didn't explain further, but instead urged Ichinose to go to the elevator.

"Something's not right. Did I say something wrong?"

　　 Hashima Hikaru recalled some things he did today, and for some reason, it suddenly aroused Ichinose's reaction. He remembered that the risk warning for [Ichinose Hoba Stock] mentioned that if he lied to her, the stock price would fall.

　　 "But I didn't lie to her, there's no doubt about that."

　　 The boy opened the system's [Stock Interface] and saw that the stock price for [Ichinose Honami Stock] was still 120, which meant that today's incident didn't affect Ichinose's opinion of Hashima.

　　 And if Ichinose Honami was really the kind of person who never wants to lie, she wouldn't have covered up at this time. When it comes to class competition, the girl isn't the kind of person who sticks to her own opinion.

　　 "Could it be... that he's testing my attitude?"

　　 He couldn't help but think of the reminder as the stock price rose: "Ichinose Honami is deeply moved by your 20 million point plan and has developed new feelings for you. ]

　　After obtaining the system, Hashima Hikaru has always been clear about her positioning. Everything she does now is to ensure that she can graduate from this school smoothly.

　　Of course, the boy didn't dislike Ichinose. In terms of appearance and figure, she was a top-notch beauty with a gentle personality and thought of others wholeheartedly. If he could date her, he would probably wake up laughing in his dreams.

　　But now there are so many things Hashima Hikaru wants to do. Not only does he have to think about how to best help Class B rise, but he also has to train his body, dig out more existences, and use the power of the system to transform himself, so as not to let this second life down.

　　When the The system started to work, he originally planned to withdraw his money directly after the stock price rose, and then wait for the stock price to fall to escape from Shura Field.

　　 After using the [Stock Analyzer], the boy knew very well that if he really wanted to make the price of a certain stock fall, he had to do something to make the other party sad.

　　 In this school without class divisions, Hashima Hikaru will definitely spend more time with Ichinose Honami in the future. If they really develop feelings beyond friendship in the process, can he really deliberately make the other person angry in order to lower the stock price?

The answer is no.

　　 Hashima Hikaru's attitude towards feelings is very clear. If he likes someone, he likes them, and if he doesn't like someone, he doesn't like them. If he really falls in love with Ichinose Honami in the future, he will never do anything to hurt her. That is his maxim as a man.

　　 But thinking about it, it's too early to say now. The boy's current focus should be on the class competition and getting more funding from the system, which doesn't allow him to have more time to fall in love.

　　 "Let's stop here. It's good to be friends at this point."

　 Hashima Hikaru summarized his review of today, then shook his head to put aside the distracting thoughts and continued thinking about the later class competition plan, which was what he should be most concerned about now.

　　 The next morning, after finishing the morning exercises that had become a daily chore, Hashima Hikaru entered the Class B classroom with breakfast. The Class B students still greeted the boy enthusiastically.

　　 "Good morning, Hashima-san!"

　　 "Good morning, Hashima-san."

　　 "Well, good morning, everyone."

　　 After Hashima Hikaru sat down, he noticed that Ichinose Honami had already arrived. The girl was looking down and writing something in her notebook.

　　 "Good morning, Ichinose-san," Hashima Hikaru decided to be the first to greet.

　　 "Well, good morning, Hashima-san."

　　 The pink-haired girl still had a wide smile on her face. After greeting Hashima, she immediately said, "I'm writing down some of the information you've gathered about Class C and Class D over the past two days. Hashima-san will be able to use it directly on Friday."

　　 "Thank you for your hard work, Ichinose-san. Actually, I can do all of these things."

　　 "It's not difficult. Hashima-san has been working on plans for the class these past two days. He must be more tired than me," Ichinose Honami said quietly with a worried look on her face. "Even though I'm the leader of Class B, I've been relying on Hashima-san."

　　 "Well, since Ichinose-san is so enthusiastic, I'll openly take a break."

　　 Both of them tacitly didn't mention last night's conversation, as if it had never happened. Today, Hashima Hikaru and Ichinose Honami are still the class leaders and work hard for Class B.

　　As for what exactly changed after that conversation, I'm afraid only each of them knows deep in their hearts.

　　Around 2 p.m. Hashima Hikaru, who was working hard to solve a problem, suddenly received a pat on the shoulder from Ichinose, who was standing next to him. He turned around and saw that the other person had handed him a cell phone.

"Ibuki said she had already discussed it with Ryuen. We'll meet on the second floor of the special teaching building at 4:30."

　　 "Second floor? I see."

　　 Hashima narrowed his eye sockets, which were a little tired from solving problems so seriously. He remembered that there were many special classrooms on the second floor. If he wanted to take secret photos there, he would need to obtain the key to one of them.

　　 "Shall we go alone? Or should we call some more classmates?" Ichinose Honami asked.

　　 "Hmm… just ask Kanzaki-san and Shibata-san to come. The other girls don't have to go."

　　 "OK."

　　 "Or Ichinose-san shouldn't go either," Hashima Hikaru said tentatively. After all, we are trying to lure Ryuen-san into beating someone up. We can't predict what he will actually do, so it might be dangerous.

　　 "That must not be done."

　　 The gentle Ichinose Honami immediately rejected Hashima Hikaru's proposal, a firm expression on her face: "Since Hashima-san and I planned this, I must confirm the result on the spot."

　　 "Even if Ryuuen-san doesn't really care, isn't Ibuki-san still here? I think she can overpower the other party."

　　 Seeing that Ichinose had no intention of giving in, Hashima Hikaru could only helplessly nod, hoping that the plan could be implemented smoothly.

　　 Before the school bell rang, Hashima Hikaru visited Hoshinomiya Chie again during break and borrowed the key to a science classroom, then told Ibuki the exact location.

　　 After confirming the information with her, Hashima called Kanzaki Ryuji and Shibata Sa and explained the arrangements for the future.

　　 "I understand," Shibata said, rubbing his hands together, as if he was very excited to carry out this plan. "We will lay an ambush nearby and secretly take photographs of evidence of Ryuen's actions."

　　 "But I understand Hashima-san's concerns. After all, Ryuuen is a dangerous man. If he does anything too outrageous, I will stop him."

　　 Kanzaki Ryuji looked rather confident, causing Shibata beside him to immediately clap and laugh, "Hashima-san and Ichinose-san may not know it, but this guy is quite good at fighting."

　　 "Huh?"

　　 Ichinose Honami and Hashima Hikaru, who were beside him, immediately fixed their eyes on Kanzaki. Under everyone's gaze, the purple-haired boy nodded slightly, indicating that it was really okay.

"I see. So Kanzaki-san is one of our ambushes."

　　 "Then let's go and start the plan against Ryuen now!"

　　 When the B class group left the classroom, their destination was the address Ibuki had sent them, specifically the second floor corridor of the teaching building.

　　 This is a very secluded place. Because the special teaching building has many dedicated classrooms, basically no one will come here when there are no scheduled classes, making it very suitable for hiding.

　　 The four of them arrived earlier than Ibuki and Ryuuen had agreed. They had to come earlier to scout the place and ambush the camera.

　　 The science classroom where Hashima Hikaru obtained the key was located on the left side of the hallway, near the stairs. After successfully opening the door, he asked everyone to quickly enter.

　　After trying several times at the door, the boy finally chose the right angle for the photo with his phone. He then left the door ajar, holding his phone and waiting for Ibuki and Ryuuen to arrive.

　　 "They should be here soon. The agreed time with Ibuki-san is half past four, which leaves six minutes."

　　 In science class, Ichinose Honami looked at her phone and told everyone the time. After saying this, the four of them couldn't help but feel a little nervous. After all, something like this would never have happened to them in their previous studies.

　　 "Da da da."

　　 The sound of footsteps on the stairs reached everyone's ears, and then everyone saw the figure of a slender girl on the screen of Hashima Hikaru's phone. It was Ibuki from Class C.

　　Behind him was a stern-faced man, who wasn't dressed like an ordinary student at all. Not only did he have long hair, but his school uniform was casually open, with a disdainful smile on his face, as if he was looking down on everyone.

　　 "Ryuen, this is the place I chose for you. Today we will decide who the winner is."

　　 Ibuki followed her plan and began to provoke the man in front of her, her tone very arrogant: "Don't you want to be the leader of Class C? If you beat me today, you can do it!"

　　 "Heh, although I don't know what you're thinking, but since you've said it, I'll assume that what you said is true."

　　 The man called Ryuen slowly rolled up his sleeves, with an increasingly fierce look on his face.

　　 "I've said it before, I won't hold back with women. If you give up now, I can accept you as my subordinate."

　　 "You're just dreaming. Don't forget that I defeated you last time!" A mocking look appeared on Ibuki's cute face. "You said you wouldn't hold back with women, but it seems I was the one who held back last time."

　　 "Fool!"

　　 Flames of anger quickly rose on Ryuen's face. Without the slightest hesitation, he stretched out his hands at an extremely fast speed and pounced on Ibuki, who was standing in front of him.