COTE: Bag And Love System

Following the successful conclusion of the afternoon meeting, the group of seven remained in the Mall for an extended period until sunset, at which point they announced their disbandment.

　　Hashima Hikaru returned to the dormitory at 9:30 p.m., closed the door, and immediately opened the system panel.

　　[Standard interface].

　　[Ichinose Honami]

　　[Current share price: 110]

　　[Number of shares: 5,000].

　　"Given the current price of 110, we will proceed with the sale of 2,000 shares as planned."

　 Hashima Hikaru was considering the logistics of his first share sale after a busy day of activities.

　　First, that providing support to Class B is the most effective strategy for enhancing Ichinose Honami's share price.

　　The stock price will rise to varying degrees, whether through planning or implementation.

Therefore, I did not intend to collect everything at once.After all, he would still have to maintain a relationship with this girl for the next three years.In the future class competition, as long as he worked hard, the price of this stock would increase.

　　If you find yourself seeking to capitalize on the system, I would advise you to consider whether your motivations align with the goals of the competition.

　　Secondly, the character stocks released in the system are highly random.

　　Not only are female classmates eligible, but female teachers are also included, and the initial prices of the listed stocks vary.A starting price of 10 shares, such as that of Ichinose Honami, is particularly advantageous for newcomers and is well-suited for full purchase.

　　Conversely, the shares of Chabashira Sae and Horikita Suzune had higher starting prices, ranging from 50 to 100, making it challenging to purchase a full position at those prices. If Hashima Hikaru lacked the necessary funds, he would not consider it.

　　Furthermore, he was unaware of the timeline for the release of new stock information online.According to the point-collection plan he had formulated earlier that day, he anticipated frequent interactions with students from other classes in the future. It was possible that he would encounter a valuable stock with a low initial price that would be easy to raise.

　　This approach aligns with the most effective utilization of the system.

"Then let's sell a part first. After all, enhancing my physical strength is my top priority at the moment."

　　After evaluating the situation, Hikaru Hashima proceeded to the Ichinose Honami stock sales page.

　　Should I sell my Ichinose Honami stock?

　　Quantity sold: 2000

　　The transaction was completed successfully, generating 220,000 in funds.

　　"Let's purchase some exercise boosters first. It would be best to initiate this process tomorrow."

　　Without hesitation, Hikaru Hashima purchased a 30-day sports enhancer from the Commercial Store for 100,000.

　　[Sports Enhancer (30 days)

　　This product, designed to enhance physical strength through continuous exercise, had an initial effect of increasing the user's physical strength by one point. The product requires continuous exercise for 30 days, specifically running, and a daily exercise routine of one hour is recommended.

　　Upon completing the purchase, a bottle of water appeared in Hashima Hikaru's hand, appearing no different from an ordinary sports drink.

　　"Drink it straight."

　　The expenditure has already been made, so it is advisable to proceed.

　　Upon finishing the bottle, the boy noticed an additional status line in the [Character Info] section of his system bar.

　　[Character information].

[Name: Hashima Hikaru] [Name: Hashima Hikaru]

　　[Age: 15 years old]

　　[Intelligence: 7]

　　[Enchantment: 8]

　　[Physical strength: 3]

　　She holds shares in Ichinose Honami, amounting to 3,000 shares.

　　[Skills mastered: None]

　　The total funds available are 169,000.

　　The exercise booster is taking effect, with 0/30 of the exercise target having been completed.

　　"This should get us started."

　 Hashima Hikaru reviewed the class schedule listed in the student handbook.The first class was scheduled for 8:30 a.m., allowing him sufficient time to go for a run and attend the first class.

　　"Let's begin with the first stage of physical strength recovery: a morning run."

　　As dusk fell, the Tokyo Metropolitan High School campus fell silent. All students returned to the dormitory building following the access control, and the shopping street had already closed.

　　The entire artificial island was shrouded in the darkness of night, but at that moment, only one place remained brightly illuminated: the student union activity room on the upper floors of the teaching building.

　　The student council president was seated in his office, reviewing a printed list of student profiles.

　　"Hashima Hikaru, first year class B?"

　　Horikita Manabu, regarded as the most effective student council president since the institution's inception, adjusted his glasses and received a unique piece of information from his own information channel.

　　A freshman in the B class of the first year had passed the entrance exam set by the school on the first day of school and had purchased all the hidden rules of the school from the class teacher through the S-system.

This was an unprecedented event in the school's more than ten-year history, prompting the school to swiftly gather information about the student and transmit it to the Student Center.

　　Horikita Manabu, the student council president of Tokyo Metropolitan High School, was aware of the implications of this situation. As the student council president, he wielded significant influence that extended beyond the typical student's awareness.

　　In addition to overseeing and directing various school clubs and activities, he has the ability to report directly to the school president and can even bypass teachers to obtain firsthand information.

　　With the information now available to him, as student union president, his tasks are to evaluate the other party's qualifications, review it with the school, and, finally, present the recommendation to the student union for approval.

　　"I hope I'm not disappointed. If it really is a trump card, that would be great."

　　Horikita Manabu reviewed the information on the desk and noted the other person's appearance.She then efficiently shut off the lights in the student union's activity room and exited.

　　Bathed in moonlight, the man walked with a steady gait and head held high, reminiscent of his first day at the school. Time has not changed him, but he is constantly changing this place.

　　The following morning, as the sky began to clear, Hashima Hikaru was already awake.

　　His plan was to go to the playground to get some exercise before the first class, then go back to the dormitory to take a shower, and finally go to the classroom for class.

When the young man completed his washing activities and opened the dormitory door in his sports attire, it was not yet seven o'clock, allowing him ample time for physical activity.

　　Hashima Hikaru's preferred location was field number 1, in proximity to the gymnasium, which boasted the widest running track on campus, with sufficient space to accommodate more than 20 individuals running simultaneously. Apart from the sports festival, this area was primarily occupied by sports clubs.

　　However, when he arrived, he observed that his classmates had already commenced their morning exercise routines there.

　　"Is that so? I thought I was up early enough."

　　Upon observing his classmates in the playground, Hashima Hikaru expressed his frustration, stating, "It appears that regardless of my rebirth, I am destined to be pulled into this cycle of being dragged away!"

　　"It's best to disregard them and focus on your own well-being."

　　Hikaru Hashima began a warm-up routine, stretching his muscles, despite the specified exercise method being running. The text description of the [Exercise Enhancement] did not state a specific exercise intensity, so jogging would probably be acceptable.

　　"Let's begin!"

　　After completing the warm-up exercises, Hashima Hikaru took the first step and officially commenced.After a while, he felt the ups and downs of his body and the increasingly intense beating of his heart in his chest, and his face suddenly turned pale.

"This issue is a common occurrence, and for that reason, I am not fond of working out."

　　Hashima Hikaru glanced at the stopwatch that appeared on the system. Despite his initial reaction, he persevered and learned to adjust his pace to moderate it.Due to his physical weakness since childhood, he had spent most of his time studying.

　　According to his professor, achieving good grades is still possible, even if one fails a physical education course.

　　"Is this considered revenge? It happened to me so soon."

　　Recalling his own experience skipping physical education classes during his elementary and junior high school years, Hikaru Hashima reflected on the privileges he had enjoyed as a top-performing student.

　　Not only was he exempt from physical education classes, but he could also access the teacher's office to consume snacks in plain sight and observe his classmates' training on the playground.

　　This experience instilled a profound sense of satisfaction.

　　"Call!"

　 Hashima Hikaru, who was aware of the strong negative feedback brought on by his physical weakness, took another step forward. Since he had already spent the money, he had to finish the one-hour run.

Playground No. 1 features a 400-meter rubber track, which Hashima Hikaru is able to complete in approximately five to six minutes. This time is consistent with the pace of less physically fit individuals.

　　Despite this, Hashima Hikaru persisted in running slowly around the track, gradually finding the balance point between her body's strength and the load limit.

　　After an initial period of discomfort, Hashima Hikaru found that he could adjust his breathing to maintain a steady jogging pace.

　　"This is quite exhausting."

　　After completing three laps, Hashima Hikaru felt he could no longer endure the exertion and planned to purchase a bottle of water from the vending machine.

　　Upon stopping, he first checked the system bar.

　　The exercise booster was in effect, with 30% of the target exercise completed.

　　The current exercise time is 22 minutes.

　　"There are more than thirty minutes left. I'm very tired."

　　When Hikaru Hashima approached the vending machine, he suddenly noticed a figure standing next to him, and the other person appeared to be looking at him.

　　The young man wiped the sweat from his forehead, looked up, and discovered it was someone who had made a deep impression on him.

Student Council President Horikita Manabu.

　　The other person was also attired in sportswear and holding a black thermos with a strap.

　　Given his role as the student council president and his third-year status, Hashima Hikaru was the first to extend a greeting.

　　"Horikita-senpai, it's a coincidence that we're both here for morning exercise."

　　"Unfortunately, I was actually waiting for you."

　　Horikita Manabu's tone was calm, but his words startled Hashima Hikaru, who was sitting across from him.

　　"???"

　　"What is the matter?"

　　The boy's expression shifted to one of nervousness, and he inquired cautiously, "Horikita-senpai, am I mistaken? This is the first time I'm speaking with you today."

　　"That's right," Horikita Manabu replied, pushing up her glasses. Her expression remained unyielding. "But I'm actually waiting for you, Hashima Hikaru."

　　"You discovered an irregularity in the school's system and proposed using your personal points to purchase the school's regulations?"

　　Or was it someone else's idea?

"..."

　　Hashima Hikaru pulled at his sweat-soaked sportswear, his expression abruptly sobering.

　　"If I respond in the affirmative, what will Horikita-senpai do?"

　　Horikita Manabu replied calmly, "If that's the case, I'll give you a chance."

　　"A chance to stand by my side."

　　When the student council president said this, Hashima Hikaru fell silent.

　　He pondered the implications of Horikita Manabu's actions and the potential motivations behind them.

　　Following the revelation of the institution's stringent regulations, it became evident to Hashima Hikaru that the individual before him, the student council president, wielded influence that extended well beyond that of the general populace.

　　After a moment of reflection, Hashima Hikaru replied in earnest, "Horikita-senpai, are you considering inviting me to join the student council?"

　　"This institution has a history spanning over a decade, and you are the first individual to discern the intricate regulations on your first day and engage in commerce with the master through the S-system."

　　"Your remarkable talent is sufficient reason for me to extend this invitation.By joining the student union, you will gain a fresh perspective that sets you apart from your peers."Horikita Manabu stared intently at Hashima Hikaru, "This will also grant you access to the resources and influence of the student union, which will benefit you in future class competitions."

"It's a tempting invitation, but I have one more question for you."

　　Hashima Hikaru was not fooled by those sugar-coated bullets, but looked straight into Horikita Manabu's sharp eyes and asked, "Was it you, Horikita-senpai, who asked me to join the student council? Or was it the school's intention for you to invite me?"

　　Horikita remained silent, reflecting on the implications of the question.