Upon hearing Horikita Suzune say she could borrow the points, Chabashira Sae gave a slight nod. "Then I'll wait a little longer. You may begin gathering the points."
Hirata Yousuke, ever the responsible class leader, immediately took charge, discussing with classmates to see if they could pool together any points. Though many refused, a handful were willing to contribute.
As for Kushida Kikyō—after her initial shock—she forcefully suppressed the surge of fury and resentment bubbling inside her, refusing to let it show.
She proactively offered Hirata some of her own points. After all, maintaining her carefully crafted persona was paramount—she couldn't afford to slip up now.
After about ten minutes, Hirata returned to Horikita's side, with Kushida following closely.
"Horikita-san, we've gathered a little over 10,000 points." Hirata's expression was awkward. This was practically all they could scrape together—even with his and Kushida's contributions, it wasn't much.
"Understood." Horikita nodded, glancing at her phone. "I can add 8,000. That brings us to 25,000. The rest will depend on Hashima-kun."
"Then please inform him. We'll have to thank him properly next time."
Hirata smiled gently. This Hashima-kun was truly kind—he'd already helped their class multiple times.
After receiving the transferred points from Hirata, Horikita continued typing on her phone.
Horikita Suzune: Hashima-kun, we've only gathered 25,000. Can you lend me 75,000?
The moment Hikaru received this message, anticipation surged within him. Perhaps after this transfer, he'd finally achieve his long-awaited goal—reducing Kushida's stock price back to its initial value.
Hikaru Hashima: Of course. I'll transfer it now.
He still had over 160,000 private points, and with at least 50,000 more coming on June 1st, he wasn't worried.
[Beep. You have received a points transfer.]
Seeing how promptly he sent the points, Horikita looked up and announced to the class, "It's done. We've gathered the full 100,000."
"Thank god! Sudou, you're not getting expelled!" Haruki Yamauchi and Hiroshi Ike, neither of whom had contributed a single point, cheered as they turned to the red-haired boy, who had been sitting on edge.
"Hah, guess I lucked out..."
Sudou ran a hand through his hair, exhaling in relief. The thought of expulsion had terrified him—it would've meant losing his chance to pursue a future as an athlete.
"Chabashira-sensei, we've gathered the points. Can you revoke Sudou's expulsion now?" Horikita addressed the teacher.
"Of course. Rules are rules—I keep my word."
After accepting the transfer, Chabashira checked her phone and glanced at Sudou. "Congratulations. You're staying."
The moment she left, the classroom erupted into chatter. Everyone marveled at Horikita's quick thinking, and her successful rescue of Sudou deepened their respect for her abilities.
Hirata, too, was in high spirits. Preventing a classmate's expulsion gave him an unparalleled sense of fulfillment.
Listening to the praise showered on Horikita, Kushida forced a smile as she approached the black-haired girl's desk.
"Horikita-san, did you initiate contact with Hashima-kun to borrow those points?"
Though her tone was gentle, a flicker of malice lurked beneath—the best she could suppress.
"I did. Do you have an issue with that?"
"Not at all. I just think it's impressive how readily Hashima-kun lent you such a large sum."
"Perhaps. Was there anything else?" Horikita's disinterest was palpable, her tone icy.
"No. Thank you for ensuring Sudou-kun wasn't expelled."
With a polite nod, Kushida turned away—and the moment Horikita couldn't see her face, her eyes burned with hatred. Her fingers dug into her skirt, clinging to the last shreds of her facade.
[Your act of lending points to Horikita Suzune has reignited Kushida Kikyō's fury. Her tolerance for you has reached its limit. Kushida Kikyō's stock price has dropped by 30 points. Current price: 10.]
"Perfect."
Seated at his desk, Hikaru grinned at the system notification.
Finally, her stock price is back to the initial value. That wasn't easy.
Now he could go all-in on her again. The 500,000-point profit he'd made from Kushida before had left him longing for a repeat.
Since Honami Ichinose—also holding 5,000 shares—was his classmate, he preferred not to deliberately lower her stock price unless absolutely necessary. Cashing out her shares could wait.
Then there was Airi Sakura, whose stock was steadily rising. With 5,000 shares, she was a reliable reserve fund, easy to cash out in increments.
Still, Kushida must be furious right now.
Not that I broke our agreement—Horikita reached out first.
Hikaru stroked his chin, contemplating how to transition his relationship with Kushida to the next phase.
To maximize profits, he'd avoided outright confrontation, instead stringing her along. Since both of them were liars, he felt no guilt.
But now, entering Phase Two, his approach needed adjustment.
I'll never relinquish the upper hand. How I assert control will be crucial.
"Her attitude... I'll need to gauge it in person."
As he pondered, his phone buzzed again.
Unsurprisingly, it was Kushida.
Kushida Kikyō: Wait for me in your dorm after school. We need to talk.
A second message followed moments later.
Kushida Kikyō: Don't you dare stand me up.
Hikaru chuckled. She's definitely pissed.
Hikaru Hashima: I'll be waiting, Kushida-san. You have my word.
Setting his phone down, he shook his head with a smile.
This should be interesting.