Year 1, Class B – Hashima Hikaru
It was common 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 particular opening ceremony struck Hikaru as… off.
This was a pivotal moment—the induction of an entire new grade into the school. And yet, not a single teacher was present in the grand auditorium.
Instead, the event was being overseen entirely by student council members, identifiable by the armbands they wore. They directed the new students to their assigned class sections, maintaining order with practiced efficiency.
Even more bizarrely, the upperclassmen showed no signs of surprise or confusion.
Hikaru stood within the Class 1-B group, scanning the hall before his gaze settled on the podium at the front.
"I am the Student Council President, Horikita Manabu."
A tall, bespectacled young man rested both hands on the podium. His tone was steady yet carried undeniable authority.
"On behalf of the student council, I extend a warm welcome to all of you newly enrolled at this institution."
"Our school is renowned for both its academic excellence and its strong emphasis on physical education. As you may know, we boast high rates of university admissions and career placements—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 concern 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 complicated than I expected," Hikaru muttered, rubbing his temples.
As a reincarnator, Hikaru had graduated top of his class from a public middle school. His principal had then offered him a special admission opportunity—one that led him here.
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, located on an artificial island in the city center, 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% university acceptance rate and a 100% employment rate—a perfect record. Despite being founded over a decade ago, not a single scandal had surfaced that could tarnish its reputation.
That only reinforced how valuable a diploma from this school truly was.
For Hikaru, the tuition exemption was secondary. What he truly cared about was securing a good future.
The past was behind him. In this life, his goal was to enter a top-tier university—a way to repay his new parents for raising him.
"Well," Hikaru sighed, pushing his doubts aside. "The school was established by the government, after all. No matter how unusual it seems, it should still function as an educational institution."
With the student council president's speech concluded, Hikaru followed Class 1-B in filing out of the auditorium.
That was when he noticed something… unusual.
The girls at this school were on another level.
He had already taken note of a pink-haired beauty within his class lineup. He hadn't caught her name yet, 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 in the other first-year classes. Some were even comparable to the pink-haired girl.
"But… why are they all grouped in Class 1-D?"
After glancing at Class 1-D's lineup a few more times, Hikaru finally withdrew his gaze. While it was surprising to see so many beauties clustered together, having eye-catching classmates wasn't exactly a bad thing.
---
Upon returning to Class 1-B, Hikaru found his assigned seat.
Unfortunately, it was neither at the back row nor by the window—just an unremarkable middle seat.
But just as he processed his disappointment, the pink-haired girl he had noticed earlier sat down right beside him.
She was his seatmate.
"Hi there! I'm Ichinose Honami. Let's get along!"
She turned to 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—Ichinose Honami was stunning.
Her crystal-clear gaze, delicate facial features, and gentle, inviting smile gave off a pure and trustworthy aura.
Like an angel—someone who was effortlessly easy to like.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Hashima Hikaru."
The brief exchange ended, but just then, a robotic voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
A translucent blue holographic screen materialized before his eyes.
---
[Ding!]
[Love Stock Market System Loading…]
[Host successfully bound. Functions activated.]
[Character Information Unlocked.]
[Newbie Funds Received. Please check your balance.]
[Important Notice: The Love Stock Market System inherently requires interactions 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 "accidents." Happy trading!]
---
"...What?"
Hikaru froze, glancing at Ichinose.
Seeing her engaged in conversation with other classmates, he relaxed before discreetly opening the system interface.
A sleek, glowing menu appeared, displaying three core tabs:
[Character Information]
[Stock Market]
[Trading Shop]
Hikaru scanned them before clicking [Character Information] first.
---
Name: Hashima Hikaru
Age: 15
Intelligence: 7
Charm: 8
Physical Ability: 3
Owned Stocks: None
Skills: None
Funds: ¥100,000
---
"So I'm smart and good-looking, but my stamina is garbage."
He clicked [Trading Shop], scanning items like Athletic Boosters, Skill Scrolls, and even Stock Analyzers.
Just then, a bright red alert flashed across the system.
> [Ding! Ichinose Honami's stock is now available!]
[Current Price: ¥10]
[Total Shares Issued: 5,000]
Looking at the girl now surrounded by classmates, Hikaru's gaze sharpened.