COTE: Starting With Love Stock Market System

After entering the dormitory building, Sakura bid farewell to the others before leaving on her own. The day's social activities had already pushed her limits, and she desperately needed some alone time to breathe and recover.

That left three people—Hikaru, Ichinose, and Kushida—riding the elevator together. When they reached the third floor, Kushida, knowing this was Hikaru's dorm floor, turned toward him, ready to say goodbye.

But to her surprise, as the elevator doors opened, Ichinose followed Hikaru out, walking beside him. The two of them casually said goodbye to her and left together, heading toward the hallway.

What the hell?!

Before the elevator doors fully closed, Kushida's expression darkened. Her mind immediately flashed back to the scene she had witnessed earlier at the grocery store—those two picking out ingredients together, looking just like a newlywed couple, acting intimate and natural.

Didn't this guy like me?

When the elevator finally reached her floor, Kushida stepped out, her face expressionless.

She needed to find a time to talk to Hikaru again.

If he had lied to her, she was absolutely not going to let it slide.

---

Meanwhile, inside Hikaru's dorm room, he and Ichinose stepped in.

"Just as we agreed earlier, I'll be cooking tonight." Hikaru smiled, watching as the pink-haired girl reached for an apron hanging on the side of his fridge.

"Mm-hmm! Let me help you tie it."

Ichinose's face was bright with a warm smile as she gestured for Hikaru to lift his arms. She slipped the apron over him and carefully tied a neat knot at the back.

"Alright, Chef Hashima is now ready for action! I will act as a strict and impartial judge, evaluating your culinary skills with the highest professional standards."

Lowering her voice dramatically, Ichinose put on an exaggeratedly serious expression, playing the role of a high-class food critic.

"I hope to see your full potential on display tonight."

"I won't disappoint you, Sensei. Please wait patiently."

Hikaru tugged at the apron, his expression just as serious, as he rolled up his sleeves and took out the ingredients they had bought earlier.

"Sensei can go wait somewhere else for now—I'll finish quickly."

"I look forward to it, Chef Hashima." Ichinose nodded solemnly.

But as soon as their little roleplay ended, she couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing.

"Seriously, I didn't expect you to play along so well. We really have great chemistry, huh?"

"It's not the first time, after all. Didn't you mention that food show before? I watched a few episodes when I had free time—it was pretty fun."

"Mm-hmm! Then keep going—don't disappoint me!"

Ichinose clasped her hands behind her back, walking toward Hikaru's bedroom with the graceful confidence of a noble inspecting their domain.

These little skits had become a routine between them, a fun pastime they had developed over time. Occasionally, Hikaru would play the food critic while Ichinose cooked.

After finishing dinner and chatting for a while, Ichinose eventually left.

---

As Hikaru changed clothes and prepared to take a shower, he suddenly heard a knock at the door.

"Huh? Did she forget something?"

Scratching his head, Hikaru walked over and opened the door.

"Good evening, Hikaru-kun."

It was Kushida.

She wore her usual bright, friendly smile, but beneath that mask, Hikaru could sense an underlying chill.

"Ah, Kushida-san. Come in."

After letting her in, Hikaru closed the door behind her.

"It's pretty late—is something on your mind?"

Instead of answering immediately, Kushida started looking around his dorm, scanning every corner as if she were searching for something.

"…?"

"Kushida-san, what are you looking for?"

"Who were you having dinner with just now?"

The smile remained on her face, but her gaze was sharp, locking onto Hikaru.

"Oh, so that's what this is about?"

Hikaru remained calm, speaking in a gentle, matter-of-fact tone.

"It was Ichinose-san. Since she helped me pick out ingredients today, I made her dinner as thanks."

"Didn't you already see us earlier?"

"…Is that so?"

At his answer, Kushida's expression instantly changed.

The kind, friendly facade vanished, replaced by the cold, calculating expression Hikaru had seen that night.

"Seems like you and Honami-chan have gotten really close."

"Well, we're classmates, after all. It's only natural."

Kushida suddenly stepped forward, closing the distance between them.

She was now standing directly in front of Hikaru, close enough for him to feel her breath.

Her cold eyes locked onto his as she spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Don't forget the promise you made to me. If you ever leak my secret to Ichinose…"

"About that," Hikaru interrupted calmly, his tone steady.

"I have no reason to tell Ichinose anything. We're just working together for the class—I don't mix personal matters into that."

"You have nothing to worry about."

"You'd better not."

Kushida grabbed the collar of his shirt, tightening her grip for a few seconds before finally letting go, smoothing out the wrinkles she had caused.

"I'll be watching you, Hikaru. Don't betray me."

Hikaru sighed, brushing his collar lightly.

"So, is that why you came? Just to warn me?"

"Of course not! I actually have some important information for you."

In an instant, her expression shifted back to her usual cheerful, friendly mask. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone.

Tch.

This girl was scarily good at switching faces.

A true actress.

"Hikaru-kun, take a look at this."

Taking the phone from her, Hikaru saw a stunning photo of a model—a girl with long, vibrant red hair, dressed in trendy clothing, posing with a bright, energetic smile.

"This is…"

"Swipe through a few more."

Kushida watched Hikaru's expression closely.

"Don't you think this girl looks a lot like someone we know?"

"You mean… Sakura-san?"

With his sharp eye for detail, Hikaru quickly pieced things together. After flipping through several of the modeling pictures, he could see the resemblance.

It matched perfectly with the information from his [Stock Analyzer]—Sakura Airi was secretly working as a model and a blogger.

"This is her work portfolio, huh?"

"Bingo. Aside from her appearance and figure, check the last photo—the background looks exactly like our dorm building."

"Now that you mention it… it does."

Hikaru nodded thoughtfully.

If Sakura was so active online, why was she so timid in real life?

"That's probably why she was hesitant to help with the case." Kushida reasoned.

"If she's been hiding this side of herself, she definitely wouldn't want more people noticing her."

"But it's fine now! She just messaged me—she agreed to testify for Sudo-kun."

Kushida smiled, looking pleased with herself.

"Seems like today's trip to fix her camera wasn't a waste."

"That's great to hear. I hope your class can resolve this issue smoothly."

Hikaru nodded, but his thoughts remained on Sakura's secret.

The System had clearly stated that taking photos with Sakura could increase her stock value.

Would bringing up this topic help him get closer to her?

Might be worth testing.

~~~

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