In the family restaurant, the members of Class B watched as Hashima Hikaru pulled out his phone, increasingly sensing that the young man before them was a true man of action. It was only the first day of school, yet he already had so many ideas and plans. In the future, he would undoubtedly shine at school.
After Ichinose Honami announced she would be the first to join the 20-million-point collection project, the others quickly made their decisions.
"Let us join too, Hashima-kun."
The two boys sitting across the table, Shibata Sō and Kanzaki Ryūji, immediately expressed their agreement. They already had a good impression of Hashima, and since he was proposing such an important plan, how could they refuse?
"Thank you for your support. I'll invite you. What's your student ID number?"
A smile appeared on Hashima Hikaru's elegant face. After Ichinose Honami's stock value rose to 110, his mood was at its peak. He never imagined that following the stock analyzer's advice would yield such results.
At that thought, he couldn't help but glance at the pink-haired girl sitting beside him. After joining the group, Ichinose Honami seemed to have realized just how bold her action of sticking close to Hashima Hikaru had been. Her delicate face was still slightly flushed.
She pretended to drink water, but her furtive gaze never left the young man.
When their eyes met, Ichinose quickly turned her head away, feigning conversation with another girl next to her. Though her ears were already red, she persisted in this futile gesture to hide her embarrassment.
This attitude, so different from her usual image as a reliable class representative, added a touch of charming awkwardness that made hearts flutter.
So cute.
Hashima Hikaru smiled inwardly before turning his attention to the three girls sitting next to Ichinose. "And you girls? What do you think?"
Without hesitation, they all declared their willingness to join the project.
In Hashima Hikaru's phone, the newly created group for the 20-million-point project now had seven members: himself, Ichinose Honami, Shibata Sō, Kanzaki Ryūji, and the three girls, Andō Sayo, Shiranami Chihiro, and Himeno Yuki.
"Thank you all for your trust. Let's raise our glasses and work together for Class B!"
Hashima Hikaru raised his glass of orange juice, his face radiant, and gave a spirited toast.
"Cheers!!!"
"Cheers!!!"
Everyone was swept up in the young man's enthusiasm, standing up and clinking their glasses. Each was motivated, and though the challenges ahead were many, simply having companions on the journey strengthened their courage.
The crystal-clear sound of glasses clinking echoed in Ichinose Honami's ears. She gazed at the young man at the center of the group. Though it was only their first meeting, she already felt a special trust in him.
He shared her aspirations, her determination to help others, and above all, he was intelligent and resolute. As if, by his side, she would never lack the courage to move forward.
If Hashima-kun is with me for these three years, I'll probably never feel alone.
A slight smile appeared on the pink-haired girl's lips before she immersed herself in the group's joyful atmosphere.
Thus ended the first perfect liaison meeting of the new students in Class B.
...
The afternoon meeting had dragged on, and even after it ended, the seven friends lingered in the aisles of Keyaki Shopping Center, reluctant to part ways. Laughter and light conversation still echoed among the glowing signs, but the sky gradually shifted from orange-pink to midnight blue. When the first stars appeared, the group finally separated, each heading their way under the awakening streetlights.
Hashima, hands in his blazer pockets, strolled casually toward his dorm. Behind him, the sound of hurried footsteps made him turn around.
"Hashima-kun! Wait for me!"
Ando, slightly out of breath, caught up with him, her short hair slightly ruffled by the evening breeze. She adjusted her bag on her shoulder, avoiding his gaze for a moment before murmuring,
"I… Can I walk with you?"
He nodded, a polite smile on his lips. "Of course."
They walked side by side through the quiet streets, lulled by the distant murmur of the city. Ando, usually so talkative, seemed at a loss for words. Hashima broke the silence by bringing up their first day at school.
"So, what do you think of it all so far?" he asked, his eyes drifting toward the glow of the shop windows.
She smiled, nervously playing with a strand of her short hair. "It's… different from what I expected. But in a good way."
He let out a small laugh, teasing her about her doubtful expression during the meeting. Ando giggled, elbowing him. "Hey, your explanations were complicated!"
Hashima glanced at her sideways, noticing how her cheeks flushed, how her eyes sparkled under the dim lights. She was… cute, in those moments.