COTE : Is Talent Everything? (Rewrite)-Chapter 99 - 96: Teach Them To Be Spoiled

Mr. Sakagami left, and break time arrived while I still couldn't comprehend the situation. Some students were stunned by the sudden turn of events, but gradually, their hostility turned toward Okabe, the cause of all this.

"You gotta be kidding me, Okabe, you bastard!!"

"All the points Ryuuen-san and Hikigaya fought so hard to win, wasted just like that! Don't drag us into your mess!!"

It wasn't just Ishizaki or Komiya—almost everyone in the classroom was condemning Okabe. And it was understandable. Because of Okabe's actions, the entire class was held responsible, losing a whopping 200 class points.

"200 points, huh? That's a massive loss."

"I have to agree. I never expected Okabe to do something this foolish at this stage..."

Even the strategists like Katsuragi and Kaneda were at a loss. Being so close to Class A, this penalty was a devastating blow.

"Ryuuen-san!! We can't let Okabe get away with this, right?!"

"Keh, of course not."

Ryuuen, responding only with his voice to the furious Ishizaki, then issued instructions to the chaotic classroom. At that moment, our eyes met for just a second.

"That idiot Okabe's suspended for now. There's nothing we can do at the moment. Well, let's just look forward to when his suspension's over."

At Ryuuen's words, Albert and Ishizaki clenched their fists. The entire class likely already foresaw Okabe's fate. But no one showed sympathy—no one even spoke up in his defense. That was the extent of Okabe's reputation.

Still, no matter what they did to Okabe, the lost class points wouldn't return. The heavy atmosphere lingered as everyone prepared for the next class. Then, Hiyori, her face filled with guilt, approached me.

"Um, is this... my fault—?"

"It's not your fault, Hiyori. Besides, this was something the class needed. Even if yesterday hadn't happened, I would've done the same thing eventually."

"But... I caused a huge loss for the class."

"I'll say it again—that's not on you. If anything, you're the victim caught in the crossfire."

"Hikigaya's right, you know? You're overthinking this."

Nishino, who had been watching from a distance, lightly tapped Hiyori's shoulder. Comfort like this was better coming from someone of the same gender. As I patted Hiyori's head, Nishino turned to me.

"By the way, this is what you meant this morning, right?"

"Yeah. Either way, Okabe's actions were caught on surveillance cameras. The class was bound to take a hit."

Even within the same class, a crime was a crime. This school didn't intervene in petty student conflicts, but for serious offenses like sexual assault—something punishable by law—they had no choice but to act.

"Sure, we lost class points, but our ranking hasn't changed. It's not a big deal, right?"

"True. Honestly, losing just 200 points to protect Hiyori is a bargain. And... personally, I got to see a side of Hiyori I'd never seen before yesterday."

"!!?"

"A side of Hiyori yesterday?"

At my words, Hiyori's face turned bright red, and she glared at me in protest. Nishino, not understanding, shot Hiyori a questioning look.

"What happened yesterday?"

"U-uhm... well..."

Gripping her skirt tightly, Hiyori glared at me with resentment, but I just waved my hand dismissively and walked away.

Next was a classroom change, so I grabbed my textbook and headed into the hallway. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ryuuen leaning against the wall—waiting for me, it seemed.

"Scared me there, Ryuuen."

"Your face says otherwise."

"Well, if you're just standing there when I leave the classroom, of course I'd be surprised."

"...Wait, that's your 'surprised' face?"

"Pretty much."

"What the hell's wrong with your facial muscles?"

I wanted to protest his exasperated tone, but this wasn't the time for trivial banter.

"You wanna ask about Okabe, right?"

"Sharp as ever. Sakagami didn't give us details, but I know you're involved in this. Start talking—from the beginning."

"You don't actually have any proof I'm involved, do you?"

"While Sakagami was talking, Nishino and Hiyori kept glancing at you. That's proof enough."

Ryuuen was already convinced I was involved the moment Okabe messed up. He probably ended homeroom early just to get the full story from me.

"I'll tell you, but keep it to yourself."

"That depends on what you say."

Well, Ryuuen wouldn't spread it around, especially considering Hiyori's situation.

"Here's what happened yesterday—"

I had planned to tell Ryuuen anyway, so I explained yesterday's events as concisely as possible.

"Keh, I see. That explains the 200-point loss. Knowing you, you didn't let him off unharmed, right?"

"Not that bad. Probably no broken bones. Maybe a fracture or two."

Holding back was harder than it seemed. Against a skilled opponent, it'd be manageable, but with someone like Okabe, it was hard to gauge how much restraint was needed.

"Bet that bastard's in the hospital now. Serves him right. Once his suspension's over, I'll send him right back."

The look on Ryuuen's face was downright sinister. Maybe I didn't even need to step in.

........

After school arrived with the class still reeling from Okabe's scandal. Some students even talked about storming Okabe's room, but Katsuragi stopped them, saying it'd be a bad idea while he was suspended.

At a certain café in Keyaki Mall, I was having tea with someone I'd promised to meet a while ago.

"Are you really okay with this?"

My companion was Horikita Suzune. She took a sip of coffee before asking me that, her tone slightly concerned.

"What do you mean?"

"Your class is in a tight spot—no, you've taken a massive hit. Are you sure you should be prioritizing our promise in this situation?"

"It's fine. We planned this a while ago, and there's not much I can do right now anyway."

The root cause was suspended, so options were limited. Horikita seemed to understand, quietly setting her coffee cup down.

"Still, I'm surprised. Losing 200 points all at once... and from Ryuuen's class, no less."

"It was an unforeseen incident caused by someone no one expected. Even Ryuuen couldn't have prevented it."

"Not even you?"

"I'm just an ordinary student. There's no way I could've stopped it beforehand."

"Forgive me for saying this, but an 'ordinary student' wouldn't have achieved those results in the uninhabited island exam."

She narrowed her eyes slightly, and sensing danger, I quickly changed the subject.

"But isn't this good news for your class? With the class above you taking a huge hit, overtaking them should be easier."

"...Aren't I supposed to be your enemy? Should you really be saying that?"

"It's just small talk. Sure, we're in different classes, but I don't see you as an enemy."

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

"I suppose. If we were true enemies, we wouldn't be having tea together like this."

"Exactly."

Seemingly satisfied, she took another sip of coffee. Spending an afternoon at a café with Horikita was something unimaginable a year ago. She probably felt the same.

Well, the thing that connected us was the topic of that guy.

"Should we get to the main topic?"

"! Right. Please go ahead."

Horikita reacted slightly, trying to maintain composure, but the corners of her lips curled up faintly. She must've really wanted to hear this.

"Alright, picking up from where we left off last time—about what I did with your brother during the mixed training camp..."

Last time, I'd only told her up to the camp itself. She'd been asking me to continue, which led to today's meeting.

........

"That was a meaningful conversation."

"Glad you think so."

As the sun began to set, Horikita and I left the café, both looking satisfied.

We'd talked for quite a while. Checking my phone, it was already past 5 PM.

"Sorry for taking up so much of your time."

Thinking I was concerned about the time, Horikita frowned apologetically.

"Don't worry about it. I had nothing else to do today. Plus, I found a nice café thanks to you."

The coffee here was great. Discovering this place was a happy accident.

"Should we call it a day? I've got some shopping to do."

"What a coincidence. I was planning to go shopping too."

"Really? Well, since we're heading the same way, wanna go together?"

"...Huh?"

Horikita let out a dumbfounded sound at my suggestion, her face frozen in surprise. Realizing my mistake, I quickly backtracked.

"Ah, I mean, you don't have to! It's just... since we're going the same place, splitting up seemed pointless..."

"I never said no."

Cutting off my flustered explanation, Horikita gave me a slightly exasperated glance before slowly starting to walk. When I didn't immediately follow, she turned back with a puzzled look.

"Aren't you coming?"

"Y-yeah. Let's go."

I was the one who suggested it, but I hadn't expected Horikita to agree so easily.

From there, we exchanged some light conversation, but the atmosphere never turned awkward as we reached the store. Grabbing a basket, we headed to the food section.

"Hey, eggs are on sale today."

"So you cook too, Hikigaya? You seem used to shopping."

"Well, after a year of living alone, you pick it up."

Even when I was hiding at Sakayanagi's place, I'd occasionally learn cooking from Arisu when I had time. Thanks to that, I'd say I've become somewhat decent at it.

As we continued shopping, a certain product caught my eye as we passed the snack aisle.

"Horikita, what's this?"

"What's what...? It's just a DIY candy kit."

"DIY... candy...?"

I'd heard of these. They use chemical reactions to let you make your own candy, right?

Staring intently, I earned a baffled look from Horikita.

"Don't tell me you've never seen these before?"

"Embarrassingly, no. You have?"

"I tried one once out of curiosity. The taste wasn't really my thing, though."

"Huh..."

Listening to her, I hesitated for a moment before tossing a Neruneru-something kit into my basket. I never knew these existed. I'll try it as soon as I get back.

"...You look way too happy over a candy kit."

"Yeah, I'd only heard about them. Never actually seen one before. I thought they were just a myth."

I was just being honest, but Horikita started trembling, desperately trying to suppress a smile.

"Nngh... pfft..."

"Something funny?"

"S-sorry, but... pfft... getting this excited over candy like a kid, calling it a 'myth'... pffft..."

Apparently, I'd hit her funny bone. I hadn't meant to be that amusing. Though, getting this worked up over candy was a bit much.

But... seeing Horikita laugh like this was refreshing. She rarely showed emotion, so her smile was unexpectedly beautiful. Well, she was naturally pretty, so it made sense.

........

"Lately, Nagumo-senpai's been in an unusually good mood."

"Nagumo-senpai?"

On our way back to the dorms after shopping, Horikita brought it up casually as we walked down the now-darkened path.

"He's been bringing snacks to the student council almost daily, and even when talking, his tone is cheerful."

"Well, better than him being in a bad mood, right?"

"True, but not knowing the reason is unsettling."

What was up with Nagumo? Even from my perspective, it was a complete 180. Given his personality, maybe he'd found something new to obsess over.

"Speaking of which, Hikigaya, I heard you were invited to join the student council. By Nagumo-senpai himself, no less."

"Yeah, something like that."

I replied half-heartedly, not really interested. Horikita frowned slightly.

"'Something like that'...? You're not planning to join? With both my brother and Nagumo-senpai eyeing you, you could even become student council president..."

"Not interested. Not in being president, either. Besides, I don't think I could measure up to your brother or Nagumo-senpai."

Honestly, I wasn't cut out for the student council, let alone being president. Though if the right opportunity came along, I might consider it.

"You'd be a better fit than me, Horikita. In my eyes, you're the next student council president."

"I... still can't compare to my brother."

"You think?"

"I know so."

Our eyes met—hers like gleaming gemstones—and we both stopped walking. Whether intentional or not, Horikita averted her gaze, her lips trembling slightly.

"There's something I wanted to ask you. Since you've interacted with my brother the most."

"Something you wanted to ask?"

"...I don't know if I'm getting closer to him. Right now, leading the class, these thoughts are unnecessary, but... from your perspective, have I grown at all?"

Why she'd ask me—someone from another class—was undoubtedly because of her brother's influence. At this point, I understood the words she needed to hear. But... now wasn't the time to answer.

So, for now, I'd deflect.

Pat pat pat.

"Wh—"

Using my free hand, I ruffled Horikita's hair. Her glossy, well-maintained locks were incredibly soft. A different kind of pleasant compared to Hiyori's.

Horikita froze at my action, her mouth slightly agape, but after a moment, she glared at me half-heartedly.

"...What are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious? Patting your head."

"I don't understand at all. Explain. If it's a stupid reason, then—"

Her eyes warned me—you know what'll happen—so I had no choice but to comply.

"You're worried about whether you're catching up to your brother, right? But that's because you don't get enough external validation."

"What do you mean...?"

"It's simple. Your standards for praise are way too high."

Well, part of it was her brother's influence. Horikita had grown strong. But to her, that was just a stepping stone. Even if her growth was more than enough by normal standards, she didn't see it as praiseworthy. In short, she was too hard on herself.

"Learn to praise yourself more. Even from an outsider like me, you've grown plenty. Otherwise, your class wouldn't have come this far."

The tension in Horikita's expression eased. After a few seconds of contemplation, she looked noticeably refreshed.

"Praising myself... I never thought about that."

"Another way to put it is 'letting yourself rely on others.' Why not try leaning on Ayanokouji? That guy would just stare blankly and—"

"Say one more stupid thing, and I'll stab you."

She pulled out a compass from her pocket and pointed it at me. Why she had a compass in her pocket was a mystery I wanted to unravel.

"Kidding, kidding. Honestly, I can't even imagine you relying on someone."

"...How rude. I can rely on people, you know?"

"Wait, really?"

That was unexpected. But if she said so, maybe she'd relied on her brother before? Hard to picture.

"Though I wouldn't rely on just anyone."

"Obviously."

The whole 'relying' thing was just a metaphor—the real point was self-praise. But Horikita seemed to be taking it seriously.

"Right now..."

She murmured softly, then looked up at me with a slightly embarrassed expression.

"The only people I could rely on... are you and my brother."

"...I'm honored."

Bathed in the streetlight's glow, Horikita smiled faintly.

"Could we... do this again sometime? Talk, I mean."

"My schedule's pretty open, so feel free to invite me anytime."

She smiled again, looking genuinely happy. Surprisingly, Horikita could be quite expressive.

Taking advantage of our height difference, I placed my hand on her head again, ruffling her silky hair.

"...Do you just enjoy patting girls' heads?"

"Nah, it's just at a convenient height. Unavoidable."

"Look up 'unavoidable' in the dictionary when you get home."

"You're not telling me to stop, though."

"......Shut up."

Turning away with a pout, Horikita let me continue for just a little longer.

......

"Ahh, it's so nice being able to legally enter senpai's room~"

Using the spare keycard, Amasawa entered Hachiman's room with a bright smile. In her hands were shopping bags, and her backpack was stuffed with an apron.

"Hehe~ I wonder if senpai will be happy. He said he's been struggling with meals, so Ichinatsu will make him something delicious~"

Announcing her presence to the empty room, she neatly removed her shoes and stepped into the living area. But her footsteps halted abruptly when she noticed something.

"...The sheets are gone."

In her memory, the bed had been covered with white sheets.

"Could it be...?!"

Rushing to the laundry room, she checked the washing machine. There, she found the evidence that confirmed last night's events—and her expression darkened.

"...Shiina Hiyori, right? It couldn't be anyone else, given yesterday's vibe. Did senpai sleep with her to deepen his control over her?"

Her tone remained sweet, but had this not been Hachiman's room, she might've smashed the furniture. Gritting her teeth, she seethed.

"Ugh, these second-years piss me off. Just because they've spent a little time with senpai, they act so entitled."

Suppressing her emotions, Amasawa pondered.

"Maybe it's time to crush her for real. But causing trouble for senpai is a no-go... Hmm. Maybe I should just make senpai obsessed with me instead."

Calmly, she began transferring the groceries she'd bought into the fridge.

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