COTE : Is Talent Everything? (Rewrite)-Chapter 145 - 139: Senior’s Tears

On the afternoon of the day when the opposing forces, Ryūen and Ichinose, clashed and caused a commotion...

Today, Hiyori was supposed to stay over, but she had plans with Nishino first, so we agreed to meet up later. By now, it had become routine for us to share a hug before parting ways. This time was no different.

"Thank you, Hachiman-kun."

"That's it?"

I was surprised by how short our embrace was this time—far shorter than usual. Normally, Hiyori would cling to me until the last possible second, risking being late.

"Our meeting time is earlier today. If we keep this up, I'll make Nishino-san wait."

"Oh. Then I guess there's no helping it."

"You could at least act a little more reluctant, you know? Like hugging me from behind to stop me from leaving."

"If I did that, you'd actually be late and inconvenience Nishino."

"If I asked you to, would you do it?"

"I'd have no reason not to."

She laughed softly at my joke-for-joke response, then turned away with a wave.

On the surface, she seemed no different than usual. But the fleeting, fragile expression she showed as she turned away—that definitely wasn't my imagination.

I could have asked if something was wrong, if there was a reason she was holding back. But that wouldn't have been the best choice. With Hiyori, it's better to wait until she's ready to talk about it herself.

---

"Must be nice, getting all lovey-dovey in some deserted corner."

As I headed back toward the classroom—the opposite direction of Hiyori, who was making her way to the entrance—Ryuuen was waiting by the door, leaning against the frame. His expression seemed faintly amused.

"Were you watching?"

"The hell I'd watch your little rendezvous. But I did overhear things getting pretty heated."

"If you're jealous, just say so. Why not get a girlfriend yourself?"

"What's there to envy about a guy who cycles through women who aren't even his girlfriends? Your taste in clingy women? I'd rather not get stabbed to death."

"Stabbed to death? Why would that happen?"

"...You're as clueless as ever, huh?"

Ryuuen's face twisted into a mix of shock and exasperation. I had no idea what the connection was between "girlfriends" and "getting stabbed."

"Also, Hiyori isn't clingy. If anything, she's so lighthearted it's almost worrying—"

"Whatever. The real topic is the exam."

He cut me off before I could finish. Of course—he wasn't here for small talk.

"You want me to do something?"

"Didn't expect shit from you in the first place. But you're gonna pull your weight at the bare minimum."

"Sure, I'm a classmate too. I'll take it seriously to some extent."

"Keh. Good attitude. Then solve the five hardest questions out of a hundred. In under thirty seconds."

"That's way beyond the bare minimum...?"

Solving difficult problems is one thing, but thirty seconds? That's just malicious. He must have set that time based on my abilities. Very Ryuuen-like.

"You can refuse if you want. Or half-ass it like always."

"Wait, really?"

That was uncharacteristically lenient of him. If he was giving me an out, I'd gladly take it—

"Oh, right. What should I do with that video I took the other day? Maybe send it to Sakayanagi and let her terrorize you with it."

"On second thought, I'll be the MVP of this exam. Underestimating me would be a mistake. No one can stop me now."

"Kuku. Glad to see you motivated."

Damn it. When did he even record that? It must've been from when I was walking back with Nanase. If Arisu got her hands on that, I'd be screwed.

"That's all I needed. Later."

With a lazy wave, Ryuuen walked off. I thought about leaving too, but just as he turned the corner, he glanced back at me.

"You noticed Hiyori acting weird too, right? Fix that shit already."

Even Ryuuen had picked up on it. With that final remark, he disappeared for real this time.

Him being worried about Hiyori... was hard to imagine. More likely, he just didn't want her being off her game during the exam.

---

"Hey, Hikigaya. Got a sec?"

As I was changing my shoes at the entrance, Ayanokōji—somehow still here—called out to me.

"I need a favor."

"What, more food? I treated you to yakiniku yesterday. At a high-end place, too."

"Ahh, that was good..."

It was supposed to be my treat for Amasawa and Sudō as thanks, but somehow, I ended up paying for Ayanokōji's share too.

Drool almost seemed to form at the corners of his mouth as he reminisced about the premium meat he'd eaten on someone else's dime. But he quickly snapped back to reality—this wasn't the main topic.

"So, what do you need?"

"I've been looking into that shoplifting incident. I wanted to gather info from the third-years, so I was searching for Asahina-san."

"Asahina-senpai? Did you find her?"

"I did, but... it'd be faster if we moved while talking. Come with me."

He turned toward the staircase leading to the rooftop.

As we walked, I asked for details. Apparently, he had found Asahina-senpai, but he missed his chance to talk to her and ended up tailing her instead. For some reason, she was now crying in front of the rooftop door.

"I was hesitating on what to do when you showed up."

"So you want me to probe her about the shoplifting case?"

"Bingo. You know what they say—when a girl's crying, send the guy she's into. You'll get more out of her."

"First time I've heard that saying."

I did have my own thoughts on the shoplifting incident, so I agreed to help.

From the top of the stairs, near the rooftop door, faint sobbing could be heard. She must've hidden herself here to avoid being seen.

"Um—"

"Eek!?"

I climbed the steps slowly, trying not to startle her. When she came into view, I called out softly. But the moment she looked up, her face twisted in shock.

"Eh, eh, H-Ha, Hacchi-kun!?"

"Are you okay?"

"S-Sorry, just, just gimme a sec, okay?"

There was no need for her to apologize, but she frantically hid her face and wiped away her tears.

In this state, she wouldn't be able to talk properly. I could give her time to calm down, but waiting around would be awkward. So instead—

"Eh... Hacchi-kun?"

I sat down on the floor beside her and held out my arms.

"It's okay to cry. We can talk once you've calmed down. You can ruin my clothes all you want."

If she rejected me now, it'd be beyond embarrassing. But that worry vanished instantly.

"...Moeka...!"

She leaned into me, her voice breaking as she whispered the name of some student I didn't know. I wouldn't ask who that was—not now.

For the next few minutes, I waited silently as Asahina-senpai slowly regained her composure.

---

"...Yeah, I'm okay now."

She coughed lightly, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Sorry, Hacchi-kun. You saw me at my worst."

"No, I'm the one who showed up out of nowhere."

"Ah, right—why did you appear so suddenly? It wasn't a coincidence, was it? Not that I'm complaining..."

"There's a bit of a story..."

I glanced toward the staircase, where Ayanokōji was now visible, just as I had been earlier.

"Ah, Ayanokōji-kun!?"

"Yo. About earlier—I asked Hikigaya to come."

"He said you were crying and he couldn't bring himself to approach you. Then he grabbed me at the entrance."

"Ughhh, now two underclassmen saw me like this..."

Her face reddened further, her eyes still puffy. She must've been really embarrassed.

"Well, I'll take my leave. You'd probably rather talk to Hikigaya, Asahina-senpai. He can fill you in on the details."

He was leaving the info-gathering entirely to me. Considering Asahina-senpai's state, it was the right call.

"Oh, one last thing—here."

Just before leaving, Ayanokōji handed her a warm can of tea. Just as he said he would.

"Hikigaya texted me to buy warm tea on my way here."

"Eh, Hacchi-kun did?"

She whipped her head toward me at that. Thanks for throwing me under the bus.

"I always knew Hikigaya was considerate, but this is too considerate. It's almost creepy."

"Is it really that weird to offer someone a drink after they've been crying?"

"The fact that you think it's normal is what's weird."

With a small sigh, Ayanokōji finally descended the stairs.

Once again, it was just the two of us—and now, thanks to Ayanokōji's "reveal," the atmosphere was awkward.

"——You're way too cool!!"

"Eh...?"

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Turns out, I was the only one who felt that way. Breaking the silence, Asahina-senpai grabbed my head with both hands and pulled me into her chest.

"Ughhh! Whyyy!? How are you this cool!? Now I'm gonna cry for a whole different reason!"

"W-Wait, let go—"

"How could anyone not fall for you when you're this sweet!?"

"O-Okay, okay—"

"I love you!! So much!! Love, love, love you!!!"

Asahina-senpai was surprisingly strong. Not that I minded—she was soft, after all—but my neck was at a weird angle. It wasn't just creaking—it was making sounds that were downright alarming.

Guess I'd have to wait like this until she calmed down again.

---

After her outburst, Asahina-senpai finally settled down, repeatedly apologizing before sipping her tea and explaining why she'd been crying.

"Moeka—I mean, Shuchi Moeka—dropped out this morning. From Class C."

"Dropping out now? It's not a penalty from the special exam, right? Voluntary withdrawal?"

Third-years shouldn't have any special exams going on.

"The reason was 'major misconduct.' They said it was disciplinary action for violating school rules. The teachers wouldn't give me any details."

From the way she spoke, this Shuchi girl must've been a close friend, even across classes.

"This is just speculation, and I don't know what rule she broke, but I think I get it. Moeka probably did something she shouldn't have to reach Class A."

"In your year, Nanami-senpai holds all the power, right?"

"About that... Oh, right, you wouldn't know. The promise Masashi made."

"Promise?"

That word—promise—was likely at the root of the third-years' current situation.

"Masashi made a deal with the students in Class B and below. You're close with him, so I don't mind telling you, but if you plan on sharing this with Ayanokōji-kun, try not to spread it too much."

After that preface, she explained the contract's details—the one Masashi Nanami had made with many third-years.

Transfer 75% of their monthly private points to Masashi personally.

2. Support Masashi Nanami and refrain from hostile actions.

3. Earn the right to obtain "Class A Transfer Tickets" by collecting independently established points.

4. Funds would be handed over the day before class assignments were finalized.

5. Violating the terms after obtaining a ticket would result in forfeiture.

6. Students who met all five conditions would gain the right to compete for a 20 million-point jackpot.

And one more thing.

"Masashi plans to leave a few million points for a lottery at the very end. He'll randomly select two or three Class A Transfer Tickets."

In other words, even if you didn't contribute much to Masashi, you'd still have a chance at Class A.

"Thanks to Masashi's hard work, I'm benefiting from being in Class A. But knowing Moeka got expelled because of it... It's got me thinking."

That was why she'd been crying earlier.

Shuchi's case didn't directly relate to the main topic—Kiryuuin's shoplifting accusation—but from a certain perspective, it did change things.

"Asahina-senpai, can I ask for your help?"

"Help? With what?"

"Ayanokōji's original reason for looking for you. Let me explain first."

I told her about how Kiryuuin was being framed for shoplifting. At first, she was shocked, but she quickly grasped the situation.

"Ohhh. So that's why Ayanokōji-kun was looking for me. Though now it's you instead."

"You were the only one he could trust. I feel the same way."

"It's nice hearing that from you, Hacchi-kun."

Finally, she smiled, and I felt a wave of relief. Since she seemed willing to answer, I decided to ask.

"What do you think about Yamanaka-senpai, the one involved in this?"

"...Before that, can I ask something?"

"Eh? Oh, sure."

I'd assumed she'd answer right away, but she cut the conversation short.

"Can we drop the honorifics soon? I think it's about time."

She pointed a finger at me, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"But you're my senpai."

"Age doesn't matter if we're close. We're only a year apart anyway."

"Well, I guess so."

"Or... was I the only one who thought we were close?"

Her eyebrows drooped, and she gave me a look of exaggerated sadness. That's cheating. With a face like that, I couldn't refuse.

"Fine. No more honorifics from now on. Happy, Nazuna?"

"Perfect!"

She grinned, clearly delighted. I didn't think dropping honorifics was that big a deal, but if it made her happy, whatever.

"Anyway, Yamanaka... We talk sometimes, but we're not particularly close. She's not the super popular type, either."

I hadn't planned to rely solely on Nazuna's assessment, but from what she said, Yamanaka didn't seem to have any hidden talents beyond what her OAA suggested.

"I'd like to talk to Yamanaka-senpai. Can you arrange that?"

"Sure. Can I use your name?"

"Ah, no—tell her Ayanokōji will be the one meeting her."

"Eh? But Ayanokōji-kun already left, didn't he...?"

"He's still nearby. He's at the bottom of the stairs right now."

"Wha—!?"

She must've thought he'd left after handing her the tea. Nazuna hurriedly peeked down the staircase—then jumped in surprise when she saw him.

"He's really there..."

"No need to act like you saw a ghost."

"But I didn't sense him at all..."

She seemed genuinely shocked. Well, he had erased his presence completely to avoid interrupting us.

After Nazuna sent a message to arrange a meeting, Yamanaka agreed to gather at Keyaki Mall in thirty minutes.

"Then just send the time and place. Ayanokōji can handle the rest."

Once the stage was set, he'd take care of things on his own.

"So, what should we do now?"

"Want to grab dinner? If you're okay with it, I mean."

Hiyori was eating with Nishino tonight, so there was no issue.

"Of course! I definitely wanna spend more time with you!"

"Anywhere in particular you want to go?"

"Hmm..."

To anyone watching, we probably looked like a couple, wrapped up in our own sweet little world as we headed toward the entrance.

---

### +Short Story

"Sigh. I was the one who asked, but Hikigaya gets to go on a date with Asahina? The gap's too unfair."

Ayanokōji, who had left the school building ahead of Hikigaya and Asahina, muttered complaints to himself as he headed toward Keyaki Mall to meet Yamanaka.

(Now that I think about it, Asahina might be Hikigaya's ideal type, huh? Older, and her thighs seem like his preference.)

He passed the time with idle observations like that as he walked.

(Still, I've been relying on Hikigaya a lot lately. He's cooperative, which helps.)

Hikigaya was the person Ayanokōji trusted most in this school. Since he always delivered the optimal solution, it was only natural that Ayanokōji would rely on him more and more. When their interests aligned, there was no ally more reliable.

(From Hikigaya's perspective—always prepared—it's only natural he'd be cooperative.)

Must be nice, he thought, adding another complaint to his mental list about Hikigaya having it easier than him.

---

Ayanokōji and Hikigaya were in a cooperative relationship.

For each other's plans. For each other's goals.

Aligned interests. In a way, that was a more certain bond than empty trust.

No one knew of their plan.

No one except Ayanokōji Kiyotaka and Hikigaya Hachiman.

There were conditions to the plan.

And Hikigaya had already fulfilled one of them.

(Hikigaya possesses—20 million private points.)

Not through cheating or force, but through a surefire method. That fact was known only to Ayanokōji.

(No point envying him. I'll just stick to the plan.)

With that thought, Ayanokōji continued on his way to Keyaki Mall.

=================================

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