COTE : Is Talent Everything? (Rewrite)-Chapter 100 - 97: Test Added

(A/N: if you find any character naming that you think is unreasonable or weird please let me know, I will fix it immediately because I use AI to fix my broken English writing. Thank you~~)

"Senpaaai~♡"

Ever since I got back to my room, a certain kouhai in an apron has been clinging to my back, her arms wrapped around me. The sweet voice whispering in my ear was definitely intentional.

"Hey, senpai~ Why so cold? I waited all evening to make dinner for you, you know?"

"I'm not being cold. Amasawa, didn't I tell you to message me before coming to my room?"

"I did message you~"

"Sending it the second I walk in doesn't count. Normally, you'd message before coming over."

"Oops, sorry~ I was so excited to feed you, I forgot~"

Glancing at the kitchen, I saw a lavish spread of dishes. I sighed lightly and pushed Amasawa off my back as I stood up.

"Well, I appreciate the dinner. I'll let it slide this time, but if you pull this again, I'm taking your spare key."

"Got it!"

Her response was cheerful, but for some reason, I had a feeling she'd do it again.

"Ah, before that, senpai—"

"What?"

"Was Shiina-senpai's body good?"

"...I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You slept with her, didn't you? With Shiina-senpai."

She wasn't joking. Amasawa seemed to already know about last night—no, she'd probably pieced it together the moment she stepped into my room.

"How do you even know about that?"

"Oh? You're not denying it?"

"I figured you'd find out the moment I gave you a spare key."

I knew someone sharp would notice even the smallest traces. And if that someone was a White Room student? Even more so.

Amasawa stared at me silently, her expression unreadable. Was she suppressing her emotions to keep me from figuring them out?

"Heeh~ So you and Shiina-senpai were dating, huh?"

"We weren't."

"Huh? So you just slept together without even dating? That's kinda..."

"Sigh. How long are you gonna keep this act up?"

The moment I said that, her eyes—which had been shifting into a look of scorn—narrowed slightly, and the corner of her lips twitched upward.

Still as fond of wordplay as ever.

"Well, I do get that senpai only does stuff like this for strategic reasons."

"Right."

"That's kinda cold. Did you actually... want Shiina-senpai?"

"No obligation to answer that."

"Vague as always... You really are just like him."

Amasawa muttered something under her breath. Too quiet to make out.

But before I could dwell on it, she poked my cheek, her fingers trailing along my body.

"Senpai, you realize something?"

"What?"

"I'm pissed. More than I've ever been in my life."

Her mask-like smile twisted. Her expression was almost blank, but the smile had completely vanished.

"Why'd some random girl have to take senpai's first time? I wanna kill Okabe right now for causing this, and I can't stand that girl acting like she's your girlfriend."

Her eyes burned with jealousy as she bit her lip, clenching her fists to vent her anger. Then, gripping my clothes tightly, her beautiful eyes reflected me.

"Hey, senpai. Sleep with me too."

"That's sudden."

"I've been holding back this whole time to avoid causing trouble for you, you know? But hearing you crossed that line with someone else... I can't hold back anymore."

Her tone was calm, but beneath it, anger and sadness swirled in her chest.

The fact that I'd touched someone else, that I'd given myself to someone else—that was the source of her rage.

"I told you before, right? That I'd give you everything. It's not like you're actually interested in some clingy girl, are you?"

Slowly, her face drew closer. She wrapped an arm around my waist, making her intentions obvious, but I stopped her just before her lips touched mine.

"Can't do it. I won't sleep with you."

"...Because I'm a White Room student?"

"That's part of it. But it's also my own choice."

At my words, Amasawa's eyes welled up with tears like a child's. Gently touching her nearly crying face, I decided to explain myself.

"For now, at least. So instead, I'll give you a little proof."

"Proof...? Huh? Wait, you don't mean—"

"Words alone won't convince you. So I'll show you with actions—along with my words."

"W-wait, I'm not mentally prepared—!"

........

The start of the week flew by, and before I knew it, Thursday—the tail end—had arrived. As usual, while waiting for the teacher to arrive, the classroom door slowly creaked open.

The chatter died down, but the person who stepped through wasn't Sakagami-sensei.

"OKABE, YOU BASTARD!!"

Ishizaki was the first to leap up from his seat, charging toward Okabe, who had just appeared. The rest of the class, stunned by the sudden appearance, soon followed suit, glaring and hurling insults.

But when Sakagami-sensei appeared behind Okabe, Ishizaki skidded to a stop.

"Sensei!! Why is this guy here?!"

"Sit down, Ishizaki-kun. I'll explain everything now."

Cut off mid-rage, Ishizaki reluctantly returned to his seat, clearly frustrated.

Standing at the lectern, Sakagami-sensei began with something unrelated to Okabe.

"First, I have an announcement. Before the sports festival in October, you'll be taking a new special exam."

"Huh? A special exam...? Wait, hold on! Why is Okabe here?! Isn't he suspended?!"

"About that—this exam requires every student's participation. So, as a special exception, his suspension is temporarily lifted for the explanation and the exam itself. Okabe-kun, take your seat."

Urged by the teacher, Okabe scurried to his seat under the weight of the class's glares. For a second, he shot me a look like he wanted to lunge at me, but I brushed it off.

At least his attention was on me—if he'd fixated on Hiyori again, that would've been a nightmare.

"O-okay, fine, but isn't it weird to have a special exam now?"

"Frankly, you're right. But the school recognizes your class's excellence, so they've prepared a fitting challenge."

"Seriously? A 'fitting challenge' just means more exams...?"

Most of the class was skeptical, but since special exams were crucial for climbing to Class A, it wasn't entirely bad. More chances to earn points.

"You'll be taking the Unanimous Vote Special Exam."

The monitor lit up, displaying the rules alongside Sakagami-sensei's explanation.

Exam Rules:

- The class must vote unanimously on multiple-choice questions provided by the school (5 questions total, up to 4 choices each).

- The same question repeats until a unanimous decision is reached.

- If time runs out mid-question, no progress is saved.

- Successfully cleared questions are implemented regardless of the exam's final outcome.

- Clearing all questions awards 50 class points.

- Failing to clear all questions within 5 hours deducts 300 class points.

We went through some practice questions, and while some were tricky, the difficulty wasn't overwhelming. The class seemed to agree.

The concerning part was the 300-point penalty for failure. The punishment seemed disproportionately harsh compared to the exam's difficulty, but the class's mood was oddly light—probably because they trusted Ryuuen to handle it.

"Also, all communication devices will be confiscated during the exam. External contact could lead to unfair advantages, and violations will carry severe penalties."

Meaning, like other critical rules, expulsion was on the table.

Once Sakagami-sensei finished and left, the class's focus immediately shifted to one person—their hostility and condemnation in full force.

........

"You're the reason we got pushed away from Class A!"

"Quit screwing us over, you bastard!!"

"We were this close to Class A, and you ruined it!!"

"Sh-shut the hell up!!"

Okabe's face burned red as he shouted back, only fueling the class's anger. Did he not realize his defiance made things worse?

Watching the near-riot unfold, I quietly slipped over to Hiyori, making sure no one noticed.

"Hiyori, don't worry. Nothing like last time will happen again."

"Okay. As long as you're with me, Hikigaya-kun, I'll be fine. And Nishino-san too."

"I'm just an afterthought, huh?"

"Fufu~ Just kidding."

Nishino had apparently been by Hiyori's side from the start, so maybe I wasn't needed.

Still, it was a relief to see Hiyori's fear and resentment toward Okabe had faded.

"Still, it's crazy. Not a single person is defending Okabe... How unpopular can you be?"

Nishino muttered, watching Okabe's desperate shouting with exasperation.

"Albert."

"OK, BOSS."

At Ryuuen's command, the towering Albert stepped in front of Okabe. Okabe's face paled instantly before Albert drove a fist into his gut, followed by a punch to the face. After thoroughly beating him down, Albert dragged him up and dumped him in front of Ryuuen.

"You really did it, huh, Okabe? You understand what you've done?"

"N-no...! I didn't—!"

Ryuuen grabbed Okabe's hair before he could finish, yanking him up with a sneer.

"You didn't what? Go on, say it."

"I... I just..."

Okabe stammered. Normally, the class would freeze when Ryuuen resorted to violence, but this time, they were practically egging him on.

As I watched, one student quietly slipped over to me—Tokito, who'd settled into his role as my subordinate.

"Leader. I asked the teacher earlier—if Okabe leaks why he got suspended, it's instant expulsion. That's why he can't say anything."

He whispered just loud enough for me to hear.

"I see."

"Not that it'd help. If anything, it'd just make everyone hate him more. He should be glad it's not worse."

Since the details weren't public, Okabe was getting off relatively light. If the class knew he'd attempted assault, this level of backlash would've been nothing.

"Alright, everyone get out. With this many eyes on him, the bastard can't even talk."

At Ryuuen's grinning order, the class quickly packed up and left.

Only the usual members remained—Ishizaki, Albert, Ibuki, and a few others.

"Alright! What's the plan, Ryuuen-san?"

"You're leaving too, Ishizaki. Albert, Ibuki—you're out. And you—"

"Huh?! M-me too?! And Hikigaya's just standing there—!"

Ishizaki yelped, clearly not expecting to be dismissed. Ryuuen even shooed me away, despite me lingering subtly.

Since I was already packed up, I left the classroom, feeling Okabe's glare until the very end.

........

Alone in the classroom, Ryuuen turned to face Okabe.

"Keh. Finally, we can talk."

"Eek...!?"

"Why so scared? I'm not gonna beat you to a pulp."

"...Huh?"

Okabe's dumbfounded voice escaped as he clutched the spots Albert had hit.

"W-what do you mean...?"

"At first, I was just gonna punish you and call it a day. But things changed."

"Changed...?"

"Keh. Funny thing—Hikigaya and Tokito are up to something. They're probably gunning for me."

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"!"

Seeing an opportunity, Okabe scrambled to his feet, shouting excitedly.

"Y-yeah! I heard it too! Hikigaya and Tokito are teaming up to take you down!"

"Figured. That's why I kept you around. To counter them. Even a useless pawn like you is better than nothing."

Ryuuen smirked down at Okabe from the lectern.

"It's a win for you too. Stick with me, and I'll help you regain your rep. And if you hate Hikigaya? Even better."

To Okabe, who'd been out of options, those words were a lifeline.

"Y-yeah...! I'll follow you, Ryuuen! I'll make sure Hikigaya gets expelled...!"

"Glad you're motivated."

Ryuuen dismissed the now-fiery Okabe with a "Get out," leaving only a muttered remark in the empty classroom.

"Keh. What an idiot."

........

"C'mon, let's go."

Following Ryuuen's orders, I headed for the entrance, passing by Class C. There, I ran into an unexpected pair—Karuizawa, her face red as she dragged Ayanokouji by the arm.

Our eyes met.

"Oh, Hikigaya-kun? Perfect, saves me the trouble of explaining."

"So you went public?"

"Yep. Kiyotaka finally agreed."

"The timing worked out."

Karuizawa grinned while peering at Ayanokouji. They looked like total lovebirds.

"Good for you."

"Ehehe~ Right? You should get a girlfriend too, Hikigaya-kun."

"It's not like I'm against the idea."

"Eh?! Who who?! Matsushita-san? Sakayanagi-san? Or a dark horse like Horikita-san?!"

"Like I'd tell you."

"Ah, Nagumo-senp—"

"How'd you jump to that?"

"Sorry, sorry."

She clasped her hands together apologetically—clearly joking.

Speaking of... My plans with Nagumo tomorrow were ruined by the exam. No idea if the third-years knew about it yet. I'd have to message him later.

After some small talk, I waved them off. Then, as if waiting, Matsushita appeared behind me, bag in hand.

"Pretty shocking, huh? Ayanokouji-kun and Karuizawa-san dating."

"Yeah. They're total opposites, so it's unexpected."

"The whole class was surprised. They never even interacted."

Matsushita murmured, watching their retreating backs.

Then, remembering something, I spoke up.

"Matsushita, you free after this?"

"Huh? Not really, why?"

"Wanna grab dinner? I know a good place."

Too sudden? Matsushita blinked at me rapidly.

"Wow. You never invite me anywhere."

"Well..."

Trailing off, I noticed her eyes glinting mischievously.

"Suuuper suspicious. There's a reason, right?"

"Maybe."

"So there is!"

No point hiding it now. It wasn't a big deal anyway.

"Not so much a 'reason'... You always pick the places when we eat out, right? Figured I'd take a turn."

A flimsy excuse, but Matsushita giggled like it was the funniest thing.

"Fufu~ I see. Well then, let's go? I'm looking forward to your recommendation~"

"You're making fun of me, aren't you?"

"Not at all~"

She pulled me along in the same way Karuizawa had with Ayanokouji.

...Whatever. First, I needed to message Nagumo that I couldn't make it tomorrow.

.....

Class 3-A.

"Holy crap...!? Nagumo just crushed his phone...!!?"

"And now he's sulking?! What happened?!"

Nagumo, face planted on his desk, radiated negativity. His usual sparkling aura was gone, replaced by a gloomy, depressed mess.

"Miyabi? What's wrong?"

Unable to ignore it, Nagumo's classmate called out, but his muffled voice barely escaped the desk.

"......Hikigaya......has an exam tomorrow......"

"Ahh~. Well, that's just bad luck."

"I even booked a salon appointment for tomorrow......"

"Ew?! That's way too much effort!"

"Shut up......"

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