COTE : Is Talent Everything? (Rewrite)-Chapter 102 - 99 : Final Result

In the five-hour time limit, we reached the final task in just about an hour, almost effortlessly.

Given the smooth progress, it's no surprise that many students thought clearing it was a sure thing. Once the last question was done, the special exam would be cleared, and 50 class points would be ours.

"Now, we'll begin the final task. Prepare to vote."

As Teacher Sakagami operated his tablet, the last task appeared before us.

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Task ⑤

One classmate will be expelled, but in exchange, the class will receive 100 class points.

(If the vote is unanimously in favor, the student to be expelled will be specified, and a vote will be held.)

Options:

✔️ Agree

❌ Disagree

---

The final task had the fewest options so far—just two. At first glance, it seemed easy to reach a consensus, but in reality, numbers alone didn't hold much influence.

What truly mattered was the nature of the task itself.

Expulsion or Class Points.

This was one of the worst possible tasks I had anticipated—and yet, also the best one I could have hoped for.

Under normal circumstances, the obvious choice would be to vote ❌ Disagree, but how would this actually play out?

---

1st Voting Results:

✔️ Agree — 14 votes

❌ Disagree — 26 votes

---

The initial results leaned toward Disagree, but the fact that a significant number of students still voted to expel a classmate for points spoke volumes.

"Wh-what do we do, Ryūen-san?"

Reacting to the outcome, Ishizaki was the first to seek guidance. Throughout the exam, Ryūen's vote had always been the deciding factor.

After staring at the results with a smirk, Ryūen stood up from his chair.

"Guess the school wasn't messing around after all. Things just got interesting."

As if anticipating Ryūen's next move, Teacher Sakagami silently stepped back. After a year and a half as their homeroom teacher, he'd learned to read Ryūen's behavior well enough.

"Those who voted Agree, raise your hands."

Ryūen's order brooked no argument, and a heavy tension spread through the class regardless of how they'd voted. After a few seconds, hands began to rise—but only sporadically.

"...Six, huh? Well, that's about what I expected for the first round."

Six out of the fourteen who'd voted Agree. Meaning, eight had disobeyed his command.

"H-hey! It's not too late! Raise your hands now before things get messy!"

Breaking the suffocating silence, Ishizaki—uncomfortable with the atmosphere—hurriedly pressed the dissenters.

"Let them be, Ishizaki. If they don't wanna raise their hands, fine. For now."

"Eh? R-really? It's okay?"

"But don't get it twisted. Use this intermission wisely. Think hard about which side you should be voting for."

After that, silence dominated. The longer it dragged on, the less likely anyone would speak up.

The first intermission, which felt agonizingly drawn out, ended with most of it spent in utter quiet.

Then, the second round of voting began.

---

2nd Voting Results:

✔️ Agree — 9 votes

❌ Disagree — 31 votes

---

Five of the original Agree votes had shifted to Disagree. While suspicions lingered about Ryūen's own vote, those who'd chosen Disagree likely saw this as a good sign.

"Hands up if you voted Agree this time."

Ryūen called for another show of hands. Of those who'd raised their hands the first time, only Kaneda and Nishino remained. The other Agree voters were still unknown.

"You two voted Agree both times, huh? Kaneda, your reason?"

"To win. Even if it means expelling someone, gaining 100 class points is crucial."

"Didn't it occur to you that raising your hand might make you the target?"

"That's a foolish question. My value far exceeds 100 points. Besides... I already have someone in mind who should be expelled."

At Kaneda's words, the entire class surely pictured the same person.

"Keh. Go on, Kaneda. Tell us who you think deserves to be expelled."

Though the answer was obvious, Ryūen grinned, amused. Or maybe because it was obvious.

Kaneda nodded and turned slightly.

"The one who dragged our class points down so drastically. If we must expel someone... Okabe is the obvious choice."

"Haah?! The hell's your problem?!"

Immediately jumping from his seat, Okabe glared at Kaneda with furious eyes.

"You don't see it? You're nothing but dead weight to this class. Minus 200 points? Honestly, I'd love to hear how you even managed that."

"That—that wasn't my fault!!"

"Then why were you the one punished? The school doesn't play favorites."

"Tch...!"

Biting his lip in frustration, Okabe couldn't retort. If he leaked the truth behind the incident, expulsion would be inevitable.

Seeing Okabe silenced, Kaneda sighed and turned back to Ryūen.

"Can we just decide already? No one in this class would oppose Okabe's expulsion. He brought this on himself."

"Hold up, Kaneda. I never said we had to expel someone."

Though Kaneda's argument was valid, Ryūen's interruption visibly surprised him.

"Right now, both votes have Disagree in the lead. Meaning, the majority of the class wants to avoid expulsion. I intend to respect that consensus."

For the first time, Ryūen made it clear he was abandoning the class points in favor of keeping everyone.

Okabe let out a sigh of relief.

"S-settled then! You all vote Disagree! That's Ryūen-san's order!"

While the decision was made, some students must've noticed how uncharacteristic this was for Ryūen. Normally, he'd force things through with Agree votes without hesitation—yet this time, he didn't.

Then, the third round of voting was displayed.

---

3rd Voting Results:

✔️ Agree — 6 votes

❌ Disagree — 34 votes

---

Though it wasn't unanimous, most expected Disagree to dominate. Yet, a surprising number of Agree votes remained.

"Kaneda, Nishino, which side did you pick?"

"Obviously Disagree, as per Ryūen-kun's instructions."

"I voted Disagree too, just to be safe."

Kaneda and Nishino, who'd previously voted Agree, along with one other student, had voluntarily switched sides. But some were still voting Agree—a sign that Ryūen's control was slipping.

---

4th Voting Results:

✔️ Agree — 6 votes

❌ Disagree — 34 votes

5th Voting Results:

✔️ Agree — 6 votes

❌ Disagree — 34 votes

7th Voting Results:

✔️ Agree — 5 votes

❌ Disagree — 35 votes

---

As the votes repeated, an uneasy tension filled the room. By this point, one Agree voter had switched, but five stubbornly remained.

"Gotta admit, you've got guts. Why not step forward now, you five? If you're sticking with Agree, then fight for it. Show me you can stand on equal footing."

Ryūen smirked, taunting the class.

At this rate, dragging things out would be pointless.

"...!"

I gave an imperceptible nod—one only he would notice. The man who'd been waiting for my signal slowly stood up. He was one of the few who'd consistently voted Agree.

"———Finally got the green light. Ryūen, I was one of the Agree voters."

"Tokitō?! The hell's wrong with you?!"

Ishizaki lunged forward, but Katsuragi grabbed his arm to stop him.

"Enough, Ishizaki. This is a special exam. Violence now will only bring penalties."

"Tch...!"

Seeing Teacher Sakagami nod in agreement, Ishizaki reluctantly backed down.

"You knew this was coming, right, Ryūen? We've made eye contact a few times."

"Sure, Tokitō. Your rebellious streak's nothing new. Honestly, I'm glad you're owning up to it."

Ryūen adjusted his posture, slamming his fist against the podium with a loud thud.

"So? What's your goal? Voting Agree all this time—you want me gone?"

"Wrong. I'd never approve of your expulsion."

Glaring, Tokitō pointed at Ryūen.

"Ryūen, step down as class leader. But don't drop out. Your skills are too valuable to waste."

"Getting soft, are we? I figured you'd want me gone for good."

"I'd love to expel you, but that wouldn't benefit the class."

"May I ask a question, Tokitō-san?"

Adjusting his glasses, Kaneda raised his hand.

"You've made your stance clear. You want Ryūen removed as leader—that's your goal, correct?"

"Exactly."

"But in that case, we'd need a new leader. Someone of equal—or greater—ability. I assume you have someone in mind?"

"Of course. And they're the best candidate."

Tokitō smirked confidently, turning fully toward Kaneda.

"Who might that be? Surely not yourself?"

"I'm not leader material. If I were, I'd have taken the position back at the start of the year."

"Then... who?"

With a loud clatter, I stood up from my seat.

Every eye in the room turned to me, stunned. Only Ryūen grinned, as if he'd expected this.

"Finally, the big reveal———Leader."

Tokitō stood behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Keh, so that's how it is."

"Pretty much. You had an idea, didn't you?"

"Didn't think it was likely. You teaming up with Tokitō to take me down? What's your game this time?"

"Who knows?"

As Ryūen stepped down from the podium and approached, Tokitō pointed at him again.

"Hikigaya can not only replace you—he'll push the class even higher. The succession's already decided. Just step down already, Ryūen."

"Since when did you become so obedient, Tokitō? I thought you hated following others."

"Shut it. I've made my choice."

Seeing no point in dragging this out, I lightly motioned for Tokitō to step back and took a single step forward.

"Alright, let's settle this, Ryūen."

"Sounds fun. But how? Don't tell me you're suggesting a fistfight."

"Nothing that crude. There's a simple way to decide—using this exam."

I raised my voice slightly so the whole class could hear.

"This special exam lets everyone vote Agree or Disagree. We'll use that to determine who's more fit to lead."

"I see. So if you're Disagree, you're betting on how many supporters you can rally. Whoever gets more votes wins."

"Exactly. Any objections?"

With only two options, if I represented Disagree and Ryūen Agree, the class's votes would decide it. And since it's anonymous, there's no room for tricks.

It couldn't be simpler—but Ryūen scoffed, his expression shifting.

"You're naive."

"What do you mean?"

"This is meaningless. A game where neither side risks anything is just boring."

"...Then what do you propose?"

"Simple."

Grinning, Ryūen dropped a bombshell that shocked the entire class.

"———We pass this task with Agree, then bet our expulsions on the vote. Whoever gets fewer votes leaves."

The class erupted in disbelief.

"Wh-what the hell are you saying?! There's no need for expulsions!!"

"Kuku, what's wrong, Tokitō? You sided with Hikigaya because you thought he'd win, right? Then trust him."

Ryūen and I were seen as the class's pillars. Losing either of us in a leadership battle would be a massive upheaval.

Of course, Tokitō wasn't the only one protesting. Even Ishizaki and the others, who'd stayed quiet until now, looked ready to argue—but before they could, I signaled my acceptance.

"Fine. We'll pass it with Agree, then vote. Let's do it."

"L-Leader?!"

"Then it's settled. All of you, vote Agree."

The class was stunned, but Ryūen cut through the hesitation, sitting back down as the final vote loomed.

---

8th Voting Results:

✔️ Agree — 40 votes

❌ Disagree — 0 votes

---

"...Since the 8th vote passed with Agree, please nominate the student to be expelled. Select them via tablet."

Teacher Sakagami's voice was hollow, his displeasure barely concealed. He clearly hadn't expected things to go this way.

Nomination—the selection of who would be expelled. Based on my discussion with Ryūen, I was to nominate myself and compete. Without hesitation, I selected my own name.

The voting method was simple:

- Vote ✔️ Agree to support Ryūen.

- Vote ❌ Disagree to support me.

That's all.

"Choose whoever you want. This'll decide the next class leader—and which of us disappears."

As a final confirmation, Ryūen spoke as if expulsion meant nothing to him.

If Agree won by even one vote, I'd be expelled, and Ryūen would remain leader.

If Disagree won by even one vote, Ryūen would be expelled, and I'd take over.

A simple coin toss.

"Time's up. Since Hikigaya-kun received the majority of nominations, we'll now proceed to the vote."

The time to decide who would lead and who would be expelled was shockingly brief.

And the result displayed was———

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9th Voting Results:

✔️ Agree — 22 votes

❌ Disagree — 17 votes

---

A narrow margin of just three votes—but Agree had won.

Meaning, Ryūen's victory.

Once this intermission ended, the vote would repeat, and I'd be expelled.

"No way... Leader..."

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Tokitō hung his head in shock.

As the intermission began, Ryūen kicked my desk, looking down at me with a smirk.

"You lose. Better honor our deal."

"...Yeah."

Seeing me unable to do anything but stare at the floor, someone at the front suddenly burst into laughter before stomping over with heavy footsteps.

"Ahahaha!!! Sucks to be you, Hikigaya!!"

"...Okabe."

"I knew this would happen!! Going against Ryūen is suicide!! You brought this on yourself, trying to act all important!!"

Completely oblivious to the multiple glares directed at him, Okabe kept mocking me.

Ryūen glanced at Okabe's outburst, but Okabe, missing the cue, kept going.

"Let's just expel this loser already, Ryūen! We don't need him!"

"Yeah. Trash like this is better off thrown out."

Ryūen gave me one last look, and Okabe grinned triumphantly before returning to his seat. Then, the intermission ended, and voting resumed.

Okabe was practically giddy. The rest of the class, however, silently tapped their tablets.

When the results came in, Teacher Sakagami's stunned expression was the first thing I noticed.

"Time's up. The student who received the majority of nominations is———Okabe-kun. We'll now proceed to the vote."

"......Huh?"

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10th Voting Results:

✔️ Agree — 39 votes

❌ Disagree — 0 votes

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