COTE : Is Talent Everything? (Rewrite)-Chapter 117 - 113: The Cultural Festival

The rehearsal for the cultural festival had ended, so I decided to escort Horikita Manabu to the school gate along with Nagumo.

"Most likely, this will be the last time I set foot in this school. It's been a meaningful time."

Even spending the day today as an odd trio touring the cultural festival seemed to have been something Horikita Manabu considered worthwhile. As he stood before the school gate, Nagumo approached with a small smile.

"Don't worry. I'll be graduating in less than a year anyway. I'll be right behind you."

"Drop the strange phrasing. You're the student council president, the leader of the student body. Fulfill your duties with pure intent."

"You're so stiff, Horikita-senpai. Well, today was fun. I'll look forward to meeting you after graduation."

After a firm handshake and a brief exchange, Nagumo turned back toward me and spoke.

"Hikigaya, don't you have anything to say to senpai?"

"Well..."

A quick glance at Horikita Manabu revealed that he was subtly adjusting his glasses, clearly waiting expectantly. Saying nothing here would be strange.

"You'll treat me to coffee after you graduate, right?"

At my words, Horikita's eyes widened for just a moment before he let out a small smile.

"I don't recall saying that."

"Then consider this conversation void."

"Fine. I'll treat you. I'll find the highest-quality coffee."

"You folded fast..."

I expected a bit more resistance, but his adaptability was still intact. It was an odd farewell, but Horikita Manabu's expression as he left the school grounds seemed satisfied. With one last glance at me, he lightly waved and turned away, his shadow growing distant. Nagumo and I stood still until his figure disappeared completely.

"Honestly, I'd love one last serious match with Horikita-senpai."

"You really love competition, don't you, Nagumo-senpai?"

Even today, he had repeatedly challenged Horikita Manabu.

"Hopefully, you'll find another worthy opponent before graduation."

"You're as evasive as ever."

"What are you talking about?"

"It was you, wasn't it? The one who pushed Ayanokouji toward me."

His gaze seemed to see right through everything.

"A while back, Ayanokouji challenged me out of nowhere. Said he'd suddenly taken an interest in me."

"That's great, isn't it?"

"But the timing was too perfect. Ayanokouji, who'd refused every chance to fight me, suddenly changes his mind? That's too convenient."

"Even Ayanokouji can change his mind."

I kept my tone flat, not matching Nagumo's suspicious stare. After a few seconds of silence, Nagumo raised the corner of his mouth slightly, as if admitting defeat.

"Seems pointless trying to get info out of you."

"You should focus on Ayanokouji, not me."

"...Hey, what's your relationship with Ayanokouji?"

What was he suddenly getting at? A quick glance revealed his expression was deadly serious.

"When he challenged me... Ayanokouji was unsettling. Not that I was scared. Just... unsettling."

Given Nagumo's personality, he wasn't exaggerating. But still, the connection to me remained unclear.

"And what does that have to do with me?"

"Personally, I think there's some kind of link between you and Ayanokouji. Just a hunch, though."

A bit too sharp for just a hunch. He must have glimpsed something of Ayanokouji's true nature during this time.

"Are you and Ayanokouji really just friends?"

Normally, I'd just say, "We're just friends," and walk away—that's the standard play. But with Nagumo now facing Ayanokouji, that didn't feel like the best answer.

"Ayanokouji isn't a friend, nor a close one. If he disappeared, that'd be the end of it. In fact, it'd make my future plans easier."

"...That mysterious vibe suits you."

"Thanks, I guess."

I turned and started walking away. No voice called out to stop me. I hadn't lied. If Ayanokouji lost to Nagumo, that would be the end. No matter who it was, if Ayanokouji was defeated, everything would be over.

"But precisely because that's impossible, I'm aligning myself with Ayanokouji now."

.......

After a long preparation period, the day of the cultural festival finally arrived. At exactly 9:00 AM, an announcement echoed throughout the school, signaling the start. Guests began streaming through the main gate, marking the official opening.

"Everyone seems a bit distracted."

"Can you blame them? They've had no contact with the outside world since entering this school."

The voices of Hiyori and Nishino, standing side by side at the register as the accounting team, reached my ears. Given the closed-off environment, their nervousness was natural.

"Well, a few of them seem way too calm, though."

"Ryuuen-kun and Hikigaya-kun?"

My name came up in their conversation.

"Seriously, those guys are fearless. Do they just not know what nerves are?"

"Nishino-san, you don't seem nervous either."

"I just don't show it. Hiyori doesn't look nervous at all, though."

"I don't show it either. Hehe, we're the same."

Since the incident with Okabe, Hiyori and Nishino had grown genuinely close—close enough to call them best friends. Okabe had been good material for that.

"Welcome~!"

The first guest to enter was a man in his 30s, likely an invited visitor. Kinoshita, who had fully embraced her role as a maid during yesterday's rehearsal, handled the greeting. Soon, more guests poured in, and the maids sprang into action, though their nervousness made their movements less fluid than during practice.

"First-day jitters, huh."

We weren't packed to the brim, but at least the seats weren't mostly empty.

"Hikigaya-kun, we've got a female customer. Your turn."

"Got it."

Of course, as part of customer service, I'd handle female guests. If too few female customers came in, I'd step out to attract more. That was pretty much my job.

"Please call me when you've decided on your order."

After finishing the standard service routine, I returned to the back. Still...

Given the number of political figures attending this festival, it was the perfect opportunity for that man. I'd expected him to make a move despite the crowd. Sakayanagi-san likely thought the same. Yet, as noon approached, nothing had changed.

"No matter how talented you are, you're still just children. That man sent me here fully aware of your strength—understand that."

"You think expelling Tsukishiro and the White Room students will bring peace back? Don't get the wrong idea. That's why I came to advise you."

The words of Tsukishiro and the mysterious student who approached me during the sports festival echoed in my mind. If I forced a connection between them, the obvious conclusion was that they'd try to eliminate me using external forces during the festival. It was hard to imagine they'd do nothing. If they truly made no move here, it wouldn't be out of negligence—it'd mean something else entirely.

"Huh? Hikigaya-kun, isn't it time for your shift? Shouldn't you be out there?"

Kinoshita, who had come to the back to pick up orders, interrupted my thoughts. A glance at the clock confirmed it was time for my promotional shift.

"Sorry, got lost in thought. I'll head out now."

For now, I needed to focus on the present. I left the classroom and headed out to promote. Outside, while there wasn't a massive line, a decent crowd had formed—a good sign for our event. As I adjusted the slightly tilted signboard, an arm reached out from behind me to my left. The edge of my vision caught not a school uniform but a suit sleeve.

"Don't turn around. Take this."

A neatly folded white note fluttered slightly in the breeze from the window. Ignoring the order not to turn would've been easy, but I silently took it.

"Mind telling me your name?"

"Unnecessary questions."

The moment I took the paper, the arm vanished from my sight. I stayed still until the presence behind me completely disappeared, then unfolded the note.

"I've come to retrieve you. Decide for yourself what to do. I'll be waiting at the main gate."

A phone number was even thoughtfully included.

"Decide for myself?"

If they were seriously giving me a choice, did they think I'd pick going back? Or had they concluded that force wasn't an option and left it to my judgment?

There wasn't enough information to decide. I crumpled the note and put it in my mouth, destroying the evidence. Just then, my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Got a minute?"

It was Ayanokouji. If he was calling now, something must have happened.

"Kushida from our class is missing. Most likely, Amasawa's involved."

The explanation was lacking in detail, but Ayanokouji must have assumed I'd understand with just that.

"Got it. Where should I go?"

"I'll send you the location. Check it."

The call ended, and Ayanokouji promptly sent the coordinates. Looks like I wouldn't be able to handle my class's promotion.

.......

Following the coordinates led me not toward Keyaki Mall or the dormitories but to the back of the indoor pool facility. By the time I arrived, Ayanokouji was already there. But what caught my attention was Kushida, restrained and unable to move further back. Her wrist was held firmly by Amasawa's right hand, while her left hand covered Kushida's mouth tightly from behind.

"What's going on?"

"My guess? Kushida had connections with Amasawa and the other White Room student. Amasawa probably called her here to silence her, but panicked when I showed up."

Amasawa was restraining Kushida to prevent her from revealing the other White Room student's identity.

"Cheating's no good, Ayanokouji-senpai. Calling Hikigaya-senpai? I wanted to stay the weak, helpless kouhai in front of him."

"I never thought you were weak to begin with."

"Senpai, you really have no sense of delicacy or tact, do you?"

Her tone was the same as always—dismissive and playful—but there was no sign of her loosening her grip on Kushida.

"Not like you, Amasawa. You must be really cornered."

Ayanokouji took a step forward as he spoke. Amasawa responded with her usual carefree expression, but after a brief glance at me, I raised both hands to signal I wouldn't interfere and averted my gaze.

"Wait, Ayanokouji-senpai, I haven't said anything!"

"Your actions speak for themselves."

Kushida, enduring the pain, likely didn't grasp the essence of this conversation. And Amasawa herself didn't know how much we'd already figured out.

"Can you just leave for today? I'll make time for you later, Ayanokouji-senpai."

"And if I say no?"

"I might have to break Kushida-senpai's arm here."

As she spoke, she tightened her grip on Kushida's wrist—clearly preparing to snap it.

"Mmph—!?"

"Ahh, I really didn't want to do this in front of Hikigaya-senpai..."

Amasawa shook her head in mock disappointment, still adamant about maintaining her "weak girl" act around me.

"Then let's test it. See if you can break Kushida's arm before I stop you."

The distance between Ayanokouji and Amasawa was about five meters.

"Are you serious?"

"About breaking it? Or about whether you think I can't stop you?"

"Both."

"Then you're wrong on both counts."

Ayanokouji's confidence was unshaken. Amasawa glanced at me again.

"Ahh, is this it? You and Hikigaya-senpai teaming up to take me down?"

Her guess was off the mark.

"Even I can't handle two of you at once."

"Whatever misconception you're under, Hikigaya won't do anything."

As Ayanokouji said, I had no intention of moving from this spot until this was over. Realizing Ayanokouji had locked onto her completely, Amasawa grinned and focused her gaze on a single point.

"Amasawa."

At my call, she barely glanced at me.

"––––––Don't take your eyes off him for even a second."

Amasawa smirked and slightly loosened her grip on Kushida's wrist. In that instant, Ayanokouji closed the distance in a single motion, seizing her right arm.

"No way––––––"

Instinctively, Amasawa abandoned her hold on Kushida and shifted her focus to Ayanokouji, attempting to form a fist with her left hand. But Ayanokouji gave her no opening, swiftly maneuvering behind her and slamming her to the ground.

"Guh—!"

The impact knocked the breath out of her, leaving her gasping as a small cloud of dust rose.

"W-well... that was unexpected."

"Did you seriously think you could take me or Hikigaya on?"

Her eyes told the story. The usually carefree Amasawa's pride had been deeply wounded.

"Wait... Hikigaya-senpai's on the same level as Ayanokouji-senpai?"

"In terms of combat ability, sure."

"Ahaha, that's just cheating. Two monsters like you in one place?"

Her dry laugh was probably genuine. Amasawa's combat skills, honed in the White Room, were real. Few in this school could match her. But that didn't mean she stood a chance against me or Ayanokouji.

"Seems like you've given up on resisting."

Ayanokouji released her. She must have realized it was pointless. True enough, she didn't move.

"If you want to know how much we've figured out, ask Hikigaya."

With that, Ayanokouji turned to Kushida, exchanged a few words, and then headed back to the special exam.

.......

"At least you managed to break your fall."

A quick glance confirmed Amasawa had no serious injuries. A fall like that was nothing if she'd taken proper form.

"Hey, senpai. When did you realize you could beat me?"

Amasawa, still sitting on the ground, voiced the quiet question.

"The moment we met."

"If anyone but you two said that, I'd call them ice-cold."

"Glad to see you can still joke."

If she'd only dabbled in combat, she might not have grasped the reality yet. But Amasawa was different. In those less-than-ten seconds with Ayanokouji, she'd already understood the gap in their abilities.

"Since we're here, I'll tell you something. You seem to think your other ally might expel me, but weren't you ever curious why I never tried to find out their identity?"

Amasawa's smile slowly faded. Until now, I'd never actively sought out the other White Room student.

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"It's because I never considered it a contest to begin with."

"...I see."

She had no choice but to accept it. Her quiet murmur held no rebuttal.

"Senpai, do you have any idea who the other one is?"

"I don't know anything. But if they take the bait, I'll meet them today."

Amasawa's fingers tightened slightly on my sleeve.

"...Will you expel them?"

"Who knows? That's up to them."

Even if I found out their identity, whether I expelled them or not was a separate issue. I'd decide after achieving all my goals.

"After 3 PM."

"Huh?"

"If you're that curious, head to the designated spot after 3 PM. You'll get all your answers there."

It was a little surprising. I'd assumed Amasawa wouldn't care about her fellow White Room student, but it seemed I'd misjudged her.

As planned, I'd prepared countermeasures for Horikita's class's troubles. The rest was up to Ayanokouji.

In exchange, I'd asked him to clear the area so this new "learning experience" wouldn't be interrupted.

They say humans can develop new emotions under certain conditions. I wonder if that could happen to me. I'd love to find out.

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