COTE : Is Talent Everything? (Rewrite)-Chapter 123 - 118: Despite being thwarted

After school, I change my shoes at the entrance and step out of the school building. Among the sparsely scattered students walking by, a particularly striking blonde-haired girl dashes toward me as if she had been waiting.

"Good afternoon, Hikigaya-senpai."

The one bowing politely in front of me is Nanase. Given her demeanor, this doesn't seem like a chance encounter.

"Please forgive me for ambushing you like this."

"Were you waiting for me?"

"There's something I wanted to ask you."

I already have a rough idea of what it might be.

"Could you spare me just a little of your time?"

"Sure. Let's talk while we walk."

"Okay!"

With a happy expression at my agreement, Nanase starts walking alongside me toward the dormitory.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

"Well, it's about Amasawa-san and Yagami-kun..."

At this point, it's the only thing she could mean. I've already explained some things to Nanase, but only the bare minimum.

"I've heard that those two won't harm you anymore."

"Yeah. Takuya and Amasawa are on my side now."

"Are you really sure about that?"

Nanase's expression darkens slightly as she says this.

"Are you worried?"

"Of course I am. Though I know it's presumptuous for someone like me to be concerned about you."

"I appreciate the warning. But it's not like I've completely let my guard down either. At the end of the day, I'm just treating them the same as always."

Implicitly, I'm saying I don't intend to get too close to them—at least on the surface.

Hearing this, Nanase's tense expression softens a bit.

"The reason I approached you today was that I couldn't shake this anxiety—what if something happened to you? But after hearing what you just said, I feel relieved."

"Yeah, well, I'd rather not get tripped up either."

Letting my guard down because of unnecessary sentimentality would be the worst possible outcome.

"If anything troubles you, no matter how small, please consult me anytime."

"Got it. I'll count on you."

Nanase looks satisfied at my words.

I see. So this is the "unease" Ayanokouji was talking about. After talking to her directly, I can sense something off too.

"Oh, right. The school trip is this week."

"Ah, that's right. Senpai, please enjoy yourself to the fullest. School trips are one of the highlights of student life."

I forcibly steer the conversation toward the school trip, but my distrust of Nanase only grows. There's an inexplicable unease I can't shake.

"Is there anything you'd like as a souvenir?"

"Speaking of which, where are you going?"

"Hokkaido."

"Ooh, Hokkaido's nice! When you think of Hokkaido... what comes to mind? Scallops, maybe?"

"Raw seafood might be a bit tricky."

Delivery might be an option, but there's still a chance it could get smelly, so I'd rather avoid it.

"Would it be okay if I left it up to you, Senpai?"

After thinking for a moment, Nanase seems to have settled on that conclusion.

"Sure, if you're fine with whatever I pick."

"Then, I'll leave it to you!"

By the time we finish this conversation, we've already reached the dormitory. Since Nanase and I live in different dorms, we part ways here.

"I'm sorry for taking up your time."

"Nah, I'm actually grateful for the warning."

"If that's the case... then I'm glad."

Nanase averts her face shyly, and I decide to take things a step further.

Placing a hand on her head, I gently pat her. Her eyes widen slightly in surprise.

"Nanase, I really do appreciate you. Thanks to your heads-up, I can be more careful about whether I've overlooked anything."

"N-No, that's... It's just that you're amazing, Senpai..."

"Not at all. The fact that I'm even able to attend this school now is partly thanks to you, Nanase."

"Th-Then... I couldn't be happier..."

Blushing and looking down, Nanase seems sincere—but I can't truly know what's in her heart.

From now on, maybe I should adjust my approach and observe Nanase's moves more carefully.

.....

"Thinking about something else while facing me? How bold of you."

Arisu, sitting across from me, moves her knight as she speaks. That single move is devastating. Scanning the board, I try to predict dozens of moves ahead, but no path to victory appears.

"Checkmate. I lose."

Raising both hands in surrender, Arisu flicks my king over with a pawn.

Today is one of the days Arisu visits my room, so after dinner, we played a casual (though in reality, intense) game of chess. For the record, with this loss, my current record stands at 7 wins and 8 losses. I've been overtaken.

"A single moment of carelessness was your downfall. Thinking about something else while alone with me—that was your fatal mistake."

"My bad. But you noticed, huh?"

"Just as you can see through me, I can see through you."

"That's troublesome."

"Troublesome? How rude. Isn't this what they call a romantic connection between lovers?"

"...You're dangerous when you carefully choose your words."

Her knack for targeting my emotions isn't new. She always finds the perfect words to strike at my heart.

"7 wins, 8 losses. You're really strong, Arisu."

"Playing chess with you is truly enjoyable, Hachiman. I lose track of time."

It's already been two hours since we started. Chess with Arisu is so engrossing that I forget the time. The only downside is that if I go easy, she gets mad, so I have to use my brain a lot.

"It's rare for you to be distracted during a match. What were you thinking about?"

"Just something minor."

Rearranging the chessboard, I make the first move, advancing a pawn.

"Being vague only makes me more curious."

Arisu moves her pawn as well, clearly intent on digging deeper.

"It's nothing worth worrying about."

"Then there's no harm in telling me, right?"

Arisu smirks mischievously. At this point, she won't let it go. Resigned, I decide to answer.

"I was thinking about the school trip."

"The school trip?"

"Not the trip itself, but the group assignments. I don't know many people from other classes, so I was wondering what I'd do if I ended up with strangers."

Arisu's hand, holding a rook, freezes midair. For someone who never loses focus on the chessboard, she seems momentarily stunned.

"Fufu."

"...I knew you'd laugh. That's why I didn't want to say anything."

"No ill intent, I assure you. I braced myself for something serious, but... this is such an adorable concern."

Her teasing smile makes me want to retaliate by winning this game for real. I can't let her widen the gap any further.

"Oh my, it seems I'll lose this one."

"Back to a tie. What do you say? Should we play until there's a clear winner?"

"No, let's stop here for today. I did say I lose track of time, but... four hours straight is a bit much."

Arisu glances at the clock and smiles wryly. We've both been too absorbed. Any longer, and we'd likely end up playing until morning, so stopping now is wise.

Moving from the table where the chessboard was set up, I stretch my stiff body and lie down on the bed.

"The school trip doesn't let you choose your groupmates freely, but it's a perfect opportunity to gather intel on other classes."

"True. I've been thinking about that too."

Or rather, I'm certain Ryuuen and Arisu will use this trip to wage their information war. They wouldn't miss the chance to prepare for the final exams.

"If I were in the same group as you, I'd forget about such mundane things and simply enjoy the trip."

"You'd probably have plenty of fun even without me."

"My, what a cruel thing to say."

Though her expression remains smiling, she lightly punches my shoulder in protest.

"You make it sound like you don't want to be in the same group as me... What should I do? I might just burst into tears."

Pressing her hands to her eyes, Arisu fake-sobs dramatically, peeking at me through her fingers before puffing her cheeks in a pout.

"Ignoring a crying girl is the worst, you know?"

"I might've reacted if those were real tears."

Thinking I'd take a break and read a novel, I reach for one—only for her to swat it away, still sulking.

"Lately, you've been treating me so harshly. Is this domestic violence?"

"I don't recall ever domestically violating you."

"You're using the term wrong."

...Am I?

I feel the urge to look up the proper definition of "DV" online, but before I can, Arisu grabs my arm and nuzzles her cheek against it.

"Being apart from you for four whole days... I might just die of loneliness."

"That's an exaggeration."

"Not at all."

This applies to Hiyori and Amasawa as well, but their over-reliance on the current lifestyle—meaning, life with me—is concerning. If I were to disappear someday... the consequences are easy to imagine.

Arisu can still manage on her own. But Hiyori and Amasawa... What would happen to them if I were gone?

"Wha—?!"

A sharp pinch to my side makes me turn to see Arisu glaring at me, her displeasure plain on her face.

"You were thinking about other women just now, weren't you?"

"I wasn't. I was just reconsidering some things."

"Reconsidering?"

"Don't worry about it."

Patting her head to calm her down, she still looks dissatisfied but somewhat appeased.

"Alright, let's continue the chess match."

"Oh? I assumed we were done for today."

"I can't stand being behind. I won't let you get away with a lead."

"Fufu, very well. I'll humor you."

Arisu gets up from the bed, and we return to the chessboard on the table.

"Since we're at it, why don't we make a little wager?"

"A wager?"

"Yes. The loser must obey one command from the winner—no matter what it is. Simple, isn't it?"

Her smirk is enticing.

"What's the scope of these commands?"

"We'll base it on each other's boundaries."

"Fine. You're on."

Since I had the first move last time, I let Arisu take it this time.

"Fufu. What should I ask of you, I wonder?"

"Meanwhile, I'll think long and hard about what to ask of you."

"My, what a pervert."

That's just her imagination running wild.

....

The morning of the school trip. Four buses are lined up, and all second-year students, dressed in casual clothes, stand in formation.

"Made it... barely."

"Cutting it close, Hikigaya-kun. It's rare for you to be almost late."

"Sorry, I got held up unexpectedly... And my back..."

"Held up? Your back?"

"It's nothing."

Arriving just one minute before the scheduled time, I apologize to Sakagami-sensei before joining the formation. Everyone else seems to have already gathered, and my late arrival earns a few chuckles.

"First of all, I'm relieved to see all of you here in good health, ready for the school trip."

Mashima-sensei, the homeroom teacher of Class 2-A, raises his voice for a pre-departure address.

While waiting to board, I check my phone for the itinerary.

The buses will head to Haneda Airport, where we'll fly to New Chitose Airport. From there, we'll take another bus to the ski resort for the first day's activities.

And then, the group assignments for the trip.

Group No. 9 consists of eight members, including me:

From Class A: Iijima Yato, Kamuro Masumi

From Class B: Me, Shiina Hiyori

From Class C: Hirata Yousuke, Matsushita Chiaki

From Class D: Kanzaki Ryuuji, Himeno Yuki

These are the people I'll be spending the next four days and five nights with. I had braced myself for being grouped with strangers, so this lineup is a relief.

Hiyori, Matsushita, Hirata, Kamuro—with so many familiar faces, there's no need to feel tense. I've also interacted with Kanzaki a bit, and while I don't know Iijima or Himeno well, I'll have the chance to learn more about them during the trip.

"Four out of seven are friends. This is a jackpot."

I've never been more grateful for having friends in other classes than today. The trip suddenly feels a lot more exciting.

Boarding time approaches. Students start moving, grouping up with their friends.

The buses don't have assigned seating, so everyone can sit wherever they like—though most will likely stick with their classmates or close friends.

"Hachiman, Hachiman! Did you see the group assignments?"

Hiyori runs up to me, her face glowing with excitement.

"Yeah. I'm glad we're together."

"I'm so happy! So, so happy! I get to be with you, Hachiman!!"

As if she'd won the lottery, Hiyori jumps up and down in joy. (Though, knowing her, she probably wouldn't react this way even if she actually won the lottery.)

While I watch her bounce around, Matsushita and Hirata from another bus approach us—they're in the same group.

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"Hey, Hikigaya-kun. I'm glad we're in the same group."

"Me too! When I found out we were together, I almost squealed!"

Hirata smiles warmly, while Matsushita beams just as brightly as Hiyori.

"Same here. Looking forward to it."

"Shiina-san, it's nice to meet you too."

"Nice to meet you~!"

After exchanging greetings with Hiyori, Hirata and Matsushita wave and return to their bus—seems they just wanted to say hello.

"Hirata-san and Matsushita-san both seem really nice. This trip is going to be fun!"

"Yeah... Though I should probably rest my back first."

"Your back...?"

"Never mind."

Either way, with this group, there won't be any awkwardness. It's shaping up to be a great trip.

.....

+Extra 

The day of the school trip.

Just as I was about to leave my room with plenty of time to spare, I encountered an unexpected obstacle.

"Senpai, don't gooo...!"

"Onii-saaaaaaan!!"

"Let go of me. Stop clinging and pulling!"

Takuya and Amasawa, latched onto my clothes, refuse to let go. They barged into my room early in the morning.

"Let's just stay hooome...! If it's a trip, we can go on a honeymoon together instead...!"

"That's right, Onii-san! School trips are just boring events where you look at temples with people you're not even close to!!"

"Don't say that, Takuya."

I've been looking forward to this. Don't ruin it for me.

Either way, I need to convince them, or I'll really be late.

"Look, I've been excited for this school event. And I'll be back soon, so just bear with it..."

"I can't bear it!! Four whole days without you?! Impossible! Absolutely impossible!! I'll die of loneliness!"

"Four days is too much, Onii-san! Three days is my limit!"

"Are you kids or what?"

This feels like dealing with toddlers throwing tantrums. Both of them are on the verge of tears... Wait, have they really gotten this comfortable with crying?

"Seriously, you two..."

"Then hug me before you go... Maybe then I can last four days..."

"Dude, we've got five minutes until departure."

"Stop being selfish, Ichika! Onii-san is busy!"

"If you understand, then let go, Takuya."

Being a White Room student, his grip strength is anything but ordinary.

"*Sigh*. Cut it out, you two."

"Ugh..."

"Waaah..."

At this point, neither of them is seriously trying to stop me. If I pull back, they'll let go easily.

"I'll bring back souvenirs. Just wait patiently, okay?"

"...Okaaay."

"I-I was gonna wait anyway, Onii-san!"

"Drop the lame excuses."

I pat their heads one last time, grab my luggage, and head for the door. But then, I hear frantic footsteps behind me—and a devastating impact strikes my lower back.

"I changed my mind!!! You're not going!!!"

"Oof!"

"Ichika?!"

Knocked to the ground, I manage to lift my head and see Amasawa clinging to my back, sobbing, "Don't gooo..." It's kind of cute, but my spine took serious damage. If she moves any more—

"L-Let go, Ichika! Even Onii-san can't handle that kind of impact...!"

Realizing the severity, Takuya tries to pry her off, but the strain on my back only worsens.

"O-Okay, Amasawa, I get it! Just back off for now. Please...! My back can't take it...!"

Thanks to the time wasted convincing Amasawa, I end up arriving just in the nick of time—almost late.

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