COTE : Is Talent Everything? (Rewrite)-Chapter 129 - 124 : Snowball fight

"Quite a crowd. Is everyone really that interested in a snowball fight?"

"I don't think it's just that. It's more like a snowball fight with private points at stake. Well, the entry fee is 1,000 points per team, and the winning team takes the points from the losing team."

Ah, I see. Even if you lose, the loss is minimal, but if you win, you get enough points to buy an extra souvenir or two. No wonder everyone's so fired up.

"How many people are planning to join?"

"About 30 right now. Are you guys in?"

"I'll pass. I'm not in the mood to get covered in snow first thing in the morning."

"What about me? Well, it does sound fun... I think I'll join."

Kanzaki declines, while Iijima hesitates but ultimately decides to participate.

"What about you, Hikigaya-kun?"

"Nah, I'll—"

I was about to refuse, but... a snowball fight?

If I skip this now, I might never get another chance to do something like this again.

"I'd like to try, but I don't have a team."

"Don't worry. I'll slot you into a team that's short on members. Can you wait here for a bit?"

I had wondered why Hirata was standing near the entrance, but it seems he was there to handle things like this. Ever the good guy, Hirata Yousuke. Even Iijima looks at him with admiration. Either way, I'm really grateful.

With about 10 minutes left until the deadline, I endure the cold while waiting. Then, Matsushita—who must've heard about the snowball fight inside the inn—appears. I thought she might keep her distance after what happened yesterday, but she walks up to me as naturally as ever. No other girls are with her, so she seems to be alone.

"Looks like it's getting pretty lively. Are you joining, Hikigaya-kun?"

"Yeah. You too?"

"I'll just watch. I'll cheer for you the loudest, so do your best!"

"That's motivating. I'll have to give it my all."

Matsushita raises a fist in encouragement, then suddenly leans in, peering up at my face. Her long, beautiful hair sways slightly.

"Hey... can we meet tonight? Just the two of us, around 9?"

"You have something to talk about?"

"Something like that. If you're busy, it's fine to say no."

It doesn't seem like anything urgent—or maybe she's just playing it cool.

"9 p.m., right? Where should we meet?"

"How about the hilltop? It's the last day, so there probably won't be anyone there."

"Got it."

While we're talking, more and more students join, eventually forming six teams of 42 people. It's not a tournament—just a single match.

Looks like I'm up in the first round, as Hirata messages me.

"First match is mine. I'm heading in."

"Go get MVP!"

"I'm not confident I'll stand out that much."

"It'd be cool if you said, 'Leave it to me!'"

"Cut me some slack. It's just for fun."

"Then... if Hikigaya-kun is the most active, I might just kiss you on the cheek."

She says it lightly, but I latch onto it immediately.

"You said it. Don't forget."

"Eh...? W-Wait, Hikigaya-kun...!?"

Ignoring her flustered voice, I head to the battlefield. My team is co-ed, with mostly athletic club members—an advantage. Well, I'll just enjoy the snowball fight. But I won't forget about standing out the most.

"W-What the hell is with him!?"

"No way! I can't even see the snowballs!!"

Right from the start, I'm forming and throwing snowballs at high speed. At first, many of them crumble mid-air, but I quickly get the hang of it.

In the end, my team wins. I took out 5 out of 7 opponents—more than enough to deserve MVP.

"Was that not enough to be the most active?"

Matsushita's eyes dart around in surprise. She clearly didn't expect me to go this hard.

"You were amazing, but..."

"My teammates already said I was MVP."

"...Hikigaya-kun, you're the type to get fired up over stuff like this?"

She exhales a small, white breath, as if her expectations were completely off. Then, with slightly flushed cheeks, she presses her lips to mine. A soft sensation, accompanied by a faint, glossy sound.

"...Hikigaya-kun, you're mean."

"I get that a lot."

"Obviously."

She turns her face away with a hmph, but I can see a faint, wry smile.

......

+Mini-Story 1

After Matsushita kisses me on the cheek...

"Why were you getting kissed by Matsushita-san?"

Hiyori looks up at me, jealousy clear in her eyes. The way she's pouting is adorable, but the grip on my arm is anything but gentle.

Seriously, her strength is unreal. She's not even straining, yet my arm feels like it's about to snap. This power... is she stronger than me and Ayanokouji...?

"W-Well, Matsushita and I just... before the snowball fight..."

"Just what?"

"It just... kinda happened..."

"~~~~~!!!"

She's clearly furious, her cheeks puffing to their limit. She glares up at me, but with her naturally soft eyes, it's not scary at all. If anything, her attempt at looking angry is downright cute.

"You're cute."

"I'm mad!"

"Even when you're mad, you're cute."

When I pat her head, her expression softens, but she stubbornly tries to maintain her glare.

"D-Don't think you can brush this off! I'll overwrite it! I'll make you forget Matsushita-san with my own kiss!"

At the very least, I hope she picks a less crowded spot.

+Mini-Story 2

"Ah, hello? Hachiman?"

Nagumo, diligently working in the student council room, abruptly stands up upon hearing the name spoken during the call. He stares wide-eyed at Asahina, but she's too engrossed in the conversation to notice.

"Yeah, yeah! It's no trouble at all. I'm happy you called. ...Yeah, it feels like it's been forever since I heard your voice."

Her cheeks redden as she speaks happily.

"A souvenir? Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry. ...Oh, stop it! Are you flirting with me?"

Twirling her hair bashfully, she continues chatting, oblivious to Nagumo crumpling paperwork in his grip, veins bulging on his forehead.

(Wait, she's gonna say, 'Hachiman wants to talk to you too,' and hand the phone over, right?)

That's gotta be it.

Sweating nervously, Nagumo sits back down, stealing glances at Asahina, waiting for her to pass the phone.

"Okay, let's go to a café and talk properly when you get back. Promise? ...Hehe. See you later."

Click. The call ends, and Nagumo shoots up again.

"Wah! You scared me, Masamune."

"Hold on, what was that?"

"Huh? What?"

Nagumo points at the phone in confusion.

"That call just now was from Hikigaya, right?"

"Yeah, but..."

"And there was nothing for me? ...No way. There had to be a message or something for me, right?"

"There wasn't anything. Hachiman just asked what kind of souvenir I'd like since you guys are coming back tomorrow."

"..."

Nagumo slumps back into his chair and mechanically resumes his paperwork.

(Huh? Is he... about to cry??)

Asahina, who's known him for years, is the only one who notices his utter dejection.

But just then, Nagumo's phone rings. He tosses the crumpled papers aside and snatches it up.

"...Hikigaya?"

"Hey. I'm looking at souvenirs right now—any requests? I already asked Nagumo, but I figured I'd ask everyone individually to match their tastes."

"...So that's how it is."

"Did you say something?"

"Nothing. But next time, call me first, got it?"

His mood instantly brightens as he starts chatting excitedly, leaving Asahina utterly exasperated.

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