COTE : Is Talent Everything? (Rewrite)-Chapter 72 - 70: Likes And Criticsm

During class, no students spoke to me, but after school was a different story.

As soon as the bell rang to signal the end of class, nearly all of my classmates turned their eyes toward me. Ishizaki and Komiya, who usually talked to me often, were the first to approach, but before they could, the voice of Teacher Sakagami reached me.

"Hikigaya-kun, come with me afterward."

Though her tone was normal, her expression was slightly clouded. Most likely, this summons was something she wasn't entirely comfortable with either.

Under the gaze of many students, I followed Teacher Sakagami out of the classroom.

"What do you need me for?"

"I don't know. Acting Chairman Tsukishiro is calling for you. Even I, as your homeroom teacher, haven't been given the details."

"Strange how things work sometimes."

Even as we exchanged words along the way, Teacher Sakagami's expression remained troubled.

"...I don't see you as an ordinary student. I believe there's something special about you."

"You're overestimating me. I'm just your average student, nothing more."

"...Right. You are an ordinary student and my pupil. That fact doesn't change."

When we arrived at our destination—the reception room—Teacher Sakagami turned to face me.

"Those test results—that's your true ability, isn't it? Even I, as your homeroom teacher, didn't expect such scores."

A summons from the chairman and my test scores.

With this much evidence, it was only natural for her to see me as unusual.

I'd heard that Chabashira, the homeroom teacher of Class D where Ayanokouji was, had once threatened him. I had braced myself for the possibility that Teacher Sakagami might do something similar, but that didn't happen.

"As a teacher, I'm genuinely happy to have learned of your true ability. Congratulations on your perfect score."

With a faint smile, she offered me words of praise.

As a teacher, commending her student.

She was the kind of teacher who could do something as simple and ordinary as that.

Even after learning of my ability, she didn't try to force anything on me.

I bowed to Teacher Sakagami and placed my hand on the reception room door.

......

"Thank you for taking the trouble to come here, Hikigaya-kun."

"Going so far as to use my homeroom teacher to summon me—what exactly are you planning? She seemed suspicious."

"As the acting chairman, I can't very well go to the classroom myself, can I?"

Tsukishiro, seated on the sofa with a mask-like smile, gestured for me to sit, but I ignored him and remained standing. I didn't intend to stay long.

Seeing this, Tsukishiro began speaking.

"First, let me congratulate you. A perfect score on the math test—something an ordinary high school student could never achieve. Truly remarkable. As expected of someone called the masterpiece."

He lightly applauded as he brought up the test results.

"I don't see what's so remarkable about it. As you well know, Acting Chairman, this is only natural for a White Room student."

"Indeed, that's true. However, there's one thing that concerns me. Why did you and Ayanokouji-kun both get perfect scores? In my opinion, it must have been for a specific purpose."

"Who knows?"

I brushed off the question, but Tsukishiro's expression didn't change.

Most likely, he had already realized that we'd aimed for perfect scores partly to provoke him. So, it wouldn't be that easy.

"April will soon be over. Have you managed to identify any of the students sent from the White Room?"

Tsukishiro blatantly changed the subject—and even brought up the White Room himself.

"Unfortunately, I haven't been able to figure out who the White Room students are."

"How straightforward. You could've just named a random student to gauge my reaction."

"I don't like making claims I'm not certain of. Especially not in a place like this."

"I see. So, that means our student has successfully blended in."

Tsukishiro nodded approvingly, looking satisfied.

"I didn't sense anything distinctive about a White Room student. They've completely erased their presence."

"It seems they've spent these past few months thoroughly adapting to being high school students."

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So, they had taken meticulous precautions beforehand. Well, it wouldn't have worked otherwise.

"For now, I'll accept that Hikigaya-kun couldn't identify them. That confirmation alone is enough. You may leave."

Tsukishiro concluded the conversation and dismissed me. He showed no sign of pressing me about the bandages wrapped around my left hand.

"Next, you'll call Ayanokouji, right?"

Without moving, I continued the conversation.

"Oh? I'm surprised you'd keep talking. What do you mean by that?"

"Ayanokouji is the one you're prioritizing to expel. There's no way you'd summon me and not him."

"I see. That makes sense. To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, I'll be honest—we do plan to call Ayanokouji-kun in next. Is that the answer you were looking for?"

"Yes. I appreciate your honesty. Then, I'll take my leave."

I turned my back on Tsukishiro and exited the reception room.

There were other things on my mind.

Based on my predictions, I suspected that even Tsukishiro had encountered some unexpected trouble.

This exam was clearly meant to expel me and Ayanokouji—a setup where a White Room student would approach me, and all that remained was forming a partnership. Yet, none of the first-years made a move.

It was plausible that the White Room student had disobeyed Tsukishiro's orders and gone rogue. I could've confirmed it, but there was no guarantee of an answer. So, I didn't bring it up.

I'll leave that role to Ayanokouji.

.....

On my way back from the reception room to the classroom, I spotted two figures in an empty hallway.

"I won't make excuses. I did everything I could and achieved a score I'm satisfied with."

"You don't want a rematch?"

"I couldn't even understand the problem statement for the last few questions. There's no way I could've solved them at my current level. Frankly, I doubt I ever will."

It was Ayanokouji and Horikita.

From the sound of it, they were discussing the recent test. Ayanokouji had said he'd compete with Horikita based on scores. This must've been their post-match analysis.

I couldn't exactly interrupt a conversation between classmates, so I hid around the corner.

"It's frustrating, but I'll admit it. Two things have happened in a row that force me to acknowledge you. If I keep arguing, I'll just feel like an idiot."

Checking the records, Horikita had scored 87 in math.

She had fought hard, but there was no helping it—she'd simply been outmatched.

"But there's one thing I'm curious about. The fact that you got a perfect score in math was because I chose math as the subject. This is a bit off-topic, but... there's another student who also got a perfect score in math."

"You mean Hikigaya?"

As I continued eavesdropping, my name came up.

"Yes. Unbelievably, he also got a perfect score—just in math."

She emphasized the word "math" and fixed Ayanokouji with a sharp look.

"I don't think it's a coincidence. Looking at his OAA records, he doesn't have the academic ability to score perfectly."

"That's a strange thing to say to me. You don't seriously think I had something to do with Hikigaya's perfect score, do you?"

"Putting it bluntly, you and Hikigaya-kun have had some kind of strange connection for a while now. It wouldn't surprise me if you were involved."

Though she wasn't outright glaring, Horikita narrowed her eyes. Ayanokouji stayed silent for a few seconds before breaking eye contact.

"If you're that curious, why not ask him yourself?"

"...Huh?"

Apparently, Ayanokouji had noticed me—he was staring straight in my direction. Horikita followed his gaze, her sharp eyes locking onto the same spot.

With no other choice, I stepped out from hiding and into the hallway.

"Wh—?! How long have you been there?!"

"Just a little while. Don't give me that look—it was an accident."

Horikita was startled but quickly regained her composure. Ayanokouji, on the other hand, remained completely unfazed.

"Horikita. Since he's here, why not ask Hikigaya directly? If you're curious, the best way is to hear it from the source."

I wasn't entirely sure what Ayanokouji was thinking, but it was safe to assume he was using me to wrap this up.

Horikita, still flustered, took a deep breath and faced me.

"...Why did you get a perfect score in math? Looking at your past grades, there's no way you weren't hiding your true ability. So why reveal it now? ...Don't worry. You don't have to answer me."

So, she was just asking for the sake of asking.

Since I wasn't in her class, I had no obligation to answer.

"..."

I exchanged a glance with Ayanokouji. After seeing him nod slightly, I spoke up.

"I got a perfect score because Ayanokouji asked me to."

"...Are you serious?"

"Yeah, of course."

Horikita alternated between staring at me and Ayanokouji, a cold sweat forming as confusion set in. It must've been an answer she hadn't expected.

"That's... Sorry, could you explain properly? I'm not following."

"Then ask Ayanokouji. He knows the details better than I do. Just one thing to add—I only got a perfect score because I followed his instructions. Anyway, I'll be going now."

With that, I started walking away.

As I passed Ayanokouji, I caught a rare glimpse of him looking genuinely troubled.

"W-Wait, hold on—"

"You're the one who's staying, Ayanokouji-kun. You'd better be prepared to explain everything clearly."

Horikita grabbed Ayanokouji by the collar, glaring at him with quiet intensity.

Most likely, Ayanokouji had dragged me into this because he didn't want to bother explaining. Too bad—I didn't have time to humor him. He could figure it out himself.

"Come to think of it, Tsukishiro's calling him later too."

Between Horikita's interrogation and Tsukishiro's summons, plus the fallout from the perfect score—things were looking rough for him. Almost pitiable. Well, good luck.

Feeling the weight of a resentful gaze on my back, I continued toward the classroom.

......

After Hachiman left the classroom...

"Holy shit, Hikigaya! A perfect score on that ridiculously hard test? That's insane!"

"As expected of the No. 2 in our class!"

"Hachiman-kun... You're seriously so cool. Amazing."

"Hey, Hiyori, your eyes just turned into hearts. ...Not that I blame you."

The voices filling the classroom weren't hostile—most were filled with admiration.

Thanks to his past contributions in school life and his performance in the exams, Hachiman had earned his classmates' trust. Even his perfect score was met with approval rather than suspicion.

At first, there had been some doubt, but with Ishizaki, Komiya, Albert, Hiyori, Ibuki, and others all praising him, hardly anyone questioned the legitimacy of his score.

"Oi, you guys. You're seriously buying this? This is obviously fishy as hell."

Okabe, who had been scowling ever since the test results were announced, raised his voice sharply.

"Hah? The hell are you on about, Okabe?"

The class fell silent, all eyes turning toward Okabe as Ishizaki glared back.

"Don't you think it's weird? If Hikigaya could get a perfect score on a test this hard, why didn't he do it before?"

"Pfft, sore loser much? Obviously, he just studied this time."

Komiya scoffed, but Kaneda, who had been silent until now, stepped forward.

"...Actually, Okabe has a point."

"Huh?! The hell, Kaneda?!"

"This test wasn't something you could ace just by studying a little. If he could solve these problems, he should've been scoring high all along."

If he could've gotten these scores before, why didn't he?

Kaneda's words sent a ripple of unease through the class.

"See? If Hikigaya couldn't actually get a perfect score, then the only explanation is cheating."

Okabe poured fuel on the fire.

The wave of doubt grew, and soon, murmurs of suspicion about Hachiman spread.

Ishizaki and the others looked ready to punch Okabe, their anger barely contained...

"God, he's so annoying. If he says one more thing, I might just shut him up permanently."

"Fufufufu~ Okabe-kun, you're saying such interesting things... I wonder if you'll make it to school tomorrow unharmed."

Ibuki's eyes gleamed with murderous intent, while Hiyori smiled sweetly, her gaze locked onto her target.

"Probably just wanted attention with that perfect score. Quit screwing around and dragging the class down. If you're gonna pull this kinda crap, just drop out alrea—"

"YOU SON OF A—!!! I'M GONNA BEAT YOUR ASS!!!"

Ishizaki's patience snapped. He lunged at Okabe, fist raised—only to be kicked aside by Ryuuen, sending him crashing into three desks.

"Wh-Why'd you stop me?! Ryuuen!"

Ignoring Ishizaki's protests, Ryuuen—who had been silently observing until now—stood up slowly.

"...Shut the hell up. All of you."

His voice dripped with irritation. The oppressive aura of the class's ruler instantly silenced the room.

"If you're that hung up on Hikigaya's perfect score, I'll explain it myself."

Ryuuen's gaze shifted toward the classroom door.

At that moment, it opened—reveiling the center of the storm himself, Hikigaya Hachiman.

.....

Confirming Ryuuen's gaze directed at me, I opened the classroom door.

Though acutely aware of the stares from all around, I stepped inside—not heading to my own seat, but taking position slightly behind Ryuuen's right shoulder.

Seeing this, Ryuuen began speaking.

"I knew this guy was good at math from the start. At first, I didn't care about some loser like him, but I came up with a strategy to make use of him."

"W-what kind of strategy?"

I silently watched as Ryuuen smoothly spun his lie with such conviction that the entire class absorbed it as truth.

"Hold back on the tests. Under my orders, Hikigaya's been deliberately keeping his scores average this whole time."

My previously unremarkable academic performance had been part of a carefully crafted plan.

Of course, anyone who thought back carefully to our first year might find inconsistencies—but when the class's dictator said it, the narrative shifted.

Lies became truth. Truth became lies.

This was something only Ryuuen could pull off.

"I see. So, the plan was to conceal Hikigaya's true ability and use it to destabilize other classes when the time came?"

"Keh. I can just imagine the looks on their faces. Bet it was fuckin' hilarious."

In this irreversible situation, Ryuuen had done well.

Before coming here, I'd sent him a message: "Defend me for 500,000 points." There was no doubt the class would be suspicious of my perfect score, so this was a necessary countermeasure.

Ryuuen would never help me out of goodwill. The only way was to dangle points as bait. A painful expense, but unavoidable.

Some doubts might linger, but as long as most suspicions were diverted, that was enough.

"You get it now, Okabe? Everything you said was dead wrong, you shitstain."

As Ishizaki spat those words with a glare, the entire class's attention shifted to Okabe. Flustered, Okabe quickly slipped out of the classroom.

Meanwhile, I transferred the points to Ryuuen.

He'd covered for me flawlessly without any prior coordination. I had to admit—I was grateful.

That aside... Hiyori's stare at Okabe had been downright terrifying. What the hell happened there?

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