COTE : Is Talent Everything? (Rewrite)-Chapter 126 - 121: 2-day school trip

"Are you okay, Hikigaya-kun? Your cheek looks really painful..."

"Don't worry about it. I got dizzy in the bath."

It was a flimsy excuse, but if I said Horikita from Hirata's class slapped me, it would only cause unnecessary confusion. Horikita seemed genuinely remorseful, but I honestly didn't mind.

Just before 10 p.m., there were two soft knocks on the guest room door.

"It must be Matsushita-san and the others. I'll handle it."

Hirata, reliable as ever. I've already run out of words to praise you.

"Sorry for the wait~"

With that cheerful voice, four girls entered the room led by Matsushita, with Hirata holding the door open. Dressed in yukata, they gave off a different impression than usual.

Through Hirata, my eyes met Matsushita's, but she immediately blushed and looked away. She's been like that ever since we ran into each other in the bath. What's up with her?

"Hey, everyone. We've been waiting for you."

Without a hint of awkwardness, Hirata smoothly welcomed the girls inside. As the four of them entered, an indescribably pleasant fragrance instantly filled the room. Not that the guys' gatherings stink, but this was like stepping into another world.

"Hey, Hikigaya. Any idea why they smell so good...?"

"No clue here either."

Iijima, who was nearby, seemed to share my confusion, whispering the same question. This was a mystery even to me. Hiyori, Arisu, and Amasawa must've used the same shampoo in my room, yet their scent was on a whole other level.

"Ask them for me, will you? How do they get that nice smell?"

"Sure."

I'd been meaning to ask anyway, so this was a good opportunity to check with Hiyori.

"...Huh? You're really asking...?"

Don't give me that disbelieving look when you're the one who brought it up.

"Um, where should we sit?"

"Anywhere's fine. I moved the futons aside since I figured you'd be coming."

The futons had already been laid out by the staff, but Hirata had thoughtfully cleared space for the girls. ...So that's why the room felt off when we got back from the bath.

"Hirata's just unreal, huh? Too perfect."

"Lately, I've started thinking of him as a national treasure."

The girls thanked Hirata and settled wherever they liked.

"Is sitting next to you okay?"

But only Kamuro and Himeno actually sat down, while Hiyori came right up to me and asked for permission.

"Sure, go ahead."

"Thank you."

Beaming, she sat down beside me, close enough that our shoulders were almost touching. Normally, we'd practically be hugging, so she must've been holding back, but from an outsider's perspective, it probably still looked too close. Iijima's eyes were wide.

Hiyori smiled happily at having secured the spot next to me. Seeing her like that, I decided to tease her a little.

"What were you gonna do if I said no?"

"Cry."

"...Huh?"

The immediate answer caught me off guard.

"Cry?"

"Yes. Cry."

"...I see."

Well, I wasn't planning to refuse anyway, so it's fine.

Matsushita also came over, but after glancing at me, she ended up sitting next to Hiyori instead. ...Being blatantly avoided stings a little.

"Alright, since lights-out is early, let's get started."

Thanks to Hirata taking charge as the moderator, the discussion began smoothly.

"It's free time, but we just have to be back by dinner at 7 p.m., right?"

"Yeah. Until then, we're completely free."

As Kanzaki said, tomorrow was entirely up to us. How fulfilling the day would be depended on the group's decisions.

"We could take the train and go somewhere far, but what do you think?"

"I wanna ski. We're in Hokkaido, after all. Only one day of skiing would be lame."

"I agree with Iijima."

"Me too."

Kamuro and Himeno (silently raising her hand) also seemed on board. With skiing as the main idea, the discussion quickly settled on it without any objections. Since it was decided so fast, everyone must've been on the same page.

After that, the whole group chatted excitedly about tomorrow's plans, but when I checked the time, it was already past 10:30. Remembering something, I stood up.

"What's up?"

"Thirsty. Gonna grab something from the vending machine. If anyone wants anything, I'll get it for them."

"Then hot cocoa for me."

Kamuro didn't hold back, and the others followed suit with their requests.

"Carrying everything alone would be tough, so I'll come too."

"Thanks, Hiyori."

Leaving the room with Hiyori, we stepped into the hallway. I hadn't expected her to join me, but it's not like she'd ask anything awkward.

"Mind if I make a quick call?"

"A call?"

"I forgot, but I was asked to check in once a day."

Hiyori seemed to realize who I meant. Those two are a handful. Don't get me wrong—I'm happy they care, but they're just too much.

Pressing the call button, I held the phone to my ear. It connected instantly—before I could even finish a sentence. ...Too fast. Were they waiting the whole time?

"Hello?"

"Big bro!! I've been waiting—Guh!?"

"Senpai-senpai-senpai!!! It's you, right!? It's really you, right!?"

"Hold up. What was that death scream just now?"

Since calling both would be a hassle, we'd agreed before the trip that I'd call Takuya's phone. But his voice cut out immediately, replaced by Amasawa's.

"I missed you so much!! I can't take being apart anymore!! Come back soon!!"

"Ugh... Ichika, you..."

"Hey, what's going on over there? I can hear Takuya groaning."

Amasawa's tearful voice was accompanied by the faint sound of Takuya's struggle. Audio-only left me clueless about the actual situation.

"Hey, Ichika!! Cut it out!!"

"Huh? What? I'm talking to senpai, so don't interrupt."

"You dropkicked me out of nowhere and now you're saying that!? Hand it over!! Big bro called me!"

"Are you stupid? Senpai called because he wanted to talk to me."

"Getting cocky after a cheap shot, huh? Choose: give me the phone or die."

"You really wanna go? I could totally take you right now. Besides, I have senpai on my side."

"You damn parasite. Let me remind you of the difference between us."

"Knock it off, you two."

The tension was palpable even through the phone. If this kept up, it'd turn into a full-blown fight.

Seriously, you're high schoolers. Arguing over a phone call?

"If you don't stop, I won't call again for the rest of the trip. Keep going if you're fine with that."

"But Takuya—"

"Big bro, she—"

"I'm hanging up if this goes any further."

"...Sorry."

Their dejected apologies came through. No more crashing sounds—they'd finally calmed down. I could practically picture them sitting seiza in front of the phone.

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"Takuya, Amasawa, take turns. No more fighting."

Amasawa gets way too fired up around Takuya. Must be because they've known each other forever.

We chatted about updates and souvenirs. Amasawa kept whining about me coming back soon, but this was a school trip, so she'd have to deal with it.

Then, mid-conversation, I felt a tug on my sleeve.

Poke poke.

"..."

Seemed like someone was pulling my sleeve from beside me.

Hiyori, walking next to me, was pouting with cheeks puffed up like mochi. Her sulky eyes screamed, "Pay attention to me too," but... Takuya and Amasawa weren't done yet.

Hold on a little longer, I tried to convey with my eyes, but the sleeve-poking continued.

Poke poke.

"...You two, make sure to eat and sleep properly."

Poke poke...

"...Alright, alright. I get it, you're lonely. Relax."

Poke poke...!

".........I'll bring back souvenirs, so go to bed early."

POKE POKE!!!!!!

Hiyori... I'll wrap this up as fast as I can, so quit yanking my sleeve so hard.

........

Morning of the second day of the school trip.

We were supposed to board buses to head to sightseeing spots or ski resorts in our groups, but a minor hiccup awaited us.

The buses were stuck in traffic and would be about 10 minutes late. A lot of students were waiting to head to the ski resort, and looking back, the entrance was packed.

"Unexpected free time, huh."

"Yep. Wanna kill time by building a snowman?"

Matsushita responded to my muttered complaint. Unlike yesterday, she didn't seem to be avoiding me.

"I'll pass. That'll just make me colder."

Other students were passing the time with snowball fights, but I'd save that for another opportunity.

"It's freezing, though."

Matsushita exhaled into her hands, which were bare—no gloves in sight. She'd been wearing them yesterday while skiing.

"Where'd your gloves go?"

"Accidentally packed them with the luggage being sent to the next inn."

She acted unfazed, but bare hands in this cold were pushing it. Her usually pale fingers were tinged red from the chill.

"Here, take mine if you want."

"Eh, I can't do that."

I tried handing her my gloves, but she stopped me.

"The ski resort will probably sell gloves, so don't worry about it. I'll tough it out till the bus comes."

Even so, seeing her hands that cold made it hard to ignore. There had to be a better solution.

"Then how about this?"

I took off my gloves. Matsushita flinched in surprise.

"W-What are you—?"

"Give me your hands."

I grabbed them and stuffed them into my pockets. My hands were still warm from the gloves, so this should help.

"Wha—!?"

"Your hands are freezing."

I interlaced our fingers inside my pocket, transferring warmth. Matsushita's hands were like ice—she must've been enduring it for a while.

"Feeling warmer?"

"I am, but... this is kinda embarrassing."

Her slightly flushed face turned away.

"Facing each other is a bit awkward, but it's better than leaving them bare till the bus comes, right?"

"T-That's not the point...!"

I felt bad for making her squirm, but I couldn't just leave her hands like that. She'd have to bear with it.

After a while, Matsushita stopped resisting, and we chatted while waiting for the bus. More students started gathering outside.

"The scenery's all snow."

The familiar voice belonged to Sakayanagi Arisu, a member of Group 4. From Ryuuen's class, Tokito had been chosen. I remembered him saying earlier, "Sakayanagi, huh... I'll stay on guard."

Arisu walked unsteadily with her cane on the unfamiliar snowy path.

Just as I thought about rushing over, my premonition came true—Arisu slipped and landed on her backside. Luckily, the snow cushioned her fall.

"You okay...?"

Tokito, who'd been walking slightly behind, hesitated for a second before offering his hand.

"Thank you, Tokito-kun."

"Don't push yourself. Your legs are bad, right...?"

Despite his rough demeanor, he carefully helped her up, mindful of her small stature.

"You saved me."

Still gripping her cane, Arisu smiled.

"...Whatever. Just glad you're not hurt."

Tokito averted his gaze, unsure how to interact with her.

"I thought you'd be scarier, Tokito-kun. But you're as kind as I'd heard."

"Hah? Me? 'Heard'...?"

Arisu stopped walking, as if to emphasize the shift in their dynamic.

"Yes. Hachiman-kun told me about you. He said you're an excellent ally."

"F-For real!? The leader said that!?"

"If by 'leader,' you mean Hachiman-kun, then yes."

"Hell yeah!!"

My name had slipped out of Arisu's mouth. Hearing it referred to him, Tokito pumped his fist, grinning.

"Hachiman-kun and I are close, so we talk often. He spoke very highly of you."

"The leader really...! W-Well, of course! I am his subordinate!"

"Naturally."

Seeing Tokito's visible excitement, Arisu smoothly continued.

"With someone like you as his subordinate, Hachiman-kun seems more suited to lead Class B than Ryuuen-kun, don't you think?"

"Hell yeah! Hachiman's the only real leader! Sakayanagi, you're sharper than I thought."

Somehow, the conversation had shifted to me, and Tokito and Arisu were getting along.

This was way too embarrassing.

But knowing Arisu, even that fall might've been calculated. The only ones who'd suspect that were probably me and Ryuuen, watching from a distance.

........

+ Side Story

Even with Big Bro away on his school trip, us first and third-years carried on as usual.

"President Nagumo. Need your confirmation."

"...Yeah."

After school, while organizing student council documents, I handed them to Nagumo for a final check. Honestly, I only joined the student council to get closer to Big Bro—now it's just a hassle.

"President Nagumo?"

"...Yeah, no issues. You can head home once you're done, Yagami."

Listless, Nagumo handed the papers back and stared blankly into space.

Oh, right. Him too.

Nagumo's a pest eyeing Big Bro. Ever since Big Bro left for the trip, his attitude's shifted.

For example, he's been brushing off us first-years more than usual, acting bored.

And with third-years, he's outright lashing out. Earlier, I saw Kiriyama getting chewed out for no reason.

(Well, at least he's not targeting the girls.)

"Hey, Yagami-kun. Got a sec?"

As I packed up, Asahina Nazuna, a third-year like Nagumo, called out.

I wanted to snap "Don't talk to me," but surface-level courtesy was necessary.

"What is it, Asahina-senpai?"

"I wanted to ask... about Hachi-kun."

Shut it, skank. Don't call Big Bro by that nickname.

Whoa, almost slipped up. But can you blame me? This woman's another pest after Big Bro.

Calm down. Think of Big Bro's perfect poker face.

"What about him?"

"Well... do you think Hachi-kun would mind if someone called him during the trip? As his little brother, you'd know, right?"

This bitch wants to call him? Rejected.

If she calls and cuts into my time with Big Bro, what then?

"Hard to say. But Big Bro was really looking forward to the trip, so he might not appreciate interruptions."

"Aww, really...?"

Good. Stay mopey forever.

"That's just your opinion, right? We don't know how Hachiman actually feels."

Shut up, dumbass president. Go sort paperwork for life.

"I just wanna make sure I'm not bothering Hachi-kun!"

"I'm not planning to call him. But if he calls me, that's different."

"Ew, waiting for him? As if Hachi-kun would call you."

"...Shut up. He will call."

"Delusional much?"

This conversation is pointless. Big Bro would never call you clowns.

Anyway, gotta check if Ichika's eating dinner properly.

This morning, she'd just plastered Big Bro's photos all over her room, so she should be fine.

=================================

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