COTE : Is Talent Everything? (Rewrite)-Chapter 108 - 104 : Post-Graduation Reservations

Sports Festival Day.

At around 11:00 AM, the muffled cheers from outside the closed windows seeped in. The sports festival seemed to be in full swing.

I had skipped the event to help block Ayanokouji's moves—both in the Horikita and Ryuuen classes' strategies. But whether it was effective or not remained unclear.

I glanced at the entrance. I had set up a countermeasure, but its impact was slow to manifest. Though I was curious about the festival's progress, all I could do now was wait.

Maybe I should prepare lunch with the food Hiyori and Amasawa had left for me. Just as I thought that, the doorbell finally rang.

Now, was this visitor welcome or not?

"Good afternoon, Hachiman."

She must have anticipated my wariness. But seeing her face-to-face, there was no need for caution.

As the door opened, there stood Arisu in casual clothes, smiling up at me.

"May I come in, if it's alright?"

"Yeah, sure."

I let her in without resistance.

Since the sports festival was ongoing, those of us who skipped were ordered to stay in the dorms. Lingering outside would've been a bad move. Arisu had visited my room enough times to smoothly slip off her shoes and step inside.

"By the way, have you had lunch yet?"

"I was just about to make something."

"Is that so? Perfect timing, then."

She handed me a small plastic bag.

"It's cake—a new item, apparently. I would've preferred to make something myself, but... well, time wasn't on my side."

The meaning behind her "lack of time" wasn't hard to guess.

Inside the bag were two Mont Blancs. Coffee would pair well with these.

"Go ahead and sit on the bed."

"Thank you for your consideration. Hehe... It's nostalgic, sharing this bed with you."

"Let's keep those memories tucked away."

As I stood in the kitchen brewing coffee, I spoke to Arisu behind me.

"While I make this, why don't we compare answers?"

"Very well. My, you really are a wicked one, Hachiman."

From her perspective, my strategy must've been laughably simple. So, exchanging answers wouldn't change anything.

"As you know, Horikita's and Ryuuen's classes have the physical advantage in this exam. But even so, with you alone, you could calculate exactly which students to assign to which events for victory."

"I'm flattered. Defeating Class A would indeed be easiest by keeping me out of the competition."

The sports festival ran on a tight schedule. Someone like Arisu could mentally assign the right people to the right events and issue precise orders.

"Last night, Father informed me that he had requested you and Ayanokouji-kun to skip the festival. He said he stationed guards in the dorm to protect you both."

"Just as you guessed, I was the one who told Sakayanagi to relay that to you."

Sakayanagi likely assumed Arisu wouldn't skip. That's why she passed along the message about my and Ayanokouji's absence.

But my thinking differed from Sakayanagi's. If I was skipping, Arisu might see it as the perfect chance to talk without interruptions.

"Well played. I've been thoroughly outmaneuvered."

"Don't lie. You weighed the drawbacks of skipping and chose this."

"Who knows? By the way, aside from you, me, and Ayanokouji-kun, everyone else is attending today."

Arisu's information network must've had someone check attendance before the festival and report via phone. She left no room for error.

"Right about now, Class A is probably being overwhelmed by Horikita's class with their sheer strength and Ryuuen-kun's class with every trick they can muster."

"Having a leader too strong has its downsides."

"Ryuuen-kun is much the same."

From another perspective, Arisu and Ryuuen's classes were similar—both relied entirely on their leaders. Without them, they'd be lost.

As we talked, the coffee finished brewing. I plated the Mont Blancs and set them on the table with the coffee.

"Let's eat together, Hachiman. Sit beside me."

Arisu patted the spot next to her. Without much thought, I sat down on the bed.

"This is your first time having Mont Blanc, isn't it?"

"You knew?"

"Just a hunch. When I bought it, I picked what I thought might interest you."

With that confession, Arisu scooped up a bite of Mont Blanc, carefully supporting it with her hand, and held it out to me.

"Here."

"Yeah, thanks."

I ate it without resistance, but this felt suspiciously like being fed.

"Is it good?"

Honestly, it wasn't really to my taste. But I didn't want to criticize a gift.

"It's great."

"Oh? It doesn't seem to suit your palate."

"No, it was good, but—"

"I pride myself on my perceptiveness. Especially when it comes to you."

To think she'd see through something this trivial.

"You're still full of openings in your personal life. That's one of the things I like about you."

Please don't bring up the time we lived together.

"If the Mont Blanc isn't to your taste, shall I take care of it?"

"It's not like I disliked it."

"Then, say 'ah~'."

With a drawn-out tone, she scooped up another bite. The whole time she fed me, Arisu wore a pleased smile.

"But you've changed quite a bit since enrolling, haven't you?"

"Have I? I guess I've grown a little taller."

"Not in that sense. Back then, you stayed passive in class conflicts. Even when Ryuuen-kun dragged you into things, you acted reluctantly. But now, you move on your own will."

"Is it so strange for me to aim for Class A?"

"It is. If you were serious about it, your class would've risen much sooner. Care to explain why?"

She could say that because she understood neither of us had any real interest in Class A.

Arisu knew her talents and wielded them skillfully. For someone like her, most things were within reach—Class A's benefits meant nothing.

As for me, my return to the White Room after graduation was all but certain. Though some possibilities had emerged lately, that fact remained unchanged.

Which was why this genius, driven by curiosity, sought answers.

"You'll probably figure it out soon enough."

In fact, she might've already halfway guessed.

"Fundamentally, it's the same as what you're trying to do with Ayanokouji. He and I are proving, in our own ways, that the White Room's education isn't flawless."

Her expression showed no surprise. As expected, she'd anticipated this.

"So you... no, both of you are trying to forge the strongest class with your own hands?"

When I nodded, Arisu pressed a finger to her lips.

"I had considered the possibility, but... this exchange raises another question."

"What?"

"I assumed you and Ayanokouji-kun were acting independently. But the way you phrased it just now... as if—ah, I see."

Impressive. With just that slight hint, she pieced it together.

"Since when? From the start? No, that wouldn't align. Meaning, you and Ayanokouji-kun have been—

Before she could finish, I lightly pushed her back.

Well, "pushed" is an exaggeration—it was more of a nudge. But Arisu, frail as she was, couldn't brace herself and fell backward.

The genius, caught off guard, lay beneath me as I loomed over her.

"Uh... um?"

Despite her usual confidence, she had zero experience with men.

Her wide eyes shimmered with shock, and if I glanced down, her slender frame was fully visible.

"We've been living according to a plan. Your visit today, the conclusions you'd reach—all accounted for."

Perhaps because we were on the bed, Arisu seemed to regain some composure.

"If you spread this, it'll disrupt everything."

"You think... I would?"

"If it were Ayanokouji saying this, fine. But hearing it from you is disappointing."

"Not at all. I trust you. But insurance is necessary."

"Insurance?"

Her upturned eyes narrowed slightly, her lips softening.

"Fufu."

"You can laugh in this situation?"

"Only because it's you. If it were any other man, I'd have countermeasures in place to ensure they never approach me again."

She said something terrifying so casually.

"Let's summarize. You want insurance to ensure I don't reveal your plans, correct?"

"Basically."

"I can guess your method. But there's a better way."

With a sly smile, Arisu raised her hands and touched my neck. Her smooth, delicate fingers traced up to my cheeks, pressing warmly against them.

"And that is—

Ding-dong.

The stupidly cheerful chime cut her off mid-sentence.

"What time is it?"

"Just past noon. The others are likely eating now."

"No one should still be here."

"Yes, of course."

We exchanged glances, assessing the situation. Though things had been interrupted, we had no choice but to pause.

The bell rang again.

Since I was supposedly resting, ignoring it further would be suspicious.

"Who is it?"

I stayed on the bed and called out.

"Stay where you are and listen."

The voice, realizing I hadn't moved closer, responded curtly.

"I've heard that voice before."

Young, not an adult—a peer. Though I couldn't place the face, the voice was unmistakable.

The realization hit me instantly.

"You called me once before, right?"

A brief silence followed.

"Impressive. You remembered my voice after just one call."

That had been sometime after advancing to our second year.

"Back then, you never got to the point."

"I was about to, but something came up. I hadn't contacted you since... but I doubt you care. Who I am doesn't matter—I'm neither your enemy nor ally."

"'You' plural, huh? Then why are you here?"

"I came to warn you. Don't assume everything will be peaceful just because you expelled Tsukishiro and the White Room students."

"Fufu, what an amusing conversation. May I join in?"

"Sakayanagi Arisu, I presume."

The voice remained unfazed, identifying her instantly.

"Regardless, if you want to graduate peacefully, stay vigilant."

"For a neutral party, you're awfully helpful."

"Your existence is causing problems. I just want to minimize the damage."

The voice grew distant—they had no intention of staying long.

"That voice... where have I..."

"You recognize them?"

"Not from recent memory. Five, ten years ago... it's an old recollection."

"If that's true, they're unlikely to be a White Room student."

"Indeed. If I met them in my childhood, that would make sense."

Their reaction to Arisu's presence also fit.

But whoever they were, as long as they posed no immediate threat, I couldn't bring myself to care.

"..."

"What a shame. Our lovely atmosphere was ruined."

After the mysterious visitor left, Arisu sighed softly.

"Was it really a 'lovely atmosphere'?"

"You don't think being pinned down by a boy counts?"

"Depends on the time and place."

Hard to say how she truly felt. We'd missed her earlier words too.

"Are you sure? About not needing insurance?"

"Yeah. I'll think of another way."

"Such as?"

"If you blab, I'll lose all trust in you. We'll never interact again."

"That's just emotional blackmail."

"Would that not work?"

"No... if that happened, I'd lose the will to live."

"That's some severe damage."

There were plenty of other methods. I'd set up defenses later.

"Can we talk about something else?"

"Of course."

She smiled, granting permission.

"About Sakayanagi. Apparently, she's arranging a family register for me."

"I'm aware. How refined of Father to consider your future."

Arisu giggled.

Given her reaction, she hadn't been told about the engagement.

"About that..."

"Hm?"

"Sakayanagi suggested I seriously consider marrying you."

"......Eh?"

"Marriage."

"Ma...rriage?"

She repeated it blankly. Clearly unexpected. Given how little her father kept from her, this revelation visibly shook her.

About 1.2 seconds later, her cheeks flushed faintly. She averted her eyes.

"F-Father... said that?"

"Yeah. He wants to establish a family connection. Adoption was another option, but marriage to you was the best route."

"I... see. That makes sense."

"You okay? You've been acting childish."

"I'm f-fine."

Silence fell.

With only the two of us, the room grew quiet, the distant cheers from the festival filtering in.

Unable to take it anymore, I spoke up.

"I think this should be decided by the people involved. So I'll leave it to you."

Arisu's shoulders twitched. Her previously averted gaze locked onto mine.

"Then... if I agree, would you marry me?"

"..."

"Not answering is cowardly."

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She pouted and pinched my arm—though her strength made it painless.

"Honestly, I don't know. I never thought about life after graduation. I assumed it was impossible. Even now, it still feels that way."

"But there's no harm in hoping."

Her earnest gaze demanded an answer.

"If I were to hope... I wouldn't mind having you by my side after graduation."

"...Sigh."

"You're sighing now? I thought that was pretty significant."

Arisu's expression was serene, her eyes slightly narrowed, her features soft.

"So... you're not opposed to marriage?"

"I guess not."

"Then let's do it. Get engaged."

"...Isn't that too sudden?"

I was genuinely shocked. Was it okay to decide something life-altering so easily?

"Think carefully. Being with me means being targeted by the White Room. With your talents, you could choose any path. Don't just—

"I love you. What other reason do I need?"

Her words cut me off.

She stated it so matter-of-factly, though a hint of embarrassment tinted her face, now apple-red.

"You've liked me for a while now, haven't you?"

"Y-Yes."

Her eyes were sweet enough to melt into, her lips glossy and inviting. Her flawless white skin was almost blindingly pure.

As our lips met, I tentatively let my tongue brush against hers.

"Mmph—!"

She jolted but didn't resist. If anything, she clumsily tried to reciprocate.

So this was what it felt like.

Arisu was pure white—a blank canvas. And here I was, staining her with my colors.

For some reason, that thought exhilarated me. The idea of tainting her, marking her as mine—I hadn't realized I still had such emotions.

No, maybe this was just male instinct.

"U-Um..."

"What?"

"...You can... do more... if you want..."

Her face burned crimson, ears included. That single, courageously whispered sentence sent another shiver down my spine.

This time, I didn't hold back.

"Mmm...! Hah... hah..."

When we parted, Arisu was breathless, her chest heaving. Once she calmed, our eyes met again—but shame won out, and she buried her face in my chest.

"I love you."

"...Yeah."

"I love you so much."

"I know."

"...Your reactions are so bland. You were the same when I confessed. It hurts."

She puffed her cheeks. It wasn't that I was indifferent—just that I'd already suspected her feelings.

"Actually, I've known for a while that you liked me."

"? What do you mean?"

"I'll tell you... but do you really want to know?"

"Yes, of course."

"You won't get mad?"

"Do you really think I'd be shaken by something trivial? Just tell me."

I sat up and leaned in, whispering into her ear.

"Right before coming to this school..."

"What happened?"

I spoke as quietly as possible.

"...I happened to pass by your room at night and... saw you touching yourself while whispering my name. That's why—

Arisu froze.

But only for an instant.

"WHAAAAAAAA—!?"

Her hand lashed out faster than I could react—SLAP!—landing squarely on my cheek.

The last thing I saw before collapsing was Arisu, her face redder than ever, tears welling in her eyes, utterly distraught.

You said you wouldn't get mad...

And then, darkness.

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