COTE: Hikigaya's Classroom of the Supreme Being

At five o'clock in the evening, Hikigaya arrived at the gym right on time, just as planned.

However, to his surprise, Horikita Manabu was running late. Hikigaya received a message from him, explaining that something had come up, and he'd be arriving a bit later than expected.

Probably got held up by something important, Hikigaya mused, not giving it much thought.

Fortunately, it wasn't long before Horikita appeared, a large bag slung over his shoulder.

"Sorry about that. The class discussion took longer than expected. I also had to stop by the dorm to grab a few things," Horikita explained, sounding slightly apologetic.

"Oh, no problem." Hikigaya shrugged. He was a bit curious about what was inside the bag, but he knew better than to pry. Whatever it was, it didn't really concern him.

Just as he was about to let it go, Horikita unexpectedly reached into the bag and pulled something out, holding it out towards Hikigaya.

"This is for you."

Hikigaya blinked, caught off guard by the gesture.

Hikigaya blinked in surprise, his hands instinctively reaching out to accept the package.

"Huh? Why so sudden?"

"No reason. I don't need it anymore, and I figured you might like it, so I brought it along." Horikita Manabu replied nonchalantly, then added, "By the way, I met with Yukinoshita-sensei yesterday. The thing you mentioned has been taken care of. I'll send you the instructions when we get back."

"Oh… right, thanks."

So the president actually asked for help from Haruno-san. That means the bugging device is set. But wait—what exactly is in this package?

"Mind if I open it?" Hikigaya asked.

"Go ahead."

With Manabu's permission, Hikigaya wasted no time. He tore the wrapping open, revealing a sleek NS game console inside.

"...Wait, what?"

This was the last thing Hikigaya had expected. Holding the game system, he couldn't shake the feeling of unreality.

"President, what's going on with you today?"

"I told you, I don't need it anymore." Manabu said, his voice steady. "I've been meaning to give it to you for a while now. Since next year's our last chance, I figured now's as good a time as any... Happy birthday."

"Ah… thanks."

Hikigaya was taken aback. He hadn't expected the president of all people to know his birthday. Was it Miss Haruno who casually mentioned it?

Though it was already September, receiving a gift from a senior still felt pretty nice—especially something as unexpected as this.

After all, it was hard to imagine Horikita Manabu as the type to spend time playing video games.

"You don't need to look so shocked."

Manabu seemed to read his thoughts, offering an explanation. "Back when I was in elementary school, I used to play with friends all the time. I think it was on the Wii U back then... Even Suzune would join in occasionally."

Though he spoke calmly, there was a faint trace of sadness in his words.

"This was a graduation gift from Yukinoshita-sensei," Manabu continued. "She gave it to me when I became student council president. At the time, I think she wanted me to use it to make more friends, not just focus on student council work. But over the past three years, I've barely touched it. I was too preoccupied with this school to even turn it on."

"I see…"

The NS, known for its multiplayer games like the global hit Mario Kart, was certainly great for making friends. But if you already could make friends, you wouldn't need a console to help with that.

Hikigaya had a similar system at home, but he'd only ever played it with Komachi. Inviting friends over for a gaming session felt like something out of reach for him.

A thought occurred to him, and he decided to suggest it. "President, since we've got this chance, how about we play a round?"

"Sure."

Hikigaya hadn't expected Manabu to agree so easily. After browsing through the game library, he settled on Mario Kart and inserted the cartridge.

Since it was such a rare opportunity, Hikigaya planned to crush this smug older brother once and for all. There was no way he was losing a game.

However—

"President… you're way too strong at this!"

"This is just my normal performance."

"Normal?! You lapped me!" Hikigaya groaned. This 'just normal performance' nonsense was the same tone as a top student saying their ninety-nine out of a hundred was 'no big deal.' Of course, Manabu was the older brother of Suzune.

As Hikigaya was questioning his life choices, Manabu suddenly changed the topic.

"How's the preparation for the sports festival going?"

The question was casual, but Hikigaya knew what he was asking. Manabu must've overheard Suzune at the gym. He was inquiring about that.

While Hikigaya figured that Manabu probably knew everything already with his intelligence-gathering skills, he decided to give a brief explanation anyway.

"Well… I'm not sure how things will turn out in the end, but just the fact that your sister is stepping up is already a huge change from before."

Normally, Hirata handled all the class logistics, with Kushida assisting him as vice president. But since Ike's expulsion, Hirata had been down and out, and Kushida didn't want to be the target of the class's frustrations. So, she pretended not to notice the mess. In this chaos, Horikita had taken charge, even swallowing her pride to ask Kushida for help.

None of this would've been imaginable at the start of the school year.

"Really? Suzune's starting to change, huh…"

Manabu's face remained impassive, but Hikigaya suspected there was a hidden smile beneath the surface.

"Back when she was younger, Suzune was completely different. She used to smile all the time."

"…It's hard to imagine, but I guess it's not impossible," Hikigaya replied, recalling his interactions with Horikita. She wasn't as rigid as she appeared—more like she was constantly holding something back.

"She started mimicking me when she was in the upper grades of elementary school. Whatever I said, she would respond eagerly—whether it was to study more or exercise. It started with little things, but eventually, she copied my favorite foods, drinks, and even my taste in clothing. She became overly dependent on me."

"Uh… seriously?"

Hikigaya felt a bit overwhelmed hearing this. To be that obsessed with a sibling—wasn't that borderline unhealthy?

"I suspect," Hikigaya ventured hesitantly, "that your parents were probably very busy with work, right?"

"Yeah, both of them were. They worked long hours and rarely came home."

…So that's what it was.

Hikigaya sighed internally. In a home where parents were absent, it wasn't uncommon for younger siblings to latch onto their older ones. He'd experienced something similar with Komachi when she felt neglected.

Manabu's voice took on a rare note of regret. "Looking back, Suzune turning out this way is my fault. I tried to ignore her dependency and treated her coldly. I thought if I distanced myself, she'd stop. But all I did was make things worse. So I applied to this school, hoping that in my absence, she'd grow and change."

"I see…"

So it was because Suzune had been chasing after her brother's shadow that she'd become who she was today.

"President, don't be too hard on yourself," Hikigaya said. "You were just a middle schooler then, right? It wasn't your responsibility to raise her."

"Still, I don't want to make excuses about age… I feel that if it were you, this wouldn't have happened."

"Eh, I don't know about that."

"There's no need for false modesty. Even though we haven't known each other long, I think I understand you fairly well."

"Uh…" Hikigaya wanted to argue, but it was pointless. Manabu could be incredibly stubborn at times.

"Do you remember the night I sparred with Ayanokoji?"

"…Yeah."

Sparred, huh? If it had been anyone else, they'd have been crushed.

"When I saw Suzune that night, I knew she hadn't changed at all in the last two years. It was… disappointing. No, actually—"

Manabu gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"I was more disappointed in myself for failing as her brother. I should've guided her better."

Despite being admired as the perfect student council president, at heart, Manabu was just a regular student. Hikigaya understood this better than anyone.

"That's why, when I saw Suzune at the pool the other day, I was so surprised. I think that was your influence."

"No, that was Horikita's own decision."

"Perhaps. But without you, she might not have taken that first step."

"Uh…"

Silence fell between them for a moment. Then, as if to change the subject, Hikigaya asked, "By the way, you hadn't seen Horikita for two years. How were you so sure she hadn't changed? It wasn't just because she got placed in Class D, right? Or is that some kind of sibling sixth sense?"

"Don't talk nonsense," Manabu said, a hint of exasperation in his voice. "It's obvious to anyone who knew her as a child. She… well, never mind."

He stopped mid-sentence, leaving Hikigaya curious.

"Let's just say I'm saving that observation. I'll use it to judge whether Suzune has changed."

"What's with the cryptic talk? You've already told me."

"…Have I?"

Manabu frowned thoughtfully.

Before Hikigaya could respond, the door to the room swung open.

"Sorry for the interruption."

The visitor strode in without even knocking, but given the familiar voice, it wasn't exactly surprising.

"Kiryuuin-senpai…"

"Hey, Hikigaya. So, you're here sparring with Horikita, huh? Oh, playing video games at the gym instead? You guys sure know how to have fun."

Kiryuuin grinned and greeted them casually, as if she had learned about this from someone.

"I heard from your student council member, Tachibana Akane. Good thing I'd met her once before."

So that's how she knew… Wait a minute—calling a senior by their name so casually? Seriously?

Hikigaya had a lot of questions, but Kiryuuin's whirlwind entrance left no room to ask any of them.

"Uh…"

"Oh, don't worry. I'm not here for you today, so you can just ignore me."

"…Alright."

Was it just his imagination, or was Kiryuuin acting even stranger than usual today? Then again, considering how odd she usually was, Hikigaya figured he might just be overthinking things.

"So, based on what you're saying, you're here to see me?" Horikita Manabu asked calmly.

It seemed the two of them weren't strangers—they must have crossed paths before.

"That's right. I want you to be my sparring partner," Kiryuuin declared boldly.

Both Hikigaya and Manabu froze for a moment, caught off guard.

That was one heck of a leap in conversation...

"Let's put everything else aside for a moment—are you talking about karate, aikido, or something else entirely?" Manabu asked, his tone still steady.

"It doesn't matter," Kiryuuin said, raising her fist confidently. "As long as it's something useful for fighting. Don't worry, I'm a genius. I'll grow strong enough that I won't need you for long—it won't take up too much of your time."

"Uh..." Even someone as composed as Manabu seemed unsure how to respond to that.

If Tachibana Akane were here, she'd definitely be making some sharp remarks about this situation.

What exactly happened to Kiryuuin-senpai? Was she hit by some sort of inspiration or challenge?

Hikigaya couldn't make sense of it. Since their last encounter, when he had asked for her help in catching the hidden camera culprit, they hadn't spoken. And she hadn't explained much then, leaving him completely in the dark.

Considering they had managed to get their hands on the crucial evidence— the memory card—everything should've gone smoothly, right?

"Kiryuuin, up until now, you've led a rather laid-back life. Why are you suddenly making such a request?" Manabu asked, clearly puzzled.

"True, I've been enjoying a carefree existence for the past year or so, and I've been quite satisfied with school life. But every once in a while, I get the urge to push myself," Kiryuuin said nonchalantly.

"That's not something you can just sum up with a simple 'I want to push myself,'" Manabu replied, shaking his head slightly.

"Consider it my way of avoiding any regrets," Kiryuuin replied casually, dodging Horikita Manabu's question entirely.

Manabu wasn't fooled. He detected Kiryuuin's evasiveness and decided to press on directly. "Let me rephrase—what makes you think I'd agree to your terms?"

Without hesitation, Kiryuuin responded, "Aren't you looking for someone to deal with Nagumo? If you agree to my conditions, I'll help you with that. Sounds like a fair trade, don't you think?"

"I'm not trying to 'deal' with Nagumo," Manabu replied, his tone softening slightly. "I just don't want him stirring up trouble."

Despite his words, there was a noticeable shift in Manabu's demeanor. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully before speaking again. "Kiryuuin, in terms of raw strength, I don't think you could beat me. But we're not that far apart, especially when it comes to technique. Even if I taught you everything I know, it wouldn't make much of a difference."

"So… that's a no?" Kiryuuin asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, what I mean is—I have a better candidate in mind." Manabu's gaze suddenly shifted toward Hikigaya.

Wait—me? Hikigaya blinked, bewildered.

Just as Hikigaya was struggling to process Manabu's intentions, Manabu's next words caught him completely off guard. "Hikigaya, I need you to ask Yukinoshita-sensei for a favor."

"...Huh?"

Before Hikigaya could fully comprehend, Kiryuuin interjected, her curiosity piqued. "Horikita, do you mean that new first-year intern teacher? Yukinoshita?"

Manabu nodded. "That's right. She's actually an alumnus of this school. She graduated right before you enrolled, so it's no surprise you haven't heard of her. Besides, some of her actions caused a bit of a stir back in the day, which is probably why us third-years don't talk about her much."

"Heh, sounds more interesting the more you say," Kiryuuin smirked.

"So, you're not opposed to having a teacher as your sparring partner?" Manabu asked, a slight grin tugging at his lips.

"Of course not. As long as they can keep up with me, I couldn't care less about titles," Kiryuuin replied confidently.

"You're in luck then. At least in Aikido, I've never managed to beat her," Manabu admitted with a chuckle.

The two seemed to reach a mutual understanding, but amidst their exchange, they seemed to forget one crucial thing.

"Sorry to interrupt," Hikigaya interjected, rubbing his forehead. "But... I haven't agreed to anything yet, have I? And why do I have to be the one to ask her? Can't you do it yourself, President?"

"You'd have a higher chance of success," Manabu replied without missing a beat.

"Chance of success...?" Hikigaya muttered in disbelief. The president's ability to spin outrageous claims was growing more absurd by the day, and even Hikigaya had to admit he was impressed.

Still, he owed Kiryuuin a favor. A debt that weighed on his conscience, regardless of whether the help had been 'free.'

"Fine, I'll ask," Hikigaya sighed, relenting to the pressure.

"But, Kiryuuin-senpai, can I ask something? What caused this sudden change of heart?"

Kiryuuin's face grew unexpectedly serious, her eyes locking onto Hikigaya's with an intense gaze. The atmosphere shifted, making Hikigaya instinctively tense up.

"Here's a piece of advice for you," Kiryuuin said solemnly. "If you want to be a good man, don't go poking around in a woman's secrets."

"Uh…"

"Haha! Got it?" she laughed, slapping him on the shoulder.

"...Yeah."

The impact was surprisingly painful, and Hikigaya winced. Does she really need to hit so hard while laughing?

...Well, whatever.

Regardless of how bizarre this conversation had turned, if Kiryuuin was serious about joining the effort against Nagumo, it would certainly ease some of the burden.

At least, that's what Hikigaya told himself. Though, doubt began to creep into his mind.

Kiryuuin was as unpredictable as Kouenji—working with her was like rolling the dice. You never knew what you'd get. And the fact that she'd suddenly approached him with this request left Hikigaya uneasy.

Something about it just didn't sit right. Could it be related to the hidden camera incident?

Kiryuuin's cryptic behavior made it hard to ignore the possibility.

Sometimes, what people avoid saying reveals more than what they do say.

Was this somehow connected to Ayanokoji?

Hikigaya shook his head, pushing the thought aside. Without concrete evidence, he didn't want to make unfounded accusations. But after what had happened on the uninhabited island, it was difficult to dismiss the possibility entirely.

And then there was the peculiar behavior of Manabe and her group during the VIP exam. Hikigaya had been turning the situation over in his mind for some time, and it seemed suspicious that three of the four girls were in the same Rabbit group as Ayanokoji.

What they did—or what they were trying to cover up—was less important than who they were associated with.

Perhaps Ibuki's investigation had been fruitless because she was looking in the wrong direction... or maybe she just wasn't as capable as she thought. Her performance on the island certainly hadn't been stellar—if anything, she'd been toyed with from start to finish.

It seemed... it was time to deepen their interactions with the other classes, especially with Class D's 'masterpiece.'

Hikigaya had tried to avoid this conclusion, knowing it would mean treating Ayanokoji as a suspect. That approach could easily lead to the wrong conclusions. But whether it was the uninhabited island, the VIP exam, or the pool incident, everything pointed back to Ayanokoji.

With that realization, Hikigaya made up his mind to send a message to Ibuki.

Of course, he wouldn't mention Ayanokoji by name. Instead, he'd focus on Karuizawa Kei.

After all, investigating Ayanokoji directly could be risky. And knowing Ibuki, it was likely she'd end up being misled if she went after him head-on.

No, it was safer to start with someone who had suddenly grown closer to Ayanokoji.