COTE: Horikita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter 173: There is something wrong with your aesthetic sense

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"You came over to pick a fight, and I gave you a lesson."

"And with your petty personality, you'd never forgive me. I bet you think about how to kill me every single day, don't you?"

"…" Nagumo's face twitched. The bastard guessed correctly.

If it weren't for the school's rule protecting freshmen for the first month, Nagumo would have already attacked Rin. He was petty and vindictive, unable to swallow the humiliation of Rin hitting on his childhood friend and breaking his bones.

"The conflict between us runs so deep, isn't it only natural for one of us to want to take the other out?" Rin continued nonchalantly.

"You should be grateful that my plan is only aimed at kicking you out of the student council, not the entire school."

Nagumo glared at Rin with pure resentment, his face dark. For now, glaring was all he could do—he had no means to retaliate against Rin.

Rin didn't bother paying any attention to Nagumo's simmering anger. He had already gained what he wanted—100,000 personal points—and quickened his pace toward the chairman's office.

Nagumo, left trailing behind, grew anxious. Even though he now understood why he had been summoned to the chairman's office, he couldn't think of a way to counter it.

"How can I deal with that bastard's scheming… There's no way to fix this!" he muttered to himself in frustration.

It was an undeniable fact that Rin possessed extraordinary swimming talent.

It was also a fact that there was deep animosity between him and Rin.

Nagumo couldn't deny the obvious: the chairman would likely prioritize a prodigious talent like Rin over him, dismissing him from the student council to appease the younger boy.

Although Nagumo was arrogant, he wasn't so delusional as to ignore reality. He knew the school wouldn't risk losing a world-class swimmer for the sake of keeping him in power.

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Rin quickened his steps and soon arrived at the door to the chairman's office. Raising his hand, he knocked.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in," came Narumori's steady voice.

Rin pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"Hey, old man, long time no see," Rin greeted cheerfully, flashing a grin at Sakayanagi Narumori, who sat behind the desk.

Narumori's mood visibly brightened when he saw Rin. Smiling, he said, "It's been a few days since we last met, and you've already given me quite the surprise—breaking the 50-meter freestyle record, no less."

"Well, that's what being gifted is like," Rin replied with a shrug.

His answer made Narumori chuckle. Gesturing to the sofa, he said, "Have a seat. Once the vice president arrives, we'll discuss the next steps."

"Alright. I ran into Nagumo on the way here. He's right behind me and should be here soon."

"Good."

About thirty seconds later, Nagumo arrived at the chairman's office. With an expression of barely concealed frustration, he knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

"Come in," Narumori called.

Nagumo pushed the door open and stepped inside. The sight before him made him freeze for a moment, his expression shifting to one of surprise.

Rin and Narumori were seated on the sofa, each holding a cup of tea, chatting as though they were old friends. The atmosphere between them was casual, even harmonious.

"It's over. The chairman really takes that bastard seriously," Nagumo thought bitterly, his heart sinking to rock bottom.

The sight of Narumori casually sharing tea with Rin made it painfully clear how much the chairman valued Rin's rare swimming talent.

Otherwise, why would he bother serving tea to a mere freshman? Nagumo thought grimly.

Nagumo wasn't entirely wrong.

Narumori did value Rin, but not just because of his exceptional talent for swimming. He genuinely liked Rin's personality. Whenever he interacted with Rin, he felt at ease and relaxed, as though speaking to an old friend rather than a student.

"You are the vice president of the student council, Nagumo, correct?" Narumori asked calmly.

"Yes, Chairman," Nagumo replied respectfully.

"There's no need to be so formal. Please, have a seat," Narumori said, gesturing to the sofa opposite Rin.

Nagumo walked over briskly and sat down in the indicated spot. His posture was upright, his back straight, and his demeanor serious and proper, projecting an air of professionalism.

In stark contrast, Rin lounged casually on the sofa, holding his cup of tea as if he were in his own living room. His relaxed demeanor made it seem as though the chairman was just an ordinary elder, not the head of the school board.

"Gentlemen," Narumori began, "I have something important to discuss with you. But before that, I'd like you to watch a recorded video."

Setting down his teacup, Narumori picked up the remote control beside him and turned on the monitor in his office.

As the video began playing, both Rin and Nagumo focused their attention on the screen.

Rin immediately recognized the scene—it was footage of his swimming competition against Koenji.

As the video showed Rin and Koenji warming up, Rin commented with a playful grin, "Chairman, that guy in the video is really handsome and has an amazing physique."

Narumori and Nagumo both twitched their lips at the remark. Did this kid really need to compliment himself so blatantly?

"Yes, Matsuoka," Nagumo said sarcastically. "That blond-haired guy in the video is indeed very handsome and well-built."

Rin shot him a disgusted look. "What are you talking about? I wasn't referring to him."

"Well, I think his physique is better than the other guy's. Look at those muscles."

"Your taste is clearly questionable," Rin replied dismissively. "No wonder Asahina-senpai doesn't think much of you."

"You—!"

Nagumo's composure cracked instantly. Don't hit someone where it hurts, and don't expose their weaknesses so publicly! Yet this bastard had done exactly that!

Their bickering made Narumori sigh in exasperation. Clearing his throat, he said firmly, "Ahem. Enough, both of you. Focus on watching the video."

Nagumo, cowed by the chairman's authority, clenched his jaw and reluctantly returned his attention to the screen. He was determined to see for himself if Rin's swimming skills were as extraordinary as claimed.

Since the swimming competition lasted barely over 20 seconds, the video was short—less than a minute long.

By the time the video ended, Nagumo was silent, his expression a mix of disbelief and grim acceptance. Rin hadn't been exaggerating—his swimming talent was indeed monstrous.

Turning off the monitor, Narumori looked at Rin with a smile. "Teacher Arata informed me that one of his students had broken the world record in the 50-meter freestyle. I found it hard to believe at first."

"But after watching this video, I have no choice but to believe it. Matsuoka, your swimming talent is truly unparalleled."

"Thank you for the compliment, Chairman," Rin replied with a polite smile.

Narumori nodded, pleased. Then his gaze shifted to Nagumo, whose face was dark and sullen.

"Nagumo," Narumori said slowly.

"I'm here,"