COTE: Transmigrated as Horikita Suzune with Symbiote

Swimming class arrived, and perhaps to forget about the pain of receiving no points, the students were enjoying themselves, playing in water.

After a quick competition with Onodera, in which I won by a margin of 0.8 seconds, I came out of the pool, and stood in the corner while drying my hair with a towel.

The mood of the class... was weird...

Hirata was being depressed, with many girls, including his 'girlfriend' Karuizawa desperately trying to comfort him.

He didn't oppose Kushida dropping out in the end, after learning that she has pushed some people to the point where they started considering suicide.

But it didn't mean that he was his usual self.

Sudo was being sus, stealing glances at me. Maybe because I complemented him in a way by mentioning my hypothesis of him having scored the best physically?

Koenji was busy admiring himself, and Ayanokoji was still trying to fit in with the idiot trio.

In short, the class was incredibly disorganised.

We wouldn't get points even next month, because of Kushida dropping out.

So, the class will have to survive two months without any allowance.

The midterm exams will be in three weeks, and it seems that Chabashira is intent on sabotaging her class. She didn't tell us that the passing marks will be the half of the class's average. Moreover, she has told the wrong syllabus.

No wonder she is class D's teacher.

Sigh... perhaps I will need to do something. There IS some hostility against me since they wouldn't get any points next month because I got rid of Kushida.

They only look at short term benefits afterall.

I guess I will need to get them out of the midterm crisis atleast.

I sighed and walked towards Hirata, who was sitting in a corner while facing the wall, and everyone was trying to cheer him up.

"Let me talk to him."

As I said that, everyone made way.

I guess I have already established myself as the most powerful figure in the class.

I sighed, and kicked him in the back.

"AAH!"

"Horikita! What the hell are you doing!"

The girls shouted at me, and Karuizawa started shielding Hirata.

"I am sorry for kicking your boyfriend, Karuizawa-san. But please, let me handle him."

I stared at her impassively, and she could only give up and move.

Afterall, Karuizawa's strength comes from Hirata, who is busy being depressed right now.

He rubbed his back and finally turned to our direction. Yet, he wasn't meeting our eyes.

"Did your friend commit suicide?"

He flinched, and moved his gaze further away. But he still answered me.

"...Yes... Because of me..."

This revelation shocked the class.

"Did you bully him? Spread unsavory rumours about him? Harmed him?"

"No! I did something worst! I knew he was getting bullied, and I ignored him..."

"How close friend was he?"

"...We were neighbours. He was my first friend. My best friend..."

Everyone started to tell him that it wasn't his fault. Since he didn't bully the friend.

But I slapped him normally. But it left a deep imprint.

I guess I need to control by strength better.

Everyone got silenced by my unexpected move.

"He wasn't your friend, much less best friend. Friends don't ignore when one is in trouble."

"... You are right..."

Huh? When Ayanokoji did this, it worked. But when I am doing this, he is getting more depressed?

Why!?

Dunno...

"Then, do you plan to weep around all day, feeling miserable about yourself, and let more people get expelled!?

Facing expulsion will certainly be very traumatic.

For ignoring your friend, you will have to continue to live the rest of your life with guilt and shame. You deserve it.

But if you don't try to atleast save the many people who are at a high risk of expulsion, you might as well turn into a NEET.

You only have two choice, Hirata Yosuke. Continue being depressed, or help these people who will be expelled without your help.

What do you want to do with your life?"

Finally... Hirata's eyes gained some light and determination.

Sigh... I am never becoming anyone's therapist again.

"Do you have some points left? Go and see a therapist.

Go home today and take rest.

Karuizawa-san, please take him home for now and give him some rest, maybe a thigh pillow. And make sure that he goes to a therapist today itself. Accompany him to the doctor. If he resists, call me or Sudo to carry him there by force."

"Y-yes!"

Karuizawa squeaked, and helped Hirata as he started getting up.

Before leaving with her, he looked gratefully towards me.

"Thank you Horikita-san. I choose the second option."

It worked!

It looks like it worked. I was worried for a second there that he might actually get more depressed.

Well... it's the therapist's job to make sure he is fine.

"Now that Hirata will be fine, it's about time we discuss what to do about the midterms.

Do you have any suggestions?"

I asked the class. Well, no one seemed like they wanted to say anything.

"Then, the best way I can think of is a study group.

Top students, like me, Koenji, Yukimura, Mii-chan, Hirata, will help the academically weaker students like Ike, Yamauchi, Sudo, Sakura, Shinohara and such.

Those who are comfortable with each other can decide by tomorrow which study group to join, and by tomorrow, we should start studying.

Remember, this is not a class of defects. It is a class of the most unequal abilities and characteristics, making it difficult in management.

But, because our class is diverse, we have a huge advantage over the other classes-"

"I don't think these stupid people will understand my teachings. So, I bid you farewell. I have a date during the break."

Koenji said this, and started leaving.

"Hah!? Who are you calling stupid!?"

Sudo reacted in a very obvious manner.

"I don't want to waste my time teaching others. I prefer studying alone."

Yukimura tried to escape, clearly frustrated that he is in class D.

Of course, just me saying that it isn't a class of defects doesn't give people the confidence.

"Yukimura-san. Just like we have academic exams, we will have physical exams as well. If you don't help others right now, do you think they will help you in physical exams? You might get expelled."

He flinched.

"HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT!?"

He shouted at me, and I could only sigh. Having Manabu as an older brother is a serious advantage.

"I am the sister of Student Council President. Do you think I wouldn't know some things?"

That shut him up.

"Fine..."

"Then, Sudo, Sakura, I will teach you. I see huge potential in you both. Will you join my study group?"

Afterall, joining Ayanokoji's study group didn't really help her.

There is something weird about her. If she is this shy with her glasses self, how can she go into idol industry of all things, known for its toxicity, just because she doesn't wear glasses?

Is she like that teacher in Shin-chan?

I will get try to break out her glasses' shyness, and have her earn large number of points for me.

She should experience how draconian idol companies can be.

And well... I just want to prove to myself that I am better than og Horikita by making sure she doesn't get expelled.

Under my gaze, Sakura who was sitting on the observation deck nodded her head a lot of times as if in pressure.

And Sudo...

"I can study one hour after club..."

He was shyly scratching his cheek.

...He caved in so easily, just because I 'complimented' him once?

I guess kind people need harsh words and harsh people need kind words in therapy.

I learned something new today.