COTE: A Man On A Mission || Love is War?

Almost immediately after receiving the email that seemed to be from the school, Chabashira-sensei called.

But Kushida was still here, so Hachiman didn't answer the call immediately.

Instead, he pressed the button and sent a message to the other party saying that he was temporarily unavailable to answer and that he would contact her again later.

After doing all this, Hachiman turned to look at Kushida, who blinked slightly and kept her cute look.

Although she looked at him curiously, but decided to keep her distance from him.

Rather say. Kushida just made a show of avoiding Hachiman when he was looking at his phone. She knows how to deal with people very well.

"Where do you want to go next?" Hachiman said, putting away his phone.

"Eh? Hikigaya-kun, have you finished exploring the school?" But Kushida was a little surprised, by this outcome.

"Next, I'm going to the shopping street to buy a toothbrush and other things. Also, it's time for dinner now," Hachiman told her about his future plans.

The time was 12:30, and it was indeed time for lunch.

"Moreover, I just discovered the school's exclusive software on my mobile phone, the school forum. It seems that we only need to enter the student ID number for real-name verification before we can speak."

"There are ordinary students, members of the Student council, and even some faculty and staff members from the shopping arcade are also inside," Hachiman told her new information, to get this girl from stop being more curious about his issues.

"Oh." Kushida just nodded, and then quickly picked up her phone. Then click on the forum software.

She was busy communicating with others and saving each other's phone number, so it's obvious she didn't have time to explore the contents of her phone.

Watching Kushida's movements, Hachiman showed no expression.

In fact, during the exploration of the first floor of the three grades just now, He obtained more intel and had relevant ideas, but before confirmation, he did not think it was something that needed to be announced or was effective.

So, he just told the normal information mentioned on the forum.

In fact, for people like Kushida who are good at communication, they will probably know the role of this feature soon.

So, when he proposed it now, it could be regarded as an ordinary loan of flowers to Buddha, as a reward to appease the other party for following him to search for information.

"..." Hachiman. Suddenly, he felt like he was a little shaken. Was this Kushida's original goal?!

"So Hikigaya-kun, are you going to eat first?" The said person, whose motives were being doubted by Hachiman, said after checking her phone.

"Almost." Hachiman agreed with her thinking, "According to the GPS on my phone, it takes close to 10 minutes to go to the shopping district, but it only takes 5 minutes for the cafeteria."

'In other words, is Hikigaya-kun the type who sticks to the principle of proximity?'

"So, do you want to have dinner together?" Kushida then extended the invitation.

??

"..." Hachiman. 'What's happening here?'

On the way here with Kushida, he kept trying to persuade himself to wake up and not be influenced by the other party.

Don't let yourself waver!!

Kushida wants to make friends with everyone, so she is a very demanding person, and maybe he is also within the scope of the other party.

So, don't waver, don't waver. As a result...

'Kushida... you seem to be really trying to conquer me now. Why's this girl so so obsessed?!'

'Is this kind of behaviour normal around here?! Hachiman felt like he came to an incredible place.

________

School canteen.

It was the first time for both of them to come here, but they found that the place was very big and there were many sales windows.

Only. "Hikigaya-kun, I discovered that there are several windows where you don't have to pay points for food." Kushida came running after checking out some strange things.

"It seems that you only need to queue up to receive it, and there's no need to swipe your student ID card either!" Her cheeks seemed to be puffed out very cutely.

"This school is really good for the students. You can still get relief after using up all the points!"

That's it. Hachiman also noticed this.

It would be better to say that he went to see it on purpose.

But now, he is focused on the fifth window. And the staff moved out the words [Sold Out].

It means that the free package there is no longer available.

And this window was when he was checking the school forum in his dormitory, he found a free and easy-to-eat mountain vegetable set meal mentioned by a senior.

But it's actually sold out.

In other words... there are many people in this school who need to live on this free meal.

Class D has the largest number of seniors.

'So, it really is like that... The living expenses allocated by the school to students are subject to some restrictions, and then... being a student in Class D will be miserable'

"...." Hachiman, who was born in Class D.

__________

The school meals are delicious, but Hachiman feels like he can't taste them.

And he knew the reason, probably because he was eating with a very cute girl.

However, Kushida did not continue to act with him after the meal.

Because she is also a busy person like Hirata, but instead of helping, a girl invited her to go shopping and buy supplies.

So, the two separated at the fountain outside the shopping street.

Kushida wanted him to go in first, and she wanted to wait for a while before entering the shopping street.

'This is very realistic, Kushida. Are you worried about being seen with me?'

But, Hachiman followed the map of the GPS that came with his phone and headed to the shopping street.

As Chabashira-sensei said, the school requires all students to board, but it also provides corresponding facilities to ensure that students will not be bored even if they stay here for three years.

From ordinary electrical appliance stores, family restaurants, Teppanyaki, Haidilao, to shopping stores for various items, you can find everything.

In addition to one kind of store, there are more facilities for eating, drinking and entertainment in the Keyaki Shopping Center in the middle of the shopping street.

It's very popular with students.

Hachiman walked into this centre but didn't buy anything. He just sat on the sofa to take some rest and observed the students going shopping.

Sometimes he encountered students wearing uniforms, but there are also many people who wear their own private clothes.

In theory, these should be seniors. During holidays, they do not need to wear school uniforms.

but. He can also find that some of these seniors are very generous. Bought something quite expensive.

For example, gold pendants and bracelets. 'Some seniors cannot afford to eat, while others spend money like water'

Very interesting picture. But for Hachiman, who was born in Class D, it was a little sighing.

Because the more he observed, the more terrifying it became for Hachiman, on realising how bad it is to be assigned to Class D.

Thinking this, he noticed that a dozen students came up from the escalator on the first floor.

All wearing student uniforms. There are sixteen students.

The leader seemed to be a girl with short silver hair. She may not be in good health, and holding a black cane in her left hand.

But she looks very cute. The pupils are clear and lively, the skin is fair and tender.

In fact, it was just the moment when they saw each other. Very petite body.

'No, no, no, in line with the characteristics of limited mobility' One word immediately came to Hachiman's mind.

'Weak loli' She looks quite weak but her manners are quite elegant.

And this group of students has a weird vibe.

There seemed to be a group of people surrounding the weak silver-haired girl.　　

"Thanks to Sakayanagi-san, we were able to obtain such points and then found information that is crucial to us."

"No, I am just lucky!" The classmate known as Sakayanagi seemed very modest.

"But we were stopped by the Student council President, which is a bit regretful, otherwise our class would have gained more advantages." A student added.

"It's indeed a pity, but it's not good to completely offend the upperclassmen," Then there was another burst of praise.

The elevator arrived quickly.

And Hachiman noticed that the weak silver-haired girl holding the cane glanced at him.

But the other party quickly withdrew her gaze.

"..." Hachiman. Probably because he kept staring at her, he was regarded as a lolita control.

Hachiman then withdrew his gaze and prepared to reply to the message to Chabashira-sensei.

_______

He was about to send an email to his homeroom teacher.

Let the other person know that he's now free.

However.

"Beep!" When he sent the message, the other party responded quickly.

The specific manifestation is that the email sent by Hachiman is read in 2 seconds.

But Chabashira's reply seemed a bit unkind.

　　[I have some things to deal with and don't have time for the moment.

At eight o'clock in the evening, go to the resting seats near the artificial lake in the student dormitory. ]

It seems that he was put off by the other party. She was very busy and didn't even have time to talk to him.

However, if you look closely, you will find that it is very scary.

Because if the other party is really busy, she will not read and reply immediately after he sends the message.

You must know that even work matters have priorities, so Chabashira's current performance conveys a sense of urgency.

'This is scary' Hachiman felt that his sixth sense was still good.

When he noticed that Chabashira-sensei's expression changed from a nonchalant in the class to a more alert one, he felt that he was being targeted.

And now it can be confirmed that he is being targeted. 'Does she like younger people?!'

Just through observation for most of the day, Hachiman already found out that he's in a very terrible situation.

Judging from the pitiful look of the seniors in Class D, it may be normal to be poor and have no living expenses.

In this way.

Assisting Chabashira-sensei to investigate classmates and create files, the cost-effectiveness of worth 200,000 suddenly became very high.

And when it comes to huge points.

Hachiman clicked on the school forum and found that the post about the chess competition of the previously arrogant first-year student, Arisu Sakayanagi was missing.

The seniors in Class D can only eat relief food, but some seniors can wear gold and silver.

'The gap between heaven and earth'

Therefore, maybe Arisu Sakayanagi from Class A has actually collected a huge amount of points.

And thinking about it.

"You will see hell soon!"

"Idiot!" A commotion came from below on the first floor.

Hachiman can see the scene on the first floor from the window on the second floor.

It was a tall boy with a red buzzcut who was ridiculed by two senior boys.

And this tall boy, Hachiman, had an impression. This is a classmate.

It was when Hirata and Kushida were introducing themselves, the boy suddenly kicked the table and shouted, "Are you still a kid?" But still didn't left the room at the time.

But, introduced himself when it was his turn. Indeed.

This boy looks strong, but he seems to be just fierce in appearance but weak in heart.

Hachiman remembered that his name seemed to be Ken Sudo, that his specialty was playing basketball, and wanted to join the same club of this high school.

"Don't run away if you have the guts!" Sudo shouted loudly. But the upperclassmen were long gone.

But he still seemed to be in a bad mood, so he kicked down the plastic trash can on one side.

Then left unhappily.

"..." Hachiman then continued to contact his teacher.

"Are there any cameras near the artificial lake in the student dormitory?"

　　[There are no cameras there. It is one of the few places in school where you can have private meetings. ] by Chabashira.

'Camera? What about the shopping mall?' Of course, there was also one facing Sudo's position just now.

So, Hachiman went downstairs and helped up the trash can, that Sudo had kicked down.

"...." Ayanakoji. Poor guy got robbed.

He was just about to put away the trash, after finishing his monologue.

__________

Since the agreed time was eight o'clock in the evening, Hachiman chose to go shopping first.

He has no experience of living outside, but what he has to say is that he went to Chiba Village to take nature classes when he was in elementary school.

But now it is necessary to stay in one place for a long time, three years.

The dormitory has all the hardware facilities, so the only things he needed to buy are some basic daily necessities.

Similar to toiletries, toilet paper, pajamas, slippers, shower gel, shampoo, etc., there are many categories, not expensive but troublesome.

There is only one shopping mall in the shopping district, but there are many affordable supermarkets and convenience stores.

Hachiman went to one of them.

Because this supermarket offers a point card, which can be exchanged after a certain amount is accumulated.

It's really full of life. Except you pay in personal points instead of cash.

　　...

"So, it's time to go."

Leaning on the chair, Hachiman looked at the alarm clock placed beside him.

The time is nineteen fifteen.

There are still 45 minutes left before the eight o'clock appointment that Chabashira-sensei made.

And the distance is not very far, it is around the student dormitory, at the rest seats near the artificial lake.

Only one side of the dormitory faces the lake.

When Hachiman returned to his room, carrying large and small bags, he went there specifically to take a look.

It takes less than 10 minutes from the dormitory. Very close.

Moreover, it is very open and spacious. Although it is close to the artificial lake, it is surrounded by guardrails.

It is very safe and you can feel the natural scenery, only the wind is a bit strong there.

So, most people won't choose to go there, but it becomes a suitable place to talk.

Only. Hachiman clicked on his phone.

GPS. As long as you add each other as friends, you can directly locate each other through this special feature.

And now, Hachiman discovered that Chabashira-sensei was not very far away.

Just to the northwest. And that direction is where Hachiman is going.

That is to say

.

"..." 'There are obviously still 45 minutes until the appointed time, but... Chabashira-sensei, you are already there' Hachiman realised, that something's really wrong with these people.

_________

Although he knew that the teacher was in a hurry, Hachiman had no intention of keeping her waiting.

He started running down the stairs. Then within 6 minutes, he arrived at their destination.

You can see a woman wearing professional office attire leaning against the guardrail, her left hand raised as if she was holding a lady's cigarette.

The other person is wearing high heels.

She has long black hair, but ties it into a single ponytail with a blue hairband, making her look extremely capable.

Perhaps the other party heard the footsteps, Chabashira turned around and seemed to smile.

This smile reminds Hachiman of a cunning fox, a bit astringent.

'Of course, this is not what a student should think'

"Chabashira-sensei came a little early," Hachiman said seriously.

"Didn't you come here early too?" Sae Chabashira decided to throw the question back.

"...Haha--" X2 and both of them seemed to laugh.

It's just that this is a funny joke.

Both of them understood that what had just happened was actually a confrontation, and it was still very anxious.

Hachiman deliberately mentioned that the other party came so early to show that she was in a hurry, and Chabashira responded directly, saying she was eager to obtain the answers from him.

In other words, don't tear it apart when things gets tough.

"One day has passed." Chabashira said directly breaking the tension,"You should have some answers."

"..." Hachiman. "Yes, this school is indeed very different, and it seems to use class competition to mobilize student's enthusiasm."

"Oh?" Chabashira gently took down the cigarette, "Why do you say that?"

"I went to the third grade teaching building with Kushida."

"Then I found that the configurations were all the same, a bulletin board and a small blackboard. Except for the fact that our first-grade student's small blackboard had no writing and was blank.

But the ones for second and third graders all have numbers.

The pattern is the same, divided into ABCD and then a series of numbers." Hachiman started explaining every single thing he found out, there's no need to hide it any longer.

Chabashira just nodded calmly. There isn't much response, "So?"

"I guess this is some kind of evaluation criteria obtained by the school on a class-by-class basis." Hachiman laid out the bare facts.

"I observed that the seniors of Class D 2nd grade, and Class C and D of 3rd grade are living a miserable life.

Also, the evaluation they received is very weak, Class D of the third grade only has 20 points.

So, the living expenses they can get from the school for these evaluations must be very low. It's definitely not enough points," Hachiman shook his head, with a slight scared on his face.

It's not funny, because he's also riding in the same boat.

Chabashira still nodded slightly, her expression didn't change. Even Hachiman was getting unsure about her silence.

'So... Class D really found a treasure this time'

"Good insight." She pressed her cigarette against the railing, and offered Hachiman this money-making task, "Then I'll entrust you with the job of investigating the classmates and compiling their files."

'I've found the right person' "Payment is 200,000 yen for each student. You and Kushida went to explore the teaching building together."

"Then you can choose to create her file first." Chabashira was trying her best to hide her smile, and asked his thoughts instead, "Tell me your opinion of her?"

"In this case..." Hachiman said. But his head did not rise.

"Is there something unspeakable?" Sae didn't think, there was something wrong.

"No." Hachiman shook his head in denial, "If you ask me to evaluate her....it's not very good."

Oh? Sae blinked her eyes, very curious. 'What does this little guy think?

"Chabashira-sensei, can you tell me first, is Kushida excellent in general aspects such as study and sports?" Instead of directly answering her question, Hachiman decided to confirm his doubts first.

"What do you mean?" She frowned her eyebrows, after hearing this statement.

"If Kushida is good in these aspects, and also assisted Hirata in establishing a class group. Then she got the contact information of most of our classmates in such a short time....and also actively participated in the social interactions." Hachiman listed, as if checking those items one by one.

"These are all brilliant performances. But the more excellent this girl is...then I think she... m-maybe there is a big problem.

This problem is so big that once her problems are exposed, all of these good remarks will turn into shit," Hachiman's face looked grim, not even minding his language in front of a teacher.

Indeed, Kushida's value will be lost. Hence, her reason being thrown into a class full of 'defective products'.

__________

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