Cote: Elite in Action

Competition and Conflict: A Day at School

—I suppose —I agreed, although I wasn't completely convinced.

—I think I'm going to tell them that the topics they are studying have been changed —Ichinose-san announced, determined to help.

—Why do you want to do that? —I asked, intrigued by her willingness to intervene.

—It wouldn't hurt to maintain good relations with students from another class, right? Also, they have 0 class points, it must be hard for them —Ichinose-san replied, showing her usual kindness and empathy.

—Well, if you want, you can go and tell them —I suggested.

—Will you come with me? —she asked hopefully.

—No, it's okay. You go ahead. I need to go to the bathroom —I responded.

—Alright —Ichinose-san accepted, heading towards the Class D students. Meanwhile, I went to the bathroom, as I had said.

Near the bathroom, I decided to do something different from the excuse I had given Ichinose-san. I took out my phone and called someone.

—Hello? Osawa-kun, how are you? —Hoshinomiya-sensei answered quickly.

—Hi, sensei. Are you busy right now? —I asked, trying to confirm if I could make my inquiry.

—Not much, do you need something? —Hoshinomiya-sensei replied.

—I just wanted to ask, what's the chance that a teacher forgets to notify something to their students? —I inquired, keeping a casual tone.

—Well, that's quite an unusual question. But the chances of a teacher "forgetting" to notify something should be practically zero. As teachers, we have the obligation to inform students of any important information that the school provides us. As you know, any information is vital for their development —Hoshinomiya-sensei explained.

—I see, thanks for answering —I said, relieved.

—It's a pleasure, handsome —Hoshinomiya-sensei said in a playful tone.

—But why did you ask me this question? —she asked, curious.

—Well, I was worried that one day you might come in drunk and forget to inform us about something important. I'm just concerned —I said with a hint of sarcasm.

—How rude! I would never forget something like that. After all, you are my precious students —Hoshinomiya-sensei replied with a smile in her voice.

—Alright, that was all. Goodbye —I said, preparing to hang up.

—Goodbye —Hoshinomiya-sensei responded cheerfully.

It seems like Class D is going to have quite a tough task ahead, considering what I just heard from Hoshinomiya-sensei. To say that the Class D teacher didn't forget to inform his students but simply decided not to do so is truly intriguing. It seems we have a teacher sabotaging his own class.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

—Ahhh, I can't take it anymore, I'm exhausted! —Amikura-san exclaimed, clearly worn out.

We were in another study session in my room, this time attending to my small group. We had been studying intensively for almost two and a half hours.

—I'm a bit tired too —Minamikata said.

—Do you want me to prepare some more tea to help you relax a bit? —I offered.

—Yes, I'd like some —Amikura-san replied.

—Me too, thanks —Minamikata added.

—I want a soda —Himeno said, getting up.

—Alright, give me a moment —I said as I headed to the kitchen to prepare the tea.

Himeno approached while I was preparing the drinks and asked:

—Osawa, do you have any headache pills?

I knew that Himeno suffered from frequent headaches, and I was starting to think she might have migraines.

—Yes, they should be in that cabinet over there —I pointed out, knowing that, although I usually wouldn't have any pills, I had bought them just in case.

—I can't find them —Himeno said, clearly frustrated.

—If they're not on the cabinet, they should be in a drawer —I indicated. Then I realized something.

—Drawer? Maybe it's this one —Himeno said, opening the right drawer. But the pills were in the left drawer. What she found in the drawer was...

—What are these pens? —she asked, holding them in her hands. —They have quite a unique design.

—They're limited edition pens I bought a few days ago. I haven't tried them yet. By the way, the pills are in the other drawer —I quickly lied.

Himeno put the pen back and looked for the pills in the correct drawer.

—Oh, here they are! —she said upon finding them, and then took them with the soda she had gone to fetch from the refrigerator.

I sighed internally, relieved that she hadn't asked more about the pens. I wasn't going to tell her that they were actually expensive recorders. I was glad she hadn't inspected them more closely.

—By the way, this room is very nicely decorated. It even has its own mini-fridge! —commented Amikura-san.

—It's true, it even has paintings —Minamikata added.

—How did you manage to get all this? I mean, even though we've earned many points, that wouldn't be enough for all this. Look at this carpet, it's beautiful —Amikura-san asked.

—Well, you see, I earn points by offering my services at night —I said jokingly.

—Services? What services? —she asked, tilting her head.

—You know, "that" kind of services —I continued joking.

—"That" kind of services? ... Wait —she said, realizing what I meant. Her face turned as red as a tomato.

—You can't do that! That's immoral! —she exclaimed, her reaction was too adorable.

I moved closer to her slowly..

—Why not? I could also offer you "that" kind of service. I'd give you a discount for being my friend, and maybe even a VIP treatment. What do you say? —I said, lifting her chin and leaning in with a playful and teasing tone. She was so red that it seemed like she was radiating heat.

In a nervous reaction, she closed her eyes, and just as we were about to touch our lips, something hit my face.

—Ah! Hey, what was that? —I asked Himeno, who had thrown a pillow at me.

—Stop teasing Amikura; can't you see she's about to faint? —Himeno said with amusement.

—Amikura-san, hello! Earth to Amikura-san! —Minamikata exclaimed, clearly worried about Amikura-san's reaction. I couldn't help but laugh.

The night had been fun, but unfortunately, it had come to an end. I had gathered some intriguing tidbits that made this school even more interesting.