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

Students of Class A now occupying a  lounge spa.

There are many sofas and chairs for resting, including beds for guests to come over when they are tired.

Do some light body massage.

But, now a certain shaved plumber doesn’t really have enough time to enjoy.

“Katsuragi, listen rules for this exam are out!”

“Distance between our class and B is now only 137 points!”

“Yeah, if Class B surpasses us this time, you will be fully responsible!”

Katsuragi was just sitting on a lounge chair, but many people around him were responsible for his eyes being dark-shadowed.

Rather than being nervous, it was approved to say guys of Class A were beginning....feel anxious, and thinking about passing the blame.

’As a student of Class A, I performed well after enrolling, very confident that I can keep my position if Katsuragi....’

But, now trust his own family members, who would believe it?

12 recipients in total.

Once the number of VIPs in their class exceeds 2 and guessed, 100 points will be deducted, and Class B can catch up.

Their Class A might fall in this exam, which is scary to think about.

No way to take VIP exam without guaranteeing your place.

“You all calm down for fuck’s sake!

Katsuragi-san is still breathing here, god damn it!”

“The exam is not over yet. But, if you say you were surpassed, don’t you think it will only inflate others’ momentum and destroy your own prestige?!”

“You don’t even have the backbone of a Class A student!” Yahiko was shouting non-stop, even taking it to heart, when he felt people were going about as if Katsuragi was really executed or something!

“Then, can you guarantee that I won’t lose in this exam, huh?!” A boy directly spat on the ground in nothing but extreme fury.

“According to rules of the exam, students in our class were divided into 12 groups! People are spread out here. If you can ensure that our class will not be exceeded, Sakayanagi faction also vows to follow your instructions! We signed a contract with Ryuen on the island before, but our class only got 70 points. My people just kept quiet, accepted your loss! But this time, we must not fall out of Class A! Especially, must not lose to Class C. If you do, I will lose face!”

Takuro Morishige, felt real proud of this child who now got the courage to break his silence.

Riko Nakajima, a boy from Sakayanagi’s faction was the one Sudo mocked the day before yesterday.

For people like him, who are nothing but arrogant, cannot accept this.

“Katsuragi, we really can’t fall again!”

“But, if you... can only hope that Sakayanagi...”

Not only the students of the Sakayanagi, but even his own family members felt Katsuragi was no good.

“Fuck you, Mao. Class A’s leader is Katsuragi-san, who hasn’t failed yet!”

“.....” Katsuragi, just closed his eyes, because he could not let class lose points in this exam.

’.....At least, I have to maintain my position in Class A.’

Therefore, plan needs to be even more stable.

’I can’t lose points, can’t let BC gain a squat either....

Otherwise, Morale will be greatly reduced, and once he gives up being the representative and lets Sakayanagi take over, but then if she also got herself blasted.

No hope, it will be very difficult to climb back up.

xxxxxx

And the other side, Class D.

In Ryuen’s room, his small team has gathered.

Goal is to just cope with this exam.

During 7 days on the Deserted island before, Kaneda mentioned that Hiyori had made a guess about the leader of Class C.

Although, she failed of choosing Koenji in the end...but this is only way to go.

Hiyori’s thinking ability is still trustworthy.

So this time, Ryuen deliberately asked her to participate in formulating class war tactics.

Shiina Hiyori is C...no, she is the real Golden star of Class D.

Of course, for Ryuen, having one more vase in the class means nothing.

What matters is her brain, Hiyori’s brain is smarter than Kaneda’s.

Ryuen placed an A4 paper on the table, with 12 preferential recipients written on it, excluding his own class.

50X9=450 points.

Just by a glance, you can tell that is maximum possible to score.

It has been more than 2 months since being fallen to position of Class D.

’In the short term, can be considered a temporary situation, but once time goes on, morale of our side will also be damaged.’ Looking at such a note now, Hiyori immediately felt that Ryuen wanted to get a lot of class evaluation points from this exam and wanted to rise up.

There is nothing difficult to understand at all.

Her opponent even spent miserable days on the Deserted island, but then received 0 points.

After watching them all arrive, Ryūen put his hands on the table and said in a deep voice, “News I bought from the senior class before is that in addition to exams on the island, there will also be a special exam on the ship.”

”Looking at now, this special exam is quite interesting....Our class will definitely shine in this exam!”

’Wait, didn’t you tell same thing to Hikigaya before....’ Regarding such brain-intensive matters, both Albert and Ishizaki frowned.

Talk about, Ibuki who deliberately stood there to cause a fight with Ryuen, also heard this guy’s promise, and now she choose to remain quiet.

Waiting for orders.

“However.” Kaneda pushed up his glasses and said, even though brain was rated pretty low.

“The students in our class have also been divided into 12 groups, so if there are VIPs in our class, it is very important for them not to be discovered....Besides, also important that such people who have been chosen for are kept in line but, at the very least, not hidden....”

You cannot hide the information about the VIP recipients  otherwise will be in big trouble if other classes guess it.

Although, class evaluation score is 0.

But during a point grabbing exam, must be a comprehensive score.

Class needs to be made sure no one is holding back.

But, this kind of thing is not very easy to do.

After all, as long as the recipient is selected, there will be a reward of 500,00 or 1 million private points.

It’s hard for someone to resist being moved.

“Very simple.” Ryuen just tilted his mouth to look towards Kaneda with a grin, “At eight o’clock tomorrow, let everyone come to my room and open the message sent by school to me. This way you can’t hide even if you want to.....At the same time! Give the order. If anyone becomes a class traitor, then other students will just be going to sacrifice this trash in next exit exam!”

“This time we must break through 0. Otherwise, future competitions will have nothing to do with us! Although we fell from Class C, only fell down one class, but as time goes by, we may really become D......”

“Regarding this point.” Although, Hiyori doesn’t like to actively interact with others, but her interpersonal relationships in the class are not really that bad, and most students can talk to her.

It’s just she doesn’t know, most likely out of fear.

Hiyori is very good at sensing the atmosphere, but she doesn’t understand why people are scared of her, a real bookworm?

And, Ryuen specially invited her to come and participate in the thinking session, which meant that he hoped she would contribute.

’....In other words, I have to use my brain.’

The class failed in just-concluded  island exam, but Ibuki and Kaneda who participated both received a blank check of 200,000 personal points each from Ryuen.

Although Hiyori is not that fond of money, her class evaluation score is now 0, and Ryuen has also promised to support each person with 20,000 points per month from the ones received from Class A as living expenses.

But, she really wanted to get some.

And, Ryuen is going to distribute according to your contribution.

“I was thinking about why the school separated us into 12 groups....”

“???” Hiyori. ’Why is Ryuen-kun suddenly gone quiet?’

Looking around, she found that even Ibuki-san was looking at her with big eyes, it made Hiyori somehow feel a lot of pressure on her back!

“.....If just to comprehensively verify each student’s potential and ability to collect information, question should not be about thinking. But, it’s a class war after all. For example, Result 1, everyone guesses the identity of favored person, so everyone in group can get 500,000 points, and the favored person himself gets one million. For this result to occur, members of the group must put down our guard against each other and unite. It seemed very abrupt!”

”....Completely abandons the idea of class battle!” Hiyori just remained quiet after that, cheeks a little pink for being stared at by everyone in the room.

“Ah....”

“Oh, yes...” Ryūen nodded with a troubled expression and glanced at Hiyori a little warily, “Your idea is good.”

“Here’s the list for my group.” Ryuen was among the first group to gather at 6pm, so he had actually been thinking about it for 4 hours by now.

He opened the A4 paper, and what appeared on it were the names he listed.

Class A Katsuragi Kohei, Nishikawa Ryoko, Shinji Matoba, Koharu Yano

Class B Kanzaki Ryuji, Ando Sayo, Tsube Hitomi

Class C Horikita Suzune, Kushida Kikyo, Hirata Yosuke

Class D Ryuen Kakeru, Oda Takumi Suzuki Hidetoshi, Sonoda Masashi

“Don’t you think list is really interesting? Katsuragi from Class A, Kanzaki from B, and Suzune Horikita from C are all here....And I’m in Class D. It’s like best from all 4 have been gathered here!”

“.....Seems reasonable to pit leaders against each other, but....” Ryuen looked at Ibuki, maybe give her a small test, “Ibuki, do you know list of the rabbit group you are in?”

“I don’t remember.”

Blew! Fan!

Cold air!

Silence.....

“Hey, I-Ibuki, are you still with us?”

“....I only remember that big chest Ichinose of Class B and panty thief Hikigaya from C were both in my group! No one else....”

“• •” Ryuen.

He didn’t have any expectations for Ibuki’s brain, as long as he knew that Hikigaya and Ichinose were in Rabbit group.

“It can be verified that Dragon group I am pushed in, a group composed of representatives from others....But if that was case, really strange for Ichinose and Hikigaya of not being there. Also, placing two main players in the rabbit group is very unfair to other classes!”

“What do you mean...” Hiyori began to think, and then parted her cherry coloured lips, “The list of VIPs can actually be changed at will?”

Ryuen glanced at her approvingly.

If he falls, this class may not be ruined in the end,  still be people left to give support.

“To be precise, transfer of some members will not have an impact on  exam results....”

“Wait, I am getting confused here?”

“I-Ibuki-san, I promise about explaining to you later, okay?”

“Okay?”

xxxxxx

Chapter 192

Class B.

Half past 10 in the evening.

All students heartily went to designated rooms to receive a long overview of the new exam.

Not very nervous when compared to Katsuragi of Class A.

But, Ichinose still hasn’t gone back to her dormitory for rest yet.

Kanzaki-kun actually forced her to discuss a special exam before going to bed!

They’re here on deck.

Even a bar is located nearby. But, Alcohol will not be sold to students, but drinks can be provided.

“I basically understood most of it, but students in our class were disrupted and divided into 12 groups. It seems we can only look at everyone’s individual performance. It’s just that since 12 VIPs, if our class can seize opportunity and climb up...... maybe we can even directly become Class A!” When Kanzaki first entered school, had not much ambition to be promoted to Class A.

He is a rich guy.

But as Ichinose’s power of 40 friends, gave birth to the hope of moving forward with everyone in the class.

Kanzaki is making big plans for his future, even giving Ichinose a piece of his mind....’You were obviously the one shouting for Class A before, so why don’t you agree to work hard?!’

“Hey Kanzaki-kun, you should think a little more! It would really be dangerous if most of the 12 VIP recipients were in our class!”

“???” Kanzaki felt like she is deliberately trying to reduce his own motivation of making big score.

According to teacher’s notice, at eight o’clock tomorrow morning, the information of the preferential recipients will be sent to 12 students.

Except for the absence of Sakayanagi  of Class A, 159 students.

If given at random, and most of them are placed in Class B, then situation will become very bad.

“Ichinose, what you just said…”

Kanzaki was also troubled, he couldn’t really deny Ichinose in this arena, even if she was trying to get rid of having a talk.

“I’ll send a message to class group. Let the person who received the school information at eight o’clock tomorrow and is identified as the VIP send you a private message. First, confirm the situation of VIP’s in our class, and only after it consider next step....” Kanzaki didn’t have anything more to say, main topic of reaching Class A, doing a back attack on others already scrapped.

“It seems the only way, you can look forward to....”

In this exam, Class B is very close to A, but needs to be more vigilant to see if they are in potential danger.

Didi!

Ichinose received a message.

“What’s wrong?” Kanzaki noticed her expression that seemed a little surprised.

Looking ahead to only notice her face glued to her device.

“Hikigaya-kun sent a message....”

“What is it?”

”.....He wants a list of VIP candidates in our class. Then if you refuse, the friendly alliance between our classes will be gone.....”

“The fuck!” Kanzaki now couldn’t help but make a loud yell, hearing such a disgusting thread in painful times.

Not even caring about disturbing others, or getting strange looks from workers taking orders nearby.

“...Hikigaya-kun also gave two days to make a decision.”

“Even a time limit was set?!” Kanzaki was really dumbfounded now.

Because, you just asked for every VIP’s name of his Class, what on earth are you going to do with it?

’Does he think I am a fool?’

“Table 09, can you please be quiet?”

“You are disturbing other customers?”

“Hey, it’s Kanzaki-kun who is making trouble, don’t look at me!”

You bit-

Looking around other people’s blank faces, it will really be difficult for Kanzaki to sleep peacefully tonight.

xxxxxxx

Next day came.

Seven forty.

All the students in Class C of first grade gathered at the British Bistro, which can accommodate more than forty people.

Therefore, public area immediately felt whole after sitting in.

Gathered here to discuss preparation for VIP exam.

’Using the gentle words of Hirata, I hope everyone can keep the class’s evaluation score in this exam....’ This is also what Hachiman thinks.

... In fact, many people didn’t even understand the test questions clearly, so they came when got the offer of exam rules explained.

“Next, please take a look at this....”

Kushida-chan, who is always smiling, now standing to hold a stack of documents in her hands.

Distributed.

“....Kushida, isn’t this data about rules I saw last night which I just couldn’t understand?”

“No, rules have been simplified, Ayanokoji-kun....Please take a look!”

Last night, students in the class were divided into 12 groups and went into room 204 on the second floor in batches to explain rules.

Then one classmate was responsible for taking photos each time.

This is the scene everyone has seen.

So, it seems that class has made preparations in advance, so everyone is here for today’s discussion.

“I actually left the work of simplifying rules to Kushida-san” Seeing that all children had taken the materials, Hirata said quickly to give her praise.

The rules have also been translated into content that even an idiot can understand.

Therefore, people like Sudo class instantly felt at ease. At least you know what the exam is about?

“Kushida-san is really awesome!“

“....Eh, are you though? You don’t sound like being a happy person at all?”

“No, I am really serious about this, Kushida.....”

“You are a big help to our class.”

“That’s it, here take a look at yours Yamauchi-kun....”

Students were talking a lot.

“I love you...Kushida-chan——”

There were also shameless people inside taking advantage of the chaos and shouting very outrageous things.

It’s obvious that Kushida is popular.

“That guy, Ayanokoji-kun is a real shame, right? I have never seen him talk, but look at his stupid face.....”

After someone took advantage of the chaos and shouted, others even got more bold.......

“Kushida-chan is very sexy!”

“I really want to sleep with her once!”

“...Maybe, Kushida is going to be a pornstar after high school?“

“Let’s finger crossed!”

“Yeah, Kushida is really fuckable!”

Praise like this never ceases.

“...Do these people still have any shame left?”

However, Suzune, who was sitting next to Hikigaya-kun, looked very helpless to complain.

“Then, do you need me to take advantage of the chaos and shout for you?”

“No need, no need at all!” Suzune immediately refused for him doing such a fake thing, “I’m not interested in love!”

“Yeah, I already guessed so....”

Now, Suzune just wants to advance to a higher class to prove herself, while Hachiman wants to make a lot of money so that he can stop working in the future.

Two sides look extremely innocent, but surprisingly, they are often misunderstood as a couple.

Even Hachiman has thought about this several times.

’Is this why me and Horikita are so compatible?’

“.....I think it would be a good idea to leave gathering and distribution of materials to Kushida” Hachiman just for a damn second wanted to relieve Suzune of her assigned work.

“There are a lot of troubles in Class C, and if Kushida is brought up to make her look capable, then students will go to her for consultation when finding any problem.....”

’...I see.’ Suzune really understood this guy was just using Kushida.

But, Kushida and Hachiman actually now have a transactional relationship.

He hid the fact that she would become a black girl, who is going to help in reaching a promotion.

It’s just there are not many reliable people in the class, but the former Matsushita still made him feel that he can still poach the classmates.

And, this kind of task can be publicly entrusted to Kushida.

Providing such actions can increase her popularity a lot.

’And then, just like today, Kushida will become everyone’s angel!She can get more people’s secrets, and maybe dig out children who can be used....’

Certainly, Little Kushida just likes this kind of work to win people’s hearts or be praised.

She had no problem with being more than a little satisfied.

“So---” After everyone got the information, Suzune poked him with her fingers and reminded that it was already 7:50.

If he didn’t do something, it would be 8:00 in 10 minutes before the school sent out information on whether he had been selected for preferential treatment.

Hachiman vaguely looked at her and then stood up.

“Everyone, listen to me!”

Walked to the front.

“Now from way back to you guy sitting in front of me, everyone will pass on their cell phones one by one!”

“You scum!” As expected, he encountered nothing but resistance.

“• •” Hachiman didn’t even look at the origin of that voice, instead eyes glanced in another direction.

Suzune knew that she needed to play, and opened her mouth using one of the best cold voice filters, “Because, we have to intercept everyone’s phone to get data about whether they are preferential VIP recipients! Once done, we can keep the results of class’s Deserted island exam. If you refuse, 600 points may be all but lost....And, It’s all going to be your fault! Blame of this defeat should lie on your head!”

“ • ! • ” Sana Azuma.

“W-why are you l-looking at me?!”

But, Suzune’s face looked quite stern, and didn’t take anyone’s voice into her own heart.

Just continued unceremoniously.

“Think about it for yourselves. After you realise of being a VIP recipient, are you sure you can hide it from other classes? And in the end, whose class’s points will be deducted? Can it be blamed on you, for example? If you are found to be the preferential one, then class will deduct 50X12=600 points because of you. Then next month, in addition to the extra 100 points allocated to Koenji-kun, everyone will only have 341 points left, which means that your pocket will only be just around 30,000 yen! Regarding that, you obviously don’t want to....”

“H-Horiki---”

“Are the students who were selected for VIP treatment and then had points deducted due to being guessed from other classes willing to bear this huge part of the loss?”

“....” x N

Damn you!

People who originally felt that Hachiman’s request was too much now really just became quiet.

Are you willing to bear this loss?

50 points is equivalent to 200,000 PP per month.

How can there be such a bad statement? In other words, who can dare to afford it?

Raise your head!

xxxxxxx

Author’s Note

New Month!

If you guys enjoy this story, you can support me on Patreon.

Get access to 45+ Advanced Chapters, your support is my encouragement.

Bonus up to 380 has already been uploaded there.

Kiyotaka vs Sakayanagi on Patreon, if you’d like to Read. ? (Chess match!)

Link - /CoteLover