COTE: Hikigaya's Classroom of the Supreme Being

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the start of class. The swimming lesson was about to begin.

In the locker room, most of the boys changed into their swimming trunks at lightning speed and rushed out, eager to catch a glimpse of the girls' swimsuits.

Hikigaya watched these overzealous idiots with a mix of disbelief and disdain. As he changed his clothes calmly, someone unexpectedly addressed him.

"Excuse me, can I have a moment?"

Hikigaya looked up, puzzled by the unexpected interruption but managed to stay composed.

The speaker was Ayanokouji.

"This is our first conversation. I just wanted to know your name," Ayanokouji said.

"Sure. I'm Hikigaya Hachiman."

"I'm Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. Nice to meet you."

And then... the conversation fizzled out.

Neither of them was particularly adept at small talk, and Hikigaya had no interest in chatting. They proceeded towards the swimming pool.

As they walked, Ayanokouji made an attempt at conversation. "Hikigaya, did you participate in sports clubs in junior high? You seem quite fit. Have you been training?"

"Are you mocking me?" Hikigaya asked, slightly taken aback.

"No, not at all. Why would you think that?"

Ayanokouji appeared genuinely puzzled, and Hikigaya scrutinized him silently.

"Compared to you, I'm not in great shape. Your physique isn't ordinary. You must have had some professional training."

Though Ayanokouji was slender, his muscles were well-defined and strong, suggesting more than just casual exercise.

Hikigaya recalled the private bodyguards he had seen at Haruno's house—some appeared unremarkable but were skilled fighters. Ayanokouji's build suggested he could easily overpower him if he were serious.

"What are you talking about?" Ayanokouji evaded the question.

"I did community service during junior high and wasn't interested in sports."

"I see. You must have done some secret training after that," Hikigaya said, playing along.

"No, it's just a natural physique. I owe it to my parents," Ayanokouji responded nonchalantly.

"...So you think you're a gorilla?"

Some animals can develop strong muscles naturally, but that's not something humans can easily achieve.

From this interaction, Hikigaya confirmed his suspicion: Ayanokouji was indeed a slippery character. If he wanted to hide something, he could have given a simpler explanation, but he chose to weave a clumsy lie instead.

No, it wasn't even a lie—it was as if Ayanokouji was treating everyone around him as fools.

"Forget it, Hikigaya," Ayanokouji said, waving off the topic of muscles. "I don't think you're really into that sort of thing, right?"

"…Definitely not."

"Right. But I think you and I could get along pretty well. How about it? Would you like to be friends?"

Ayanokouji's sudden offer took Hikigaya by surprise. Hikigaya found himself puzzled by the request.

"Why should I make friends?" Hikigaya asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Because it's always better to have more friends, don't you think?" Ayanokouji responded with an earnest smile.

Hikigaya sensed a hint of loneliness in Ayanokouji's demeanor. It was a sentiment he could relate to, given the similar atmosphere he often found himself in. Yet, there was something about Ayanokouji that didn't sit right with him. The sense of unease that had accompanied their first meeting still lingered.

"No, I've never had friends since I was a child. I don't even know what to talk about with them, so let's just forget it."

Hikigaya's refusal was cautious, possibly stemming from his lack of interest in making friends or simply a reluctance to engage. Despite his rejection, Ayanokouji's expression remained unchanged.

He merely nodded in understanding.

There was something disconcerting about Ayanokouji. Unlike Haruno and Sakayanagi, who had made their threats glaringly obvious, Ayanokouji seemed harmless—almost like a passive observer.

This inconspicuousness made Hikigaya even more wary. Ayanokouji's presence seemed to carry a different kind of danger, one that was subtler and more insidious.

Relieved to reach the swimming pool, Hikigaya looked forward to separating from Ayanokouji. He was ready to move on from their encounter.

Upon arriving, he noticed that nearly all the boys had gathered, while a significant number of the girls were missing. This disparity left many boys, particularly Ike and Yamauchi, visibly disheartened.

"I've been looking forward to this since last night... Why is fate so cruel to me!" Ike lamented.

"Hasebe's breasts!" Yamauchi exclaimed, his eyes wide with disappointment.

The girls on the second floor shot them disdainful looks. Clearly, Ike and Yamauchi had made little effort to conceal their intentions, which had likely driven some of the girls away.

Seeing the boys' reactions, Hikigaya couldn't help but think their blatant behavior had contributed to the absence of many girls.

Just as Hikigaya was pondering this, a new wave of excitement swept through the pool area.

"It's Kushida!" someone shouted.

The boys' cheers were directed at Kikyo Kushida, a popular girl from Class D who had appeared in a swimsuit. Her entrance was met with enthusiastic applause, and she responded with cheerful waves.

Her confident demeanor and striking figure drew the boys' attention, making it clear why she was so well-regarded.

Kushida had caught Hikigaya's attention on the first day of school. Her claim of wanting to be friends with everyone wasn't just a formality; she genuinely made an effort to connect with people.

Her ability to build strong relationships with both classmates and students from other classes was impressive.

Kushida had managed to win over many boys with her charm and friendliness, avoiding the pitfalls of those who overemphasize flattery, like Isshiki. She had skillfully navigated the social dynamics of the school, maintaining positive interactions with various groups of girls without offending anyone.

In contrast, Kushida's social strategy seemed far more refined than Isshiki's, which often backfired due to its lack of subtlety.

Yet, despite her success, Kushida remained a high-ranking girl who could easily deceive those with simpler minds.

Hikigaya saw through her facade more readily than someone like Haruno, whose guarded nature was far more complex.

...

"Everyone, gather around. Class is about to begin," the physical education teacher called out, confirming that all students except for the trainees had assembled.

The teacher was a muscular man with a stern appearance, but his demeanor was surprisingly gentle compared to other staff members, particularly Chabashira-sensei.

"Alright, it looks like everyone's here. Despite the number of trainees, don't worry. I'll make sure each of you learns to swim before summer."

One student raised his hand and complained, "Teacher, don't force me. I'm not going to the beach anyway."

The teacher, however, was firm. "No, that won't do. Even if you're not good at it now, I'll help you improve. Learning to swim will definitely be useful in the future. Trust me."

He seemed to hint at something beyond the immediate lesson, but most students didn't catch on.

"After the warm-up exercises, we'll practice swimming, followed by a competition. The winner will receive 5,000 points, and the last three will receive extra tutoring. So, give it your all."

The announcement caused a stir. The prospect of earning points in class excited many, while others voiced their frustrations. Hikigaya found a quiet corner to contemplate the teacher's words.

It was clear that the teacher, despite his rough exterior, had a caring side. This was evident in his approach to Class D, which was often met with indifference or outright disdain from other teachers.

The teacher's hints about future use of swimming skills and classroom rewards pointed to a strategic purpose. Swimming lessons at this time of year were unusual, suggesting that the skills might be required in future school activities, particularly during summer.

The reward system also hinted at a more flexible approach to point distribution. Teachers seemed to have some leeway in awarding points, which could be beneficial for Class D despite their current standings.

Hikigaya's contemplation was interrupted by Matsushita's approach.

"Hikigaya-kun, why are you standing here alone?" Matsushita asked.

"…I just don't like crowded places," Hikigaya replied.

Matsushita's presence was somewhat conspicuous, a classmate with notable features and a figure that drew attention. Matsushita's status in the class as a member of the Karuizawa's Group made Hikigaya wary of attracting unnecessary attention.

Besides as a beauty with a slender figure accentuated by her swimsuit, had many boys eyeing her. Her conversation with Hikigaya seemed unusual, given her usual low profile.

Matsushita continued, "The teacher mentioned the 5,000 points for first place. What do you think about that?"

"...I don't think I can win anyway," Hikigaya said, brushing off the question.

Matsushita's persistent probing suggested there was more to her interest than mere curiosity. "On the surface, it seems like a motivation tactic, but there's more to it, right? The teacher's emphasis on learning to swim might indicate its importance for future situations."

Hikigaya silently agreed.

Matsushita's observational skills were sharp, though she seldom showed them in front of her friends. It was clear she understood the underlying significance of the swimming lessons and rewards.

"Did you notice that as well, Hikigaya-kun?" Matsushita asked with a confident smile.

Her tone was assertive, as though she could see through Hikigaya's thoughts. Her confidence was both impressive and mildly irritating.

"I didn't hear the teacher's comments clearly," Hikigaya said, denying her insight.

"You're lying. You've been acting indifferent to everything. You're not surprised at all," Matsushita countered.

Hikigaya knew Matsushita missed a crucial detail: the distribution of points wasn't entirely under the school's control. Teachers had some authority to reward students as long as it was deemed reasonable, a fact that could benefit Class D if they approached the teacher effectively.

Despite his suspicions, Hikigaya decided not to reveal too much.

The swimming competition began soon, with students competing in groups of five.

Expectations were high for Hirata, known for his athletic prowess and popularity among girls, and Sudo, one of the "Three Idiots," who was a known rival.

However, the arrival of Koenji Rokusuke, a self-assured and flamboyant student, shifted the focus. Koenji, with his impressive physique and showy demeanor, drew significant attention. He exuded confidence, boasting about his abilities.

Koenji's performance lived up to his hype. He won the race with an impressive time of 23.22 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle, seemingly without exerting much effort. His dominance in the pool was undeniable, though it made Hikigaya wonder about Koenji's true intentions.

Koenji's motivation to win could stem from a deeper understanding of the school's system and rewards. Despite his arrogant exterior, he seemed driven to use the points strategically.

Ayanokouji's performance, though less spectacular, was still notable. His abilities were middling compared to top athletes like Koenji and Hirata, but he had an air of reserve that intrigued Hikigaya.

Hikigaya continued to suspect that Ayanokouji might be hiding something significant, though he chose to delay any further investigation. As long as Haruno did not push him, Hikigaya preferred to remain passive and avoid unnecessary complications.