COTE: Hikigaya's Classroom of the Supreme Being

"No, no, no, I have no idea what you're talking about, and I definitely don't want to play this game. Also, I don't have any such 'buggy' skills."

Hikigaya shook his head, knowing that whatever Haruno was planning, it wouldn't be as simple as she made it sound.

Yukinoshita Haruno was the type to toy with the things she liked until they were thoroughly exhausted, and to completely destroy the things she hated. Since junior high, Hikigaya had been on the receiving end of her whims, and nothing she did would surprise him anymore.

But this time felt different.

Haruno wasn't one to beat around the bush. Normally, if she were interested in someone, she'd approach them directly. Acting like a mastermind behind the scenes was completely out of character for her.

Which meant that whoever this special person was, they were someone even Haruno couldn't handle easily.

If he got involved, Hikigaya was certain it would lead to a mountain of trouble.

"Haha, Hikigaya-kun is still the same," Haruno observed, her eyes gleaming. "In just a few moments, you've already calculated the risks, haven't you?"

"...After all, I'm a man who knows how to manage risks."

—Yes, as a man, I must stand firm!

Hikigaya resolved to reject Haruno's game...

"If you refuse, I'll make sure your dark history is known throughout the school. Oh, and I'll also call on you to answer every math question in class."

"Stop it! Are you actually a math teacher?!"

"Yep! I'll be looking after your math from now on."

...This was bad. His escape route was completely blocked.

Yukinoshita Haruno, what a terrifying individual.

If his dark history were exposed, Hikigaya was sure he wouldn't be able to show his face at school again. He'd have no choice but to hole up in his dormitory and become a real hikikomori.

"Haha, don't be so nervous. I was just kidding."

Haruno laughed, but Hikigaya knew better. When it came to her, even jokes carried a real threat.

"Really? Because that didn't sound like a joke."

Seeing the doubt on Hikigaya's face, Haruno poked his cheek with a finger in mock offense.

"Besides, why would I need to threaten you? I'm sure Hikigaya-kun would help me out even without it."

"Ms. Haruno, you should really only talk in your sleep when you're actually asleep."

Haruno's smile grew even wider in response to Hikigaya's sarcastic retort.

"I'm not talking in my sleep, Hikigaya-kun. As Yukino-chan's elder sister, I know you'll agree... After all, you're practically my future brother-in-law!"

"Hey, stop twisting your words. How many times do I have to say it? There's nothing like that between Yukinoshita and me."

Despite Haruno's playful demeanor, Hikigaya couldn't help but feel uneasy. The truth was, he and Haruno barely knew each other. They were connected only through Yukinoshita Yukino, her younger sister, and their involvement in the Service Club back in junior high. The club's purpose was to assist students with their problems, despite its odd name.

Haruno had unexpectedly stumbled upon Yukino and Hikigaya during one of their club activities. That was the start of her frequent visits, where she would tease them just to see Yukino's reactions. On the surface, the sisters seemed to have a strained relationship, but in reality, Haruno was a deeply caring older sister.

She masked her feelings and chose to help Yukino in her own indirect way, even if it meant being misunderstood.

Because of this, Hikigaya had a certain level of respect for Haruno. But with Yukino absent now, Haruno was just toying with him. He hoped she would soon grow tired of it.

"...Alright, alright, I'll play along," Hikigaya said, knowing resistance was futile.

"That's the spirit! Hikigaya-kun is so cooperative," Haruno beamed, her expression one of satisfaction.

"Maybe you could learn something from me," Hikigaya sighed before asking, "Well, since this is a game, shouldn't there be some hints? Without them, no one could complete your game."

Haruno grinned, "What kind of hint would you like, Hikigaya-kun? I'll decide whether or not to give you one based on your request."

Hikigaya considered asking about physical traits but dismissed it. Haruno would likely give an ambiguous answer, and the mysterious student might be deliberately trying to stay under the radar.

His best bet was to try and narrow down the possibilities.

"So, is it a boy or a girl?"

"No, guess again."

"Which class?"

"That's a no, too."

"How about showing me the entrance exam results for all the new students?"

"Still no."

"…I see."

Hikigaya wasn't disheartened by the three rejections. Instead, he appeared to be piecing something together.

"Oh?" Haruno's playful tone returned. "Have you given up already? Or do you think you've figured it out?"

Hikigaya nodded. "Yeah, I think I have a good idea."

"Really? I'm all ears."

Even though Haruno had expected Hikigaya to be sharp, she was a bit surprised he reached a conclusion so quickly, especially without any real hints.

"If my hunch is correct, the person you're referring to is probably someone who's introverted and a bit of a show-off."

"Introverted and show-off?" Haruno echoed, puzzled. After a brief pause, she burst out laughing. "Hahaha! A reserved show-off? Only you, Hikigaya-kun, could come up with that! It would be such a waste to let Yukino-chan have you."

Wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, Haruno turned back to Hikigaya, her expression more serious. "Hikigaya-kun, mind explaining how you reached that conclusion?"

"It's not that complicated."

Hikigaya's seemingly casual questions had a purpose. The first two were to gauge Haruno's willingness to narrow down the search. As he expected, she refused to disclose gender or class information.

But the third question—asking about entrance exam results—was different. It wasn't just about narrowing the field; it was a psychological probe. Haruno was undoubtedly a genius, and anyone who piqued her interest would have to be exceptional in some way.

If the exam scores were ordinary, she wouldn't have refused to share them. The refusal suggested that the scores were unusual—perhaps even manipulated to stand out in an odd way.

For instance, imagine scoring exactly the same in all subjects, an unusual feat that hints at a deliberate attempt to attract attention or conceal true capability.

People who do this typically fall into two categories: those who crave attention and flaunt their skills, and those who hide behind a facade of modesty, yet harbor intense pride and arrogance. The latter is more likely to be overlooked but might still leave subtle clues, making them "reserved show-offs."

"Impressive, Hikigaya-kun. You never fail to keep things interesting," Haruno praised, clearly entertained. "But your plan has a fatal flaw."

"Yeah, I know. It's a bit of a gamble," Hikigaya admitted. The biggest flaw was overthinking. The mysterious student might not be an introvert or a show-off. They might have scored averagely and remained unnoticed.

Still, Hikigaya couldn't think of a better question to ask. They were all freshmen, and opportunities for interaction were limited.

Haruno smiled and wagged her finger, "No, your logic isn't wrong, but you missed a fundamental issue. What if I don't have access to the exam scores? I'm just a trainee teacher, not the class teacher."

Hikigaya acknowledged this loophole but wasn't convinced it mattered in this case.

"Ms. Haruno, I did some research before enrolling. The chairman of this school's board is Sakayanagi, and he's closely tied to the Yukinoshita family, particularly Yukinoshita Construction."

From the school's foundation to its ongoing maintenance, Yukinoshita Construction handled much of the work. The Yukinoshita family had influence as both construction magnates and local politicians. Haruno, as the eldest daughter, was trained as a successor yet ended up as a teacher here.

Hikigaya couldn't dismiss the idea that there were strings being pulled behind the scenes.

"Wow, you really did your homework, Hikigaya-kun. It's a little scary," Haruno teased. "Who taught you to be so shrewd?"

Hikigaya countered, "It's just common sense, Ms. Haruno. And before you criticize me, maybe look in the mirror."

"But how many high school students would bother looking up this kind of information?"

"This school seems sketchy, so I was just concerned about my future here."

If it were anyone else, Hikigaya might not have bothered defending himself. But Haruno, of all people, had no right to call him dangerous—she was the most dangerous one here!

"Alright, alright. Since you've got it all figured out, go find the mystery person. I'm rooting for you!"

Haruno changed the subject, and Hikigaya decided not to push further. Some things were better left unknown.

As Haruno turned to leave, she suddenly added, "By the way, there's a club recruitment meeting tomorrow. You must come, Hikigaya-kun."

"Sorry, but I've already decided to join the Go-Home Club—a club with a bright future."

Hikigaya wasn't fond of club activities. His middle school years were marred by being dragged into the Service Club and later being bossed around by a tyrannical student council president. He had no intention of repeating those experiences in high school.

"Oh, but you have to come," Haruno insisted with a smile.

"Or else... you know what will happen, right?"

What do I know? I don't know anything!

Hikigaya wanted to shout that he was immune to these threats, but the potential consequences silenced him. He could only nod in reluctant agreement.

There was no escape for Villager H from the Demon Queen.

After Haruno left, humming a tune, Hikigaya slumped over a table, feeling as though all the energy had been drained from him. He stared blankly at the ceiling, his eyes dull and lifeless.

"I... want to go home."

But of course, that was just wishful thinking. All he could do now was head back to the dormitory and settle into what would be his home for the next three years.

But first, there was something important he needed to do.

Stepping out of the special teaching building, Hikigaya headed toward a vending machine with a determined look.