COTE: Hikigaya's Classroom of the Supreme Being

The club introductions were all similar, focusing on how attractive the club was and how welcoming they were to beginners.

However, Hikigaya couldn't help but think that most clubs, especially those in the sports department, weren't suitable for beginners at all. Inexperienced members would just end up being ordered around by their seniors and struggling to keep up with their peers.

Of course, there were exceptions—those rare geniuses who hadn't been involved in junior high but quickly made a name for themselves in high school.

But that was only for a very small number of gifted individuals. Ordinary people should stick to their hometown clubs or join casual ones without a competitive atmosphere.

Gradually, the seniors who had finished their explanations stepped aside, leaving only the senior in the student uniform standing on stage, drawing everyone's attention.

He stepped up to the microphone, calmly surveying the first-year students, but didn't speak right away.

"Hey, what's with that guy?"

"Who is he? Why isn't he saying anything?"

"Haha, must be too nervous."

"Come on, senior."

Laughter spread among the first-year students, but they didn't notice the serious expressions on the faces of the second- and third-year seniors, who remained silent.

Soon, the laughter in the gymnasium peaked, then abruptly stopped, as if all sound had vanished.

The first-year students were left dumbfounded, finally noticing the odd atmosphere among the other seniors.

The previously relaxed mood in the gymnasium slowly shifted in an unexpected direction, with a tense and uneasy silence taking over.

A warning bell seemed to ring in Hikigaya's mind: the senior with the glasses had exerted his pressure, and the freshmen were paralyzed with fear.

After thirty seconds of this tense silence, the senior on stage finally moved.

He calmly scanned the crowd before beginning his speech.

"I'm Manabu Horikita, the president of the Student Council. As the seniors graduate, the Student Council will be recruiting outstanding talents from the first-year students this year. No special conditions are required to apply, but if you want to join the Student Council, please avoid joining other clubs. In principle, we do not accept those who wish to join the Student Council and other clubs simultaneously."

Horikita Manabu's tone was gentle, and his calm demeanor gradually brought the atmosphere under his control. The air was thick with a tension that seemed to pierce the skin.

He managed to make over a hundred freshmen fall silent with his presence alone.

Wow, he's really something.

Hikigaya couldn't help but admire this display of dominance.

"Finally, our student council does not welcome candidates with naive ambitions. Such individuals won't just be unelected—they'll tarnish our reputation. The student council holds a unique position and responsibility granted by the school to reshape the rules. We only welcome those who understand this."

With these final words, Horikita Manabu exited the stage and left the gymnasium without a second glance.

The freshmen watched in silence as the student council president departed, the air thick with an uneasy tension. It was as if a warning had been issued—any reckless behavior might lead to unpredictable consequences.

Hikigaya, however, was unfazed by the palpable tension. Reading the atmosphere had never been his strength, and it was probably one reason he wasn't exactly popular.

"Excuse me, please move aside."

He navigated through the crowd, eager to escape before Haruno noticed him.

Not that he was running away—he simply wanted to get out early.

Fate, however, had other plans.

Just as Hikigaya stepped out of the gymnasium, his phone buzzed to life with a message he had hoped would remain silent. It was the same eerie occurrence from yesterday.

"Seriously?" Hikigaya chuckled dryly. "Why does it feel like supernatural phenomena are attracted to me lately? Should I consider an exorcism?"

Despite his attempts to brush it off with humor, he knew he had to face the reality of the situation. A short-term inconvenience was preferable to a prolonged struggle.

"…Ms. Haruno, what's up?"

Hikigaya hadn't saved Haruno's number, but he was certain who was calling.

"Hello, Hikigaya-kun. The briefing is over, right? Did you catch everything Horikita-kun said?" Haruno's voice was cheerful, and it only served to heighten his irritation.

And Horikita-kun…

The unsettling feeling from earlier seemed to be confirmed. Haruno indeed knew the student council president, though their relationship remained unclear.

Hikigaya cursed his intuition for being so accurate, especially when it came to predicting unpleasant situations.

"Ms. Haruno, are you spying on me?"

"Haha, how could I? I'm just confident that Hikigaya-kun wouldn't break his promise to me, his sister."

"No, you've got it wrong," Hikigaya retorted, "It's not that I can't bear it; I just don't dare to. Don't mix up the two!"

Haruno almost choked on her words. "Well, that's not something to be said like this... Anyway, I'm curious about your opinion on Horikita-kun."

"I don't have any particular feelings about him."

Hikigaya preferred to avoid giving Haruno any ammunition to trick him further.

"Come on, Hikigaya-kun, just give me something. Anything will do." She persisted.

Hikigaya was thoroughly annoyed but begrudgingly conceded.

"Alright, let me think. If I have to say something, that guy seems just like any other student here—full of cryptic hints and riddles. It's as if he's trying to be enigmatic... Wait, what?!"

Before he could finish, a chill ran down his spine as he felt an unsettling presence behind him.

Hikigaya turned around with a shudder, only to find President Horikita standing a few feet away, his expression as impassive as ever.

Oh no! President Horikita must have heard everything!

Wait a minute—why is he still here when he should have left?

Hikigaya felt an overwhelming sense of incompatibility with this wretched school. In just two days, he'd run into Demon Queen, met someone in his class who knew his dark past, and now had offended the student council president.

"Ah, Hikigaya-kun, it seems you've caught Horikita-kun's attention," Haruno's voice rang out with an unsettling calmness.

Is she reading the future now? That's impressive, Yukinoshita Haruno. And you still claim you're not spying on me?

Before Hikigaya could voice his frustration, Haruno continued, "By the way, I'm not spying on you. I'm simply observing from afar. Meet me in Room 405 in the teaching building. I'll be waiting."

"Room 405? Wait a second... Hello? Hello!"

Haruno hung up before Hikigaya could protest.

"Damn it, that abominable Demon Queen."

Hikigaya was so angry he could barely contain himself. The most annoying part was that he was beginning to feel accustomed to this treatment.

A cold voice broke through his thoughts.

"Are you heading to Room 405?"

Hikigaya jumped. President Horikita had approached him unnoticed, his eyes sharp behind his glasses, scrutinizing him closely.

"No, no, it's nothing. I won't trouble you." Hikigaya found himself using honorifics involuntarily.

"Come with me. I'll show you the way."

Without waiting for a response, Horikita Manabu turned on his heel and started walking.

Another person who doesn't listen to others.

Resigned to his fate, Hikigaya followed.

The teaching building had seven floors, with the bottom three reserved for student classrooms. The purpose of the upper floors was a mystery.

When they arrived at Room 405, Hikigaya saw the sign: Student Council Office.

Seriously? Haruno, what's your game? 

As Hikigaya grumbled internally, Horikita Manabu opened the office door.

Inside, a heavy wooden desk dominated the room. The Demon Queen sat in the student council president's chair, idly fiddling with a telescope.

She really acts as though she owns the place.

Horikita Manabu showed no surprise and said calmly, "As expected, it's you, Yukinoshita-senpai... or should I say Yukinoshita-sensei now."