Shirogane Miyuki in COTE

Ichinose knew this was a chance Shirogane had created for her, so she said:

"It's not just students from other classes—it could even be someone from my own class, right?"

"In that case, I'm sorry, Shirogane."

"I don't plan to date anyone during these three years of high school, whether it's a boy or a girl. So I won't accept anyone's feelings."

"I'm really sorry."

"I really like this class. I just want to work hard together with everyone."

"And leave behind memories of a school life that I won't regret."

In other words, Ichinose also chose not to date during high school. To her, this class is the most important thing right now, and she truly values her classmates.

"That's pretty amazing."

Shirogane gave a light round of applause.

And soon—

*Clap*

The students around them, both from Ryuen's class and Ichinose's class, also started clapping.

At first, everyone thought there was going to be some big drama involving Ichinose. But now, it was clear just how united Ichinose's class was. That kind of class atmosphere must be really nice.

"This is the class you're going up against. Hoshinomiya really got lucky with a good group."

By the way, Sakagami-sensei was still in the classroom.

Today was one of the days he came to give free tutoring. Even though Shirogane invited the top students from Ichinose's class to help out—

Having a teacher around made things even better.

So he also witnessed the whole conversation between Shirogane and Ichinose and was surprised by how united Ichinose's class was.

That's right.

Unity.

Whether it's being open-minded enough to bring your class's top students to help another class, or caring that much about your classmates—those are things Ryuen's class just couldn't do.

Even now, Ryuen's classmates only showed up to help because they were pressured by his force and sweet-talked by Shirogane.

That's why Sakagami knew very well: for his class to succeed, their representatives had to work really hard. Meanwhile, Hoshinomiya's students were sticking together on their own. It was something to envy.

Even so, he still looked forward to this class's growth.

This was his second time being the homeroom teacher for the original Class C. Last time, the class didn't manage to move up. But now, they were already in Class B. The next goal was probably Class A.

So there was definitely something to look forward to.

[Looks like this might be enough to make Shiranami back off.]

In Shirogane's head, that inner narrator was still running.

But—

Now that Shirogane was sitting down again, he found himself curious about something else.

"So, how many people in Ichinose's class actually like her?"

"Hmm, regardless of gender."

Right after Ichinose said she valued the class more and wasn't going to fall in love, four of the nine top students she brought clearly looked down.

Among them, Shiranami Chihiro and Shibata stood out the most.

With what Ichinose said, it was basically a double rejection.

Ichinose did it for the sake of the class. And as classmates, even if they had feelings, they couldn't bring it up anymore.

After all, wanting to protect the class wasn't just Ichinose's wish—it was something the whole class cared about.

So this was probably the best outcome.

How many, huh? If we're just talking about liking her, then quite a lot. But most of them have already found their own path and place.

Very few, like Shiranami, would actually take the initiative to confess their feelings to Ichinose.

Take Kanzaki Ryuji, for example. He's a bit shy, but at first, he was also drawn to Ichinose. Still, he quickly figured out where he stood. He wanted to support her.

He liked the unity of the class, was moved by how close everyone was, and hoped to be someone who could support Ichinose and help take the class even further.

I see.

Shirogane started to understand this class a little more.

Going through hardships together, moving forward together, and still holding hope for the future.

So even though Shirogane's little episode happened, today's make-up class ended smoothly.

Except...

"Um, Shirogane-kun."

As everyone was leaving, Ichinose Honami called out to Shirogane, "Would you like to take a walk with me for a bit?"

It was an invitation from Ichinose.

But...

[…]

Shirogane's mind went completely quiet.

The narrator system probably went to sleep, so now he had to figure out Ichinose's feelings on his own.

"Of course."

Shirogane didn't say no.

So the two of them left the school building together. There were still other students heading back to the dorms, so they went around to the back of the building.

There were plenty of benches placed around campus. They didn't mind which one and just picked one at random.

But now, only Ichinose was sitting.

Her knees were together, and her hands rested on top.

Soft moonlight mixed with the glow from the lights, casting a gentle light on her. She looked kind of sacred like that.

"Um…"

Ichinose rested her hands on her knees.

"Thank you so much for today, Shirogane-kun. You figured out that Chihiro has feelings for me, didn't you?"

"More or less," Shirogane said. "But this is only buying time. You might be able to avoid romance for the three years of high school, but what if Shiranami still likes you after that? After graduation, there won't be any class rules stopping her. She might confess then."

"That's…"

That would definitely make things more complicated. Ichinose showed a troubled look again.

"Also, from what I saw, it seems like more than one of the students you brought with you might like you."

"So right now, you can still use the class as an excuse, but after graduation? You're probably in trouble."

Shirogane said.

Yeah…

That part was hard to argue with.

Ichinose had kind of noticed it herself.

But still...

She showed a faint sadness that didn't quite match her usual expression. "But there are still three years. During that time, I think everyone will find someone they really like. I'm not that great of a person anyway. I'm not worth their feelings."

"..."

Her face looked quiet and lonely, and her voice matched that feeling.

Like she was closing herself off.

And this wasn't the first time Shirogane had heard her say she didn't think she deserved to be liked.

Just as he was about to ask more...

Ichinose perked up again. "Well, I owe you one today, Shirogane-kun."

She said, "I want to move up to Class A with everyone in our class, so even at the very end, we're not going to go easy on you."

In that moment, she quickly returned to being the friendly, sunny Ichinose Honami that everyone knows.

Seeing that she was okay, Shirogane left first.

Ichinose, on the other hand, said she wanted to sit there a little longer and rest.

It was clear she was struggling with how to deal with Shiranami's feelings for her, and how to turn him down without hurting him.

Even though she managed to handle it, Shirogane could tell her earlier self-doubt wasn't normal.

After all, the Ichinose Honami everyone knows is truly amazing.

She's beautiful.

Kind.

Smart.

She's confident but not arrogant.

And she's clever too.

It's no surprise that not only guys, but even girls could fall for her.

She really is the top beauty of the grade — it's not just a rumor.

But that lonely look on Ichinose's face showed that she was hiding something. And that secret was enough to make her doubt all the strengths and brightness she usually shows. Enough to make her feel like she doesn't deserve to be liked by anyone.

So then…

Doesn't that make her just like the students of Class D? Carrying some kind of serious secret that, if revealed, would ruin her?

So, does that mean if someone finds out her secret, they could control her?

"..."

…?

No. No.

This is bad.

Shirogane realized that after spending too much time around that narrator-like voice, he almost started using Sakayanagi's way of talking about "taming a little pet dog."

You really do become like the people you're around.

This is all Sakayanagi's fault.

…

Still, word got out that during study time, Shirogane took the chance to confess to the angel of Class 1-C, Ichinose.

Meanwhile, in Class 1-A…

Katsuragi and his underling Totsuka walked into the classroom and saw that Sakayanagi Arisu had already arrived early.

Sakayanagi had her hands on the desk and looked like she was spacing out.

"By the way."

Katsuragi pulled a physics book out of his bag.

"Yesterday, I got solid info. Before, it was just a guess that Shirogane might be trying to get students from Ichinose's class to help tutor his own class."

"But now it's confirmed."

"Ichinose has arranged for 10 of her smart classmates, including herself — all of them capable of scoring over 80 — to tutor Ryuen's class."

"And Ryuen's class is really lacking in academic ability right now. So if their scores start improving, it'll be like Ichinose's class is raising their own rivals."

Katsuragi said.

"It's not a great situation for her class."

"Of course, it might also mean the two classes are planning to team up. Either way, we should keep an eye on them."

Katsuragi added.

But as he said all this, Katsuragi noticed the silver-haired girl beside him didn't react at all.

So he went on.

"Also, right as they were wrapping up their study session yesterday, Shirogane apparently confessed to Ichinose Honami in front of the whole class."

"..."

Sakayanagi.

"..."

Sakayanagi.

But unfortunately, Sakayanagi still looked completely uninterested.

Huh.

Just when Katsuragi thought Sakayanagi really didn't care at all, she finally responded.

"If you're only paying attention to this kind of fake news, Katsuragi, then even I would be disappointed in you."

"What you should be focusing on is how to lead the class to a high score, right?"

Sakayanagi Arisu said.

Uh...

"Fake news?"

Katsuragi said.

"Shirogane confessed to Ichinose in front of the whole class—do you really think something like that makes sense?"

Sakayanagi said.

Uh...

Katsuragi couldn't deny that. Even though he wasn't interested in anyone, he still felt that confessing your feelings—whether it's out of respect for the girl or wanting to show your emotions—should usually be done in private.

Not in front of so many people.

"So you're saying it's some kind of setup?"

"Like they're trying to make it look like Ichinose's class is close with them on purpose?"

Before Katsuragi could respond, the guy sitting behind him—Totsuka—jumped in right away.

To be exact,

He also thought Ichinose seemed like an angel.

So he didn't want to see her dating someone else or getting all lovey-dovey at school.

After hearing the news, he wanted answers right away.

And the result he got was that Ichinose had decided to focus on the special exams for all three years of high school, and wasn't planning to think about dating at all.

It was disappointing—but also kind of a relief.

"Who really knows what happened. We're not the ones involved. Maybe Shirogane just saw that Ichinose was troubled by someone's confession and stepped in to help her on purpose."

Sakayanagi said.

"As for the upcoming test, I think you should really give it more thought, Katsuragi."