The mask begins to slip (COTE part 4)

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Ayanokouji was narrating, once again.

"Wow, it's bigger than I thought it'd be."

"Heh. Yukinoshita, that's what she-"

"Shut up, hikigaya."

Horikita and I met after school to go to the gymnasium, for the club fair. 

Almost everyone there were first years; around 100 people were waiting nearby.

'Hmm, there's a skip from the last episode. That's strange, their school looks like some shounen psychology type, but the content so far has been more like a slice of life. And horikita is likely the love interest.'

Ishigami, manga and anime connoisseur he was, started analyzing the series once again. 

As we entered the gym, pamphlets with details about club activities were passed out.

"I wonder if this school has a particularly famous club. For example... something like a karate club?"

'Like I thought, horikita likely practised something. I wonder if the other students do too?'

Yukinoshita didn't take her eyes off the screen. 

Even as hikigaya squirmed at the thought of (someone who looks eerily similar to but denies it fervently) horikita using karate.

"A lot of clubs here seem to be high-levelled. There are a lot of members in a lot of clubs that are nationally known."

Even though this school isn't particularly known for its sports like baseball or volleyball, it isn't like the club activities are at the "hobbyist" level.

"The facilities are also high quality. Look, they even have oxygen capsules. All the equipment put pro's equipment to shame. Ah, but it looks like they don't have a karate club."

"... I see."

"Why, are you interested in karate?"

"No, not particularly."

Yukinoshita let out a breath of air. He had to know, right? She wouldn't inquire about a karate club unless she was interested. The connection was way too obvious. She was right, ayanokouji was not as skilled as horikita.

"But you know, it looks like an inexperienced person will have a hard time joining a sports club. Even if someone made their high school debut, they would be a substitute for an eternity. I don't think it would be fun."

Everything around here seems too orderly and tidy.

"Isn't that dependent on the effort they put in? After 1 to 2 years of training, anyone can become good."

Training... I don't think I would be able to put in much effort.

Ichinose smiled at Kiyotaka, amused.

Ryuuen also snickered.

"Thank you for waiting, first-year students. A representative from each club will explain their activities and how to join. I am Tachibana, the secretary of the student council and the chairman responsible for this club fair. Nice to meet you."

After the greeting from Tachibana, the club representatives lined up on the stage of the gym.

There were various representatives, ranging from those wearing judo uniforms to beautiful kimonos.

"Hey, if you ever change your mind, try joining a sports club. Doesn't that judo club look good? That senpai looks nice and encouraging."

"What part of him looks nice and encouraging? That gorilla looks like he could kill someone at any time."

Shirogane kei laughed.

A/N: Just a quick note, when it is narration like the line above, shirogane's sister will be called kei, and karuizawa kei willed be called karuizawa. I will not however, change the words from the light novel for COTE, or the manga for kaguya sama.

"He'd probably preach to you that judo is an easy sport."

"Just stop!"

I thought that the conversation was really going somewhere, but she was just being rude again.

Kiyotaka stared at the screen. His head was slumped against the back of his right hand. With his posture as well as his expressionless look added on, he looked like a king, deciding the fate of a prisoner.

His eyes never moved an inch, nor did his body. Just his brown irises occasionally moving around. Every second, he took in every single movement, every expression the others made, analyzing endlessly. Why? Mostly habit.

With the way things were going, he was almost definitely going to be exposed to the people in this room. That is, the ruthless, calculating side to him. Reflecting on the series so far, kiyotaka found it slightly strange. 

It clearly was not a 24/7 stream of his life, judging from the occasional jumps and time skips. So, a possible theory would be that these clips have been handpicked by the god himself. In that case, everything would be framed in order to paint him as much as a monster as possible. 

And everyone here would know.

Making the first movement he did in an hour, he leant back in his chair. The sudden movement freaked karuizawa out, who suddenly had her boyfriend close to her face. 

Everyone here would know...

Ayanokouji wondered if he cared about that.

"My name is Hashigaki, and I'm the captain of the archery club. I think there are a lot of students who find it old-fashioned and simple, but it is a really fun and fulfilling sport. We give all new students a warm welcome, so if you're interested, please join."

A girl wearing archery clothes started her introduction on the stage.

"Ah, shinomiya-senpai, you're in the archery club, right?"

Ishigami turned his head around to where kaguya was sitting. 

"That's right."

Kaguya looked on in slight interest. 

The baseball club representative was giving his introduction while wearing a uniform.

It didn't seem particularly more interesting than the others.

No matter how well they welcome beginners, or how appealing their meeting location and times are, it's just another normal introduction. It wasn't just the baseball club, all the clubs seemed ordinary. If I learned anything interesting from these explanations, it was that minor clubs like tea ceremony and calligraphy clubs existed, and that the minimum number of people needed for a new club is 3.

Every time a new club starts their explanation, the first-years chat amongst their friends about the previous club.

The gym had a lively atmosphere to it. The club representatives, and not to mention the supervising teacher, continued their explanations with displeased looks. They must be frantic to get as many new members as possible.

As the senpais finished their explanations, they got off the stage and walked over to some tables. They're probably setting up a reception area so they can talk to people one-on-one and sign them up.

Eventually, all the people on stage walked off until one person was left.

The person was about 170cm in height, which wasn't that tall.

A slender body, and sleek black hair.

Sharp glasses, and a calculating gaze.

The student standing in front of the microphone looked over the first-years with a calm look.

What kind of club is he from, and what explanation will he give? My interest has been piqued. 

However, my interest vanished the next second. He was completely silent.

Maybe his mind went blank. Maybe he felt nervous and his voice didn't come out.

"Did he forget what he was going to say?"

"Poor guy."

Unlike the people currently in the theatre, the people actually there were less sympathetic.

"Do your best~"

"Did you forget to bring your notecards~?"

"Ahahaha!"

The first years threw those words at the person. However, the senpai on stage didn't waver at all. Neither the laughter nor the encouragement seemed to reach him.

'Scary. I'm getting shinomiya vibes from him...'

Horikita Manabu's likeness with shinomiya did not go unnoticed by ishigami.

Even when the laughter started dying down, his apathetic face didn't change.

The students started wondering "What is this senpai doing?" and the gym got noisy.

Even then, the boy didn't stir. He just stood there quietly, looking at the first-years.

Horikita also stared at the boy with an intense gaze.

The relaxed atmosphere gradually shifted in an unexpected direction. It was an electrifying change in mood.

Eventually, the whole gym was enveloped in a tense and quiet atmosphere.

There were no instructions given out, no one dared to talk—it was a dreadful silence.

Aided by kiyotaka's narration, the people in the theatre could also feel the remarkably serious sensation.

Dead silence - was the way to describe it.

No one could open their mouths to talk.

It had been going on for 30 seconds already.

"My name is Horikita Manabu, and I am the student council president.

The student on stage started talking.

Many noticed the connection of brother and sister., but nobody spoke.

"The student council is also looking for first-years to replace the graduating third-years. There are no strict requirements to apply for the position, but those who are interested should not be affiliated with any other clubs. Generally, we do not accept any candidate involved in other clubs."

"Also, we, the student council, are not looking for anyone that has a naive way of thinking. Not only will that kind of person fail to get elected, but they will also inevitably become a stain on this school. Those of you that understand can become potential candidates."

His tone was soft, but the mood was still tense. He alone silenced the whole gym.

"The student council is only responsible for regulating the students, but the school expects much more. Thank you."

After that unwavering speech, he walked off the stage and exited the building.

For some time, no one spoke. Everyone was still reeling over what happened.

Yuigahama: "What...just happened?"

"What just happened" just about summed up that speech.

'Damn, even I can't silence a group of high schoolers like that. And he didn't even say anything.'

Hiratsuka sensei reflected on her status as a teacher, thinking that the students should give her more respect as a sensei, but then she realized she was a massive joke. 

"Kaicho, as presidents, he's better than you! That was soooooooooooooo coooooooooool!"

"Shut up! I could probably do that...nah...the school would just laugh at me...or would they....If I did, I'm sure I would gain the respect of shinomiya...but if I fail..."

Shirogane did not respond well to fujiwara's remarks. He was currently drowning in an indescribable emptiness (extra points if you understood the reference.)

Shinomiya was looking on in interest. 

'I wonder how the student council of shuchiin academy and advanced nurturing high school would fare against each other?'

'Will we exceed their capacity, lose to their intellectuality, or end in equality?'

Kei shuddered. During the time Manabu was with her on the rooftop, she was too distracted to focus on him. Now that she got a better glimpse, however, she saw quite a lot of kiyotaka in him. 

"Everyone, thank you for coming. With that, the club fair is over. We will now open the reception area for anyone interested in joining. The reception area will only be open until the end of April, so anyone interested after then can bring applications directly to the club."

With the help of the chairman, the tense atmosphere slowly disappeared.

Afterwards, the club representatives opened the reception area.

"Oh, Ayanokouji-kun. You also came?"

A thoughtful voice called out. It's Sudou. My classmates Ike and Yamauchi were with him.

"What is this, three people? Seems like you guys are getting along."

 I called out to Sudou.

"Are you also thinking of joining a club?"

"No, I was just looking. Does that mean you were thinking of joining a club then?"

"Yea. I've been playing basketball since elementary school. I think I'll continue here too."

I always thought he did some kind of exercise with that kind of body—guess it was basketball.

"How about you two?"

"We just came because it seemed fun and exciting. I also hoped some kind of fateful encounter would happen."

"The hell, what do you mean by a fateful encounter?"

I prompted Ike again after hearing that questionable goal, and he answered proudly after crossing his arms.

"My first objective is to make a girlfriend. So, I was hoping that a fateful encounter would happen here."

"Huh? Shouldn't you just ask someone out then?"

Fujiwara, once again, was rapid in pointing out the flaws of another human being.

"Yes," Said shinomiya sagely. "If you like someone you should just ask them out."

Shirogane smiled peacefully, closing his eyes.

"Of course you should, the worst thing that would happen would be trying to make the other person confess to you."

"Too right, president. The only people who would do that are fools."

Fujiwara: "You guys are acting weird."

They went back to normal again.

Underneath the surface:

Shirogane: What? 'If you like someone just ask them out? Nonsense! That would be the worst position to have. (He glances over to shinomiya, due to the slight movement in her lips, he was sure she was hiding a devious smirk.) That woman! I'm sure this is a psychological ploy to get me to panic! How about this, then?

He feigned a serene smile, then closed his eyes to conceal the manic glint inside them.

"Of course you should, the worst thing that would happen would be trying to make the other person confess to you."

Shinomiya: Wait, I wasn't expecting him to respond like this! My psychological ploy to get the president to panic failed! Does that mean he actually agrees with me? (Bites tongue) But according to his past behaviour, he has been trying to do the exact thing he says is the worst thing possible! Yes, that can't be true. (Slight nod to herself) This has to be a counterattack, he's hoping for a surprised or shifty reaction. In that case, my next move is-

She raised a hand

"Too right, president. The only people who would do that are fools." She accentuated the 'fools' part.

Shinomiya smiled sweetly so as to sell the illusion of belief in her own words.

Unbeknownst to him, she was already planning her next move.

Shinomiya: The president is too smart to fall for this. In that case, right after his rebuttal, I'll...

Shirogane: Heh. I was expecting a counter-gambit. This is child's play, all I have to do next is...

Shinomiya and shirogane, simultaneously: Wait, aren't the president and I/Shinomiya and I dating/****ing? Oh, it was just my desire to outwit the president that made me do it/Just my desire to defeat her, then make her confess that she wants to ****    ***   ** ***** ********** and then **************     ****   **********. 

Fujiwara: President and kaguya are acting weird. 

 She spoke up. "You guys are acting weird."

They went back to normal again.

I want to eat ramen. Oh, I hope I don't meet another weirdo ramen worshipper again. Please don't let me meet a weirdo ramen worshipper again. I wonder what time I'll go back home. Hayasaka looks a bit like haysaca kun. (manga reference) The boy a few rows behind us looks like a dead fish with his eyes. Isn't the girl at the back an actress? What was her name again? Horikita looks a lot like that girl there, besides fish eyes. Ayanokouji is kind of cute, I want to be his mother, but I'm already the president's mother. I can't have two sons. Wait, can I? Also, why is the girl behind the actress wearing a lab coat? And why-

So it was that kind of thing. Having a girlfriend seems to be an essential part of Ike's ideal school life.

"Also, that student council president has a strong aura. As if he ruled the place."

"Right?" 

Yuigahama perked up. She only ever felt that sort of aura from one person, on a few occasions. She happened to be sitting two seats away from her. She also happened to be her best friend. And Hikki.

Someone else in the group of males spoke up.

"Right? He was able to silence everyone."

Ike took out his phone.

"Yea, yea. Also, I made a male group chat yesterday." 

"Do you want to join too? It's pretty convenient."

"Eh, is that fine?"

"Of course. We're all a part of class D after all."

I didn't expect that. I'm glad to have been invited to a group chat.

A perfect chance to make friends finally came!

As I started to take out my phone to exchange numbers, I saw Horikita disappear into the crowd.

Kei looked up. 

"Hmm? Where is she going?"

Feeling worried about her, I unintentionally stopped moving.

"What's wrong?"

"No... it's nothing. Let's exchange numbers."

Regaining my senses, I shared my contact info with the others.

Horikita has the freedom to do whatever and go wherever she wants, and I have no right to stop her.

I felt like following her for a moment, but I decided not to.

Some people chuckled awkwardly. There was a slight sense of disapproval in the room. It was clear that they didn't think much of kiyotaka.

"Hey, ayanokouji-kun."

Futaba called out. Everyone looked at her in curiosity, especially mai and sakuta. 

Ayanokouji turned his head.

"Is there anything you're good at? You know, that makes you a qualified member of this school?"

Everyone turned to look at him.

After a while, in a monotone voice, he replied,

"...Piano and calligraphy."

Although it seemed like a normal answer to the students of other schools, the students from advanced nurturing high school had some very strong reactions, as if there was some inside joke between them.

Horikita furrowed her brow, but didn't say anything.

Ichinose laughed cutely, then returned to her usual smile, perhaps wider than before.

Karuizawa punched ayanokouji lightly, (Or was it hard, ayanokouji couldn't feel the difference) and when he looked at her, she smiled up at him in an incredulous type of way, as if asking for an explanation, and the two seemed to communicate without words. 

Sakayanagi raised one hand to her mouth, and bit it.

She was trying to prevent herself from laughing too hard.

'You're too entertaining, kiyotaka.'

Ryuuen fucking lost his shit and started to laugh uncontrollably.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! PIANO AND CALLIGRA-HAHAHAHAHA!"

For a good minute, most of the people looked at him like he was mad. 

When it was finally over, the knee-slapping, wiping tears were finished, he got out of his seat and slapped kiyotaka's back, to the surprise of a very harassed looking karuizawa and an indignant horikita.

And for that split second, maybe shorter, ryuuen thought he saw the faintest trace of amusement on kiyotaka's face.

Then again, he couldn't be

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