COTE: The Paro-Parody

Trap Reveal

Ring! Ring! Ring!

I could hear the ringing sounds of the bell, causing me to look in front of the classroom.

Once again, I had spent the time for classes by leisurely watching the view outside the window. Even after months of knowing the system, plenty of students still don't act like a student therefore nobody even reprimanded me. However, I could feel a glare from my side.

"...Horikita, do you need me? Do you think I'm pretty?" I asked.

"...Ayanokouji-kun. Please stop with your jokes. You barely look like a human besides, you shouldn't ask me that question... Not right now anyway." She looked away before taking out her bento box.

I sighed, looking at such a pretty girl who had very good culinary skills but have a prickly attitude. If only she is a little bit nicer, I would share a secret of mine with her.

I like free food.

"......." No. I think that would be a bad thing to say. I don't know if she'll do it again but I believe that she will remember it every day for the sake of... cooperation.

"Ayanokouji-kun. It's best if you stop drooling over my food. Or is it me that you're drooling at?" She asks while slightly hugging herself.

"My thoughts are a lot deeper than you think, Horikita. You won't get it," I replied.

She sighed and wiped off the imaginary sweat on her forehead with her hands, "I see. Great, now my zombie seatmate has fallen for my beauty. What do I do?"

Woman. That's a lie and you know it. As if...

"Actually, I was thinking of borrowing your lap for a while– I didn't say anything." I kept quiet after that and stayed still in my seat for a few seconds.

"...Ayanokouji-kun. I will agree to that if you help me from now on." I gulped down my saliva as I took a glance at her from the side.

I saw her gracefully feeding her ajar mouth with a peaceful expression. If tranquility was beauty, then I'd rather have a mute Horikita Suzune as my seatmate than this one.

"You know, Horikita, can I destroy your vocal cords?"

Suddenly, she shoved her chopsticks holding a sausage to my face. It was at the same level as my eyes, but I didn't flinch.

"You... are disgusting. I didn't know you'd been thinking of me that way, Ayanokouji-kun. If you say one more word, I'll blind you so that you'll never see a woman again." She humphed in her seat before biting on the sausage between her chopsticks.

I wonder, why did she say that when I only ask if she wanted to be mute?

"...how long, by the way?" I heard her ask.

"Pardon?" I asked as if I didn't hear it, or rather, I didn't understand why she asked that.

"I mean, for how long did you think of me like that, Ayanokouji-kun? I'm not flattered but I'm quite curious since all I've been doing was ordering you around. I don't understand how'd you see me as a beautiful girl..." She said before tucking her hair behind her ear. She took a slight glance at me, like a shy maiden, and blushed.

"Please answer." She said and I think that I have the answer now.

"Since the first time, I saw you this close... after I introduced myself to you?" I said, tilting my head. I had indeed seen her as a pretty girl ever since and that is a fact. I don't understand why she asked me in the first place. It is absurd to think that there wouldn't be a hidden agenda.

Does she want to charm me and use me? Could it be possible that she'll seduce me into her bed and blackmail me into helping her in the class competition? I'll never let that happen. Unless there are greater conditions.