COTE - The Devilish Conqueror

The Trial(s)

The day Sudou's fate would be decided was here. I was rather confident with our situation, or feeling apathetic to be exact. However, my perfectly well-made plan would only work if we managed to stall the trial and ended it with a ties.

Unfortunately, I can't directly act in this situation and gad to rely on the others. It was certainly unwise to show my actual position while we're still absolutely blind about our enemies.

With that, I looked at the small assembly that gathered before me.

“Are you guys, ready?”

Sudou simply give me a calm nod, but there was no denying that the subtle gesture he did shows just how nervous he is.

Sakura, however, was looking unexpectedly determined with almost no trace of her shyness could be seen anymore. I suppose the incident that happened yesterday had moved her heart and brings courage to her small heart.

It certainly quite a traumatizing experience for her, yet, I couldn't see any sign of heavy stress on her. Even I need to spent quite a day tiptoeing around Karuizawa after we met each other for the first day. Perhaps Sudou had a hand in this... I mean I left them alone to apprehend the clerk yesterday.

Surprisingly, compared to the uncharacteristically brave pinknette, the one who looked rather anxious and tense was no other than Horikita.

Her eyes darted around but refused to meet mine each time it passed. The blush on her face and the way she heavily breathe were also causing my curiosity to arose.

I wonder why she acted like this...

“Horikita?”

She snapped out of her trance, “A-ah, A-Ayanokouji-kun, what did you say?”

“Are you ready or not?”

She gave me a mocking scoff, as if I was saying something dumb, “W-what kind of silly question are you talking about?”

However, not only that her barb lacked its usual bite, for some unfathomable reason, she sounded quite unsure with herself.

This won't do.

“Eep!”

Horikita released a yelp all of sudden, causing both Sudou and Sakura to look at her weirdly.

“H-Horikita-san, are you alright?”

“Y-y-yes, of course I am...”

She gave me a glare and I could only blink in confusion. I don't think I do anything wrong, so why does she glared at me?

“Can you guys head first?” I looked at the pair of beauty and the beast, “I think I need to talk with Horikita first.”

“Ah, well, take your time then, wait- no. I shouldn't say that aren't I?” Sakura giggled as Sudou still pondered his own choice of words.
It was quite cutely romantic in a sense, unlike my relationship with girls...

“Horikita,” I started before sighing, “I don't think I need to remind you how important this is gonna be for you. So please, for your sake, I hope you would be able to get yourself together.”

With that, I left her to herself while ignoring the “I-I hate you...!” from her.

-oOo-