Fated to Meet(COTE X Tomodachi Game)

Chapter 19: A grand return

(Ayanokoji POV)

I had planned to stay out a little longer after speaking with Chabashira, but I decided to head straight back to the room.
I left Katagiri and Horikita together, and I wasn't sure that was the best mix right now.

They had the same end goal in mind, but there ways of getting to it were different.
Horikita wanted to do it the straight forward way, following all the rules and procedures.
Katagiri wanted to take the back alley way, doing things most people wouldn't consider ethical.

Neither were in the wrong though. This school is all about winning, no matter what you have to do.
I would stay in the middle, helping both of them if they needed it. While also staying in the background.

I would have to tell Katagiri about Chabashira soon, but he may already have it handled.

While lost in thought, I bumped into someone turning the corner.
They immediately fell down.

It was a girl, and she wasn't from our class. She looked up to me, and quickly picked up the thing she had dropped.
"Are you okay?"

She stood up. In a word, she would definitely be considered cute. I still wasn't aware of what class she was in though.
"I'm fine, are you okay?"

Even though I hadn't fallen like she had, she still asked to see if I was hurt.
"I'm fine."
I tried to peek at what she had picked up.
"What are you doing here?"

Despite my subtle accusation, she kept composure.
"I was borrowing this book from my friend."

She held out the book she had previously hidden.
It was the Catcher and the Rye by J.D. Salinger.

"Do you like J.D. Salinger?"

She all the sudden got very excited.
"Yes, I have read almost all of his books! Do you?"

I knew only one of his books. I checked it out early in the year when we helped tutor with Horikita. I've only read half of it though.

"I've only read the laughing man so far."

She all the sudden got very close to my face.
"Did you know that they say The Catcher in the Rye is a very popular book with sociopaths?"

So, was the book violent then?
I needed to end this soon, but it was good to find someone who had a similar interest in books.
"I may have to borrow it from you then. Sounds interesting."

I slowly moved back a bit, she was so close I could barely move my hand and touch her.
She regained her composure.
"Okay, I'll be going then, Ayanokoji."

She began to walk away, slowly. She tried to probe me by showing she knows my name, but I decided to play dumb, and left it at that.
—
That girl was probably sent to spy on Katagiri. There were no students from other classes in this hallway, and I doubted she actually had friend from other classes because of Ryuuen.
She probably didn't get any information though.

I opened the door of the room to see Horikita playing shogi on her own. She didn't even look up at me.

I looked around but Katagiri was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Katagiri?"

She still looked down at the board.
"How should I know? He left with out saying anything."

It was doubtful that he was actually meeting with someone, but I guess it was possible.
"Is he going to meet with Ichinose or Shiho?"

She finally looked up to glare at me.
"Again, I don't know. He didn't say anything."

I walked over to the other side of the board.
"Just though I'd ask."

I picked up the pieces and began ti place them.
"You want to play?"

She looked confused at my actions for a second, but began to set her pieces as well.

Katagiri would probably return soon.
—
"How have you won so many times...?"

We had played three games so far, all ending in my victory. After learning the basic rules, it didn't seem to hard.
"This is funner than I thought it would be."

She began to reset the pieces.
"This isn't exactly supposed to be fun."

I shrugged.
"It's relaxing."

She looked up to me.
"What is he doing, Ayanokoji? I have held myself back from asking this question, but I'm tired of not knowing. I assume you know."

I didn't look up to her.
"I don't exactly know everything. Just bits and pieces."

She sighed.
"Both of you really annoy me. You just keep your thoughts to yourself, which helps no one else."

I looked back to her, straight in her eye.
"For now, let him do whatever he wants. You can complain after."

She stared at me a few seconds, and opened her mouth to speak, but the door opened.
—
"Chiaki...? What are you doing here?"

Horikita was baffled at our sudden visitor.
"How did you...?"

Chiaki walked into the room.
"Yuuichi bought me back, for 132,000 points."
Katagiri group points: 50, 500

"Why...? Is it because I lost?"
Horikita began to get angry.
"No, it's mainly because I did my job."

"Huh...? Ayanokoji, what is she talking about?"

She looked back to Chiaki.
"I was only sold to get information on other classes, and I did just that."
She began to smile.

I guess all students went to the same place when they were sold.
"What information?"

Horikita got increasingly angry at Chiaki's responses.
"If you want to know that, ask Yuuichi yourself."

She grabbed Chiaki's by the collar, but Chiaki kept composure.
"Why am I the only one out the loop here? Where is he?"

Chiaki shrugged, not reacting at all to Horikita suddenly grabbing her.

"Who knows what that man is doing, and where..."
—

"I really don't know if I can..."

"I thought you said you could trust me."

"I do but...this doesn't feel like the right thing to do."

"I told you, this is only to help your class against class c."

"Can I just get Tenji-"

"He won't know how to deal with Ryuuen."

"Okay...maybe your right..."

A smile spread across the mans face, one she didn't notice.

"Then please..."

A chilling sea breeze blew his hair out of his face.

"Slowly remove your hands."
—
Next chapter: Class B and Class D/ Horikita and Yuuichi

A/N:
Horikita seems to finally be at her breaking point, and Chiaki is back now!? With what information!?