COTE: Ayanokoji Socially Capable

Chapter 5: Offer

If this gets 30 votes I'll make a poll that'll allow you to determine how the story will lead, like a choice decision game option

Upon entering, the room fell silent, I found Horikita, Nagumo, Tachibana, and two others fixated on me.

"State your name and your purpose," Horikita demanded with a sharp tone.

Tachibana appeared visibly angered by my sudden intrusion, while the rest were visibly taken aback.

"Well, well, if it isn't Ayanokoji, my little kouhai," Nagumo remarked, applauding as he approached. "Anyways, Horikita-senpai, that's all I got. Bye now."

Before leaving, Nagumo turned to me, "I accept your challenge. Hope you can entertain me," and exited, followed by the black-haired kid.

Horikita, now intrigued, looked up from his papers. "So, you're Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, the freshman who cracked the S-system on the first day."

"News travels fast, huh?" I commented.

Horikita leaned forward. "Tell me, how did you do it?"

"First, I have some questions," I stated, walking confidently towards the table and taking a seat

Tachibana interjected, "You can't just waltz in here and demand things!"

Horikita raised his hand to silence her. "Tachibana."

"Preferably alone," I said looking at the other two

Horikita raised his hand, signaling for the two to leave. The room's atmosphere shifted as Tachibana and Asahina went to the exit. The orange-haired brunette, adorned with long locks that cascaded down her shoulders, sported a noticeable pin that added a touch of flair to her appearance. Her eyes, a captivating shade of blue, held a certain depth that hinted at both intelligence and curiosity. Dressed in an orange sweater that complemented her vibrant hair, she exuded a sense of individuality and style. The playful smirk on her lips added an extra layer of personality to her overall demeanor, creating a visual impression that resonated with both confidence and intrigue.

"Quite the entrance there, Ayanokoji-kun. I'm Nazuna Asahina, Class 2A," she introduced herself, her eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and amusement. The subtle playfulness in her demeanor added an extra layer of intrigue to the encounter

I nodded, acknowledging her presence. "Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, Class 1B."

As the two left, I couldn't help but notice a subtle exchange of glances between Asahina and Horikita, hinting at a shared understanding or perhaps an unspoken history. Perhaps something relevant to Nagumo since she was his classmate. The room was now quieter, allowing Horikita and me to focus on the impending conversation.

"So, what is it you want?" Horikita finally broke the lingering silence.

I leaned forward, feigning engagement. "Why was Ichinose not given a chance to be interviewed?"

Horikita's response was blunt, "She simply didn't meet the criteria."

I couldn't help but scoff at the explanation. "That's hard to believe. Ichinose has tremendous potential, and with guidance from the student council, she could blossom."

"I stand by my decision," Horikita asserted.

I pressed further, "What about the other applicants?"

Horikita sighed, revealing his disappointment. "None of the candidates we interviewed showed the promise we were hoping for. It's been a lackluster pool."

Not being convinced, I decided to broach another angle. "Perhaps there's a different reason for this. Maybe, due to her good nature, she can be easily manipulated or broken," I suggested, watching closely for any reaction.