COTE: The Best Version of Me

Chapter 12 - Divergent conflicts

3° Person POV

Class A's classroom exuded an atmosphere of control and discipline, with the desks perfectly aligned and the windows allowing the soft glow of the afternoon sun to illuminate the room precisely, without excess. The light breeze that came in seemed almost rehearsed, as if everything was under the command of the one who, with a simple look, was able to get what she wanted.

Sakayanagi Arisu was sitting in her chair patiently waiting for the recipients to arrive. In front of her, lined up like pieces on a chessboard, were her classmates. Katsuragi Kohei stood with his rigid and serious posture, his arms crossed and his gaze calculating. He had the look of someone who did not agree with what was happening.

Hashimoto, with his blond hair tied in a small ponytail, was leaning against the wall as he typed on his device. Kamuro sat next to Sakayanagi, tapping her fingers on the table with barely perceptible irritation. Yahiko stood beside Katsuragi as he crossed his arms, not trying to hide his annoyance.

Sakayanagi lifted the teacup that rested delicately on its saucer, sipping gracefully, her lilac eyes never ceasing to observe every reaction around her. Her smile was serene, almost smug, as if she already knew exactly what everyone there was thinking, even before the words were spoken.

"Is this really necessary?" Yahiko expressed his doubt out loud.

Kamuro, not hiding her frustration, huffed. "He's not wrong. It's a waste of time, if you ask me. I don't see how this will benefit Class A." She leaned forward slightly, her purple hair falling over her shoulders as her eyes sparked with displeasure.

Katsuragi pondered before speaking, the serious tone of his voice echoing throughout the room. "Sakayanagi, we must be cautious. Inviting them could be dangerous. What are their true intentions?"

The room fell silent for a moment. All eyes turned to Sakayanagi, awaiting her response. She did not rush, however. Instead, she set down her cup carefully, her slender fingers intertwined in her lap, her cane resting beside her chair. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft but filled with undeniable power, as if each word had been meticulously chosen to ensnare those around her. Her height did nothing to diminish the power of her words.

"Ah, curious, aren't we?" she began, her smile widening slightly, "You underestimate the importance of a well-played game. You seem overly cautious, don't you think you're overthinking things?" Her eyes glinted with mischief. "It's precisely this mystery that intrigues me. How will this discussion unfold? Will we learn more about them, or will we be at a disadvantage? These are fascinating questions."

Hashimoto chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Is that it, Hime? You're curious about them? I wouldn't be surprised."

Kamuro rolled her eyes, but remained silent this time. She just sighed and stared deeply at the girl sitting next to her.

Sakayanagi, however, kept her focus on Katsuragi. "Katsuragi-kun, I understand your concern, and I even share it. Ichinose Honami, Ryuen Kakeru, and... Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. They are, based on the information we've gathered over the past month, the respective leaders of their classes, even if it's not official. The uncertainty they represent is both fascinating and dangerous. We shouldn't fear them, but understand them."

The air was filled with a sense of anticipation, a calm before the storm, as the leaders of the other classes had yet to arrive. Sakayanagi watched her companions with a slight smile on her lips, waiting patiently, but her gaze revealed that, in her sharp mind, she had already planned every detail of this meeting.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, locking onto Katsuragi, who was watching her intently. "We just went through the self-assessment exam, an exercise that ostensibly forces us to reflect on ourselves and our capabilities. But you know that the true essence of this reflective report lies not just in individual introspection, but in the psychological impact it has on others."