COTE Year 2 Reimagined

Volume 9:Part 2

After Kei left my room, I pulled out my phone and sent a text to a certain person I wanted to meet with tomorrow. I wasn't sure if they'd readily agree given the mature of our current relationship, but if they refused, I'd simply have to find another way to meet them.

The next morning, I decided to abstain from going to school and instead wait for about an hour in my room for everyone to leave the dorms. It would be easier for me if no one saq me. Especially anyone who could report my movements to Nagumo.

When the hour passed, I got up and made my way out. I got on the elevator and headed toward the girls' dormrooms. While walking next to their doors, I wondered if she stayed in her room like I asked or if she simply ignored my instructions. I never got any confirmation yesterday, so I was left in the dark about her intentions.

After a short while, I stopped walking and faced her room's door. I knocked three times quietly and waited for a response. I could immediately feel someone moving inside, so I suppose she did wait for me after all. However, that didn't necessarily mean she would allow me in since she was taking a while to open the door. I waited for her, and eventually, the door did open.

I was immediately faced with Ichinose dressed in casual lounge wear, which made sense since she wasn't heading out or going to school. Normally, she wouldn't allow me to see her in this state, but I suppose a lot has changed since that day on the cruise ship.

Ichinose was visibly nervous. I had my doubts that it was due to some lingering affection she might have for me, but I was quickly shut down when I saw the lolook on her face. It felt more like fear than embarrassment. I couldn't exactly blame her after everything that's happened to her lately.

"Can I come in?"

I decided to break the silence since it didn't seem like she was going to. She nodded softly and let me into her room.

Usually, she'd ask if I wanted something to drink, but this time, she simply sat on her bed and waited for me to speak. It seemed that she wanted to end our interaction as soon as possible. Any normal person would feel hurt by her cold attitude, but unfortunately, it didn't seem to affect me at all.

"Have you been keeping up with what happened during the last special exam?"

I sat down on a chair while facing Ichinose and asked my question.

"Yeah. Kanzaki-kun managed to help our class get a win. He is a fitting leader, after all."

She replied softly in a self-deprecating tone.

"Is he?"

Her eyes shot up at me like I was crazy but she quickly looked to the ground again.

"Y-yes..."

She hesitated at first but stuck to her answer.

"But one of your classmates is at risk of getting expelled, correct?"

Ichinose stiffened when she heard me say that but nodded slightly. She clearly wasn't satisfied that one of her classmates was at risk, but she probably thought that she couldn't have done better in Kanzaki's place.

"If you were the leader at the time, then none of your classmates would have been in this situation right now."

That was true. Kanzaki took unnecessary risks by prioritising the win over the safety of his classmates. I suppose it wasn't a bad approach to sacrifice someone disposable for a win, but it was definitely something unthinkable for Ichinose's class until now.

"W-what are you..."

Ichinose was struck by confusion once more. It was only natural since that day on the cruise ship. I was somewhat cruel to her, but right now, I was acknowledging her leadership.

"If you were their leader, then all your classmates would be safe now. Why did you step down?"

Of course, I already knew the answer. Ichinose didn't think she was a good fit to be their leader. She never did. Still, I had to pry the answers out of her, or we'll never get anywhere.

"Because that's what they wanted..."

Yes. After her string of failures, the class started to turn on Ichinose slowly but surely. They still adored her, of course, but they also had to think about their futures.

"A leader's job isn't to give people what they want."

She looked up at me once again baffled. Ichinose was a people pleaser. During her tome as their leader, her only intention was to ensure their happiness, but that was the wrong approach. She stayed quiet and waited for me to go on.

"A leader's job is to ensure the best possible outcome for everyone. Just because something makes you happy doesn't mean that it's good for you. Just because you think you want something doesn't mean you won't regret it. It was your job as a leader to judge what the best outcome for your class was."

Ichinose wanted to interrupt me and probably tell me that I was wrong, but she stayed quiet once more and listened.

"Your class was failing, and at this rate, they would've never climbed up the ranks. It's clear that some change was needed. You assumed that appointing Kanzaki in your place would fix everything, but you were wrong. You simply chose to run away from your problems like a coward. The correct approach was for you, Ichinose, to change."

Yes, back then, Ichinose would've never beaten Ryuen or Arisu, but that didn't mean that she was unfit to be their leader. It only meant she had to develop and mature similar to what happened with Ryuen after our fight. Due to her weak mentality and lack of confidence, Ichinose never considered that she could grow stronger and instead left everything up to other people.

"You chose to abandon your classmates, and now one of them might end up getting expelled. If that does happen, then you'll be the only person to blame."

Of course, Kanzaki was also at fault here, but I needed to put more pressure on Ichinose here.

Instead of going on, I remained silent and waited for her response. Ichinose was clearly considering everything that I've said and was feeling conflicted. I could tell she was on the verge of tears and ridden with guilt. Yet despite her feelings, she held herself back from crying and instead looked up at me, finally meeting my eyes for the first time all day.

"How can I change?"