COTE: Horikita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter 171: Is he planning to record us again?

_____

Rin couldn't possibly tell Asahina that he was plotting against Nagumo and planning to kick him out of the student council, could he?

After all, Rin was well aware that Asahina and Nagumo were childhood friends.

[Host, you're overthinking. Even if Asahina knows you're planning to expel Nagumo from the student council, she won't blame you. In fact, she'll be delighted,] the narration system chimed in.

Rin blinked in surprise at the system's words. "That doesn't make sense. Asahina-senpai and Nagumo are childhood friends, aren't they? Why would she be happy to see him in trouble?"

[Because it's the truth.]

[After Nagumo gained dominance over the second-year students, his behavior became increasingly arrogant and unrestrained. Asahina has grown more and more disgusted with him.]

[She's even been thinking, 'It doesn't matter who it is, someone needs to give Nagumo, who has grown far too full of himself, a severe blow to bring him back to reality.']

"I see," Rin murmured, nodding thoughtfully.

Even though Rin now knew, thanks to the narration system, that Asahina wouldn't mind Nagumo's downfall, he still chose not to tell her the reason behind the summons to the chairman's office.

After all, he couldn't be certain that Asahina wouldn't relay the information to Nagumo if she knew.

Rin, a cautious planner shaped by his childhood experiences, disliked having his strategies disrupted by unexpected developments.

Thus, he decided not to disclose his plan to anyone until it was set in motion.

But hadn't Rin already told Ichinose, Shiina, and Chabashira why he was called to the chairman's office?

Yes, he had.

However, Rin had deliberately left out any mention of his intent to use the meeting to expel Nagumo from the student council.

---

Class B, Year 1

Ichinose sat at her desk, holding her phone with both hands, her bright, pretty face clouded with helplessness and melancholy.

She was genuinely happy to learn that Rin had been summoned to the chairman's office because of his exceptional swimming performance and recognition by the school.

But her happiness was quickly replaced by worry.

"Matsuoka has caught the school's attention because of his outstanding swimming abilities. That means he'll likely receive specialized training and focus on swimming in the future, right?"

A sense of uncertainty crept over her. "Will Rin still join the student council?" Ichinose murmured dejectedly.

She had always been looking forward to joining the student council alongside Shirafuchi, but now, with these developments, everything felt up in the air.

Ichinose instinctively wanted to ask Rin about it through Line, but after typing out her question, she hesitated and deleted the message.

There was no rush.

She realized that asking him in person would give her a reason—and an excuse—to invite him out for a chat.

Her lips curled into a small smile as she considered the possibility.

"Honami-chan."

A soft voice pulled Ichinose out of her thoughts. She turned to see Shiranami standing nearby.

"Chihiro-chan, what's wrong?" Honami asked, trying to appear composed.

"Honami-chan, let's go grab something to drink!" Shiranami said with a hopeful expression.

Ichinose looked at her friend, feeling a twinge of helplessness. Ever since she had realized Shiranami's feelings for her, she couldn't help feeling a bit awkward in her presence.

Although she felt awkward, the kind-hearted Ichinose didn't want to lose her friend..

"Okay, let's call everyone. Does anyone want to come with us for a drink?" Ichinose asked, addressing the rest of Class B.

"Sure, I was just thinking about getting something to drink!"

"I'm in too~"

Two-thirds of the students in Class B responded positively to Ichinose's invitation, which clearly reflected her popularity and the respect she commanded within the class.

If it weren't for some students being occupied with their club activities, even more might have joined.

While the rest of the class seemed excited, Shiranami looked visibly disappointed. She had only wanted to spend time with Ichinose one-on-one, not in a big group.

---

On the way to the chairman's office

As Rin made his way to the chairman's office, he unexpectedly encountered Nagumo and his group.

The moment one of Nagumo's henchmen spotted Rin, he froze momentarily before exclaiming, "Boss, look! It's Matsuoka!"

"I'm not blind; I can see him. Let's go!" Nagumo barked irritably.

With a dark expression, Nagumo quickened his pace and strode directly toward Rin, his group trailing close behind.

The group's aggressive aura was palpable, but Rin simply raised an eyebrow, his expression unchanging as he continued to walk at his usual pace.

When Nagumo and his group reached Rin, they blocked his path, and Nagumo wasted no time launching into his tirade.

"Matsuoka, you bastard! Why did the school call both of us to the chairman's office? Did you tell someone about what happened before?"

"Yeah, spill it!" one of Nagumo's subordinates echoed.

"You received so many points from Boss, and now you've gone and reported it?" another accused angrily.

Rin found himself facing a wall of accusations. However, he remained calm, knowing there was no point in trying to outargue them. They had too many voices, and he had only one.

Instead of responding verbally, Rin reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

!?

What's he doing with his phone?

Is he planning to record us again?

The sight of Rin holding his phone silenced Nagumo and his group immediately. Their loud accusations and curses came to an abrupt halt, leaving an almost comedic silence in their wake.

Rin, holding his phone casually, smirked at the now-quiet Nagumo and his flustered subordinates. "Please, go on. Why don't you continue? I'm listening."

Nagumo clenched his fists, taking a deep breath to calm himself. Suppressing his rage, he said coldly, "You took one million personal points from me before."

"Yes, that's correct," Rin replied, nodding without hesitation.

"Then why did you report it to the school?"

"Ha," Rin laughed lightly. "Nagumo, why are you so certain the school called us because they know about our deal? Couldn't it be for something else?"

"Impossible!" Nagumo snapped. "There's no other reason for the school to call both you and me to the chairman's office!"

"How can you be so sure?" Rin countered calmly. "Everything is possible. Only arrogant fools believe in their assumptions without considering other possibilities."

Nagumo and his group visibly bristled at Rin's words. How dare this freshman call them arrogant fools!

Noticing their furious expressions, Rin's smirk deepened. "Relax. I'm someone who keeps my promises. I wouldn't go back on my word. So let me assure you—I didn't tell anyone about what happened."