COTE: A Man On A Mission II Love is War?

When, Hachiman found out the intentions of Vice President Nagumo.
　　
"Ichinose, if it is Vice President Nagumo." He decided to warn this leader of Class B in good faith, "It's best not to get too close to him."

"....I don't like to speak ill of others behind their backs, but Nagumo-senpai is very dangerous." With that said, Hachiman retrieved the photos of the second-year class evaluation scores, he had taken when he entered the school.

Seeing that Hachiman seemed to be showing her a picture, Ichinose immediately came closer.

Instantly the girl's fragrant breath floated over. And she probably doesn’t quite understand how to get along with others.

Hachiman felt that if he decided to move even a little bit, Ichinose would probably do the same unconsciously.
　
So, he handed the phone over so that the other person could see the numbers on it. He's not a secret pervert.

"This is a photo that I took of the small blackboard in the second grade. And these scores are quite strange, so I suspect that the second graders have lost the ability to compete in special exams.....” He wanted this sunny girl to understand what kind of ghost class points this is? Very dangerous.

'They have lost the ability to confront each other in the class, which means...have they actually become one?' Ichinose's expression began to change.

She was not stupid like her counterpart and quickly understood what Hachiman was trying to say.
　　
It was about the danger of the senior who told her the shortcut to pass this written test.

"This.... photo was taken when Hikigaya-kun just entered the school," After taking another look at these scores, and noticing the date on which the photo has been captured, Ichinose looked at Hachiman with her eyes full of curiosity, "As expected, you discovered these secrets very early."

'Um. What is this girl doing?'
Hachiman didn't ask for any praise.

Only. "I see..." But Ichinose nodded her head twice, as if she understood something. "....Although I don't like to speculate on others with malicious intent, and thought this senior seems to be a good person."

"It's just..." She hesitated, and her expression looked like she was having an internal struggle about her beliefs, “If this can be done, then... I can't let my class fall into crisis. "
　　
“Anyway, thank you." Ichinose bowed head gently, in gratitude.
　　
"No, I think I should be the one to say  thank you." Hachiman shook his head, he didn't think he deserved such a high evaluation, "You wanted to tell us about the old questions in the regular exam.....even though we are still competitors.”

He had to Ichinose's evaluation in his mind, a Real holy mother indeed.

"Ah... um. After all, the students in Class C are under a lot of pressure." Ichinose said with a smile on her face,  it's obvious that she would help with this simple problem.

But she didn't know at the start that most of her classmates who went to tutor the idiots of Class C, almost wanted to bang their heads against the wall especially Ryuji Kanzaki, her own advisor.

So, when Ichinose saw the sullen look on her assistant's face for several days, she realised that the academic ability of the students in Class C is very outrageous.

And according to the progress of make-up lessons, it is definitely impossible to pass normally.

So, after learning about the old test questions, Ichinose wanted to share this information. Because she didn't want Hikigaya-kun (class leader) to think that her classmates didn't help, causing students to drop out.

From this point of view, Ichinose is like a holy mother.

___________

Afterwards, Ichinose who was nominated as a genuine holy mother by Hachiman, left first because a friend was looking for her.
　
And then he looked at Kushida-chan, who was frowning for a while.

"So, the written test in the second month of enrollment will be based on old questions....This news is basically verified at the point.

Then the next thing to do is to get the test paper." Even though Hachiman wanted to ask what's wrong with her newfound attitude, he didn't have much time and gave her another order "...Can you ask that senpai out?"

"I'll try." Kushida just nodded her head, absent-minded. She was upset because her plan of getting into Ichinose's heart was bankrupted by the Vice president.

And more importantly Ichinose didn't even say goodbye when she left.

'Do you value me so little in your heart? What about being a holy mother?!' Even though Kushida looked annoying inside.

But as a little angel in the class, she doesn't want to see anyone fall behind because of poor marks.
　　
And now the authenticity of the matter has been confirmed from Ichinose.

'Then I can definitely do it more boldly, there's no need to be so secretive like earlier'

In this way, Kushida started working again. 'The payment's really too low. It feels like being abused!'

__________

Ten minutes later.
　　
"Senpai” Kushida sat down opposite from this senior with a sweet smile on her face, "There is something I want to discuss with you. Do you still have the exam from the year before the last? I want those tests paper?" If it was a boy, she would have tried harder but well....

"How many points are you willing to pay?" The third-year senior sister was completely unambiguous. It would be better to say that she was really moved when Kushida came to explore the information.

After all, she is a student in Class D, and has already vomited after eating the unpalatable mountain vegetable set meal.

So, she also want points. But this girl didn't know that Kushida-chan saw her earlier, in the cafeteria eating.....that.

When she decided to spy on her, this senior vomited near a trash can, so Kushida immediately decided on her target.

In this way, our little angel looked around guiltily, and showed a troubled expression on her face.

Then, Kushida looked at the senior with some hesitation, "Then... senpai, how much do you want?"

“Same as I said before, 40,000!" Senpai also lowered her voice in response, but said resolutely, "I also have to bear the risk, no less than 40,000 points!"

If Kushida can save her classmates, then sell this favor to Ichinose.....
　　
Then this price is acceptable, but she felt that she could fight a little harder, and negotiate the price even lower.
　　
Everyone knows the rules of this school, and the senior students in Class D of the third grade have a class evaluation score of 20 points, so they can only get 2,000 private points every month.

Not enough to eat at all. In other words... the senior is poor enough.
　　
Then, there's a high possibility that this senpai must be quite desperate. In this way, Kushida shed a little skin, and decided to harden her heart.

Became a little black inside. So.
　　
"Senpai..." She looked at this brown-haired senior with some embarrassment, "....Isn't it a little too expensive?"

"Not expensive at all!" But the third-year senior said seriously without giving any face, "I can guarantee that this test paper is accurate..... And if you pass the exam, you will not only be exempted from dropping out, but you will also get 100  points. Meaning, with a class of 40 people, it will add up to 400,000!

But I only want 40,000, so it's not expensive at all!!" She even raised her four little fingers at her, in a very rude gesture making Kushida want to snap them into pieces.

'This bitch is so annoying?!'

"..." But, she showed a troubled expression instead, and then turned very pitiful, "Senpai, do you really have the heart to let me drop out of school?"

“....” Um. Although she is a girl, the third-year senior also felt dull for a moment. After all, Kushida-chan still looks very cute.

And she also showed an expression of trust and belief in her.
　　
So, at that moment, even this senpai, had a feeling of shame. 'Was it really okay to blackmail a cute school girl like this?'

"35,000, no less!" Gritting her teeth, she lowered her request, but her tone was much softer, not as decisive as before.

"Senpai." Kushida still had a grimace on her face, and continued to be pitiful.
　　
"Thirty thousand," She decreased the price even more shamelessly, Kushida wouldn't have done it, if this senior hadn't pointed her fingers at her face.

It makes her look like a sadist who loves bullying weak people.

"Thirty-five thousand! I really can't go any lower!" But the senior sister had a bitter look on her face and her words became quite firm, not as soft-hearted as before.

With 35,000 points, if she saves money, she can eat at least 60 meals without eating that.....garbage.
　　
Therefore, it is no longer possible for her to lower the price.
　　
Kushida, on the other hand, also noticed the firmness in her words, and she also knew that there was no point in trying to be cute.

"Okay, thirty-five thousand." She sighed softly and took out her phone, still looking very pitiful, making others thought that the senior was the one demanding too much.

But Kushida-chan was very cute and relented to her request, making this senior's reputation in other people's mind even worse than earlier.

“.....” Senior. 'What's wrong with these people?' She thought in confusion, feeling some intense hateful stares.

__________
　　
In this way. Kushida and her senior are trading.

And the other side. Hachiman and Horikita were not far away.
　　
Keeping an eye on this drama, "Did you see that, Kushida is very good at doing this kind of thing!" Hachiman looked very impressed, and praised Suzune's natural enemy without a second thought.
　　
Actually, he doesn’t think Kushida’s behavior is very good.
　　
Because. She didn't understand the importance of haggling, and put the choice in the hands of the other party from the beginning and let the senior decide her own price, instead of taking over the negotiation completely.

In this way, even if she is a novice, this senior girl knows very well that Kushida actually was not aware about the true value of this test paper, let alone how to decide the amount.

That's why she used the rhetoric "The whole class will get 400,000 points, but I only need 40,000.”

And the right bargain is a rare commodity.

But this senior is just one of the upperclassmen, so you can find other poor bastards.

Then you can continue to lower the price, 30,000, no, even 20,000 can be achieved.

Only. Hachiman decided to use this opportunity to reward the other person, "How about you accept Kushida a little bit?"

"..." Suzune "You mean... I have to be friends with her?" Even her face looked disgusted at this thought, being friends or something.......

"There are things you can learn from her." Hachiman sighed, and tried using other means to change Horikita's mind, "For example, Kushida is always doing things that are beneficial to the class."

'In other words, you're not being very useful, and just fishing like Ike and the others'

This kind of meaning appeared inside Suzune's mind after hearing Hachiman's statement.

Only, if she keeps rejecting her, Kushida's bomb may explode but Hachiman wanted to defuse it before something crazy happened.

____________

Humans are absolutely ugly creatures.
　　
Can they help others, without any reward, but still able to maintain their heart clearly white?

Of course, Hachiman does not deny the existence of such angels.
　　
But he knew very well that Kushida was definitely not a real angel.
　　
However, if she keeps licking Horikita and doesn't get any feedback, her pressure cooker will explode, causing bloodshed in the entire classroom.

Rather say. Because it is a bomb, it will definitely not be able to hold on for much longer.

But in this case, maybe deliberately igniting Kushida during a special exam, might have a miraculous effect.

'Get some nice blackmail material' Hachiman thought to himself.
　
After all, the overall quality of the class is not enough to compete with other classes. He can only use black methods.

At this time, Kushida had already received the paper sent by her senior.
　　
It's just that it's not a direct paper, but a photo of the test paper. Normally, she would have to go back to the dormitory to find old papers.

But nope. Instead, she sent the picture directly to Kushida. In other words, this senior really wanted to sell the test papers and run away with Kushida's pocket money.

"This senior sent me the test papers from the last midterm exam, and also included the special quiz that we had already taken," Kushida reported this good news, immediately after the transaction was over.

"Then, Horikita-san, can you please come over and take a look at these papers?"

"...." Suzune. She didn't want to look at what kind of evil things Kushida-san is holding inside?!

'Unholy! I don't want it! "It's exactly the same as what we took in the quiz." Horikita didn't have any other option but to take a small peek. She was also slightly curious, even though another chibi-Suzune was screaming inside the court.

"....It seems that the upperclassmen really passed the exam by cheating," Kushida even shed a small tear, at this huge achievement, "With this test paper, our classmates will definitely survive this battle.”
　
Her acting skills are really amazing, but Hachiman realised that Kushida just wanted his straight daughter to understand that it was really hard work?

But he also looked at the paper. The questions of the quiz sent by the senior were exactly the same as the questions of the quiz, he took last month.

Not to mention the numbers, but even the punctuation wasn't changed.
　　
Then, there is a high probability that the questions in this exam won't be different either?

In this way, 35,000 points are considered money well spent.
　　
There are five subjects in this midterm exam, physics, chemistry, biology, English and mathematics.
　　
As for the test paper they bought, some places were filled in, but there were still many mistakes or even blank spaces.

But, since the other party is still in school, it proves that she'd pass the exam.

"....So, is it really the case?" Suzune also understood. "The school actually allows such things as cheating by default....." It looks like, that chibi-Suzune was finally able to take over.

She wanted justice! It's unfair!! What a horrendous crime?! Very uncomfortable for a top student like her.

Because what she has been working so hard for has been leaked by the school itself!.....Cheat sheets!

Suzune wanted to growl and stomp her foot on Kushida-san's cell phone, crush it with all her might.

Only. She noticed Hachiman looking at her. Really? She looked upwards slightly.

He was indeed staring at her. And this is probably to make her take action.

"..." Suzune. So, she pursued her lips and looked at Kushida-san.

".....Thank you Kushida-san, for this exam," Suzune then said some unbelievable words that even she herself didn't believe, would ever leave from her own mouth.

"Eh..." Look, even Kushida was also suddenly stunned by Horikita's seriousness. "Horikita-san, what do you mean..."

"I've seen everything you did before." Suzune clicked her tongue inwardly, and said with a blank look on her face, "...It's just that I've been alone since I was a child, so I don't like the presence of others around me."

"But." She seemed to be making up her mind, it looks very difficult. Like an internal debate being held inside her brain.

Then she finally said the thing, "...Can you becoms friends with me?" Suzune extended her slender hand to Kushida-san. She said this in a meek voice, with her cheeks slightly red, very ashamed.

"Hey!" Kushida screamed again in extreme shock, her eyeballs looked like they'll come out from her sockets at any point.

Hachiman was ready with his hands open, if something happened just in case.
　　
Because. She went to Horikita Suzune's door every day to wait for her, wanting to go to school together, and even took the initiative to say hello to her every day in the morning.

Result, always ignored by the other party. Very heartless, Kushida has gained many looks of sympathy from her classmates.

As a result, does the sun come out from the west now? Horikita-san actually wanted to be friends with her.

Kushida felt like crying, for a moment, became quite emotional, even her eyes looked a little watery.

It was a beautiful scenery, which deserved to be captured by Airi's digital camera.

"I don't want to admit that I am trash.....so, I want to climb up. My goal is to be promoted to Class A. Then....Kushida-san, can you help me with this?" Suzune decided to open her heart for the first time, gaining looks of utter disbelief from both of her classmates. 'Is it really that surprising? What do these guys think I am?!'

"Yeah." After Kushida wiped her eyes, with her right hand, she touched her chest and nodded enthusiastically. "I also want to be promoted to Class A!!"

"It's just." Then her face seemed to feel relaxed. "Then our current relationship is..."

"It's like being partners-in crime" Hachiman said, with a small smile on his face. He also got a little emotional, and even wanted to clap his hands.

"..." Kushida said, "Yes, that's right, Hikigaya-kun. We are partners-in crime!” she seemed to nod happily.
　　
But it's no use, Kushida-san, when Hachiman talked to you just now, she seemed to be ignoring him. Her gaze fixed on the black-haired girl, sitting across from both of them.

Hachiman feels like he's getting in the way here. In other words, in Kushida’s mind, his neighbour’s ranking must be solved.

So, he decided to change the topic, “Then the next thing to do is to find someone to fill in the correct answers. Then send it to the students in our class.” This step is also very important, he needs to find a top academic student to solve this paper.

"Treat it as study materials or something....."
　　
“Yeah, this kind of thing..." Hachiman then looked at both of these girls, with a questionable look, “Can I leave it to you two?"

"Or, do you want to leave it to Yukimura. His name is also among the top students announced by the teacher," He then deliberately mentioned another person's name to ignite their competitive spirit.

Yukimura Teruhiko. Wear glasses, not very tall, a little thin, and have a nerdy air around him.

But, he is a top class student. Only behind Horikita.
　　
"Ah... um... I think Horikita-san and I will be fine," Kushida didn't want to share her credit of work with someone else. Besides, by doing this she can spend more time with the said person.

Hachiman thought this girl's hopeless. He read somewhere that people get crazy when they fall in love, but he was able to witness this kind of superficial thing in real life.

Kushida, just scanned the test paper. Although some of the content is different from what she has learned now, if she takes the test, she can still get 80 points!

And Horikita's academic power is very good, so she can probably achieve more than 90 points.

Although she doesn't know why Horikita-san suddenly wants to be her partner...but it is definitely the perfect opportunity to gain her favor.

Because.....every time Kushida met Horikita, she was ignored or treated like shit, full of disdain. So, she was used to her... garbage-like treatment.

'It's extremely insulting!' "Actually, if none of you can do it, I can also arrange Koenji to do this, ” Hachiman just wanted to put this nail in the coffin. No chance of getting unscrewed.

Koenji's the academic leader in the class, a real-life monster in disguise, with such high physical abilities, it seems like taking some kind of heavy drugs.

A very strange person, indeed.
　　
But "Hikigaya-kun, it's not funny,” Kushida said as if he was joking. But he really wasn't. In other words, she actually hates Koenji.

While deepening his analysis of Kushida's personal relationships, Hachiman took out his mobile phone and pretended to check it, but he actually turned on the video.

Then when he put the phone back, he checked the video. You can notice that in the corner of the cafeteria, a girl with long purple hair and three hairpins is staring at this place.

And this suspicious looking person is, Kamuro-san, sitting next to her owner Sakayanagi.

In other words, the other party may have discovered Kushida’s business of buying test papers.

The students in Class A are really quite perverted.

____________

Author's Note

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Bonus - 40 Chapters have already been updated there.

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