AN: This is it! The last chapter for the COTE arc for now.
I'm gonna admit this is actually just a test for me on how I can write more COTE and Persona content for the future.
Thankfully, I was able to do this safely, so now I'm excited to write those plans I have for tor the future volume!
Now then, please enjoy this chapter!
See you next week!
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Cruise Ship, Hachiman's Home Planet…
Hikigaya Hachiman is currently feeling… satisfied.
It had been a day since his… activities with Honami, Suzune, Arisu, Kikyo, and Masumi, where they crossed that line and took a step forward. Even now, he still didn't understand where he got the courage to go that far with them, but he didn't regret it, not even a little.
For him, that was his first real victory in his ongoing rebellion against fate.
Because he had taken that step with them, he chose to lay everything out in the open. He wanted to be clear and honest with them. So he told them about Mei and Ruan Mei and his relationship with them, coming clean about his feelings for those two, and for them.
…Well, aside from Arisu's reaction.
That one was terrifying.
Hachiman could still remember breaking out in cold sweat, doing everything he could just to calm her down.
Fortunately, in the end… Arisu accepted it.
Suzune's reaction was more complicated. She was shocked, frustrated, and a bit helpless.
Although she also accepted it… But just like Honami, she gave him a punch that was packed with her feelings—frustration, honesty… and something warmer.
On the bright side, Kikyo and Masumi took it relatively well.
Kikyo glared at him for a while, pouting, clearly unhappy, but she had already prepared herself. Somewhere along the way, she had accepted that Hachiman would never be tied to just one person.
Masumi was… simpler. While her words were as sharp as ever, even her tone as poisonous—but there was no real bite behind them. Like Kikyo, she already understood the kind of person Hachiman was and the kind of relationships he would form.
Their acceptance made Hachiman feel relieved. At the same time… it made him aware of something else.
What he was doing right now was, by any normal standard, scummy.
Having multiple relationships with multiple women. A path no decent person would choose.
However, after finally experiencing the kind of life he had always wanted, to live with something genuine, something real, he couldn't let it go.
He even became greedy, and he wasn't ashamed of it.
It only made his resolve grow stronger. He was now seriously considering Koenji Rokusuke's proposal to challenge and change their society itself, so he could stay with everyone without hiding anything.
Still, if the old Hachiman saw him now…He would probably be speechless. To think that Hikigaya Hachiman, of all people, would one day consider changing society… Just to protect his own happiness.
Although the laws of his homeworld didn't matter much to Hachiman now.
Being a Nameless, someone no longer bound to a single world, he could ignore them if he wanted to.
…but that wasn't how the Nameless lived.
They respected the rules of every world they stepped into.
But those issues are things he decided to deal with in the future. For now, he just wanted to enjoy this moment with the people he loves.
"Speaking of which… where the heck are they?" Hachiman muttered.
After the chaotic breakfast earlier, where he endured the burning stares of every boy from Class C (formerly Class D), Class D (formerly Class C), and Class B (formerly Class A) while sharing a table with Honami, Arisu, Kikyo, Suzune, and Masumi—
He hadn't seen a single one of them since.
Even his own classmates were nowhere to be seen. When he checked with Kanzaki and Shibata, they told him everyone was still exhausted from the survival exam and had decided to rest for a while. The other boys gave him the same answer.
"…Figures."
Even if he now had relationships with multiple girls, Hachiman still didn't dare to casually walk up to the girls in his class and ask where they were.
Sure, Shiranami Chihiro or Kobashi Yume would probably answer if he asked…
But he didn't want to bother them.
Or worse—make it feel like he owed them something.
So here he was, exploring the Cruise Ship to pass some time and maybe find his favorite girls. As he turned at the corner of the ship, Hachiman saw someone he didn't want to see.
"Ah…"
"..."
It was Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
Seeing him, Hachiman made a face full of reluctance and annoyance.
"...isn't that a bit rude, making that kind of expression at someone?"
"...Sorry. That was an unconscious reaction."
"..."
Ayanokoji's already flat expression somehow felt even flatter. Hachiman's answer didn't seem to surprise him, but it did leave a slight awkwardness between them.
"...You really don't like me, huh."
"Not particularly," Hachiman answered honestly.
"Is that so?"
Silence fell again with them.
Hachiman frowned and looked away. "Don't take it personally. It's just that your very presence screams trouble for me."
Ayanokoji's eyes narrowed for just a second.
"That sounds like you can understand me better than the rest."
"...Unfortunately."
Ayanokoji looked at him for a moment longer, as if trying to confirm something.
"…You've changed."
"Yeah?"
"You're more straightforward now."
Hachiman shrugged. "Blame the people around me."
"…I see."
Like a switch being flipped, Ayanokoji's presence changed. A cold and rational aura came around him.
"You've chosen a path that will complicate everything. Those multiple ties you have now… will be the very reason for your inevitable downfall."
"Welcome to the consequences of human nature," Hachiman replied, not bothered by Ayanokoji's sudden change. "Where even the most rational monsters would embrace the irrationality just to be with what they truly want."
"... Which is why it makes you an easy target," Ayanokoji answers back. "Because now, you've exposed your greatest weakness out in the open."
Hachiman blinked at his words.
"Weakness? Ahahahaha! That's a very classic villain line!"
He let out a hearty laugh. "Since you're using that kind of template, let me give you the same kind of answer."
He grinned at Ayanokoji. "You call them weakness, I call them my greatest strength. Those bonds people like you often discard and overlook are my greatest treasure, the very source of my strength."
Ayanokoji frowned, confused. He didn't understand Hachiman.
With Hachiman's abilities, ones that could rival his, he could reach even greater heights if he didn't let himself be tied down by something so… human.
And yet…
So, he decided to throw the guanlet. He wanted to test this 'strength' that Hachiman spoke so highly of.
Ayanokoji looked straight at Hachiman. "Then let's see which is stronger—the power you speak of… or the strength of the current society that shaped me."
"You are welcome to try," Hachiman said flatly.
"…I will."
Ayanokoji walked past Hachiman, already done with the conversation.
"…See? You really are a huge trouble for me," Hachiman grumbled as he watched Ayanokoji leave.
—---
Wanting to change the pace, Hachiman stepped out of the ship and went onto the deck. He closed his eyes as he took in the summer sea wind. He leaned on the railing, making himself comfortable.
"This sure is nice…"
He muttered, letting himself sink into the moment.
He felt relaxed—truly relaxed. He didn't need to save the world. No need to think about strategies against other classes. No need to deal with demons making a ruckus. No need to stay constantly alert for shadows appearing out of nowhere just to cause trouble.
At this very moment, he let go of everything. His responsibilities. His identities.
Right now, he wasn't a hero.
He was just Hachiman, taking a break.
After a while, he heard footsteps approaching. The person stopped beside him, giving a familiar and nostalgic presence, carrying a faint scent of vanilla and books.
Hachiman's lips curled into a small smile as he realized who it was. He may have only spent a short time with this person, yet they had made their way into his heart.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. They simply shared the summer sea breeze in silence.
Until…
"…I've imagined this reunion countless times," the person said. "There are a loooot of things I want to say to you. A loooot of things I wanted to share with you. I even rehearsed my lines before coming here today. I feel like I used all the courage I've stored in my entire life just to do this."
Others might have missed it, but Hachiman could clearly hear the excitement, nervousness, longing, and many other emotions hidden within that gentle and soft voice.
"But… now that it is finally happening. Now that I'm here again beside you, personally talking to you once more… the words I want to say. The lines I memorized. The feelings I wanted to tell you for so long… they… they just won't come out now."
He heard her let out a frustrated sigh, making him snort in quiet amusement.
"…So mean…"
She muttered. Hachiman could already picture the adorable pout on her face.
"…I feel like you're thinking something rude?"
"Ahahaha… you're imagining things, Shiina-san," Hachiman said as he opened his eyes and looked at the person beside him.
There he saw, just as expected, Shiina Hiyori giving him an adorable pout that definitely wouldn't lose to Arisu's or Honami's.
"Yo, long time no see, Silver Fairy-san."
Hearing his usual casual greeting, Hiyori couldn't help but feel warmth. Her pout melted away, replaced by a soft, beautiful smile.
"Hello, Hachiman-kun… It has truly been a while."
Her voice trembled slightly with emotion, and faint tears formed at the corners of her eyes.
Hachiman glanced at her for a moment, then looked back at the sea. "You sound like you're about to cry."
"…I might," she admitted with a small laugh, brushing at the corner of her eye. "I didn't think I would, but… seeing you like this, right in front of me again… it feels like all the emotions I kept hidden might come out at once."
"That much, huh?"
"Yes." She nodded softly. "Back then, I kept wondering if I'd ever be able to talk to you again… or if I'd have to wait until we graduate—away from all of this—before we could meet again."
She lowered her head for a moment.
"And I was also a little afraid… that you might change too much. That there wouldn't be a place for me in your life anymore."
Hachiman raised a brow, letting her finish before he spoke. "So what do you think now?"
Hiyori blinked, then tilted her head slightly as she studied him. "You may be… a little different now."
"Only a little?"
"Mm." She smiled faintly. "You're more honest now. It shows… in the way you talk, and the way you show yourself."
He let out a light sigh. "Don't say it like I used to run away all the time."
"…You did," she replied without hesitation, though her tone was gentle.
"…Ouch."
That earned a soft giggle from her.
"But," she continued, her voice was smaller now, "I like this version of you. It feels… warmer and open."
He didn't answer right away.
"Ah! Please don't misunderstand, okay? I also liked the you before! Even if you were dense, evasive, sarcastic… and everything!" Hiyori quickly added, her words rushing out in a small panic.
"Yeah, yeah. I get it. Don't worry." Hachiman replied with a faint, wry smile.
"Fuu…" She let out a relieved sigh, her shoulders relaxing. "I'm glad."
The wind passed between them, carrying the scent of salt and summer.
"…You haven't changed much either," he said after a moment.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Still talks a lot when you're nervous."
"Ah…" She covered her mouth slightly, embarrassed. "Was it that obvious?"
"Pretty much."
"…That's a bit unfair."
"Not really. It's kind of your thing."
She lowered her hand slowly, her smile returning just a bit smaller this time, but more genuine.
"…I'm glad," she said.
"About what?"
"That you're still you."
Hachiman glanced at her again. There was no teasing in her expression now, just relief.
"…Yeah," he muttered. "I guess I am."
A small, comfortable silence settled between them. Hiyori brushes her fingers against her hair as if gathering every bit of courage she had left.
"…Hachiman-kun," she called softly.
"Hmm?"
"We… we can finally talk like this again, right? We can go back to how we were before… right?"
Hachiman didn't answer immediately. He took a moment, thinking it through.
"…With Ryuuen's influence gone… yeah. We can be together like this again."
Hiyori's eyes brightened—only for her expression to freeze at what came next.
"…But I don't think we can go back to how we were before."
"Eh…?"
Hachiman smiled gently as he continued.
"Just like you said, we've both changed. Our views, our responsibilities… and our feelings."
"H-Hachiman-kun…?"
Hiyori's chest tightened. For a moment, it felt like she might really cry.
The way he said it… It almost sounded like rejection.
'Was I too late…? Do I not have a place in his life anymore…?'
Hachiman watched her for a moment, then reached out and placed his hand on her head.
"Don't overthink it, Silver Fairy-san," he said softly. "Not everything that changes is something that separates."
"Eh…?"
He let out a playful grin at her stunned expression. His hand slid from her head to gently cup her cheek.
"…If anything," he added, "some feelings… grow even more after being apart for a long time."
"Hachiman-kun… are you…?" Hiyori's cheeks lightly reddened as she caught the meaning behind his words.
"…The longing we had for each other… can turn into something more than what we expected."
Hiyori lowered her head slightly, trying to hide her embarrassed expression.
"Geez… you really became too honest with what you feel now. That's unfair."
"What can I say? I've gotten a bit greedy." Hachiman smirked.
Hiyori lifted her head again, pouting at him for a moment—before that pout slowly softened into a shy smile.
"…But I guess… It's not that bad."
She gently held the hand resting on her cheek, giving it a small squeeze. Then, gathering what little courage she had left, she pulled him close as she tiptoed and pressed a light kiss at the corner of his lips.
Hachiman's eyes widened in surprise at her sudden boldness.
"Sorry… with the amount of courage I have left right now… that's all I could do."
She said it softly as she stepped back from him, still a little flustered.
"…That's not really the issue here, though, you know?"
Hiyori stuck her tongue out at him playfully, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"So… I'll just ask for your mercy for now… and… have you look forward to it next time."
Hachiman let out a deep exhale, trying to calm his still-shaken heart.
"…Do whatever you want."
"…I will."
She gave him one last small smile before turning away.
"See you later, Hachiman-kun."
"Yeah… see you."
He watched her leave for a moment longer, then tilted his head slightly.
"…Later?"
—---
After separating from Hiyori, Hachiman continued walking around the ship. Even so, he still hadn't found any clue where Honami, Arisu, Suzune, Kikyo, or Masumi had gone.
"Just where the heck are they?" Hachiman scratched his head, frowning a little as a thought crossed his mind. "…Don't tell me they're actually hiding from me."
As if on cue—
His phone buzzed.
"…Speak of the devil."
It was a message from Honami.
[Hi Hachiman! I hope you're enjoying your alone time for now, because after this, you won't get it so easily anymore!
Me, Sakayanagi-san, Horikita-san, Kushida-san, and well… Kamuro-san won't let you be alone again! We don't want you bringing another girl back while we leave you alone after all.
Ah! Just so you know, all five of us are together right now—talking about our future while being busy with other things~
Also, I'm sending this just in case you start overthinking again and think we're hiding from you. So don't think like that, okay?!
Then we'll see you at lunch at Azure Tide Terrace on the upper deck! We'll meet you there at 1 PM.
Love you lots!
—Honami]
Hachiman blinked at the message, then let out a short laugh.
"…Seriously, Honami. You really are an angel."
The small grin on his face said more than enough. There was no hiding how much he appreciated her, how much her presence affected him.
"…Guess I got worried for nothing."
With lighter steps, he resumed walking around the ship. He still had some time to kill before lunch, after all.
—----
Five minutes before 1 PM, Hachiman reached the Azure Tide Terrace that Honami had mentioned. The receptionist noticed him right away and stepped forward with a polite smile.
"Good afternoon, sir. Are you perhaps Mr. Hikigaya Hachiman?"
"Well… yeah, that's me."
Hachiman blinked, a bit caught off guard.
'Hmm? Did Honami and the others make a reservation?'
The receptionist nodded, then made a quick call. After a brief exchange, she gave a small confirming nod before turning back to him with a brighter smile.
"The venue is ready. Please follow me, sir."
"…Venue?"
Hachiman tilted his head in confusion, but he still followed her anyway.
They walked inside the restaurant, passing neatly arranged tables and low conversations, until they reached a closed door at the far end.
The receptionist knocked gently and peeked inside. After receiving a signal, she stepped aside.
"Please, sir."
Still unsure what was going on, Hachiman reached for the handle.
"…What are they planning this time?"
Muttering under his breath, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Then—
"HAAAAPPPYYY BIIIRTHHHDAAAY!!!!!"
The lights burst on at once.
Poppers exploded from every direction, colorful strips flying through the air as the sudden noise and brightness hit him all at once.
"…?!"
Hachiman jolted in surprise. His eyes widened. His jaw slackened slightly as his mind struggled to catch up with what was happening.
Inside the hall—
Honami, Arisu, Suzune, Kikyo, and Masumi stood at the front, all smiling brightly. Right beside them was Hiyori, clapping along with a gentle smile, and behind them was his entire class.
Every single one of them lined up perfectly, all wearing mischievous grins as they watched his reaction.
On the other side were his friends from the other classes—Sakura Airi, Hasebe Haruka, Matsushita Chiaki, Satou Maya, Karuizawa Kei, and the rest of Class C.
Even more surprising—
Morishita Ai, Yamamura Miki, Shiraishi Asuka, and Nishikawa Ryōko from Class B were there too. Honami and Arisu specifically invited them after learning how the four of them helped Masumi carry the "injured" Hachiman back to the teachers' camp.
It was their way of thanking them.
"…You… what…?"
That was all Hachiman could manage.
For once, Hikigaya Hachiman had no idea what to say. And judging by the way everyone was looking at him, they were enjoying every second of it.
"Hehehe! Seeing your expression right now makes all the effort worth it!" Honami walked toward him with a proud grin.
Hachiman looked at her with a dumbfounded expression, "…So this is what you've been busy with, huh?"
"Happy birthday, my dear Hachiman. Just two more years and we can finally get married~." Arisu stepped forward, greeting him with her usual smile.
"Aren't you getting ahead of yourself, Sakayanagi-san?" Suzune let out an exasperated sigh. "Ah… well. Happy birthday, Hikigaya-kun."
"…Thank you?" Hachiman replied, still trying to process everything.
"Hehehe, this is quite a rare sight. The omnipotent Hachiman, completely dumbfounded." Kikyo teased, clearly enjoying herself.
"Heh. This is definitely memorable. To think you can actually make that kind of face." Masumi added, not even trying to hide her amusement.
Hachiman's cheeks twitched, finally regaining some of his chill as he gave the two his usual deadpan expression.
"Come on now, Hachiman! Time to blow out your cake!"
Honami grabbed his hand before he could retort to Kikyo and Masumi, pulling him forward with a bright grin.
A round table sat at the center of the room, decorated far more neatly than anything Hachiman would've expected from his classmates.
At the very center was a cake.
Not overly flashy, not exaggerated, but carefully made. There were small details, slightly uneven icing, decorations that didn't quite match, but that only made it feel more… real.
"Did…you make this?" Hachiman asked, glancing between them.
"Of course!" Honami puffed her chest. "Well… most of it."
"Don't take all the credit," Suzune cut in. "We all contributed."
"Some more than others," Masumi added dryly.
"…Oi."
Kikyo giggled. "I think it turned out well. Even if someone almost messed up the cream."
"…That was one time."
Arisu watched the exchange with a small smile before turning her gaze back to Hachiman. "Well? What do you think?"
Hachiman stared at the cake for a few seconds longer than necessary.
"…It's good,"
That was all he said. But for them? It was more than enough.
"Alright, alright! Make a wish first!" Honami urged, already pushing him closer.
"…You're really treating this like I'm five."
"Just do it!"
"…Fine."
Hachiman looked at the 16 candles.
For a moment, the noise around him faded. He didn't close his eyes. He didn't need to.
"After all…I already got what I wanted."
"…Eh?"
Before anyone could react, he leaned forward… And blew the candles out.
"EH—WAIT! You're supposed to make a wish first!" Honami protested.
"Too late."
"That doesn't count!"
"It does."
Kikyo covered her mouth, laughing. "That's so like you."
Suzune sighed. "At least pretend to follow the mood."
"Impossible."
Arisu chuckled softly. "How very of you~, my dear Hachiman."
"Cut him some slack," Masumi added. "At least he didn't run away."
"…You all really have low expectations of me."
"Correct."
"Oi..."
Laughter broke out again.
And before he could escape—
"Cake time!"
"…Wait—"
Too late, a piece was already shoved into his mouth.
"…Mm—?!"
"Happy birthday!"
"…I'm surrounded by idiots."
"Correction~," Honami grinned. "Your idiots."
"…That doesn't make it better."
—-----
As the party went on, everyone in his class and his friends were laughing, dragging him into photos, and forcing cake into his hand, and yet he found himself not retreating to the corner like usual.
It was loud. It was chaotic.
But it wasn't fake.
And that mattered most to Hachiman.
Eventually, when the music grew a little too much and the teasing refused to die down, he slipped out toward the outer deck for some air.
The sea stretched black and endless beyond the railing. The August sky was clear, scattered with clouds, and a few birds were flying across the sky. The ship moved through the water, leaving thin silver trails behind.
The door slid open behind him.
Honami stepped out and closed it gently, the noise fading into a distant hum.
"You escaped," she said lightly.
"It's called strategic retreat," he corrected.
She came to stand beside him at the railing. They were close enough that he could hear her breath. The breeze swayed her hair for a moment before it slowly fell back into place.
For a while, they simply watched the ocean.
"You didn't have to go that far," Hachiman said at last. "A surprise party on a cruise ship is a bit excessive, don't you think?"
Honami tilted her head. "But it's your birthday."
"That doesn't justify mobilizing the entire class like a military operation."
She laughed softly. The wind caught her hair again, then let it fall.
"You're happy though."
He didn't answer immediately.
The ocean moved in slow, heavy waves below them.
"…Yeah," he admitted. "That I am."
He didn't say much, but it was his honest feelings. Hearing him say that, Honami smiled in content
"Honami," Hachiman called her.
"Hmm?"
He wasn't good at pretty promises. So he kept it simple.
"Just know this… no matter what, I'll be there for you."
She blinked, staring at him for a moment longer than expected.
For once, she didn't tease him right away.
Then a soft laugh slipped out—bright, a little surprised, a little shy.
"Always?" she asked, a playful glint returning to her eyes. "Thaaaat sounds like a proposal."
"…If that's how you want to take it."
"Hmm~"
She hummed, hands clasped behind her back as she rocked lightly on her heels, just like before.
"…Then I'll accept it that way."
She tilted her head slightly as her eyes turned mischievous.
"I suddenly feel like I'm Yamato or something," she joked. "Because now I'll have my own Hachiman—the god of war—staying by my side!"
Hachiman made a face. "Don't inflate my name like that."
"But it's true, isn't it?" she pressed playfully. "Only Yamato can have the privilege of the Great Hachiman Daibosatsu by their side."
"Stop assigning mythological responsibilities to me."
"Naah! From now on, I shall be called Yamato as long as the Great Hachiman is beside me!" Honami declared.
'Shouldn't that be Hikigaya instead, Honami-san?'
Of course, Hachiman didn't dare say that out loud.
A knock came from the window door. Their classmates were all there, staring at him with a silent message—'enough rest, time to party.' The chant of "Father" had already been shouted at least six times by now.
"Come on, Father," Honami laughed as she stepped back inside the hall. "Your children are calling for you."
"…I'm seriously going to deny that title one day," Hachiman muttered.
"You say that, but you're still coming back with me," she shot back with a teasing smile.
With a helpless sigh, Hachiman followed her, already bracing himself like a man walking toward his own execution.
"…Well," he muttered under his breath, a small grin slipping through anyway, "it's not that bad."
At that time, he didn't know how far apart they would grow distant someday.
He didn't know yet just how important that promise to Honami would become.
That there would be a day… when this very moment would give her the strength to face everything waiting ahead.
And that her decision, on that day, would become the turning point that changed millions of lives.
======