The puppeteer of the elites (CoTE) ON HIATUS

Second day of Sports fest! Lez fight!

Stories...

They are words that people say or write down and communicate to others. They have many uses, such as to transcend cultural barriers, entertainment, and informing others. This was one of the few forms of entertainment we were allowed as children and young teenagers to partake in.

Stories...

Some might enjoy these tales, some might loathe the writings and some might be unable to comprehend other's point of view despite it being written or spoken for all to hear or see. I belong to the column of  'for the purpose of information'. Indeed, I would never read these pieces of literature if not for the knowledge held within their spines. It was certainly not entertainment for me.

However, I did find some useful morals in the works of the Chinese. For example, to trick your enemies, you must first trick your friends. That has stuck with me, despite having no such relations. Another example could be the saying, 百年树人 (bai nian shu ren). It takes a few years to grow a tree, but a hundred years to cultivate a human's education. Though that was its literal meaning, it's true meaning being it takes a long time to cultivate education, it was rather interesting.  Most people don't live that long, so in a sense, their education is never completed. Rather sad, if you ask me. Their journey was cut short.

However, I didn't really bother with that. Millions die daily, millions get their journey cut short, some hadn't even begun, and yet the earth still moves and rotates round the sun in the orbit. The earth cares little to none about trivial human lives. As do I. Watching corpses get thrown out has never bothered me. It's none of my business after all.

But my favorite Chinese saying has always been this.

There are three things in this world you cannot deny.

The sun,

The moon,

And the truth.

Kiyotaka POV

So today is the second day of the sports festival. This is our last chance to clinch enough points until the next big examination or event. Today I have the relay and the martial arts fight. yesterday's results were fairly average, which is good compared to how much we worse we could have done. The relay, as I have heard, is usually held at the end of sports festivals as it is a team sport that brings everything to a close. A rather feeling associated concept.

Looks like the match ups are slightly rigged. As I look at the match set ups, I have realised that class C is always paired up with class D for at least the first two rounds for the individual events as well as team events. Class B and class A are also continuously paired up, and their matches always occur after the class C and D matches. This appears to be similar to how teams from seeded schools get to skip the first matches and go straight to their second ones due to previous achievements.

Is this a way of rubbing salt into the weaker one's wounds? Giving them a disadvantage due to their inability to rise to greater heights? I believe not. Similar to how certain animals and other organisms develop unique features due to a change in their natural environment, I believe this school wants those who have failed once before to face greater adversity and gain new skills.

For those in the 'success' category, they get an advantage of studying their opponents and calming their disposition before heading to battle. This may be to prevent cockiness, overconfidence and such to avoid losing their advantageous position in society.

Well, this is just my theory. Reality usually defers from expectations, so one must live and take things with a pinch of salt.

So, I'm paired up with some class C students before I face the class A or B students. Class C will likely be trying harder for the martial arts fight, considering it's most of their fortes. Class B and A have put barely anybody in for this, most likely assuming they can earn enough points from other 'safer' events. Class B has only sent three people, and class A has sent three as well. I suppose it makes sense to send in Katsuragi and Hashimoto, but it looks like Keiko was forced into this as well. Sakayanagi has a good grip on her. Or is it opposite? Who knows?

Well, I suppose Its time for me to head the venue. And thus, I turn and head to the gymnasium.

I'll get first place for this...

Keiko POV

After yesterday's uneventful 100m sprint, my final event has finally arrived. let's get this over and done with. First, a boy from Class C. Kanzaki, was it? The boy who often remains at Ichinose's side? I have overheard people 'shipping' them together. What is this concept? Is it about putting people or objects into parcels and such and sending them overseas as a quick travel? that surely wouldn't work, the boxes are much too small for human size and weight. It must be the latter then.

I nod silently in agreement with myself, slowly walking to the gymnasium. This is my chance to see how strong Kiyotaka 'is'. I look at the crowds of people from across the classes and squeeze into a seat next to the petite lilac haired girl. She reminds me of someone... I owe much to. Well, owed. just as a person no longer has to pay taxes after death, I no longer am able, or required to repay her.

Anyway, I sat next to Sakayanagi, who was observing the match intently, smiling innocently. "Ayanokoji." She greeted, nodding slightly in my direction. I nod back in response, eyes continually focused on the match. Just Kiyotaka against some thug from class C. He was very clearly holding back, dodging only so there would be minimal contact between his opponent and his body, and his strikes were not overly flashy. Just how average can he get...?

"You're thinking about how normal and average he acts, aren't you?" I ask Sakayanagi, who softly sighs and nods. "There's really nothing that can get past you, is there?" She grins like the Cheshire cat. "I don't know what you're talking about. Everyone will slip up, everyone will eventually let their true personality shine through. Same for you." I reply shortly. "Ara ara~ I don't ever recall doing so~" She smirks. "Is that so? When you're really happy, frustrated, angry or sad, sometimes it's impossible to allow these emotions to not slip through. I've seen it. No mater how well they think they're hiding it. No matter how well you think you're hiding it..." I look her straight in the eye.

"I can see it."

"For example, sometimes you act like a little girl." I look at her face. it is slightly contorted in displeasure at the label. "Most of the time you act like a princess, a noble lady, polite, respectable, courteous... But sometimes you act like a little kid. A girl who acts cute, who has little filter. I think it's fine though." I gaze back at the match.

"How so? it is unwise to show weakness, is it not? I wish to establish dominance at all times." She grumbles, and I catch her clutching her cane tighter from the corner of my eye.

"A true leader is not a tyrant." Kiyotaka dodges to the right, pretending to look out of breath. "A true leader is not a dictator." His opponent, impatient, continues the assault, not noticing that he is simply wearing himself out. "A true leader is someone who is able to be feared and respected without being too overpowering. They are able to communicate with their subjects to improve. they accept their faults and move on. they expose themselves, and try to be accepted. that's what history says, anyway."

"So your true nature is not embarrassing. It is not a weakness. Sometimes people need to show their true self, or else the stress will build up over time, and they will crack. they will break. So, it's fine to act like who you are every once in a while, Sakayanagi san. You are, after all, a normal girl as well, regardless of status and upbringing." I unconsciously pat her lightly on her head. This reminds me of another time... Another life... the one chance I had... That I threw away, for survival.

Even though I can't see her expression now, I think that this matter has been settled. that is simply how emotions are. they well up, and explode and uncertain times. That is what causes people to break. And me?

Kiyotaka manages to land the finishing hit, sweeping the opponent to his feet. the opponent, too tired to continue, is escorted out. He walks down to his class.

Him and I... broke a long time ago...

Third POV

The lilac haired girl smiled slightly at the brunette's talk.

"By the way, this doesn't mean you're forgiven for the 100m sprint yesterday."

"... Fair enough."

Author's note

Hey! I haven't died yet! Yay! I have decided that this book will NOT be discontinued. updates may be random and irregular, as I struggle with writer's block, and am currently a Haikyuu brain. My exams are still not over, but I am taking a short break from studying while I don't feel guilty. Bye for now!