Classroom of the Elite x Your Throne: Clash of Steel and Deceit

Ch. 5.3 - Trying Out

After locating the dojo of the Judo Club, I stopped to take out my phone.

"Suzune, you did Judo if I recall correctly."

As I called for her, Suzune's faded figure appeared on the blank screen like a ghost.

"...Yes. I started at a young age but wouldn't consider myself experienced."

"I see," I said while scanning the flyer again. "But, Horikita Manabu practiced Karate and Aikido. If you admired your brother that much, why did you choose Judo over Aikido?"

"Well...I actually did practice Aikido but it just didn't last very long. Although we practiced Karate together for quite some time, my brother was quite against me continuing Aikido."

"That's strange. Did you ever get to know the reason why?"

Suzune shook her two-dimensional head, "Not really. However, he did say something like I wasn't supposed to follow in his footsteps if I wanted to surpass him. I didn't quite understand what my brother meant by that since surpassing him had never crossed my mind even once."

I let out a snicker, "You're a fool."

"Huh? Wh—"

I put my phone back inside my pocket and headed inside the dojo.

Perhaps it was Horikita Manabu's way of telling his sister to find a path of her own to build herself, as trying to copy everything he does could only ever amount to nothing. Needless to say, Suzune is no failure. She's already achieved a lot for someone her age and still has much more room for growth.

"Let's see..."

As I entered the dojo, I bowed my head to show respect. The room was well-illuminated—much brighter than the hallway. The mats expanded to about the size of two classrooms and were in vibrant colors of yellow and red, with the latter surrounding the former. One side of the wall was plastered with mirrors but was facing away from where I was standing.

While I was scanning the room, a few students in their beautiful white uniforms looked towards me. From what I know, their kimono is referred to as judogi, while the students themselves are called judokas.

"Ah! Another first-year!" a male judoka shouted from the other side of the dojo.

Because of his loud voice, everyone else in the room glanced in my direction. Judging from everyone's behavior, it seemed like they hadn't started yet.

"Hey! Come on in!" A girl sprang up from the mats and approached me. She was wearing a brown belt.

"Thank you," I bowed again and moved to the sides unoccupied by the mats.

There were less than ten people in the dojo. It could be that the rest of the club members were just running late. However, it was entirely possible that this number was all the Judo club could muster even after the club exhibition.

"Are you interested in the Judo club, by any chance?" the girl giggled with stars in her eyes. "What's your name?"

"Yes, my name is Horikita Suzune," I said, showing her the flyer I had brought. "I saw this on the bulletin board and was curious."

"Haha!" a person cheered in the background. "I told you, Anri-senpai! Making those posters was genius!"

"Shush, Tanaka-kun," the girl turned to the muscular person behind her before replying to me. "Sorry about that, Horikita-san. I'm Suzuki Anri, the Judo club's co-representative. Did you bring your application form with you?"

I glanced at the mirrors as she said that.

I don't recall needing to bring one. You would assume that it'd be provided by the club itself.

"I apologize, Medea-sama. I forgot to mention that the deadline for club applications was on the last day of April. You're supposed to bring your form directly to the club."

I let out an internal sigh. Even Ayanokouji and Sudou didn't bother mentioning anything of the sort. Well, no matter.

"I'm afraid I threw mine away. I hadn't considered joining a club until now."

"Oh, that's perfectly fine," she waved both of her hands. "I'm sure either Shiratsuki-kun or Tsurugi-sensei has a copy."

"I take it that Shiratsuki-kun is the club representative?"

"Yep! He'll be here soon with the other first-year who wanted to join today."

I wonder who that could be.

"Do you happen to know the name of the other first-year?"

"Ah, I didn't hear it since he wasn't speaking much."

Tanaka interrupts, "He was huge! Once he learns the gentle way of Judo, we'll have a fun time sparring!"

I turned to Tanaka, "Do you know his name, Tanaka-senpai?"

"Senpai, huh?" he closed his eyes while holding up his chin. "There's a good ring to it. But, nope, Suzune-chan. I think he's from Class C, though."

"I see?" I tilt my head.

As we were discussing the identity of the other first-year, the front door to the dojo opened again.

"We're back."

"Oh!"

Three people had entered through the front door. Immediately after, everyone inside the dojo stood up as straight as popsicle sticks. Given the situation, I decided to follow.

"Attention!" Suzuki raised her voice. "Bow!"

It seemed like Shiratsuki had arrived with Tsurugi-sensei, and bowing together was our way of showing respect.

Apart from the club representative and instructor, there was another student like me who was only wearing their school uniform. He had a build even larger than Tanaka who I considered to be a work of fine art. Paired with his dark skin, hair, and sunglasses...(?), he was creating quite an intimidating presence.

"This is Yamada Albert-san. He'll be joining us starting today."