The Superior Elite (Ongoing)

Chapter 9: Summer day

The sun shone brightly over the school's luxurious pool complex, casting shimmering reflections on the water's surface. It was the perfect day for a swim, and Kiyotaka Ayanokōji found himself roped into a trip to the pool by none other than the "Idiot Trio"—Ken Sudō, Haruki Yamauchi, and Kanji Ike. Along with them were Suzune Horikita, Kikyō Kushida.

The atmosphere was light, filled with the sound of laughter and splashing water.

As they approached the pool area, Sudō nudged Kiyotaka with a mischievous grin. “Hey, Ayanokōji, you ready for some fun?”

Kiyotaka raised an eyebrow. “What kind of fun?”

Yamauchi leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “We’re gonna check out the girls, man. You know, a little harmless peeping.”

Ike laughed, clearly excited about the prospect. “Yeah, Ayanokōji, you’re with us, right? We can’t do it without you.”

Kiyotaka remained impassive, already calculating how to navigate this situation. “I think I’ll pass.”

But the Idiot Trio wasn’t about to let him off the hook that easily. “Come on, don’t be a buzzkill,” Sudō urged. “It’s just a bit of fun.”

" Ugh..fine"

Kiyotaka sighed internally. He knew that agreeing to their plan, even reluctantly, could lead to trouble—not just for him, but for everyone involved. As they continued their playful banter, he quietly formulated a plan of his own.

As they settled by the pool, the group’s attention was quickly diverted by the arrival of Nagumo Miyabi, the charismatic and ambitious Student Council Vice President. He commanded the poolside with an effortless air of confidence, quickly drawing a crowd as he displayed his volleyball skills. His spikes were powerful, his serves precise, and his presence undeniable.

Kiyotaka watched as the trio’s excitement turned to jealousy. “Look at him, showing off like that,” Yamauchi muttered, his gaze narrowing.

“i don't like hot guys like him,” Ike added, crossing his arms with a scowl.

Kiyotaka remained silent, observing Nagumo’s performance.

" Yeah!"

Sudō, ever competitive, clenched his fists. “We should take him on. Show him what we’re made of.”

Kiyotaka glanced at him. “You really think that’s a good idea?”

Before Sudō could respond, they were approached by Honami Ichinose and Ryūji Kanzaki, both from Class B. Ichinose’s warm smile was as disarming as ever. “Hey, would you guys be up for a volleyball match? It could be fun.”

Kanzaki nodded in agreement. “We could make it interesting—how about the losers buy lunch or dinner?”

The Idiot Trio exchanged glances, their competitive spirits reignited. “You’re on,” Sudō declared, his eyes narrowing with determination.

Kiyotaka, on the other hand, suspected that there was more to this challenge than met the eye. Ichinose wasn’t one to engage in meaningless games right?

The match began, and it quickly became apparent that both teams were evenly matched. Sudō’s athleticism and determination were on full display, but Ichinose and Kanzaki countered with teamwork and skill. Kiyotaka, playing alongside his classmates, maintained a low profile, subtly guiding the game without drawing much attention to himself.

The match was intense, with the score neck and neck for most of the game. The poolside crowd cheered, adding to the competitive atmosphere. In the end, Kiyotaka’s team managed to secure a narrow victory, much to the Idiot Trio’s delight.

“Yes! Free lunch for us!” Yamauchi cheered, pumping his fist in the air.

Ichinose smiled graciously, despite the loss. “Looks like we owe you guys a meal. But that was fun.”

As they shook hands, Ichinose’s gaze lingered on Kiyotaka for a moment, as if she had noticed something about him that intrigued her.

After the match, the group dispersed to enjoy the pool. The Idiot Trio, however, hadn’t forgotten their original plan. They huddled together, whispering about the best vantage points for their peeping scheme.

Kiyotaka, wanting no part in their plan, discreetly texted Kei Karuizawa. If anyone could put a stop to the Idiot Trio’s antics without causing a scene, it was Kei.

Within minutes, Kei appeared, striding over to the trio with an air of authority. “What are you guys up to?” she demanded, her hands on her hips.

Sudō, Yamauchi, and Ike froze, caught off guard by her sudden appearance. “Uh, nothing, Karuizawa. Just… talking.”

“Yeah, just talking,” Yamauchi echoed, trying to play it cool.

Kei wasn’t fooled. “Sure you are. Why don’t you talk somewhere else, away from the girls?”

Her tone left no room for argument, and the Idiot Trio, knowing better than to cross her, sheepishly agreed. “Alright, alright, we’re going.”

As they retreated, Kei smirked and shot a quick glance at Kiyotaka, who nodded in silent thanks. The plan to peep had been effectively neutralized without causing any drama.

With the Idiot Trio’s scheme foiled, Kiyotaka and Kei found themselves alone by the pool. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the water.

Kei leaned against the pool’s edge, looking up at Kiyotaka. “You really know how to handle those guys, don’t you?”

Kiyotaka shrugged. “They’re predictable.”

Kei’s expression shifted, becoming more serious. “You know, Ayanokōji, you’re always so calm and composed. It’s like nothing ever rattles you. But that can’t be true, right? There has to be something that gets to you.”

Kiyotaka’s gaze drifted over the water. “Maybe. But it’s not something I dwell on.”

Kei studied him for a moment, sensing the walls he kept up around himself. “You know, you can talk to me, right? If there’s ever something on your mind.”

Kiyotaka met her gaze, a rare flicker of emotion passing through his eyes. “I might try to expel someone soon enough.”

Kei blinked, caught off guard by his sudden admission. “What? Why?”

“Just something that needs to be done,” Kiyotaka replied, his tone as calm as ever. “There are certain people who could become problems later on. It’s better to deal with them now.”

Kei frowned, unsure of what to say. The Kiyotaka she knew was always in control, always a step ahead. But this revelation hinted at a side of him she hadn’t fully seen before—a side that was willing to take drastic measures to achieve his goals.

They fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of Kiyotaka’s words hanging in the air. After a while, Kei broke the silence with a small smile. “Well, if you ever need help with anything… you know where to find me.”

Kiyotaka nodded, appreciating her offer. “Thanks.”

" No problem!"

With that, they turned their attention back to the pool, deciding to enjoy the rest of the day. Despite the underlying tension, the simplicity of playing around in the water offered a brief respite from the complexities of their world.