The Superior Elite (Ongoing)

Chapter 10 : Sports season, began!

As a child, Sudō had been filled with a desire to become strong and independent. His mother had abandoned him early on, choosing to work at a nightclub rather than raise her son. The memory of her leaving still lingered, a painful reminder of how little he meant to her. His father, on the other hand, was no better. A small, insignificant man who worked as a janitor, barely making enough to keep them afloat. Sudō had been disgusted by him—his weakness, his lack of ambition, his resignation to a life of mediocrity.

It wasn’t long before Sudō gave up on academics altogether, pouring all his energy into sports instead. Basketball became his escape, his way of proving to the world that he was worth something. He trained hard, honing his skills until he was good enough to earn a recommendation to a prestigious high school with one of the best basketball teams in the country.

But fate, as always, had other plans. His temper, his inability to control his rage, led to numerous violent scuffles that ultimately cost him that opportunity. The rejection letter was a harsh blow, reaffirming what he had always believed—that he was scum, born from bad parents, destined for a life of failure.

That’s when he found Advanced Nurturing High School. A place that promised a future, even for someone like him. Sudō had thrown himself into his studies and sports, determined to make something of himself, to prove that he wasn’t just another statistic.

But even now, as he stared at the wall of his dorm room, he couldn’t shake the feeling that no matter how hard he tried, he was still that same scared, angry kid, desperate for something more.

As the summer vacation drew to a close, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, Suzune Horikita, Yōsuke Hirata, and Kei Karuizawa found themselves gathered at the Pallet Café, a popular spot among students. The café was abuzz with chatter, the energy of students excited to discuss the upcoming semester palpable in the air.

The group, however, was focused on more pressing matters—the results of the Zodiac Special Exam that had taken place on the cruise ship.

“The exam didn’t go as smoothly as I’d hoped,” Suzune admitted, her tone serious as she sipped her coffee. “But we managed to come out on top, thanks to our planning.”

Hirata nodded in agreement. “We’ve made significant progress, but we can’t afford to get complacent. The other classes are going to be even more determined to take us down.”

Kei, who had been listening quietly, glanced at Kiyotaka. “What do you think, Ayanokoji? Any thoughts on how we can keep up the momentum?”

Kiyotaka leaned back in his chair, considering his words carefully. “We need to focus on unifying our class even further. The Sports Festival is coming up, and it’s going to be crucial that we work together as a team. We’ve seen how division can weaken a class—Class A is a perfect example of that.”

Hirata’s expression grew thoughtful. “You’re right. If we can maintain our unity and work to everyone’s strengths, we have a real chance to push Class D even higher.”

As they continued to discuss strategies, Kiyotaka couldn’t help but notice how far they had come as a class. There was still a long way to go, but for the first time, it felt like they were truly beginning to function as a cohesive unit.

That afternoon, the students gathered in their homerooms for a special announcement. Sae Chabashira, their homeroom teacher, stood at the front of the class, her usual stern expression in place.

“The first month of the second semester will include an increase in physical education classes to prepare for the upcoming Sports Festival,” she announced, her tone no-nonsense. “This festival will be one of the most important events of the year, and it’s essential that you all take it seriously.”