Cote: Elite in Action

The Game of Masks

I found myself in front of the door where the first meeting of the Dragon Group would take place. I couldn't help but feel a slight thrill; after all, this group brought together the leaders of each class. When I opened the door, the light revealed a spacious room with sofas in the corners and a large table in the center, around which all the students were already seated. Of course, I was the last to arrive, again.

—Look who finally decided to show up... Osawa, the bastard who made me lose the last exam —Ryuuen said with his characteristic mocking tone.

—What unfounded accusations? —I replied calmly as I approached—. Do you really think it was me?

—Don't try to pin it on Ichinose. That girl doesn't have the cunning for what you did —Ryuuen retorted, keeping his malicious smile.

—I think you're underestimating Honami too much —I said, taking a seat next to Kikyou and Mako—. You'd be surprised at what she's capable of.

—I can't underestimate someone who hasn't proven anything —Ryuuen shrugged, maintaining his arrogance.

—Besides, why assume that only my class was responsible for both yours and Class B's failure in the exam? —I continued, not taking my eyes off him.

—Hmm, you're right, Class D was involved too —Ryuuen admitted, casting a furtive glance at Horikita, who was sitting a few chairs away—. Intriguing... Suzune, why don't you tell me how you did it?

—You have no right to know, and stop calling me by my name. I don't remember granting you permission —Horikita responded with her usual coldness.

—You're so boring, Suzune. —Ryuuen chuckled sardonically before turning back to me—. And you, Osawa, why don't you tell me the strategy you used?

—It seems that despite your efforts to understand your defeat, you still haven't figured it out. What a pity for you, Ryuuen. You'll have to think a little harder —I replied with a smile, causing him evident irritation.

—Tsk, doesn't matter. I don't need to know. But let me warn you, Osawa, that in this exam I'm going to wipe that damn smile off your face —he threatened, fixing his gaze on mine.

—You can try, but I assure you it won't be easy —I met his gaze, unflinching.

The tension in the room was palpable, but then Kikyou intervened with her typical conciliatory tone.

—Guys, please, calm down. There's no point in fighting. How about we focus on the exam? —she said, trying to pacify the situation.

—Kushida-san is right. These fights don't get us anywhere. It's better to concentrate on the VIP issue —Horikita added, always pragmatic.

—I think you're mistaken, Horikita-san. Ryuuen and I weren't fighting; we were just having a friendly conversation. Weren't we, Ryuuen? —I commented with a touch of irony.

—Of course —Ryuuen said with a laugh—. Women just don't understand how men talk.

—By the way, Katsuragi, you've been quite silent. Don't you have anything to contribute? —I asked, noticing his silence.

—I prefer to listen for now —Katsuragi replied in his usual serious tone.

—Katsuragi, you're more boring than watching grass grow. Don't you think, Ryuuen?

—Absolutely. Talking to him is more tedious than listening to my grandfather's stories —Ryuuen mocked with a laugh.

We laughed, and the rest of the room looked at us incredulously.

—Is something wrong, Horikita-san? —I asked, seeing that she kept staring at us.

—First you act like you're going to kill each other, and now you're laughing together. I don't understand —she responded, visibly confused.