Cote: Elite in Action

SS: Horikita - The Truth in the Dark

"The greatest enemy you will face in life is yourself." — Anonymous

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The sports festival had begun, and with it, Horikita Suzune, leader of Class C, entered the arena with a mix of anxiety and hope. Each step, each breath, was laden with the pressure to prove that her class could compete at the highest level. They had devised meticulous strategies to maximize their chances, placing all their hopes on their brightest stars. Among them was Sudo Ken, a young man whose athletic prowess was unmatched. His height, strength, and agility, honed through years of basketball, gave him an imposing presence. Now, as a prominent member of the school's basketball club, Sudo stood as the bulwark of his class.

However, Horikita knew that no matter how brilliant Sudo was, they could not afford to be complacent. Every rival class also had their own talents. A shadow of doubt loomed over her: had she done enough? Over the past month, Horikita and her classmates had worked with fierce determination, but uncertainty lingered. Would their effort be enough to surpass the other classes?

In the weeks leading up to the festival, Horikita dedicated herself to observing her competitors, studying their movements and evaluating their top students. She encountered the formidable Ryuuen Class and the influential Sakayanagi Class, each filled with outstanding students. But the most shocking revelation was the Class A, under the leadership of Kayden Osawa.

What she saw in Class A's training left Horikita breathless. It was not just the students' physical skills that impressed her but the brutal intensity of their training. Many finished exhausted, pushed to the limit of their strength. The level of demand that Kayden imposed on his class was relentless, a level of commitment that seemed unattainable compared to her own. It was a spectacle she could not ignore, and she felt envy and a desire to improve intertwining in her chest.

Horikita understood that the rigorous training of Class A was not only due to a fervent desire to win but also to an unshakable faith in Kayden Osawa. He had managed to cement his position and the loyalty of his peers, who followed his orders without question. His leadership was absolute, and the results spoke for themselves. At that moment, Horikita questioned with painful clarity: Could she inspire a similar faith in her own class? Could she forge a bond so strong with her peers that they would accept equally rigorous training? The bitter truth was that she could not, at least not at present. She knew her control over Class C was imperfect, and the trust she wished to have was still out of reach.

Horikita longed to lead with the same authority and respect as Kayden, where every student dedicated themselves with the same devotion. But she understood that, for now, that dream was far from realization. The vision of a united and determined class, willing to follow her unreservedly, was a goal she still needed to achieve. Despite the distance between her reality and her aspiration, Horikita was determined to work tirelessly to change that reality. Her desire for personal growth and improvement was the driving force that propelled her, and she would not let difficulties stop her.

...

The sports festival was advancing with relentless speed, dragging along the hopes and fears of the students. The results of Class C were decent but not enough to stand out. Sudo Ken had secured a few first places, being the only one to do so, and although that provided some relief, Horikita Suzune knew it was not enough. The performance of the other classes surpassed hers, and that reality tormented her.

But what troubled her the most was not the victories of Classes A or B, but the constant humiliation at the hands of Ryuuen's Class D. Every time her classmates competed, Class D effortlessly outpaced them. No matter the event; if it wasn't Sudo or Hirata competing, Class D always stayed ahead. At first glance, it might seem like Horikita simply couldn't tolerate defeat, but her concern went beyond that.