Cote: Elite in Action

Under the Watchful Eye

As I observed the cafeteria, with the soft murmur of conversations floating through the air and the sound of trays clattering against the tables, I reflected on the last three days since this special exam began. I must admit, it's been quite dull, a routine without major surprises. Sure, that might be a relief for some, but for me, monotony isn't exactly exciting. Still, this steady pace has allowed us to adapt smoothly, which is a plus.

My teammates, after days of constant effort, have started to perform impressively. Among the first-year groups, I can confidently say that we are the best. How do I know? Well, I've been receiving information from friends in other teams. It seems that many of the other first-year groups aren't working as efficiently, and that's due to a common issue: the lack of camaraderie. Instead of seeing themselves as a team, many perceive each other as rivals, which inevitably affects group performance.

As I took a sip of my drink, my eyes wandered around the cafeteria, watching the various students. At every table, there were small signs of tension or poorly concealed competitiveness, while in my group, the atmosphere was much more collaborative. That's the reason why, after analyzing the different teams, I'm sure mine is the best among the first years. We stand out by a considerable margin.

Anyway, it's not like we've already won. The real challenge isn't so much in surpassing the others in our year but in facing the second and third-year teams. With leaders like Nagumo and Horikita at the helm, we know they have experience and skills that we must not underestimate. As I took a piece of bread, I paused to think about them: Nagumo, always a relentless strategist, and Horikita, with her cold and calculating approach. Both would be obstacles.

However, despite the difference in experience, I don't feel at a disadvantage. My team has shown a solid foundation in every aspect. We've prepared well, and if there's anything that separates us from the upper years, it's simply experience, nothing we can't overcome with effort and a well-thought-out strategy.

I smiled to myself as I chewed. The idea that my team could beat the second and third years isn't so far-fetched. It wouldn't be a surprise if we ended up winning, after all. But for now, it was just a matter of continuing to observe, keep improving, and wait for the real event to begin.

...

After finishing my lunch, I got up from the table and headed toward the bathrooms. The bustle of the cafeteria was the usual, mixed voices, occasional laughter, and the sound of cutlery clinking against trays. However, something caught my attention. A few meters from the door, I noticed a group of four girls surrounding a girl with lilac hair. Even from a distance, I immediately recognized the girl being bullied.

It was an awkward scene. The four girls didn't seem to be using force, but their tone and body language made it clear that the intimidation was verbal. Instead of intervening right away, I decided to stay where I was and watch, hoping the situation would resolve itself. It wasn't something that surprised me, but it wasn't something I liked to get involved in without reason.

After a few seconds, the girls walked away, leaving her alone. The lilac-haired girl, with her head down, remained still for a moment before slowly collapsing to the floor, hugging her knees. There were no signs of physical harm, but the verbal wounds were more than evident.

I took a deep breath and approached, my footsteps echoing slightly on the floor of the cafeteria, which was slowly emptying. I stopped in front of her, watching as she clutched her knees, lost in her own world of silent pain. She seemed so small at that moment, as if the weight of everything she was carrying was crushing her.

"Hey, little senpai, are you okay?" I said in a tone soft enough not to scare her but clear enough to pull her out of her trance.

She quickly raised her head, surprised, her eyes bright with unshed tears that she hadn't yet managed to hide.