Cote: Elite in Action

A Step Into the Unknown

As I walked near the shore, in one of the most secluded places this school hides, I stopped to reflect on everything I had experienced this year. Time really passes quickly. In the blink of an eye, I will soon be a second-year student.

I smiled at the thought. I had never taken something so seriously before. This school has something special, something I hadn't found anywhere else. However, for some reason, that spark that ignited my interest at the beginning of the year seemed to be fading slowly. Perhaps because the gap between my class and the others is now almost insurmountable. When you no longer feel that pressure, that tension pushing you to improve constantly, it's easy to lose motivation. And that's exactly what was happening to me.

I thought about my previous schools. At first, it was always exciting to meet new people, interact, explore activities I had never tried before. But once everything turned into routine, I would distance myself. Somehow, people stopped surprising me, and I would disconnect. Here, that cycle seemed to be repeating, although this time... it felt different.

For a moment, I considered something that would have sounded unthinkable to anyone who knew me: leaving the school. Yes, I thought about walking away from it all. The competition against the other classes no longer has the same appeal. Even if I stopped participating actively and let Honami lead completely, I'm sure she would handle it. She would learn from her mistakes and grow with every experience. But leaving... wasn't that simple.

There were reasons keeping me here. The first was Anri. She made me promise that I would give my best at this school, that I wouldn't give up. And, so far, I have kept that promise. Leaving would betray her, something I couldn't bear.

The second reason was Honami. Since we cleared up what we felt for each other, something inside me changed. Is this love? I'm not sure. But what I do know is that I like being by her side. I enjoy seeing her smile, sharing moments, going out together. I want to understand more about this feeling. I want to deepen it, explore everything it involves.

And the third reason... is Nagumo. That annoying student has created a toxic environment, and my intention is to put an end to it. Not now, but at the start of next year. I want Honami to gain more influence, for her to be seen as the natural leader she is, so that when I expel Nagumo, she can take his place as the perfect president of the student council.

For these reasons, I can't leave. I don't want to leave behind the friends I've made here either. They've been the closest I've had in a long time. People with whom I can be myself, without pretensions or barriers.

As the sea breeze caressed my face and the sound of the waves filled the air, I felt a strange calm. My reasons are clear. Perhaps that spark has weakened, but there is still something worth fighting for. There are still reasons to stay and keep moving forward.

...

Sitting on a weathered wooden bench, I watched the sunset over the sea. The sky, painted in shades of orange and purple, seemed like an infinite canvas stretching beyond the horizon. The wind blew gently, making my long hair move lightly, as if it too was enjoying the tranquility of the moment. The year-end exam had ended, and with our victory secured, my classmates had eagerly dived into organizing the celebration.

Tonight would be a small, impromptu party, something simple. However, the big celebration was scheduled for tomorrow. They had talked about getting a classroom, decorating it, and filling the space with activities, karaoke, food, and laughter. It was a lively class, full of life, and the collective effort had brought us closer than ever.

But why wasn't I with them? Sometimes, I needed time for myself, a space to reflect. And, besides, there was something else to attend to this afternoon.