COTE : Elites War - Oblivion [Hiatus]

5. 4 Outstanding Talented

Everything has changed since Kiyotaka took over as our official leader.

There is a different atmosphere than in a typical classroom. Before I met Kiyotaka, I didn't like that kind of atmosphere because, despite being surrounded by many people, I was always alone.

The loneliness of that kind of feeling is tolerable since I knew what my priority was. It dulls the mind without even realizing it.

But I'm fine now. I'm surrounded by important people. I'm not sad anymore; this is the happiest time of my life right now.

I hope, this time will stay longer.

***

Kiyotaka's POV

Kei, in my oponion never has excellent remark at sports. It's also not an event she would normally pay attention to, but since our relationship became official, she might consider taking a chance on changing.

Before our arrival at this mountain, Kei had taken practise for volley ball with the girls in club. I, on the other hand, was accompanying her whenever I could. She was diligently practising in the large gymnasium.

Kei's first practise was tossing the ball by forming a triangle with her palms on her head. Kei was quick to understand the basic pattern of this. The ball initially went in the wrong direction, but Kei was able to do it well after a few repetitions.

At the time, I wondered if it meant she was simply athletically challenged by seeing her current performence, she has great potential in sport. Maybe because she never took P.E seriously, but she's athletically gifted?

However, without my realization, I stood in gymnasium where volley ball game took a place, I am standing on the court as watching Kei. I didn't move my body and just fixed my eyes on her performance.

In any case, also prayed that the ball won't fly towards me, but unfortunately, a loose, mountainous ball flew towards me.

"Kiyotaka?! You came."

Kei, who was realizing my existence started smilling, spoke to me with in a soft voice and her tone of voice seemed unfamiliar for our classmates. However, I knew Kei was always has this soft side in her.

"Goodluck, Kei."

I was tossing the ball to her, and the ball flew beatifully. Kei's eyes seemed conveying 'Leave it to me, I'll be the MVP'.

Kei started to jump up and unleashed a back attack with delicate form. Fortunately, no one could react to the ball, and it thrust into the court.

Praise and admiration from allied students was sent to Kei. The cheering from off the court was incridible.

"I didn't know Karuizawa-san is so good at volley ball. Isn't she amazing?"

"Oh, she's famous for being a gyaru from class 2-B. But she looks so cute now."

"Yeah, let's definitely cheer for class 2-B!"

In meantime, Kei onslaught was incridible, she scored more and more point with a technique that was good as the real volley ball team.

The game ended with an overwhealming victory by our team, second year B class.

Kei, at this time was a little exhausted and also embarrased by all attention she suddenly got, but she was only looking at one point of the hall. It's to me.

As if she expected me to be proud of her.

She's not wrong; despite our special relationship, Kei has shown the most growth of any student I've observed. It's obviously a lie if I said I am not happy on her behalf. At some point, I am starting to feel a little more ease.

Kei is outstanding talented person, as I expected.

***

Author's Note:

Just for information, in the LN itself, Kiyo never mentions tools again after the first 3 volumes of first year, aka the last eps in S1/Y1V3. 

In LN4, where english translation used "tool" to decribe Kei in Kiyotaka's monologue, in the Japanese Raw, it said 逸材 (outstanding talented).

For those who read the TL on Y1V4 Kiyo doesn't mention Kei as a tool but "outstanding person" or "talented person". 

You could translate it that as the most appropriate term to use is, "Karuizawa has oustanding talent, it can be useful for me". 

While on TL Seven Seas it is written "Karuizawa is the best tool for me". 

The term tool is already too much even though Kiyotaka has not been using it for a long time.

18th July 2022.