This school is full of crap.

Even back at the club recruitment festival, I could tell there was something rotten about this place. Though, even a cynical person like me gave into the temptation of 100,000 points per month.

I guess I really was like the rest of them.

Back in April, I could feel them looking down at me in the basketball club. I only joined because I like the sport, and it's the only time I'll work with other people. Otherwise, I prefer doing things by myself since other people are fake and annoying.

Everyone arrogantly keeps secrets hidden close to them, trying to live as if they've never done anything wrong. However, in E Class, where everyone was labelled as defective, the whole school knew there was something wrong with you.

It was insulting that I was lumped in the same class as them. I live honestly and never hide anything. If people talk to me, I give an honest thought or opinion. I never sugar coat anything.

Somehow, being honest wasn't enough for me to escape being in the same class as these losers. What was the defect I wasn't seeing?

My cynicism couldn't be the cause of it, as plenty of people in society are like me. They become disenchanted and hate their surroundings, because they realise how dreadful life is. I am one of these people.

Human relationships are nothing more than a joke. You are stronger when in solitude, because you rely on no one but yourself. Self-sustainability is needed in the real world, as you can't trust those with higher power.

Those with higher powers only seek to screw you over while benefitting themselves. Selfish and greedy people like them exist everywhere. You can't trust those guys. Only yourself.

Just before May came, the basketball club was deciding who'd make the cut for the 1st Year's competitive team.

The leader of the club was an A Class 3rd Year, Iwasaki Hikosaburo. He wasn't the best player, but he did have the most authority over all the other students due to his age and status, which is probably why Kawaga-sensei chose him to be the leader.

From the 1st Years, only a handful of us joined. No one else from E Class joined, which made me glad, but from the upper classes, there was Kurase Takuya, an A Class student who I had major respect for due to how good he was at the game. His middle school had won the national under-16 championships, which really proved his value in the team.

The other 1st Year A Class student in the club was Takizawa Shuu, but he was bad at basketball. An obvious beginner but was gaining skills from hanging out with Kurase.

From B Class, there was Daita Hachirou, Machida Kouta and Zayasu Bunta. Daita is a quiet guy, but he's good at the game. Machida's arrogant and cocky, but he's got the skills to back up his trash talk unfortunately. Zayasu sometimes comes, sometimes doesn't, but he's not good at the game. Has a nasty jump though, he blocks off even the senpais.

Igarashi Hayato was the only C Class student in our club. His friend Eguchi Tomohiro usually drops by to watch, but when the other guys try to convince him to join, he just refuses. Igarashi's pretty average at basketball, his strong point is stamina.

From D Class, there was three delinquents in the basketball club. Hiraoka Shouhei, who's got an advantage being large and tall. Takemoto Gentarou, who uses his size to intercept passes. Finally, there was Terasaka Soichiro, who's probably the only other 1st Year that could rival Kurase's abilities.

However, while I applaud his skills, Terasaka's abrasive and bossy. If things don't go his way, he bullies you into playing his way. Terrifying for sure. He's only nice to his classmates, but treats everyone else as under him.

Honestly, I was pretty confident I'd make the cut. I played small forward, while guys like Kurase played point guard, and Terasaka played centre. Though, I was worried about Machida, since he also plays a good small forward, but he was better as a power forward.

Our club session had came to an end, as I passed the ball to Kurase. He caught it and slam dunked it into the hoop to show off.

"Good playing today, Ikesugi-san." Kurase said, grabbing the ball and passing it back to me.

He was never this friendly to me again after the school revelation.

"Thanks. You did good as usual." I caught the ball and dribbled it to the cupboards, and threw it into the bag that held the basketballs.

"When did you start playing basketball? When I first saw you, I thought you'd be bad at the game since you're so skinny, but you're a killer passer and runner."

Kurase passed me my towel and bottle which was sitting on the bench. I took a swig and put the towel around my sweaty neck. I didn't really need him to compliment me, since I know I'm good at those things.

"Back in middle school. I picked it up on a whim since my school was stingy and made it compulsory to join a club. I chose the basketball club since it was about to be shut down soon. If that happened, I wouldn't need to attend club activities anymore."

It's true. Kurase looked at me with a grossed out face.

"That's sleazy, man."

"It backfired since the club popped off that year instead. A lot of the boys in my year chose to the basketball team instead after the football club messed up and started to kick out members. I was gonna quit the club and join another dying one, but I wasn't allowed to change, so I started going to avoid getting detentions."

Kurase's face looked even more disgusted. At least I'm being honest about it.

"Since I went there every week, my skills got better. Then the coach put me on the team, and we competed in the under-16 regionals. We lost pretty hard, but the experience made me like basketball."

"It's fate you joined the basketball club then. You're a valuable teammate man, you're doing good."

More like crooked luck. I like basketball, but it goes against my entire ethos. I hate working with others, but basketball forces me to work with others.

"Oi, Kurase, Ikesugi, Iwasaki-senpai's calling for us 1st Years." Takemoto called us over from the bench.

"Let's go." Kurase went over.

"What the hell does that guy want?" I followed, rehydrating on my way over.

Iwasaki was standing in front of a white board with all of our names on it. Ten names, with only five being able to make the cut. The rest of us would become mere substitutes that probably would see only ten minutes of game play max.

I wanted a spot so badly.

"Good work today as usual. Me and Kawaga-sensei wanted to sort out the 1st Year team, so we're gonna hold a group discussion on who'd make the cut."

Iwasaki circled Kurase's name with a red marker.

"Of course, the first spot will go to our basketball ace, Kurase Takuya-san! Congrats!"

We all clapped for Kurase, even if I didn't feel like doing it.

"Heh, I'll bring this school good things with my skills."

Kurase was being cocky just because he got a spot. I really hate that.

"The remaining four spots is tougher to decide. Terasaka-san, I want to add you, but your behaviour's concerning."

Terasaka snorted and shrugged.

"I don't care. If you don't add me to the team, that's your guy's loss."

I hated how arrogant he was. He was good, that's for sure, but his tone of voice is so condescending.

"You know it too, Iwasaki. Me and Kurase on the same team, we're unstoppable. That's why when we practice, you ban us from being the same team. I promise I'm gonna win all the matches we play."

"Your skills are good, but being a raging pig on the court will paint GEN Academy in a bad light. If you were more composed like Kurase-san, then I'd put you on immediately. I don't need you to act out and give us penalties."

Terasaka rolled his eyes.

"We'll leave it to democracy. Who wants me on the team?"

Iwasaki smiled and shrugged.

"Sure. You guys can decide Terasaka-san's fate."

Of course, his friends from D Class shot their hands up immediately. Takemoto and Hiraoka didn't hesitate at all. Kurase put his hand up afterwards.

"Ha? You seriously gonna vote for him?" I asked.

"I'm here to play basketball to win. If Terasaka-san increases that chance, I'll vote for him." Kurase said.

"But you could have less moronic teammates, like Daita-san or Machida-san. Terasaka-san's like a last option if everyone else is that bad."

"You're the moron here. He voted for me cuz I'm good, unlike you. Shut your mouth." Terasaka said.

"Shut up, you're only good because of your size. You can't handle a ball like me."

"I dribble even better than Kurase, are you blind? I don't see anyone supporting you being on the team either."

"No way, Kurase-san's better at dribbling than you."

"I agree." Kurase snickered.

"Okay, real quick, who thinks Ikesugi should make the cut?" Terasaka said.

While Takemoto and Hiraoka's hands went down, Kurase kept his up. Igarashi, being the nice guy he is, also put his hand up. No one else put their hand up.

"You're joking. Takemoto, Hiraoka and Machida are all better than him. Us five would make a killer team." Terasaka bragged.

"Ikesugi-san has amazing precision and speed. Personally, I'd put you, me, Machida-san, Ikesugi-san and Daita-san on a team. We'd be more balanced that way."

Iwasaki cut through our arguments by circling Machida's name. Machida smirked.

"Thanks for putting on the team without even trying."

"What the hell Iwasaki?! Why does Machida get a spot?!" Terasaka complained.

"Our best players both wanted him on the team. Thats enough for me to believe Machida-san is necessary."

"This is rigged!"

"If it makes it easier, I don't want to be on the competitive team. I play basketball casually, not competitively." Zayasu said.

"Sure. That's fine." Iwasaki crossed Zayasu's name out.

"Same here. I'm not good enough, but I'm down to be a substitute." Takizawa said.

Iwasaki nodded and circled Takizawa's name in blue.

Just us six left. Half of us would make the cut, while the rest would fall short.

"Okay, okay, back to democracy. Who wants me?" Terasaka said. "Anyone who doesn't vote..."

He drew his finger over his throat. That much was enough to scare Igarashi and Zayasu into voting. Machida had the audacity to completely disregard Terasaka and leave the meeting after securing his spot.

With five votes over three, Iwasaki put Terasaka on the team. With three spots filled, only two were left.

"Hmm..." Iwasaki looked over the rest of us.

"I'm fine being a sub."

Suddenly, Takemoto, Terasaka's best buddy, came out with this statement.

"Huh? What the hell man, you're better off in the main team."

"Nah. We play similarly, so having two dupes would hurt us. Kurase's idea of having variety would make our team more flexible. That's why Hiraoka should also be on the team."

Takemoto plugged his friend. Hiraoka smirked and put his hand up.

"Yeah, add me. I've got the best defence from everyone here."

"Between me and you, I've got better defence."

Daita came swinging in with a bold statement. The battle between shooting guards had begun.

"What's your proof? I'm pretty sure I've blocked Kurase and Terasaka more times than you."

"Hiraoka-san, you've got great defence, but as a shooting guard, you lack the long-range capabilities I have. Besides that, I can block off a variety of players, more than just our best two. I think that's proof enough."

"Yeah, Daita-san's right, he's better than you as a shooting guard." I said.

"Ikesugi, stay out of this. Takemoto's a better small forward than you, but he's being considerate to give bad players like you a chance."

"I don't care about Takemoto, I'm better than him. I'm showing support to Daita-san, the man's a good player. Better than you."

"Those are some fighting words bro." Hiraoka cracked his knuckles.

"Oi, don't fist fight over this. How about we prove it with real shots?" Daita stood and grabbed a basketball. "C'mon Kurase-san, Terasaka-san, and Igarashi-san. You guys try to score against us and we'll see who saves more."

"Interesting. Go on, let's see what happens." Iwasaki encouraged us.

"I'll go after Daita." Hiraoka said.

"Sure." Kurase stretched and caught Daita's ball. Terasaka and Igarashi went on the court with him.

Daita stood around the mid-court area marker, when Iwasaki blew the whistle. Kurase began to dribble from the top of the key, picking up speed and rushing down the court. Daita stepped in to close the distance and block Kurase off.

Igarashi ran from his power forward position to open up a chance for Kurase to pass. Kurase passed, sweeping past Daita. However, Daita chased, blocking Igarashi off. Terasaka and Kurase began to search for a position where Igarashi could pass.

When Igarashi found an opening with Kurase, he launched the ball. However, Daita intercepted, caught the ball and began dribbling down the court. Terasaka chased after him, but it was useless.

At the half-court line, he took a set shot, with the basketball flying through the air and landing on the rim. It circled around and fell through the hoop. Daita jumped up and fist-pumped the air in victory.

"Alright! Did you see that? I'm the superior shooting guard!"

He bragged with an exhilarated face. Hiraoka clicked his tongue and went on the court after him. Terasaka picked up the ball and passed it to Kurase.

"You're up, point guard. Don't screw Hiraoka over, or else I'll make you regret it." Terasaka said.

Kurase didn't seem affected by Terasaka's empty threats.

"I'll give him a fair chance, don't worry. Daita-san got lucky with that long ranged shot."

Hiraoka got in position and Iwasaki blew the whistle. Kurase rushed down the court as usual, but unlike Daita, Hiraoka waited for Kurase to come to him. Just when Kurase tried to change course to swerve around Hiraoka, Hiraoka used his size to stretch out and block Kurase regardless.

However, Kurase's amazing control with the ball meant he kept it without Hiraoka stealing it from him. With no other choice but to shoot, Kurase passed it to Igarashi, who began moving up the court further. Hiraoka followed, but positioned himself by the hoop.

Igarashi passed it to Kurase, who was going in for his legendary slam dunk. However, Hiraoka leapt from his spot, and utilising his height, he blocked the ball from being slammed into the hoop, and scooped it up as it bounced off his hand.

From here, Hiraoka dribbled to the half-court line and did a set shot, just like Daita. The difference was, the ball went off course and was nowhere near the hoop. That could be detrimental in a real game, even if his defence was top-notch.

"Whatever..."

Hiraoka shrugged bitterly, sitting back down after his failed shot. Kurase and Terasaka looked at each other, then at the two players.

"Alright, I concede. Daita should get the spot." Terasaka huffed.

"Nice work!" I said.

"Phew..." Daita looked relieved after securing a spot.

Iwasaki circled Daita's name in red, and Hiraoka's name in blue. There was only one elusive space left.

The only players who weren't chosen were me and Igarashi. Igarashi got to demonstrate his skills, but people didn't realise just how good of a small forward I was.

"If you guys want my opinion, I think Igarashi-san should have the final slot. He's very active and his synergy with Kurase-san is very good." Iwasaki said.

"Nah, me and Kurase-san have better synergy. My control with the ball means I can pass it to him more accurately."

"I don't know, my spatial awareness is better than yours. Plus your reaction time is a little slow." Igarashi said.

"I'm faster than you too."

"I have better stamina than you."

"This is gonna be a tough choice." Kurase said. He looked like he was thinking hard.

"Igarashi's better, no doubt about it." Terasaka said. Takemoto and Hiraoka agreed.

"You're only saying that because you don't like me." I said.

"I won't work well with people I don't like, so if you're on the team, it'd decrease our chances of winning."

"Screw you, I hate your guts but I still play basketball with you cuz I like the game. Suck it up and stop being a bitch about it."

"I hate you too, but you're being selfish by wanting that spot. You gotta realise that beyond how good players are by themselves, it's how well they also work together. Me, Kurase and Igarashi made a pretty good trio up there."

"You lost the ball twice."

"One missed their shot, it doesn't matter. What I'm saying is, if you join the team, our teamwork would go down, and that would make us more likely to lose. You don't want that right? GEN Academy's a prestigious school. If we lost, it'd be your fault. You'd be dirtying this golden age. Just stay as a sub, since that's all you'll ever amount to."

"How the hell would it be my fault? It'd be yours by not being able to work with me!"

"Ugh, he's also whiny too. Igarashi, I want you on the team, not him."

"Honestly, I don't mind who gets the final spot. I'm not as good as the rest of you, and I think Ikesugi-san would be better off having the spot instead of me, if I were to get it." Igarashi said.

"Yeah, but, team synergy. I like you, you're chill, unlike that loud Ikesugi."

"Terasaka, stop with the blatant lies." I said.

"I'm saying the truth."

"Everyone knows you're lying!"

"How does everyone know I'm lying if you're the only one accusing me of doing it? You're dumber than I thought."

"No one wants to speak up since you'll threaten to kill them, idiot!"

"I've never done anything like that."

"Then what about this?"

I mimicked his earlier action of drawing my finger across my throat.

"Iwasaki-senpai, Ikesugi's threatening to kill me, I don't want a murderer on my team~." Terasaka said in a mockingly childish voice.

"Screw you..." I muttered.

"Yeah. I think Igarashi-san's a better pick than Ikesugi-san."

"Kurase?!"

"Sorry Ikesugi-san, I think you're a good player, but Igarashi's probably going to increase our chance of winning. Plus we have Machida-san to play your position, so you're better off as a substitute in my opinion."

"Exactly my thoughts." Iwasaki circled Igarashi's name in red, and mine in blue.

"No way! This isn't fair! I deserve a spot! I'm better than everyone here, except Kurase-san and Terasaka!"

"I disagree, Ikesugi-san. You're just a bit above average. That's all." Iwasaki told me coldly.

I flinched. It was the first time someone told me that. Even Kurase complimented me earlier, telling me I was good.

"Alright, club activities dismissed. Good job today!"

As everyone else left, I stayed behind. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. I should've gotten a spot on the team, not Igarashi!

"Iwasaki-senpai... can I ask a question?"

"What is it?"

"Why Igarashi-san over me?! He's worse than me, isn't he?!"

"Igarashi-san's better than you. End of."

This is why you can't trust anyone but yourself in this world.

"N-no way, that's not true, Kurase-san thinks I'm good! If Kurase-san thinks it, then it's true!"

This is why being solitary is better than forming fake human relationships.

"Even if it's true, Igarashi-san would bring more to the team."

You can't trust people with higher power, since they're looking to screw you over while benefitting themselves.

"Give me an example!"

Everyone is greedy and fake, looking to hoist themselves up and kick those unnecessary down.

"Why would I do that?"

"Let me understand! I don't get it! I want to be on the team too!"

Iwasaki sneered.

"Check your tie."

"My tie?"

I was confused when he said that line at first.

But in hindsight, I understand it.

"Just be glad you even have a space in the team."

Iwasaki turned around and left, leaving me behind in this empty court.

It reminded me of the way my lying mother walked out on me and my desperate father.

This world is oblique and cruel.

Just because I was in E Class, Iwasaki was biased against me and would rather have a C Class student on the team, even if they were worse than me at the sport.

It wasn't fair.

I didn't choose to end up in that crap class. They forced me to suffer alongside these losers, even though I didn't belong there. I wasn't defective like them. I was an honest person who didn't hide anything from anyone.

On the 1st of May, during club practice, Kurase walked up to me and said these words, verbatim, to my face.

"I'm glad you weren't put on the main team. Me and the rest of the club decided to remove you from your substitute spot as well. You should leave the club now. No one wants you here."

He threw a basketball at my face and walked away.

From then on, no one included me in any games. Igarashi's friend, Eguchi, joined the club and filled my former role. With eleven players on the club, they had to have one person sit out since it's five-a-side.

That one person was me.

I became the person Eguchi used to be. I sat on the side, watching everyone else, but instead of enjoying it like him, I felt miserable. I didn't know why I stuck around in that club anymore, when everyone clearly shunned me out. I even overheard Iwasaki encourage them to ignore me.

After a certain point, I stopped caring. I stopped caring for basketball, I stopped caring about the club, I stopped caring about Kurase and Terasaka, and everything to do with those guys.

I wrote my letter of resignation and submitted it to the student council, who handled all the school clubs, including the basketball one.

On the week before our midterms, I had officially left the club.