Chapter 1.3

Monologue: Ayanokouji Kiyotaka

Among all the students I've observed in this school, there is one in particular who seems to stand out: Yuuichi. There is something about his way of thinking and questioning things that intrigues me. His doubts and his attempts to unravel the mysteries that surround us are interesting, but what lies behind his seemingly innocent facade?

It's as if Yuuichi himself is an enigma. His actions and words are difficult to decipher. What intentions does he hide behind that friendly smile? Is he simply a curious student or is there something deeper within him?

I can't help but wonder if Yuuichi is a piece in the game unfolding in this school. Perhaps he is a tool, a pawn on a chessboard larger than it appears. He could be a valuable ally or a cunning adversary disguised as a friend.

However, for now, all I can do is speculate and silently observe. Stay alert and analyze every move he makes. Maybe, over time, I can uncover his true nature and how he fits into my own game.

Yuuichi, you remain an enigma to me. But I am willing to uncover your secrets and leverage any advantage you may offer. Our interaction in this game could change the course of everything. Only time will reveal whether you are a useful tool or an obstacle in my path to the top of this school.

-------------------------------------------------------

Ike: Good morning, Yamauchi!

Yamauchi: Good morning, Ike!

As he arrived at school, Ike called out to Yamauchi with a smile on his face.  Unusually, they were among the first to arrive.  Ike and Yamauchi always arrived at school just before the bell rang.

Ike: Wow!  The classes are so much fun that I can't sleep! Yamauchi: This school is the best.  Swimming class will start soon!  Well, swimming is fun, but the most exciting thing is the girls in swimsuits.

As we walked to school, I could feel the excitement in the air.  The pool was located in a separate building, surrounded by green areas and with large windows that allowed natural light to enter.  The sun was shining brightly that day, which added a special touch to the atmosphere.  However, as I listened to Ike's and his group's disgusting words about betting on the size of girls' breasts, I felt that this would be troublesome.

Although I think all men are minimally excited, there is a big difference in the way they express it.  It's obvious that shouting it out loud in front of all the girls is a bad decision.  I quickly ignored everything Ike and the group were saying about him and started a casual chat with Yosuke to distract myself from his nasty comments.

After lunch, the long-awaited swimming lesson came.  I walked calmly with the rest of the group, changed normally at the same speed as the others and went out to the pool.  Although my body isn't muscular like Sudo's and surprisingly Ayanokouji's, I have some compact muscles and a lean build, roughly on the same level as Hirata, but with more work-hardened arms.

Ike: This school really is the best!

Wow, this school really spares no expense.  It is without a doubt an exaggerated waste of money.

Ike: I thought I would see big breasts!

A pathetic scream from Ike snapped me out of my thoughts.  This is one of the reasons I'm not excited.  I previously asked Kei to convince the girls to skip under the excuse of protecting them from Ike's filthy group, and he also told everyone about the bet about the size of their breasts.  The reason behind all of this is to keep Kei as a protective figure for the girls.

With a look, I signaled for Kei to continue.

Karuizawa: How repulsive!  Under no circumstances will I allow you to see us like that!!

Murmurs quickly spread among all the girls, who already saw Ike as trash.

Kushida: What are you doing?  It seems fun.

Ike: Ku-ku-kushida-chan?

Kushida interrupted the two boys.  Wearing the school swimsuit, Kushida's curvaceous body was on full display.

In less than a second, all the boys, including me, looked at Kushida.

I blushed and made an embarrassed face while looking away.

-------------------------------------------------- --

A teacher gathered the students and class began.

— I see, 26 people.  I was expecting more people, but I guess with this it works.  It's a bit sudden, but I'll examine your skills after you've finished warming up.  They will swim.

Boy A: Um, sensei, I don't know how to swim.

A boy raised his hand apologetically.

— As a teacher, I will make sure that you learn to swim by the summer.  Don't worry. Boy A: There's no need to learn to swim.  We can't go to the beach anyway." "It doesn't matter if you're bad at swimming now, I'll make sure everyone learns.  Learning to swim will certainly come in handy.  I guarantee it.

What an interesting, "useful" choice of words, considering that I'm pretty sure by now this school is about a competition to get to Class A. It's very likely that the competition isn't just academic, it's also about of a sports festival or some kind of physical competition.

Everyone started warming up.  Ike repeatedly stared at the girls.  Afterwards, we were given instructions to start the 50m swim.  Students who did not know how to swim were allowed to touch the bottom of the pool with their feet.

I got in calmly, took a few seconds to get used to the water and started swimming the 50m.  After swimming the 50 meters, I waited for the others to finish.

---------

Ike: Hehehe, a complete victory. Did you see that? My super swimming!

Swimming casually, Ike emerged from the pool with a satisfied look.

Teacher: Anyway, it seems like almost everyone can swim.

Ike: Sorry, Sensei. After all, they used to call me the Flying Fish in junior high.

Teacher: I see. Then you can immediately start competing against each other. 50m freestyle, separated by gender.

Ike: C-competeing!? Seriously?

Teacher: I'll give a prize to the first place: 5,000 points. On the other hand, the last place will receive supplementary lessons, so be prepared.

The good swimmers were cheering, while the worst swimmers were not excited at all.

Teacher: Since there aren't too many girls, I'll divide them into two groups of 5 and give the victory to the best time. For the boys, I'll take the top five times and then we'll have a final round.

There were 16 boys and 10 girls, excluding those who couldn't swim. As the girls started their race, the boys sat on the sidelines and began to cheer on... no, evaluate the girls.

Ike: Kushida-chan, Kushida-chan, Kushida-chan, Kushida-chan, Kushida-chan. Hahaha.

This has definitely crossed the line, it's a whole new level of creepiness. I distanced myself along with Hirata as we calmly watched the race.

If we were to talk about popularity among the girls, Kushida undoubtedly has the attention of the boys. Her beauty and charm are evident.

If we only talked about looks, Horikita would definitely be at the top, but her bad personality diminished her popularity. However, she does have some popularity, so when she was at the starting line, there were some applause, including mine.

Boy A: Everyone, make sure to remember this view! Today's erotic material has been secured!

Boy B: Yes!

Somehow, the boys were bonding with each other through swimming. Hirata and I were the only exceptions, avoiding looking at the girls.

The whistle blew and the 5 girls took off. Horikita was in lane 2. Taking the lead at the beginning, she maintained her advantage. Confidently, she came in first.

Boy A: Oh! Horikita did it!

Then came the second race. Kushida was in lane 4. The boys got excited and cheered with smiles on their faces.

- Wooohooo!

During the introductions, Kushida declared to the whole class that she wanted to get along with everyone. It seems like she has already achieved her goal. She was constantly chatting amiably with all the boys surrounding her. Kushida has an atmosphere that attracts others, that charismatic aura that very few people have and even fewer can wield at will.

The second race began. It was quite one-sided. The girl known as Onodera won the race decisively. Her time of 26 seconds was clearly the best. Kushida had a time of 31 seconds, which was quite good, but only managed to get 4th place. After the race, I approached Onodera.

Yuuichi: Congratulations, Onodera-san! You were awesome! (With a closed-eye smile).

Onodera: (blushing) Ka- Katagiri-kun, I, um, thank you very much.

The first race for the boys started with Sudou in the first lane and Ayanokouji in the second. Finishing the 50m stretch with great speed, Sudou looked up from the water. The boys and girls let out a voice of admiration.

Ike: Is that possible,

Sudou? You finished in 25 seconds.

Onodera: Sudou, won't you join the swim club? If you practice, you'll compete quite well.

Sudo: I plan to play basketball. Swimming is just for fun.

Without even breaking a sweat from that small amount of swimming, Sudou calmly got out of the pool.

Ike: Ah, Sudou certainly has good reflexes.

Ike nudged Sudou, feeling jealous.

----------

Girl A: Kyaa!

A girl let out a scream of excitement, thrilled by the race.

Hirata and I were at the starting line, side by side, as we shook hands with determination.

Hirata: May the best man win!

Yuuichi: Let's give it our all! May the best man win!

While Sudou's muscular physique gathered admiration from the boys, both Hirata and I received looks of admiration from the girls. Hirata had a slender yet well-built figure, a true lean macho. On the other hand, my body was slim but with bigger arms due to my work as a delivery person.

Upon hearing the excited cheers from the girls for Hirata, Ike made a gesture of disdain, playfully simulating spitting.

Sudou also showed a disgusted expression as he looked at us.

Sudo: If you guys win, I'll make sure to crush you. I'll show you all my power and make your popularity plummet.

When the teacher blew the whistle, we jumped into the water with great form. As I swam following Hirata, barely a second behind him, the girls cheered us on from the side of the pool.

Sudo: They're surprisingly fast.

Sudou calmly remarked. Our intense competition motivated the girls to cheer us on even more, cheering and shouting words of encouragement.

Hirata came in first, closely followed by me, with less than a second difference.

Ike: Sensei, what was the time? - Ike asked impatiently.

Teacher: Hirata's time is... 26.13 seconds, while Katagiri's time is 26.91.

Ike: Alright, let's go, Sudou! If it's you, you can win! Bring down the hammer of justice!

Sudo: Leave it to me. I'll defeat them completely and