The Almighty Chuunibyou Expert

"So awkward."

Nibuya Morika's emotions were in turmoil.

But, is playing basketball really this simple?

In just one hour, Hasegawa had given them all sorts of pointers, but they sounded as simple as child's play, making it feel easy to adjust.

No, this must be Hasegawa's credit!

It was like a brand-new beginner in the industry being guided by a seasoned master; they would naturally feel rapid progress.

Because of Hasegawa's astonishing performance before, she automatically changed her way of thinking, not considering other possibilities.

After all, that would only be even more unbelievable.

"I have nothing more to teach you all. From here on, it's up to your self-understanding and continuous practice."

Hasegawa Izumi looked at the girls, who were exhausted and lying on the ground like beached fish, resting, and gave them an affirming look.

The training intensity was high, and what surprised them most was that they had actually managed to endure it.

However, at this moment, they were all panting, and even Kōko, who loved to talk the most, didn't have the strength to reply.

In the sky, the sun was setting.

The sunset glow burned blood-red, the clouds gradually blending into one color.

"Hoo... ha..."

Nibuya Morika was still breathing heavily.

She was a little tired, but this was probably the most fulfilling day she had experienced.

Perhaps, hanging out with these guys isn't too bad...

"Oyster, oyster! How could I have such a dangerous thought?"

She quickly shook her head, chasing the thought out of her mind.

"But, the sunset today is truly beautiful."

The girl couldn't help but want to reach out and touch the sky.

The training camp ended, and it was getting late.

Without much of a farewell, everyone soon parted ways.

For Hasegawa Izumi, this was also the latest he had gone home on a school day, which led to Kōko complaining to him a few times.

He was forced to use a skill like 'Head Pat' to appease his sister.

Wednesday arrived.

Hasegawa Izumi originally thought today would be no different from usual: after class, he would go with his teammates to the basketball court outside of school for practice. However, during physical education class, there was a slight twist.

"Hasegawa, race me. Let's see who's faster."

The speaker was a boy with short brown hair, a square face, thick eyebrows, and determined eyes. He looked like a passionate young man.

The other party had just introduced himself. He reportedly joined the Track and Field Club this year and his best event was the 50-meter sprint.

"Then, I accept."

Hasegawa Izumi readily agreed and stood up from the bench.

This was the first time he had been challenged.

How interesting.

As for why this classmate chose to challenge him at this moment, it was thought-provoking, but... he didn't care.

33 Thunder Breathing!

"It's so noisy over there, what's happening?"

"What are you guys still chatting about! Let's go, let's go, Yamazaki is challenging Hasegawa!"

"Huh? Hasegawa seems to have been challenged! It's that new star from the Track and Field Club, Yamazaki-kun."

"Who do you think will win? These two... Although Yamazaki-kun is a professional, Hasegawa-kun is just too strange, you can't figure him out at all."

News of the two's impending duel quickly attracted the students who hadn't left the sports field yet.

First of all, such a special event itself was eye-catching, let alone the fact that it involved the recently soaring Hasegawa-kun.

My name is Yamazaki Yutaka. I'm unremarkable, and my grades have always been average. Running is the only thing I've shown a bit of talent for, so after my potential was discovered that day, I resolved to become the fastest man in Tou-ei!

After passing the professional ability test, I successfully entered Shuchiin High School and joined the Track and Field Club.

Just as I was preparing to show off my skills, I suddenly heard that there was a madman in the school who didn't take any of the clubs seriously.

At first, I didn't pay much attention like everyone else, until that man defeated the Tennis Club's president.

At that point, everyone in the Track and Field Club finally realized the crisis.

No one wants to be trampled underfoot by someone else and lose all face.

After discussing it, I decided to step forward and test that man's strength for everyone.

If he's really strong, I can just use "I'm sick" as an excuse when he challenges me.

It's better to be a bit thick-skinned and suffer less, right?

Besides, what if I win?

We arrived at the track, and the two of us took our positions on separate lanes.

The event was the 100-meter dash.

That man walked over leisurely, with a relaxed and unconcerned expression, showing no sense of urgency.

"So calm," Yamazaki Yutaka thought to himself while warming up his limbs.

Soon, students with stopwatches and starting pistols took their places, and the race was about to begin.

Yamazaki Yutaka stood with his feet apart, his right foot about one foot-length ahead of his left, his stance shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and body leaning forward.

He had performed this textbook-perfect standing start countless times.

"Hiss..."

As he quietly prepared to start, a strange sound suddenly reached his ears.

Did someone's water just boil?!

He couldn't help but turn his head.

The man, with his mouth slightly open, revealing his white teeth, had clearly emitted the sound, like tearing wind, from his mouth.

Is he making that sound just for fun?

I really don't understand this guy.

But thinking about everyone's evaluation of this man, Yamazaki Yutaka immediately let it go.

"On your marks... Go!"

The girl next to him spoke as she raised her starting pistol.

With a "bang," Yamazaki Yutaka took off at his fastest speed, the rushing wind seeming to be left far behind.

"Huh? Where did he go?"

After running a short distance, he was surprised to find he couldn't hear the other person's footsteps.

Did I leave him too far behind?

But in reality, Hasegawa Izumi was still standing in place, not having moved a single step.

"Hasegawa-kun, aren't you going to chase after him...?"

The girl acting as the starter was about to remind him to move when she saw him slowly lower his stance, muttering something.

"Thunder Breathing, Thunderclap and Flash!"

In the blink of an eye, like lightning, the person before them had vanished.

"Huh...? "

The girl's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Can I really win? I'm almost at the finish line!"

At this moment, Yamazaki Yutaka looked at the finish line not far away, his face full of hope.

Didn't I already win?

This Hasegawa guy isn't all that!

The very next moment.

"Chhh..."

A sharp, deafening sound pierced his ears!

"What? He... caught up?"

Yamazaki Yutaka's heart jolted. Just as he was about to turn his head to look, a figure had already flashed past him.

Is this a speed a human can possess?

At that moment, he questioned the very world he lived in.

"The winner is Hasegawa-kun!"

As Hasegawa Izumi crossed the finish line, the girl holding the stopwatch was momentarily stunned and only then remembered to press it.

Even so, in this 100-meter dash, with Yamazaki, a sprinter, having a 30-meter head start, this record surpassed the school's best!

Afterward, this event immediately became a hot topic of conversation among everyone.

For the name Hasegawa, they feared him even more!

"Hasegawa-kun, could you wait a moment?"

As Hasegawa Izumi walked off the court, a girl suddenly approached him.

This was quite a novel experience.

Although his fame at Shuchiin had reached its peak, due to certain concerns, few people would actually approach him for a conversation.

"You're... Nakano-san, right?"

He looked at her appearance, her shoulder-length cherry-blossom colored hair, and the bangs covering her right eye, recalling her name.

"You know me, Hasegawa-kun?"

Nakano Miku's expression showed some surprise.

After all, she was usually so quiet at school that it should have been hard for anyone to remember her.

"My memory is pretty good. I remembered you from the self-introductions at the start of the semester. Besides, Nakano-san is very cute, and the headphones are a pretty distinctive feature."

He said, after thinking for a moment.

This compliment made the girl blush.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about, Nakano-san?"

He continued to ask.

"Ac-actually... I saw the tennis match on Monday, and Hasegawa-kun was so cool! Especially that Fūrin Kazan move, it was amazing!"

Nakano Miku began shyly, but her expression grew excited as she spoke.

"I wanted to ask, did it come from Takeda Shingen? Do you know a lot about the Sengoku generals?"

At this moment, Hasegawa Izumi finally understood.