Various Perspectives

He returned to the bench, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest.

He hadn't even broken a sweat—it wasn't even a warm-up.

By now, everyone else understood that the outcome of this match probably wasn't going to change.

The third-years were giving it their all, yet they couldn't even tire out Gojo Satoru. Stamina like that couldn't be called human anymore.

He really could do what he said—take down all the third-years by himself!

At the same time, opinions varied across the crowd.

"Ahhh! Yume-chan, did you see that?

Satoru-kun is so cool! He's wiping the floor with the third-years all by himself!"

Amikura Mako kept shaking Kobashi Yume beside her, unable to contain her excitement.

But Kobashi Yume was on the verge of tears, heartbroken over her own judgment.

"Wahhh! Mako, what do I do?! I only bet 5,000 Private Points! If I'd known, I would've gone all in!"

What a waste of a chance to earn points!

Seeing this, Amikura Mako hugged her head, stroked her hair, and comforted her.

"It's okay, Yume-chan. I bet 40,000. I'll take care of you from now on!

Besides, when I was down, you were always there for me. I won't forget that!"

"Ah, I didn't even place a bet!"

Shiranami Chihiro regretfully clung to Ichinose, but she didn't notice the strange look in Ichinose's eyes.

'How ridiculous. That skill and stamina.'

Kanzaki Ryuji, watching the scoreboard and Gojo Satoru on the bench, found it hard to believe.

"A bit of a miscalculation, but no big deal. Good thing Ibuki warned me."

Ryuen looked at the score with some relief. If Ibuki hadn't told him earlier that Gojo Satoru was no pushover, the points his class had gathered would've been a huge loss.

"I told you he wasn't ordinary! How could that physique compare to those Basketball Club guys? As long as he had some ball skills, he could steamroll them."

Ibuki Mio stared at Gojo Satoru resting on the bench, wanting to tear him apart. That bastard had tricked her, making her run over to Class A and embarrass herself!

And that sleazy guy had teased her a bit too. If she weren't afraid of being caught on camera, Hashimoto wouldn't have gotten off easy.

'Mr. X really isn't just a math genius.'

Shiina Hiyori, holding a mystery novel, watched Gojo Satoru quietly with a gentle smile, saying nothing.

'What my father said was right. Just looking at his physique, he's already beyond normal human limits. If he excels in other areas too, then calling him a simple genius won't cut it.'

"Your friend, Kamuro-san, is really impressive."

Sakayanagi Arisu said with a teasing smile.

"Of course! Satoru is the strongest!"

This time, Kamuro Masumi didn't dodge the compliment but accepted it openly.

'The strongest, huh?'

"But I heard someone saw him hugging that girl over there this morning."

Sakayanagi Arisu pointed a finger at Amikura Mako in the distance.

'No way? But Sakayanagi has no reason to lie to me.'

"I'm not buying that! I'll ask him myself when this is over."

Kamuro Masumi was skeptical but didn't plan to fully believe Sakayanagi's words.

No matter how good her information network was, unless she heard it from Satoru himself or saw it with her own eyes, it was fake!

"I see. Not being trusted is really sad."

Even though the words sounded pitiful, she said them in a teasing tone, making them utterly unconvincing.

Kamuro Masumi ignored her completely and kept her gaze fixed on Gojo Satoru.

"Gojo-kun's abilities are insane! He's suffocating all five third-year seniors by himself. Good thing I secretly bet 5,000 Points!"

Karuizawa Kei lifted her head proudly, pleased with her cleverness.

"I bet 7,000..."

"I bet 10,000..."

So she was the one who bet the least?!

Hearing her close friend say this, Karuizawa Kei couldn't sit still and asked in surprise, "Didn't you guys say there was no chance of winning?!"

"No matter what, he's someone we like. It's only natural to support him, right?"

'Even if it's a misunderstanding, now's the perfect excuse.'

Matsushita Chiaki shot her a firm look.

"And what about Maya?!"

Forget about Chiaki—why was Maya betting even more than her?!

"Well... actually... I still have faith in Gojo-kun. I trust Chiaki's judgment!"

Not knowing how to explain, she couldn't exactly say she'd taken a liking to him, could she?

He was her best friend's crush. Wouldn't it be weird if she admitted that?

So I'm the only clown here?

Karuizawa stared at her two best friends in disbelief. They'd all agreed during the discussion that there was no chance, and now they were betting more than her!

"President, did you know from the start that Gojo-kun was strong at basketball?"

Tachibana Akane asked Horikita Manabu curiously.

But Horikita Manabu's answer was even more exaggerated than she'd imagined.

"It's not just basketball. In all the popular sports right now, he's abnormally gifted.

And he hasn't even started getting serious yet. In sports, there's a state called the zone, which only a few can enter. I believe Gojo Satoru can definitely reach it!

It's just that there's no opponent worth his effort yet."

"That's... quite a genius."

Tachibana's voice trailed off. She couldn't believe she'd once doubted the president's decision. If someone with all-around athletic excellence was invited to the study group, it made perfect sense.

But if that were all, it would be too simple.

Opening his eyes, he looked at the scoreboard across from him.

48:43

A fun idea crossed his mind. It wasn't like he was a good person anyway. A little demoralizing of the opponent was only natural, right?

Bam!

He caught a water bottle flying from behind and glanced back in confusion.

There was Ibuki Mio glaring at him.

"You bastard! Don't run after the game—fight me one-on-one!

And I've got a score to settle with you for messing with me!"

"Huh? Little Ibuki missed me? How embarrassing!"

"You bastard!"

Seeing him grin and tease her like that, Ibuki couldn't take it anymore.

She started walking over, but an upperclassman stopped her.

"Classmate, wait until the game's over. Gojo-kun is still resting."

"Hmph! You just wait!"

Seeing that they wouldn't let her through, Ibuki Mio didn't want to stick around. She pointed at Gojo Satoru, threw out a threat, and turned back to her seat.

Watching Ibuki walk away, Gojo Satoru couldn't be bothered to deal with her anymore.

He set the caught water bottle aside.

It wasn't like he was using up stamina or sweating anyway.

No need to drink water handed to him by another girl in front of his girlfriend.

"What are you doing here? Come to mock us?"

Kawashima looked at Gojo Satoru, who had walked into the third-years' lounge area, a little confused.

The game wasn't over yet. Was he here to trash-talk?

"Huh? Is that how you see me, senpai?

Boo~ How sad!"

"Quit the act! Spit it out!"

Already fuming, Yamagami Sawano couldn't take it anymore. He'd just been crushed on the court, and now this guy was here to rub it in.

The other team members also cast furious glances his way.

"How terrifying.

Well, whatever. I just came over to say this.

Why don't you just surrender now?

I'm getting bored, and my girlfriend's waiting for me."

Ignoring the murderous looks, Gojo Satoru said arrogantly.