A Couples' Match-Up: Hikaru Hashima Goes All Out.

"I knew that Ryuen wouldn't play seriously, you bastard!"

Kanzaki Ryuji is usually very good-tempered, has lost his temper several times today, all because of Ryuen Kakeru.

"Never mind, let's give it a try."

"Good."

Even when facing a monster like Yamada, the two boys, as members of Class A, did not give up immediately, because they still remembered the move Yamada had used, and they absolutely could not come in last place again this round.

"Beep!"

The whistle to start the match rang out on time. Yamada once again unleashed tremendous strength and yanked the rope back sharply. Ishizaki Daichi reacted even faster than the previous person. He immediately shifted his focus to Class C, attempting to use the same tactic again for another round.

"You bastard, I won't let you get away with this!"

Kanzaki Ryuji's face flushed red. He gripped the rope tightly in his hands, pulling backward while trying to adjust the direction. Hamaguchi behind him did the same, but the effect was not very noticeable.

Have you forgotten about us?

At this moment, it was a boy from Class B who spoke up. After assessing the situation on the field, he did not hesitate to help Yamada complete the plan. After all, they were in the same White Team as Class C, and they were naturally happy to get more points.

In that instant, it felt as if three forces were simultaneously tilting in one direction. Yamada had a firm grip on the rope, let out a roar and finally managed to pull the mark on the rope back into his territory. Naturally, Class C came in second again.

"Whoosh!"

When the referee raised the small flag, the second group's match came to an end.

Although Kanzaki Ryuji was very angry, he quickly calmed down after the match was declared over and began to think about what his opponent would do in the next round.

After all, the Four-Way Tug-of-War competition only has three rounds. Class A has already suffered two consecutive defeats. If they cannot achieve a better result in the third round, the score competition with Class D will become very troublesome.

"Kanzaki, are you alright?"

Hamaguchi looked at the other person's face and asked softly.

"I'm fine, let's go back first."

After the two returned to the tent, Hashiba Hikaru was the first to greet them. He patted them on the shoulder and said loudly, "It's okay. We were indeed tricked this time, but I will definitely win the next match. Don't worry."

"Classmate Hashiba, do you think Yamada -kun again in the next Ryuen?"

Kanzaki Ryuji question.

"You mean..."

"If Ryuen really wants to achieve the highest score, having Yamada play consecutively is indeed a good strategy. However, after two all-out tug-of -Tug of War, Yamada's stamina has been greatly depleted. I suspect there may be adjustments later."

"Yes... that's true."

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at the muscular figure standing in the tent next to her. The two consecutive Tug of War matches had a significant impact on him. His opponent was drinking water in large gulps, and his sportswear was completely soaked with sweat.

"I think I'll play in the last game at Ryuen. I'll adapt to the situation."

Hashiba Hikaru reassured the serious-looking group, smiling slightly, "I will give it my all in this match and we must win."

"Hikaru, be careful not to get hurt."

Ichinose Honami called out from behind him.

Don't worry.

After Hashiba Hikaru and another boy Beppu Ryota, walked onto the field together, everyone in the tent stared intently at their backs. The result of this match was crucial; Class A was now 80 points behind Class D and they had to turn the tide.

"Hey, Classmate Hashiba, I didn't expect to run into you like this."

Upon seeing Hashiba Hikaru, Ryuen greeted her as if nothing had happened, "As fellow members of the Red Team, we'd better work together well this time."

"Cooperate?"

Hashiba Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "I wonder how Ryuen plans to collaborate?"

"It's simple. We'll work together to move the rope towards your position, but at an angle that falls on our side, how about that?"

Ryuen shared his idea. "This way, your class can get first place, and our class only needs to get second place."

"..."

"This doesn't sound like something you would say."

"We are all members of the Red Team, so of course we must stand together through thick and thin. This is my sincerity."

Ryuen tightened his grip on the rope, a smile appearing on his face. "So, do you agree?"

"Aren't you going to have a match with me?"

"Hehe, you've already lost two games in a row, I think I can give you some advantages..."

Ryuen paused for a moment, then looked into Hashiba Hikaru's eyes.

"Or are you planning to go to great lengths to carry out your will and achieve a unique victory?"

This is Ryuen Kakeru's core strategy for dealing with Hashiba Hikaru. Before the Sports Festival began, he had been sending people to gather information about the boy, knowing that he definitely had hidden strength, after all, he had previously unleashed terrifying speed and power. Therefore, before submitting the competition form for Class D, he took the initiative to reserve this position for himself.

Ryuen firmly believes that the other party is a profit-driven person who would never give up such an opportunity, handing over first place in the competition and still getting second place with 30 points.

"..."

As soon as Ryuen finished speaking, Hashiba Hikaru began to weigh the options rapidly in her mind.

Rather than activating [Potential Burst] now and letting Class D end up in last place, it's better to take advantage of the situation and secure those 50 points first. He could roughly guess Ryuen Kakeru's thoughts; because he wasn't clear about his full strength, he chose to change his strategy at this moment.

This perfectly aligns with Hashiba Hikaru's inner desires. After all, there are only two [Potential Burst] abilities left, and each one can only be activated for 30 minutes. If she leaves one chance for the final all-grade Relay Race, she can turn the tide in one fell swoop, since the Relay Race scores are tripled.

"I agree with your idea, and I hope you really do what you say you will."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded and gripped the rope in her hand tightly.

"Beep!"

As soon as the whistle blew, the students from all four classes immediately began to exert their strength. Hashiba Hikaru pulled the rope back with all her might, while Ryuen Kakeru and her companions pulled the rope towards Class A's position, at an angle that was precisely towards their own Class D.

"Pull hard!"

"Continue!!!"

"Whoosh!"

A moment later, the referee raised his flag, and the round ended with Class A taking first place, while Class D, where Ryuen Kakeru was, came in second.

"I really underestimated you, Ryuen."

"Oh, is that arrogant Classmate Hashiba praising me?"

"Hehe."

The second recommended match has now concluded. Class D scored a total of 130 points, while Class A scored a total of 70 points, resulting in a difference of 50 points.

The key to scoring in the next Mixed Gender Three-Legged Race is the mixed team event. Get ready to go!

293

Chapter 293 Couple Teamup: Hashiba Hikaru at Full Power

The second recommended match saw a significant point difference, causing some frustration among the students in Class A. After all, the outcome involved two million points, and losing in the end would be a considerable loss.

"Everyone, you don't need to look like that. I'll help the class win the Mixed Gender Three-Legged Race next."

Hashiba Hikaru's gaze swept over everyone in the class, a light smile playing on her lips.

Thanks to Ryuen, he has retained the skill of [Potential Burst] twice, and can now do his best to strive for victory.

On the other hand, the practice of having someone else play for them inspired the teenagers; if that's how it's supposed to be played, then of course they'd be happy to play along.

Comparing points? Class A is definitely not to be underestimated.

"Yes, since they're sending someone else to play, of course we can."

Hashiba Hikaru had just discussed this matter with Ichinose Honami, and the girl quickly understood.

"Does Ichinose mean... we should also send out substitute players?"

After pondering for a moment, Kanzaki Ryuji became concerned about the feasibility of the plan. "But three-legged races test teamwork. Is it really possible to find someone to pair up on short notice?"

"Haha, you're thinking too simplistically."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly. He first glanced at the pretty pink-haired girl beside him, then said to Kanzaki Ryuji, "If Honami and I team up, we're confident of winning every match."

"... I hadn't thought of that, after all, you're a couple and you've been practicing together for a long time."

"Are you going to play in all three rounds, Classmate Hashiba? Won't that be too much for you?"

Someone asked with concern.

"Yeah, Ichinose must be really tired..."

Faced with this plan, the students all raised different opinions, but Hashiba Hikaru was not worried at all. Since the same member could play multiple times, this round of the competition would only require a maximum payment of 400,000 Private Points, and he could guarantee to win all three rounds of the competition.

After activating [Potential Burst], the boy was confident that he could run with Ichinose Honami without her even having to exert any effort.

"How about this, in the first round, let me and Honami have a match first, then you'll understand what I mean."

"Oh well."

Seeing that Hashiba Hikaru was very insistent, his classmates had no choice but to believe in his abilities. After all, after spending so much time together, they all knew that the boy was not the kind of person who made empty promises, and he had always kept his word.

"Honami, are you ready?"

After tidying up her sportswear, Hashiba Hikaru looked at her partner beside her.

The Mixed Gender Three-Legged Race also consists of three rounds, with four teams of players in each round. Each class must send three teams of boys and girls to compete for the title.

"Yes, I'm ready."

The girl leaned close to Hashiba Hikaru and helped him put on the Red Team's headband, her eyes filled with unwavering trust, because she knew he would keep his word and lead the class to victory.

"Please watch closely, everyone."

After Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose Honami were ready, they headed together to the venue for the mixed doubles leg competition, at which point the announcement came on at just the right moment.

[The Mixed Gender Three-Legged Race is about to begin. First-year participants, please get ready.]

"Isn't Honami worried?"

After standing on the starting line, Hashiba Hikaru lowered his head and tied his left foot and Ichinose's right foot together with a rope. To test the sturdiness, he repeated the test several times.

"Don't worry, I believe in the power of light."

"That's good. We'll proceed according to plan from now on."

During the preparation time for this match, Hashiba Hikaru had a lot of conversations with Ichinose Honami. After all, playing as a substitute member would be very physically demanding over three rounds, so he proposed a new plan to conserve the girl's energy.

The three-legged race tests not only teamwork but, more importantly, the speed at which the team arrives at the venue. As a competition of stamina and speed, Ichinose Honami has no advantage in either area.

However, she possesses a quality that none of the girls in Class A have: she is extremely familiar with Hashiba Hikaru's various habits and can even coordinate without saying a word. This is the core reason why she was recommended to participate in the three-legged race.

"Beep!"

As soon as the starting whistle blew, Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose Honami were the first to rush out, leaving the others far behind in just a few breaths.

In a three-legged race, the male and female partners usually hold each other's arms to help them maintain their balance during acceleration. However, Hashiba Hikaru's actions are somewhat different.

"Light?"

Before the girl could even ask a question, Hashiba Hikaru activated her skill.

[Potential Burst has been used.]

[Skill activated successfully!]

[Stamina 6-8]

After feeling the dramatic changes occurring within her body, Hashiba Hikaru reached out and grabbed Ichinose Honami's shoulder, then sprinted towards the finish line with her.

Although Hashiba Hikaru had indeed explained this situation to the pink-haired girl at the beginning, witnessing this scene firsthand still deeply shocked Ichinose Honami.

Because the girl realized that the other person had taken over all of her upper body weight, Ichinose only needed to swing her legs easily, and not only was her speed not affected at all, but it became faster and faster.

As the two maintained their Lead and sprinted towards the finish line, the scene immediately ignited the emotions of the Class A students who were watching the race attentively. Everyone in the tent cheered wildly, raising their hands to show their support and shouting encouragement.

"Classmate Hashiba!"

"Go for it, Ichinose! You guys are the best!!!"

Meanwhile, in the tent next to him, Ryuen naturally saw the boy's sudden burst of strength. As someone who already knew the order of battle, he arranged the most suitable positions for his classmates.

In the first group match where Hashiba Hikaru will compete, Ryuen Kakeru has no intention of fighting for first place; he would be satisfied with just getting second place.