Hiyori Shiina Gets Snatched Away / The Person Ryuuen Likes

"Anyway, many of the Special Exam test physical strength, so I don't think Shiina will want to be a burden forever."

Chapter 236 Shiina Hiyori's Stolen Shiina Hiyori

Are they holding us back? Yes, they are. This can't go on.

Although Ryuen had no objection to this, thinking that I could contribute ideas to the class, it would also be a good thing for the class if I didn't hold them back, and Aoyama would be happy too.

After dinner, chatting and resting, Shiina, who was sitting alone in the class tent, became increasingly interested in Aoyama's suggestion.

"The borrowing contest is about to begin."

Ryuen's arrival interrupted Shiina's daydreaming.

"Ah... okay." Shiina nodded, snapping out of her daze.

The afternoon Sports Festival opened with a competition where each class selected six students to participate. This competition relied more on luck than physical ability.

The competition schedule for Class B was drawn up by Aoyama, and the only event Shiina had a chance of winning was the borrowed object competition.

Accompanied by Ibuki and Ryuen, both fellow contestants, Shiina arrived at the competition venue. This time, the first-year students competed first, but the girls' group went first.

The list of girls for the first group of the borrowing competition is as follows: Class A: Himeno Yuki; Class B: Shiina Hiyori; Class C: Yamamura Miki; Class D: Horikita Suzune.

"Go for it Miki!"

"Good luck to Shiina too, and to Himeno as well."

Near the starting line, Aoyama's eye-catching figure appeared as expected, and the surrounding students were already used to him cheering for several girls together with such confidence.

"Did Horikita and Aoyama have a falling out?" Shiina couldn't help but ask, her curiosity piqued.

Logically speaking, Aoyama wouldn't fail to cheer for Horikita, whom she knows well; this is the third time she's seen it today.

As he assumed a starting position, Horikita coldly replied, "It's none of your business."

Although none of her opponents this time are particularly strong, she won't let her guard down, since luck also plays a part in competitions.

"Bang--"

As soon as the starting gun fired, Horikita quickly left his opponents behind and was the first to run to the table in front of the faculty and staff, reaching into the box to draw a slip of paper.

[Bring five friends.]

After unfolding the folded note, Horikita handed it to the faculty member somewhat speechlessly, then requested a redraw, incurring a 30-second penalty.

During those thirty seconds, Shiina and the others ran to the box one after another to draw lots. Yamamura and Himeno did not ask to draw again, and quickly went to find what was written on the slip of paper.

"I only have one male friend." With a hint of helplessness in her voice, Shiina began to stand as punishment, just like Horikita.

She was asked to bring three male friends, but even counting Ryuen, that wasn't enough.

Is Aoyama still considered one of my male friends?

Horikita thought with some confusion, but before she could figure it out, her penalty time was over, so she quickly reached into the box.

[Bring ten friends.]

Is this never going to end? Why is nothing going smoothly?

Even though Horikita considered himself to have a good mindset, he was still disgusted by his own bad luck.

Despite her dissatisfaction, she could only hand the note to the faculty and staff, and then be punished with 30 seconds to wait for it to be drawn again.

"Ah--"

"Can we keep this from others?"

While Horikita waited in frustration, she saw Shiina, who was next to her and had drawn lots again, somewhat embarrassedly showing her newly drawn slip of paper to the female teacher assisting with the competition.

"Oh, well—" the young female teacher drawled with a hint of mockery, "Of course, I can. I'll help you keep it a secret. Go on your way."

Thank you, teacher.

Looking back shyly, Shiina took a deep breath, clenched her fist to encourage herself, and then, without hesitation, put away the note and ran off.

[A handsome guy.]

Just seconds after Shiina started running, Horikita quickly drew lots again, and without the slightest hesitation, she sprinted towards where someone was, running with unwavering determination.

If we're not required to be friends, there's only one answer that's closest to us and will definitely be approved by the teacher.

I had no choice but to come to you; I only did it for the sake of victory.

Seeing Aoyama looking at her with some surprise, Horikita Suzune began to accelerate without thinking. In no time, she caught up with and overtook Shiina, who left the finish line a few seconds ahead of her.

"Follow me!"

Amidst the shocked gazes of everyone, including Shiina behind her, Horikita rushed to Aoyama and swiftly grabbed his wrist.

What did Suzune draw? Is Shiina's target me, or something on me?

His gaze swept over Shiina, who had suddenly slowed down. Aoyama hesitated for less than half a second, but then followed the strength Horikita was providing and ran with her towards the finish line.

Rejecting Horikita Suzune in public without moving would be going too far; it would be tantamount to public execution for Horikita Suzune.

"I'll be waiting for you at the finish line. Go for it, Shiina!"

As Aoyama passed by Shiina there in a daze, Aoyama reminded her.

If Shiina's target is also him, he can simply return to the finish line and submit there.

This is permitted according to the rules.

"What did you draw, Suzune?"

As they ran, Aoyama called out to Horikita, who was still holding his wrist. Even if he didn't hold on, Horikita would have followed anyway. Aoyama didn't know if Horikita was nervous or what, but he still hadn't let go.

If you observe them from a distance, they might be mistaken for a couple running hand in hand.

"A handsome guy," Horikita replied without turning her head.

Because it wasn't someone she liked or anything like that, she answered without any shyness.

Aoyama smiled, unsurprised. "That's a bit disappointing."

He knew that even someone as aloof as Horikita Suzune wouldn't be so serious as to grab his wrist and run away without batting an eye.

But what is Shiina? I really want to know.

With a touch of regret, Aoyama followed Horikita to the finish line, where she then pulled him in front of the teacher.

"Is this okay?" Horikita Suzune handed the note to the female teacher.

Please don't refer to people like objects. What kind of term is that?

Aoyama inwardly scoffed, but under the scrutinizing gaze of the young female teacher, he raised an eyebrow and confidently met her eyes.

"Very good, you have a good eye." With a playful smile, the female teacher approved of Horikita's answer, awarding her second place.

Himeno, who drew a common item like a watch on her first try, returned to the finish line just seconds after Horikita left.

"You can let go now, I'm not going to run away." Aoyama shook the hand that Horikita was holding on the wrist.

"I just forgot for a moment."

Even with a disastrous start, they still managed to get second place. Horikita, who had an unconscious smile on his face, paused for a moment after hearing Aoyama's words before quickly letting go of his hand.

Then came a long silence.

"It's time to return it to me, Horikita."

As Horikita Suzune hesitated to speak, Shiina, whose chest heaved rapidly and whose fair forehead was covered in a fine sheen of sweat, returned to the finish line and directly grasped Aoyama's drooping hand.

"This is my answer, teacher."

Holding Aoyama's hand, Shiina handed the teacher the slip of paper she had drawn, which she had folded again.

Chapter 237 The Person Ryuen Likes

"What do you mean 'it should be returned to you'? Aoyama isn't some kind of object."

The teacher announced that Shiina was in third place, and then quietly slipped away to the side. Horikita Suzune spoke up with a displeased look on her face.

And the person she was speaking to was, of course, Shiina had just been so 'arrogant'.

Hey, you were just calling me 'this' a moment ago, and now you have the nerve to say something like that?

"You're a piece of trash"—is that even considered an insult? Can I just leave, feeling sad?

Feeling the warmth from Shiina's small hand, even though it was the first time he had held hands with Shiina, Aoyama felt a little like pulling away and running away like the female teacher.

The sudden chaos caught him off guard.

"I chose Aoyama first."

"But you're not as fast as me, that's why Aoyama should come with me first." With her arms crossed, Horikita Suzune retorted righteously.

Although Shiina confirmed that her target was also Aoyama, she had no idea at the time. But even if she had known, she would have acted first, just like before.

This is a victory for her physical abilities.

"I..."

Shiina knew Horikita was telling the truth, but she was really angry.

She was the one who drew the lot first, and she finally mustered up the courage to choose Aoyama. Then, filled with anticipation, shyness, and happiness, she ran to find Aoyama.

Halfway through the race, Horikita, who ran as fast as a rabbit, suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Without even glancing at her, he rushed ahead of her, grabbed Aoyama's wrist, and ran.

For the first time at this school, she felt a sense of helplessness.

Then, just like when her beloved book was taken away when she was a child, a strange anger welled up in her heart, so for the first time, she spoke to her classmate in an impolite manner.

Shiina tugged at Aoyama's hand, Shiina up at Aoyama seriously, and said, "Starting today, after the Student Council disbands, you'll train with me, Aoyama."

Now, she is determined to work hard at exercising.

"Snort."

Seemingly somewhat dissatisfied, Horikita gave a soft snort, then tossed her long hair and drifted away.

While Aoyama happily agreed to Shiina and began to think about making a training plan, Yamamura, who had been away from the finish line for a long time, finally ran back, panting, with an alarm clock in hand.

"It's over already. It's Miki you found an alarm clock here, Miki."

Aoyama stepped forward and ruffled Yamamura's hair, tidying up her slightly messy bangs that had become disheveled from running.

Amidst the surprised gaze of the female teacher, who was surprised to learn that there was another one, he led the shy Yamamura out of the arena, naturally calling out to Shiina as well.

However, Shiina did not choose to follow immediately. Instead, he said something to the female teacher, took a note, and then quickly caught up.

"What did Shiina draw? Can you tell me?"

After resting for a bit and returning the alarm clock, Yamamura, who was waiting for the boys' competition to begin, turned his gaze Shiina Aoyama, who was still a little unhappy.

Having learned from the experience of the handsome Horikita guy, he didn't have high hopes that Shiina would draw the one he wanted.

Seemingly anticipating Aoyama's question, Shiina's cute face revealed a mischievous smile, "You're a womanizer, aren't you?"

"Impossible, unless the note was Hoshinomiya-sensei."

Aoyama was completely skeptical. This was an exam that affected the Class Points, and normally no teacher would dare to mess around with it, except for Hoshinomiya.

"Is that a greedy person?"

Shiina tilted her head, Shiina delicate purple eyes filled with amusement.

Sunlight shone on her lovely face and fair, rosy skin, revealing a mischievous aura in this usually gentle girl.

"I'm asking Shiina, right? Just tell me, lovely Shiina- san."

Realizing that Shiina might actually draw the 'person she likes' slip of paper, the one he most hoped Shiina would draw, Aoyama didn't give up on asking him about it.

But clearly, Shiina had no intention of letting Aoyama know.

Because of her, she actually drew the slip of paper that Aoyama wanted, and she also brought Aoyama to the teacher to confirm that she acknowledged that what was written on the slip of paper was true.

"Even pleading won't work, you wretched philanderer."

"This is your punishment for being taken away by Horikita- kun ahead of time."

Looking directly into Aoyama's somewhat scorching gaze, Shiina lightly made an X with her index finger, a mysterious smile appearing on her face.

Your smile is cute, but it makes me wonder if you actually won or are just playing a trick on me.

With a touch of regret, Aoyama turned his gaze to the victorious Kamuro.

It seems like things have come to an end in Kamuro as well; there's no hope left.