Swimming Class Wasn't Just for Swimming

Wednesday.

A week had passed since the entrance ceremony.

Today's class held special significance for the boys in the class.

Kamigami Haruo entered the Class D classroom with anticipation in his heart as well.

But the moment he stepped inside, that anticipation turned into speechlessness.

Watching Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki boast loudly about the upcoming swimming class, he grumbled inwardly.

They were even more excited than the night before a school trip. They probably dreamed about a Class D swimsuit show last night.

So absorbed were they in their discussion that they did not even notice people passing beside them.

To avoid being dragged into disgusting topics, Kamigami Haruo made as little noise as possible and silently went to his desk.

To pass the boring, seemingly endless time brought on by his anticipation, he took out a manga and read quietly.

As time passed, more and more people gradually entered the classroom.

At the same time.

Lively conversation drifted in from the hallway outside, though unlike the boys' noisy chatter, it was the sound of girls talking among themselves.

There were only two groups Kamigami Haruo could think of that fit those conditions.

Kei Karuizawa's dominant clique and Kushida Kikyo's friendly circle.

Listening to the voices draw nearer, he knew they had arrived when the sound of a chair being pulled came from the seat in front of him.

Only then did Kamigami Haruo look up and greet the girl.

"Morning, Kikyo."

Kushida Kikyo turned around at his words. Looking at that familiar yet unfamiliar face, she blankly rubbed her eyes.

However, the scar at the corner of his mouth still allowed her to confirm his identity.

"Huh? Haruo?"

"You've changed so much! I never expected cutting your hair would make you look so refreshed."

After recognizing Kamigami Haruo, Kushida Kikyo immediately began praising him.

Though Kamigami Haruo did not take it too seriously, the corners of his mouth still rose as he returned her daily compliment.

"You too, Kikyo. You've become even prettier after just one day apart."

"That's an exaggeration, but thank you, sweet-talking Haruo."

Both of them knew perfectly well that they were exchanging polite compliments, though at least seventy or eighty percent of what they said was true.

Seeing that their daily praise session was over, Kamigami Haruo brought up another topic.

"It's especially lively today. Everyone's discussing the upcoming class. Look at Ike and Yamauchi—they're so excited they're practically shouting."

"But they seem to be talking about things girls find really unpleasant."

Kushida Kikyo wore a helpless, awkward smile.

Most of the girls in the class, without exception, looked at that group of boys as though they were filth.

Meanwhile, the boys had gathered around Ike Kanji, the one who started the topic.

It was hard to say whether those two idiots were too excited to notice everyone's stares, or whether they were doing it on purpose.

Thinking that he would be able to see it soon enough anyway, Kamigami Haruo lowered his head.

He immersed himself in the world of two-dimensional fiction and unconsciously ignored the sounds around him.

Unable to sit still, Kushida Kikyo left her seat after someone spoke to her and joined a chatting group, discussing the latest topics popular among girls.

As for Kamigami Haruo, he did not participate in any gambling. The two largest groups eventually sat in their usual seats.

His changed appearance also went unnoticed.

After all, everyone's fixed impression of Kamigami Haruo was either that of a gloomy guy or a murderer.

So no one was interested in him, nor did anyone notice his transformation.

As time trickled away like sand through an hourglass.

The swimming class Ike Kanji's group had been eagerly awaiting finally arrived.

"Yes! The pool!"

The boys rushed eagerly toward the changing room, planning to change into their swim trunks and squat outside the girls' changing room to feast their eyes.

Kamigami Haruo had already entered the changing room and changed into his swim trunks as soon as they arrived at the indoor pool.

As the first person to come out, he sat alone beside the pool, gazing at the still water in thought.

Kamigami Haruo did not have any actual swimming experience.

He replayed the movements from his memories in his mind, preparing to try them out when they swam later.

This made him seem especially solitary in the otherwise empty pool area.

All the other boys had their attention fixed on the girls' changing room entrance.

They eagerly awaited the moment the girls emerged in school swimsuits, ready to treat their eyes.

The most notable among them was Ike Kanji, who was so excited he looked like a child dancing around.

He kept looking left and right, all while spouting perverted remarks.

That atmosphere continued until the boys heard the sound of girls laughing and playing.

Every male present immediately nailed his gaze firmly onto the girls' changing room entrance.

The result did not disappoint them. The girls received plenty of cheers.

The most eye-catching among them was Kushida Kikyo.

Thinking about what she might be feeling, Kamigami Haruo figured she was probably seventy percent pleased and thirty percent disgusted.

Kamigami Haruo did not pretend to be a gentleman either. He appreciated Kushida Kikyo's figure as well.

The curve of her hips showed that she had the build for easy childbirth.

And any future children would never go hungry either. She was the perfect girlfriend candidate.

It was no wonder everyone treated Kushida Kikyo as their dream girl.

But Kamigami Haruo had not forgotten someone else with an equally good figure.

With anticipation in his heart, he looked around the pool, but did not see her anywhere.

"Could you rein in that lecherous gaze of yours?"

A cold voice entered his ears.

Under Horikita Suzune's contemptuous gaze, Kamigami Haruo admired her figure while still offering an excuse.

"I'm just appreciating beautiful things. What's wrong with that? If it's not allowed, Koenji and I can bow and apologize to you."

Looking at Horikita Suzune's golden-ratio figure, he casually complimented her.

"Horikita, you're really nice."

However, Horikita Suzune did not respond to that. Instead, she examined Kamigami Haruo's slightly fuller body and asked.

"What have you been doing lately besides eating?"

"Let me think. Eating, sleeping, and exercising."

"Compared to how skinny you looked on the day of the entrance ceremony, you've filled out a little. It's somewhat unbelievable, but still within a reasonable range."

That was how Horikita Suzune described Kamigami Haruo's body after observing him.

With a clear conscience, Kamigami Haruo casually said.

"Maybe the bento you made, Horikita, gave me strength?"

Perhaps she had already become immune to Kamigami Haruo's teasing, because Horikita Suzune simply said.

"Childish."

At the same time.

The eye-catching Kushida Kikyo walked over and sat beside Horikita Suzune.

She deliberately started a conversation, hoping to chat with Horikita Suzune.

"Horikita, are you good at swimming?"

Horikita Suzune showed a puzzled expression at the question, but still answered properly.

"I wouldn't say I'm good at it, but I'm not bad at it either."

"I was terrible at swimming in middle school. But after practicing desperately, I learned how to swim."

Seeing the atmosphere about to freeze over, Kamigami Haruo cut in and asked the two girls for help.

"Um, um, since both of you can swim, could you teach me? I've never swum before. I don't want the boys giving me artificial respiration later."

"Maybe now that you've changed your image, some girls might unexpectedly be willing to do it. I'll help you learn how to swim."

After saying that, Kushida Kikyo tilted her head and gave him a brilliant smile.

It made Kamigami Haruo feel as though he were talking to an angel.

"With Kushida helping me, I—"

Horikita Suzune was interrupted halfway through by a muscular middle-aged man who had just arrived.

He was the teacher in charge of swimming class, and he was now gathering the students for the lesson.

"All right—everyone, gather over here—"

After the students had assembled, the teacher counted the absent students and prepared to begin class.

He had no intention of pursuing the matter and said indifferently.

"I'll get straight to the point. After warm-up exercises, I want you all to swim so I can see what level you're at."

After explaining, the teacher had the students imitate his movements and perform warm-up exercises together.

Once everyone had finished warming up, the teacher instructed the students to enter the fifty-meter pool and demonstrate their swimming.

It was only then that many students finally noticed there was someone unfamiliar among them.

However, after seeing the scar at the corner of his mouth, they all remembered who he was.

As for Kamigami Haruo himself, after entering the pool, he walked toward Kushida Kikyo, intending to ask her how to swim.

With the intention of helping everyone, Kushida Kikyo naturally welcomed him without hesitation.

She first demonstrated for him, then had Kamigami Haruo try swimming once in his own way.

After reaching a conclusion, Kushida Kikyo said considerately.

"Kamigami Haruo, your movements are a little uneven. But you're doing great. Next, do this, then do this, and it'll be perfect."

Kamigami Haruo listened seriously on the surface, but inwardly, he was enjoying himself a little.

Whenever one of his movements was slightly wrong, Kushida Kikyo would directly adjust him with her hands.

That brought their bodies extremely close together.

Unlike the delighted Kamigami Haruo, the other boys were gritting their teeth in fury, wishing they could tear him apart.

After a round of corrections, Kamigami Haruo was finally able to swim smoothly through the pool.

After that, the teacher also held a swimming competition.

First place would receive a reward of five thousand points, while last place would receive a small punishment.

Koenji, wearing triangular swim briefs, unsurprisingly took first place.

Relying on his physical advantages, Kamigami Haruo achieved a fairly high ranking.

And with that, swimming class came to an end.