After turning it over in his mind, the only explanation he could come up with was that Xia Mu had taken an interest in Suzune's potential.
His younger sister wasn't very capable yet, but she had plenty of room to grow.
Or perhaps Suzune was getting in Xia Mu's way.
"What makes you think you have the right?"
He raised his eyes and fixed them on Xia Mu. A faint red glint flickered in his gaze, and a dangerous aura radiated from him.
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Xia Mu pulled his hands from his pockets and applauded slowly. "As expected of the Student Council President. You really know how to make an entrance."
At that moment, Xia Mu looked more like a villain.
But in this school, there wasn't really such a thing as good guys and bad guys.
Everyone was simply pursuing their own goals in their own way.
The students watching were dumbfounded. Those who knew Xia Mu and Manabu Horikita were even more anxious.
Why had Xia Mu started applauding?
The incident had drawn the attention of every student present.
The Student Council President was a legendary figure, and now he was having a confrontation with someone. This was too good to miss.
"I'll help your sister grow, and solve the problems she has now. Maybe one day she'll even take your place and become Student Council President."
Xia Mu dangled his bait. "You're about to graduate, and you don't have time to change your sister anymore, do you?"
"Besides..."
"You wouldn't know how."
Xia Mu smiled. Manabu Horikita was an A++ in every other area, but he had truly failed when it came to communicating with his sister.
He was practically useless. All he had to do was find some time to have a proper heart-to-heart with her.
But he couldn't let go of his pride, and he didn't know where to begin. Their lack of communication over the years had caused their understanding of each other to drift further and further apart.
That was what had given rise to Suzune's personality.
Manabu Horikita could be said to have created the Suzune Horikita of today with his own hands.
"Do you have that kind of ability?" Manabu Horikita shot back.
"Of course. There's still half a year, so you can take your time and see." Xia Mu stepped forward a few paces, his mind at ease. "Besides, if you thought I had no ability, President, you wouldn't be standing here talking to me now, would you?"
The reason he had taught those two troublemakers a lesson earlier was to prove himself.
Otherwise, Manabu Horikita wouldn't have given him the time of day.
Manabu Horikita didn't argue. He had indeed been keeping an eye on Xia Mu.
He'd been somewhat surprised when he got Xia Mu's file.
Xia Mu was a high-potential student who had perfect scores in every area except social skills.
"If you're qualified." Manabu Horikita glanced toward Suzune in the distance. She went pale with fright and hurriedly took several steps backward.
Xia Mu said nothing, waiting for Manabu Horikita to continue.
"Then let's start here." Manabu Horikita turned toward the largest pool in the swimming facility.
The pool had been built to match the facilities where national athletes trained, and it met Olympic standards.
Though students usually used it just to splash around,
there was no doubt it was a proper competition pool.
"What? You two are going to race in swimming?!"
When Shiina heard that Xia Mu was actually going to race the Student Council President, she was stunned.
Everyone knew the Student Council President was the school's very own Mermaid. It was even written in the school's promotional materials.
In races against students from other classes, he was always far ahead.
Xia Mu was certainly a quick learner, but how could he possibly beat him at swimming?
She'd never even seen him get into the water during swimming class!
"Xia Mu, why don't you think it over..." Shiina took his hand, her face a little pale.
Even if it was only supposed to be a friendly match, she didn't want to see Xia Mu looking dejected after losing.
Xia Mu gave her the same confident look he'd worn when they made their bet. "Don't worry. It'll be fine."
The chubby guy beside them chimed in, too. "Yeah, that's right! Have some faith in Xia. He's an invincible god!"
Shiina hesitated, then nodded gently.
"G-good luck, Xia Mu..." Sakura hid in the crowd, hands clenched tight as she whispered.
Aside from Shiina, the chubby guy, and Sakura, no one believed the protagonist could win. Suzune Horikita, in particular, thought Xia Mu was getting ahead of himself. He had a little strength and now he actually thought he could challenge her big brother, Zhao Si!
The race began soon after.
Xia Mu and Manabu Horikita took their places at the starting blocks and met each other's gaze.
"Don't disappoint me."
Without his glasses, Manabu Horikita looked even colder and more imposing, making the eyes of many girls who admired him sparkle with adoration.
Xia Mu said nothing and looked toward the referee.
To make things seem fair, they had specially chosen a second-year student to officiate.
But everyone could tell he was biased toward Manabu Horikita. To them, Xia Mu was just a greenhorn who didn't know his place, like a frog in a well.
"Are both competitors ready?"
He waved the small flag in his hand. After confirming that neither Xia Mu nor Manabu Horikita had any objections, he brought it down. "The race begins!"
Splash!
As soon as the words left his mouth, both men plunged into the water. Unlike the other students, who hit the water with a loud splash, they entered gracefully and carried their momentum forward.
It was clear they both had experience.
The rules were simple: swim one length and back, and the first to finish would win.
The total distance was two hundred meters. This short distance put the swimmers' explosive speed to the test.
Manabu Horikita took the lead at first.
He moved with agility, barely disturbing the water's surface, and reached the halfway point in just a few seconds.
The students weren't surprised. It seemed only natural.
But anyone watching Xia Mu closely would have noticed that the moment he entered the water, he moved like a little sprite, arms and legs working together as he spun and churned through the water at incredible speed.
He caught up with Manabu Horikita just as he was about to reach the end of the first length.
They both touched the timing devices at the wall and turned back at the same time.
Seeing that, Manabu Horikita's gaze sharpened, and he suddenly accelerated, moving even faster than he had at the start.
He was getting serious.
No wonder Xia Mu had dared to challenge him in front of everyone. He did have some skill.
But it wasn't enough.
As Manabu Horikita suddenly sped up, the corner of Xia Mu's mouth lifted slightly.
To Xia Mu, Manabu Horikita's speed was like a baby just learning to walk.
The moment Xia Mu entered the water, his skin seemed to open up, welcoming it. It felt just like coming home.
He straightened his body and kicked off with both legs. Like a sharp arrow, he shot forward with a whoosh, suddenly overtaking Manabu Horikita, who was swimming hard toward the finish.
A rare flicker of surprise appeared in Manabu Horikita's eyes.
They were almost at the finish, but Xia Mu edged past him at the last moment and reached it first.
Xia Mu had won!
Before you continue