In a way, I've managed to fit into the class

"Cough, cough... Horikita?"

Accompanied by a fit of coughing, Ju Ji successfully expelled the freshwater that had entered his trachea. His consciousness, which had been hazy, began to return. For a split second—just a split second—he seemed to see Horikita's anxious and worried face.

Was it just an illusion after all?

By the time his consciousness fully returned, the Horikita standing before him wore her usual cold expression.

"Ju Ji, are you alright? You scared me to death. Don't ever push yourself like that again."

"Shinomiya-kun, should we go to the infirmary?"

"No, I'm fine. I just need to rest for a bit. Everyone, go back and continue with the lesson."

Although Ju Ji felt his reputation in the class wasn't very good, there were still people who cared about him. Even if it was only a small group including Kikyo and Hirata.

"Shinomiya, this won't do. You'll have to stay behind for remedial lessons later. I'll make sure to find a way to teach you how to swim."

The muscular PE teacher smiled as he delivered the death sentence of remedial lessons. Being this desperate to teach him to swim was likely out of consideration for the upcoming special exam. In a sense, it was a sign of responsibility. Ju Ji didn't dislike teachers like this.

"That was truly a pathetic sight. You should have just said something if you couldn't swim. It's not like it's something to be ashamed of."

"No, I didn't expect myself to reach such a state either."

"What?"

"No, it's nothing."

In his previous life, although Ju Ji wasn't a great swimmer and only knew how to backstroke—essentially just floating on the surface—he would never have reached the point of drowning in a pool where he could touch the bottom.

Recalling the scene earlier, the moment Ju Ji entered the water, his entire body had stiffened. He became unable to control his own limbs. Clearly, something must have happened before he was twelve, a time he had no memory of. His body had been left with a trauma etched into his DNA; otherwise, the situation couldn't be explained.

"Anyway, as long as you're okay, that's what matters. Get some good rest."

"Horikita, are you worried about me?"

"Don't misunderstand. I'm just afraid of losing a helper who can assist me in reaching Class A. I still have swimming practice to do, so I won't be keeping you company."

Once Horikita confirmed that Ju Ji was fine, she went back to continue the lesson. Whether it was his imagination or not, he felt that Horikita's face looked a little flushed. Was she sick?

Ju Ji was currently in the area designated for the trainee group, which was the rest area on the second floor. Sakura, with her plain pink glasses, was also here. The trainee group, which originally consisted of only four people, had temporarily become five.

"Um... are Shinomiya-kun and Horikita-san in a romantic relationship?... I'm sorry, please forgive me if I've disturbed you."

To be honest, he never expected Sakura Airi to take the initiative to talk to him. This inconspicuous girl, who wore glasses, kept her long hair tied back, and didn't care for fashion, usually kept her eyes lowered and her back hunched, as if she were curled up in a corner to protect herself. She was usually afraid of talking to people, especially of making eye contact during conversation. She hated being the center of attention. She didn't interact with others, and consequently, had no friends.

Who would have thought someone like that would take the initiative to talk to him? Even now, she kept avoiding Ju Ji's gaze. Her pitiful appearance made it look as if Ju Ji were bullying her. If Ju Ji were to initiate a conversation with her, he would even worry about whether she would respond. He was very bad at dealing with this type of person.

"No, it's not like that. I suppose we could be considered friends? Why would you think that?"

Becoming lovers with Horikita? Being such a beautiful girl, Ju Ji had fantasized about it at the very beginning. But that was clearly unrealistic. Even becoming friends was difficult enough. And even that "friend" status was something he considered unilaterally. She clearly hadn't acknowledged such a relationship. How could he ever hope to be her lover?

Sakura Airi had clearly misunderstood something. Was it curiosity that drove her to take the initiative to talk to him?

"I saw you two always communicating, and it seemed like you had a good relationship. And just now... no, it's nothing."

"That's just because we couldn't find anyone else. Besides, Sakura, it would be better for you to interact more with your classmates."

As expected, Ju Ji wasn't good at communicating with this type of person. His final words were like a stone sinking into the sea, receiving no response at all. She only spoke in half-sentences, and he had no idea what she was thinking.

I should just go back.

The atmosphere on the second floor was too heavy, so Ju Ji decided to return to the first floor to continue the lesson. There was nothing seriously wrong with his body, and after resting for a while, he had basically fully recovered.

"Shinomiya, are you feeling better? Everyone is currently having a swimming competition. Those who lose will have to stay behind to accompany you for remedial lessons. If you haven't recovered, you should rest a bit more."

Seeing Ju Ji return to class, the swimming teacher walked over to him with concern. So, there were others who would be joining him for remedial lessons.

The winner of this competition would apparently receive a reward of 5,000 points. For just a single class, the reward was already very generous; no wonder everyone was participating so actively.

There were five people in a group. The student with the shortest time would win. Because there were more boys, the five fastest would compete for the win. The girls' group started first.

The competition had just begun, and it had to be said that Ju Ji had come down at the perfect time. Although he couldn't participate, watching the girls swim was a beautiful sight.

Unexpectedly, Kikyo and Horikita were assigned to the same group. Ju Ji remembered that this wasn't the case in the original story. Was this a change triggered by his arrival?

Kikyo was in the third lane, the absolute center position, while Horikita was in the fourth lane.

"Let's do our best, Horikita-san."

"I won't lose."

The two looked at each other, and a spark of tension seemed to ignite between them. However, that was likely just an illusion.

"Kushida-chan, Kushida-chan... huff, huff."

Ike was completely smitten by Kikyo; she had gained popularity among the boys with an absolute advantage. She simply possessed that kind of charm.

"Go, Horikita-san!"

Of course, Horikita had people cheering for her too, though only a small number. This was related to her keep-your-distance attitude. Just then, Horikita suddenly turned her head and glared at Ju Ji.

No, it's not that I'm not cheering for you. Doesn't it feel a bit silly to shout like that... alright.

"Horikita, Kikyo, both of you do your best!"

To avoid retaliation from Kikyo in the evening, Ju Ji chose to cheer for both of them. But this time, he received a look of contempt from both of them. It was completely baffling.

"Hey, Shinomiya, choosing both is way too cunning."

"No, both of their swimsuits are charming. It's hard to choose, so in that case. Children make choices, but adults take them all."

"No, the cutest one is little Kushida. Her breasts are quite large, too."

"Ike, you're being terrifying, calm down a little."

Why does it feel like the boys are acting way too excited during this swimming lesson?

"Everyone, burn the exemption into your minds! We must secure our side dishes for tonight!"

"Oh!"

I get the feeling that the bond between the boys has strengthened in some way. Although Ju Ji doesn't really want to get involved, it would seem antisocial not to. So he just shouted along with them, but the girls' gazes are really stinging...