The Great Thunder Rankings

"Good morning!"

...My intuition told me these two were definitely up to no good.

Five days had passed since the start of school, and the two behind Qiuyue had been cutting it close every single day—except today.

"Hey, Ike... you saw it, right? Hehehe, the schedule, today's class is... hehe."

"Of course, Yamauchi, why else would I come this early? I've been looking forward to it since yesterday."

"Hahaha, right? This school's not just generous, they even schedule swimming class in spring—it's insane. In swimming class, we can see... hehe."

Hey hey hey, you're drooling, man... your brain is nothing but pure filth.

This school's swimming class was co-ed, and that's exactly what Ike and Yamauchi were hyped about.

They were looking forward to Hasebe, Kushida, and all the other big-chested girls, plus the rest of the female students in swimsuits.

Those two showed zero restraint, and the girls in the class shot them looks of pure contempt.

Ugh... why did my seat have to be right in front of these two? They gather here to chat about this crap, dragging me down with their shame. I'm so done.

Qiuyue, sitting ahead of them, felt the pressure too and could only helplessly put on his earphones to listen to music.

"Class is coming up soon. I'll hit the bathroom."

Glancing at the time on his phone, Qiuyue took off his earphones and muttered to himself.

Just as he was about to stand up—

"Hey—you're Qiuyue, right?"

Yamauchi suddenly blurted out his name. Qiuyue turned his head and saw Yamauchi's sleazy grin.

No way, we've barely talked. How do you know my name? Don't tell me it's from that one self-introduction back then! I don't want to be remembered by you.

"There's swimming class today, you know."

"...I know, so what's the problem?"

"Come closer."

Yamauchi waved Qiuyue over, signaling him to lean in, and pushed a tablet forward on the desk.

What's this about?

Qiuyue had no choice but to comply, leaning in to look at the tablet's screen. What he saw was almost unbelievable.

The content on the tablet was utterly outrageous—only the guys in front of him could have come up with it.

There, clearly displayed, was a betting pool. It was betting on the girls in the class, and from the looks of it, every single female student was included.

The bet was on the size of the girls' chests.

Wait, seriously? Are these guys always this bold?

I'd heard rumors about it in the original story, but seeing it in person made me feel... I'm too uncultured. One word says it all: legendary.

"...This... which genius made this? So detailed, with odds tables and everything."

"That'd be me."

"It's him, Professor."

"Qiuyue, the Professor's name is Sotomura."

"Professor," Yamauchi, and Ike all explained that he was the one who made it.

The answer pointed squarely at a chubby little guy.

Damn, chubby bro, you're impressive. This detailed, with odds too—no wonder Advanced Nurturing doesn't raise slackers.

While Qiuyue was looking it over, Ike called Ayanokoji over too.

"So? You in?"

The trio and the Professor all stared at Qiuyue and Ayanokoji with gleaming eyes.

Huh... why is Ayanokoji here too? When did he show up? I think he joined in the original story too, right? I don't really remember. Ah, whatever. This little thing probably won't get me on his radar.

Ayanokoji answered first: "Uh... I don't mind joining."

"What about you, Qiuyue?"

"Ahaha... I'll join too."

On the chest ranking list Qiuyue was looking at, Hasebe Haruka held the top spot. It was just a prediction, but it was enough to go by.

"How about we spice it up a little? Just guessing who's biggest is boring."

"Sounds good, I'm down. Yamauchi, great idea."

Ike praised Yamauchi with exaggerated enthusiasm.

"Alright then, let's make it a thousand points per bet. What do you guys think?"

...Fine by me. This seems fun. I'll just throw one down—go with the top of the list, Hasebe Haruka.

"I'll put one bet on Hasebe."

"Good eye, Qiuyue. Put down a few more, why not? You're getting another 100,000 PR next month anyway, so what's the harm?"

"No, that's fine. I think one bet is enough. A little gambling is fun, but too much hurts."

"Leave him alone. Hurry up and give me mine—I'm betting on little Kushida, six bets!!"

"Oooh—, Ike's got guts! I can't lose either. I think that girl with the glasses is a dark horse. I'm betting on her, five bets!"

"Horikita? What about you, Ayanokouji? Come on, join in. Pick someone. Who'll you choose?"

"Uh... then I'll go with Horikita. Same as you, Qiuyue. One bet is enough for me."

"Tch, Ayanokouji, you're so boring. Anyone with eyes can see Horikita has no chance of winning, right? Don't tell me you're just here to hand out points to us?"

"...Not at all. Maybe Horikita's a dark horse?"

"...Wait...? You mean Horikita used a legendary item?"

"Hey hey hey, seriously? That Horikita used the legendary Thunder-Wrapping Cloth!?"

(Note: Don't ask why it's a Thunder Cloth. If you ask, it's because nothing else could get published.)

"Idiot Yamauchi, your voice is too loud. Keep it down. Don't let the girls find out."

No no no, they've already found out ages ago. Haven't you noticed the girls have been keeping their distance this whole time?

"But hey, Ike, think about it. If Horikita really used that thing, then wouldn't it... that thing would also have Horikita's scent on it."

"Eh, Yamauchi, now that you mention it, you're right. Heh heh..."

Seriously disgusting. Those two are probably imagining it right now, drooling and all. I really feel sorry for Horikita.

...Though I know Horikita never used it. Damn, those two dragged me into it, and now I can't help imagining it too. Amitabha, sin, sin.

But the commotion here caught the attention of everyone in the classroom. Before long, some of the boys couldn't hold back anymore and crowded over.

"I want in."

"Me too."

"Count me in."

"Move aside, all of you. You're no good. My family runs an underwear shop—no one here knows this stuff better than me. Let me tell you, my eyes are a ruler."

The boys who gathered jostled each other, eager to get a look at the "Professor's" ** ranking chart.

The girls, who had only been keeping their distance from this area before, now looked at the boys as if they were something disgusting.