Competition, Surprise Attack

"Ayanokoji, what are you doing here?"

Shinomiya looked at the arriving Horikita, his gaze drifting downward.

At least they wouldn't starve a child.

Horikita shot Shinomiya an unfriendly look.

Shinomiya tactfully said, "You two talk. I'll go swim a few laps."

Horikita sat down. "What were you talking about?"

"Shinomiya asked what kind of girls I like."

Horikita:?

Shinomiya had more or less figured Ayanokoji out. Ayanokoji was somewhat like his former self.

Simply put, Ayanokoji was like a bot.

His condition was even worse than Shinomiya's had been. At least Shinomiya used to put on an emotional act on the surface.

Ayanokoji did not even bother pretending.

The two of them sat together, talking about who knew what.

Shinomiya found Koenji, who was doing the butterfly stroke. He moved like an underwater freight train, and he definitely would not stop if someone approached him.

"Rokusuke, want to race me?"

Shinomiya invited Koenji to a swimming race.

Koenji readily agreed.

Shinomiya asked Hirata to serve as referee.

The two stood at the edge of the pool.

"Three, two, one, go!"

At the command, the two leaped into the water.

Koenji used the butterfly stroke. His form was flawless, sending up great splashes as he surged forward with startling momentum.

Shinomiya used the freestyle stroke. His movements were smooth, and he was no slower than Koenji.

Neither gave an inch as they charged ahead.

Shinomiya could not see Koenji during the race, but the pressure he felt told him that Koenji was right beside him.

Shinomiya's body had been strengthened, and he had the foundation of his past training. He believed he would not lose to Koenji.

This race was the perfect opportunity for Shinomiya to prove himself.

The two drew closer and closer to the finish line.

Koenji was also giving it everything he had. He had thought this would be an easy victory, but Shinomiya's strength had turned out to be so formidable.

But Koenji would not be inferior to anyone!

Only fifty centimeters remained!

As they neared the finish line, their desire for victory seemed ready to overflow.

Shinomiya: Victory!

Koenji: The finish line!

"I'm here!" ×2

After emerging from the water, they both looked at Hirata.

"A tie. You arrived at the same time."

Shinomiya and Koenji were both taken aback. Each had believed he would win, yet it had ended in a tie.

But they quickly composed themselves.

"Yōha, your stamina has improved a lot!"

"Rokusuke, you're still as impressive as ever!"

They smiled at each other. It seemed their winner would have to be decided next time.

Shinomiya: When I get back, I'm stepping up my training!

Koenji: I'll have to refine my training plan even further.

Their race had drawn a large crowd, and everyone applauded and cheered for them.

Seeing that everyone was there, Hirata proposed that they work together to earn class points.

"Everyone! Please listen!

We have no points. We can't stay like this until graduation, can we?"

Karuizawa chimed in at just the right moment. "No!"

"So, we have to earn points before next month."

Ken Sudo bluntly interrupted him.

"Do whatever you want. Just don't drag me into it."

With that, he shoved past Hirata and left alone.

Hirata's expression looked like that of a neglected young wife.

The mood of the people around them also sank somewhat.

Although some people were unwilling to cooperate, Hirata still explained his plan.

It was to hold study sessions and help students with poor grades improve.

Shinomiya was merely an outsider, watching Class D scatter in all directions. He felt certain that someone would refuse to cooperate.

He also glanced at Yamauchi and Ike in the crowd.

During lunch break, Shinomiya brought Kushida her meal as usual.

Shinomiya had grown quite used to it by now. Mainly because Kushida had to maintain her public persona outside, aside from delivering her meals and having a worse reputation, things were not much different from before.

He felt that he would never get to experience anything like Kamuro acting as his maid again.

As usual, Shinomiya leaned back and closed his eyes to rest.

At that moment, Hirata came looking for him.

"Shinomiya-kun, could you come to our study session?"

Shinomiya opened his eyes and looked at Hirata.

Is this guy trying to make me do all the work?

Teach people? Teach my ass!

"I'm not going. Go ask Koenji. His grades are pretty good too."

Hirata smiled awkwardly. He had actually already asked Koenji, only to be flatly refused.

"Hirata, I suggest you focus on those with poor grades who still refuse to attend.

For them, the person teaching them does not need to be especially outstanding. They only need basic instruction, after all."

After hearing Shinomiya's words, Hirata felt they made some sense. All he wanted was for the entire class to pass.

As for high scores, Hirata had never expected them.

"Thank you, Shinomiya-kun. I won't disturb you any further."

After school that afternoon, Shinomiya saw Ayanokoji inviting Yamauchi to join the study session on his way back.

Unfortunately, he was refused.

Shinomiya was rather curious. Ayanokoji did not seem like the type to meddle in other people's business.

He walked up behind Ayanokoji. "Why did you invite him?"

Ayanokoji turned around and saw Shinomiya.

"I promised someone I would help."

Shinomiya did not ask any more questions and simply left, already knowing the answer. Aside from Horikita, he could not think of anyone else.

Ayanokoji did not have any other acquaintances.

At the dorm entrance, he saw someone wrapped head to toe in a coat, wearing black sunglasses and a mask, with a large hat on her head.

"Kushida?"

Kushida turned at the sound of his voice. "You could recognize me even like this?"

Shinomiya opened the dorm door and let Kushida in.

After they entered, Shinomiya closed the door.

"What do you want with me?"

Kushida removed all her disguises, revealing her true appearance.

"You still haven't completed your punishment. Making you deliver me a meal every day has been letting you off too easily." Kushida looked at Shinomiya arrogantly.

Shinomiya had no idea what she intended to do.

Kushida sat on the bed. "Go bring me a basin of hot water."

Shinomiya obediently did as he was told. He brought over a basin of hot water and stood beside the bed.

Kushida gestured for him to put it down.

Shinomiya set it down. Just as he was about to stand, Kushida planted a foot on his shoulder.

Shinomiya did not feel any resistance at all and stood up anyway.

Unable to push him down, Kushida was instead tipped backward.

Her foot was still resting on Shinomiya's shoulder, and she could not pull it down. Once Shinomiya stood up, he realized their position was somewhat suggestive.

Kushida hurriedly pressed down her skirt with both hands to keep herself from being exposed.

Her face was filled with embarrassment and anger.

"Shinomiya, crouch down already! Let me go!"

Kushida's current position was beyond the limits of her flexibility. She could not move at all and could only make Shinomiya crouch again.

Shinomiya looked helpless too. It wasn't like I did it on purpose.

Shinomiya had actually already seen it. His face remained completely calm, but his slightly reddened ears betrayed him.

Shinomiya crouched down, and Kushida withdrew her foot.

"Hold out your hands!"

Shinomiya did as she said.

This time, Kushida placed both feet directly into Shinomiya's hands.

"Take them off for me."

Shinomiya did not comply this time. He stared at Kushida in shock.

What is she trying to do?

A foot bath?

"What are you standing around for? Get moving already!" Kushida urged.

Shinomiya could only remove Kushida's knee-high socks, revealing her fair calves, then cradle her small feet in his hands.

"Look up!"

Shinomiya looked up at Kushida.

Kushida reached out and gently stroked Shinomiya's cheek, smiling. "Good boy!"