"I didn't say anything. I just told them the Student Council president shares your surname, and they started making wild guesses on their own."
In fact, Tatsuya Sakuya had known long ago. He simply did not want to spell it out, wanting to see Horikita Suzune's reaction to Horikita Manabu.
"Is Horikita Manabu really your older brother?"
Tatsuya Sakuya got straight to the point.
"Yes, but I don't want you using his name to stand up for me."
Horikita blushed awkwardly and turned her head away stiffly.
Why are you blushing like a teapot?
"I didn't say anything. Those guys just have absurdly vivid imaginations. Anyway, the swimming test is about to begin."
Without lingering, Tatsuya Sakuya headed for the stretching area to warm up.
The swimming test began.
Everyone was immersed in the tense atmosphere of the test.
Airi Sakura and Hasebe Haruka were watching the test from the stands.
Tatsuya Sakuya walked over to greet them.
"So, are you having fun?"
"Yes." x 2
The two answered in unison.
"With my best friend Airi here, anything is fun."
Hasebe was happily enjoying herself with Airi.
"R-really, Haruka?"
Airi Sakura shyly lowered her head.
"Who do you think will be the champion?"
Tatsuya Sakuya looked at the two girls and asked.
"Um... I think it'll probably be Sudo Ken. I saw that his physical test results were outstanding."
Airi Sakura spoke softly.
"I think Koenji has a chance too."
Hasebe Haruka had a different opinion.
"Shiba, who do you think will win?"
Airi Sakura asked in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, sounding a little embarrassed.
"Maybe this sounds overconfident, but I think the champion can only be me."
"Eh?!" x 2
The two girls were somewhat shocked. They could not believe Tatsuya Sakuya was so confident—he could even be called conceited.
"Just wait and see."
Tatsuya Sakuya knew there was no use saying more. Strength was the best proof, and besides, he was determined to get those Private Points.
The scene shifted to the pool.
"Next group, men's fifty-meter freestyle! Get on the blocks!"
The PE teacher's command rang out.
This was undoubtedly the most anticipated group of the entire event. Several of Class 1-D's core male students had been drawn together.
Sudo Ken ripped off the towel draped over his shoulders and walked toward starting block two. "Watch me. First place is definitely mine!"
At starting block four, Kouenji Rokusuke elegantly flicked his damp blond hair, his gaze narcissistic yet composed.
At starting block five was Hirata Yousuke.
At starting block one was Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
Finally, Tatsuya Sakuya slowly stepped onto the central starting block three.
"Take your marks... Bang."
The starting gun fired!
Five figures leaped into the air at almost the exact same moment.
"Go, Hirata!"
"Go, Koenji!"
The cheers from the stands instantly surged to a fever pitch as the race progressed.
"Look! Who's in lane three? How is he swimming so fast?"
"Is he cheating or something? He's already pulled so far ahead in such a short time."
I just need to keep up this pace.
In lane three, Tatsuya Sakuya precisely controlled his stroke rhythm, turning every ounce of power into forward speed.
Those on shore could hardly imagine how shocked the people in the water were.
Sudo swung his arms with all his might, while Koenji kicked with everything he had, but their movements seemed like slow motion in the water compared to Tatsuya Sakuya.
However, Ayanokouji beside them was completely different. He swam leisurely, as though his soul had already left his body.
Twenty meters, thirty meters.
Tatsuya Sakuya noticed that Sudo and Koenji were beginning to close the gap, so he decided to widen it again. After all, ten thousand points were on the line.
Sorry, but I can speed up even more.
Tatsuya Sakuya decided to go all out and leave no room for anyone else.
The others could only watch helplessly as the distance widened, until he touched the wall.
Smack!
The timer's cold digits froze on the screen:
[21.91s]
Immediately afterward, Koenji (23.22s), Sudo (25.00s), Hirata (27.12s), and Ayanokouji (36.91s) touched the wall in succession.
"N-no way."
"This guy seems to have broken the school record."
Everyone was stunned by the unbelievable sight. Class 1-D had someone this incredible?
Sudo Ken lay against the poolside, gasping for breath. "Twenty-one point nine one seconds... What kind of monster is that?"
Even the usually arrogant Kouenji Rokusuke could not help but offer praise.
"Oh my... Have I encountered a perfect beast even swifter than myself? But I still have strength to spare."
For a moment, everyone at the swimming test venue could hardly believe such a terrifying result.
"Is it really that ridiculous?"
"I heard his physical test scores were pretty average."
"He's usually so lazy that he can barely be bothered to run in class."
Chabashira Sae silently noted down Tatsuya Sakuya's name.
Soon, the results for all four classes were compiled. The massive electronic display above the outdoor pool refreshed with a bang:
[First place in the grade for the men's fifty-meter freestyle test: Tatsuya Sakuya of Class 1-D]
"All test events have concluded. Next is free time."
The PE teacher blew the whistle and announced.
The previously tense atmosphere of competition vanished without a trace. The pool immediately filled with laughter and chatter as boys and girls mingled together.
Horikita Suzune still stood alone by the pool, thinking about what Tatsuya Sakuya had said to her earlier.
"Horikita, come into the pool and play with us."
Kushida Kikyou was inviting Horikita Suzune.
Horikita Suzune gave no response.
Tatsuya Sakuya casually reached out from behind Horikita and gave her a gentle push, sending her into the pool.
Splash!
Caught completely off guard, Horikita cried out as she fell straight into the shallow end, sending water spraying everywhere.
When she emerged from the water, her wet black hair clung to her fair cheeks, and her eyes were filled with shock and anger.
"Tatsuya Sakuya, what are you doing?"
She wiped the water from her face, grabbed the arm of Tatsuya Sakuya, who had just steadied himself, and forcefully dragged him into the pool as well.
Splash!
Kushida Kikyou watched Horikita Suzune and Tatsuya Sakuya playfully fall into the water, her eyes filled with envy.
Just as Tatsuya Sakuya surfaced, the timid Airi Sakura beside him saw what was happening, gathered her courage, scooped up a handful of water, and flung it at Sakuya before lowering her head.
"Oh? So Sakura, you're joining in and kicking me while I'm down too?"
Tatsuya Sakuya smiled and splashed water back at her.
Seeing Airi get splashed, Hasebe stepped in to help her best friend retaliate.
The scene quickly descended into chaos.
In Class 1-D's classroom after school.
Tatsuya Sakuya packed his bag and was about to stand when a figure blocked his desk.
Hasebe Haruka stood before him, with Airi Sakura beside her, looking somewhat awkward but smiling.
Hasebe crossed her arms over her chest and studied Sakuya seriously.
"You... are you really that good at swimming? Did you train professionally before?"
Tatsuya Sakuya slung his bag over his shoulder and leaned against the desk. "More or less. What, are you interested, Hasebe?"
Hasebe Haruka spoke with utmost seriousness. "Coach, I want to learn swimming. Name your price in points or whatever. Just don't make it too outrageous."
Without any hesitation, Tatsuya Sakuya accepted the request. A beautiful girl wanted to learn swimming from him—why would he refuse? Besides, there was payment involved.
"I can teach you, but afterward, you have to strictly follow my training requirements. Otherwise, you'll just give up halfway through."
"No problem."
"I'll let you know when I have time."
Before you continue