First Test No. 1? What Are You Blushing for, a Bubble Teapot?

"I didn't say anything. I just mentioned to them that the student council president shares your last name, and they let their imaginations run wild."

In reality Tatsuya Sakuya had known all along, but simply chose not to point it out to see how Horikita Suzune would react to Horikita Manabu.

"Is Horikita Manabu really your brother?"

Tatsuya Sakuya cut straight to the point.

"Yes, but I don't want you using his name to stick up for me."

Horikita blushed awkwardly and turned her head away.

What are you blushing for, a bubble teapot!

"I didn't say a thing. Those guys just have way too much imagination. Anyway, the swimming test is about to start."

Tatsuya Sakuya didn't linger and headed to the stretching area to warm up.

The swimming test began.

Everyone was immersed in the tense atmosphere of the swimming test.

Airi Sakura and Hasebe Haruka were watching the test from the stands.

Tatsuya Sakuya walked over to greet them.

"How is it? Are you having a good time?"

"Yes." x 2

The two of them answered in unison.

"With my good bestie Airi here, anything we do is fun."

Hasebe was lost in the joy of being with Airi.

"R-Really, Haruka."

Airi Sakura lowered her head shyly.

"Who do you think will be the champion?"

Tatsuya Sakuya looked at the two of them and asked.

"Um... I think it's probably Sudo Ken. I saw that his physical test scores were outstanding."

Airi Sakura said softly.

"I think Kouenji has a fighting chance too."

Hasebe Haruka had a different view.

"Tatsuya-kun, who do you think will win the championship?"

Airi Sakura's voice was as soft as a mosquito's, and she asked a little shyly.

"If I may say something that might sound overly confident, I think the champion can only be me."

"Eh!" x 2

The two girls were a bit surprised, unable to believe that the Tatsuya Sakuya before them was so confident, or even arrogant.

"Just wait and see."

Tatsuya Sakuya knew that words were useless, because strength was the best proof. Besides, he was determined to win those private points.

The scene shifted to the pool.

"Next heat, men's fifty-meter freestyle, get ready on the blocks!"

The physical education teacher's commanding voice rang out.

This was definitely the most anticipated heat of the entire event, as the core boys of Class 1-D had been drawn into the same group.

Sudo Ken yanked the towel off his shoulders and walked toward starting block number two: "Watch me, first place is definitely mine!"

Kouenji Rokusuke at starting block number four elegantly flicked his damp blond hair, his gaze narcissistic and calm.

At starting block number five was Hirata Yousuke.

At starting block number one was Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.

Finally, Tatsuya Sakuya slowly stepped onto the central starting block, number three.

"On your marks... bang."

The starting gun fired!

Five figures leaped into the air almost simultaneously.

"Go, Hirata!"

"Go, Kouenji!"

The cheers and roars of encouragement from the stands instantly reached a crescendo as the test progressed.

"Look, who is lane three? How is he swimming so fast?"

"Is he cheating? He has pulled away from everyone else in such a short time."

I only needed to maintain my current rhythm.

Tatsuya Sakuya in lane three precisely controlled his stroking rhythm, converting every ounce of power into forward momentum.

The people on the bank could hardly imagine how breathtaking it was for the person in the water.

Sudo tried his utmost to swing his arms, and Kouenji exerted all his might to kick his legs, but their movements looked like they were in slow motion in the water compared to Tatsuya Sakuya.

However, Ayanokoji next to them had a completely different vibe, swimming leisurely as if his mind was somewhere else.

Twenty meters, thirty meters.

Tatsuya Sakuya noticed that Sudo and Kouenji showed momentum to catch up, so he decided to widen the gap again—after all, that was ten thousand points.

Sorry, I can still accelerate.

Tatsuya Sakuya decided to go all out and leave no chances.

The others could only watch helplessly as the gap widened until he touched the wall.

Smack!

The cold numbers on the timer froze on the screen:

[21.91s]

Immediately afterward, Kouenji (23.22s), Sudo (25.00s), Hirata (27.12s), and Ayanokoji (36.91s) touched the wall one after another.

"N-No way."

"This guy seems to have broken the school record."

Everyone was stunned by this unbelievable scene; Class 1-D actually had such an expert.

Sudo Ken lay on the edge of the pool, panting heavily. "Twenty-one point nine one seconds. What kind of monster is this?"

Even the usually arrogant Kouenji Rokusuke could not help but praise him.

"Oh my... To actually encounter a perfect beast even swifter than yours truly. However, I still held back some strength."

For a moment, the people at the swimming test venue found it hard to believe such a terrifying score.

"Is it really that exaggerated?"

"I heard his physical test scores were just average."

"He's usually lazy even when running in class."

Chabashira Sae silently memorized the name Tatsuya Sakuya.

Soon, the scores for the four classes were tallied, and the electronic scoreboard at the outdoor pool suddenly refreshed with the grade-wide overall ranking:

[Freshman 50-meter freestyle test grade first place: Class 1-D Tatsuya Sakuya]

"All testing phases are concluded. Free time from now on."

The physical education teacher blew the whistle to announce.

The previously tense racing atmosphere vanished completely, and the pool instantly filled with laughter and cheers as boys and girls mingled together.

Horikita Suzune still stood alone on the pool bank, pondering what Tatsuya Sakuya had said to her earlier.

"Horikita-san, come down to the pool and play together."

It was Kushida Kikyou inviting Horikita Suzune.

Horikita Suzune did not respond at all.

Tatsuya Sakuya casually gave Horikita a light push from behind, sending her down.

"Splash!"

Caught completely off guard, Horikita let out a cry of surprise, falling straight into the shallow end and kicking up a spray of water.

When she emerged from the water, her wet dark 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, reached out to grab the arm of Tatsuya Sakuya, who had just steadied himself, and pulled him down into the water with all her might.

"Whoosh!"

Seeing Horikita Suzune and Tatsuya Sakuya tumble into the water while playing around, Kushida Kikyou wore an envious expression.

Just as Tatsuya Sakuya surfaced, the usually timid Airi Sakura nearby saw what happened, mustered her courage to scoop up a handful of water, flicked her small hand to splash Sakuya, and then lowered her head.

"Oh, Sakura-san, you're joining in on kicking a man while he's down, huh?"

Tatsuya Sakuya smiled and splashed water back in retaliation.

Hasebe, seeing Sakura get splashed, helped her best friend retaliate.

The scene instantly fell into chaos.

In the Class 1-D classroom after school.

Tatsuya Sakuya packed his bag and prepared to stand up when a figure blocked his desk.

Hasebe Haruka stood in front of him, accompanied by a slightly nervous yet smiling Airi Sakura.

Hasebe crossed her arms over her chest and carefully looked Tatsuya over.

"You... are so strong at swimming. Did you specially train in the past?"

Tatsuya slung his bag over his shoulder and leaned against the edge of his desk. "You could say that. How is it, is Hasebe interested?"

Hasebe Haruka spoke in an extremely serious tone. "Coach, I want to learn how to swim. Name your price for points or whatever, just don't go overboard."

Tatsuya Sakuya accepted the commission without the slightest hesitation. With a beautiful girl asking him to teach her swimming, there was no reason to refuse—plus, there was compensation.

"I can teach you, but you'll have to strictly follow my training requirements afterward, or else you might just give up halfway."

"No problem."

"I'll notify you when I have time."