A new semester

"More children from the Student Council, I see. Thank you for your hard work," the fortune-teller said with a warm smile.

"Sorry to intrude." ×2

"What would you like me to divine?"

"Let's start with my luck." Lezheng held out his arm and opened his hand.

"Your lifeline looks strong, your career line shows smooth sailing, and your love line is rich as well."

Fortune-tellers could not foresee the future, but they all knew how to invest in it, discussing life and careers with Lezheng, and romance and daily life with Shiina.

"Young lady, your lifeline is long and slender. Your career line has a few small bumps, but your love line promises smooth sailing."

"Granny, could you tell me what kind of person my future partner will be?" Shiina asked with some curiosity.

"...He is an honest, dependable young man." The fortune-teller closed her eyes and stroked her crystal ball.

"Could you describe his appearance?"

"Heaven's secrets must not be revealed. If I tell you, it won't come true."

The two asked a few more questions afterward, such as whether she could divine the contents of the next Special Exam, or whether their first child would be a boy or a girl...

All they received were vague answers.

Why do these two keep asking such bizarre questions? I'm running out of answers, the fortune-teller grumbled inwardly.

"Children, as much as I would like to keep answering your questions, we're out of time."

The two checked the clock. Almost ten minutes had passed, so they had no choice but to leave. Lezheng had originally wanted to browse the mall with Shiina, but out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Yamamura hiding in a corner, peeking at him.

"Shiina, how about we go in again?"

"If it's with you, Lezheng, I don't mind." Shiina followed Lezheng's gaze and spotted Yamamura too.

"Yamamura, do you have time to come get your fortune told with me?" Lezheng extended his hand in invitation.

"B-but..." Yamamura's gaze darted away.

"It's all right. I'll wait outside for you two."

Shiina really is an angel.

When the fortune-teller saw Lezheng come in again, she almost failed to keep her smile in place.

To her relief, most of the questions this time came from the girl beside Lezheng, and they were all about romance. That was her area of expertise.

"Lezheng, I'll head back now." Yamamura looked very happy.

"All right. Get back safely." Lezheng smiled as he said goodbye to her.

Summer vacation slowly slipped by, day after day, and today was the first day of the new semester.

After getting ready, Lezheng put on his schoolbag and headed for the classroom. When he opened his door, he saw Sakayanagi with her hand suspended in midair.

"Were you about to wake me up?"

"I thought you would sleep until noon like before." Sakayanagi lowered her hand.

"You're so kind."

Lezheng smiled as he spoke. Opening his door to a beautiful girl first thing in the morning put him in a very good mood.

The two barely spoke on the way. Sakayanagi rested her left hand in the crook of Lezheng's arm and held her cane in her right. Lezheng adjusted his pace to hers. Although they walked slowly, they had set out early and were not late.

"The Sports Festival is next month. I hope you'll all exercise regularly this month and strive for good results," Mashima reminded them.

"So it really is the Sports Festival."

Most of Class A had already guessed there would be a Sports Festival, so they were not surprised.

"Lezheng, I'll leave the preparations to you. Everyone else, make sure you cooperate." Mashima called on him directly.

"Yes, sir." Lezheng stood to respond.

"Then go record everyone's data now." Mashima waved a hand.

On the athletic field, the students of Class A gathered in one spot. Lezheng brought over some sports equipment and handed out grip-strength meters first.

"Everyone needs to be tested. I'll record the results accurately." Lezheng held a folder in his hand.

"Lezheng, I'd like to see your numbers." Katsuragi handed his meter back to Lezheng.

"Sure, I'll demonstrate first." Lezheng did not refuse. He took the grip-strength meter and squeezed hard.

"100 kg? You've got to be kidding. Lezheng, you're actually that strong?" Hashimoto exclaimed.

"Your turn now." Lezheng smiled.

At first, some thought they would probably get similar results, but only after trying it themselves did they realize how absurd Lezheng's numbers were. Even Katsuragi only managed 73, while Kito reached 82.

Yahiko suddenly came to terms with it. No wonder he had been unable to break free of Lezheng's arm with both hands back in the cave. Lezheng really could squeeze him to death.

"For the Cavalry Battle, Katsuragi, Kito, Hashimoto, and I will form the base, with Takimura as the rider. On the girls' side, Kamuro, Morishita, Yahara, and Motohi will form the base, with Nishikawa as the rider."

Based on the data, Lezheng assigned the four boys and four girls with the strongest grips to form the bases of their respective teams, with those whose grips were slightly weaker serving as riders.

"Lezheng, don't squeeze my legs during the match." Takimura was a little scared.

"Don't you trust me?"

"It's precisely because it's you that I'm worried."

Some members of the Katsuragi Faction and Sakayanagi Faction had initially been unwilling to accept Lezheng, but after seeing the numbers he produced with an effortless squeeze, they suddenly came around. Collecting the remaining data was easy for Lezheng too.

"So, want to tear up the track with me?" Kamuro poked Lezheng in the waist.

"The three-legged race or the mixed relay?"

"Let's enter both."

"Is that what you really want?" Lezheng looked curiously toward Sakayanagi, who was sitting in the stands.

"Hey, hey, hey, what do you take me for? Sakayanagi's toy? Of course I want to enter, you jerk!" With that, she aimed an elbow at Lezheng.

"Then let's go over there and get our strides in sync." Lezheng dodged her attack.

Once they reached the track, Lezheng handed Kamuro the rope. "You tie it."

"Do you not know how to tie a knot, or how to bend over?" Kamuro glared at Lezheng and took the rope.

"If you don't mind me touching your calf, I can tie it."

Kamuro's hands stopped mid-knot. That aspect had not occurred to her at all. "...You can be surprisingly considerate sometimes."

"Aren't I always like this?"

"Ugh, you're going to make me throw up my breakfast."

The two slowly adjusted to each other's rhythm, progressing from walking at first to jogging. Whenever Kamuro was about to fall, Lezheng caught her by the shoulders.

Sakayanagi sat quietly in the stands, watching the two keep trying to pick up speed. Her eyes were filled with envy.

I really want to... I really want to be able to run like them.

Everyone else thought Sakayanagi used a cane because she had trouble with her legs. Only she and her father knew that the cause of her condition lay in her heart. Her heart could not support exercise; even walking for too long left her feeling weak all over.

"Let's take a break." Kamuro bent over, panting.

"Go rest over by Sakayanagi. I'll go give Yamamura some pointers," Lezheng said.

"Aren't you tired?"

"Of course I am, but I can still handle it."

"Suit yourself. I'm going to rest."

Kamuro walked toward Sakayanagi, while Lezheng went over to Yamamura.

"Yamamura, what are you practicing?"

"I'm practicing the beanbag toss."

"That's not how you throw. Watch me." Lezheng demonstrated for Yamamura.