My love index is at its maximum.

However, experiencing liking something for the first time is not so simple.

The only thing I can think of right now is to ignore what's in front of me and just live with it for the time being, just like how I treat the sky, clouds, and rivers.

Kuriyama Sakura believes that, depending on changes in her mindset and the passage of time, it might even bear better fruit and not be worthless.

……

Standing on the playground, a gust of wind blew by, stirring up clouds of dust.

Tsukasa Tazaki put on his rugby gear and slowly walked toward the assembled Class 1-F team.

In the stands, the students of Class 1-F cheered loudly, creating a very enthusiastic atmosphere. Hoshino Hanami was still hiding in the executive committee's work tent, eating snacks and watching the game with Shimamoto Kana. Kuriyama Sakura had nowhere to go for the moment, so she sat next to the two of them, lost in thought.

The silly Shikami was pacing back and forth on the sidelines holding a sign, while not far away, Shiori Ninomiya's cheerleading squad was preparing for the match. Yui Kikawa, like a lion surveying its territory, patrolled the various match venues.

The grand finale of the class competition is the upcoming first-year football game. Of course, this football game won't strictly follow NFL standards; it will simply be two 15-minute halves, with the team scoring the most points winning.

"Cheer up!"

Looking towards the direction of the sound, they saw Murakami Mizuiro standing spiritedly in front of everyone, hands on his hips, shouting loudly: "—Didn't you convey your true passion, skills, and attitude towards life to your teammates? Didn't you move anyone? Was it all for nothing or just forced?"

The other students shouted in unison, "No!"

That scene made Tsukasa Tazaki wonder if Murakami's club was the rugby club, not the soccer club.

The competition isn't a high school sports meet anymore; it's the Super Bowl, where a B-2 bomber might fly overhead at any moment.

"the way--"

"Let us create it!"

"High walls—"

"We'll destroy it!"

"we are--"

"Class F, Grade 1!"

"we are--"

"champion!!!"

The passionate atmosphere swept across the entire playground like a tornado.

It has to be said that Japanese high school students are among the most outstanding in terms of being "chuunibyou" (a Japanese term for someone with delusions of grandeur).

Tsukasa Tazaki wanted to say, "You guys take a break, let me do it," but seeing the large beads of sweat on their cheeks and their high morale, he swallowed his words.

One person being a hero is certainly admirable.

But reaching the summit together with a group of companions who share the same goal and the same passion is another equally wonderful experience.

Under Murakami Mizuiro's leadership, the students of Class 1-F were filled with high morale.

Before they knew it, all the competitors were shouting at the top of their lungs, leaning forward, eager to sprint towards the competitors on the other side.

"Bring it on—!!" Murakami Mizuiro, standing at the forefront, roared.

His shouts, which could be heard even in the audience, were not empty boasts or impulsive words, but rather a genuine, fiery, and passionate cry.

This idea generated a surge of heat that spread across the playground, sparking intense bursts of energy.

Tazaki Tsukasa walked into the middle of the group, and Murakami Mizuiro spotted him immediately. He coughed exaggeratedly a few times and loudly announced to the group, "Listen up, our general has arrived! Get ready to be beaten to a pulp!"

The entire stadium erupted in cheers, including from the opposing team and the spectators. Some were surprised, some applauded and laughed, while others wore serious expressions; the reactions varied.

Tazaki Tsukasa took a step back, disdainfully distancing himself from Murakami.

In rugby, there's no such thing as a "general" position, and I have no idea what he's yelling about...

"Everyone!" On the podium, Chiba Miho, acting as the commentator, raised the microphone and her voice resounded throughout the stadium, "The most tense, exciting, and spectacular moment of this year's sports festival is here! Let's cheer together!"

Applause erupted on the playground.

After a brief opening, Chiba Miho looked at the male commentator beside her and asked, "Fujiwara-san, what are your thoughts?"

"Which side is that guy named Tazaki from again?"

"Class F, Grade 1..."

"Let me see."

Tsukasa Tazaki put on his helmet and looked up.

A boy he'd never met before was staring at him with a smug, punchable smile on his face.

"I see it, I see it! This match is already decided. Class F of the first year will definitely win."

"Eh?"

"Does Chiba-senpai think there's something wrong with what I said?"

"No... Fujiwara-san, as a guest commentator, you have to maintain a fair stance!"

"Is giving an objective conclusion unfair?"

"You, you're really driving me crazy!"

"No, before you get so angry, please approve our application for increased funding for the Paranormal Research Department. Otherwise, I'm afraid your successor will be just as unreasonable as you."

"Fujiwara Izaya—"

"exist!"

"Wait for me after school!!!"

"Senior, what are you saying? This is the sports festival. Lots of people are watching. Please don't say anything that could be misunderstood."

On the big screen, a close-up of Chiba Miho, who was so angry she wanted to kill someone, appeared.

Tsukasa Tazaki watched with great interest.

According to his understanding, Chiba-senpai is a very gentle and easy-going person. For someone to be this angry, it's clear that the guy surnamed Fujiwara is exceptionally deserving of a beating.

"Cough cough~"

Chiba Miho coughed twice, regaining her calm expression: "Alright, alright, the competition is about to start. Time for some banter, let's get back to the sports festival competition."

As she spoke, the referee slowly approached the center circle of the court.

The two sides faced off, and a tense and exciting match was about to begin.

Chapter 306 The Second Day of the Sports Festival (2)

The autumn wind brought a chill, but the atmosphere inside remained lively.

The cheerleaders on the sidelines cheered non-stop, and even the air seemed to be distorted.

American football isn't as popular in Japan as baseball or soccer. But no one can deny that, as a highly competitive contact sport, American football is exciting enough to give every spectator an adrenaline rush.

Tsukasa Tazaki carefully inspected his helmet, armor, knee pads, and other equipment before standing in the center circle. Opposite him were his opponents from Class 1-D, all of whom looked energetic and highly motivated.

"Offense and defense, Class F, Year 1!" the referee announced loudly, signaling the start of the game.

The whistle blew, and Tsukasa Tazaki quickly retreated.

The server passed the ball to Murakami Mizuiro, and immediately three opposing defenders closed in. Murakami Mizuiro reacted very quickly, tossing the ball directly to Tazaki Tsukasa behind her without much hesitation.

"The ball has just been kicked out and it's in Tazaki's hands." Chiba Miho kept a close eye on the situation on the field. The three defenders who had been chasing the ball just now immediately adjusted their positions and rushed towards Tazaki from three directions.

There were even more defenders and teammates blocking the way ahead.

With a back turn, he faked out a defender, and Tazaki Tsukasa's gaze was fixed on the far end of the court, where two upright pillars stood, and he quickly calculated a route forward in his mind.

There are three ways to score in rugby.

The first type is a touchdown.

A touchdown is scored when a player runs into the opponent's end zone with the ball, or receives a pass in the opponent's end zone, and scores 6 points.

The second type is shooting.

That is, by kicking the ball over the crossbar and between the two goalposts, you can score 3 points.

The third type is security.

When the attacking team is forced to retreat to their own end zone and is then tackled or loses the ball, the defending team scores 2 points.

As the offensive player, Tsukasa Tazaki should definitely score 6 points!

In the instant he shook off the first defender, he rushed forward and created an opening in the crowd!

From the commentary booth, Chiba Miho exclaimed excitedly, "He found a huge opening!"

"70 yards distance!"

"Class D students, be careful, he's very fast!"

Tsukasa Tazaki ran along the sideline towards the backfield at a very fast pace.

He was constantly being harassed by defenders coming from the perimeter, but he managed to shake them off one by one.

"At 40 yards, change to the right, there's a defender there, watch out!"

A member of Class D lunged forward from the right, but Tsukasa Tazaki, in the middle of a run, leaped high into the air and jumped over the man's head. After landing, he rolled forward twice to dissipate the force, then quickly stood up and charged forward again.

"He's at 30 yards!"

"20 yards!"

"10 yards!"

"5 yards!"

"A defender is lunging at me, it's a tackle!"

Tazaki Tsukasa blocked with his arm, then turned around and easily knocked the man down before rushing into the end zone.

In that instant, a roar swept across the entire arena.

Chiba Miho shouted excitedly, "Tsukasa Tazaki, touchdown!"

In the audience, the girls from Class F of the first year cheered, hugged each other, and high-fived each other!

On the court, Murakami Mizuiro took off his helmet and wiped his sweat with his sleeve. Beside him, the big guy looked excited and was poised to sprint at any moment. He had just single-handedly stopped three defenders, and his contribution was indispensable.