In fact, after the information is refreshed, they always want to attack me!

(In this sweltering heat... we need to find a cool place.)

His gaze involuntarily fell on the shimmering pool.

Thanks to the school's temperature control system, the pool water temperature is always maintained at a pleasant level, neither scalding hot from the blazing sun nor icy cold in the shade.

Several impatient students had already jumped into the water, and their joyful laughter echoed across the surface.

While the PE teacher was still nowhere to be seen, most of the students gathered in small groups by the pool to chat.

"Let's jump in and cool off!"

Akira Shimizu scanned the area and his gaze settled on the third unused lane.

......

On the other side of the pool, Kikyo Kushida deliberately left the group and slowly walked towards Suzune Horikita, who was standing alone.

"Horikita-kun, where did Shimizu-kun go?"

"Is there something wrong with your eyes? Can't you even tell a man from a woman?"

"Hehe, serves you right for always being inseparable~" Kushida's smile didn't fade at all. "By the way, how's Horikita-kun's swimming?"

"...barely able to swim." Horikita replied briefly, his tone distant.

"My swimming grades were never good in junior high school, but I finally improved after hard training," Kikyo Kushida said softly, looking thoughtfully at the pool.

"If you want to hear praise, go find someone else," Horikita replied coldly.

Kushida smiled slightly: "You misunderstood, that's not what I meant. Speaking of which, last week when I asked Shimizu if he could swim, he said he hadn't practiced much. But look now—" She pointed to the pool, "he swam the whole thing in just over twenty seconds."

At that moment, a commotion broke out in the boys' area.

Ken Sudo and Rokusuke Koenji had already cleared out a corner of the pool of students, each occupying a lane, and unconsciously began to compete with Akira Shimizu.

Some of the students watching whistled, while others clapped and cheered, turning the originally quiet swimming class into a mini arena.

Several boys shoved each other, seemingly eager to join the impromptu competition.

After a heated discussion, everyone's attention finally fell on Hirata Yosuke and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

"It's decided then that it's the two of you!" one of the boys declared.

"Indeed, judging from their physiques, Hirata and Ayanokouji are the most suitable," the girls whispered among themselves.

Hirata Yosuke smiled gently, "Since everyone has said so..."

Meanwhile, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji, standing to the side, remained expressionless as always, merely nodding slightly in agreement.

"See? The other competitive boys can't wait any longer," Kushida said, observing. "Shimizu's physical talent is also amazing, it's really enviable. He's probably the kind of genius who would win first place in any sports competition he signs up for."

Because of her experience in junior high school, she already understood that her greatest advantage was not her strong physique or outstanding intelligence.

So when I see those exceptionally talented classmates, I can't help but feel envious and jealous.

"What do you do at 5:30 every morning? Do you usually exercise?" Horikita Suzune suddenly asked.

"At this time..." Kikyo Kushida blinked, slightly confused, "They're probably still sleeping. But on my day off, I'll still run five kilometers."

Horikita's gaze passed over her and landed on the agile figure in the pool. "That person," he said, "has been getting up at 5:30 every morning to train since the second day of school, and appearing on the track to run laps at 7:00 sharp every day. He said he's kept this up for eight years."

"How many days did you even manage? It's just..." Horikita suddenly turned to Kushida, his eyes sharp as ice blades, "Just running occasionally, what right do you have to criticize other people's talent? At your current level, you don't even meet the threshold for discussing physical talent."

Kushida's sweet smile froze instantly, and her voice trembled unnaturally: "This..."

"I'm so sorry!" She hurriedly lowered her head. "I... I just said it casually, I absolutely didn't mean to belittle Shimizu-san's efforts!"

Horikita didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, simply turning away half a step indifferently, building an invisible wall with silence.

"Horikita-kun..." Kushida forced a smile, but her voice was like a taut violin string, "Could you tell me... why you've always refused to accept my friendship?"

The air froze for a few seconds.

"...I understand." Kushida's smile froze completely, a dark glint in his eyes. "Even explaining is superfluous. Then I won't make a fool of myself. I'm sorry to have bothered you, Horikita-san. I will formally apologize to Shimizu-san later."

(That arrogant jerk! How many times have I condescended to talk to her?)

(Go to hell! Why doesn't Horikita Suzune just get struck by lightning and die already?!)

(I just casually let slip a truth, and this bitch seized the opportunity to humiliate me!)

(I've lost to those physically strong women in sports since junior high. Why should I waste my time on my weaknesses? Is her brain filled with cement? Luckily, I wasn't in the same class as her in junior high... otherwise, I would have suffered terribly.)

(Wait... could this woman have a crush on Shimizu Akira? She's so protective of him, she even remembers his morning jogging time perfectly!)

(Disgusting stalker! Who would like someone like you who's a sissy?!)

She turned around with an impeccable smile, her gaze returning to the figure cutting through the waves in the pool.

(This Shimizu Akira...was he just pretending to be stupid last time? He actually chose Koenji!)

(This physique, he said he built it over eight years? You're kidding me!)

(However... judging from the way he offered his seat to the old lady, he seemed genuinely foolish.)

(This kind of simple, kind-hearted person... is the easiest to handle.)

(Now that the Horikita connection is broken, the only way to get information about "that matter" is through him and Horikita...)

(That Hirata too! He's so popular in class! We only need one key person like me in this class!)

(Ugh... This is so annoying! Why does nothing ever go right?)

(I need to really unwind tonight.)

At that moment, Kikyo Kushida gently touched her chin with her fingertips, and the gloom in her eyes instantly vanished.

She suddenly broke into a bright, spring-like smile, cupped her hands around her mouth, and shouted towards the pool, "Shimizu-kun—good luck!"

Chapter 35: 035 I coaxed Kikyo Kushida into pouting.

During a moment of breathing, Akira Shimizu suddenly noticed that four competitors had appeared in the pool.

(All five tracks are occupied?)

The cheers that rang out all around him were somewhat unexpected, especially since his own name was among them.

(Strange... I haven't done anything special for the class.)

Although I was confused, it felt really good to be cheered on by everyone.

When he swam the tenth lap, he glanced at both sides as he turned around and found that only Rokusuke Koenji was still persisting in the lane.

Ken Sudo and Yosuke Hirata had already withdrawn, and even the unassuming Kiyotaka Ayanokoji had disappeared without a trace.

(Sudo and Hirata probably did their best... but Ayanokouji definitely went easy on them.)

Akira Shimizu recalled Ayanokouji's muscular physique, which was far beyond his actual strength; the lines he moved underwater clearly contained a powerful explosive force.

The physique that comes from long-term training cannot be achieved by simply swimming around.

"Alright, that's enough!" The PE teacher, who had arrived unnoticed, blew his whistle, interrupting the impromptu competition. "You're both winners!"

The teacher glanced at the stopwatch and had to admit that the two students' performance far exceeded expectations.

In order not to disrupt other students' classes, he decisively ended the increasingly intense competition.

As a reward, the teacher transferred 5,000 personal points to each of them, and then warmly invited them: "How about considering joining the swimming club? With your abilities, you could definitely become key players on the school team."

Akira Shimizu wiped the water droplets from his face and politely shook his head: "Sorry, teacher, I've already joined the boxing club."

"Hmph~" Koenji Rokusuke elegantly tossed his wet blond hair, revealing his signature haughty smile, "Club activities of this caliber aren't even enough to pique my interest~"

Akira Shimizu sat on the edge of the pool and began to rest.

Not far away, Karuizawa Megumi was surrounded by her group of gyaru girls, who occasionally let out silvery laughter.

Since joining the boxing club during lunch break, she seems to have been rejuvenated—her laughter is more outgoing, and the deliberate "sexy" vibe she exudes is much more natural than before.

Akira Shimizu thoughtfully withdrew his gaze.

(After having a protector, did you gradually start to open up?)

To his surprise, Kikyo Kushida walked straight toward him.

The girl walked with light, quick steps, her voice clear and melodious: "Shimizu-kun is amazing! You got first place!"

"Not first," he calmly corrected, "there's also Koenji."

"Oh dear," Kushida clasped her hands together, tilted her head, and gave a playful look, "A tie for first place is still first place! In your classmates' eyes, you are undoubtedly number one!"

Akira Shimizu knew very well why she was so obsessed with the title of "number one".

—It's simply that they feel they can get more attention just by standing in the spotlight.

"Shimizu-kun," Kushida suddenly changed the subject, putting his hands behind his back and leaning forward slightly.

"Are you and Horikita dating?" She blinked her seemingly innocent big eyes, her tone light as if she were discussing the weather.

"No," he answered crisply.

"Really?! Is that so?!" Kushida unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, then, as if realizing something, quickly covered it up with a smile, "Ah, I was just a little curious..."

Akira Shimizu silently watched her. This girl was indeed quite something—her body language was just right, and she had that hesitant look about to say something.

If it were any other high school boy just beginning to experience romantic feelings, he probably would have already misunderstood that she had feelings for him.

"Ah, right!" Kushida's face showed a look of annoyance, "I must sincerely apologize to Shimizu-san!"

"When I was chatting with Horikita just now..." her voice trailed off, her fingers nervously twisting together, "I accidentally said the wrong thing, that you're strong because of your talent... and just glossed over all the effort you put into your daily workouts..."

As she finished speaking, her tone was filled with obvious self-reproach. When she glanced at Shimizu's reaction, her eyelashes trembled slightly, like a little animal that had done something wrong.

Anyone who sees this state would feel pity and be unable to criticize it.

Akira Shimizu felt nothing; in fact, he found it somewhat laughable.

—This isn't about saying the wrong thing; it's about accidentally revealing your true feelings.

However, after a moment of silence, Shimizu Akira said with a hint of emotion, "You're actually right. If it weren't for this body's natural resilience, I probably would have been ruined by now."

Thinking about it carefully, his training regimen as a child was simply absurd—one hundred push-ups, one hundred sit-ups, and a ten-kilometer run every day, rain or shine.

Back then, I didn't even know what "muscle soreness" felt like.

How could an ordinary person's body withstand this level of training? After the first day of training, they probably wouldn't be able to get out of bed for a week.

But he was like a tireless machine, running day after day, his muscles becoming stronger after each push to the limit.

He had to admit that he did indeed have the inherent advantages of this body.

It's true that you should stick to exercising, but without the immediate feedback from this body of steel—no muscle soreness, no depletion of energy, and even feeling more energetic the more you exercise—even the strongest willpower would probably be worn down by the daily torment.

Some things cannot be accomplished simply by hard work.

"..."

Kikyo Kushida widened her eyes slightly.

Because of her sensitive nature, she had long been accustomed to observing the acceptance speeches of the "first place" winners on the awards stage since childhood.

Most people will passionately recount how they "worked hard" and "overcame difficulties," as if they cannot prove their worth without constantly mentioning their sweat and tears.

But this boy in front of me...

How can he so readily attribute his achievements to "talent"?

This was the first time in more than ten years that she had heard someone admit in such a matter-of-fact tone that they were the one "blessed by God".

However, rather than the superficial reason of appreciating the other person's honest character, a more accurate judgment had already taken shape in her mind.

(This Shimizu-kun... just as I expected, is really quite naive.)

She was about to speak when the other person broke the silence first.

"Kushida-kun...you're working really hard."

"...Huh?" Kikyo Kushida paused slightly, then gave a puzzled smile. "Why did Shimizu-san suddenly say that?"

"Your skin tone is a bit darker than before," the other person said earnestly, pointing to their arm. "You must have gone to the pool to practice swimming last weekend, right?"

"Eh? Were we discovered...?" Kikyo Kushida was slightly taken aback, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, and a natural expression of surprise appeared on her face.

She really didn't expect that—a detail that no other students noticed while they were by the pool was actually keenly observed by the person in front of her.

"Look, everyone's skin tone is normal, but you're the only one who practiced swimming beforehand," the other person continued.

"Oh...don't say that, it's just because I'm not very good at swimming." Kushida lowered his head as if shy, but the corners of his mouth turned up in an almost imperceptible smile.