The next day.
Physical Education class.
On the playground, the PE teacher held a flag high and looked at the few people on the field.
"Boys' third group, get ready, run!"
As the flag dropped, Hikigaya rushed out at a steady pace. After all, it was just a 3,000-meter practice, so there was no need to rush too much.
After a long time.
Finishing the 3,000 meters.
Hikigaya propped his hands on his knees, panting heavily. In the five-person race, he barely managed to take third place.
"Hikigaya."
Shibata, who was with him, wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked with some confusion, "Have you been slacking off?"
"Idiot."
Hikigaya didn't think much and said with short breath, "It's because you guys are too intense. How could a normal school be like this?"
He really hadn't been slacking.
Although he didn't do extra training, he was serious during PE class.
After all, he was still an adolescent, in the middle of a growth spurt.
Even if he did nothing usually, his physical fitness would still improve.
If the average level at the start of school was fifty points, it was at least fifty-five now. He had to stay at the average line at least.
However.
People like Shibata were simply too ridiculous.
On a 400-meter track.
Hikigaya was almost exhausted after running about ten laps.
Shibata ran fifty laps—nearly twenty kilometers—and his breathing was only slightly unsteady. It probably wouldn't be a problem for him to run a hundred laps.
He was, after all, a regular member of the football club.
Known for endurance.
This was likely due to Shibata maintaining high-intensity exercise since childhood and never relaxing even in his club.
Strength accumulated over decades of consistent effort.
The key was.
Shibata didn't even seem to be the strongest. According to him, there were several first-year students who could rival or even surpass him.
It was truly a bit absurd.
These people were almost all elites in their respective fields.
In any ordinary school, they would be kings standing at the school's summit.
Trying to catch up was as difficult as reaching the heavens.
Even just staying at the average line made Hikigaya feel very tired. It was impressive that these guys could keep it up.
"Haha."
Shibata shook his head helplessly and smiled, "This school really isn't ordinary. But since we've already enrolled, what can we do? Besides, this school is much better than others!"
"Hehe..."
Hikigaya gave a dry laugh.
After resting for a while, he finally felt a bit better.
The only ones who would think this school is good are probably the "powerhouse" types like Shibata, who excel in both written tests and physical fitness.
Trash school!
Thinking of this.
Hikigaya looked inconspicuously at Ichinose in the girls' group.
He had just rejected Ichinose's confession yesterday; he really didn't know how to face her today.
She probably felt the same.
Every time they accidentally met eyes, Ichinose would quickly look away.
Should he go over and apologize?
But Hikigaya felt.
He hadn't really done anything wrong. Does he not even have the right to refuse anymore?
Speaking of which.
How exactly should this matter be handled?
At that moment.
The two accidentally met eyes again. Hikigaya quickly looked away, feeling his heart pounding.
He wasn't sure if it was because of the recent exercise or something else.
Don't get shaken.
Anyway, the frequency of their eye contact today was way too high. Hikigaya could hardly remember which time this was already.
"Phew."
Hikigaya took a deep breath. He might as well run a few more laps.
He felt a bit troubled.
On the other side.
The girls' group.
"Honami-chan."
Amikura Mako took Ichinose's arm, looking a bit confused.
"What's wrong? Why do you seem so distracted today?"
"Yeah."
Kobashi Yume followed with a nod, saying with concern, "Honami-chan is indeed a bit strange today."
"Eh?"
Ichinose was slightly stunned and forced a bright smile: "That's not the case. Okay, let's get ready to start running too."
That's right.
As a leader.
She couldn't let those around her worry; her instability would also affect everyone in Class B.
"Umm..."
Amikura Mako's gaze was even more worried as she said hesitantly, "Honami-chan, we just finished running. Next is frog jumps."
Kobashi Yume even pulled on Ichinose's arm.
She didn't even remember what they had just done; it was obvious Ichinose's mind wasn't on PE class at all.
"Eh?"
Ichinose was stunned for a moment, then scratched her head apologetically and forced a smile:
"Sorry, I didn't sleep very well last night."
"Really?"
Kobashi Yume said with concern, "Then Honami-chan should go rest for a bit. I'll go ask the teacher for leave for you."
"No need, no need."
Ichinose shook her head quickly, took the two girls' hands, and turned to leave.
"Next is frog jumps, right? Let's go over there."
The girls around them looked at each other, everyone's eyes filled with worry.
Ichinose was clearly not quite right today.
As if her soul had been taken out.
She lacked her usual vitality.
Involuntarily.
Several girls turned to look at the boys' side, naturally noticing that something was off with Ichinose.
Today's Ichinose.
Her eyes kept drifting toward Hikigaya from time to time.
Thinking of this.
Himeno Yuki couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. Could it be that Ichinose did something to Hikigaya?
To be honest.
Himeno Yuki didn't really care much.
But if this continued, it would affect the upcoming exam.
On the other side.
Kanzaki, having finished the 3,000 meters, walked over to Shibata with unsteady breathing.
"How's the situation?"
"He just called me an idiot."
Shibata scratched his head a bit sheepishly.
He felt it was quite a novel sensation; it was the first time in his life he had been called an idiot like that.
"What are you talking about?"
Kanzaki was a bit bewildered.
He always felt that Shibata's brain occasionally missed a beat.
"No..."
Shibata glanced at Hikigaya, who was still running, and shook his head helplessly, "I feel like he's also not quite in the zone today. He's much more 'real' than usual. Maybe he really thinks I'm an idiot?"
"You care about that?"
Kanzaki glanced at him with a helpless expression.
Could he please not always focus on the question of being an idiot.
He also felt that while Shibata's grades were good, he occasionally showed a bit of a foolish side.
During the forest camp.
Shibata had acted like a child, messing around with Sudo and the others.
"Not really."
Shibata shook his head dismissively, "I just feel it's a bit strange. I don't really mind, and him being more real like this feels better actually."
Saying that.
He looked at Hikigaya, who was still running, and sighed helplessly:
"Did something happen with him and Ichinose? I just feel like something's not right."
If the two of them had started dating.
It didn't quite feel like it.
Given Ichinose's personality, she wouldn't hide something like that.
If something bad had happened—truthfully, whether it was Ichinose or Hikigaya, neither of them were that kind of person.
"I'll just have to find a chance to ask."
Kanzaki let out an involuntary sigh.
Why did it have to be at this time? What if it affects the exam?