Day 3-4: Physical & Athletic Tests

The third day of the House Selection Event had arrived, and the atmosphere around Reikou Academy was charged with anticipation. Today marked the beginning of the Physical & Athletic Tests, where speed, endurance, reflexes, and strength would all be put to the test. Students had spent the previous two days showcasing their intelligence, logic, and problem-solving skills, but now, they had to prove their physical capabilities.

Kazuki and his friends gathered at the academy's massive outdoor training ground, where multiple arenas had been set up for different events. The selection process was designed to challenge every participant individually before throwing them into team-based events. This ensured that no student could simply rely on their teammates to carry them forward.

Event 1: The Sprint Trials

The first challenge was a 100-meter sprint, meant to test explosive speed. Groups of six students were lined up at a starting point, ready to race. Kazuki, Daiki, and Reo ended up in different heats, while Naoto was visibly nervous, knowing speed was never his strong suit.

Kazuki took a deep breath, focusing. As soon as the signal rang, he bolted forward. His body moved instinctively, his form refined from years of playing sports. He wasn't the fastest among everyone, but he finished second in his heat, earning a solid score.

Daiki, on the other hand, barely put in effort, jogging half the race and laughing at Reo's exaggerated struggle in his heat.

"Damn, I think my legs are allergic to running," Reo huffed, doubling over after his turn.

"Yeah? Then why do I always see you running to lunch?" Kyouya smirked.

Naoto came in last in his race, but he shrugged it off, muttering something about 'not needing speed to solve equations.'

Miyuki's race was next, and while Kazuki tried to act casual, his eyes naturally followed her. She wasn't the fastest but ran gracefully, her form composed.

Event 2: Endurance Run

The next event was a 1,500-meter run, designed to test stamina. This time, all the participants were released in waves. The objective wasn't just about finishing first but also maintaining pace and conserving energy.

Kazuki paced himself well, finishing among the top runners. Kyouya showed surprising endurance, keeping up effortlessly, while Daiki, once again, slacked off mid-run and only sped up near the end to make a decent ranking.

Reo collapsed dramatically at the finish line. "This… is how I die… tell my gaming setup I loved it."

Naoto, gasping for breath, glared. "You… idiot… if you have the energy to joke, you have the energy to run faster!"

Miyuki finished at a steady pace, not aiming for the top but keeping consistent. Kazuki caught her lightly stretching afterward, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear—a movement he found himself recognizing now.

Event 3: Reflex & Agility Challenge

The next activity involved an obstacle course designed to test reflexes, agility, and balance. It had hurdles, balance beams, rope swings, and reaction-based challenges where students had to dodge moving obstacles.

Kazuki performed well, balancing speed and precision. Kyouya excelled, moving with practiced ease, while Daiki—predictably—turned it into a joke, making exaggerated movements before barely making it past the finish line.

Miyuki, surprisingly, handled the course well. She wasn't flashy, but she moved with a natural grace, avoiding obstacles effortlessly. Kazuki found himself watching her progress more than he intended.

Event 4: Strength Test

For the strength test, students had to push weighted sleds and perform a dead-hang to measure upper body endurance. Kazuki managed an above-average time on the hang, while Naoto barely held on for five seconds before dropping. Kyouya and Reo performed well, but the biggest shock was Miyuki—who, while not the strongest, held on longer than expected, showing quiet determination.

Kazuki glanced at her after she landed. "You're surprisingly strong."

She blinked, then gave a small, amused smile. "You expected me to be weak?"

"I—no, I just meant…" Kazuki trailed off, realizing there was no good way to phrase it.

Miyuki chuckled softly, shaking her head before walking past him.

Daiki nudged Kazuki. "Smooth, man. Real smooth."

As the individual tests wrapped up, Hoshino Mei gathered the students. "You've all done well so far," she announced. "But tomorrow will be different. For the next challenge, you won't be alone."

She smiled, scanning the crowd. "You will have to choose a partner of the opposite gender for the next phase of the event. A two-person challenge where teamwork will be key. The choice is yours. Pick wisely."

A murmur spread across the field. Some students immediately gravitated toward friends or familiar faces, while others hesitated, scanning the crowd for a good match. Kazuki's heart thumped as he instinctively glanced toward Miyuki.

She stood a few meters away, her elegant posture making her stand out amidst the shifting students. She seemed calm, though her eyes flickered with curiosity as she observed the activity.

Kazuki swallowed. He had to ask her. It was the obvious choice—after working together in the academic tests, they had developed an unspoken understanding. But… approaching her directly was easier said than done.

Before he could move, he noticed something else—other guys were hesitating near Miyuki. It wasn't just him considering her as a partner.

Daiki clapped a hand on Kazuki's shoulder, grinning. "Welp, time to test our luck. Who do you think is gonna say yes to me?"

Kazuki exhaled. "Go find out yourself."

"Cold, bro. Real cold."

Meanwhile, Reo was scanning the crowd with narrowed eyes, clearly struggling to decide, while Naoto adjusted his glasses with a calculating look, likely considering every possible advantage a partner could provide.

Kyouya, ever the silent observer, sighed. "This is gonna be a mess."

Gathering his resolve, Kazuki took a step toward Miyuki. Just as he reached her, she turned slightly, meeting his gaze.

"Looking for a partner?" she asked, her voice as gentle as ever.

Kazuki blinked. Had she just made the first move?

"…Yeah. You?"

Miyuki gave a small nod. "I'd prefer someone I worked well with."

Kazuki's heartbeat quickened. He cleared his throat. "Then… shall we team up?"

For a second, Miyuki looked at him with quiet amusement, then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Sounds good."

A wave of relief washed over him, though he struggled to keep his face neutral.

Meanwhile, Daiki had somehow miraculously secured a partner, Reo was still negotiating with a hesitant girl, and Naoto was engaged in what looked like an intense discussion over logistics.

With partners chosen, the students lined up as the event details were announced. The upcoming challenge would require endurance, coordination, and trust—Kazuki had no doubt Miyuki would excel.

The test was about to begin, but one thing was certain: today would be a defining moment for everyone involved.