Chapter 103: Coach, I Want to Learn This

"Machio-sensei, we're here~"

"Oh, Sakura-san and Akemi-san," Machio turned around with a friendly wave.

Entering the gym were two girls—one was a lively blonde with tan skin and twin-tails; the other had fair skin and long straight black hair, exuding a refined, ojou-sama-like aura.

Judging by appearances, both were high schoolers.

"Every time I come here, it feels like entering some bizarre world..."

The energetic blonde, Sakura Hibiki, let out a dry laugh as she looked around at all the yelling muscle men. It was a scene you definitely wouldn't see outside.

Akemi Soryuin, standing beside her, however, looked quite pleased with what she saw.

"Speaking of which, we've got a new high school member here today too."

"A high schooler? Where?"

"Over there."

Machio pointed to where Takamine Rinji was doing bench presses.

Rinji was currently lying on a bench, lifting a barbell as he counted aloud.

Sakura walked over curiously and was instantly stunned the moment she saw his face.

"Wow~ A pretty boy in a gym? That's rare!"

Every guy she'd seen here was muscle-bound. Rinji stood out completely—like he didn't even belong in the same art style.

Unaware of the new arrivals, Rinji kept pressing the bar.

"Thirty... thirty-one... thirty-two..."

"Finally, a clean-looking hottie. He's a little too pretty, but still—"

"Hey, Hibiki."

"Huh?"

Akemi tugged on Sakura's sleeve with a shocked look on her face.

"That barbell… the weight."

"Huh?"

Sakura glanced at the bar Rinji was pressing—and nearly passed out.

"One, two, three, four... four 50 kg plates, and one 25 kg plate… That's—"

"450 kilograms," Akemi said seriously. "Nearly half a ton."

"EHHHH!?"

She stared at Rinji in disbelief.

She couldn't comprehend how such a slim-looking guy could be casually benching nearly half a ton—without even breaking a sweat.

Machio furrowed his brow and finally called out, "Stop." Rinji put the bar down and sat up.

"So, how was that, Machio-sensei?"

"Your physical condition is even more incredible than I imagined. How should I put it... the density of your muscles and bones is terrifying. And when I compare your performance to your appearance… it's like your muscles are growing inside your bones."

"Is it still possible to build more muscle?"

"It'll be difficult… Can I ask about your usual diet?"

"For breakfast, a glass of milk and two fried eggs. Lunch is usually a red bean bun. Dinner depends—sometimes I skip it. On weekends, maybe I'll eat out once or twice."

"I see… Then I think you could stand to eat more regularly." Machio said. "Here, I've got some protein powder. You can drink a serving about half an hour after training."

"Alright."

As Takamine Rinji chatted with Machio, Sakura Hibiki came over.

"Hey, you're new here today, right?"

"Yeah, that's right."

It was only now that Rinji noticed the two girls who had shown up at some point.

Both were easily in the "beautiful girl" category based on looks.

"Do you go to school nearby?"

"Yes. I'm a first-year high school exchange student at Shuchiin Academy. My name is Takamine Rinji."

"I'm Sakura Hibiki, second-year at Koyo Girls Academy. This is Soryuin Akemi, same year as me."

Akemi gave Rinji a curious glance and asked, "What made you want to come to the gym?"

"Lately I've been kind of bothered by my appearance. So I guess… I want to build some muscle." Rinji pointed to the muscle men behind him. "Like those guys."

"Eh…"

Sakura imagined Rinji's handsome face combined with that kind of grotesque musculature…

Smack!

She placed both hands on Rinji's shoulders and shook her head in horror. Her twin tails swayed side to side as she shook.

"Don't do it. It'd be terrifying!"

"Huh?"

"That's not a fair thing to say," Akemi objected. "Building muscle is a beautiful thing. Those sleek biceps… the pectorals…"

"You muscle maniac, of course you'd say that."

"Hahaha, actually, Rinji-kun, you have a lot of potential." Machio grinned, patting Rinji on the shoulder. "As long as you stick with it, you can build an amazing physique."

"Really?"

"Of course!"

At that moment, Machio suddenly dropped into a squat and struck a "crab pose." His blue tracksuit started to puff up.

Boom!

Before Rinji knew what was happening, Machio's clothes exploded in an instant. Fabric scraps hit Rinji in the face.

He pulled them off and was greeted by a shocking sight.

The previously slender Machio had suddenly swelled into a towering, muscle-bound beast. His height now approached two meters, and his explosive musculature looked as if it could burst at any second.

"..."

"Ah… here we go again. Coach Machio always busts out his muscles for no reason."

Sakura seemed used to this sudden "mutation" and turned to Rinji with an awkward smile. "First time, right? Surprised?"

But mid-sentence, she saw the sparkle in Rinji's eyes—literally shining. The word "envy" was written all over his face.

"Coach Machio! I want to learn that!"

"Oh?"

"I want to learn how to flex my muscles so hard I explode my clothes! It's awesome!"

"Is that so?"

Machio struck a series of bodybuilding poses and laughed, "Then let's train hard together! Let's walk the path of muscle!"

"Ohhhhhhh!!"

Sakura: "..."

Watching Machio pose and Rinji beam with excitement, she couldn't help but feel that this rare pretty boy was falling into darkness.

"Um… Rinji-kun."

"What is it?"

"..."

Sakura sighed and took out her phone.

"Can I add you on LINE?"

"Oh, sure."