Chapter 8: Always Try Your Best

Chapter 8: Always Try Your Best

"Good morning, Kanzaki."

"Good morning, Miyano, how unusual for you to greet me."

"Today is only the second day of school, is that already unusual?"

"Because I judged Miyano not to be the type to greet people."

"Alright, actually, it's because Someone confessed yesterday me, so I'm very happy today."

"You confessed to your childhood friend?"

Ryuji Kanzaki's eyes widened. He thought it would take another year or so of back and forth, so how did it suddenly happen?

"Quite the opposite, she confessed to me."

Miyano Makoto corrected him. He clearly said "confessed yesterday me" just now, and the difference between the two was significant.

"...I don't think there's a difference."

Ryuji Kanzaki concluded,

"Class is about to start, you should return to your seat first."

"Is there a swimming class today?"

Returning to his seat, Miyano Makoto asked Ryuji Kanzaki.

"What, are you perhaps looking forward to it?"

Ryuji Kanzaki eyed Miyano Makoto sideways. He felt he had seen through the other's true nature.

"How could that be? I am devoted to Honami."

"Then why did you ask?"

"Can't I ask?"

"...You've got me. I apologize, it's my fault."

"To know your mistakes and be able to correct them is the greatest virtue. I forgive you."

"Thank you for your forgiveness."

For some reason, Ryuji Kanzaki felt exhausted talking to Miyano Makoto. Was this what it meant to be love-struck?

"The second class is the swimming class you mentioned."

"Is that so? Then I must perform well."

"Then why did you say that just now? You clearly have expectations for this."

Ryuji Kanzaki couldn't help but retort. What a man who says one thing but means another.

"It's just that the thought of showing off my skills in front of my classmates makes me a little excited."

"Maybe I'll even get to experience a fulfilling life right away!"

"..."

"I think you're already living a fulfilling life."

Ryuji Kanzaki wanted to convey this fact to Miyano Makoto.

"Is that so?"

Miyano Makoto scratched his head and said no more, because the first class teacher had already arrived.

...

The first class ended, and Miyano Makoto's anticipated swimming class arrived.

"Let's go quickly!"

Miyano Makoto said in a hurry.

"Can you go back to how you were yesterday? I'm a bit unaccustomed to you now."

"Is that so? Alright then."

Miyano Makoto returned to his calm demeanor.

"Is this it?"

"Yes, that's it! Let's go."

Ryuji Kanzaki nodded in satisfaction at the sight.

Miyano Makoto successfully blended into the group of boys.

"Which girl in our class do you think has the best figure?"

"Amikura Asako, probably."

"Baibo Qianxun."

"Kobashi Yume."

...

Everyone had their own answers.

Miyano Makoto couldn't participate in such conversations because he couldn't even match names to faces.

"What a failure, sigh…"

Miyano Makoto sighed softly.

"What's wrong?"

Ryuji Kanzaki was very concerned about Miyano Makoto's mental state.

"Because even now, I haven't recognized everyone in the class."

"That's quite normal, isn't it?"

Ryuji Kanzaki explained,

"Just as you said, it's only the second day of school. If someone could recognize everyone in the class so quickly, that would be truly remarkable."

"Thank you, I feel much better after hearing your comfort."

"You're welcome, it's what I should do. Of course, part of the reason is also that you ran off on the day of the opening ceremony."

Ryuji Kanzaki calmly accepted Miyano Makoto's thanks and pointed out the problem with him,

"I hope you'll open my eyes in the swimming class later."

"I will."

Quickly changing into his swim trunks in the locker room, Miyano Makoto followed behind Ryuji Kanzaki.

"Why are you following me?"

"Because I want to follow you."

"You're not into guys, are you? I've heard there are such people recently."

"No, that's not true. Don't talk nonsense."

Miyano Makoto flatly denied such an absurd guess. His sexual orientation was very normal, and he had all the appropriate reactions to girls.

The girls also gradually emerged from the changing room.

"Teacher, why isn't swimming class for all four classes together?"

Miyano Makoto raised his hand and asked, instantly attracting the attention of most people.

"Because there are too many people. Four classes make a total of 160 people, and even if many don't participate, that number is more than our small pool can handle."

"Alright! Everyone gather here!"

The small pool referred to a 50-meter-long swimming pool.

After answering Miyano Makoto's somewhat silly question, the swimming teacher gave the command.

"Very good, only 7 people chose to observe."

He nodded, "Now, follow me and do warm-up exercises. After that, get in the water and let me see your abilities."

Miyano Makoto casually swam a few laps of 50 meters with the others, treating it as a warm-up.

"Alright, now boys and girls will compete separately. I will reward the fastest student with 5000 personal points, and conversely, the slowest student will have to accept remedial lessons!"

...

"How about it? Confident you can take first place?"

Ryuji Kanzaki had blind confidence in Miyano Makoto.

"I'll win."

Miyano Makoto had already declared victory.

"Then I'm looking forward to competing against you."

Hearing this, Shibata Hayate also became eager to try. Although swimming wasn't his strong suit, he knew a little bit.

The competition quickly began. Due to the number of people, the boys were divided into four groups, and the girls into three.

Miyano Makoto was in the boys' first group.

He dove into the water with a beautiful posture and swam with all his might towards the opposite bank.

"What?!"

"That guy is unnaturally fast!"

"Truly terrifying talent."

Ryuji Kanzaki stood by the shore, marveling. He hadn't expected Miyano Makoto's true strength to be so formidable.

He must have far surpassed the level of an ordinary university student, right?

"22 seconds? And this is with my manual timing having some errors. This student, have you considered joining the Swimming Club?"

"Unfortunately, I've already joined the Student Council. If the teacher can persuade the President, I will consider it."

"Is that so? I will go negotiate over there. Please, you must join our Swimming Club!"

"Mm."

Miyano Makoto nodded, signifying his agreement,

"The premise is that it doesn't affect my daily Student Council activities. Other aspects can be left to the teacher."

Although he hadn't been there much.

"Leave it to me!"

The swimming teacher patted his muscular chest. He was already fantasizing about Miyano Makoto dominating the competition.

"Everyone else, continue the competition!"

Miyano Makoto undoubtedly took first place in the boys' group, and he received his desired 5000 personal points.

His current personal points were 5,205,000.

He would ask Ichinose Honami for 200 personal points at noon.

That way, he would have 5,205,200 personal points, which was still very aesthetically pleasing.

"Not bad at all!"

Shibata Hayate put his arm around Miyano Makoto's neck,

"I lost fair and square."

"Thanks, your level isn't bad either."

This was a lie.

Miyano Makoto hadn't paid any attention to Shibata Hayate's score.

"Don't tease me."

Shibata Hayate gave a bitter smile,

"Compared to you, my score is too embarrassing to show."

"But you don't need to compare yourself to me. If you constantly compare yourself to people who are better than you, wouldn't you live a very tiring life?"

"That's true."