Bab 77: Chapter 5: Challenge
A/N: I've to announce Sad News...
...
My...
My...
My phone broke a couple of days ago...
It fell the one time in my life and now it's beyond healing damage on the display making me even unable to access it as it's on a permanent white screen...
Which also means I was able to write this chapter somehow faster, cause... no playing on the phone or doing anything else on it.
Saluting to the phone that accompanied me for four years but repairing the display of my phone costs so fucking much, so I'm buying myself a new one.
Anyhow, here goes the chapter.
--
[Kurushima Pov]
[15th January, Friday]
After enjoying a good breakfast made from the school today, I couldn't help but wonder how it would be working tomorrow.
Would I still like it...?
After all... now each group would be responsible for their own breakfast, once today is over. In short, we'd have to cook.
I was a fairly good cook, since I had done this from my early childhood on. For Kaori, Mother, Kyo, Father, and later, out of gratitude what he has all done for me, Aoki.
It was one of the parts where I was quite confident in.
But...
I didn't really want to cook for any of them.
Despite facing this small dilemma, I'd rather eat my own-made food than theirs so I guess I can't get past that idea to cook for my group.
Well...
I suppose it's okay, as long as I can eat my own-made dishes.
We were currently outside, where large kitchens were present. In other words, where we students would end up cooking.
With the other groups, too, but I can't believe so many are troubled with Zazen and Cooking.
Things that were normal for me growing up are unusual for them.
Is this how people are supposed to be like at 16...?
I suppose I'm just a bit more of a unique case, then.
Like I always was.
Funnily, we even received a manual how to cook. It was so funny for me that I couldn't help but release a laugh five minutes ago.
An elite school... and its students are having trouble on cooking...?
Wasn't that something you should have decided before isolating this school from the outside?
But then I remembered something.
My most precious memories I made here with a person who was bad at cooking, initially.
I couldn't help but reveal a pained smile from my face thinking of the moments when I helped her with cooking.
I wonder... if she hates me...
Definitely, after what I did.
"Haaah..."
I couldn't help but leave a small sigh out of my mouth wondering about this small question for a moment long.
Some things I've done are unforgivable, including hurting her...
I'm feeling particularly ashamed of that, but it's better this way...
As I was sitting on my table looking down on my food I heard a familiar student speaking suddenly to all of us gathered here.
In short, to our three small groups from the first, second and third year, that were forming one large group.
"If we're going to do it fairly, then how about each school year has a go at it?" A random boy from the 3rd year asked us.
I wasn't in favor of having someone else cook my meal, but well... I might not have much of a choice here, most likely.
"That's right. No objections here. I'd like to start it off with the 1st years." Nagumo, quickly joined, with us first years remaining.
"How about it, 1st years? Any objections? Kurushima?"
Even though I wasn't the leader at all Nagumo and the 3rd year student that was the leader basically seemed to have acknowledged me as such since the very beginning.
While I was clearly in favor of cooking my own meal, theoretically, I was also someone who liked to sleep at long durations.
Compromising to wake at least one hour in advance up each day seemed like quite the drag, even for myself, so I felt like the only answer was being in favor of their suggestion.
"Sure, do whatever you like. I'm comfortable with that setting. As far as the others goes, I can't say for sure."
Nagumo released a smile at my direction until looking at the other members of my group. They all seemed to be with me, agreeing to this proposal.
"We're fine with it. We'll be starting as the first tomorrow, then," Kanzaki said.
As Nagumo suggested priorly, we would be the ones starting.
It didn't bother me that much since we'd be starting Saturday and not Sunday, which happens to be more of a free day of ours so I was fine with this setting.
The question was whether we'd end up cooking Thursday too, but I'm not so sure about that one.
In any case it was just simple breakfast so it wasn't a matter of high importance.
"Since we'll be cooking breakfast, what time do we have to get up tomorrow?" Kanzaki asked.
"...just in case we should wake up one or two hours in advance," Shibata Sou, one of the boys in my group, suggested.
"What do you think, Kurushima?"
"One hour is more than enough. Cooking is not something particularly difficult as some of you seem to be portraying in your heads. It's just cooking."
Kanzaki seemed to like my more idea more, nodding his head towards my direction. "We'll stand one hour in advance up then."
"Sure," I nonchalantly replied, not being bothered much by it.
There were some hard tasks in this world—but cooking was never one for me.
Given my heritage it's quite surprising of being able to cook well, but I wasn't your ordinary scummy 'rich kid'.
For others I might look that way, but I had much of my own problems in my life.
Well... It wasn't something particularly relevant either way, right now.
I didn't want to think of my past so I let it be, enjoying my breakfast further.
--
After the breakfast was over the lessons soon began again.
While I'm saying again, the first one was basically just an annoying explanation part of the teacher telling us what Zazen was and five minutes of us practicing Zazen.
Nothing noteworthy, aside from the singular fact that I've hurt the teachers fragile ego, by seemingly quite much, with my nonchalant non caring attitude.
It was a bit amusing, given his misuse of his authority trying to hit me, but well, the fun is over.
He seems a bit more serious and nervous around me.
But who wouldn't...?
He did something a teacher shouldn't ever do, and would face serious consequences if it came in broad daylight.
I didn't care much about it, but at least, I'd be getting my peace now from him.
As we were in the classroom, most of the members of my group stood up, thinking of being respectful to the second and third year students who had not arrived yet and giving them the option to chose their seats, but I walked over to the place I liked and sat myself down.
Slowly, after a while the second and third years entered the classroom, with most of them staring down at me, but being met with my gaze.
The leader of the 3rd year came in and stared at me, too, but I looked at him like the other's with a gaze saying, 'Fuck Off.'
Nagumo meet my gaze a moment long, amused by it, sitting himself next to my side down. It seemed like he was someone who had done the same perhaps, in the past, too.
But it didn't bother me and I focused myself on the lessons.
--
After a decent while had again passed we were now outside for the PE Classes, which are held in the afternoon, nearly being finished with them.
PE Classes seemed strange at first but we were having at the last day a long distance relay run, a marathon in short if you'd like to refer it that way, and were doing now some extensive training for it.
I was quite confident in my abilities so there wasn't any reason to feel nervously at all. Even if my muscles felt quite a bit more sore after yesterday, it was just that.
It didn't prevent me of doing anything less.
I still did take care of myself with the pace I was running, but I didn't feel much exhaustion. Surprisingly, a decent part of my group did feel exhausted, panting already from the run.
It's not that they were unfit, but the distance we were running certainly was a bit more than the average high schooler could run.
Not everyone, like Kanzaki and Shibata Sou, but aside from those two, I could see the majority of my group panting from exhaustion.
"Kurushima-kun, how are you so fit?"
"Training," I replied short, hoping he wouldn't ask me much further about it.
While I could treat them the same as the other people I treated right now they were the ones with whom I would be living with for the next remaining 6 nights, so it definitely would be bothersome if there was tension in the room.
Above everything, despite saying my muscles were in some way more sore than I'd like to admit, I was able to run faster than everyone else present here.
Perhaps because I had far more experience in marathon runs, I was still leagues better than them at running, even in this more 'weakened' state.
"I see," one of them said, who ended up asking me, noticing I wasn't intending on conversing with them much given my extreme short reply.
Without much talking further we ended up finishing the training for the marathon run, with nearly everyone in my group being exhausted beyond anything.
--
After the marathon training in the afternoon ended we had some additional lessons, the last one being again, Zazen.
Once that last lesson was finished, it was shortly after time for the cafeteria—dinner time.
Sitting on my table alone I heard the footsteps of a person approaching my table, alongside the sound of a tap noise from her cane.
"Do you mind if I sit here, Kurushima-kun?"
"Do whatever you like, Arisu Sakayanagi. It's not up to me to decide who sits here. Just don't expect any conversation from me."
She smiled, unperturbed by my response, and took the seat across from me.
As I focused on my meal, I couldn't help but notice her observing me with a curious expression. Despite my intention to avoid a conversation, her presence was hard to ignore.
"Are you in love with me or why do you keep staring at me when I eat?"
Her eyes widened slightly, but she maintained her normal composure.
"Not at all. I'm sorry if it seemed rude but I was simply intrigued by how you seem so engrossed in your meal not even seemingly caring about the special exam one bit. I expected you would converse with at least one of your classmates, truthfully. It doesn't seem like you have the intention though. Do you not have the intention of winning this exam, Kurushima-kun?"
I looked slightly above, my eyes meeting hers. "I thought I made this clear in the very beginning with my appearance yesterday, didn't I? Seems like this isn't the case, after all."
She smiled slightly, as I barely looked above my plate.
"Fuu... It appears like it was quite the stupid question. Is this sudden change of yours inclined because of the break-up with your ex girlfriend or is there another certain reason behind your change? I find it hard to imagine that the 'good-hearted' leader Kurushima Kaoru, changed his core so suddenly, within the spans of a few mere weeks."
"That's none of your concern."
"What if I make it into one of mine, Kurushima-kun?"
I looked her coldly in the eyes, my cold glance speaking my indifference out loudly towards her provocation. "Per example?"
She smiled, once again unperturbed by anything I was doing. "By expelling your ex-girlfriend... perhaps, per example. It shouldn't necessarily bother you since you aren't together anymore, right?"
"Are you done probing a reaction out of me?" I asked, indifferently.
A smile played on her lips, her eyes glinting with a mix of amusement. "Probing? How interesting, Kurushima-kun. I simply thought it might be… enlightening to see how you'd react. After all, it seems you've distanced yourself from everything and everyone. I'm curious to see if there's anything left that can still get under your skin."
I leaned back slightly, keeping my gaze locked on hers. "If you believe that threats or provocations will stir anything in me, you're sorely mistaken. Why don't you end this little chit chat and come to the point?"
Her smile grew sharper, a flicker of challenge in her eyes. "Straight to the point, is it? Clearly, you prefer to skip the pleasantries."
"I had the intention of conversing with you a bit longer and try enjoying our small talk more, but since you're so eager to skip the formalities, let's get to it."
"I wish to bury you, the 'genius' with talents that surpass mine."
"It's a challenge to prove which of us truly holds the superior talent, Kurushima-kun. After all, I wish to challenge the boy that gained the recognition of the upper class, back then. They called you the 'Lazy Prodigy' who was beyond talents like me, a genius, but never ended up utilizing them, back then."
"Interestingly enough, despite what they were saying I can see that you utilized your talents more than well enough. You simply didn't seem to care that much, I assume."
Hearing the words from her mouth I couldn't help but notice that I was feeling a bit surprised about this funny title.
I just couldn't help and notice the corners of my mouth twitching upward, betraying a hint of amusement I hadn't intended to show.
It was strange how a few simple words could drag up memories I thought I had buried.
"That's a term I haven't heard in eleven years. I used to be called that, but after stepping away from the spotlight, it's become quite the distant memory. I'm surprised you know about it... but frankly, I don't care."
"You're right with one thing, though: I couldn't care less about the accolades from this insufferable upper class. Neither now, nor did I back then."
"But..."
"Let me cut the chase and make this clear, once and for all for you."
"There's no way I'll lose."
"No matter what you do, no matter how often you try, the outcome will always be the same: you'll lose."
"So come at me with everything you've got, Arisu Sakayanagi."
"I'll handle you and your class on my own. I don't need that pathetic bunch for that."
She smiled at me, pure excitement could be seen on her face as my words have been said. "Fufu... You know, it's been a really long time since my heart raced like this. If I didn't know it any better, I would say it's love, but it's not."
"I've been waiting a long time to test your abilities against mine, Kurushima-kun. I'm really relieved that you enrolled here and we get the chance of testing which of our talents is superior."
"I'll definitely make sure to crush you, Kurushima Kaoru. Until then, I hope you're prepared, because I certainly won't be holding back."
"I'm looking forward to it—this battle of ours."
After finishing her words, she stood up from the table and turned to walk away.
I briefly followed her with my eyes, my expression indifferent, before turning my attention back to my meal, unconcerned with the handful amount of eyes that were staring at me.
--
As I was sitting in the room, leaning against the wall, reading the book I brought with me here, a sudden knock could be heard on our door.
It was right now 10 o'clock, but I could tell exactly who it was in advance.
Nagumo Miyabi, alongside some other people of my group.
Some thought it was a teacher, but naturally, this wasn't the case. It was just our dear kind-hearted Student Council President, who had only the best intentions of coming here.
"Are you guys still up?"
"President Nagumo, can we help you with something?"
"I came to check on you guys since we're in the same group. Can I come in?"
If it was me, I'd have replied with a clear 'no', but seemingly, everyone here was scared of doing so. My group mates happened to be all from Class D, and antagonizing Nagumo Miyabi, the student council president would be something relatively stupid.
His presence didn't bother me much, as long as he didn't annoy me.
I didn't care about him, nor that he, like Sakayanagi, wanted to challenge me, or that he was one of the people that were now set on expelling me, such as Kushida and Ryūen.
They can try if they want, but it won't be successful.
But in any case, I plan to leave this worthless school soon—on my own, so until then, there are some things I've still to do here.
Such as my matter with him...
As Kanzaki, the leader in my group opened the door, my gaze fell on them immediately, alongside what they were carrying in their hands.
I expected something like this already, but he surely makes it quite offensive with the thing in his jersey.
Either way, I didn't quite care about it.
People like Ryūen, who knew of my small scheme back then with the cards at the cruise ship would likely end up realizing this too, but as for Kanzaki, I couldn't tell for sure.
Would he end up accepting it, questioning it or would he not?
Whether he did or not was something that wasn't my problem since I didn't intend on participating, but rejecting the student council president's request and potentially antagonizing him in return would be something the passive Kanzaki wouldn't do.
"As expected, they made the room the same way you did, senpai." Nagumo smiled and said so to the person next to him, Ishikura, from Class 3-B.
"Looks like it. So? How are you planning on deepening the ties between us by dragging us all the way to the 1st years' room?"
"Deepening ties?" Kanzaki questioned, asking Nagumo.
"I told you, didn't I? I came to check on you guys since we're in the same group. We don't have any televisions or PCs or cell phones here. To be honest with you guys, there's nothing remotely similar to entertainment here. But it's not like we have absolutely nothing to play with."
Saying that, Nagumo brought out a small box from inside the pocket of his jersey.
"Cards?"
"Playing cards in this day and age? I'm sure that's what you're thinking. But this is a staple of training camps much like this one."
Nagumo casually sat down in a vacant spot. And then he peeled the vinyl tape off the sealed box, opening it.
"Please take your seats too, senpai. Sorry 1st years but since there isn't much space, please go back to your beds."
Since Nagumo was proposing this to the overly friendly and naive Class D, there's no way he would expect ending up getting rejected.
"I'm not doing this."
Tsunoda, one of the upperclassmen from the 3rd year declined and turned his back.
"Please don't say that, let's do it. We may be able to talk about things we can't discuss anywhere else."
Having been stopped like that, Tsunoda resignedly took his seat. After him, Ishikura too, took his seat.
"To liven up the game, I'm thinking we should bet something on it. I'm looking for some good ideas."
Knowing that no one could possibly reject his request he stated his intention right away. It was offensive what he was planning, which the 3rd years must know too, leaving the 1st years in the dark.
I ended up ignoring him and the other people here present, reading my book further, but the bet and game was clear.
It wasn't Poker like in my case, back then, since it would be far more difficult cheating there, not impossible of course, but relatively hard.
Rather, it was an other card game in which you can use the Poker Cards and had to avoid drawing the Joker Card—Old Maid.
While Poker would have end up being more difficult, this was definitely easily feasible.
And as far as the bet goes on, who would've thought, it was a bet on how often you'd end up cooking breakfast in these following six days until our school trip is over.
Six rounds, one round deciding whether you'd have to cook or not.
I didn't mind it, since I was actually having the intention of cooking for myself, but I had let it be, due to my group, and wagering the fact that I would be able to sleep more.
Naturally, since the others here accepted his request already, thinking it was a game of luck and not planned in advance it was now certain that we'd end up cooking three times or four times.
"What about you, Kurushima? Interested in playing with us?" After having received the approval of every 1st year here, he asked me, the remaining one for my approval.
"Not interested."
Expecting this answer already in advance, knowing it might be for the better if I don't play with them, he didn't persist me unlike the others who had refused and let it be with me.
"Well, that's unfortunate, but I suppose the book you're reading must be very good."
I looked at him right in the eyes, not saying anything further aside nodding my head.
They slowly didn't pay any attention to me anymore, and soon after, the game began, and not only twenty minutes afterwards, it was finished.
The results were clearly visible.
The first years lost dramatically with four losses, in equivalence meaning that we would have to cook four times.
As for the other two losses, it was split each between 2nd year and the 3rd year.
But even if someone here had suspicions, like Kanzaki, calling out the student council president would definitely not be ideal.
As they just wanted to leave I put my book away, calling out one of the people present here. "Ishikura, interested in playing a small game with me? You know when I'm dissatisfied, I can get sometimes really talkative. Right, Nagumo-senpai?"
All the attention was on me and I looked at them with a slight smirk on my face. Nagumo realizing what I meant, exposing his strategy to the one person he wanted to defeat right now, would prevent it, under any costs.
Since Class 3-B relied on Nagumo's strategy essentially, exposing it would be really critical to them.
"Don't worry, it's nothing overly complicated, in fact it's quite easy, but I always wondered what kind of strength the basketball captain must have. How about we play a small game of arm wrestle? The rules are like before."
"If I win, your group has to do another breakfast, and I can choose on which day, and if you win, your group is free of doing any breakfast at all. Simple, right? How about it? Senpai?"
As I said that I looked over to Nagumo and Ishikura, then at my group mates. "If I lose, please don't worry, you won't have to do anything. I'm more than capable enough of cooking for all three groups something. It won't be a problem, right?"
I looked at Kanzaki, who was seemingly surprised about what I was doing, but he gave me a small nod. "I'll trust you if you say that."
"Don't worry, I've done harder tasks than this plentiful of times. So how about it, Senpai?"
"I'm fine with it."
Without even the need of thinking he answered quickly, as he knew what I was referring to.
"I'm pleased to hear that," I answered with a slight smirk on my face.
Slowly, both he and I came down on the ground, putting our arms on a table that was able to be folded.
"Nagumo-senpai, do you mind being the referee?"
"Of course not. I'll gladly referee for that small game of yours and your enjoyment, Kurushima."
Hearing Nagumo's reply, I looked now at the person in front of me, mockingly.
"Senpai, you're left-handed, right? Then please use that arm of yours. I'm fine with using my weaker arm after my so sudden shameful request."
He smiled wryly at me, his anger evident, unable to hide it from my eyes, but he didn't have a choice.
He put as expected his right arm on the table, not using his dominant hand, unable to let this humiliation slide, while I put my right arm, too, on the table.
Grabbing my hand, I couldn't help but feel how hard he was trying on clenching my hand, but all I let out was a mocking smile in front of him.
Feeling extremely infuriated by my mocking smile he just waited for Nagumo to say when it could start.
"3... 2... 1... Start!"
He put all his strength into bringing my right arm down, but my arm didn't move one single inch.
He was even using his other hand, supporting himself at the end of the table to bring me down, but nothing happened, while I was doing another one of my mockery smiles.
After seconds had passed with nothing happening on his side, it was now my turn.
I put down my strength in my right arm, immediately overwhelming him and slamming his arm hard on the table.
"I suppose... I just expected to much of you, Senpai. You're known as one of the strongest upperclassmen, but yet... this is it..."
But before I could finish my mockery, he interrupted, looking at me angrily. "Let's do it again. This time, I will be using my dominant hand."
"Are you absolutely certain about this? And are the people in your group really okay with it? Because if you lose again, they'll have to cook three times. I'm just so concerned for you, Senpai." I said, my worry evident in my tone.
He looked at me, his anger visible in his face until looking at his group mates. They agreed with his relentless pursuit of doing another round and wasting another chance with now more confidence in their eyes.
They seemed to think since I was using my weaker hand I'd end up losing, but that would not happen, unfortunately.
I simply smirked at my dear upperclassmen, feeling that the blood was boiling in his veins.
"Well, if you're okay with it, how could I possibly say no, Senpai? It would be utterly ungrateful of me to reject such a magnanimous proposal from someone as esteemed as you."
"Don't expect to win like before," he growled at me, his face written of anger, understanding my sentence very well.
"We'll see," I smiled wryly, putting my left arm on the table, him doing the same.
He grabbed my hand, clenching with all his grip strength my left hand, but nothing on my expression changed.
Like Sudo, he was having a good grip strength. I would say it's about 86kg, quite the impressive feat, but I felt nothing, actually.
Instead I felt on the corners of my mouth twitching showing a small smirk on my face and then after returning his favor, my left hand dominating that of his. Right now he couldn't back away anymore, and if he did, what would that say about him.
While he was under the assumption of beating me due to this being my weaker hand, to his misfortune, I was also quite proficient with my weaker hand, my left hand.
Of course it was not like my dominant hand, but I could do tasks such as writing on my other hand, easily.
Arm wrestling wasn't a strong suit of mine... not even in the slightest since I never did this in my life before, but I had confidence in myself and my body.
Still, that shift of expression told me everything I needed to know.
He felt the pain right now, but was just barely holding himself up from showing any kind of expression on his face.
If he knew that this was also my first time arm wrestling he would feel more ashamed, but honestly, the only reason I provoked him was because I didn't want to cook Sunday and sleep at our only rest day longer.
Two days free of waking up sooner seems also good so I suppose I'll make the strength difference between me and everyone here present completely clear.
I let it be, giving him now no room to back up, waiting simply for Nagumo's signal now. But the perceptive students here should have seen his pained expression he had shown.
Nagumo-senpai, who had witnessed my grip strength once already on his own knew that the person right in front of me was also overwhelmed right now, just like he was, once.
Like the case with him I limited my grip strength, but if I wanted, he could growl in pain right now, begging me to stop.
It sounded good honestly, but I wasn't particularly interested of doing that.
Conversations would end up being awkward due to them fearing me, the mood in our room would be for most overwhelming and I wouldn't be able to twitch an eye in annoyance as people here become more careful of me, less relaxed for being too cruel on my opponent.
Let's say he's lucky since he's in my group and I'm interested of Nagumo Miyabi winning, due to some issues I've with Horikita Manabu and his so-called saint class and his annoying teacher who thought he could hit me without any reason.
Looking over to Nagumo, he slowly began to speak up. "3... 2... 1.... Ready.... Go!"
Just to display the difference between the two of us I let him do the first step. He tried on pulling my hand down, doing everything possible, but it didn't move one single inch.
"Senpai, is that all? You don't have to hold back because I'm your junior so please use your whole strength. Please, Senpai, show me what you're truly capable of," I taunted, my voice dripping with mockery as I maintained my effortless grip.
His face contorted with frustration, beads of sweat beginning to form on his forehead. He gritted his teeth and doubled down, using every ounce of strength he could muster.
His left arm trembled under the strain, muscles bulging as he fought against the force of my grip. But no matter how much effort he put in, my arm remained still, unbothered by his desperate attempts.
It was kind of sad seeing him this desperate, already.
I couldn't help but feel pity him right now.
His pride as a senior, as the basketball captain, was crumbling before him, in front of everyone.
There are just three remaining months until my dear Senpai in front of me will graduate and his legacy, will be taunted by this very own moment.
He won't be remembered for what he achieved as the basketball captain, nor as the rival who fought against Horikita Manabu for the position of Class A.
No—this moment—this humiliating defeat at the hands of a first-year—would be what lingers in everyone's mind.
The great Ishikura, the basketball captain, brought low by a junior who barely even broke a sweat.
And all because that first year felt pissed off when he saw his glance, telling him why did you not wait for the upperclassmen to decide where they wanted to sit at.
I admit... I wasn't doing it for the reason of sleeping longer as I had said.
I could very well sleep just a few hours, with nothing happening to me, but that wasn't the point.
The truth is, I couldn't stand the arrogance that oozed from Ishikura hours ago at Zazen.
His condescending glance, as if I should have waited—waited for him, for his permission to sit.
It bothered me to this particularly extent that I was humiliating him like this, in front of everyone.
I didn't care about cooking once, twice, or even the remaining six days.
I just couldn't stand the idea of letting him or any other senior think they have some kind of authority over me because they happen to be older.
With Nagumo-senpai, it's at least because he's my superior in the Student Council, that I'm respectful to him.
Even if he did earn that position through the fact I resigned I wasn't particularly sure if I would have won the election back then even if I was serious about it.
He was far more charismatic than I could be—better at charming people, using it to his advantage—despite my countless of attempts, back then.
He had a natural gift for leadership that I didn't have, as much as I'd like to admit.
It was troublesome back then, as I was relying on using logic and reason for why I would be the best person suited of being the leader—but people like Hirata or Nagumo, could always flash a smile and show off their charisma and swaying people with ease, something I was struggling to do, often.
I was fairly well off but social interactions and personal charm were not my strongest suits.
My attempts to make myself likable often fell short compared to those who naturally excelled in engaging others.
But while I could respect people like Nagumo for their skills and accomplishments, Ishikura, the person in front of me was a different matter entirely.
Aside of our two year age gap, there was no reason for me to respect him at all.
I'm probably just an exception to the norm in Japan with this mindset but it's not like I wasn't respecting elders at all.
It was more about the people close to my age gap, the ones who should be on equal footing with me.
But anyway, that's irrelevant, is it not?
I'm wasting more than enough time already with him.
Putting strength into my left hand, I focused on the arm wrestling match again, seeing his struggle of getting my hand down.
Quickly, I overwhelmed him, looking at him with a mocking smirk.
"Senpai, thank you so much for this interesting match. I really struggled... and I mean that with all sincerity. Your efforts were genuinely something to behold. I didn't think my arm could move so much. It's almost like you've set a new standard for achievements—truly remarkable."
As he had the intention of leaving the room now, I spoke out loudly to him, before he left. "Please excuse us for Sunday and Thursday, then. I hope that we'll be treated to a particularly exquisite breakfast from the seniors on those days."
They looked at me in disbelief and shock, but they had to accept this new arrangement right now. Excusing themselves wouldn't work out, so all they could do was agree.
This new arrangement for the cooking order was this: we, the first-years, will be responsible for cooking tomorrow, Saturday, and again three days later on Tuesday. As for the second-years, they'll handle Monday. The third-years will take over Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
They're quite in the predicament, I must say.
Unlike before, where they just had to cook on Wednesday, they would now end up doing it during the time of when the special exam begins, too.
Something really bothersome for them and a huge relief for the people on my group. But they couldn't object now and did what they could do best, to leave, turning their backs away.
"Kurushima, you seem to had fun." Nagumo-senpai exclaimed, looking at me, as most of the third years left the room, standing up.
"Indeed, Nagumo-senpai. Arm wrestling was a blast, though it was actually my first time. I hope my lack of experience didn't make it too dull. I suppose the real excitement might have been missing because, well... you know why."
"I see. I'm sorry guys, but we'll head back and be going to sleep now. It was quite fun."
Saying this, the upperclassmen left one after another. Once everyone was gone I began going to bed, sleeping like an angel, tonight.
--
A/N: And this concludes the chapter.
It was a bit more of a long read, but I hope you liked it.
Please share your thoughts with me about this chapter and tell me how much more enjoyable Kurushima has become.
We're already five chapters into this Mixed Training Arc, but only at Saturday, now, following on the next chapter.
Of course the progression will be much faster, but I've one thing to ask.
Would you like to see the bathing scene of the boys?
Not sure, but Kurushima probably wouldn't partake for their competition who has the biggest... you know what.
I mean since it's a public bath he'll be there and relax, but might not partake.
Anyway, I hope you like this change of Kurushima. He's really saying whatever he wants now without expressing any care.
Also, did you like the two scenes, basically: the conversation with Arisu and the arm wrestling scene where he humiliates the 3rd year leader of his group...?
Would be curious to hear about it, if you didn't answer it already.
Anyhow, that'll be all.
Goodbye.
Have a great day.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone