章 21: Setting the Stage: The Path to the Competition
Two weeks have passed since the announcement of the sports festival, and just as I planned, I've been making all my classmates train with discipline.
—I can't do this anymore! —Mako exclaimed, panting as she ran on the track.
—Come on, Mako, just two more laps and you can rest —I encouraged her.
—If I run another lap, I'm going to die! —she said, breathing heavily.
—If that happens, don't worry. I promise I'll organize a good funeral for you —I replied with a teasing smile.
—You're a demon! —she shouted, but against all odds, she kept running.
This has been our daily routine for the past few days. With only two weeks left before the festival starts, my goal is to ensure my class performs excellently physically. Fortunately, it hasn't been too difficult; most of my classmates aren't entirely sedentary. Some were even already enrolled in the gym, which boosts our average physical performance. As for academic performance, my class also stands out as the best, partly due to the study groups we've maintained since the first exams. Everyone has to participate at least three times a week to ensure a good performance.
As my classmates continued running, I observed each one of them, making mental notes for future reference. Honami, as I already knew, has exceptional physical skills; she's undoubtedly the best in my class both physically and academically. Minamikata-san, who is part of the swimming club, also has solid physical performance. Mako, while not outstanding physically, has proven to be very competent academically. Kobashi-san, Shiranami-san, and Andou-san maintain average performance, which isn't bad, but the one I'm most concerned about is…
Yuki. I didn't see her on the track. Where could she be? This isn't the first time she's disappeared. I went to find her and, as I expected, she was behind the gym. Yuki has never been good at physical activities. Before training, her performance was pathetic, although she has improved somewhat over time. Still, she remains far behind the rest. Academically, however, she is quite brilliant, partly thanks to me; I've been tutoring her since the beginning.
—Yuki, you know you still have laps to run, right? —I said to the girl, who was sitting on a bench, clearly avoiding the training.
—I don't want to —she replied without even looking at me.
—We've talked about this. It's important that you improve your physical skills. Besides the sports festival, we don't know what kind of exams we'll face in the future, and they might require more in terms of physical endurance —I reminded her, trying to sound reasonable.
—I'm tired. Exercise isn't my thing —she said, crossing her arms.
—Precisely because it isn't your thing, that's why you need to improve the most —I retorted, starting to lose a bit of patience. Lately, Yuki had become quite lazy.
—I've run enough for today. It's more than enough —she said as she slumped onto the bench.
I couldn't let her get away with it. I approached and, without warning, carried her like a sack of potatoes.
—Kayden, put me down right now! —she shouted, visibly annoyed.
—No. And if you don't complete the three laps you have left, I'll ban you from my room for a month —I threatened. Yuki spent too much time in my room, probably because it had everything: a computer, consoles, food. She had become so accustomed to it that she seemed to spend more time in my room than in hers.
—You wouldn't dare! —she challenged me, but her tone no longer sounded so confident.
—Want to test me? —I responded with a serious look. She knew I wasn't joking. Maybe I had been too lenient with her, and it was time to be stricter.
—Alright, alright, I'll finish running —she finally said, resigned.
—Good —I said, putting her down on the ground. Just before she started running, I gave her a playful pat on the rear.
—What?! —she exclaimed, surprised.
—Move that lazy butt and start running —I said with a teasing smile. She gave me a murderous look and flipped me off before starting to run.
—How rude —I muttered as I noticed someone approaching.
—Osawa, we're done —Shibata said, standing next to Kanzaki, both catching their breath after their laps.
—Alright, it seems you're done for today —I said as I took out a hand dynamometer and handed it to Shibata—. Now, take this. As you know, we use it once a week to measure your progress.
—I hope I've improved —Shibata said as he took the device and squeezed it firmly. The result appeared quickly.
—59.7 kg, huh? You've only increased 5 kilos since last week —I commented, checking the number on the screen.
—Yes! By the end of the month, I'll reach 70 kilos —he said excitedly, and then passed the dynamometer to Kanzaki.
—64 kg, not bad, Kanzaki. You have good grip strength —I said, impressed by his result.
—Osawa, what about you? What's your grip strength? —Shibata asked, curious.
—What do you think it is? —I asked, taking the dynamometer.
—Hmm, for your physique, I'd say around 80 kg —he guessed, watching me intently.
—80, huh? —I murmured, smiling slightly. I held the dynamometer firmly, watching the screen calmly. Grip strength isn't just about the size or thickness of visible muscles, as many think. It's much more complex than that. The muscles that really make a difference are the brachioradialis, located in the forearm, and the flexor carpi group, which directly connects to the fingers. The real work is in how those muscles contract, transferring the force through tendons so that the fingers close with power.
Anyone might think that having a big arm translates to a strong grip, but what's crucial is specifically training those muscles. It's not just about lifting weights; it's about training control, the balance between strength and precision. With enough dedication, you can exceed even 100 kg of grip strength, but it's not something you achieve overnight. It requires time, patience, and consistent focus.
As I squeezed the device, I felt my muscles tense, responding to the effort. As the screen showed 50 kg, I adjusted my grip, keeping the pressure steady but not forcing too much. At 75 kg, I fine-tuned the control, looking for the right point to stop. I reached 80 kg with a small final push and, right at the limit, relaxed before it went beyond. That's what I wanted: precision, not just brute strength.
—80 kg exactly, there you go, Shibata —I said, showing him the result on the dynamometer's screen.
—Damn! I didn't think you'd make it —Shibata responded, surprised.
—Considering you didn't even seem to struggle much... what if Shibata had said 100 kg instead of 80? —Kanzaki asked, visibly intrigued.
—Well, this is what would happen —I replied with a smile, as I squeezed the dynamometer again, applying a bit more force than before. The numbers quickly rose, reaching exactly 100 kg. I stopped and showed the result to Kanzaki, who was now visibly impressed.
—There's your answer, Kanzaki —I said, maintaining my smile.
—Almost double mine! You're a monster, Osawa —Shibata exclaimed, clearly surprised and a bit awed.
I watched Shibata and Kanzaki as they looked at the dynamometer, still amazed by the result. I couldn't help but smile to myself. Physical strength is just a small part of the big picture. People tend to be easily impressed by numbers, by what they can see, but what really makes a difference is how you use that strength, how you control it and apply it at the right moment. It's not just about being able to break something or lift more weight, but about knowing when and how to do it.
These small interactions, these moments of awe and surprise in them, are just a reflection of what's to come. The sports festival is around the corner, and while everyone is working hard, there's still much to be done. My class has potential, I know, but it's up to me to guide them to maximize it. It's not just about being the strongest or the fastest. It's about strategy, coordination, and, above all, mentality.
I feel that so far, everything has gone according to plan. However, this is just the beginning. Getting to the sports festival is not a challenge for me... what's truly interesting will be seeing how my classmates adapt when the competition becomes more intense, when the tests demand not only strength but also strategy and mentality. I know I'm prepared for any challenge, but the real question is... will they be up to what's coming?
As I looked at my classmates, I realized something crucial: although everything seems under control, I can't afford to let my guard down. In these kinds of competitions, strength isn't always the deciding factor. Sometimes, what really determines victory is staying calm when others lose their composure. It's not just about being ready for whatever comes, but about anticipating every move and knowing when to act.
It's time to take things to the next level. This is just the beginning.
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