The Former Swordmaster Who Pretends to Be the Worst, and the School’s Top-Ranked Chairman’s Daughter Who’s Way Too Sweet in Public, It’s a Real Problem
At an academy where magic was the primary focus of study, I could honestly say that physical education classes were, quite frankly, superfluous. After all, rather than training the body, it was far more effective and convenient to use magic to enhance physical abilities.
In modern times, strength training was done merely to maintain health and was unnecessary for education.
So why were there physical education classes?
The reason was—
“Honestly, there’s no such thing as physical education at Euclid.”
“—In short, Japan’s curriculum guidelines are stuck in the past.”
Edward and I were having this exchange while each of us did our warm-up exercises.
Just as he said, rumor has it that the number of countries still running their affairs in such an outdated manner—Japan included—can be counted on one hand. Apparently, some criticize this as “inefficient,” but it seems reform is quite difficult to achieve.
“So, what exactly do you mean by ‘trying’?”
“Well, there’s no need to get so worked up. Take it easy.”
“………………”
With that thought in mind, I asked him.
Edward wiped away the faint beads of sweat on his brow and snorted lightly. I bit my tongue to keep from retorting, “You’re the one who started this.” I knew that taking this sort of banter seriously would only wear me out for nothing.
I let out a small sigh and waited for him to finish getting ready.
Then,
“Believe it or not, working out is my hobby. I’m actually more confident in my physical strength than your average adult.”
“Oh…?”
The handsome red-haired boy said this while pounding his chest.
Seeing his demeanor, I gave a half-hearted reply.
“It wouldn’t be fair to challenge you to a duel when you have absolutely no talent for magic. Bullying the weak isn’t my thing.”
“……Well, thanks a lot.”
“But I have to assess you. Therefore—”
But Edward, completely oblivious, pointed his index finger at me and declared:
“I’ll use the results of this 100-meter dash to settle once and for all which of us is more worthy of Agatsuma san!”
For some reason, the classmates around us were getting excited.
It seemed like I was completely out of my element here. Except for one person—
“Could you please not leave me out and proceed with this on your own?”
—Except for Rika, the one at the center of it all.
My childhood friend, dressed in her gym uniform, glared at Edward with an expression that made no attempt to hide her displeasure. As a result, the cheers from our classmates died down slightly.
However, the red-haired classmate seemed completely unfazed and replied,
“Ah, please don’t frown like that, Agatsuma san. If you distort that beautiful face of yours, even God would lament.”
“Haa… Really, you’re as cheerful as ever.”
“I’m honored by the compliment.”
“That wasn’t a compliment, was it…?”
Even in the face of sarcasm, he remained in this vein.
Even I couldn’t hold back any longer and chimed in, but it seemed he wasn’t even paying attention to us anymore. He was staring straight at Rika, bowing his head respectfully.
Holding her head in exasperation at such a person, my childhood friend said.
“To begin with, why are you testing Saito-kun?”
“That’s obvious! To decide which of us is more worthy of standing by your side, Agatsuma-san!”
In response to her question, Edward answered gleefully.
In contrast, however, Rika shrugged her shoulders in exasperation—
“Is that so? In that case—”
She stepped toward me, linked her arm through mine almost forcefully, and declared:
“The only person I want by my side is him, Saito-kun.”
The class erupted in a murmur at Rika’s declaration.
Edward finally looked stunned by her words. Then,
“…………Ugh!”
He shot me a look of blatant hostility.
This has really turned into a hassle. That’s how I felt, but,
“……I guess there’s no helping it,”
I muttered, having my own thoughts on the matter.
◆
“Edward’s physical abilities are seriously impressive, aren’t they?”
“Finally, we’re going to show that underachiever what’s what!”
“Seriously, he’s just asking for it—he’s so full of himself, he’s bound to make a fool of himself.”
—And so, the 100-meter dash began.
When it was our turn, the classmates suddenly became excited. They thought, “Finally, we can teach that cocky underachiever a lesson.” The boys, in particular, were all saying the same thing.
But among them, only Rika watched the scene with utter calm.
Then, after letting out a sigh, she muttered.
“There’s no way he can win… right?”
No one understood the true meaning behind her words.
But soon, everyone would find out.
“On your marks…!”
—A satisfying crack echoed through the air.
The very next moment,
“………………What!?”
Edward’s short cry of surprise rang out.
Running ahead of the red-haired boy was the underachiever he’d always looked down on. No matter how hard he pushed his legs, he couldn’t catch up.
The gap widened steadily, and then—
“—That’s why I told you, didn’t I?”
The classmates fell silent.
To them, Rika said with a hint of pride.
“No one stands a chance against Saito-kun.”
Edward crossed the finish line, gasping for breath and dripping with sweat.
But the boy he looked up at was…
“No way…!”
“So I win, right?”
I wasn’t even sweating; my breathing wasn’t even out of rhythm.
Maiban