Reborn in Classroom Of The Elite With A Lust System

"Suzune, you know... you could become my girlfriend if you wanted to. I wouldn't mind it at all," I said casually, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. I leaned slightly on the edge of the bed, watching her intently. The morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. It illuminated her features—the sharp yet delicate lines of her face, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, and the subtle pink tinge coloring her cheeks.

My tone was lighthearted, even teasing, but my eyes lingered on her, gauging her reaction. Suzune wasn't the type to falter, yet there she sat, at the foot of the bed, her usual composed demeanor unraveling. Her knees were drawn slightly together, her hands fidgeting nervously in her lap, and her gaze was fixated somewhere distant.

It was a rare sight. Suzune Horikita, the unshakable and confident woman, now vulnerable and unsure.

"Are you alright?" I asked, softening my voice, trying to catch her gaze.

"Uhm... yeah," she mumbled, her voice uncharacteristically weak. The slight quiver in her tone and the way her eyes darted away betrayed her words. Something was clearly troubling her.

"It's just—" she began but hesitated, biting her lower lip as though the words were caught in her throat.

"It's just what?" I pressed gently, tilting my head, confusion tingling at the back of my mind. Suzune rarely left her thoughts unfinished, and her hesitation now felt foreign.

She bit her lip harder, brows furrowed, before exhaling deeply, her voice finally emerging, though barely above a whisper. "I feel like... we should've taken things a bit slower. Maybe gone on a proper date first, gotten to know each other more... and then slowly moved up to... that."

Her words settled in the space between us, heavy and loaded with meaning.

I nodded, my smirk fading, replaced by a serious expression. "I get what you mean," I replied earnestly. "But last night... we were both caught up in the moment, weren't we? You kissed me first. After that, everything else just... followed."

Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and she averted her gaze in embarrassment. "I know," she murmured, her voice even softer now. "I wasn't thinking clearly. It just felt... right in the moment."

She exhaled deeply, her shoulders slumping as if she'd been carrying the weight of this conversation all morning.

"You were the first boy I've ever kissed in my life," she continued, her voice trembling slightly. "The first person who's ever made me feel this way. But now... I don't know if what I'm feeling is love or just... lust."

Her confession lingered in the air, raw and unfiltered.

I stayed silent, my eyes fixed on her. It was unlike her to share this much, to peel back the layers of her otherwise impenetrable armor.

"Last night," she said, her voice cracking slightly, "I just wanted to kiss you, maybe start something real, you know? But instead..." She trailed off, her hands clenching the fabric of her skirt. "The moment I kissed you, my body just... instinctively wanted more. I couldn't stop myself."

Her vulnerability was palpable, and for a moment, I didn't know how to respond. Instead, I acted.

I reached out, wrapping my arms around her from behind. She stiffened initially at my touch, but then I felt her body relax, melting into my embrace. I leaned closer, pressing a soft kiss to the side of her neck. Her bare back was warm against my chest, her skin flushed with heat.

"Shhh," I murmured near her ear, my voice low and soothing.

"Maybe that was my mistake yesterday," I continued, my lips brushing against her ear. "I didn't give you enough affection, didn't make you feel loved enough. Last night... I let passion take the lead when I should've focused on you, on your feelings."

"No," she interrupted, shaking her head slightly, her voice resolute. "Last night was perfect."

"Then what's the problem?" I asked, my arms tightening slightly around her, as if to shield her from her own insecurities.

Her silence was heavy, but eventually, she spoke, her words trembling with vulnerability. "You're a lady killer, Yuta," she said finally. "You're not just... you. You're an S-rank mage—or you will be soon. Once we leave this school, you'll have women flocking to you. Drawn to your power, your charisma, your... everything. And a lot of them will be prettier than me, smarter than me, better than me. You'll probably forget about me altogether."

Her words struck like a knife, not because they held any truth, but because of the pain they carried.

I exhaled softly, my lips brushing her ear once more. "Suzune," I began, my voice steady, "you're overthinking this. I chose you. Not anyone else. You."

[TASK: Conquer Horikita Suzune]

[Progression: 70%]

[YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES TO CONQUER HER ENTIRELY. FAILURE WILL RESULT IN RESET TO ONE DAY PRIOR.]

I froze. The words flashed in bold, unforgiving red across my vision.

"Seriously?!" I cursed internally, biting back my frustration. This damned system again. Ten minutes?!

"System," I hissed under my breath.

[Yes, Host?]

"Why is she only 70% conquered? Last night it said her enjoyment and satisfaction were 100%! Care to explain?"

[Host, the 'Enjoyment Meter' and the 'Conquest Meter' measure separate criteria. Enjoyment is physical. Conquest requires emotional resonance.]

"Ugh, you're useless!" I growled, running a hand through my hair.

The tension was unbearable. Suzune, still in my arms, tilted her head slightly, sensing my frustration.

"Yuta? Is something wrong?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

I forced a smile, shaking my head. "Nothing at all. Just thinking about how to make things right with you."

But even as I spoke, I knew the truth. I was running out of time.

I failed.

The timer reached zero, and just like that, I was yanked out of reality, my consciousness hurtling backward.

I snapped awake, groaning as I stared at my phone. The timestamp confirmed it—I'd been reset to one day prior.

Suzune's message blinked at me:

Suzune:

Kikyo:

"System," I muttered darkly.

[Yes, Host?]

"What the hell was that?!"

[Host failed to conquer Suzune in the allotted time. Reset was necessary.]

"And you didn't think to warn me before giving me an impossible deadline?!"

[Host, a 10-minute limit was deemed appropriate based on your capabilities.]

I glared at the sky, my frustration boiling over.

"Fine," I muttered, dialing Suzune's number.

She picked up on the second ring.

"Yuta?" Her voice was soft.

"Suzune, Do I really need to come to your room right now," I said quickly, already formulating a plan.

"I'm still at the fire dome. I have a few tasks left, but I can meet you tomorrow if that's okay?"

"Tomorrow during lunch, then," She said.

"Bet."

"Alright. Goodnight, Yuta."

"Goodnight, Suzune. Love you."

As soon as I hung up, I teleported to Kikyo's door. Knocking twice, I took a deep breath.

It was time to handle this differently.

"Yuta… you're already here," She said, her voice steady. 

"Yeah," I replied, stepping inside without hesitation. "I was just coming back from a house meeting—" I motioned toward my uniform, "—and when I got your message, teleporting seemed quicker."

"Ah, right," She murmured, stepping aside to let me in. "I forgot you could do that. Come in."

"Thanks," I said simply. 

I walked over to the sofa, letting the door click softly shut behind me. The room was quiet, but not uncomfortably so—a kind of silence that held its own tension, the weight of words unspoken. Her eyes followed me, sharp and unyielding, as if she were studying my every move.

Shrugging off my blazer, I folded it neatly, more out of habit than anything else. Years of discipline had ingrained certain routines into me, even in moments like these. Still, I couldn't ignore the faint charge in the air, the way her gaze seemed to linger longer than usual.

Loosening my tie, I felt the faint pull of her attention grow sharper, more focused, as though she were trying to unearth some hidden meaning in the simple act. One button, then another—I rolled my sleeves up, the fabric brushing against my skin as I moved with deliberate ease.

The click of each button felt louder than it should have in the quiet room, but I kept my expression neutral, feigning ignorance to the tension that was radiating off of her. Yet, I couldn't ignore how her eyes trailed down, briefly resting on my collarbone before darting away again. It was subtle, but the faint flush on her cheeks betrayed her thoughts.

It wasn't the first time I'd noticed the way Kikyo looked at me, but tonight there was something different—something more raw, more desperate. Her lips parted slightly, almost imperceptibly, and I caught the way she bit down on the inside of her cheek. A fleeting, unconscious reaction, but one that spoke volumes. I didn't really know what happened between my clone and her last night. 

I adjusted my collar, pretending not to notice, though the weight of her gaze was impossible to ignore. My movements slowed slightly, and I glanced at her from the corner of my eye.

She was sitting still, her hands gripping the edge of the cushion as though grounding herself. Her expression was calm, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes—something that danced on the edge of composure and longing.

"Kikyo," I said, my voice cutting through the silence, "what did you want to talk about?"

For a moment, she hesitated, and I could see the gears turning in her mind. It was almost painful to watch her struggle, but I remained patient, knowing she would find her words.

"Kikyo, are you okay?" I asked. 

Hearing her name come from my lips seemed to change something in her. She leaned forward, resting her head against my chest, and I felt my heart skip a beat. It was an intimate gesture, one that made me acutely aware of the warmth radiating from her body and the steady rhythm of her heartbeat beneath my shirt.

"I hate them," she murmured, her voice muffled against my chest.

"I hate all those perverts in class," she continued, her fists curling as she spoke. "I hate how I have to keep pretending, smiling, being 'perfect' while they stare at me like that."

"I think every girl in class hates Ike and Yamauchi," I replied. 

"True," she said, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. But then her tone shifted. "But it's not just them. It's everyone. All of them. They think they know me, but they don't. They never have and never will."

I began to gently rub her head, my fingers moving in slow, deliberate circles. Using the King's Touch, I infused the gesture with a subtle energy, amplifying the pleasure she felt with each stroke. The room was quiet, the only sounds being the soft rustle of fabric and her occasional moaning.

As I continued, I could sense her enjoyment growing. Her body leaned into my touch, her head instinctively pushing deeper into my hand, seeking more of the sensation. It was a silent communication, her pleasure evident in the way she relaxed further, letting go of any tension she had been holding.

Minutes passed in this tranquil exchange, the atmosphere charged with an unspoken intimacy. I could feel her warmth radiating against me, her breathing steady yet softening into something almost dreamy.

Then, quite suddenly, I stopped.

"Why did you stop?" she asked, her voice calm yet tinged with a hint of frustration.

I glanced down at her, meeting her gaze. There was a spark in her eyes—an expectation, perhaps, a desire for more intimacy. It tugged at something deep within me.

"What did Ike and Yamauchi do today?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation away from the tension.

Her expression shifted, annoyance flickering across her face. "What didn't they do? You should really ask yourself that. Tomorrow we're supposed to have swimming classes and magic practices, and the school made it mandatory for all of us to participate."

I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. 'Is there going to be an exam that requires us to swim or at least know how to swim?'

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Those two perverts spent the entire time just talking about how they can't wait to see all the girls in swimsuits. It's disgusting! They even debated who among us has the biggest—" she hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly, "you know… tits."

"A lot of the time, they were saying my name, too," she continued, her voice lowering to a whisper as if the very mention of it left a bitter taste in her mouth. "They were saying how much they wanted to see me in a swimsuit."

The thought of those two morons leering at her sent a wave of disgust through me. Even I wanted to see her in a swimsuit.

"So disgusting!" I exclaimed, shaking my head in disbelief. "They have no respect for anyone, least of all you."

Kikyo nodded, her eyes narrowing as she leaned back slightly, her frustration palpable. "It's infuriating! I'm tired of pretending to be okay with it. They think they know me, but they don't have a clue. I hate how I have to keep smiling and acting like everything is fine while they talk about me like I'm some… slut just for their pleasure."

"You don't have to pretend with me." I said softly. 

Her expression softened slightly at my words, a flicker of gratitude passing between us. 

"I even overheard them say they masturbated to me," she continued, her voice trembling with anger and disgust. "When I heard that, I felt sick to my stomach. It's like they've stripped away my humanity and raped me and just reduced me to nothing more than a fantasy in their minds."

Her fists clenched tightly, her breathing becoming shallow as she recalled the moment. "They went into graphic detail about how they… how they touched themselves while imagining me. They talked about wanting to see my body, to do things to me that made my skin crawl from disgust. It was like a violation, and all I could think was that I wanted to disappear. In that moment, I felt like I was being suffocated by their words." 

"I hate them so much," she said, her voice tinged with frustration. "Even if I were to fantasize about someone, I'd at least have the decency to keep it to myself! But they just blurt it out in front of everyone, surrounded by students who are just as fucking worthless as they are."

I leaned forward. "Calm down. I'll talk to them," I said firmly. "As the House of Fire leader for the first years, I have the authority to take action. If they're acting like idiots, I'll make sure they face the consequences." 

"You would do that??" 

"Yeah, even if I wasn't the leader I would have tried to help you in a way." 

She hesitated, searching my face for sincerity. "...but why?"

"I don't think I need a reason to help you. You're worth it, Kikyo."

She looked down, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "It's just hard to believe anyone would go out of their way to help me especially when they know how I am." 

"I told you that I will be there for you right?" 

"yeah..."

I wrapped my arms around her in a gentle hug, and she jumped slightly in surprise. She melted into my embrace, her body relaxing against mine.

"How do you feel?" 

"I like it. Can we stay like this a bit longer?" she asked, her voice soft and hopeful.

"I don't mind, but I still need to take a bath," I replied gently.

She looked up at me, her eyes searching for reassurance. "You're going to stay here tonight, right? Or is your room fixed?"

"Oh, yeah. Can I stay here tonight?" I asked, gauging her reaction.

"...you can!!" she exclaimed, a smile breaking across her face.

"Alright then, I'll take a bath first, and then we can continue talking. Is that fine with you?" I clarified.

"Yeah, that sounds good," she replied, a sense of excitement in her voice.

As I prepared to get up, I couldn't help but reflect on how easily she was opening up to me. It was genuinely amusing; all it took was a little affection and genuine care. Even when I was to hit her one day or even insult her, she would still enjoy it.

I stood, taking a moment to look back at her, the warmth of our earlier embrace still lingering in the air. "Don't go anywhere," I said playfully. "I'll be back before you know it."

As I walked towards the bathroom, I could feel her gaze lingering on me. I closed the door behind me and turned on the shower, letting the warm water cascade down.

"System," I said, my voice steady.

[Yes, host.]

"Can you tell me what my clone did while he was here?"

[Sure, host.]

Suddenly, a torrent of memories flooded my mind—images and sensations playing out like a vivid movie.

I winced as I pieced together the details. "Oh man, come on! You're telling me that if I had just gone to Horikita's place and then come here, I could have had sex with her?"

The revelation hit like a punch to the gut—a mix of frustration and disbelief churned inside me. The missed opportunity gnawed at my mind, but there was no changing the past now.

Shaking my head, I focused on the present. The shower was done, and the steam clung to my skin as I stepped out. I couldn't waste time. With a snap decision, I teleported to my room, quickly got dressed, and then teleported back to Kikyo's room in an instant.

She jumped slightly at my sudden appearance but quickly composed herself, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "That was fast," she remarked.

"I don't waste much time in the shower," I replied with a smirk.

We spent the next couple of hours talking, the conversation flowing naturally. Her guard was down, and it felt like she was finally letting me see the person she hid so carefully from the world. Eventually, exhaustion caught up with us. She curled up on her bed, and I settled onto the sofa, just like the night before.

Morning came with a familiar rhythm. I was the first to wake up. I took my time preparing breakfast, the sizzle of the pan and the aroma of cooking filling the room. Afterward, I squeezed in another workout session, letting the burn of exertion wake me fully.

The only notable difference from yesterday was Kikyo's bath routine—this time, she took fifty minutes instead of forty. 

And with that we were for school. 

Without any surprises, Ike and Yamauchi were more excited than they normally were. 

I could hear them murmured about how much they been waiting for this day to come. 

The classes went normally and eventually it was the awaited time. A lot of the boys were excited at the thought of seeing some of prettiest girls in our classes in swimming suits. 

"Oi Kamado...you've been bulking or something?" 

"Uhm...why you asking?" 

"You look a lot more muscular and slighter bigger than you were last time." Sudo said. 

"There is no need to be ashamed for your body Kamado boy. Every men with a good physique has to bulk and cut." Koenji said with his usual smile. 

"We should work out one day Kamado-boy."

"I wouldn't mind Koenji." Koenji physique was impressive to say least, so it would be that bad to work with him.

"Anyways I am leaving here, so when you guys are done you guys come and join us."

I left the locker room and saw Suzune sitting next to Ayanokoji on the pool side. 

As I approached Suzune and Ayanokoji, I greeted them casually, "Sup."

Suzune glanced up at me, her sharp gaze softening for a moment. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks as her eyes lingered. "Yuta... I didn't realize you were that... big and muscular," she said, a hint of surprise in her tone.

I raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "Didn't think I looked this good, huh?" I teased lightly, leaning on the edge of the bench near them. 

"It's not that," she replied quickly, her usual composure returning as she straightened up. "I just didn't expect this much well built." 

Ayanokoji observed the exchange in silence, his face as unreadable as ever. 

Before the conversation could continue, the excited murmurs of Ike and Yamauchi broke through the air, their voices carrying over from the locker room.

"Today's the day, Yamauchi!" Ike said, his tone brimming with anticipation. "We're finally going to see Kushida and the others in swimsuits. I've been waiting for this forever!"

"Me too, man. I bet Kushida looks incredible. Maybe even Haruka... or Sakura!" Yamauchi replied, grinning like a fool.

"Idiots," she muttered, clearly unimpressed. 

As I approached the pool, a chorus of girlish voices broke out from the water.

"Oh wow, Kamado-kun!" one of them exclaimed, clearly taken aback.

"We didn't know you were so... uhmm, jacked," another added, her voice filled with awe and a hint of nervous energy. "Wow! Do you train a lot?"

Before I could reply, Matsushita nodded knowingly, turning to the others. "It makes sense, though. He's an S-rank mage. Training is probably second nature to him."

I smirked slightly, letting their curiosity linger for a moment. "She's not wrong—I do train a lot. It's part of the job," I said, my tone casual but confident.

Satou turned to Karuizawa with an almost envious look. "Karuizawa-san, you're so lucky to have him as your teammate."

Karuizawa, caught off guard by the sudden attention, faltered. "Uhmm... yeah... you're right, I guess." Her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink as her eyes flickered over me before quickly looking away.

Even Airi, who usually carried herself with more composure around me, couldn't hide the faint blush that spread across her face. Despite our... intimate familiarity, the sight of my body still seemed to fluster her.

"Alright, you guys, give Kamado-kun his personal space!" Kikyo called out, stepping in with her usual cheerful tone, though there was an edge of protectiveness in her voice.

"Oh, come on, Kushida-san," Matsushita teased, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Don't tell us you're not enjoying the view in front of us."

"I-I, uhmm—" Kikyo stammered, her composure faltering for a brief moment as a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

Anyways I went back to Suzune and Ayanokoji, settling down beside them. 

"Already done with your little fan club?" Suzune asked, her tone slightly sharper than usual. 

"Don't be jealous, for the love of god," I replied with a smirk. "By the way, you look good in that swimsuit. I wouldn't mind looking at you everyday if you were like this." 

"…" She didn't respond, but the faint pink tint on her cheeks betrayed her emotions. 

"Anyway, do you guys even know what's planned for today?" 

"Not really," Ayanokoji replied with his usual calm demeanor. "We didn't get much information." 

"Ayanokoji-kun is right," Suzune added, her brows furrowing slightly. "It's unusual that all students are required to participate today." 

"You're both right. Also, this swimming pool is massive," I said, gesturing to the vast area around us. 

"Is that what you're worried about, Yuta?" Suzune shot back, raising an eyebrow. 

"Yes…" 

"I think it's about 150 meters," Ayanokoji chimed in, casually estimating. 

"Not bad!" I remarked, then glanced at them. "Anyway, why aren't you two in the pool?" 

"I'm not that big of a swimmer," Suzune admitted, brushing her hair back. 

"And I'm not that great at physical education," Ayanokoji added nonchalantly. 

I leaned closer to Suzune, a teasing grin spreading across my face. "I could teach you how to swim better, Suzune. Just imagine it—just you and me. I'd hold you, guiding you as you get better at swimming." 

Suzune's eyes widened, and the pink on her cheeks deepened. She quickly looked away, her voice stumbling. "T-that won't be necessary!"

I chuckled softly, leaning back to give her some space. "Alright, alright, no need to get flustered. Just offering to help."

Ayanokoji observed us with his usual unreadable expression, his gaze flicking between Suzune and me. "You certainly have an interesting way of teaching," he remarked dryly.

"I aim to make learning memorable," I said with a smirk. "But seriously, swimming's an essential skill. What if there's some crazy exam later that involves water? You'd both be at a disadvantage."

"I'll manage," Suzune said curtly, though her tone lacked its usual edge.

"And I'll figure something out if it comes to that," Ayanokoji added, his tone as calm as ever.

"Suit yourselves," I said, standing up and stretching. "Just don't come crying to me if you end up swallowing half the pool later."

Before they could respond, a loud whistle blew, signaling the start of whatever the school had planned. A teacher approached the edge of the pool, clipboard in hand, addressing the gathered students.

"Attention, everyone!" the teacher called out. "Today's activity will be a timed swimming assessment. All students must participate. You will swim from one end of the pool to the other and back. Your times will be recorded and used for future evaluations. You can use magic to enhance yourself. Afterwards we will have basic compulsory magic training that every mage should know, you may be tested for it during your mid-term exam so take it seriously."

Groans erupted from some of the students, particularly those who weren't confident swimmers. Meanwhile, others, like Koenji, looked thrilled at the chance to show off. 

"Great," Suzune muttered under her breath, her earlier composure starting to crack.

"Yeah let's fucking gooo!!! I was getting bored waiting for something interesting." I exclaimed. 

Koenji glanced over at me with his trademark grin. "Ah, Kamado-boy, I see you're as eager as I am to display your magnificence in the water!"

I smirked, rolling my shoulders to loosen up. "Of course. What's the point of waiting around when we can get this over with and have some fun?"

Suzune shot me a sharp look. "Do you have to be so loud about it?"

"Cheer up for once!" I said, nudging Suzune playfully before turning to Ayanokoji. "Ayanokoji, you're excited about this, right? Come on, show some energy."

Ayanokoji glanced at me with his usual deadpan expression. "Excited? Sure, if that's what you want to call it."

I chuckled. "Man, you really know how to kill the mood. Try to have fun for once."

Suzune folded her arms, her usual stern demeanor slipping as she glanced between the two of us. "Not everyone finds the idea of swimming in front of a crowd enjoyable, Yuta."

"Fair enough," I replied with a shrug. "But hey, just imagine—if you give it a try, you might end up being better at it than you think. Or, worst case, you can just sit back and watch me win."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't completely hide the slight upward curve of her lips. "You're insufferable, you know that?"

"And yet, you still love me," I teased with a wink, leaning just slightly closer for dramatic effect.

She froze for a second, her face flushing a soft pink. "D-Don't flatter yourself," she stammered, turning her head to the side in an attempt to hide her reaction.

"Ah, denial. The first stage of acceptance," I said, grinning. "It's okay, Suzune. Your secret's safe with me."

"You're impossible," she muttered. 

Before I could respond, the teacher called for everyone to gather near the starting blocks. 

"Girls will be first." The teacher said. 

"Wait, so why are we standing here??" I asked, looking around at the group of boys who seemed just as confused.

The teacher smiled, clearly enjoying the anticipation. "You boys will be tasked with capturing your friends' times first. Afterward, the girls will go." He handed each of us a stopwatch.

"Let me explain it properly," he continued. "This stopwatch has the capability of capturing time with near accuracy, even if magic is used to enhance a candidate's performance, as it can detect magic. Every student will have to complete this task twice: once without magic and a second time with magic. Is that clear to everyone?"

Nods of understanding spread through the group.

"Oh well, it seems pretty simple, right, Hirata?" I asked the boy next to me, trying to gauge his confidence.

"Yeah, well, good luck, Kamado-kun," he replied with a reassuring smile.

"Yeah, good luck to you too," I said before turning my attention back to the task at hand. I needed to find Karuizawa; she was my teammate after all.

I spotted Karuizawa near the edge of the pool, her gaze distant and lost in thought. "Oh, Karuizawa, you good?" I called out as I approached her.

"Uhm, yeah…" she replied, but her tone lacked enthusiasm.

"What happened? You look a bit down," I asked, concern creeping into my voice.

"Ah, mou... I'm going to lose so badly," she admitted, her brows furrowing in frustration. "I'm not that great of a swimmer."

"You want me to call you Hirata for motivation or something?" I suggested, trying to lighten the mood.

"...Hirata?" she echoed, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"Your boyfriend?" I clarified, smirking slightly.

"Ah, yes..." she said, her voice trailing off.

"Don't tell me you forgot you had a boyfriend?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

"What? No, of course I didn't!" she protested, but the slight hesitation in her voice made me wonder. Could my theory about them fake dating actually be true?

"So do I call him?" 

"Uhm no don't bother with that..." 

"Alright then, how about you warm up a bit? It'll help you during the race," I suggested, trying to steer the conversation back to something productive.

She sighed but nodded, her expression softening. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Just... don't expect too much from me, okay?" 

"What do you mean??" 

She looked down a bit. 

"Nothing...just ignore it. 

"If you say so." 

"Anyways Karuizawa, I leave you to it until the race starts." 

I turned away, giving her some space. Walking around the pool, I caught sight of a few classmates chatting and stretching. I decided to join them.

Time passed quickly, and soon the teacher's voice rang out, calling everyone to gather for the race.

"Alright then, everybody pair up with your partner," the teacher announced, her voice cutting through the chatter.

I scanned the area, looking for Karuizawa, but she was still at the edge of the pool, stretching her arms. I waved her over, and she jogged to my side, a nervous smile on her face.

"Looks like it's time," I said, trying to sound encouraging.

"Yeah, I guess so," she replied 

"Everybody is done pairing up with their partners??" 

We all nodded in unison. 

"Since we have 20 groups of 2 students. Every single one of you will have a number ranging from one to twenty."

"You are one, you are two, you are three..." He called out, assigning each group their numbers as he pointed to us. We ended up in group 7.

After he finished with the assignments, he said, "Alright, students from groups one to five, come forward."

Although it wasn't our turn yet, it was a great opportunity to see how things worked.

"All the girls, get ready to swim!" he instructed.

"And you boys, the moment you hear the whistle, start the stopwatch immediately. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" They said in unison.

As we gathered around the pool, our attention shifted to the first five teams as they prepared for their races. The girls lined up at the edge of the water, ready to dive in at a moment's notice. 

The teacher signaled for the start, and with a loud whistle, the girls launched themselves into the water. In a typical world, it would take about five minutes for a group like this to complete the lap, but here, everything was different. We were all enhanced in ways that made us slightly superhuman. The results quickly reflected that.

Onodera was particularly impressive, slicing through the water with a grace that was almost mesmerizing. It was clear she had put in the effort and like swimming. As the seconds ticked by, we all leaned in closer, watching with bated breath. With a final surge of speed, she emerged from the water, and the stopwatch clicked to a halt: 1 minute and 58 seconds.

Cheers erupted from her teammates, and I could see the pride in her eyes. It was an incredible time, and it set a high bar for the rest of the girls to strive for. 

"Alright then, next round, you guys can use magic. Ready yourselves again girls!" the teacher announced, his voice booming over the excited chatter that filled the pool area. A ripple of anticipation spread among the girls, and I could see a mix of excitement and nerves in their expressions.

However the result didn't change much Onodera still won the race and this time her score was 1 minutes and 10 seconds. 

"Alright, let's see what the next groups can do!" the teacher called out. 

"Groups 6-10, come forward!" the teacher called out, his voice cutting through the chatter as the next wave of competitors lined up.

"Well, good luck, Karuizawa," I said, trying to offer some encouragement.

"Yeah..." she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. I could see the nerves creeping back into her expression.

"Oh, Suzune, good luck to you too," I added, turning my attention to her.

"…Thanks," Suzune said, her focus fixed on the water, exuding a calm confidence.

The teacher whistled once more, signaling the start of the race. The girls dove into the pool, and I could see the difference in their approaches. While Suzune swam with a precision that showcased her skill, Karuizawa struggled to find her rhythm, her strokes lacking the fluidity and power needed to keep pace.

As they glided through the water, it became clear that Suzune was in a league of her own. She moved through the water with an effortless grace propelling her forward with incredible speed even though you could notice the inexperience she had. In contrast, Karuizawa seemed to be fighting against the water, each movement a bit more labored than the last.

The crowd cheered, their excitement palpable as they witnessed the fierce competition. I watched closely, hoping to see Karuizawa find her footing. But as the seconds ticked away, it became increasingly apparent that she was struggling.

Ultimately, as the race came to an end, Suzune emerged from the water victorious, her time a remarkable 2 minutes and 30 seconds. 

Karuizawa, on the other hand, surfaced after what felt like an eternity. Her time was announced: 3 minutes and 44 seconds. It was a stark contrast to Suzune's achievement, and I could see the disappointment wash over her. 

Even when using magic, she lost and Suzune still won and the gap still look huge. 

As the races continued, the energy around the pool fluctuated with each outcome. In the third race, Kikyo showcased her swimming prowess, claiming victory with a swift time that turned heads. The fourth race saw Matsushita take the lead, her determination evident in every stroke. And surprisingly, the fifth race was won by Hasebe, who swam with unexpected speed and agility, adding an element of excitement to the day.

However, despite the competition from her classmates, Onodera consistently shone through, emerging as the standout performer once again. Her combination of skill and training made her a formidable swimmer, and she maintained her position at the top, leaving a lasting impression on everyone watching.

And finally it was time for the boys to race against each other.