Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V1 Chp 2 part 8
The second day of my school life.
Students were gathered in the large gym, wearing gym clothes.
[Today we will play badminton]
A female teacher in the PE class said.
Even at Kiou Academy, which produces and trains future managers and politicians, there are still PE classes. It was the same with my old high school, where there were 2 classes, and each was divided based on gender.
Now, the students of class 2A and 2B were gathered in the gym.
[Girls will use the east side of the court and boys will use the west side]
[Then boys, let’s get a move on]
The male teacher in charge led the students to their assigned courts.
Compared to the classroom lectures we’ve been doing, I felt much calmer. Even in normal public school, the content of this class will always be the same.
[Tomonari. You, have a better body than I thought]
[Ah… I sometimes do muscle training]
As I move, I have a light talk with Taisho next to me. In reality, I was trained in physical labor. I’ve already quit, but Shizune-san is teaching me self-defense, so I’m sure I won’t have trouble exercising anytime soon.
[But… This is a big gym]
[Well, it’s about 3000m square meters. I guess it’s big for a gymnasium]
Rather than a gymnasium, it’s a giant hall for events.
[Once you’re warmed up, start doing rallies]
After running around and doing some light stretches, badminton practice began.
Apparently, several lessons have been held before. It soon became more like a match, and Taisho and I, waiting for our turn, moved to the sides of the court.
[…Phew]
Thanks to Shizune-san’s help, my body still held up.
—I think I can keep up with my gym classes.
I’m glad. It’s a tough school life for me in a lot of ways, but I think I don’t have to worry about PE.
[Hey there, Tomonari-kun]
Suddenly, I was approached from behind. I turned around to see Asahi-san behind me. Apparently, Asahi-san was also waiting for her turn and had too much time on her hands.
[I saw it~ You were really good at that]
[I’m not bad at sports. Asahi-san, you seem to be somewhat decent yourself though?]
[Eh, did I give it away? You’re right, I’m pretty good at it too]
When Asahi-san said so in a proud way, Taisho called out to her.
[Asahi’s a good skater too, right?]
[I’m confident in my sense of balance. What about you, Taisho-kun? Maybe golf?]
[Yeah, I’m good at golf. My parents used to make me play with them when I was a kid]
Taisho said with a laugh.
When I heard their conversation… I felt terrified.
[Um… do they teach skating and golf at this academy, by any chance?]
[Yeah. In the sophomore year, we play polo]
[P-Polo…?]
[It’s a kind of equestrian sport. You ride a horse and control a ball with a stick]
Horse, ride on it..?
I’ve never ridden a horse in my entire life.
—I was naive.
I thought I could keep up in PE class but… I have no experience in golf, skating or polo. Apparently, there’s no escaping Shizune-san’s lessons.
I let out a sigh and looked at the court. It looked like I still had some time before my turn came.
[…Speaking of which, the design of the gym uniform of the academy is very elaborate, isn’t it?]
[Ah, yeah. I heard it was designed by one of our graduates]
Asahi-san said as she pinched the bottom of her collar.
[Is that so?]
[Yes. He’s the younger brother of a world-famous designer now, so I’m sure we’ll get a good price for their designs in the near future]
Wow, it’s an amazing world huh.
I want to escape from reality. After all, Kiou Academy doesn’t fit me what so ever.
[Ah, it’s Konohana-san]
Asahi-san said, looking at the center of the court.
Hinako was standing with her racket in hand. The shuttle was lobbed up, and Hinako smashed it hard and sharply. The shuttle fell into the corner of the opponent’s court, and Hinako scored.
[Konohana-san, not only can she study, she can also exercise well]
[That’s right~. She’s also a target of admiration for us girls]
Not only Taisho and Asahi-san, but the other students also looked at Hinako with admiration.
I heard beforehand that she was someone with both literary and athletic skills, and there was no doubt she had the ability to live up to that reputation.
[But when it comes to PE, it’s not just Konohana-san…]
Taisho said as he looked away from Hinako and gazed at the other girls.
[Yeah… Miyakojima-san is awesome too]
Asahi-san also nodded and looked at another female student.
They looked at one of the girls who had their black hair tied up, all the way to her thighs.
Compared to Hinako, she has a more slender figure and was tall for a girl’s size. Her eyes and nose were as good as Hinako, and her face was more of a beauty.
The girl hit the shuttle back with light footwork and knocked it down into the opponent’s court.
[Tomonari-kun doesn’t know her, right? That person is Miyakojima Narika. She’s not as famous as Konohana-san, but she’s pretty well known in the academy]
[…Is she a celebrity?]
[As you can see, she’s very good at sports. I think she was higher than Konohana-san in PE. And you know what? She’s a cool beauty with a strong sense of humor]
[Cool beauty huh…] (TN: This was written in Katakana, so it was kurrubyuti)
It’s true that she’s someone with a dignified appearance that suits her well.
[But, the most peculiar characteristics is… that]
Asahi-san mumbles to herself.
Practice was over and the girl walked out of the court. At that moment, two girls who were watching the practice walked to the girl.
[U-um! Miyakojima-san! Good work out there!]
[You were very good at it!]
Somewhat awkwardly, the two girls struggled to talk to her.
But the girl looked at them with eyes as sharp as blades, and…
[…Huh?]
[Hiih!? I-I’m sorry!]
[I-It’s nothing!]
The two girls were intimidated by her cold voice and ran off, their faces pale.
Asahi-san, who was watching the scene, let out a sigh.
[I don’t really want to say this but… Miyakojima-san is a little scary, isn’t she? Basically she remains silent all the time and has a stern expression on her face]
[I’ve heard a lot of rumors. Behind the scenes, there’s motorcycle gangs and yakuza related things…]
Taisho said in a shocked tone.
[Well, it’s only a rumor and you don’t have to believe it at all… Either way, it looks like she has walls around her. I’ve tried to muster up courage to talk to her a few times before, but she just shrugged it off, saying she had something to do]
[…I see]
Kiou Academy is a school where only the best and brightest students are allowed to enroll. There is no such thing as bullying or discrimination in this school. But I guess there are students who are displaced like this.
[Tomonari, it’s our turn]
Taisho told me to head to the court. The PE class eventually ended without a hitch.
I was on my way back to class after changing in the locker room.
I looked for Hinako just to be sure, but she was in the middle of moving with other girls. The fact that she was popular was working out. Aside from the lunch break, the short break between classes is something not to worry about since someone would always be nearby.
[…Ah]
[What’s up, Tomonari?]
[Sorry. I think I left my shoes in the locker room, so I’ll go get them]
I left Taisho and went back to the changing room.
I’ve been so conscious of Hinako that I’ve neglected my belongings.
[Ah, found it]
I opened the door to the locker room and found my gym shoes on the table.
My next class was coming up, so I hurried out of the locker room–
[Eh!?]
[…Whoa!?]
As I walked out the door, I almost bumped into a female student.
We looked at each other in astonishment.
[Are you okay?]
[Yes. Sorry…]
As I apologized, I looked at the girl’s face and froze.
Miyakojima Narika. The girl who had been the topic of our conversation not long ago.
[T-Then, I’ll be going this way…]
Trying to feign ignorance, I got back on my feet.
I immediately tried to go back to the classroom, but then, the girl grabbed me by the sleeve and held me back.
[Hey]
I heard the girl’s voice.
[You, could you be… Itsuki?]
A chill ran down my spine.
I opened my mouth fearfully.
[Chigaimasu!] (TN: this was written in Katakana, and so I thought I’d put it as it is. Chigaimasu is “you’re mistaken”)
[No… no, no, no! Itsuki! You’re Itsuki! I’m sure of it!]
Her face tore into a smile, and her voice was full of joy.
The girl looked at me with glitters in her eyes.
[Uuuu… Uaaaa.. Itsuki!!]
The girl, tears welling up in the corner of her eyes, approached me with her arms out.
[I’ve missed you–! Itsuki!!!]
[Gueehh!?]
She hugged me, vigorously.
2 days in a row, who would’ve thought lol
TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo
dmnttt
Shizune and Itsuki did briefly and mysteriously mention Miyakojima a while ago as if Itsuki should know who they were, so it’s not too surprising that something like this would happen.