Stealing Spree

As the boys prepared for their match, I casually made my way back to Ryouko-san and Orimura-sensei's side. Although there was a chance the boys might beat the girls' record, I couldn't bring myself to care much about their performance.

The two teachers silently scolded me with their gazes. Maybe it was because of the way the girls had crowded around me earlier. They probably wanted me to tone things down a bit as it caused quite a commotion from both classes. Or maybe, just maybe, there was a hint of jealousy in their looks. Who knows?

I defended myself by saying I just went there to congratulate them. Too bad, that was taken as a flimsy excuse.

Still, with the first match ending in a success - aside from Takenaka's trip at the end- Ryouko-san seemed pleased. Our revision to the relay format had paid off. The excitement and energy from both classes were palpable. It was like the previous activity where I also helped her.

In any case, once I had a short free time while the boys were still in the middle of their 'strategy meeting', I walked over to Class 3 to check on Takenaka.

She might've seriously injured her ankle, after all. I, at least, needed to check on that. However, she turned down my offer for help. She's still not comfortable with my presence. She did listen to my words though. Her partner, Hamasaki, tended to her.

And from her inspection, she sprained it slightly. Nothing too serious so I went back to get a bandage and an ointment to apply to her foot. This time, I didn't let her reject me - I insisted it was my duty.

Of course, my presence also gathered some attention.

Umeda and Shirai came over to see what was happening, followed by Maaya and Misaki. The scene ended up being a little awkward for Takenaka, who had to keep her foot raised while I wrapped her ankle.

Umeda mischievously eyed me like I just did something criminal while Shirai patted my shoulder, expressing his admiration for me.

I just shrugged at the two before moving over to check on Maaya and Misaki. Although they walked over to see the commotion, I figured they might need some consoling after their loss. Ah. No. I assumed. Not figured. Because neither of them seemed particularly disappointed. In fact, Misaki, with her signature forehead bumping into my chest, jumped at me as she mimicked the other girls' earlier behavior, eager asking me how she'd performed.

Maaya, in her usual tsundere fashion, crossed her arms and huffed, "I'm not happy you're checking on me... I'll win next time, and you're going to praise me."

I grinned, giving her a nod of acknowledgment before I reached for her waist, pulling her close to me.

She didn't resist it. And like Misaki, Maaya eventually clung to me, causing more uproar on this side of the gymnasium.

When I walked away shortly after that, I could hear the murmurs behind me as the girls in Class 3 crowded around the two, asking them about their connection to me.

As I walked back to take my position. A thought suddenly crept into my head upon seeing the faces of Fukuda and Miyoshi who had dark expressions as they glared at me.

Is there a way to sabotage their match? Not a malicious sabotage, of course. Like something subtle. Something that would be enough to stir the pot without anyone noticing my involvement You know... A small nudge in the right - or wrong - direction, purely for entertainment... and their suffering.

Alright. Let's stop that thought. My girls wouldn't be pleased if they learned that I've been thinking of sabotaging the boys. That would also mean giving them some advantage, after all.

In any case, I couldn't help but scan the place, weighing my options in my head.

Except for a few like Shirai, Sakuma, and Tadano, the boys who were going to participate were busy hyping themselves up. Loud and boisterous, as usual. As if they're male peacock trying to impress the females.

Thinking about how overconfident they looked, wouldn't the possibility of them tripping over themselves even without my intervention high?

But then again, a little push wouldn't hurt, right?

As I was lost in that thought, Ryouko-san caught my eye. She was observing me and probably deduced what was running in my head.

She gave me a look that could only mean one thing: Behave yourself.

Right. That's what I get for being too predictable.

She knew me too well. It was almost like she had eyes in the back of her head, ready to catch me before I even did anything.

Orimura-sensei, on the other hand, seemed completely absorbed in setting up for the next event. She'd trust me with a harmless suggestion, wouldn't she?

"Sensei," I approached casually, my voice dripping with feigned innocence, "I was thinking... to make the boys' match more interesting. What do you think about adding some surprise obstacles? You know, to spice things up a bit?

Orimura-sensei raised an eyebrow, her clipboard hovering just above her chest. "Surprise obstacles?"

I nodded, keeping my expression earnest. "It'd test their reflexes, make them sharper. Besides, the girls' match was so exciting. It'd be a shame if the boys didn't get a similar challenge."

She considered this for a moment, eyes narrowing as if trying to gauge my true intentions. Before she could respond, though, Ryouko-san chimed in as she walked towards our direction.

"Alright. Don't entertain what he's saying, Sanae. And you, Ruki-kun, I thought you were going to behave?"

"I do. I'm just... suggesting."

"This guy... If you're afraid they're going to beat the girl's record, why don't you join the next match instead? Break whatever record they're going to make."

"Hmm? I can join?"

"Looking at how everyone was wondering why you're only assisting, it wouldn't hurt to let you have fun too."

At that pronouncement, Orimura-sensei also chimed in, her lips curving up in a sinister smile. "That's a great idea, Ryouko. It will be fun to see this shameless brat struggle a bit."

Ryouko-san returned a smile, agreeing to Orimura-sensei.

"So, what do you think, Ruki-kun?"

Her tone sounded like a challenge. She's probably looking forward to my performance as well.

I sighed inwardly. I tried thinking of ways to sabotage the boys but I ended up getting egged on to join.

Still, it wasn't a total loss. Maybe the boys would trip themselves up without any interference. Overconfidence is a killer, after all.

"Fine, fine, sensei," I said, raising my hands in surrender. "If they beat their record. I'll join the mixed match. For now, I'll just be a model student and cheer them on from the sidelines and continue to assist you two."

Although my tone sounded a little sarcastic, it drew laughter from the two teachers.

A while later.

As the boys lined up for the start of their match, the gymnasium became filled with renewed energy.

The spectators were already whispering among themselves, either cheering or throwing playful jabs at them.

I overheard snippets of the conversation, mostly teasing about how the boys wouldn't be able to break the girls' record.

I was tempted to join in but decided against it. I mean, there's no need to. I better let the others tear them apart and add more pressure on them.

My apologies to Class 3, they'll be catching strays.

Once everything was finalized. I walked over to let the initial runners pick their riddles again.

And after, Ryouko-san blew the whistle, signaling the start of the match.

The boys charged forward recklessly as if something terrifying was chasing them. Their movements were frantic and uncoordinated, and both of them even ran past their helpers without handing over their riddle cards, losing precious seconds.

It was like my thoughts of sabotaging them had turned into a curse, materializing right before my eyes.

Despite the chaos, the boys slowly found their rhythm. Sakuma, in particular, put them in the lead. But when it reached Station 3, where Fukuda and Mushitani were in charge of balancing the ball, they dropped it twice, losing even more time.

Class 3 took advantage of the slip-up and overtook them, but they too made mistakes,

keeping them behind the girls' record.

As this laughable sight continued, I crossed my arms, watching the chaos unfold.

When they reached Station 4 where Ogawa was the runner and Miyoshi as his helper, another blunder happened.

At Station 4, Ogawa completely lost his sense of direction, walking away from the goal instead of toward it. While Miyoshi desperately tried to guide him back, Shirai and his partner from Class 3 crossed the finish line.

Ogawa only realized his mistake after the cheering erupted, and by then, it was too late.

Somehow, it felt like I was watching a comedy show unfold in real time. There was really no sabotage needed. They had sabotaged themselves.

Or was it because of the pressure? I don't know.

In any case, in the match between boys, Class 3 prevailed which earned them some benefits but not the grand prize of being able to influence the next activity. That's also what my girls would receive since it's a separate prize for winning their match.

Wait. I don't need to join anymore, do I?

As I thought of that, I took a glance at the Ryouko-san and Orimura-sensei, then to my girls...

They're all hopefully staring at me as if they're all thinking the same thing. 'Join the next match'.

Ah. It couldn't be helped then. Even though my participation wouldn't really change anything since I would only be able to influence one part of the relay, the fun of doing the activity with my girls would be more than enough.

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