Stealing Spree

The 15-minute break was used well that after coming back to the playfield, the chaotic game earlier turned calm once again. And to make it even better, the last minutes of gameplay became the most exciting part of the activity.

The Rescuers started analyzing the situation before running to stop someone else's Flag to be captured back to someone's base.

Because of that, scoring became easier once again. And when the activity ended, every class tied at the score of 5.

"This is the best result, I guess?"

Chii moved to my side and commented amidst the cheers of the audiences above.

Compared to earlier when they all have scary faces on because of their drive to win the activity, it was replaced by satisfied smiles which showed how much they enjoyed the activity.

Instead of turning it into a heated conflict, they played around the playfield, especially during the last 5 minutes.

Yanagi issued a challenge to the Rescuers to tag her out which the forehead girl smugly accepted. Her fringes were now held tightly by a hairclip. I could only shake my head at her wanting to show off her broad forehead.

Itou, on the other hand, started capturing me again that she didn't stop until she scored a point from us.

Chii took that as a challenge that she came head to head with her. Even if she often failed at tagging her at the first attempt, she would get her at the second.

The short girl also started enjoying the game. Instead of just running around which was the reason why she got exhausted earlier, she kept her focus on not letting their flag get captured by the other class.

The SC Secretary also did the same as the girl but somehow, she became fixated on stopping Kanzaki to score. Maybe, she wanted to get back from the earlier incident wherein she got blamed for letting her score.

The Volleyball Girl competed against Yanagi on how many they could score. In the end, because of their competitiveness, Kanzaki and Itou caught up with their scores.

And lastly, Kanzaki managed to come up with her own strategy. She would only run out of the base to capture the last Flag available. That way, she could escape most of the Rescuer's eyes.

"Yes, you did well, Chii. And Kanzaki too."

I answered and smiled at her and that made the girl blush again.

Our classmates, especially my girls and Fukuda, would surely notice this sudden closeness with her. Even so, it can be explained due to being a fellow representative of the activity.

Also, it's really not sudden since I kept on trying to tease her and get her attention throughout the game. If my girls asked about that, I will be honest at answering them anyway. I really like Chii.

It's not just because of our past, but also the mysteriousness that I was feeling to her before were now uncovered which made my interest with her to soar to a new height.

Err... let's say that our past also played a huge part but as one of my targets, even without that, I would end up working on her in the future.

"You know, I will be happier if you praised us separately."

Chii whispered before quickly leaving my side without waiting for my response.

I guess that was her being honest with her feelings this time.

Since the activity already ended, I walked back to our corner to prepare for the ending of the PE Class.

When I looked at the two teachers who prepared the activity, both of them had a hint of resignation beneath their smiles.

Perhaps they really wanted it to become a heated competition but in the end, it became like that. They anticipated that someone would find out about that loophole they intentionally didn't mention.

If that's the case, the two really intended to tire them out, eh? These two, something is wrong with these PE teachers or there's more to it than what they showed us.

Ah. Well, there's no point thinking about them now.

As soon as the crowd went silent, the two teachers stepped up and called out to all the representatives back in the middle.

"The activity ended with a tie. Because of that, none of the class will receive the highest grade. Everyone will get a B."

Eguchi-sensei declared and it was in a voice loud enough for the audience upstairs to hear.

Those who have no idea that their grades hang on to the result of this activity were surprised but there's only a handful of them, most of them already guessed that picking out the representatives for each class and letting the majority not do anything would lead to this outcome.

Though it's not a high score, it's also not low. With a satisfied expression on everyone's faces, we all bowed towards the two teachers.

Whether they had a hidden intention to tire the girls out or not, in the end, what they said about not tiring us was upheld.

And with that, the PE Class ended with almost an hour left to spare before the 7th Period.

"Shiori's pet, don't leave yet and come here."

When I was about to leave the Gymnasium along with Kanzaki and Chii, Orimura-sensei called out to me. Eguchi-sensei at her side was also looking at me and with that kind of stare, she had the same intention to have me stay here.

Err... Did I get marked by them due to my interference earlier?

Since they specifically called out to me, I have no choice but to stay. Chii who heard it as well looked at me worriedly.

"Are you in trouble, Kii?"

She asked, dropping her gyaru act and called me how she usually does before unconsciously.

When she noticed it, Chii immediately corrected herself.

"You know, you can call me like that again, Chii. Anyway, this is probably nothing. Don't worry."

"No. It will bring you trouble if I do."

Chii rejected my suggestion instantly before continuing.

"Then we'll go first."

She's more concerned about the trouble that it will bring me than hers. That girl...

Since she already rejected, I didn't push it further and nodded at her before coming over to the two terror teachers who always wanted to tire their students.

"What is it, sensei?"

"You're the one who found out about the loophole, right?"

To start it with this, it's really about what I did, eh? Let's just answer accordingly then.

I don't know what their purpose is but looking at them this time, they seem troubled about something.

However, I don't think I'm the right person they have to talk to about it. I'm just a student, you know?

"Yes."

"And you're also the one who called for a timeout."

"Yes."

"What do you think about the activity this time?"

"Is it fine to be honest?"

If I tell them what's on my mind, they will probably not like it, so asking beforehand like this is better.

"You will not curse us, will you?"

"Of course not."

"Then it's fine. Tell us your honest thoughts about the activity this time."

Orimura-sensei nodded as she sat on the bench behind her.

Eguchi-sensei who was silent since earlier finally opened her mouth as she asked with clear doubt in her voice.

"Are you sure about this Orimura-sensei?"

"This boy is sharp, Eguchi-sensei, he might be able to help us with our problem."

Orimura-sensei answered with a smile full of interest.

"Excuse me but what problem?"

Though I could guess what problem they're talking about. Playing dumb is always better at times like this. Other people will always feel better if you let them tell it to you than slap it on their face. Nothing will go wrong with that.

"I don't know if you're acting dumb or not. But you see, we told you that we will not tire you out but look at what happened."

"I see. So it's about that. Sensei, do you always aim to tire us out with our activities or you have a better reason than that?"

This time, I directed the question to Eguchi-sensei since she's the one assigned to us.

Orimura-sensei was probably here as a support and a vanguard for her. I'm guessing, Eguchi-sensei has trouble expressing herself to others.

"No... It's not that. But every activity I can think of always ended up exhausting everyone. I originally want you to enjoy doing the class, in the end like that."

Really? But she always appeared as if she enjoyed it better when we're getting exhausted. Did I misinterpret that?

"Honestly, Sensei. I also always thought that your activities are interesting but it always needed us to push ourselves to our limits."

"And you solved that this time, Shiori's pet."

Orimura-sensei interjected.

"Sensei, I have a name. Shiori-sensei might get hurt if she heard this. How did I solve that?"

Orimura-sensei only smiled meaningfully and didn't retract her way of calling me and it's Eguchi-sensei who answered my question.

"Alright, Onoda-kun. Seeing through the rule we intentionally missed and calling that timeout helped us.

"Huh? You lost me, sensei. Can't you just add the rule that forbids doing it to solve the case of them getting too exhausted by exploiting that?"

"If we forbid it then it will be boring, right? Allowing that is one of the points to make the game interesting."

Orimura-sensei interjected again.

These teachers, they're making it complicated themselves and they're also steadfast at what they decided.

So what am I to do here? Scold them about it?

Ugh. Better ask them than just guessing here.

"Then why am I here, sensei?"