Hachiman had been skipping classes every day, and now the disciplinary committee had finally come to punish him. It was probably because of the student council's influence. Now that the disciplinary committee had publicly announced their intention to discipline him, there was no use saying anything more.
"Who are you training today, Manager Hikigaya? So far, Uenohara-san, Tachibana-senpai, and Vice-Captain Saki(Hayase) have received your guidance. The remaining two, Nanasaki-san and Sakurai-san, are really looking forward to your training."
"Just them? What about Captain Tsukahara? And isn't there another vice-captain?"
Hearing Nagatsuka Saki's question, Hachiman pondered for a moment before asking in return.
The others were hard to say, but if he didn't handle the four heroines from the original work, Haruka, Tsukasa, Kaoru, and Miya, the request from the girls' competitive swimming club would definitely remain unfulfilled.
"Captain Tsukahara said she's in no hurry, and Vice-Captain Orizuka is quite averse to boys. Manager Hikigaya, you should focus on training Nanasaki-san and Sakurai-san first."
Nagatsuka Saki shook her head slightly and advised softly.
Though Hachiman from the Service Club was impressive, having successfully disciplined the insecure and timid Hayase Saki, the perpetually self-doubting and negative Uenohara Ayano, and the strong-willed but whimsical Tachibana Mikari, she doubted his special stress-relief and training methods would work on Vice-Captain Orizuka Momoka, who despised boys and never gave them a friendly look.
If Vice-Captain Orizuka wouldn't even let him get close, how could Hachiman even attempt such things?
"Is what you see on the surface the truth? You might not really understand Vice-Captain Orizuka."
Hachiman smiled noncommittally, his gaze drifting to the members of the girls' swimming club in the pool, their figures accentuated by their competitive swimsuits, their fair skin dazzling under the light.
In the hidden world, this kind of "disliking boys" trope was undoubtedly the type who appeared cold on the surface but secretly longed for interaction. Or the type who, once they got a taste of it, would become even more obsessed than normal girls.
Well… though to be fair, there weren't many "normal" girls around him either. Just ones who were l*wd, very l*wd, or extremely l*wd.
In the swimming pool, the training area of the girls' competitive swimming club.
Tachibana Mikari, the golden-haired gyaru who had eaten her fill and was full of energy after tennis class, had already jumped into the pool excitedly to show off her rapidly improving skills.
But before she could dominate the pool for long, Hayase Saki and Uenohara Ayano, who had also received Hachiman's guidance, dove into the water and swiftly swam up to compete with her.
Though Tachibana Mikari could still hold her own against Uenohara Ayano, even managing to suppress her slightly since Uenohara had just finished training and hadn't fully recovered, she was no match for Hayase Saki, also a second-year.
Hayase Saki had always been strong. Despite her timid personality, she had become vice-captain. Now, after receiving countless private training sessions from Hachiman, far more than Tachibana Mikari, there was simply no comparison between them.
"Another… another record broken?"
"Not just Vice-Captain Hayase, but even Uenohara and Tachibana-senpai have surpassed their previous records?"
"Though Vice-Captain Hayase is still the strongest..."
"At this rate, we can definitely make the top three in the national tournament, maybe even win the championship!"
Listening to the shocked and awed voices of the others, Nanasaki Ai and Sakurai Rihoko, still in the pool, glanced at each other hesitantly before swimming over to where Hayase Saki and the others had gathered around Hachiman after getting out of the water.
Just a while ago, first-year Uenohara Ayano's performance had been about the same as theirs, and even unstable due to her poor mentality.
But now, after only a short period of training under Hachiman, her performance had stabilized and even improved significantly.
However, getting accepted into Manager Hikigaya's training program had been an uphill battle for them.
First, they were gently rejected. Then, they were told to ask the others about the details before considering whether to join the training.
After much back-and-forth, they were finally allowed to observe the training sessions.
Today, they were determined to see for themselves how Manager Hikigaya conducted his training. Why Vice-Captain Hayase, Tachibana-senpai, and even fellow first-year Uenohara Ayano could participate, but not them.
———
By the edge of the pool.
"Captain, don't you think they're getting a little too close to Manager Hikigaya?"
Vice-Captain Orizuka Momoka, with her shoulder-length blue hair, voluptuous figure filling out her competitive swimsuit, delicate features, and cold expression, stood beside Tsukahara Hibiki, frowning as she watched Hachiman surrounded by Hayase Saki and the others, chatting and laughing with Nagatsuka Saki.
She had never approved of letting a male manager join the girls' competitive swimming club in the first place. But since Captain Tsukahara had made the decision and only informed them afterward, she had no choice but to accept it.
And now, in such a short time, this male manager Hachiman had grown close to so many club members.
"What's wrong with being close? We're not the disciplinary committee."
Tsukahara Hibiki chuckled dismissively. Their relationship with Hachiman was far beyond just "close."
"That may be so, but...", Orizuka Momoka still felt something was off. Tachibana Mikari's unpredictable, short-lived enthusiasm was hard enough to deal with, but even Hayase Saki and Uenohara Ayano were acting so obediently around that guy.
"Don't overthink it. Haven't you seen how much Saki and the others have improved? Their performance today is already far beyond ours. Even if they really were dating, we should support them."
Tsukahara Hibiki waved her hand dismissively, then turned to smile at the always cold and unapproachable Orizuka Momoka.
"Momoka, why don't you give Hachiman a try too? I heard being in love releases special hormones that can enhance physical reactions~"
Saki and the others had already successfully relieved their stress and even improved significantly. Nanasaki and the rest had actively sought out Hachiman. Now, the only one left was Vice-Captain Orizuka Momoka, who seemed to despise boys.
"Don't try to fool me with something even children wouldn't believe."
Hearing the teasing in Tsukahara Hibiki's words, Orizuka Momoka turned away coldly without hesitation.
"Really, not even considering it? Saki and the others have improved so quickly. If Nanasaki and Sakurai also make similar progress after receiving training, there won't be a spot left for you in the national tournament lineup."
Seeing Orizuka Momoka about to leave, Tsukahara Hibiki immediately followed, whispering provocatively in her ear as they walked.
"If you don't want to accept Hachiman's guidance, at least observe how he trains Saki and the others."
"A training method that can bring such rapid improvement, don't you want to know what it is?"
"..."
Bombarded by Tsukahara Hibiki's words, Orizuka Momoka slowly came to a stop.
Though she didn't believe the nonsense about love making people stronger, observing how Saki and the others were being trained couldn't hurt.
———
[Indoor Gymnasium, Locker Room]
"Let me emphasize again, Manager Hikigaya's training is special. If you decide not to participate after learning about it, you must not reveal the details to anyone."
Nagatsuka Saki stood at the door, repeatedly stressing to Nanasaki Ai and Sakurai Rihoko just how unusual Hachiman's training methods were.
As the manager of the girls' competitive swimming club, and having once gone to Hayase Saki's house with Captain Tsukahara, she knew exactly what kind of training Saki and the others were receiving. The kind of guidance that went beyond normal physical contact was something she doubted Nanasaki and Sakurai could accept.
Unlike Tachibana Mikari and Uenohara Ayano, who were problem girls, these two usually behaved quite normally.
But she couldn't outright stop them from participating in this special training either.
The dramatic improvements in Hayase Saki and the others' performances were undeniably linked to Manager Hikigaya. Ever since he joined, they had been breaking records nonstop.
If Nanasaki Ai and Sakurai Rihoko didn't join Hikigaya's special training, their chances of making it to the national tournament as first-years, already at a disadvantage in terms of skill, experience, and reputation, would be slim to none.
"If everyone else can accept it, I should be able to as well."
Nanasaki Ai was a little puzzled by Nagatsuka Saki's strange emphasis, but she nodded calmly in agreement.
It never crossed her mind that this "special training" could be anything inappropriate. To her, the secrecy was simply to prevent the unique training methods from being leaked.
Second-year Vice-Captain Hayase, Tachibana-senpai, and even fellow first-year Uenohara Ayano had all accepted Manager Hikigaya's guidance, why couldn't she?
Even if it turned out she couldn't accept it, it wouldn't be the end of the world. She just loved swimming and wanted to do her best. It wasn't like she absolutely had to compete in the national tournament this year.
She was only a first-year. She could always participate next year. It was only natural for the stronger upperclassmen to represent Soubu High at the nationals.
"I'm fine with it too."
Sakurai Rihoko also nodded, her pretty face filled with determination.
Unlike Nanasaki Ai, she had a reason she absolutely had to compete in the national tournament. And right now, her skills were far from sufficient. If she wanted to catch up to Uenohara Ayano and the others, joining Manager Hikigaya's training was her only option.
The fact that Manager Hikigaya had repeatedly turned them down suggested this special training was an intensive one-on-one session, not a group activity where he could guide multiple people at once.
To avoid being rejected again, she would have to give it her all.
"Then go on in. Remember to stay calm and not overreact. Even if the training method is beyond what you imagined, the improvements in Uenohara, Tachibana-senpai, and Vice-Captain Saki are undeniable. The choice of whether to accept it is yours."
Seeing both Nanasaki Ai and Sakurai Rihoko nod in agreement, Nagatsuka Saki stopped blocking their way and slowly pushed open the locker room door behind her, smiling at them.
She had said all she needed to. The rest was up to them.
Though she herself didn't understand why Hachiman's training methods were so… unique. How exactly this kind of stress relief translated into improved performance. The results spoke for themselves. She had no choice but to believe in this absurd training regimen.
If Nanasaki Ai and the others also accepted his guidance and improved as dramatically as Uenohara Ayano and the rest, Soubu High might just achieve a three-peat at the national tournament.
After all, no other school had Manager Hikigaya helping with training.
Nagatsuka Saki watched as the two stepped into the locker room, then closed the door and stood guard outside.
The indoor gymnasium had multiple locker rooms, and since most people were either training or relaxing by the pool at this time, hardly anyone would come here.
Still, to prevent a massive scandal involving Manager Hikigaya and the swimming club's star members, she had to stay alert and warn them if anyone approached.
Right now, Manager Hikigaya was on the disciplinary committee's blacklist. While they wouldn't help the committee enforce school rules, if the committee came after him, things would get messy.
Sigh… As the manager of the girls' swimming club, how had she ended up in this position?
Nagatsuka Saki's cheeks flushed slightly as faint, strange noises seeped through the closed locker room door, her gaze flickering uneasily.
Where had Captain Tsukahara run off to? If she were here, she could've taken over guard duty. Standing here alone was not only awkward but also risky. If any club members came by, she wouldn't be able to stop them easily.
———
Meanwhile, inside the locker room.
Nanasaki Ai and Sakurai Rihoko stood frozen, their hands covering their slightly parted lips in shock as they stared at the three figures piled on the locker room bench.
Before entering, they had imagined many things, or rather, ever since Hachiman had gently turned them down, they had been speculating about what this "special training" could possibly entail.
Even if it involved some intimate physical contact, neither of them would have resisted much.
After all, when Captain Tsukahara, Vice-Captain Orizuka, or Vice-Captain Hayase demonstrated techniques, they sometimes adjusted their postures with their hands. Even if Manager Hikigaya was a boy, since they were the ones begging for his guidance, they couldn't afford to be picky.
But never in their wildest dreams had they imagined the training inside the locker room would be this… outrageous.
Was this really training?
"I did warn you that you might not be able to accept this training. Do you understand now?"
Hachiman, who had been busy with extra training sessions for Uenohara Ayano, Tachibana Mikari, and Hayase Saki and thus unable to spare time for them, smiled at the stunned Nanasaki Ai and Sakurai Rihoko.
Nanasaki Ai and Sakurai Rihoko, whom Tsukahara Hibiki had asked him to pay special attention to, were both quite attractive..though their figures might not be as impressive as the others'.
He quite liked Nanasaki Ai, the seemingly cold but actually gentle and motherly underclassman from Amagami, but he didn't think she would accept this kind of thing, nor did he want to deceive her.
"This… really wasn't what I expected…", Nanasaki Ai's usually expressionless face was now bright red, her eyes darting around as she struggled to meet Hachiman's gaze, her voice barely above a whisper.
She truly hadn't imagined the so-called "training method" would be like this.
No wonder the others had been so vague when she and Sakurai had pressed for details, acting like they couldn't disclose anything. This was simply unspeakable.
Forget whether this "training" could actually improve performance. Even if it could, she would never agree to it. Competitive swimming was one thing, but sacrificing her body for better results? Unthinkable.
Unable to help herself, Nanasaki Ai stole another glance. Seeing Uenohara Ayano, trapped in the middle and unable to move, staring back at her with flushed cheeks. And even Tachibana Mikari waving at her with a grin, she quickly averted her eyes.
She was leaving. She might not understand why Vice-Captain Hayase and the others had accepted such absurd training, but she absolutely couldn't.
However, beside her, Sakurai Rihoko kept her eyes fixed on Hachiman and spoke up hesitantly.
"Manager Hikigaya… Does this… this training method really improve performance? Can it help me compete in the national tournament…?", Though her face was just as red as Nanasaki Ai's, she mustered the courage to meet his gaze as she asked.
"Sakurai, you're willing to accept it? I can't guarantee you'll make it to the national tournament. The others are working hard too. But I can definitely improve your performance significantly. Saki and the others can vouch for that. If you accept my guidance, you'll notice the changes quickly too."
Hachiman looked at Sakurai Rihoko with surprise. Though he knew she was one of the heroines in the hidden world, and she had even triggered a quest, he was still taken aback by her immediate willingness to join his special training.
[After-School Guidance for a Young Girl.]
[Sakurai Rihoko's family has suffered a sudden tragedy. Her mother passed away, and her father, drowning in grief, has turned to alcohol and become a shell of his former self.]
[Lost and unsure of what to do, Sakurai Rihoko hopes that achieving outstanding results in the national swimming tournament might reawaken her father's spirit. Yet she remains uncertain whether her efforts will succeed.]
He had initially thought the quest only required improving her performance. After discussing her family situation with Tsukahara Hibiki, however, it seemed more complicated. The explicit mention of her father in the quest description suggested that resolving her family issues might be the key.
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