During the summer break, I bought a stepper machine to vanquish my excess flab.86Please respect copyright.PENANAk9h2Tcafq7
Although becoming a high schooler is pretty much guaranteed in an escalator school like Zui’ran, I’m still technically preparing to take an exam, so I thought it would be good if I studied and exercised.86Please respect copyright.PENANAcEZrIyyTlm
With a reference book in hand, I’ve been stepping on the stepper. Step step step.86Please respect copyright.PENANAMPV0lThMZD
Recently I saw this supermodel in a magazine say,
“I don’t drink anything with calories in it,”
The scales really fell from my eyes. I decided to stop drinking my favourite sweet milk tea.
I gradually grew thinner as I continued this lifestyle. At summer cram school, even Aoi-chan told me,
“You look a bit smaller now.”
Yes!
Speaking of Aoi-chan, apparently she was aiming to get into a national high school so the exam is going to be pretty hard. Thanks to that, she has to start studying now. I hope she takes care of her health…
Thanks to using the stepper all summer, I ended up back at my original weight. After that I was so sick of the stepper that I chucked it into the same corner as my hula hoop.86Please respect copyright.PENANAmyJ3JfohGj
When Term 2 started, I went to school for the first time in a while. Even though it had only been a month, I was a little shocked at how everyone seemed just a little more mature.86Please respect copyright.PENANAvGs2nSivVH
Especially the boys. They were just shooting up like bean sprouts. Some of them were completely different.86Please respect copyright.PENANAAnJNKuG1R4
I’ve stopped growing ages ago, but I guess this is when boys really start to grow. During your growth spurts, sometimes your bone pains keep you awake, don’t they. Sounds rough.86Please respect copyright.PENANAcNZwOsgqlE
While everyone was talking about their holiday, I overheard that no ghosts appeared at this year’s summer camp. Apparently the hotel performed an exorcism before the camp began… I’m so sorry.86Please respect copyright.PENANAlo5QMKv3tS
After clearing the hurdle that was the mid-term exams, it was finally time for the Athletics Carnival.86Please respect copyright.PENANA5CA5b8Bbhi
It happens every year, but this year was special. I was in Emperor’s class this time.86Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3TYqCF914
As the class reps, Monk-kun and I had to find out who was participating in which events.86Please respect copyright.PENANAUEPuMxXpZX
After everyone filled in the spots for the safer options, all that was left was the cavalry battle.86Please respect copyright.PENANALP0dc5BeAG
His Imperial Majesty was sitting in his chair with his arms crossed, gazing over the citizens.86Please respect copyright.PENANAjPwDSpm3Ki
One by one, boys who seemed confident in their arm or leg strength were nominated.86Please respect copyright.PENANAxfUWeyOKHI
The nominees all had grim expressions on their faces. Yeah. Try your best.86Please respect copyright.PENANALT3lXSTpZm
There were other strong-looking boys but since they had grown taller during the break they weren’t used to their heights yet. Thanks to the trouble with their balance, it seems they were exempt this time. Isn’t that great? Be thankful to your growth spurts.86Please respect copyright.PENANAQpk695asla
The chosen horse members were apparently going to undergo special training at the Kaburagi house. I’ve always wondered where he did that each year. After all, I never saw him doing it at school or anything.86Please respect copyright.PENANAEgAmegXYfG
Apparently what the training actually involves is top secret, as are the tactics. I wonder what on earth is driving him to take this cavalry battle so seriously…86Please respect copyright.PENANAY8JM7qfFDJ
Since I’m the class rep, I ended up going to the Student Council Room a lot to help prepare for the Athletics Carnival.86Please respect copyright.PENANAOcdvdn5ZiY
The President is Stalking Horse. I couldn’t help but observe him in curiosity. His hair really is black to the roots.86Please respect copyright.PENANAEXMWG2OTK4
Stalking Horse noticed my gaze and looked at me suspiciously.
“What?”
“Eh, ahh~ I was just wondering if you were joining the cavalry battle as well.”
As I recall, last year he battled it out with Emperor until the end. Naturally he was no match though.
“…Are you scouting?”
“No, no, nothing of the sort.”
“I am, but that’s all I’m telling you.”
Goodness, he’s so guarded.
“Also,”
“Yes?”
“Don’t think that I’ll go easy on anybody because they’re a Pivoine.”
He looked at me with a strong gaze.86Please respect copyright.PENANAX4NPAxp8c7
Aahh, this guy was anti-Pivoine wasn’t he.
“That sounds perfect. Please give your all.”
But the enemy is much more of a cavalry battle maniac than Stalking Horse suspects. I bet he’s at home practising right now.86Please respect copyright.PENANAmCx66NBPW6
Having finished what I needed to do, I exited the StuCo room. But before I left,
“President, have you ever wanted to dye your hair silver?”
“Silver? No way.”
Thought soo~86Please respect copyright.PENANAnkbBb8gpj1
On the day of the Athletics Carnival, the sky was nice and clear. Perfect for the Emperor’s arrival at the battlefront.86Please respect copyright.PENANAzSNas1y8PX
Since Emperor was doing the baton relays as well, he practised for that too. Over and over, he drilled into the relay members how important a smooth transfer of the baton was, and made them practice countless times. So fired up. Just how is this guy supposed to be the cool-type.86Please respect copyright.PENANAjA6ZnsAa2T
Emperor’s Horse members got pretty ripped in the short time since they were chosen. Just what on earth did he do to you… And it’s scary how your eyes are all fiery.86Please respect copyright.PENANAU9o7r7FShd
But anyway, I’d better be careful as well. If I mess up, I might anger the Emperor.
After I participated in the spoon relay and tug of war, I went to do the ball-toss event.86Please respect copyright.PENANAf2LjQ2DzUJ
Maybe thanks to my stepper machine, it felt like my legs had more strength now. Picking up and throwing the balls was easier than last year.86Please respect copyright.PENANANZixIowK0Z
Around that time, a ball smacked me in the back of my head.86Please respect copyright.PENANAayCHXSoOD5
I yelled out,
“Ow!” in reflex, and when I turned around I found a male classmate frantically apologising,
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to! I didn’t mean to!”
Yeah, I get that already. Could you not be so frightened of me?
For some reason it looked like everyone was throwing carefully away from me. Is this just persecution complex?86Please respect copyright.PENANAUf2h7L4C2U
In the end, my class didn’t do well in the ball-toss. Thanks to that, the Emperor was in a bad mood when we returned. Geez~
Eventually, the fated time arrived. The cavalry battle.86Please respect copyright.PENANASsRHjq4PMd
The Emperor’s team arriving with the dignity of a ruler, and the one other team from our class that was being treated like a sacrificial pawn. Apparently they didn’t get any special training. Try your best on your own.86Please respect copyright.PENANAErNOSVWf2W
When they gave the start signal, the teams around Emperor were taken down one after another. Perhaps the other teams were trying to avoid him because they were all gathered far away.86Please respect copyright.PENANAvRkFreUt2o
Emperor moved to hunt them.86Please respect copyright.PENANAEoFTxn3amq
For the first time in a while, Night on Bald Mountain played in my head.
Thank goodness I was born a girl.
As the Emperor was taking down his enemies… suddenly, a 1st year team charged in at the Emperor! How reckless!
“UOOHHHHHH!”
The 1st year rider bravely attacked, but he was still no match for the Emperor. First his arm was grabbed, and then not only was his headband was ripped out along with his hair, he was tossed to the ground as well.
“DAMNNIITTTTTTTT!”
No, no, I really admire your spirit, First Year-kun. You look like a muddy mess though.86Please respect copyright.PENANAa26d1koTWo
Emperor snorted at him atop his steed, before heading off to battle Stalking Horse. At some point, the two of them had become the last riders.86Please respect copyright.PENANAKJWnnn20os
Stalking Horse was fired up too. The two riders measured the distance between each other before breaking into a gallop.86Please respect copyright.PENANAaJ659mwlWI
Stalking Horse was even stronger than he was last year. But the difference in the quality of their steeds was evident.86Please respect copyright.PENANAvXNoRvhm4c
Even whilst the two riders battled up top, the horses were engaging in a kicking contest to destroy the others’ balance.86Please respect copyright.PENANAFrqN5oHo3U
In the end, Emperor timed his attack with the kicks below, and splendidly protected his victory by defeating Stalking Horse, steed and all.86Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0krEtwyl2
After the battle, Emperor announced that he would be retiring from his participation in cavalry battles. The Cavalry Battle Emperor became a legend.86Please respect copyright.PENANALRB5CUjM5P
What the heck is ‘retire from cavalry battles’ supposed to mean, anyway…
ns 172.71.255.10da2