Chapter 137: Chapter 137 – It´s great to be in this class
Yukio's decision to bring so many chefs, who started preparing ingredients and lighting charcoal for a barbecue, immediately drew the attention of all the students on the sports field.
"Is that Yukio from first-year Class A? What's he doing now? Why has he started a fire?"
"Could it be a barbecue? On the sports field? Would the school even allow that?"
"Maybe we should continue training tomorrow? Watching all this is making me hungry. Let's head to the cafeteria?"
Ibuki was astounded, glancing around, especially at the surveillance cameras: "Training hard deserves a good meal, but isn't this too showy? Won't there be issues with the school authorities?"
Yukio was unconcerned: "We simply applied to have a picnic on the sports field. Sakagami-sensei directly approved it. What could be the problem?"
"You really do have a way." Ibuki sighed, resigning herself to look over the chefs and ingredients: "How many private points did all this cost?"
"What does it matter?" Yukio was indifferent: "Just think of it as the other three classes treating us."
"So, all the points we've squeezed out every month are either for a victory celebration or a picnic?" While Ibuki commented, delicious aromas began wafting from the barbecue grills.
Ibuki's throat betrayed her, and any further criticism was doomed to be silenced by the tempting smells.
The class members quickly gathered around, eagerly eyeing the ingredients. Ishizaki approached Yukio: "Yukio-san, isn't this a bit too exaggerated?"
Ishizaki's point was straightforward, not criticizing Yukio for squandering private points, but rather expressing concern over indulging before the sports festival had even occurred, without securing any achievements.
What if the sports festival results were embarrassing? Wouldn't that make them unworthy of Yukio's generous feast?
Hearing Ishizaki's concerns, Yukio glanced at him amusingly, as if to say, if you're so worried, why not wipe away your drool first? Watching the barbecue so eagerly while saying it's not right seemed contradictory.
Without delving too much into it with Ishizaki, Yukio looked around the class and invited everyone to dine: "Regardless of next month's sports festival results, you've all worked hard this time."
"I've seen your efforts during training, practicing from noon to dusk without anyone dropping out due to fatigue, but continuing to persevere here."
"So, enjoy this feast without any pressure or burden. In my view, you all deserve it."
Though they were just pretty words, the slightly smarter students knew these were merely meant to boost morale. Yet, hearing them felt genuinely heartwarming and moved them deeply.
What if they were just pretty words or merely for boosting morale? At least Yukio had genuinely contributed with private points squeezed from the other three classes, hadn't he?
Ibuki's expression softened slightly, suddenly feeling that the hardship of dragging herself slowly back to the dorm every day for a month didn't seem like much after all.
Kondo felt the same; even though the thought of running the 100 meters again made him nauseous, the back-and-forth sprints to time himself felt significantly meaningful.
Komiya was also moved; the kilometer-long run tested not just stamina but patience. Running lap after lap around the field, with his lungs burning like fire, now felt worth it.
Nishino, wiping her hair, looked at the fragrant ingredients in front of her and suddenly thought the class wasn't so bad. Perhaps, in this place, she could really make something called friends.
Their hard work and effort were acknowledged and rewarded by Yukio, giving them a profound sense of achievement that fueled their enthusiasm: "Yukio-san! I promise to give it my all and score high!"
"Right! Let's practice for an extra hour tomorrow! We've got so much time, and going back to the dorm would just mean lying around anyway!"
"Support! It's gradually getting cooler as we move into autumn, perfect for evening training!"
"Alright, alright," Yukio stopped their fervor with a smile, urging them to start eating.
Seeing his classmates' youthful cheers, Yukio felt as if his soul and spirit were rejuvenated.
There's a saying that rings true: the glory of individual brilliance doesn't compare to the joy of shared foolishness.
In youth, calculating your balance to order tens of skewers for a barbecue with friends, that taste remains unforgettable to this day.
Later, with a job and salary, you could order a hundred skewers for yourself, but it never tasted as good without the jokes and laughter shared among friends.
Now, as the class gathered, having trained all afternoon and hungry, enjoying such a feast was immensely satisfying.
On the sports field, everyone was exhausted but gathered together to eat and drink under the setting sun, crafting a youthful scene that would forever be an indelible page in their beautiful memories.
"Here." Since Kaneda hadn't trained, he easily made his way to the front and grabbed the most popular grilled steaks, handing them to Kondo and Komiya.
The two, already nearly out of energy, laughed with joy: "I thought I wouldn't get any. The chef said these premium steaks are limited."
"Kaneda's got it! Eh? Why did you only get two? What about yours?"
Kaneda took off his glasses, folding them since he doesn't wear them while eating: "I'll pass. You trained hard today and need the protein."
"Hey! You being polite or what?" Komiya was unhappy upon hearing this, cutting half of his steak and giving it to Kaneda: "Come on! Together!"
Elsewhere, Nishino sat alone. She had never been part of a group and planned to wait for the crowd at the front to disperse before getting her food.
"Ni, Nishino-san, if you don't mind, would you like to join us? I've already got your portion."
Turning around, Nishino saw a classmate she had advised on long jump smiling shyly at her. No matter how much of a lone wolf she was, she couldn't refuse a smiling face and nodded silently.
Then she heard, "That's great!"
Several girls surrounded her, bringing food and drinks: "We thought Nishino-san wouldn't agree, so we were hesitant to come over."
"Thanks to Nishino-san! Without your guidance, we'd still be clueless about the correct way to exert force!"
Sitting next to Yukio, Ibuki was devouring her food, and after finishing what was in front of her, she started gulping down barley tea. When she looked around and saw the scene, she couldn't help but smile.
Yukio glanced at her: "What? Is it so delicious you're laughing while eating?"
"Not at all!" Ibuki, slightly bristling like a cat, denied it, then turned her ear, absorbing the wonderful youthful ambiance and listening to the lively chatter of her classmates.
The joyful light of the setting sun, the trees on the sports field swaying in the evening breeze, the soft sound of birds heading home, the aroma of the barbecue, and the cheerful laughter of the classmates.
Ibuki, in a rare moment of softness, tucked her short hair behind her ear, revealing the charm of a sporty girl for a moment: "I just think that right now, many classmates must feel really lucky to be in this class."
***
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