Dominating in PE Class (2)
“Hey, Oda, did you use to play basketball?”
“No, I’ve never played outside of PE class.”
“You don’t look it at all… So you were actually good at sports. I didn’t think so during the first semester. Did I miss something?”
The PE teacher tilted his head curiously.
This was another classic introvert truth: “Teachers actually notice more than you’d think.”
Of course, it’s the teacher’s job to keep track of every student’s performance, so it’s natural they’d observe even the introverts.
Still, for someone like me, who often goes unnoticed and is sometimes even forgotten by classmates, it felt oddly nice to be acknowledged as a proper student.
“I decided to turn over a new leaf during summer break and started working out. I think it’s the result of that effort.”
I gave the PE teacher my now-standard excuse, though he still looked a bit skeptical.
“Is that so? It’s great that you’re motivated. Keep it up. If you stay serious, I’ll give you a 5 on your report card.”
“Thank you. I’ll do my best to meet your expectations.”
For the rest of the class, I continued to dominate at basketball, fully utilizing the physical abilities I had honed in my battles against the Demon King.
“Hey, Oda!”
As soon as class ended, Date-kun, the cheerful and good-looking extrovert, came over to talk to me.
“What is it?”
I braced myself, half-expecting some grudge or complaint.
“You were amazing! Seriously, have you thought about joining the basketball team? With your skills, you’d instantly become a regular! I mean, what was that just now? That wasn’t high school level—it was like watching an NBA player with that air-walk dunk!”
Date-kun spoke excitedly, almost as if he were the one who’d pulled it off.
Right, that’s how he is.
Date-kun is tall, good-looking, athletic, and a first-year regular on the basketball team.
On top of that, his slightly weaker academics only make him more endearing to the girls.
He’s kind and helpful to everyone, so even the boys look up to him.
In short, he’s the kind of golden boy extrovert who’s liked by everyone.
“Ah, sorry, but I’ve decided not to join any clubs.”
“Really? With your abilities, it feels like a waste.”
“Sorry, but thanks for the offer.”
The reason I don’t join clubs is because I’m too competitive.
Before going to the other world, I was a typical introvert who would laugh things off when I lost, thinking, This is about what I’d expect from myself.
But as a hero, I fought battles I couldn’t afford to lose, and that gradually shaped me into someone who couldn’t help but care about winning.
I didn’t have much of a choice—it was a matter of survival.
While PE class is fine, if I were about to lose in an official match, I know I’d end up using my hero skills.
I’d justify it to myself, thinking, What’s wrong with using what I’ve got? And I’d absolutely use them.
I’d bet on it.
But even so, that feels like it’d cross the line.
That’s why I decided it’s better not to get involved in competitive things from the start.
“Don’t worry about it. I just asked on a whim. But seriously, you were incredible—your jumping ability, your reaction speed—it was all insane.”
“You were amazing too, Date-kun. As expected of a first-year regular on the basketball team.”
“Thanks. Oh, and just call me Date.”
“Alright, then, Date it is.”
We chatted amicably as we headed back to the classroom.
Along the way, we exchanged contact information.
I even got the contact info of some of Date’s extrovert friends.
Without meaning to, I’d ended up exchanging contacts with the top-tier guys in class, led by Date, and the top-tier girls, led by Hasumin, just a few days after returning from the other world.
(Yep, my new school life is off to a fantastic start. Let’s keep enjoying this rebooted high school experience.)