From the moment I stepped onto land, that feeling of anxiety and excitement in my heart could finally settle down.
The Special Exam is over!
If I were to share this with people who don't know Advanced Nurturing High School, it would probably leave them confused and lead to thoughts like, "The exam is over, which is worth celebrating, but isn't your reaction a bit too intense?"
But if you share this news with a senior student, regardless of which class they are in, they will happily encourage you: "It really wasn't easy, was it? The exam must have been especially tough, right? Hurry back to the Dormitory and get some good rest. Wait until you've recovered your energy to enjoy the vacation."
This is something that only those who have experienced the Special Exam can understand—what kind of hurdle the school's Special Exam is for the students of Advanced Nurturing High School.
Although every class has outstanding talent that stands up to maintain the big picture when the class encounters difficulties and dangers, words that sound horrifying, like accidents, bullying, violence, and suicide, are still inseparable from the Special Exam.
It brought immense psychological pressure to everyone participating in the exam.
But at this moment, the pressure on my body has completely dissipated.
At this moment, Matsushita had just rested for a day to adjust her state and intended to come out for a stroll.
Originally, she wanted to invite Shinohara and Karuizawa to go to the shopping mall together, but as soon as they heard about leaving the air-conditioned room to go shopping in the sweltering summer heat, they both decisively rejected Matsushita's proposal.
But being unable to sit still, she decided to come out and wander around to see if anything novel was happening. Even if not, just coming out to bask in the sun and enjoy the feeling of having her feet on solid ground was actually quite a pleasant thing for Matsushita.
"Pass the ball! Pass the ball!!!"
Excited shouts from the boys came from the sports field.
Matsushita just glanced at it and knew the boys were having a soccer match.
Because many sports clubs have to participate in competitions after the summer, they choose to have extra training in the summer, and the Soccer Club is also working hard for the upcoming major tournament.
Seeing the large signboard stating it was the First Year soccer team versus the Second Year soccer team, Matsushita lost interest.
Soccer is something that relies too much on age and experience. Unless one is gifted, it is very difficult for First Year players to defeat the higher-year soccer team head-on on the soccer field. After all, everyone is at the right age for soccer; the physical fitness of being a year older, the training experience accumulated from an extra year of formal training, and even the professional match experience brought by participating in major tournaments would give the soccer team an overwhelming advantage.
Even without looking, the higher-year soccer team on the field must have the advantage, right? Speaking of which...
Matsushita suddenly recalled an inconspicuous thing: Hirata seems to be on the First Year soccer team, but Karuizawa, as Hirata's girlfriend, seems to have never gone to watch Hirata's match even once.
Matsushita, who often hangs out with Karuizawa, can be certain: not even once.
Are they really a couple? Or is it that they have a world of difference in their hobbies?
Of course, it is also possible that Karuizawa goes to watch secretly, but she just doesn't know.
It's a pity that Hirata can't come back to play soccer because of his injury; he might even have to miss the competition. It's really a pity...
After all, her life and soccer have absolutely nothing to do with each other, so she just sighed and planned to leave.
But the discussion of the girls watching on the sidelines made her stop.
"That girl... she's basically cheating! How, how could she get past Baba-senpai so easily! He's a main player for the Second Year soccer team, after all. He scored four consecutive goals in the tournament to end the match... How is that possible!"
"I personally think the Second Year boys were all staring at that girl named Miyako, which is why they got passed. Hmph, the First Year soccer team really knows how to come up with ways to win the game."
Wait... a girl playing soccer? Does the school have a women's soccer team? Although it doesn't restrict girls from joining, there's no way they would let girls play soccer with boys, right? Is the team manager crazy?
And... who is on the field? Miyako? Could it be...
Matsushita quickened her pace as she walked over. Even though the scorching sun was directly overhead, quite a few girls were sitting in the stands. After all, the boys in the Soccer Club were always quite popular, so it wasn't strange.
Matsushita found a shaded spot to sit down, and the first glance she cast toward the field immediately locked onto the figure that appeared slightly petite among the many boys.
It was actually Amane!!
Why was she appearing on the soccer field and playing with the boys?!
Various questions assaulted her mind, immediately causing a dull ache in Matsushita's head. Amane's way of doing things really couldn't be thought of in terms of normal people.
Matsushita, who originally had no interest in soccer, also began to sit down and plan to enjoy this match because of the unexpected factor of Amane's appearance.
"Hey! Where are your eyes looking?"
Amane said provocatively to the opposing player, whose gaze couldn't help but keep glancing downward.
The boy responsible for man-marking Amane was under immense pressure. His girlfriend was sitting in the stands watching him play, yet he was letting his mind wander on the field. He was really... what?
Taking advantage of his distraction, Amane immediately bypassed him, dribbled the ball, and began to close in on the opponent's penalty area.
"Nangong, what are you doing! Are you standing there like a wooden post? Run! Everyone run! All of you, go defend!"
Baba, as the captain, shouted orders at Nangong and the defensive players.
Realizing it belatedly, the few of them scrambled to move and intercept Amane. A purple-haired boy with a sharp gaze timed it perfectly and went in for a vicious slide tackle.
The target... was of course not the ball, but Amane's ankle.
If this had connected, it could have potentially crippled Amane.
But it was as if Amane had sensed his sudden slide tackle; she jumped while dribbling, leaped over the purple-haired boy, and while carrying the ball, she actually performed step-overs to dodge past five people, advanced into the opponent's penalty area, and then, when the goalkeeper actively came forward to steal the ball, she showed off her footwork to shake the goalkeeper, knocked them down, and scored into an open goal.
The field immediately erupted in cheers.
Several boys wanted to hug Amane in celebration, but after circling her for a long time, they didn't know where to grab her, so they could only heap praise upon her.
"Miyako-san, you're amazing! Even Nangong-senpai was shaken off by you, and he's a super strong defender."
"That shot just now was beautiful. I never thought a girl could perform step-overs, go on a solo run into the opponent's penalty area, and still score."
"Miyako-san, is your family really not a sports dynasty? Your level is almost catching up to a professional team, isn't it?"
"Miyako-san..."
"Miyako-san..."
Surrounded in the middle, Amane was wearing a smug smile, which infuriated the opposing players so much they wished they could go up and bite Amane to vent their resentment.
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