Just as Shibata thought it was time to put on a show with Amane, Amane snorted lightly and then, with a flash, dodged past Shibata.
Shibata, the ace of the soccer club, couldn't even see Amane's footwork before being casually dribbled past.
The gap between them was like that between an adult and a child. If he hadn't seen with his own eyes that it was Amane, then with that smooth dribbling, the opponent should undoubtedly be a professional soccer player, and one of the top-tier ones at that, to possess such skill.
Shibata stood stunned for a few seconds, crestfallen.
A group of Class B students swarmed past Shibata, surrounding Amane from all directions to buy time for Kanzaki.
Amane, holding the key card, was aware of everything around her, constantly weaving through the crowd. Her striking figure and smooth footwork moved nimbly and freely among the people, making Shibata feel as if he was witnessing an incredibly stunning visual feast.
"Amane is very impressive, isn't she?"
A familiar voice sounded in his ear, and Shibata's heart jolted. He didn't know when Ichinose had come to his side.
"I'm sorry, I got a little distracted just now. I'll go right away..."
"There's no need, Classmate Shibata. You've been running back and forth, and it's been very tiring. You should rest now."
Ichinose's gentle voice made Shibata's heart ache.
But the next second, he was Shibata Sō again, who could no longer turn back.
"But if this continues, Kanzaki might not make it in time..."
"It's okay, Amane won't check in."
Ichinose's confident demeanor made Shibata somewhat unable to understand her.
"Think about it, since Amane can move freely while being chased and cornered by over thirty people, it means her speed must far exceed ours. So why doesn't she use her speed to shake us off and go check in directly, instead of playing games with everyone from Class B here?"
Playing games? So, in Ichinose's eyes, Amane's current actions were playing games?
Shibata narrowed his eyes, carefully observing Amane.
Soon, tiny beads of sweat broke out on Shibata's forehead.
Amane's actions indeed seemed like she was toying with those guys from Class B, but... this should be more or less in line with Amane's plan, right? In Shibata's understanding, Amane's plan was that she would be surrounded by thirty or forty people and unable to check in, which is why Kanzaki would get ahead of her.
This way, everyone could understand the act, as no one would think Amane could actually play around with an entire class.
Amane did it.
Amane's delaying tactic was to keep thirty-plus people here to play tag with her.
"Classmate Shibata, do you not understand why Amane would do this?"
Ichinose looked at Amane's figure with a faint smile on her face.
"Indeed, it's incomprehensible..."
Even if I understood, I couldn't tell you, Classmate Ichinose.
"Hehe, Amane is going easy on us. Maybe Classmate Shibata, you've touched her heart, who knows?"
How could such a thing be possible?
Shibata was about to retort, but seeing Ichinose seemingly in a good mood, he didn't say anything more. At least... let her finish happily before the end.
Shibata's gaze once again fell upon the figure in the crowd.
Kanzaki had already checked in at two strongholds, and with two more, he could completely occupy them. But as he passed by the river, seeing Amane's dazzling footwork, his scalp instantly began to tingle. He couldn't imagine if there weren't so many people delaying her, whether Amane would have checked in at all the strongholds before him.
Thinking of this, Kanzaki quickened his pace and checked in at the remaining two strongholds.
When he tightly gripped the key card and arrived in front of Amane, the farce finally ended.
A group of Class B students, too exhausted to care about their image, sat on the ground, panting with their tongues out, forming a stark contrast with Amane, who was only slightly sweating.
"It's all over, Miyako. What good is it if you run fast? I have so many companions. The strength of everyone gathered together is not something you alone can easily defeat."
Kanzaki's words made many Class B students who were already lying on the ground cheer loudly for him.
"Well said, Kanzaki!"
"Cough, cough, we, we are the strongest. Finally, finally, we've won a round."
...Amane said nothing, suddenly taking a step towards Kanzaki.
Scared, Kanzaki immediately shoved the key card into his pocket.
He had suffered this loss before, and he certainly wouldn't suffer the same loss a second time.
Amane shook her head and smiled, then turned and walked towards Ichinose.
"Honami, do you have time to walk with me now?"
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