COTE: Popularity System Chapter 25 25: Swimming Competition

After showering, the students of Class B arrived at the swimming pool, chatting and laughing.

However, listening to the content of their conversation, Takada Hikaru felt sothing was wrong.

Strange.

They were about to swim with the girls soon.

Why was no one discussing the girls?

This was completely different from Class D.

It seems the boys in Class B have better personalities.

He recalled that in the original series, the boys in Class D openly talked about the girls' figures during swimming class and even created a breast size ranking.

The atmosphere among the Class B boys was undoubtedly much better. But... they are still boys, after all.

Before the girls arrived, they maintained the appearance of proper gentlen. However, upon seeing the girls they interact with daily approach wearing one-piece swimsuits, many of the boys couldn't take their eyes off them.

The quality of the girls in Class B didn't lose out to Class D, the protagonist's class.

Seeing these girls in triangular one-piece swimsuits, the boys felt they were feasting their eyes.

"It's really great that we were able to co to this school."

"I feel like having swimming class in the spring is pretty nice too."

The boys discussed in hushed voices, grateful for the opportunity the school had granted them.

As they gathered by the pool, the swimming instructor, who possessed visible muscles, walked over.

He said with a smile, "Before we start the lesson, I'd like to ask how many people in the class can't swim. Those who can't swim, please raise your hand."

Six people in the class raised their hands, both boys and girls.

"There are fewer non-swimrs than I expected."

The swimming instructor nodded approvingly. "Rest assured, I guarantee everyone will learn how to swim before the end of this sester."

"Since no one chose to observe today, and so many of you can swim, let's just start a competition."

The swimming instructor announced, "The competition will be divided into two main groups, male and female. The first place winner in both the boys' group and the girls' group will receive 5,000 Private Points."

As soon as he said this, the students in the class beca excited.

For them, having just started high school, 5,000 points was actually more than the monthly allowance they used to receive. With Private Points as a reward, their enthusiasm was imdiately ignited.

'This seems to be a scene that was cut from the ani.' Takada Hikaru thought to himself.

For ease of production and to cater to the feelings of the viewers, the Classroom of the Elite ani made significant changes to various parts of the original series.

For instance, the class size of 40 was cut down to just 25 people, and the storylines of many female characters in the first season were all placed onto Horikita Suzune—these were all decisions made by the Animation Team.

Furthermore, the swimming class plotline was basically cut entirely and inserted into the second episode of the ani as fan service for the viewers.

'The fact that the swimming instructor offered Private Points to the winners in every class is probably an instruction from the school.'

Takada Hikaru figured the school likely wanted to hint to the students that, besides the monthly allowance they receive, there are other ways for students to acquire Private Points. For example, by 'farming' points from the teachers.

However, this kind of thing was only ntioned once even in the original series and wasn't really brought up again afterward. Perhaps the Animation Team took this into consideration and simply deleted this entire scene.

'Ryūji likes to second-guess the school's intentions. Hearing the instructor offer points to the winner, he must have so thoughts, right?'

Takada Hikaru curiously looked toward the purple-haired young man in the line. He saw that Kanzaki Ryūji was slightly lowering his head, looking thoughtful. It seems he was indeed pondering the aning behind the swimming instructor's words. But whether he can figure it out in the end depends on his own ability.

Many people in Class B participated in the swimming competition, both boys and girls were divided into two groups.

While Takada Hikaru was warming up, Shibata Sō, his classmate, ran over. "Takada-san, want to see who can swim faster?"

"I'm probably not a match for you." Takada Hikaru had no interest in the swimming competition and declined his challenge.

Firstly, since he wasn't currently in the middle of a Special Plot, putting on a good performance was aningless.

Secondly, while his physical condition would be considered excellent in a normal school, at Advanced Nurturing High School High School, it was probably only upper-middle tier. Even if he competed seriously, he probably wouldn't be a match for the athletic Shibata Sō.

"Is that so?" Shibata Sō paused. "I thought Takada-san's athletic ability would definitely be as impressive as your brainpower."

Heh. You weren't wrong. It really is about the sa as my brainpower.

Takada Hikaru felt that both his academic and athletic abilities were likely upper-middle tier in this school—a 'B' rating.

If he hadn't read the original series and benefited from the Popularity System, his actual ability would be no different from most of the people in Class B.

...

After the warm-up ended, the boys in the first group jumped into the pool to compete.

Takada Hikaru had originally thought everyone would just watch quietly from the side, but unexpectedly, the girls in the class started cheering them on.

"Go, everyone!"

"Be a little faster!"

"Go, Takada-san!"

Led by the girls, the boys also opened their mouths and cheered.

After the first group finished swimming, the top four students would advance to the next round.

Takada Hikaru felt there was no need to swim again, so he suitably adjusted his speed, kept himself in fifth place, and was successfully eliminated.

Andō Sayo handed him a towel. "Takada-san, great effort. Do you want to wipe off?"

"Thank you, Sayo-chan."

Takada Hikaru accepted the towel and began drying his body and hair.

Andō Sayo said regretfully, "Takada-san was so close to qualifying just now. That's a sha."

Takada Hikaru said with a smile, "Given my skill level, even if I advanced to the second round, I would probably only end up dead last."

No wonder so people prefer to be the head of a chicken rather than the tail of a phoenix. The feeling of being ranked last must certainly be unpleasant.

"Sayo-chan, you're in the first group, aren't you? It would be better if you started warming up now." Takada Hikaru reminded her.

"Mhm." Andō Sayo lightly nodded, her face slightly flushed. "I'll go warm up right away."

After taking the towel Takada Hikaru had just finished using, she quickly hurried over to the girls' group.

"Oh my, that's certainly youthful."

Just then, a purple-haired girl walked over.

Amikura Mako had let down the high ponytail she usually tied up. Her purple hair cascaded down like a waterfall, making her look more demure than usual.

But the sense of tranquility she had managed to create instantly vanished the mont she spoke.

Amikura Mako covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "Takada-san, did you hear soone cheering for you just now? The cheer you heard just now was Sayo-chan's."

"I know." Takada Hikaru nodded, then smiled and said, "I didn't just hear Sayo-chan's cheer, I heard Mako-chan's voice too. Thank you both for supporting ."

"Eh?!"

Amikura Mako's face flushed slightly, and she looked bewildered. "You actually heard that? I was cheering so quietly."