COTE: Popularity System Chapter 26 26: Another Source of Points

"I-I-I... I still have to prepare for the match, so I'm going to warm up first."

Amikura Mako dropped that sentence and ran off as well.

Why did this happen? She was clearly speaking very softly.

With confusion and bewildernt, Amikura Mako ran back to the girls' group.

Looking at the purple-haired girl's back, Takada Hikaru mused in his heart, 'So Mako-chan was cheering for too.'

He hadn't actually heard Amikura Mako's cheer. But so many girls in the class had cheered, and with Amikura Mako's personality, she would definitely cheer along. Even if she didn't cheer along, she would at least say sothing to her friends nearby.

So, he deliberately said he heard her voice, not that he heard her cheering for him. No matter what choice Amikura Mako made, this sentence could be used. It was practically a universal phrase.

"Takada-san, you're really popular."

The other boys dried themselves and ca to Takada Hikaru's side, teasing him.

"After seeing a girl hand you a towel, I deeply understood what it ans to win the match and lose at life." Shibata Sō said jokingly.

Or rather, this wasn't a joke, but the true feelings of the boys who had successfully advanced.

"I originally thought that after you said those things in class, people in the class might feel so distance from you, but it turns out that's not the case." Kanzaki Ryūji had also seen the scene just now and genuinely felt confused.

From his observations during this period, Takada Hikaru had a good relationship with everyone in the class, there was no sense of being ostracized at all.

"Perhaps it's because everyone is very gentle." Takada Hikaru said with a smile, looking at the harmonious Class B student.

—

After the boys' competition ended, it was soon ti for the girls' competition.

Andō Sayo and Amikura Mako were assigned to the first group.

"Go, go, go!"

"Ichinose, don't give up!"

The classmates' cheers continued to ring out, from girls who were about to compete and boys who had already finished their matches. The cheers were mainly focused on Ichinose Honami.

For reasons everyone understood, Ichinose Honami faced great resistance while swimming, basically staying at the back of the pack.

While everyone was cheering for Ichinose Honami, Takada Hikaru looked at the other two graceful figures in the pool and shouted, "Sayo-chan, Mako-chan, you two go too!"

The swimming girls heard Takada Hikaru's cheers and reacted differently.

Andō Sayo swam even harder. Originally ranked third among the girls, she quickly surpassed Hino Yuki in front of her, moving into second place.

Amikura Mako, however, lost her rhythm after hearing the cheers and was gradually overtaken by others.

The first group of girls' competition ended, with Andō Sayo taking second place and Amikura Mako taking eighth. Incidentally, Ichinose Honami was ninth.

"You all worked hard." Takada Hikaru handed towels to the two girls who had competed vigorously.

"Thank you."

Andō Sayo took the towel to wipe her face, then said with so frustration, "It's rare for Takada-san to cheer for , but I didn't get first place."

Takada Hikaru comforted her, "Kozue-san is very good at sports, you don't need to worry about it."

The first place in this group's competition was Minamikata Kozue, a purple-haired girl who tied her hair in a small bun. Although she had never joined a sports club, her athletic abilities were exceptionally outstanding. In other schools, she would probably be a big-shot figure called upon by clubs as an external helper. Andō Sayo's loss was not unjust.

"Ugh... I'm the one who should be frustrated." Amikura Mako said, her shoulders drooping in disappointnt.

She was swimming well, but after hearing the cheers, her performance worsened, and she fell to the bottom ranks.

"Maybe my voice scared you." Takada Hikaru comforted her.

"It's not like that, I just lost my rhythm myself." Amikura Mako pouted, very dissatisfied with her performance just now.

It was a rare opportunity to show off in front of Takada Hikaru, but she ssed it up.

'That was also because of , right?'

While the boy and girls were chatting, the second group of girls' competition had also ended, reaching the final stage.

"I'm going to compete now." Andō Sayo said with a slight blush, waving her small hand. "Takada-san, Amikuro-san, I hope you can continue to cheer for ."

"Of course."

"Mhm, I will definitely cheer for you."

Receiving affirmation from Takada Hikaru and Amikura Mako, Andō Sayo said thank you, then returned to the poolside to participate in the competition.

Although Takada Hikaru and Amikura Mako cheered diligently afterward, Andō Sayo still did not win the final, losing to the sa opponent by a margin of about two seconds.

Thus, the Class 1-B swimming competition successfully concluded. The first place in the boys' group was Shibata Sō, and the first place in the girls' group was Minamikata Kozue. Both received 5000 personal points from the swimming instructor.

Leaving aside the girls, for the boys, getting 5000 personal points actually didn't an much.

"Shibata, you have to treat us tonight."

"Alright, tonight I'll treat you guys to unagi don."

The boys who were good friends with Shibata Sō urged him to treat them that evening, and he readily agreed, stating that they could order as much as they wanted.

—

After school.

Takada Hikaru did not go to the club activity building but instead went to the classroom office, looking for his horoom teacher.

"Oh, Takada-kun, what can I do for you?"

Hoshinomiya Chie enthusiastically waved at Takada Hikaru upon seeing him enter the office.

"Takada-kun, could it be that you've finally had a change of heart and are willing to contribute to the class?" Hoshinomiya blinked, her face full of anticipation.

"Then I might have to disappoint Chie-sensei."

Takada Hikaru ca before her and stated his thoughts, "During swimming class, I heard the swimming instructor was willing to give 5000 personal points to outstanding students. So I wanted to see if Chie-sensei had similar opportunities."

According to school regulations, horoom teachers of each class could not excessively interfere with student competition. They couldn't show favoritism in special exams, but giving points as a reward should still be acceptable.

Hearing his words, Hoshinomiya Chie pouted and said discontentedly, "Takada-kun is such a naughty child, asking such a cute sensei for money."

Saying that, she waved her fist, punching Takada Hikaru.

'Hehe, your true nature isn't cute at all.' Takada Hikaru thought silently, not dodging.

After throwing a few punches, Hoshinomiya Chie felt it was pointless and stopped.

"Takada-kun, it is possible to get money from sensej, you know."

Hoshinomiya Chie's eyes gradually grew cold, losing the cute vibe she had just monts ago. "If you can crush Class D, I can give you 300,000 personal points."