My girlfriend is Saiki Kusunoki

However, the manner of Tamiya Ryoko's death surprised everyone.

In order to explore the meaning of parasites, Ryoko Tamiya surprisingly chose to give birth to a new life, just like humans.

When the newborn baby emerged from Tamiya Ryoko's body, this parasite, who originally only thought in a cold way, seemed to have gained something.

Under the gunfire of the human police, Ryoko Tamiya ultimately chose to accept death and entrusted her daughter to the protagonist, Shinichi.

Just like a real mother entrusting her child to someone else.

Tamiya Ryoko's death also changed Izumi Shinichi's growth experience once again.

Despite not wanting to protect the child, he killed Kurano without hesitation when Kurano tried to harm the child.

Despite having the ability to break free from the police encirclement, she chose not to resist and entrusted her child to the protagonist.

Undoubtedly, she is a complex character; what she explores is also what the male protagonist lacks.

In terms of plot, Tamiya Ryoko's death is particularly important, which is why Naoto drew this part of the story so carefully.

It's really not easy to express the character's emotions and create a vivid visual effect. Naoto has already drawn three templates, but he still feels it's not quite right.

"Straight Man is really working hard! We can't give up, we're the best!"

"Okay! Let's get this done today! Let's try to finish episode four today!"

Just then, the club's doors were opened again.

During this time, all the club members started coming to the club room.

Lately, it seems like everyone is quite fond of having dinner at the club.

At that moment, Sakuta and Mai walked into the club together. Seeing Naoto still focused on creating, Sakuta couldn't help but cover his head.

"Naoto, I was wondering why I couldn't find you. Turns out you really did end up here."

"I told you before, if Naoto isn't here, he's definitely here drawing comics."

Naoto, upon hearing Sakuta's voice, looked up in confusion.

"Hmm? Is something the matter? Could it be that Matsuzaki-sensei is looking for me?"

"No, not really. You should really focus on your PE classes lately, since the sports festival is coming up soon. Our class is doing pretty badly."

"???"

For some reason, when Naoto heard the words "sports festival," three big question marks appeared above his head.

Sports Festival? What's that? What is it?

"Speaking of which, I've never participated in PK Academy's sports festival before. I wonder what it'll be like."

"Yeah, thinking back to the sports festival in junior high, it was a complete disaster. I remember you almost collapsed on the ground, right?"

"Oh, don't even mention it. Our class's sports festival last year was absolutely terrible. We were practically at the bottom of the grade."

"Wait, wait a minute, the sports festival? Last year? When was that? How come I didn't know about it?"

Upon hearing this, Naoto's mind was completely in turmoil.

How come he didn't know he participated in something like this last year? When did that happen?

"Oh, speaking of which, you went home around this time last year, right? Because of that kind of thing."

Seeing Naoto's bewildered expression, Sakuta suddenly remembered that Naoto had gone straight home because of the suicide attempt and hadn't had a chance to participate in the event.

"Abba aba aba."

The straight man, whose brain felt like it had turned into mush, rubbed his temples.

Why did we have to start something like a sports festival all of a sudden? And why are you all so familiar with each other?!

Chapter 116: The So-Called Sports Festival

Sakuta was still completely bewildered when he saw Naoto, so he had no choice but to run back to the classroom and get the notice for Naoto.

Upon seeing the notice, Naoto's face immediately fell.

Because the school is preparing for a sports festival, everyone is required to participate.

All club activities need to be suspended this week to allow everyone time to practice, so as to avoid unpleasant incidents caused by classes and clubs competing for time.

If club activities were to stop, it would be a huge blow to Naoto. Without the excuse of club activities, how could he touch... no, create anything?

Especially for team competitions, it seems like everyone in the class has to participate. Naoto was completely dumbfounded. Doesn't that mean he can't even ask for leave? This is terrible.

Based on my memories of being in China, the so-called school sports meets were basically just for fun. Apart from those who had to participate in the competitions, everyone else spent the whole day playing around, having a blast, and basically just being a cheerleader and going through the motions.

However, in Japan, the chances of doing that are probably not very high.

It's one thing for straight people to slack off under normal circumstances, but if they don't participate in group activities like this, who knows what bad rumors might spread tomorrow.

For Naoto, who wants a peaceful life, this is naturally something he doesn't want to see.

As he spoke, Naoto looked down again, and his head started spinning once more.

What kind of nonsense is this? Wasn't this supposed to be a sports festival and athletic meet? Why isn't there a single sporting event?

What is a "wooden dummy competition"? Does it involve them collectively driving on wooden dummy stakes?

What kind of bizarre thing is this "candy obstacle course"? It sounds just like one of those silly variety shows from China.

Where did your running, basketball, and soccer skills go?

After searching online, Zhi finally learned the truth.

Around 1966, Japan hosted its first Olympic Games. To promote national fitness, Japan established a special event called the Sports Festival. In 2000, it was made a public holiday, granting a three-day break. Students are exempt; schools are required to hold their own sports festival annually.

Whether it's windy or rainy, you have to get it done for me.

Of course, while it's mandatory, it's not like there's absolutely no leeway. For example, some schools will find a time to hold it earlier. Last year, PK Academy's sports festival was held in January, but this year it's in April. It seems that the exact timing is practically Schrödinger's cat.

And most importantly, this event wasn't organized by the school, but by the student union. So, the events weren't proper sports activities; they were all just the student union's own ideas, resulting in a wildly varied mix, with each school having its own version. It's probably similar to the fun sports meets held in universities in China.

Although it's labeled as a sports activity, it's actually a variety of mini-games.

Generally speaking, these projects are decided by the student council's upper echelons, core members of the second and third years. Anyway, it has nothing to do with marginal people like Naoto.

And for some reason, it seems these lousy schools love to do these fancy things; tug-of-war is considered normal for them.

The sports festival requires everyone to participate, without exception. There are no individual competitions, only team wins and losses and honors. There is no concept of individual rankings, and the requirements are not strict. Even if one side has more or fewer people, it is none of their business. It can only be said that if there are not enough people, they deserve it.

Faced with these terms, Naoto was beyond dumbfounded. He hadn't participated in any of these things!

"Sakuta, what happened to our class last year when I wasn't here?"

"It was terrible, especially for the boys. Basically, none of them could get a ranking. The other classes had a few prodigies, but us... well, you just need to know that after that sports festival, our class was ridiculed for almost a week."

"Okay, I understand."

Looking at the group projects above, Naoto didn't participate last year, and no one probably said much, but if he doesn't go this year, Naoto probably really doesn't want to be a part of the group anymore.

He could avoid events like the "ten-person board" game, but the tug-of-war and the wooden stake competition—where each class erects a wooden stake and defends their own to avoid being knocked down, while the class that knocks down the other side wins—he couldn't avoid participating even if he wanted to; the whole class had to participate.

"Ah, the sports festival, huh? It sounds like such a hassle."

Upon hearing about the sports festival, Hachiman, who was sitting in his seat, immediately revealed his deadpan expression.

He was the last person who wanted to participate in these kinds of group activities.

Around this time last year, he only participated symbolically, and as a result... well, you could only say he did his best. Anyway, compared to Naoto's class last year, their grades were about the same.

He, Hachiman Hikigaya, just wanted to slack off properly.

"In short, Naoto, try to avoid running in PE class these days. Given our class's level, I doubt any of the boys will be able to run, especially for activities with relatively few participants. I'm sure a few of them will be assigned to those activities no matter what. Take care, Naoto."

Faced with Sakuta's treacherous words, Naoto could only glare at him with the same dead fish eyes as Hachiman.

Why is this guy talking to him like he's going to war before the sports festival has even started? What's going on? Does he think he'll just send it directly if he goes?

Even the newbies Moritaka, Akito, and Miyoshi, who were standing nearby, became nervous at Sakuta's words.

Is it really that scary? Weren't we supposed to be having fun together? How did it suddenly turn into a life-or-death situation? Something's not right.

"You're all still too young. The sports festival is where every class competes for status. This battle will determine the status of every teacher in the school, and it will determine the status of every class..."

"Snapped!"

"Sakuta, don't lead your junior astray."

Seeing that Sakuta's words were getting more and more outrageous, Mai gave him a light tap on the back of the head. Sakuta, embarrassed, shut his mouth. He had gotten a little too excited and said some outrageous things.

However, just when the entire club was shrouded in gloom, there was one person who seemed like a burning flame.

"This time, we must avenge this defeat!"

Chapter 117: Troublesome things always seem to come one after another.

As time went by, the sports festival soon arrived.

After the announcement of the sports festival was released, the school suddenly became lively.

Almost everyone is very involved in the annual sports festival, well, much more so than when it comes to studying.

Anyway, every morning when Naoto arrives at school, the playground is already packed with people.

Each class is training for the team battle.

Events like the "centipede race" and "ten-person board race" are being carried out with great enthusiasm.

Especially inside the opposite room, the sight of everyone sprawling down after one person fell was quite a spectacle. But even after several rounds, covered in dust and dirt, these people kept giving commands, showing no sign of wanting to give up.

The Naoto class was naturally very nervous about this situation, after all, they had suffered such a miserable defeat last year and naturally wanted to avenge their previous humiliation.

You're trying to convince people that you value so-called "collective spirit," just like an injured goose won't fall as long as it spreads its wings in a flock. The Japanese have found their place on the big wheel of the machine, placing their own position very low, even insignificant.

When you act according to the will of the organism and follow the rules of the group, the position you occupy when the peacock emerges from the group will help you remember that this position is yours, and your position will always be here.

In fact, this is like a kind of blind conformity, which deprives you of the right to think. You just need to follow the crowd.

This herd mentality and love of forming groups has actually been reflected in ancient times.

Now, it has been absorbed and reformed by various high-level officials in Japan, and has become a completely new entity.

Naoto didn't say much about this kind of group training. In fact, he had experienced similar activities back in China.