HA2 1.1 – Joining Hiking Club
Like the usual Monday, it was a slow and cheerless day. Before finally, exactly at 03:15 pm the last bell for today class rang in every class. Every teacher immediately ended their lesson. Then, Hide, Takeo, and Shizuka went to staff office.
As soon as the three arrived in an empty corridor Shizuka curiously asked, “Hide, when will you start to trains us on firearms?”
“After we know our routine in Hiking Club, we will schedule it,” Hide replied before turned his gaze to Takeo. “Have you completed the preparation for the job in Kibo Hospital?”
Takeo nodded and said, “I have. We can carry it whenever you are ready.”
“Let’s do it tonight.”
““Okay.”” Takeo and Shizuka replied at the same time.
A moment later, the three arrived in the staff office and Isamu Sensei took them to counseling room right away.
As he signaled the three to sit before him, Isamu Sensei said, “To be honest, your text last night a bit surprised me, Takeo.”
“I’m terribly sorry for my sudden request, Sensei,” Takeo sincerely said. “But I truly want to join Hiking Club.”
“No worry, it’s not a big deal. I can use your punishment as an excuse to put you in. However, the physical exercise in Hiking Club is nearly abusive, and unlike Hide or Shizuka, I have no intention to prepare you for Hakka Outdoor Competition.”
“I understand,” Takeo firmly replied.
“Good.” Isamu Sensei smiled before continuing, “Now, Hide, Shizuka, I will explain my plan for you.”
Hide and Shizuka made a small nod and Isamu Sensei immediately explained his plan.
Of eight contests in Hakka Outdoor Competition, each student could participate only on one individual competition and one team competition. Hide would participate in individual Hike Run and team cross country navigation. Meanwhile, Shizuka would participate in individual female rock climbing.
“However, because you two are beginner,” Isamu Sensei calmly closing his explanation, “For the next three weeks, you will have to go through the basic physical exercise before I can arrange the most suitable training regime for you.”
“Okay,” Shizuka calmly replied.
“I will follow Sensei’s arrangement,” Hide added.
After the three filled and signed the membership form, Isamu Sensei then brought them to meet the rest of Hiking Club’s member.
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East Nichiko High was famous for its priority in producing student with good grade, proper discipline, and well manner. That’s why it didn’t maintain a lot of facility to support the development of sport club. Other than one athletic field and one indoor gym, East Nichiko High didn’t have other sport field.
As a result, sport clubs in East Nichiko High had to share the athletic field and the gym in a tight schedule. Meanwhile, as the youngest sport club, Hiking Club could only use an unused bicycle parking lot in the backyard as their training field. It was as big as two basketball fields, and in one of its corner stood a 6x3 semi-permanent building to store Hiking Club’s equipment.
As soon as Isamu Sensei arrived with Hide, Takeo, and Shizuka, member of Hiking Club immediately stopped their stretching and then gathered before him. In total, Hiking Club had four third years, eight second years, and twelve first years. Some of them were curiously looking at Hide, Shizuka, and Takeo, while some others looked at them casually.
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Meanwhile, Sayaka totally ignored Hide while fixing her gaze on Shizuka. A faint gleam flashed on her eyes before she turned her gaze to Takeo.
After looking at Takeo for a while Sayaka asked, “Sensei, didn’t you tell us that we will only have Hide and Shizuka as new members?”
“Correct, Takeo will join us as regular member and not for the next Hakka Outdoor.”
“I see.” Sayaka replied in a calm tone, but it was easy to tell that she was jubilant to the core. “Well, not everyone here knows our new members. So, let’s hear their introduction.”
“Good point,” Isamu Sensei happily expressed his agreement.” Shizuka, let’s start from you.”
Without delay Shizuka introduce herself, “Shizuka Oda, Class 2A, you can call me Shizuka. I’m a noob in hiking. Please guide me.”
Takeo who stood next to Shizuka continued the introduction, “Takeo Ishida, Class 2A, you can call me Takeo, please lend me your guidance.”
“Uesugi Hidetada, Class 2C, you can call me Hide, please lend me your guidance.”
“Thank you for your introduction,” Sayaka calmly said. “As the leader of Hiking Club, I welcome you to our club. And just a gentle reminder, it’s not a secret that East Nichiko is suck at sport competition.
However, we have two exceptions. Karate Club won national championship after Shizuka joint it last year, while Hiking Club became one of top dog on the national competition for the last four years after Isamu Sensei became its adviser.
I will never question Shizuka’s determination to win a competition, but for Takeo and Hide, I hope you two understand that this club is a place for highly motivated individual.”
“I understand,” Takeo calmly.
“I understand,” Hide added.
Sayaka then turned her gaze to Hide and Shizuka, and said, “No matter who you are, and even if Isamu Sensei personally hand-picked you, you still have to proof yourselves that you are worthy to represent Hiking Club.
Is that clear?”
““It is.”” Hide and Shizuka replied at same time.
“Good.”
Sayaka then explained that she would in charge of Shizuka’s basic training, while Tenma would in charge for Hide’s basic training. The reason behind this arrangement was because they would participate in the same individual competition in Hakka Outdoor Competition. In short, the arrangement itself was part of the preparation for the competition. As for Takeo, he would join the regular training with first year.
A moment later, after they changed their clothes into track suit and wore their sneaker, Hide, Shizuka, and Takeo immediately went over to their handler and started their training.
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While he walked over to Tenma, Hide peeked at Takeo and Shizuka. Takeo easily blended with first years. They carried out basic training under the guidance of two second years. Actually, Hide had a plan to make Takeo participated in one of contest in Hakka Outdoor Competition, but for now he would let Takeo put his mind on building his physical fitness.
As for Shizuka, Hide noticed the faint but dangerous spark on Sayaka’s eyes when she fixed her gaze on Shizuka earlier. He had a hunch that Sayaka had a feeling for Takeo, and maybe she would make things hard for Shizuka. However, Hide had no worry. He believed Shizuka would be able to handle it.
Then, as soon as he and Tenma arrived at an empty corner Hide immediately asked, “In the Hike Run, do I replace someone?”
“No,” Tenma replied flatly, but it seemed he didn’t hold a grudge for the incident in the Running for Donation. “Hiking Club will send anyone to participate in Hakka Outdoor as long as he or she qualified for it.
Other than you and Shizuka, Isamu Sensei will send sixteen students this year, along with two gym teachers as the guardian.”
“That’s quite big. I believe it will require a lot of resource.”
“Well, it’s true that our school doesn’t put a lot of attention for sport competition. However, if a club manages to achieve a good result at prefectural competition, it will receive proper support.” Tenma paused for a moment before proudly adding, “As for Hiking Club, we are one of the best four in national level, so the support is excellent.”
“I see.”
“Now, let me give you a brief review about Hike Run.”
Actually, Hide knew a lot about Hakka Outdoor Competition. In his previous life he helped Kubota to organize it a few times. However, he fully aware that his journey in Hiking Club would be much simpler if he just acted likes a beginner.
“I’m all ears,” Hide calmly said.
Without delay Tenma explained, “Hike Run is a 3.2 km up-hill race on off trail track. It use different track each year. Therefore, your basic training will be different from basic training for the first year kids. Other than endurance, you have to hone your speed and balance.
For the next three weeks, your warm up is 2 km jogs, 100 push up, and 100 squats, while the main menu is 3.2 km up-hill run on off trail under 18 minutes. If in three weeks you failed to achieve it, Isamu Sensei would give you a hell week before you repeat the basic training.”
“A hell week if I fail?” I curiously asked.
“Yes.” As an unspeakable terror was reflected in his eyes, Tenma said, “Believe me Hide, avoid the hell week as if your life is depended on it.”
“I will avoid it… at all cost.” Hide skillfully replied with a slightly trembling voice, but inwardly he calmly muttered, ‘He must be having it rough and hard way.’
After Hide completed his stretching and warm up, Tenma and two third year girls who would also participate in Hike Run took him into nearby hiking trail.
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