"Whew~"
In skiing, snowboarding undoubtedly requires a certain level of proficiency to master.
Two-board skiers are either experienced or pure beginners.
Single-board skiers are either reckless novices or true experts.
At first glance, Chika looked like a girl with poor balance, yet her curvaceous figure allowed her to maintain excellent stability. This let her use various flashy techniques while snowboarding, and she even executed a beautiful turn, stopping right in front of Ren.
Taking off her goggles, Chika was uncharacteristically proud.
"How was that? I told you I am good at skiing."
There was no doubt about that. Ren watched her entire run and knew she had the skill. She was indeed as proficient as she claimed.
"Unexpected. I did not expect Fujiwara to be so good at skiing."
While surprised, Ren still praised her technique.
He had only seen snowboarding on his phone before, but he knew it demanded more skill. It was like skateboarding on the ground, requiring control of one's center of gravity while using the board to perform various maneuvers.
Especially the emergency stop she displayed at the end. You could not do that without ability.
However, Ren was a bit curious about how Chika found her center of gravity.
Her figure did not look like it would maintain balance well.
Could it be that her good figure acted like a damper?
Because of the corresponding sway of certain parts of her body, it prevented shifts in her center of gravity, making it easier to hold?
It was just a guess based on a video he had seen about reducing wind sway in buildings.
He certainly could not say it. Otherwise, it would be sexual harassment.
"Mm-hmm~"
Hearing Ren's praise, Chika's pride intensified, and even her nose seemed to perk up a bit.
"So, how should I learn?"
Chika was proficient in snowboarding, but what he had rented was a two-board ski.
"No problem with that."
Chika patted her chest, completely unconcerned.
"The key to skiing technique is actually finding your center of gravity."
"Once the center of gravity is set, other techniques are just about shifting left and right along with it. Although single-board and two-board skis have different centers, the fundamentals are similar. I also started with two-board skis, so teaching you is definitely no problem!"
With that, Chika crouched down, unfastened the bindings on her board, then directly grabbed Ren's hand and walked toward the cable car.
"We will go to mid-mountain first and practice finding your center of gravity in a gentler area. Once you grasp the two-board technique, we will head to the summit for a thrilling run."
Being pulled along, Ren shook his head helplessly.
He had not realized Chika was also a woman of action, so eager.
They took the cable car up to mid-mountain, where the slope was much gentler. For beginners, it was an excellent practice spot.
Hmm? Are those private school students?
Besides them, there were quite a few skiers on the mid-mountain. Most noticeable was a group of dozens, all using two-board skis and wearing matching ski suits.
Ren immediately thought of private school students.
So many people together and neatly organized. It seemed only a private school trip would fit.
Chika, still holding Ren's hand, noticed his gaze and looked in that direction too.
"Are those private school students?"
Such a large, organized group made it obvious they were from a school.
Being out on a weekend and still coming across other school trips made Chika a little curious about their mood during this outing.
She took a deep breath, calmed her mind, and slowly entered observer mode.
Observing each person's state to discern their inner thoughts.
Hmm~ most people seem quite happy.
Hmm?
As her eyes swept over a coral-haired teacher, she suddenly saw into his mind.
Tsk tsk~ high school girls nowadays are developing so well.
This lewd thought made Chika raise an eyebrow.
She focused on that teacher and noticed the lewdness beneath his disguise. It was truly lewd, not just stray thoughts.
Chika, who usually wore a smile, showed clear disgust.
"Ren, that teacher seems to be constantly looking at the girls."
"Teacher?"
Ren paused slightly and looked where Chika pointed.
A long-faced male teacher, about one meter ninety, came into view. Even in a thick ski suit, it was clear he was very muscular.
Scanning the group, no one seemed taller than him.
He could be confirmed as a physical education teacher.
Ren also quickly noticed that the teacher's eyes kept sweeping over the girls.
And the scrutiny in his gaze was not a teacher's view of students, but a man's view of women.
This was a bit inappropriate, especially for a teacher.
However, such things among teachers, in Japan, were not surprising.
At least he knew that some teachers in Japan's education system often preyed on their own students.
Mainly because young students did not know what to do, especially when threatened by a teacher.
"It is indeed inappropriate."
He gently pressed his finger to his index fingertip, entering spiritual vision.
The Sefirot body showed red and yellow ranges, clearly indicating the teacher was in an excited state. Red and yellow both represented excitement and happiness, but when excessive, it turned into fervent desire.
"!?"
In the next second, Ren's pupils contracted slightly.
Through spiritual vision, he saw the state of that teacher's spiritual body, and also an exaggerated figure behind him, wearing a red cloak and a crown.
Continuing to look, when his gaze focused on that slightly deranged figure, Ren's consciousness paused for a moment, then he recognized the identity.
"Kamoshida… Suguru."
(To be continued.)