Wait, Kiritani...
You expect us to do all of these things?!
You have everything scheduled down to the minute. Not only that, it says to do “at least” a hundred reps for each of these drills and exercises!
Also, what's written for me looks different from what she's written for you.
What?!
I'm supposed to run five kilometers and do three sets of a hundred squats and twenty-second planks... And that's before heading to school.
You're right. That's different from what I have here. I'm supposed to run, do push-ups and one-legged balancing exercises.
After school, I'm supposed to run home, then run another eight kilometers. Following that, I have to do single-leg bridges and fingertip push-ups...
And there's more. Strength exercises, straddle splits, more push-ups, back stretches... More one-legged stands, more planking, airplanes, leg cradles...
Finally, how much time we should be spending each day exercising and sleeping, as well as when to go to bed and wake up...
So this is why you asked us for “very detailed” schedules on how we spend each day...
I tried to come up with drills and exercises that you both could do whenever you had a minute, since I know that you're both very busy with rehearsals and singing practice.
Oh, I almost forgot to give you these weights. Please put them on whenever you exercise, to maximize your gains.
Weights?!
I also came up with diets for each of you to follow until the day of the event. I wrote down the recipes for everything that you'll be having, along with why I chose them.
You went that far?!
Yes. Since we'll be training together, I wanted to come up with the most effective solutions for us.
Yes, it will be important for us to eat right in order to get in shape... But you have our protein and fat intakes down to the gram.
Like what athletes do...
This is the least we need to do in order to win.
Hmm... Yes, you have a point.
Just finishing my stage is going to require a tremendous amount of strength and stamina.
This is going to be very hard, but I should be able to manage. I endured everything Mikazukigumi threw at me, after all.
So, challenge accepted!
Yeah, this is really well put together. We should be a lot stronger once we get through it...
Yes, but still...
You came up with these all by yourself, Kiritani?
Oh...
I actually had a little help from a friend...
Here.
This is the Shinobi Battle website.
Crossing a log bridge, becoming a water spider, jumping between hanging poles... This looks like a wonderfully fun obstacle course!
Thinking of ways to train for this should be quite a lot of fun.
Hehe. I know what you mean.
We'll be doing most of these for the first time, so devising strategies for them is really enjoyable.
But we're in this to win, and I wasn't sure I'd be able to handle it all by myself. So, MEIKO, I really appreciate you helping me like this.
No need to thank me!
I said that I wanted to do this, didn't I♪
Thank you.
Still, you really do enjoy coming up with workouts and such, don't you?
Yes, I do!
Working towards a goal, trying to figure out what you're missing, thinking about what you need to do, clearing checkpoints as you go along...
Knowing that you're making progress towards your dream little by little is a wonderful feeling, no?
*Nod*
I know what you mean.
And once you've accomplished everything, you start thinking about what to pursue next.
Hehe. I knew you'd say that, Haruka.
So, let's start brainstorming, shall we?!
Starting with the log bridge. Your teammate's core and abs need to be very strong for this, so...
I know!
Wouldn't doing L-sit pull-ups be the best option?
Yes, that would be...
But I feel like I'd be asking too much of him.
Instead, what if we had him do one-arm handstands? His goal would be to remain perfectly still.
Yes... No, that's also asking quite a lot of him!
Oh, you think so?
Then...
I wouldn't have been able to come up with training schedules specifically designed for each of you without her help.
However, we all have our strengths and weaknesses, so I'd like to make adjustments as needed as we go along.
I see...
Now that I know how much effort you and your friend put into these, we have to do our best to succeed!
That's not going to be easy...
But I made a commitment.
So, let's give it everything we have.
Yes, let's!
So, let's start training right away!
I'm supposed to start by doing a hundred underhand chin-ups.
Yes. The log bridge and spider wall obstacles both test your legs and core, but your arms also need to be strong.
From what I saw, Tenma, you've already made quite a few core and leg exercises a part of your normal workout routine. So, you should be okay there.
Which is why I'm having you start with a focus on strengthening your arm muscles.
I see.
Yes, this really feels like it's been designed just for me!
Alright, I'll get started.
Okay. Then, turn your palms towards your face and grab hold of the bar.
Grab the bar! Lift myself up and... Hold!
Good. Now repeat what you just did.
Will do!
Hmph! Huff! Hnng!
Okay, good.
You're doing just fine.
Hah hah hah!
A hundred is going to be a piece of cake!
Then, can you try wearing this?
Hm? This looks like... A vest? No, wait!
Why's it so heavy...?!
Because there are about ten kilograms of weights inside.
What?! Ten kilograms?!
That seems like a bit much, don't you think?!
Even just three or four kilograms would usually increase the difficulty level of this exercise significantly, but I'm making a special exception today.
Because you never know what's going to happen during the event.
True...
Then, I'll gladly give this a try!
Hnnnngone! Aaarghtwo!
Huff! Huff...!
Th-This vest has made things so much more difficult...!
But I'm not about to give up!
I... I will succeed!
98, 99, 100... Phew...
Nice work.
How were those jumping squats?
Fine... Still, this is harder than I was expecting. My calves are already starting to feel really heavy...
Then, that means this exercise is working like I'd hoped. You're going to need to explode over that vault, after all.
Your calves feeling heavy is a sign that your muscles are growing.
Actually, you look like you can handle a bit more. How about we add some extra weight?
Huh? Extra weight?
Yes. Next, try doing a hundred more while wearing these weighted wristbands.
They will feel a little heavy, but I'm sure you'll do just fine, Shinonome.
...
You're joking, right?
...98, 99, 100.
Phew... Okay, that's one set.
<You're amazing, Haruka...>
<Just the fact that you can do one-arm pushups is incredible.>
<I can't even do push-ups using both arms!>
It's okay to go slow if you're still trying to get the hang of things.
For example, if you're just starting today, I recommend doing three sets of ten. After that, you can gradually begin increasing your reps.
But if you feel that isn't enough... Well...
You can try placing some weights on your back. I'll try doing that now, so sit back and watch me.
<W-Weights?!>
<How can you still move...?>
<Well, you are aiming to compete in SHINOBI...>
<Lemme give that a try.>
<Start by doing ten? I think I can do that.>
<Will I become more like you if I really keep at it, Haruka?>
Okay, I think we've gotten everything we can out of these simulated runs.
Why don't we call it a day here?
Hm? Already?
I can still keep going...
No, we should stop. Tomorrow's our big day.
Right. We probably should rest up for tomorrow.
Exactly. We don't want any fatigue to linger, so let's do some light stretches and end things here.
Alright, sounds good!
Still...
It's hard to believe how much muscle we've been able to put on in such a short period.
I'm also surprised.
I feel like we're going to post a really good time.
Me too.
We have you to thank for being such an incredible instructor, Kiritani.
We were able to become this strong because you showed neither us nor yourself any mercy.
To be fair, my jaw dropped when I first saw your notebooks...
But thank you for putting in all that effort, and giving us the best shot possible at winning.
Shinonome, Tenma...
Hehe. You're both very welcome.
Now I'm really glad we decided to form a team.
That being said, don't forget that this was all in pursuit of a goal.
So, let's make sure we post a good result tomorrow!
Let's!