Shampoo and her P.E. class waited in a line on the field, mentally preparing themselves.

Shampoo had always been in top physical shape, so this was more of a fun challenge for her. As she began warming up, she couldn't help but glance around the gym, wondering if Ryoga was also here for the test. She knew he was in a different class, but the thought of him participating in the same test brought a strange, unexpected feeling to her chest.

Shampoo shook her head, trying to focus on her own preparations.

"Focus, Shampoo," she muttered to herself. "This is about your performance, not him."

The coach called everyone to gather around for the first event: a 100-meter sprint. The group lined up at the starting line, and Shampoo took her position confidently. She was fast—faster than most—but something about today felt different. Maybe it was because she hadn't seen Ryoga yet, or maybe it was the constant thought of him creeping into her mind.

The whistle blew, and Shampoo shot off the line, her body fluid and powerful. Her focus was razor-sharp as she pushed herself faster, each step bringing her closer to the finish line. She crossed it effortlessly, her competitive spirit satisfied.

The others clapped as she slowed down and walked back to the group, but Shampoo didn't take much notice. She was already thinking ahead to the next test: the pull-ups. It was an area where she knew she would excel as well.

As she finished her pull-ups, she noticed a few students whispering. She glanced over, noticing the eyes following her, and she couldn't help but feel a little proud. She'd earned her reputation as the strongest girl in school, but it wasn't just strength that mattered. It was about persistence, discipline—traits she was well known for.

The gym teacher called for a break, and Shampoo grabbed a water bottle, wiping the sweat from her brow.

As the class took a break, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She hadn't seen Ryoga yet. Where is he? she wondered, glancing around the field

As Shampoo sat with her group, her eyes wandered to the other side where Ryoga's class was lined up. They were doing push-ups as part of their fitness test, and her gaze naturally landed on him. Ryoga was in the middle of the group, his movements steady and controlled as he pushed himself up and down with ease, his arms barely trembling under the weight.

Shampoo slowed her pace slightly, unable to look away. She noticed the way his focus never wavered, his form perfect. The rest of his classmates were already starting to slow down, but Ryoga seemed unfazed, as if this was nothing more than a warm-up for him.

Show-off, she thought, but there was no malice in her inner voice—only curiosity.

A faint smirk played on her lips as she turned back toward her own class. Pig-boy strong, but not stronger than Shampoo, she told herself, though her gaze lingered on him for a second longer before she looked away

As Shampoo turned back toward her group, her smirk faltered for just a moment. Deep down, she knew the truth—Ryoga was stronger than her. He had proven it when he defeated her in their fight, fair and square. But admitting that, even to herself, felt like a betrayal of her pride.

Shampoo is strongest girl, she thought firmly, pushing the thought aside. But Pig-boy... maybe strongest boy.

The realization lingered in the back of her mind, unspoken and unacknowledged, as she joined her group and prepared for the fitness test. Still, the memory of their fight and the strength he had displayed refused to leave her thoughts entirely.

As Shampoo glanced across the field again, her eyes landed on Ryoga. His push-ups were flawless, his form steady and precise. The way his muscles flexed with each movement was hard not to notice, and his well-defined abs were enough to make any girl do a double take.

Shampoo blinked and quickly looked away, feeling a strange warmth in her cheeks. Why Shampoo look? Pig-boy just training... nothing special, she told herself, trying to shake off the thought.

But as she turned back to focus on her own task, she couldn't help but steal another quick glance. Still... Ryoga strong. Very strong.

The thought lingered, much to her frustration, as she tried to concentrate on her fitness test.