After having lunch in the large cafeteria attached to the ski place, the Second year students finally got their ski lessons.
The risk of losing something or having an accident is still high, so a directive was put out that prohibits taking mobile phones onto the slopes.
There were some complaints from the experienced students who were dependent on their phones and insisted that they were used to handling them, but there is no breaking the school's rules, so it can't be helped.
Fortunately, from the following day onwards, we were informed that we would be allowed to take our mobile phones if we wanted to go to the ski place ourselves. However, in the case of a lost item or an accident, there will be a fitting amount of private points required.
Then, we put on our rented skiwear and received our ski boots. The outer face seems to be made of plastic. I followed the instructions to unbuckle, spread the innerwear and put my feet through.
I fit my heels through them, straightened up the innerwear and tied the buckle from down below to the top. Finally, I tied my power belt and powder guarded it. With this, it seems that my required preparations are complete.
I tried to walk as normal, but I can't seem to make the correct movements. When I followed the instructor and walked by landing on my heels, I was able to move smoothly.
My preparations are finished, so I headed outside. The lessons are divided into three categories of advanced, intermediate and beginner. As I do not have any experience with skiing, I didn't hesitate to join the mass of people who wanted beginners' training.
I could have investigated in books or the internet beforehand, but this is a good opportunity to learn on the spot, so I didn't take in any unnecessary information.
About 60% of the entire school year wanted this beginners' training. It isn't clear whether this is a lot or few, but it was a little surprising that 40% of the students were intermediate and above.
I don't think you would get many chances to ski in the Kanto region, but these people somehow experienced it.
Ryuen, Kitou, Nishino and Kushida from Group 6 were absent, probably because they were intermediate or above, with the remaining members being beginners.
The crowded beginners' course is further divided into groups of about 10, and the instructors are teaching us how to ski from scratch.
As I held great interest in the ski equipment I'm touching for the first time, I listened to the explanation.
On the other hand, the advanced skiers who were the fewest in number seemed to be free to ski immediately after receiving only a simple explanation, and were quickly getting ready to get onto the slopes and ski.
Ryuen's figure was also among them. I cleared the snow from the back of my boots, then aligned the binding with the front and the back, and stepped in with my heel. I see. I'm walking around with both my feet enveloped.
While thinking that it was unexpected to not fall down as I tried to walk, I was perplexed by this new sensation.
Right... At any rate, while using the pole, I tried to slide somewhat forcefully, intentionally tilting my center of weight to the left.
When I did so and moved the board forward, my body collapsed the other way in response.
"...Are you okay?"
Yamamura, who was watching from closeby called out to me.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just wanted to take a little tumble."
"Right..."
A bit of laughter occured around me, but it's nothing to worry about. It's important to try and fail at first.
Ryuen, who I thought was already headed for the lift, raised the corners of his mouth slightly when he saw me fall down and walked away in satisfaction.
Perhaps he wanted to see me fail.
"Be careful over there!"
After being warned, I lightly bowed and apologized, and followed the instructor's directions.
After that we had to do some actual light skiing, but an unexpectedly large number of people fell.
There were a couple of unintentional falls, but, alright, I'm getting the hang of it now. The course took about 30 minutes.
With all the steps completed, I have a lot of free time.
"Alright, let's do this."