『』『』『』『』『』
"What did you do to her?"
Ayanokōji asked as he took his seat, his gaze settling on Kumagawa, who sat in front of him with his usual carefree expression. The moment Ayanokōji stepped into the classroom, he had noticed it—Horikita's sharp, hateful glare directed straight at Kumagawa's back. It wasn't subtle, and it definitely wasn't friendly.
Yet, whether Kumagawa sensed it and chose to ignore it or simply didn't care, he remained completely unbothered.
『Ah? Her? Don't worry about it. She's in her phase.』
"Phase?"
『Something like that. It's kind of like puberty… ouch!』
Ayanokōji blinked. Before Kumagawa could finish his sentence, Horikita, who had been listening nearby, had promptly stabbed him in the arm with a writing compass.
"I'll report you, Kumagawa-kun," she said flatly, retracting the sharp tool without a shred of hesitation.
『See? 』
Kumagawa replied, still smiling.
"…."
Ayanokōji remained silent. He wasn't sure what was more concerning—the fact that Horikita had actually stabbed someone, or the fact that Kumagawa barely reacted to it. Even if it hadn't pierced the skin, that should have hurt.
Before he could think further, their attention was pulled away by the arrival of two new voices.
"Good morning, Yamauchi!"
"Good morning, Ike!"
Kumagawa turned his head slightly, watching as two students walked into the room before the bell rang.
Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki.
He had memorized their names the first time they introduced themselves, but he especially remembered Yamauchi.
Even from a distance, Kumagawa could tell—this guy was an extreme liar.
Not in a malicious, scheming way, but the kind of person who lied so naturally and so frequently that it had probably become second nature to him. The type who exaggerated stories, boasted about things that never happened, and made-up experiences just to sound more interesting.
Kumagawa found that sort of liar amusing.
『Hey, Ayanokōji-kun, do you think someone like him ever believes his own lies? 』
Ayanokōji glanced at him, then at Yamauchi, who was already engaged in some loud conversation with Ike.
"…If he repeats them enough, maybe."
Yamauchi was in the middle of an animated retelling of some obviously fake story about meeting a famous idol. His voice was loud, his gestures exaggerated, and yet, Ike was nodding along, completely buying into it.
Horikita, meanwhile, didn't spare them a single glance, her expression still stormy as she sat at her desk.
『Hey, Ayanokōji-kun. 』
"…What?"
『Do you think I'd make a good liar? 』
He said it in the same casual, almost playful tone as always.
Ayanokōji didn't answer right away. Instead, he studied Kumagawa's expression. The easygoing smile. The complete lack of shame. The way he said outrageous things like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"…You already are one."
『That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me. 』
Before Ayanokōji could respond, an overly enthusiastic voice cut through their conversation.
"Whew, man! I was looking forward to today so much that I barely slept."
"Ah ha ha. This school is just the best. I can't believe it's almost time for swimming! And when I say swimming, I mean girls, and when I say girls, I mean girls in school swimsuits!"
Ike and Yamauchi's excitement was practically radiating off them. Their faces were lit up, their grins wide, completely unashamed of their true intentions.
Ayanokōji observed them with mild concern. It wasn't surprising, really. High school boys were often like this, especially ones like Ike and Yamauchi, who had no filter and no sense of subtlety. Their conversation lacked any depth—just pure, unfiltered excitement about something that, to them, was the highlight of their school life.
Just when it seemed like their conversation was wrapping up, they turned their attention to another student.
"Hey, Professor! Come here for a sec!"
"Uh, you called?"
A chubby boy approached them hesitantly. "Professor," or rather, Sotomura, as he was properly known, adjusted his glasses as he walked over.
"Professor, can you record the girls wearing their swimsuits for us?" Ike asked, his voice filled with expectation.
Unfortunately, it seemed like their discussion was just getting started.
Ayanokōji, out of habit, glanced at Kumagawa to gauge his reaction. Strangely, he was quiet. For someone who always had a comment, this was unusual. So, does that mean Kumagawa isn't interested in the swimming lesson? Ayanokōji briefly wondered if he had just learned something new about him.
But contrary to that assumption, Kumagawa was, in fact, the one who had been anticipating this event the most.
He looked at Ike and Yamauchi with something bordering on disappointment, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. To him, their approach lacked sophistication. Why settle for recordings when the real thing was right in front of them? The beauty of the moment was in experiencing it firsthand, with one's own eyes, not through a tiny screen.
There was a certain art to appreciating such things, a refined taste that amateurs like Ike and Yamauchi simply did not possess. They were like kids at an all-you-can-eat buffet, too eager, too greedy, missing the true essence of indulgence.
『Amateur. 』
『』『』『』『』『』
"Yahooo!"
"All right! The pool!"
After lunch had ended, it was finally time for the swimming class. The moment Kumagawa had been desperately waiting for had finally arrived. Without even trying to hide his excitement, he practically skipped forward, his usual carefree expression replaced with one of unfiltered joy.
Ayanokōji, who had been observing him quietly, frowned slightly.
"I thought you weren't interested in the swim class."
Kumagawa suddenly stopped in his tracks. Then, ever so slowly, he turned his head toward Ayanokōji, his gaze filled with something resembling pity.
『Ayanokōji-kun… has anyone ever told you that you're like plain white rice? No seasoning, no side dishes—just endlessly dull and painfully functional. You exist, but nobody's really excited about it.』
Ayanokōji frowned.
That was… surprisingly creative. And for some reason, it annoyed him.
He wasn't sure if it was the comparison itself or just the way Kumagawa looked at him—like he was some poor, flavorless existence that couldn't possibly understand the joys of life.
Kumagawa, on the other hand, had already moved on, his previous pity replaced with unrestrained excitement. His steps were lighter, almost bouncing, as if he was walking toward salvation itself.
It was not without reason.
For some strange, almost divine reason, every female in this world was surprisingly attractive. The proportions, the faces, the way their wet hair clung to their skin—it was as if the universe itself had decided that mediocrity did not exist when it came to high school girls in swimsuits.
Some girls were confident, owning the space they stood in, while others fidgeted, shyly tugging at their swimsuits as if they wanted to disappear. Some stood together in groups, laughing and chatting, while others stretched, preparing for the lesson ahead.
『Truly, this is a gift. 』
Ayanokōji, standing beside him, watched silently.
"…You're a lot worse than Ike and the others."
『Hah? Don't lump me in with amateurs. Those idiots? They don't understand. They treat this as a joke, a passing thrill. But me? I take this seriously. I'm here for the art, for the culture. I respect it.』
It was, without a doubt, the most refined way to justify being a pervert.
"Come on, let's go together, Ayanokōji!"
"Huh?"
Before he could protest, Ayanokōji was dragged along by Ike and Yamauchi toward the locker room. The girls were changing first, meaning the boys had to wait their turn.
Kumagawa watched them go, his expression unreadable. Ayanokōji, despite his usual indifference, had somehow been absorbed into their group. Whether they genuinely acknowledged him or simply pulled him along out of convenience, he wasn't sure. Either way, it seemed that Ayanokōji had found company outside of him.
Meanwhile, Kumagawa remained where he stood. He wasn't sure if they had failed to notice him or had deliberately chosen to ignore his presence.
『』『』『』『』『』
Inside the locker room, the atmosphere was lively. The boys chatted loudly as they changed into their swimsuits.
Sudō, the biggest among them, was also the boldest. Without hesitation, he pulled off his uniform, revealing his impressive physique. Unlike the others, who wrapped themselves in towels for modesty, he stood there in just his underwear, entirely unbothered. With practiced ease, he pulled his swimsuit from his bag and put it on.
"You guys better not slack off just because it's swimming," Sudō said, rolling his shoulders. "If you don't put in the effort, you'll never build muscle."
"Man, not everyone's a basketball freak like you. Some of us just wanna enjoy the view." Ike said.
"Pfft. You guys are hopeless,"
『Muscles, huh? 』
"What, you got a problem with that?" Sudo said.
His arms crossed as he stared down at Kumagawa.
『Nah, nah, I admire it. Truly. You've got an amazing build, Sudō-kun. If I had muscles like that, maybe I would have been popular in my last school. 』
Sudō raised a brow, unsure whether that was a compliment or an insult.
"Dude, you don't just 'get' muscles. You gotta work for 'em," Yamauchi said, shaking his head. "By the way, Sudō, you're pretty bold. Aren't you nervous being around other people?"
"In sports, you can't get flustered every time you have to change," Sudō replied casually. "If you act all shifty, it'll have the opposite effect. You become the center of attention." He slung his towel over his shoulder. "Anyway, I'm going on ahead."
A moment later, Sudō left the locker room.
Kumagawa, on the other hand, quickly followed behind, though for entirely different reasons.
Stepping outside, his eyes immediately scanned the poolside. The sun reflected off the water, creating a shimmering, inviting scene. Students were chatting, stretching, or dipping their feet in the pool, waiting for class to start. But Kumagawa's attention wasn't on any of that.
He admired the view.
More specifically, he admired Kushida.
Her toned yet soft figure, her bright smile, the way her wet hair clung to her shoulders—every detail was perfect. This wasn't just any ordinary sight. This was art, the kind that should be burned into memory, not wasted on fleeting glances.
『Truly, this world is still worth living in.』
Ayanokōji, who had just arrived beside him, gave him a blank stare.
"…You're really not hiding it at all, huh?"
While he basked in his own twisted sense of satisfaction, on the other side of the pool, two students were in complete shambles.
"Hasebe isn't here! W-what's going on, Professor?!"
"What the hell is going on?!"
Ike and Yamauchi looked around frantically, their faces filled with panic.
Their plan was simple—Professor, aka Sotomura, would record the girls swimming. That was it. A foolproof plan with no room for error.
But Kumagawa didn't care as he seated comfortably near the poolside.
Ayanokouji, on the other hand, wasn't exactly indifferent, but he wasn't going to get involved either. While he was somewhat friendly with Ike and the others, he had no intention of being associated with them at the moment. His reputation was already low enough just by hanging around Kumagawa, and the last thing he needed was to sink even lower.
So, he did the smart thing, he kept his distance, sat still and said nothing.
That said, even though he sat there calmly, inside, he was quietly enjoying the view beside Kumagawa.
Then, out of nowhere, Horikita approached them.
It was a terrible blow for Ayanokōji.
Her sudden presence disrupted his delicate balance, forcing him to suppress his natural reaction. As much as he prided himself on self-control, he wasn't immune to basic biological responses.
Horikita, now standing in front of them, looked at Ayanokōji closely. Her school swimsuit, with the standard navy-blue fabric hugging her figure, revealed just enough of her toned yet slender frame.
Ayanokōji did his best to remain composed, choosing to sit still while focusing on keeping his breathing steady.
"Why the pained expression?" she asked, examining his face closely.
『Don't worry, he's just fighting his inner demons, 』
Ayanokōji looked at Kumagawa suspiciously. Even though he openly flaunted his perverted nature, how could he remain so calm and unbothered in this situation?
Kumagawa had been the most excited about this class, and yet here he was, sitting leisurely, his expression as carefree as ever. If anything, he looked like a man who had already attained enlightenment.
Meanwhile, Ayanokōji was dealing with a very real and immediate crisis. Horikita standing this close, dressed like this, was not something he had prepared for. Even if he had no particular interest in her, the situation itself was enough to make him wary.
『Ayanokōji-kun, I can tell what you're thinking. You must be wondering, "Why is Kumagawa-kun so relaxed despite being a self-proclaimed connoisseur of the female form?"』
Ayanokōji didn't respond, but Kumagawa continued as if reading his mind.
『You see, I've long since reached a level where I don't need to react so obviously. True appreciation requires patience, restraint, and above all—endurance. Unlike amateurs—』
"Shut up," Horikita cut him off.
She had no patience for whatever nonsense he was spewing.
Ayanokōji, on the other hand, felt an odd mix of relief and concern. Relief because Horikita had no idea what he was struggling with, and concern because Kumagawa somehow managed to make every situation more absurd than it needed to be.
『Anyway, what brings you here, Horikita-san? Did you come all the way just to see me? That's so touching.』
"I'd rather drown," she replied flatly.
Kumagawa simply smiled.
It was well known that Kumagawa was a rather eccentric individual. On his first day, he was caught stealing a can of beer. His perverted nature, while a new discovery, didn't really change anyone's opinion of him—it only reinforced what people already assumed.
The only girls in the class who had managed to hold a conversation with him were Kushida and Horikita. Kushida, being Kushida, naturally tried to befriend literally everyone, and that included even someone like Kumagawa.
Horikita, on the other hand, wasn't the type to waste her time on meaningless interactions. Her cold nature made it clear that she had no interest in forming unnecessary relationships. And yet, for some reason, she still engaged with Kumagawa from time to time—mostly to tell him off, but that was still more than most people bothered to do.
Horikita then sat down right beside Ayanokōji, her sharp gaze never leaving him. That made Ayanokōji uneasy.
"Ayanokōji-kun, do you exercise?"
She looked at him closely, her eyes scanning his upper body. His physique, though not particularly bulky, was noticeably well-defined compared to the average student.
"Huh? No., not really. In the middle school i was the kind of people who would go straigt home after the bell ring."
"Huh? No, not really. In middle school, I was the type of person who went straight home after the bell rang."
『Oh? Oh? Is this what I think it is? Horikita-san, are you checking out Ayanokōji-kun's body? My, my, how bold.』
Horikita's expression darkened instantly.
"…Shut up befor—
Her words were cut off by the sharp blast of a whistle.
"All right everyone, line up!"
A middle-aged man with a muscular build and a booming voice stood before them. He looked like the type of person who had dedicated his entire life to sports—his tanned skin, broad shoulders, and confident stance made that clear. He was their P.E. teacher, and from the way he carried himself, it was obvious he took his job seriously.
"Hmm… 18 people, huh? I thought there would be more, but this is all right."
Most of the students had apparently ditched class, but the teacher didn't seem to care. If anything, he looked more pleased that there were fewer students to deal with.
"After you warm up, I want to see what you can actually do. Swim for me."
A lone boy sheepishly raised his hand.
"Excuse me, sir. I can't really swim, though."
A lone boy sheepishly raised his hand while spoke up.
"Since you have me as your teacher, you'll definitely be able to swim by the summer. Don't worry."
"But sir, we don't really have to force ourselves, right? It's not like we're gonna go to the beach or anything."
"No way. I don't mind if you're a bad swimmer, but I'll definitely make you able to swim. Besides, it'll come in handy in your life later. Definitely."
He spoke with absolute certainty, as if he were stating a fact rather than an opinion. It was clear that, in his mind, there was no room for argument.
『Sir, if we're talking about things that'll be useful in life, wouldn't it be more practical to learn how to float instead of swim? In a survival situation, conserving energy is more important than speed, don't you think?』
The teacher turned his gaze toward him, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"You. You're Kumagawa, right?"
『That's me. 』
Not only among the students, but Kumagawa had also built himself a reputation among the staff.
It was only natural—after all, he had been caught "stealing" alcohol on his very first day. Even if he was framed, it didn't change the fact that his name had already been marked. Add in his general attitude, which made it impossible to tell whether he was serious or just messing around, and it was no surprise that the teachers had taken notice of him.
The P.E. teacher crossed his arms, eyeing Kumagawa with skepticim.
"Floating, huh?"
『That's right. In a real-life survival scenario, it's way more efficient.』
For a moment, the teacher seemed to actually consider the point. But then, he shook his head.
"Don't try to weasel your way out of this, Kumagawa. You're swimming. End of discussion."
With that, the teacher dismissed any further conversation.
Kumagawa let out a dramatic sigh but didn't argue further. He turned to Ayanokōji, who had been silently observing the exchange.
『Well, I tried. 』
"…You didn't try at all."
Everyone then started their warm-up exercises. While the girls stretched and moved with relative ease, the same couldn't be said for the boys
It was common knowledge that warm-ups helped loosen the joints and improve focus. But at this moment, focus was the last thing on the boys' minds.
Kushida Kikyo was the main culprit.
With her naturally cheerful energy and lively movements, and her naturally big asset, every small hop and stretch she made seemed to capture the attention of half the class. Even if they tried to be subtle, it was painfully obvious.
Ike, Yamauchi, and even Sotomura, who had been sulking over their failed recording plan, were completely hypnotized. Their warm-up form was practically nonexistent at this point.
Even Ayanokōji, despite his usual indifference, couldn't deny that the atmosphere was growing increasingly ridiculous.
『It's truly a beautiful thing. To be so honest with one's desires.』
"…You're just as bad as them."
After finishing the warm-ups, the students were divided into two groups: those who could swim and those who couldn't. Naturally, Kumagawa was placed in the group that could swim. No matter how much of a failure he was in every other aspect of life, of course, he could swim.
The teacher instructed the capable swimmers to swim fifty meters across the pool while allowing the beginners to stay in the shallow end and practice.
One by one, the students took their turns. Most performed adequately, some impressively.
"Well, it looks like everyone can swim just fine," the teacher commented.
"Of course, sir!"
Yamauchi suddenly puffed out his chest, grinning smugly.
"You're looking at my natural habitat, after all! Back in middle school, they called me the Flying Fish! I was the ace of the swim team!"
"Seriously?! That's amazing, Yamauchi!"
"I see. In that case, let's have a competition. We'll separate the groups by gender. Fifty-meter freestyle."
"C-Compete?! Are you serious?!" Ike cried.
"I'll give out a special bonus to the winner—5,000 points. However, the student who places last will have to take supplementary lessons. Get ready."
The skilled swimmers cheered with joy, while the less confidence one groaned.
"Because we don't have that many girls, I'll split them into two groups of five, and the student with the fastest overall time will be the winner. As for the boys, I'll take the top five finishers and move on to a final round."
『The school has a rather interesting way of lighting a fire in the students' eyes. 』
Ayanokōji silently agreed. While some were motivated by the prospect of winning 5.000 points, others were far more interested in… alternative incentives.
The girls started first, while the boys watched from the sidelines. However, rather than cheering them on, most of them were intently assessing the race—though not in the way one might expect.
"Kushida-chan, Kushida-chan, Kushida-chan, Kushida-chan. Haaaaaaa…"
Ike was completely entranced, his voice practically shaking with reverence.
And he wasn't alone.
While Horikita was undoubtedly considered top-tier in terms of looks, her antisocial personality often made her seem unapproachable. Kushida, on the other hand, was different. Her natural cheerfulness, bright smile, and friendly aura made her all the more captivating.
『Everyone! Burn this image into your eyes… because we may never see anything so glorious again!』
"Yeah!!" A chorus of excited voices erupted as Kumagawa's words resonated with the crowd.
At some point, without even realizing it, he had become their leader.
The boys gathered around him, their eyes glued to the pool, their cheers blending into a chaotic yet synchronized mess of admiration.
Kumagawa nodded proudly, arms crossed, watching the event unfold with the dignity of a seasoned connoisseur. Ayanokōji, standing beside him, had never seen this level of unity among the male students before. It was impressive in its own way—though for all the wrong reasons.
The sharp sound of a whistle cut through the commotion, signaling the start of the first race.
Horikita, positioned in the second lane, dove in alongside the other competitors. She was composed, gliding through the water like a seasoned swimmer. Even among the more athletic girls, she held her own with ease, maintaining a solid position within the pack.
"28,2 seconds.
"Wow! Awesome Horikita!"
The boys erupted into cheers, their enthusiasm reaching new heights. Whether they were genuinely impressed by her swimming ability or just taking the opportunity to appreciate her appearance was anyone's guess.
Horikita emerged from the pool, water cascading down her toned figure as she moved toward the sidelines. Despite completing the race, she barely seem tired. It was hard to ignore the stares she was getting, but as expected, she didn't seem to care.
Even if she was an antisocial loner, no one could deny her beauty.
After a short break, the second race was set to begin. This time, it was Kushida's turn.
Kumagawa took his role as the lead supporter seriously.
『Everyone! Burn this image into your eyes! This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment!』
"Yeah!!" The boys roared in agreement.
Kushida stood on the diving block, flashing a bright smile. Before the race started, she playfully waved toward her friends—unfortunately, the boys misinterpreted it as being directed at them.
They were completely enthralled.
Then, the whistle blew.
The girls dove in.
Unlike the previous race, this one was one-sided from the start. Onodera, a girl from the swimming club, shot ahead of the competition, leaving the others behind. By the time she reached the finish line, she had clocked an impressive twenty-six seconds.
Kushida finished shortly after, with a time of around thirty-one seconds.
Still, to the boys, it wasn't about winning or losing.
As she climbed out of the pool, shaking the water from her hair, they reacted as if they had just witnessed a divine revelation.
"Perfect… absolutely perfect…" one of them muttered.
Ayanokōji sighed. The absurdity of the situation was reaching its peak, and it wasn't even the boys' turn yet.
Kumagawa approached Horikita with Ayanokōji following behind.
『Second place, huh? Not bad, not bad at all. As expected of Horikita-chan. 』
"Don't lump me in with your nonsense." Still, she didn't seem particularly annoyed by the compliment
"Are you confident in winning?" she asked, shifting the topic.
"Oh, definitely. I just can't come in last," Ayanokōji replied, as if that was the bare minimum requirement.
『Of course. Even if I die tomorrow, I would still try to win.』
"That's an awfully dramatic way to say you're taking this seriously." Horikita glanced at him skeptically.
Ayanokōji watched their exchange in silence. He wasn't sure whether Kumagawa was being genuine or just messing around, but either way, he clearly had no intention of backing down.
Meanwhile, the boys started preparing for their turn.
One by one, they stepped up to race. The results were mostly within the same range—times hovering around twenty-seven to thirty seconds. The most impressive performances came from Sudō and Hirata, who clocked in at twenty-five and twenty-six seconds respectively.
Sudō, unsurprisingly, was the fastest so far. His strength and endurance carried him across the pool with powerful strokes, while Hirata followed with a more refined and technically sound approach.
Of cours, Hirata attracted the attention of most girls with his slim and atlethic body and pair with his handsome face, no wonder he got called prince.
Then, it was Kumagawa's turn.
Ayanokōji watched as he stepped up to the diving block, completely unfazed. Unlike the others, who showed some degree of nervousness or focus, Kumagawa remained as casual as ever.
Kumagawa then turned to Ayanokōji with a lazy grin, tilting his head slightly.
『You know, Ayanokōji-kun, watching you reminds me of an abandoned goldfish at a festival. Floating along, not quite dead, but not really alive either.』
Ayanokōji didn't quite understand what had just happened. Somehow, it felt like an insult, yet he couldn't pinpoint exactly how. But for some reason, everything about that statement annoyed him.
Before he could respond, the whistle blew.
And Kumagawa dove in.
His dive was smooth—surprisingly so. His movements in the water weren't anything flashy, but he is fast. His strokes cut through the water without wasted motion, and before anyone knew it, he reached the end.
"24.24 seconds."
The poolside erupted.
"Hah?! No way! That's faster than Sudō!"
"Wait, are we sure the timer's not broken?"
"Kumagawa, you bastard! Since when were you actually good at anything?!"
Even Koenji, who had been watching the events unfold with his usual smug demeanor, finally spoke up.
"Impressive, Misogi-boy."
Ayanokōji, while not visibly reacting, was internally just as surprised. Kumagawa's build didn't scream "athlete," yet he had managed to outspeed Sudō, who had the most impressive physique among the boys.
Kumagawa emerged from the pool, water dripping from his hair, that same laid-back smile still plastered on his face.
『Ah, Ayanokōji-kun, no need to look so nervous. You don't have to beat me. I'm sure being second place suits you just fine.』
Ayanokōji stared at him, expression blank.
But somehow, somewhere deep inside, something clicked.
As he stepped onto the diving block, he could feel the girls' gazes on him. Despite his reputation being all over the place, his build and unexpectedly sharp features were drawing attention. And strangely enough, most of that attention was probably because he spent so much time with Kumagawa.
The whistle blew.
Ayanokōji had no intention of standing out. He wanted a peaceful, trouble-free high school life. It wasn't worth it to push himself.
But the idea of losing to Kumagawa?
Unacceptable.
His strokes became sharper, his speed gradually increasing. By the time he touched the wall, the timer had already stopped.
"23.64 seconds."
The reaction was instant.
"What the—?! That's the fastest time so far!"
"Bro, you were holding out on us!"
"Are you secretly part of the swim team or something?!"
Ayanokōji surfaced, pushing his wet hair back as he caught his breath. He had only put in just enough effort to beat Kumagawa—nothing more, nothing less.
Kumagawa, still standing poolside, greeted him with an exaggerated slow clap.
『Congratulations, Ayanokōji-kun. You've proven that, when properly motivated, even a goldfish can swim.』
"...You're really annoying, you know that?"
Meanwhile, Sudō looked between the two, frustration evident on his face.
"Tch. I don't buy it. No way you're that fast without training,"
"You're overthinking it," Ayanokōji replied, brushing off the suspicion.
"Next!"
It was Kōenji's turn. He walks confidently to the poolside, radiating his usual arrogance. The other students eyed him weirdly
"Hey… why is Kōenji wearing a speedo?"
"W-Wha—"
Though the school allowed students to wear tight swimwear, Kōenji was the only one who actually did. Naturally, all gazes—whether intentional or not—fell downward. The girls averted their eyes instantly. The boys, on the other hand, exchanged glances, unsure of how to react.
Yet, despite the ridiculousness, Kōenji's physique was undeniably impressive. His muscles were sharp and refined, lacking the bulkiness of Sudō's frame but exuding a balance of strength and elegance. His posture was nothing short of perfect.
As the whistle blew, Kōenji dove in with a textbook form.
"Whoa! Wow."
Even Sudō, usually full of himself, sounded genuinely impressed. Hirata, who had been swimming consistently well, couldn't hide his amazement either. Kōenji's strokes were aggressive, each one powerful and precise. The water splashed violently, yet it did nothing to slow him down.
Before long, he reached the finish line with ridiculous ease. The teacher checked the stopwatch.
"23.22 seconds"
Kōenji emerged from the pool, flicking back his golden hair with a smirk.
"My abdominal, back muscle, and psoas major muscle seem to be in good shape as usual. Not a bad performance."
His voice carried absolute confidence, as if this had never been a competition to begin with. If anything, it seemed like he had barely exerted himself.
The final lineup was now set: Kōenji, Ayanokōji, Kumagawa, Sudō, and Hirata.
The teacher clapped his hands together.
"All right, you five. Get ready. The real competition starts now."
"Woah! I'm fired up!" Sudō grinned, his competitive spirit flaring to its peak.
The final race was about to begin.
Ayanokōji, standing on the diving block, took a quiet breath. He had no particular desire to win, but after what had happened earlier, there was no way he could hold back now.
The whistle blew.
All five of them dove in at the same time.
Kōenji took an immediate lead, his strokes cutting through the water with refined efficiency. His form was flawless—effortless, even. It was clear from the very start that this was his race to win.
Ayanokōji, forced to push himself, kept pace just behind him.
Sudō, relying on sheer power, swam aggressively, splashing everywhere. Despite his brute strength, he lacked the refined technique to match the top two.
Hirata maintained a steady rhythm, staying close behind Sudō.
And then there was Kumagawa.
For the first few seconds, he seemed to swim normally, but something went wrong midway.
『Oh, no. My goggles…』
Somehow, his goggles had completely slipped off. By the time he reached for them, the others were already far ahead.
The teacher's voice boomed across the pool. As an instructor, watching a student casually stop mid-race was almost painful to witness.
『I have sensitive eyes. 』
The teacher looked like he was about to explode.
At the finish, Kōenji touched the wall first.
"22.98 seconds."
Ayanokōji followed right after.
"23.21 seconds."
Sudō came in third, just barely ahead of Hirata.
And then, several seconds later, Kumagawa finally reached the wall, taking his time as if he were on a leisurely swim.
『Man… life does not go the way you want. I lost.』
He sighed dramatically as he pulled himself out of the water.
As soon as all five of them got out of the pool, the teacher stormed straight toward Kumagawa. The sight was almost comical. The towering, muscular instructor standing over the slim, unimpressed Kumagawa, who looked like he'd already accepted his fate.
"You—! You had a strong start! And then you just stopped!"
『That's right. 』
"What part of this was okay to you?!"
『Well, what can I say? Sometimes life blindsides you, and you just have to keep moving forward, even if you can't see a thing. 』
The teacher clenched his fists.
"…You're taking the supplementary lesson."
『That's unfortunate. 』
With that, the swim lesson ended, and most of the students headed to the locker room to change. Kumagawa walked toward the exit but, thanks to a puddle of water, he suddenly lost his balance.
A series of unfortunate events unfolded. His foot slipped, his arms flailed, and by some godforsaken coincidence, he fell to the side—directly where Horikita happened to be. For a brief moment, the world seemed to freeze. Kumagawa landed on top of her, their faces dangerously close.
『…Is this what they call a lucky pervert? 』
Horikita's expression darkened instantly.
Ayanokōji, who had been nearby, also paused. His gaze flickered between them, analyzing the situation before deciding it was best not to comment.
"…Ayanokōji-kun."
"Yes?"
"Hold him."
Without hesitation, Ayanokōji grabbed Kumagawa's arms, keeping him in place.
『Hey, hey, hey. Let's talk about this. I was a victim of gravity. A tragic victim. Ayanokōji-kun, you're a rational person, right? You can see this was just an accident, can't you? 』
"It's for the greater good."
『That's vague and deeply concerning! 』
Horikita walked off without another word. Shortly after, Horikita returned.
With a rope.
『…Horikita-chan, why do you have that? 』
Without answering, she bent down and firmly tied Kumagawa's feet together.
"I will drown you."
『W-wait, Horikita-chan, let's talk this through—! 』
"Ayanokōji-kun."
Ayanokōji understood the unspoken command. Without hesitation, he lifted Kumagawa and unceremoniously tossed him into the pool. He complied willingly.
Kumagawa made a splash as he hit the water.
Like a fish on land, his limbs thrashed wildly, splashing water everywhere. It was unclear whether he was actually trying to swim or if his body was just reacting instinctively to impending death.
『Gghh—! W-wait—! I can't—!』
But his desperate struggle bore no results. Slowly, his movements became weaker. The splashes grew smaller, and then—nothing.
He sank.
Ayanokōji watched the scene unfold. Then, ever so slightly, he turned his head to look at Horikita. She was staring at the water. Not with concern. Not with amusement. Just an unnervingly cold stare. At this moment, Ayanokōji realized—he might have just assisted in a murder attempt.
『—BWOHHH!!』
A sudden, violent splash erupted from the pool.
Kumagawa resurfaced.
His hair clung to his face, water dripped from his chin, and yet, he wore a triumphant grin.
『Don't you know, Horikita-chan? Perverts don't drown.』
『END』
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