Chapter 20 – Swimming is Fun

The day of the open-pool has arrived.

Our school has an indoor pool. I know how advantageous it is to be able to swim comfortably even on rainy days. Having experienced an outdoor pool until junior high school, I can appreciate it.

So the swimming class will go on as scheduled. I don’t think it’s a problem. It’s not that I can’t swim. But I’m not very good at it either.

“F-Fujisaki-san’s…swimming suit…”

“Yeah… I’m glad I’m in the same class as Fujisaki-san… I’m really glad…”

“T-This is such a great moment… Pool is the best.”

Just so you know, that wasn’t me. None of it was me.

The boys in class are turning up their noses. Ide is among them. I just look at them and think, “What a pity they look like that.”

They were looking at a group of girls. More specifically, their eyes were glued to Fujisaki-san.

The swimming lesson takes place in the same pool for both sexes.

PE is always done separately for men and women. Even gym uniforms aren’t something you see up close.

But when it comes to swimming, it’s the same place. Although the lines are drawn, they are still very close to each other in the same pool.

The school swimsuit… But they are powerless against the violent style of Fujisaki-san. The lines of her body are horrendous. I’ll say it again. They’re horrendous!

“Oi, we’re going to do some warm-up exercises, gather around.”

It was the male teacher’s voice. The boys moved in a mass. Many eyes remained on Fujisaki-san, though.

It’s said that girls are sensitive to things like this, but Fujisaki-san’s dignified demeanor doesn’t seem to change.

I’ll fix my eyes on the teacher and do the warm-up exercises. You could raise my marks for being a serious student, couldn’t you?

I got to play with Kotone-chan as a maid the other day. I’m recharged with what’s important to me as a man.

If I hadn’t been able to do that, I might have been looking at Fujisaki-san erotically, just like the boys in my class. Whew, that was close.

“First try swimming with a light crawl”

After completing the warm-up exercises, the swimmers follow the teacher’s instructions…

You say it’s light, but isn’t crawling tiring? I’m pretty out of breath by the time I’ve swum 25 meters.

Well, those who can do it lightly seem to manage it. How comfortable are they swimming through with their eyes fixed on the girls?

Swimming lessons are intended to prevent water accidents.

And yet, what is it that makes them swim with such ulterior motives? Girls, please show these guys some contempt!

“Okay, now the breaststroke.”

The teacher doesn’t even notice them and carries on with the lesson. Is it just me, or do PE teachers seem to have a soft spot for people who can exercise?

It’s my turn to swim the breaststroke for twenty-five meters.

I’ve heard that breaststroke is good for reducing stamina consumption. But maybe it’s not for me, I get much more tired than crawling. It’s definitely easier to breathe, though.

Time passed with the teacher’s guidance in between. It’s the same for the girls.

“Then this is your free time. I’m sure you’re aware of this, but please don’t do anything dangerous.”

The teacher declared to both sexes simultaneously. Free time is a little longer on open-pool day.

Even though I’m a senior high school student, I get excited in my free time. No, it’s because I’m a senior that I want to splash around in the school pool, which will be my last in high school this year.

And in the last year of school, we were placed in the same class as the school idol, Fujisaki Ayane. For a boy, such good fortune is hard to find.

Some of the boys are shaking with joy, saying “I can’t believe I’m going to be immersed in the same water as Fujisaki-san…” It was Ide. I’ll pretend I didn’t see that.

“Hey, Fujisaki-san.”

I called out to Fujisaki-san. When she turned around, her expression was skeptical.

“What is it, Aida-kun?”

Her tone of voice oozed caution. Well, considering the gaze that was directed at her, it’s understandable.

The wet Fujisaki-san is a beautiful girl. No, she’s a beautiful girl even if she’s not wet, so it doesn’t matter. Anyway, it was great to see her in her swimsuit up close.

This is no time to be fawning. I’ll tell her what I want quickly.

“Compete with me.”

※※※

Kotone-chan has a tendency to think that Fujisaki Ayane is a perfect superhuman.

It’s not only about appearance. It’s also about character and her ability in both literature and sports.

Maybe Kotone-chan has only ever seen her sister win. What if Kotone-chan had been shown that her sister had no enemies ever since she was a child? Maybe it’s not surprising that Kotone-chan sees her sister in a special light like that.

“The first swimmer to complete 25 meters wins. You can swim any way you like. Is that okay?”

“Yes, I accept.”

She took to my challenge more easily than I thought she would.

The whole class cooperated to clear the course because Fujisaki-san was going to do something. On the contrary, everyone is in spectator mode. Uncomfortable stares were directed at me too.

“Why is that guy talking to Fujisaki-san?”

“I mean, what’s this competition?”

“It seems Ayane-chan has a boy she’s close to.”

The boys gave me a bad-looking “Huh?” or “Oh?” Please don’t intimidate me.

Well, most of it is just curious glances. Most of the boys are lucky to see Fujisaki-san swimming. is the sentiment.

Me and Fujisaki-san got into position. Our school pool doesn’t allow diving, so we start in the pool.

“So what demands are you going to make if you beat me?”

Fujisaki-san, who is ready to start at any time, asked me.

“Demand?”

“There must be something in it for you, isn’t there? It wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t ask you before the game.”

Does this mean the winner can order the loser to do anything?

I just want Kotone-chan to see Fujisaki-san wet with tears of defeat. Hmm? Don’t I look like the bad guy here?

“Nothing. There’s nothing going on. It’s just a match.”

All I want is the result.

No matter how athletic Fujisaki-san is, she can’t beat a boy. She should be aware of the difference in physique. It’s cowardly, you say? It’s alright as long as you win!

“I can’t beli—”

“All right, start!”

The start of the game was announced in a way that blocked Fujisaki-san’s words. It was Ide who announced the start of the game. I know he didn’t aim for it, but good job!

“I’ll be starting first.”

“Ah…”

I took advantage of this and made a rocket start. Fujisaki-san rushed after me.

The difference in the start was clearly visible in the way I led.

Huahahaha! This match is my win!