Chapter 71: SS: Kurushima Kaoru — Swimming
A/N: Author Notes Again?
I know, they can be sometimes quite boring, but please bear it for a short while till the chapter starts.
Since this volume is going to end soon, I'd like to know which scene was your favorite in this volume so far.
The Fighting Scene?
Chairman Sakayanagi Confrontation?
The SS Chapter from Ryuen?
Or perhaps some other scene?
Just curious to hear your answers.
Perhaps, this chapter might become one of your favorites, too.
Who knows?
Let me know if it's the case, in the end of the chapter.
Since this is a swimming chapter, I decided to generate some AI Arts aside from those with Hiyori in it, later in the chapter.
Not sure if I nailed everyone correctly, but let me know if I did or did not.
[Image:]
Anyhow, here goes the very long chapter.
[Word Count: 8677]
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[23rd October, 15.33, Friday]
I waited right in front of the school for Hiyori.
After she arrived, we walked towards the swimming centre in the school. It had open, but not after November anymore.
Strangely, we were quite lucky. There were normal swimming classes indoor, but that was a bit different.
In the worst case, we could go there...
However, it wasn't like the swimming center in the school.
The swimming center in the school was not in the indoor's, but in the outdoor's, so it was far better, I'd say.
Also... since a long time... the swimming club has been bothering me to join their club, so I'd like to avoid meeting them, if possible.
Well... it might have been not the best option on waging a bet against Koenji for who has the better time... but well... at that point I was confident of no one even getting slightly in my way.
A month later I figured out that Ayanokoji, someone who gained my attention because of his eyes, that had similarities to mine... was quite the capable person.
In our school he might be within one of the best, but well, he's nothing impressive.
Even so... I'm strangely forgiving... Am I not...?
Although he's the reason of Hiyori's slight injury... and I'm her boyfriend... I have not done anything...
Perhaps because this class... or some people from it do have grown on my heart... and without him their chances of success would be slim when I'm gone...?
Yeah... perhaps...
Hirata, Sudo, Horikita, Yukimura, and some other people from my class might have grown over the course of the time a bit on my heart...
Although some other people in the different classes, too...
And someone has grown into my heart more than any person ever did...
I looked slightly with my eyes to the girl that was holding my hands, happily, as we were walking to the swimming center of the school.
Life is strangely nice, too...
It definitely has becoming hundred of times more enjoyable with her presence alone.
Quite a surprise that I never could have imagined, before I entered this school. I really didn't expect because someone wasn't judging me and saw my true self, I'd fall in love, because of that.
Well... Aoki was right.
Love surely is something beautiful.
As I spaced out, happily in my thoughts, I could slowly see the swimming center entering my peripheral vision.
"It's really huge, Kaoru!"
"Were you never here before?"
She shook her head.
"And you?" she asks me, curiously.
"A couple of times in the beginning of April and May. I was invited, though. I found it rude to deny it, since I didn't have much ongoing, so I tagged along."
"With whom?"
"Well... with Hirata... who then had behind him the majority of the girls of our class. I didn't expect that, honestly..."
That was also the single reason I knew where all the camera's in the swimming center were, actually.
Without it, I wouldn't have known this... and well... would not have expelled someone through this method...
"I see. You surely are a bit too popular, Kaoru..."
She looks at me in the face with a pout.
"Well... That's true."
I couldn't deny it, since I indeed, was quite popular.
Now... I don't really care anymore about it, but the student council and some other things do have their advantages.
"I still find it strange that we did not try to come here after the 20th August..."
"Well... we were quite the new couple... and did not even share a kiss together until we were fifty-two days together... so I'm not surprised."
"Yes... In the middle of September... things have gotten a bit more busy."
"The Exams in October and the Sports Festival were surely quite a drag."
"They definitely were. Now we have another oncoming one, too..."
"Well... that's the negative thing about being academically good. Helping your classmates for several hours and making sure they learn everything properly can become quite the drag."
Hiyori didn't answer but did a simple nod.
I knew the reason very well. Ryūen and his class weren't learning much since they had our traitor towards their advantage so they didn't have to.
But I could tell that Hiyori was one of the people who tried to encourage her class to learn, not many probably did so.
Although...
If I want her class to win this exam, I should notify Ryūen in advance and make them learn.
Until now I didn't do so... since it'd mean that Hiyori would become busier and we would rarely see each other.
We two had it quite difficult then, to see each other.
Both of us, were in our respective classes, the best in terms of academics, after all.
If I notify Ryūen, she'll become very busy and will be in charge of a learn group with the girls and boys of her class.
Since it's Friday...
I'll notify Ryūen at Monday, the 26th October, since I'd like to spend the entire weekend with Hiyori.
After that... our schedules will be different and we are bound to spend less time together, unfortunately.
This Exam surely is a drag.
It's coincidentally the perfect opportunity to expel both Kanzaki and Sakayanagi...
But I cannot do it, now, ironically...
Shrugging my thoughts off, I looked at Hiyori, who was in visible pleasure, because we arrived.
"We're there, Kaoru!"
"Indeed. It surely is quite populated by the First Year's despite the fact that the Paper Shuffle Exam is going on."
"Well... it's Friday, so it's no wonder, I think. Also, some people are academically more confident. Sakayanagi-san's and Ichinose-san's classes are like that. Besides, it's always good to catch up a break, if you can. Don't you think so, Kaoru?"
"Definitely. A break is always good! Although I'm more inclined to believe that's because the swimming center is not going to be open after the 1st November."
"That's probably true. I'm sure everyone wants to equally enjoy themselves on such a hot day as today. I wonder if we'll see any familiar faces here."
"Could happen. But potentially also not. I want to enjoy my time with you simply, so I do hope we're being undisturbed."
"I'm... the same... Kaoru..." With a flush on her face, Hiyori muttered these words.
I felt my heart fluttering slightly because of how cute she was. In fact, these kind of things happen very frequently, whenever we're together.
Around her... I feel so different...
"Next please!"
As Hiyori and I were next in line to the queue we quickly paid the necessarily points for being in the swimming center and walked further till we arrived at the changing cabinets for each of our own gender.
"See you in a minute, Kaoru."
I nodded with a smile on my face.
She quickly became a bit embarrassed and nodded her head. It was quite cute.
"See you soon, Hiyori."
I walked inside the male cabin with a smile on my face while Hiyori did the same.
After a minute I changed myself and put my bag and everything else in the locker, while I took a few things from me that were inside of my bag.
Before I left the cabinet, I also put myself a white jacket, although it was open.
I had some experiences in my past that left some people staring at my body longer than I'd like to admit.
I wasn't shy about it. In fact, I felt rather complimented, but now that I have a girlfriend, I felt uncomfortable if that were to happen again, regardless.
Perhaps I'm being a bit strange, but well...
I'm not sure...
The moment I was leaving the cabinet I looked in front of me, at the floor, but could not see Hiyori there yet.
It seems like she isn't finished changing.
Well, I'm once again, the first one to arrive.
Until now, she was just on one occasion faster than me.
I'm not even sure why we are making out of this a competition, but it's a bit fun. Leaning myself against the wall with a slight smirk, I looked at the girl changing cabinet.
I wasn't sure if it would make me look strange if I were to stare there, so I looked on the ground rather, to avoid it.
Besides...
To be entirely honest...
As strange as it might sound, in particular coming from me, I was feeling a bit nervous.
Hiyori and I were a couple whose bond was growing steadily day for day, so this was an even further step, as we both were showing our bodies, now.
"Kaoru... I'm finished. I'm sorry that it took so long..."
As I heard a familiar voice, that of my girlfriend, I looked straight ahead at her. But just as I wanted to reply, I felt like I couldn't.
Hiyori looked...
Astonishingly beautiful.
That was my first immediate thought.
She wore a light blue skirted bikini, that accentuated every curve of her body. The color of the bikini complemented her skin tone perfectly.
And just like me, she had covered her body with a white open jacket.
[Image:]
"Kaoru... how do I look...?" Her face full of embarrassment looked at me eagerly for my reply, as she asks me this question.
"You look... great. Really great..."
"Thank you... You too..."
"Thanks..."
Both her and I remained a moment silent as we two stared at each other's bodies. I looked at her's, while she looked at mine.
It was for both of us the first time, seeing each other like that. We did cuddle or laid next to each other,
"Shall we... go, Hiyori...?"
"Yes..."
I took her by the hand, as I could see her a bit more hesitant and reluctant, because of the way we were both dressed.
"Where should we go?"
"I'm not sure... Where would you like to go...?"
"In the shadows, I suppose. It'll be more comfortable. And it's a good location to put our things there."
I had in one bag the things we two decided to take with us yesterday. There wasn't any need for two bags.
A beach ball, which has to be inflated, a beach blanket, since well... I had bought one strangely, since I was under the impression I would go more often swimming and a few other things, such as sun cream, two towels and some other kinds of things we two packaged yesterday, after deciding we'd go today swimming.
I put this bag in the school locker and told neither of my classmates what I'd be doing, since well... during the Paper Shuffle, it is quite awkward, enjoying yourself, with swimming.
I excused myself from Nagumo-senpai in advance.
Although, ever since he's the President and we two have formed our deal contractual, alongside the fact that I know everything I need, I could simply just retire from the student council.
I've been wondering... but it is quite a drag, is it not?
I was there for something entirely else, ended up staying for the points and potential information about this school, but I have everything I already need...
He can't kick me out, since it'd take a huge toll on his reputation.
If he kicks the student that is considered one of the best in the entire school, his meritocratic ideals would surely not be believed.
Knowing this, must have been quite frustrating for him.
If anything, I'll have to leave out of my own accord the student council since I can't be really kicked out.
Well... I might as well stay there and give Hiyori more Private Points when I'm gone.
Other than that, I've no reason.
After school, even if I'm in the student council, I would have to wait for her anyway, since she club activities with her tea ceremony club and we two get at the same time mostly out.
They can be shorter and sometimes not.
Especially in my case, it might be longer or shorter.
Seeing Nagumo-senpai being frustrated and annoyed when he looks at my face is quite amusing, in fact.
Anyhow, it's nothing I really care about.
He'll uphold our deal...
I ensured it.
Focusing my attention back to Hiyori, I could see her speaking.
"The Swimming Center is surprisingly large, Kaoru."
"Yes, it surely is. When I heard about the swimming center in the beginning of the school I was quite surprised that the school even decided to build a swimming center here, just for the student's free time activities. This school surely has everything necessarily like at the outside available."
"They really have," Hiyori says with a smile on her face, "Karaoke, The Shopping Mall, various kinds of restaurants, the school has everything we need."
"Although I was never one to swim in the outside very much, either. I'm just partaking in the swimming classes... although I'm always placing at the last place among the girls..."
"Swimming classes..."
"Is something wrong, Kaoru...?"
"Has anyone ever stared weirdly at you... per example...? In the swimming classes?"
"Weirdly...? Not at all."
"And did anyone ever say something weirdly...? The guys per example?"
Hiyori shook her head again in slight confusion.
I sighed out of relief. "That's good to know."
She had her confused expression still on her face, looking at me, tilting her head to the side. "Why is that...?"
"It's nothing. I was just curious."
"I feel like you're hiding something from me, Kaoru."
"Well... do I? Or do I not?"
"I think I know..."
"Hm?"
"Are you perhaps jealous? That the two of us cannot spend so much time together...?"
"Perhaps..."
As I said that, a smile flushed over from her face. "I see..."
"You know... I'm too... sometimes, Kaoru..."
"I see," A smile toggled on my face, "That's reassuring to know. If we were in the same class we could have spent countless of time together. From the dorms all the way to the class and further."
"I agree. It'd be really beautiful... would it not? If that were to be the case, Kaoru."
"Certainly... But well... my past seemed to have been the deciding factor for the school, alongside my rather often absence in middle school..."
"I wonder how our class would look like if you were there..." she murmured in a quiet way.
"I wonder about that, too..." I replied in a jokingly manner.
A small moment of silence engulfed the two of us. It was a bit awkward since we decided on speaking about this topic, but I didn't want this to ruin anything for us.
"Hiyori, do you like the location there?" With my index finger I pointed towards the tree at the outdoors.
"It seems like a pretty good spot, Kaoru. I think it's perfect. Let's go there."
Feeling the assertiveness of Hiyori's hand, as she pulled my hand, I let myself be pulled by her, following her slowly along while forming a small smile on my face.
After ten steps we arrived and Hiyori noticed I was following her from behind instead of next to her side. "I'm sorry, I was a bit excited."
"Don't worry. I liked it. Seeing that my girlfriend was this excited certainly flatters my heart."
"Oh... I see. I'm relieved then. Sometimes I get overly excited and forget a few things. Like... just now... that you were not next to me..."
"Well... you've been always like this. When you're immersed in reading you don't notice anything around you, for more than ten minutes."
"Ah... I'm sorry... I should try on preventing that of happening..."
"Not at all. In fact, it's a side of your's, that I like really much, Hiyori. I'm more than happy of simply looking at your adorable face when you space out like that."
Her cheeks began to get red and she moved her legs slowly against each other, feeling the flush of embarrassment on her entire body.
"That's really embarrassing..."
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about, Hiyori. Spacing out is nothing bad. It happens to me also very often, doesn't it?"
She nodded her head. "Very often. I really like... seeing your face, when you space out, too. It's really cute to see you like this and I feel really happy."
"Then we feel the same, don't we?"
"We do! I understand you now... I really don't want you to change that."
I smiled at her. "Well then, since we solved this issue, how about we wrap this up fast and then go swimming?"
Enthusiastically, she looked at me, doing a nod. "Let's do that, Kaoru. I'm really excited..."
She wrapped her fingers around her hair, looking at me. Her eyes looked for a moment at my body, becoming then after, embarrassed.
I did the same, actually, too...
But to get us out of this situation I put my bag on the ground, where everything was inside: Towels, Beach Ball, Sun Cream, a Beach Blanket... various of other things and I put today morning something special, too.
Hopefully, she does not find it, since I tried to hide it there. It's supposed to be a surprise, truthfully.
But if I were to divert her attention now, she'd get suspicious of it.
"You're speaking out of my mouth, Hiyori."
She smiled brightly at my face and then kneeled herself down, towards the bag.
I followed along, making sure I was where the special surprise was, to make sure it's staying hidden, in case she might grab it.
I opened the bag and the first item Hiyori laid her eyes on, she had taken, immediately.
"I can blow up the beach ball, Kaoru." With both of her hands, she took the blown out beachball from the bag, standing up from her kneeling position.
"Sure, if you'd like. I'll take the beach blanket out, then."
She nodded with a smile on her face.
"~Puh~" From her mouths ruffling sounds of trying to blow up the beachball could be heard, while I was looking at her, curiously.
I stopped abruptly, seeing that it'd be awkward if I stared at her, so I stood up, taking myself the beach blanket out.
I put the beach blanket immediately on the grass while I put the bag in the middle, so it could potentially not be blown away by the wind.
While we had taken a couple of items with us, we didn't need many of them right now for swimming.
"~Puh~" Hiyori still continued, but I could hear the exhaustion behind her ruffling sound to blow up the beach ball.
She put her thumb against the beach ball and gave it a final push to inflate it fully.
"That was more exhausting than I thought. I should do a bit more sport, perhaps..."
"There's a gym here, so we could buy ourselves a membership there. It costs only five thousand points I believe."
"A gym...? The school campus has something like that, too...? I didn't know that."
"Well... it's something I found a bit more recently out, too. It's quite embarrassing, since I did complain internally why the school did not offer these things..."
"In the end... I just had not explored the school campus well enough, it seems."
She slightly giggled. "I mean... you're training quite often, don't you, Kaoru?"
"Well... I do... I suppose. It's not really as often as I did before, but I still do at the mornings some jogging."
"It explains a lot..."
"Hm?"
"Your muscles... They're really well-trained, Kaoru..."
"I suppose they are. But even though I'm wearing a jacket that covers my body you can tell that, Hiyori...?" I teasingly said, looking at her facial expression.
"Ah..." Noticing what it implied she felt a flush of embarrassment on her face.
"I'm sorry... I was just..."
"Surprised? Everything is fine, Hiyori. I was just teasing you."
Her face was still red, but she regrouped herself, quickly. "I see... You really like to tease me quite often..."
"Sorry, it has become a habit of mine, somehow."
"No... don't be... I also like it... to tease you..."
"If that's so, then there's no problem with it, is there?"
"Yes..."
I looked at Hiyori's embarrassed face, feeling my heart fluttering, in all of a sudden. She's extremely cute, when embarrassed.
Who could have guessed I could become like this, too...?
I never did.
Nor did I ever imagine it.
It surely is quite the refreshing surprise.
"Shall we go swimming then, Hiyori?" I asked her with a smile on my face.
"Yes, let's go, Kaoru."
I took my white jacket off, putting it in the bag, seeing Hiyori staring at me.
But I looked at her as she shook her head to the side, now doing the same, taking her jacket off.
I stared at her as she took her jacket off... doing the same what she did, just now.
[Image:]
"Is everything alright... Kaoru...?"
"Yes, sorry. I spaced out just now."
"Oh... I see..." Hiyori's face formed a quick smile with slight embarrassment written on it.
It was clear to her the reason why I spaced out was because of her. She clearly was aware of that... but she surprisingly didn't use it to tease me.
Feeling a bit red on my cheeks I looked at Hiyori, who bended herself down to take the beach ball that was on the beach blanket.
My eyes gained a will of it's own... and used that moment to look at her...
I was a bit embarrassed, truthfully.
But I also was just a guy...
"Let's go then, Kaoru," she said, offering her right hand, in which she did not hold the beach ball.
I followed along, holding her right hand, although in a bit of a surprise since she did not notice what I did, priorly.
It'd be really embarrassing if she knew what I did...
Hopefully, she does not...
After a small while of walking we arrived at the swimming pool. Both her and I took off our flip flops putting them side to side to each other.
"Well... let's head in, Kaoru.." As Hiyori and I stood right in front of the staircase of the swimming pool that would go down a meter in the depth, she took her first step downwards, with me following, as we held hands.
"It's really cold..." she murmured in a quiet tone.
"It certainly is," Despite saying this, I walked another step downwards, pulling her with me down.
"Kaoru... You could have warned me..."
"Sure I could, but where would be the fun of that?"
Seeing a slight smile of her face I felt myself being pulled till the ground of the pool downwards as Hiyori walked till the end of the staircase and our bodies were now one meter deep in the water.
I smiled at her as she felt the cold water nourishing through her body.
"That wasn't certainly my best idea... But it was fun."
"At least you know now why I did it, do you?"
Hiyori giggled slightly. "I do. It's really fun."
"~Splash~"
In the spur of a moment Hiyori decided to throw with both of her hands water at my face, catching me off-guard.
"Like this, too," she giggled slightly, upon seeing me in a surprised state.
[Image:]
I returned the favor, doing the same, splashing the water towards her.
"Well, well, I'm afraid I won't go down that easily."
"Neither will I, Kaoru."
"We shall see," I exclaimed with a slight smile on my face.
Continuing our battle with who could throw more amounts of water at the other person she looked at me, her body completely wet from the water, with a slight smile.
"We didn't even go underwater and yet we're this wet already, Kaoru."
"I can't disagree with that. Shall we go underwater, then...?"
With a bright smile on her face, Hiyori nodded her head.
Both her and I went underwater, feeling the water of our surrounding engulfing us. I looked at her, seeing her cute visible face right in front of my eyes.
Feeling a smile forming on my face I could see Hiyori going upwards, out of sudden, leaving the water.
"~Puh~" Hearing her breaths from above, I quickly followed along, surprising her, as I came upwards, too.
"Is something wrong...?" I said, pulling my wet hair behind, as it bothered my eyes a bit.
"You know..."
"Hm...?"
"You have a..."
"Killer smile, Kaoru. It's... something that made me feel embarrassed for a moment. And..."
"Yes?"
"You look really cool and handsome, too... right now..."
Her gaze wandered to my face, until my visible abs due to my height, that ensured my upper body could be seen in this relatively small pool with a depth of 1 meter.
"Can I..."
"Touch it...? Your abs... I mean..." She quietly murmured, till shaking her head.
"I'm sorry, it was a strange question, wasn't it? Please forget what I j⎼"
"Go ahead. I don't mind. If it's not my girlfriend, who else could be possibly allowed to touch them?"
"I see... Thank you, Kaoru..."
"No worries..."
Hiyori slowly came closer towards my direction until all that was distancing us two was single hairbreadths.
Seeing her looking at my face again for reaffirmation, for whether I was really sure, I simply nodded, giving her my approval.
Her fingertips slowly reached my body, slightly brushing against my skin. Her touch sent a gentle shiver down my spine.
"They're really... firm... and defined..."
"I'm glad you approve," I said in a teasing tone, with a hint of playfulness, too.
Her cheeks turned red, and she quickly withdrew her hand, covering her face in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I must seem so silly."
"Not at all. I'm glad you like it. If it wasn't the case... I'd be quite sad. The workout in the past pays it off now at least."
With a slight smile forming on her face she looked at me. "Oh... okay..."
"Speaking of workout what kind of workout did you do...? I'm sure that it was not an ordinary workout."
"It wasn't... I'd say. But it's nothing overly exciting either. Just here and there some boring exercises."
She nodded, looking deep in thought, right now.
Was it perhaps because of my rather imprecise answer to her question?
I mean... I did train very much but I don't think it's a matter to be excited about. When I told her that, I was speaking the truth.
"Kaoru...?"
"Yes?"
Embarrassingly, her cheeks full of red, she began to speak. "Since I touched your body... it's only the right thing... that I should reciprocate it, too..."
"Don't feel forced to do so, Hiyori..."
"I'm not. If you want... you can touch it, too..."
I looked at Hiyori's face for reaffirmation and she did a quick embarrassed nod.
Slowly, my wet fingertips touched her all the way to the waist, feeling her soft, delicate skin under my touch.
Hiyori shivered slightly, not from the cold water but from the intimacy of the moment.
"Your skin is smooth and soft..." I murmured embarrassingly, as I noticed some changes occurring on my lower body.
"Thank you, Kaoru... I'm really glad that you like it..." Hiyori said with a red face, feeling both joy and embarrassment.
I removed my fingertips immediately, before my body changes dramatically, again.
"Should we go... underwater again...?" she asks me, curiously.
For a moment I was silent, thinking it was her attempt to tease me. But she genuinely didn't know what happened with me.
"How about we play... with the beach ball...?" My attempt to prevent this on happening was dictating me so I tried to steer the conversation away from going underwater.
"Okay," she nodded, agreeing with my proposal.
Internally, I sighed out of relief saving myself here.
Hiyori took the beach ball from the side that was lying next to her on the water.
"I'm not sure if I'm really good at it... though..."
"Well... if you'd like, I can show you how to play."
She nodded her head enthusiastically.
Quickly, I showed her the techniques as to how to play with the beach ball simplified.
"You're really great at teaching, Kaoru."
"Thanks, but I'm not really that great."
"I believe you are, even if you try to refuse it. You are sometimes far too humble."
"Is that so...? I suppose it might be true, then."
She slightly giggled. "You know, I'm hearing this precise answer quite often. Whether it was cooking, swimming, or in general."
"Well... I can't deny that..." Feeling that I couldn't refute her words I accepted it as a simple fact that I was like that.
"Shall I serve the ball, Kaoru?"
"Sure. Show me that I was a good teacher."
"I will," she exclaimed enthusiastically, "Hopefully... I don't fail..."
I heard a murmur of the last part of her words, seeing how she pitched the ball towards my direction.
I accept the beach ball with my two hands, immediately passing it back to her.
[Image:]
As Hiyori accepted the ball with a dig, instead of passing it back to me, it flied several meters next to her side.
"Ah..." She frowned, realizing what just happened.
"Well, your form was great. It's just the accuracy that is lacking."
"I'm not really good at this, despite this being a simple beach ball, right?"
"Don't worry, you were great. It's just a few minor details that we would have to consider for it to be perfect. But practice makes perfect, Hiyori. There's no one who's great at the first few tries."
"Well... I suppose you're right, Kaoru. But I never was someone who excelled in Sports either, so it's explanatory."
"It's good to try new things, though. And you're doing fine, Hiyori. Besides, it's all about us having fun together today, right?"
Hiyori smiled, the hint of disappointment fading from her expression. "You're right. As long as we're having fun, that's all that matters."
We continued playing, and with each serve and return, Hiyori's confidence slowly grew. It was good to see that she wasn't as down as before anymore.
Now it was time for her serving the ball again. Accurately, she served the beach ball towards my direction.
"You're getting better!" I exclaimed, impressed by her progress.
"Really?" She beamed, her eyes shining with happiness.
"Absolutely," I confirmed, catching the ball for a moment. "See? Your accuracy is improving."
"I see... It's all thanks to you, Kaoru..."
"I didn't do all too much, Hiyori."
"Not at all. You were really a great Teacher!"
"I'm relieved that I could help you."
Enthusiastically, she nodded her head. "Can I start again...? Until now I tried serving. Now I'd like to do the same as you, too. It was called Setting, right?"
"Yes. Once you get the gist of it, it's quite easy. But well, it takes a bit of practice."
I showed her an example of the setting again as I threw with both of my hands the beach ball towards her.
She caught the beach ball with both of her hands. "Thank you. Are you ready, Kaoru?"
I took position, looking at her. "I am. Please start, Hiyori."
Doing a slight nod towards my direction, she did the same as me, setting the beach ball in the air.
I looked above, seeing how she did a perfect setting, that was quite surprising for a beginner like her.
As I was ready to receive it, I looked at the beach ball above...
That was being blown away in the midair by the wind, leaving the pool area.
Hiyori who also looked above, saw how her beach ball was going against one of the natural forces of the earth; wind.
With a stunned expression we both looked at each other of the surrealism of what just happened.
But strangely, instead of telling how unfortunate her situation was, the corner of her lips and that of mine, too, had curled, involuntarily, releasing an erupting laughter that was coming between the two of us.
"Did you see that, Kaoru?" she gasped between giggles, feeling the absurdity of our situation. "It just flew away!"
"I did," I managed to say, my own laughter subsiding into chuckles. "I guess Mother Nature decided to join our game."
"Mother Nature is on your side... That's really unfair."
"Apparently, even Mother Nature likes me, Hiyori."
"I can see that," she pouted in a playful manner, her lips forming an exaggerated pout that only made her look more adorable.
"But I won't let Mother Nature stop me a second time!" With a determined expression Hiyori looked at me, but could not keep the act upright.
Another erupted of laughter between the two of could be heard.
"I'm sorry, that must have sound quite silly, didn't it?"
"Not at all. I found it rather adorably cute right now."
With a flushed expression she covered her face with her hands. "Thank you..."
"I'll go get the ball..."
Immediately these words followed from Hiyori, who turned herself around, in slight embarrassment because of what I said towards the pool edge, getting in slight difficulty up to take the beach ball.
She was being quite cute right now.
I looked at her from behind seeing her trying to get up, but quickly noticed what I was doing and instead stared at the ground.
If she saw it... it'd be even more embarrassing.
Besides, that's not common courtesy at all...
It's rude to stare...
Instead of staring at her... I looked at the water beneath me, seeing that the water was reflecting my facial expression...
I was really a bit red...
And my eyes...
They don't look lifeless at all, either...
This is the influence of love, huh...?
Quite the mysterious thing... that leaves me in many aspects, very troubled...
Doing a deep breath, I waited patiently for Hiyori to arrive.
"I'm back, Kaoru..." Hearing Hiyori's voice, I looked straight ahead, and noticed, that she looked as astonishing as before.
[Image:]
"Is something wrong, Kaoru?"
"Nothing at all. I just spaced out for a moment."
"I see..." With a smile on her face she replied towards my answer.
Hiyori immediately threw with the dig the beach ball towards my direction while she was slowly coming down from the pool edge towards the water by sitting down on the pool.
Because I observed her in the whole progress I seem to have forgotten to take notice of the beach ball.
"I did it, Kaoru," Hiyori cheered, celebrating her success upon being able to score against me for the first time since we've been playing with the beach ball.
"It seems like you did."
I can't deny the fact that I was being distracted by her slow movements of entering the pool, so I didn't pay in that moment attention towards the beach ball at all.
If anything, I just realized completely that Hiyori is the only person that can defeat me, so easily.
"Indeed, you did. Congratulations."
"Thank you..."
"Can I... get a reward now...?"
"Reward? Sure, if you'd like. What shall it be...?"
"Can I... uhm... put a hair tie around your hair...?"
"Huh?"
The shock left me unable to say anything further. I wasn't sure what to answer precisely at this moment.
'Sure, go ahead...?'
No... that would sound strange.
What should I even answer towards her question...?
"Uh... okay..."
In the end, that was the only way I could answer this question, right now...
Hearing the sound of Hiyori's giggling, I looked straight at her. "I was just joking with you, Kaoru. I wanted to pay you back for all that teasing. It seems like I was successful," she remarked with a proud tone behind her voice.
"I see..." I replied with a slight smile on my face upon what my cute girlfriend did.
"What I would like is something else. A kiss... please..."
Feeling a smile on my face forming, I looked at the girl straight ahead of me. "A kiss, huh? Well, I think that's a reward I can definitely give."
Hiyori's eyes sparkled with anticipation, and she moved closer to me, in a cute manner.
Slowly, I did the same, moving forward to her.
As I held her with both of my hands at her waist I looked at Hiyori who moved her arms around my neck.
With a satisfied smile I moved forward for her reward, giving her a kiss. As both of our lips were connected to each other for a while, we stopped, once several seconds passed.
"Thank you, Kaoru..."
"Anytime, Hiyori," I replied softly, my heart feeling warm.
We continued for a while with her improving herself steadily. I was observing her happily as we played, seeing her giving the hardest efforts.
I wasn't sure how much time passed by, but the sun was slowly coming down. If I had to estimate one hour has already passed since we've arrived here.
But I couldn't care less about the time.
All I wanted to do was to spend time with her.
Knowing that unlike me Hiyori doesn't have much stamina, I suggested something.
"How about we take a break for now...? I've become quite thirsty. What about you?"
"I'm the same. Let's head back to our spot."
Both Hiyori and I walked back, taking our flip flops next to the pool while holding hands.
"It's been beautiful so far, Kaoru."
"Yes. Who knew that swimming together would be this much fun?"
Hiyori nodded her head, and I could not help but to smile.
I never imagined that something like swimming, that just used to be an exercise for me since long, could be in the slightest bit enjoyable.
Apparently, I was wrong.
It requires just one person to make me feel this way...
When was the last time I felt this happy...?
I don't know...
But everything with her automatically becomes an happy memory.
Love is quite mysterious in the end, isn't it...?
"Quite beautiful..." I murmured these words, walking with her further to our spot.
"We're there," Hiyori exclaimed, as we arrived at our spot.
Both her and I took our flip flops off as we were right in front of the beach blanket, sitting us down there.
Hiyori put the Beach Ball to the side while I handed her over a towel from the bag.
"Thank you, Kaoru."
"Anytime!"
I took myself a towel out drying my wet hair.
But to my surprise someone looked at me, a bit embarrassed.
"Is something wrong...?"
"It might sound strange... but if it's alright with you, can I dry your hair off...?"
"Uh... sure... if you'd like..." I responded, unsure what to say.
I waited for a second to see if Hiyori tried to tease me again, but it wasn't like that, at all.
Instead Hiyori sat herself down, with the palm of her hand she gently hit the beach blanket, showing me where I should sit.
I followed along, sitting right next to her, handing her the towel.
As she faced with her front body my back, I couldn't help but feel her smooth soft fingertips gliding through the back of my body.
"You really have a beautiful body, Kaoru..."
"Thanks..."
Suddenly, I felt something soft pressing against the back of my body, already suspecting what it was.
Was she doing this perhaps deliberately...?
Internally, I shook my head several times, knowing that it wasn't like that. She was right now brushing with her fingers through my hair.
"Your hair is soft and smooth," Hiyori remarked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Then I could hear the sound of the towel, as she gently tugged and patted my hair with it, which felt surprisingly intimate, making my heart beat a little faster.
Hardly able to focus myself, as her breasts were pressed against the back of my body, I hoped my swimming trunks wouldn't tell her anything.
My hormones are at it, today, again...
After a minute, facing several difficulties, she stopped.
"Can you turn yourself now around, Kaoru?"
Oh...
The difficulty has increased itself exponentially, now...
"Sure..." Feeling a bit hesitant with my answer, I replied, regardless.
"Uhm... Sure..."
I wasn't sure what I should have said other than this, but I wanted her to prevent of arriving of conclusions as to why I denied it, since I already had accepted it.
Besides, I didn't want her to feel sad at all, making her think it was a problem with her, but instead, which was only with me.
In all the hopes I carried with me, I didn't want her to see what was wrong with my swimming trunks.
Turning myself around, sitting cross-legged, Hiyori, had kneeled herself in front of me, her breasts directly in front of my eyes.
The temptation to not look was hard, but I managed it, by looking at the ground, for most of the time.
"I'm finished. I hope my request didn't sound too silly with drying your hair. I just wanted to brush and slightly play with it."
"It didn't sound silly, Hiyori. Don't worry. I was just a bit surprised that you wanted to do this."
"Well... I always liked playing with your hair, Kaoru. It's really unique. The color of your hair, the texture... everything about it is so special. But what I love the most about it, is that it's your's."
"I'm relieved to hear that."
With a bright smile Hiyori expressed the relief on her face, that I didn't find her weird for her rather unusual request, I believe.
"I have something prepared for us. Hopefully, it'll be towards your liking," I pulled the bag to my side, bringing out a big lunch box that was hidden.
"Is that...?"
"Yes. I've done perhaps something unnecessarily, but I hope you don't mind it. I wanted to surprise you with it."
"Kaoru... You really didn't have to do this..." Hiyori said, her voice stuttering, with surprise and shock, but behind there, was a happy underlying tone.
"Don't worry, it's nothing big of a deal. As long as you're happy with it in the end I'm more than fine."
"Thank you... I'll make sure to enjoy every bit of it."
Hiyori's eyes sparkled with excitement as I opened the multi-layer lunchbox, revealing a beautifully arranged assortment of Japanese delicacies. Each layer held a different surprise, carefully prepared and packed.
On the top layer were the sandwiches, neatly cut into bite-sized pieces. There were cream cheese sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches, and some with slices of ham, cheese, and crisp lettuce.
The second layer contained a variety of colorful onigiri (rice balls) wrapped in seaweed, each filled with different ingredients such as tuna, pickled plum, and salmon.
The third layer had an assortment of side dishes: tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet), karaage (fried chicken), and vegetable tempura. Accompanying these were small portions of edamame and cherry tomatoes, adding a fresh and vibrant touch.
The bottom layer held dessert: sliced fruits, daifuku (mochi filled with sweet red bean paste), and a couple of small pastries.
"This looks amazing, Kaoru! You really outdid yourself."
"I hope it tastes as amazing as it looks," I jokingly said.
"It surely will, so don't worry. You've been always a great cook, Kaoru. I love your cooking the most. Even more than that of my parents..."
"How did I manage to earn such a compliment?"
"By being yourself," she said with a smile, taking the chopsticks from the side next to the lunch box, taking the fried chicken out, holding it towards my mouth.
I was startled for a moment, but immediately took a bite from the fried chicken.
"I admit... I really outdid myself."
She started to giggle. "Well... I'm really quite curious how it tastes..."
Expectantly, I felt a gaze on my body.
I smiled slightly, looking at the girl that wanted to be spoiled by me, so I took my chopsticks from the side.
I took the fried chicken along with a cherry tomato, holding it at her mouth.
"~Am~" Taking a bite from my chopsticks, she looked at me, her eyes immediately lightning up.
Hiyori slowly chew it up, but once she was finished, she began to speak. "Kaoru, this is really amazing!"
"I'm glad you like it. There's plenty of food here."
She nodded. "You really made quite much, Kaoru... Too much, honestly. But don't worry, I'll make sure that it's finished."
"Well... I'm relieved to hear that."
I couldn't help but to smile as Hiyori looked really cute now. I really wonder how much she can actually eat.
I might have done too much... but well... I wanted to make sure everything she likes is here.
That I would become like this is really a surprise.
With a small smile on my face as I looked at the girl that ate right next to me one of the sandwiches I made. She noticed my gaze, smiling at me brightly, offering the sandwich at my direction.
I took a bit from it, smiling at her.
The two of us continued sharing our meals together.
It was romantic.
"Thank you Kaoru, it really was delicious. But I... really can't eat anything more than that, Kaoru..." she says, holding her stomach with her hands.
"Me neither. I really should have prepared less..."
"Well... it's just the sweets that remain. In one or two hours I'm sure I'm going to have some place in my stomach for it."
"Hopefully, we both have," I exclaimed jokingly.
Hiyori smiled at me, giggling. "Otherwise, in the worst case, we can eat it tonight? After you're back from the learn group, right?"
"We can, definitely. If you're okay with sleeping at my room, that is."
"I'm always okay with that, Kaoru. Waking up next to you is one of my favorite things. I want to see you as the first person when you wake up and go to sleep."
"I feel the same way, Hiyori."
The two of us smiled at each other brightly, but then, Hiyori looked at me.
"Kaoru."
"Yes?"
"I'll be right back. I have to go to the WC."
"Take your time."
She nodded at me, feeling a bit embarrassed.
I looked at her figure from behind as she was leaving.
Once I noticed that she was now indoor's, where the changing cabinets and the WC's were, I looked at the sky, with a slight smile.
"Life surely is far more enjoyable..."
"I want it to stay like this..."
"Hopefully, it does..."
"How strange..."
"Hatred and Love..."
"They are the polar opposites..."
"Yet these two things are essential parts of my life now..."
"Hatred consumed me for so long..."
"But love... Love has healed some of those wounds in ways I never thought to be possible at all..."
"That's really strange..."
"In the end, these quotes about hatred were not there for nothing after all..."
"At that time, I thought it was nothing more than blatant talk..."
"In the end, I really hope..."
"Everything between the two of us can be resorted in some way... peacefully..."
"That I am even saying this..."
"I really did change..."
"Chairman Sakayanagi..."
"I'm not sure how I'll react when I confront you when the time comes..."
"But..."
"I hope you can tell me everything out of your own accord..."
"I'll deal with the rest, somehow..."
Hoping this would be the case, even if very low, I deeply sighed, looking straight-ahead in front of me.
But I felt the sunshine on my eyes, blocking it with my one hand.
Knowing that it really had no use in the long term I moved directly under the tree where the sunshine won't come.
I leaned myself with my back against it, since the feeling of the cool shade was a welcome relief from the bright sun.
I closed my eyes, waiting for Hiyori.
After feeling that a couple of minutes definitely have already passed, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching.
I began to open my eyes and looked straight ahead to see Hiyori there, standing.
But unlike before, she looked slightly differently now.
[Image:]
"Your skirt..." I murmured to her, noticing that it was gone.
"I heard some girls in the WC talking that their boyfriends and boys in general seem to prefer and like... girls without a skirt-styled bikini... so I thought... you might prefer and like it... too... Kaoru..."
Seeing Hiyori's second hand embarrassment as she muttered those words, I wasn't sure what I should say.
"Do you, Kaoru...?" she asks, a bit embarrassingly.
"I think so..."
"I see... I'm glad, then..."
Feeling that my swimming trunks caused some problems again, Hiyori approached me step by step, until not even a great distance was left between the two of us.
Just as I wanted to grab the tree, to stand up, Hiyori looked at me.
"Please sit, Kaoru... I'll do the same..."
She turned herself around, going slowly down, intending to sit next to me.
I tried on avoiding to look at her...
But my eyes looked there... a small moment long...
I felt a bit embarrassed about it...
So I closed my eyes again, waiting until Hiyori sat her down next to me...
As I waited a couple of seconds, I began to open my eyes again... and saw the back of Hiyori's body right in front of me, as she was on the ground, sitting directly in front of me.
"Uhm... Kaoru... can I lean onto you...?"
"Yes..."
She slowly moved the back of her body towards me until there was no distance left between us and leaned herself backwards to me.
I'm not sure if she noticed it...
But she must have definitely noticed it, when she moved just now backwards...
"Kaoru..." Hiyori's voice was covered full of embarrassment rom what I could tell just now.
"Sorry... it's my hormones..." I replied, feeling the second hand embarrassment right through my entire body.
"I see... It must be quite difficult for you, right...?"
"Sometimes. I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable..."
"Not at all... I was a bit surprised... That's all, Kaoru..."
"Okay..."
I decided to envelope my arms around her waist, pulling her gently closer to me, enjoying our company together.
The two of us enjoyed the rest of the day together.
It was a very beautiful day.
--
A/N: And this concludes the chapter.
It's a bit late... and I actually intended to get it published on Saturday... but well... I had to attend a wedding and couldn't finish to write it before that.
Although, this was also quite the long chapter, so I'm trying to compensate it with this rather.
Once I get in motion, it's hard to stop me from writing... I'd say.
Anyhow, tell me your thoughts regarding this chapter.
Did you like it and the romance behind it...?
Would love to hear it.
Next chapters should get out sooner. I'll try to upload the last SS Chapter fast, so we can start with the next Volume.
Any prediction for the next volume?
Well, that'll be all.
Have a good day.
PS: At the beginning of this chapter I asked what your favorite scene was so far in this volume. Has this chapter become one of your favorites, perhaps?
Here is also another cute additional AI Art of Hiyori.
[Image:]
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