Chapter 17: Pool day!
As the game progressed, Yuto face showed that he marveled at Arisu's skill, her moves precise and calculated. He found himself on the defensive, struggling to keep up with her relentless strategy.
"Your moves are quite impressive, lolli-chan," Yuto remarked, his admiration evident despite the playful banter.
Arisu smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Thank you, Rodent-kun. But I must say, you're holding your own quite well considering."
Yuto grinned, feeling a sense of satisfaction at her acknowledgment.
As the match reached its climax, Yuto found himself in a precarious position. Arisu's pieces closed in on his king, their impending threat impossible to ignore.
With a resigned sigh, Yuto extended his hand in defeat. "Checkmate," he conceded, a hint of admiration in his voice.
Arisu smiled victoriously, her eyes twinkling with triumph. "Well played, Rodent-kun. You certainly put up a good fight."
Yuto chuckled, feeling a sense of pride despite his loss. "It was an honor to play against you, lolli-chan. Perhaps I'll have to challenge you again sometime."
Arisu's smile widened, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. "I would like that very much, Rodent-kun. Until next time."
Yuto made his way out of the library.
"Does that monster really play chess as a hobby? You two were in a plane of your own," Hashimoto remarked, his tone a mixture of admiration and disbelief.
Arisu nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful. "Indeed, even I had to let loose a little. Regardless, it was quite enjoyable."
While Arisu and Hashimoto exchanged their thoughts on the match, Yuto found himself lost in his own reflections. "Holding back is so hard! I could have checkmated her in 15 moves!" he mused silently, frustration tingeing his thoughts. "And acting like you're struggling is a whole new level of difficulty! Maybe I should ask Kushida for some acting tips."
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"~I am going to the pool with Suzune! Kyaaaaa~" Yuto was singing while walking towards a group of people: Ayanokoji, Kushida, Sakura and ~Ho-ri-ki-ta~.
Horikita just so happen to here the disgusting lyrics of what Yuto was singing and Yuto's melodious singing abruptly halted as he approached the group, his cheerful tune replaced by a surprised yelp as Horikita delivered a swift bonk to his head.
Rubbing the sore spot, Yuto turned to Ayanokoji with exaggerated tears in his eyes.
"Kiyo-chan, why am I in love with such a violent woman..." he lamented dramatically, seeking solace from his friend.
Ayanokoji's response was characteristically cold and indifferent. "I don't know," he replied curtly, his gaze unwavering.
As Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo joined the group, claiming they had overslept, Yuto paid little attention, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of spending the day with his beloved Suzune at the pool.
The group set off towards the pool, their spirits high despite the scorching summer sun. Along the way, they crossed paths with Ichinose and several other Class B students also headed to the pool.
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As Ichinose's cheerful declaration echoed through the pool area, the girls excitedly showcased their swimsuits, drawing attention to their figures. Horikita couldn't help but glance at the other girls' chests before looking down at her own.
Seeing her discomfort, Yuto approached her with reassurance in his voice. "Suzune-chan, it's fine! I love you for who you are. No need to be jeal—" His words were abruptly cut off by a swift punch to his head from Horikita.
"Horikita-san! There's no need to be so violent!" Ichinose intervened, rushing to support Yuto as he staggered from the blow.
Ayanokoji joined in, his expression deadpan as he remarked, "Oh no... he might have internal bleeding..." His comment elicited chuckles from the girls, adding to the chaotic scene.
Meanwhile, Ike and Sudo watched on, their frustration palpable.
"That bastard Kazuki! He's surrounded by girls!" Ike cried out, his voice filled with indignation.
Sudo, on the other hand, simmered with jealousy, his gaze fixed on Yuto. "That bastard is so open about liking Horikita! He's a formidable opponent," he muttered under his breath, begrudgingly acknowledging Yuto's boldness.
As Yamauchi's absence went unnoticed amidst the lively atmosphere, Yuto found himself the center of attention, his antics entertaining the girls to no end. Their pleas for him to change into his summer clothes were met with eventual compliance, and when he emerged, he certainly didn't disappoint.
Sporting a pair of black swimming trunks and an open-button shirt adorned with palm trees, Yuto's appearance elicited admiration from the girls.
"What's with that 6-pack? No, 8-pack!" one of them exclaimed, eyes wide with admiration.
"He might be the first cute and hot boy I've seen," another chimed in, her gaze lingering appreciatively on Yuto's physique.
Even Kushida, who had been avoiding Yuto since the earlier incident, couldn't help but openly admire his appearance. Horikita, too, seemed to be slightly affected by his presence, though she maintained her usual composure.
Breaking the ice as always, Ichinose complimented Yuto with a warm smile. "You look great, Kazuki-kun."
Yuto grinned in response, his confidence unwavering. "Thanks! You look quite good yourself, Ichinose-chan," he replied casually, earning a blush from the girl.
Meanwhile, Sudo attempted to draw attention to his own physique, but his efforts were largely ignored as the focus remained on Yuto.
"Let's all play volleyball!" Ike shrieked to try and divert the attention of the throng from Yuto, who agreed as he to was getting uncomfortable. Kushida finally asked, "Did anyone see Yamauchi-kun?"
"He must have gone to use the bathroom or something.." Ike replied.
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Yuto excused himself and made his way towards the bathrooms.
Upon entering, he stumbled upon an unexpected scene. Sudo appeared to be guarding something, his demeanor tense as he interacted with a guy sporting distinctive megenata hair. Yuto's greeting elicited a startled reaction from Sudo, who attempted to mask his unease with forced cheerfulness.
However, Yuto wasn't fooled. He sensed that Sudo was hiding something, his suspicions confirmed when he heard a familiar voice to his right. Turning, he was met with the sight of Arisu, her presence sending a jolt of surprise through him.
"Oh, if it isn't Rodent-kun," Arisu remarked, her tone dripping with amusement. "I must admit, you look quite good in that dress. Fufufu..."
Yuto's shock was evident as he replied with a hint of sarcasm, "Why, thank you! You look quite sleek yourself, lolli-chan."
The unexpected exchange left everyone from Arisu's cohort, except Hashimoto, visibly taken aback. Yuto's casual use of the term "lolli" to address Arisu was met with surprise and disbelief.
"Hey brat. Who are you?!" the megentata haired boy from the parallel direction asked Yuto in a smug tone.
Instead of answering, Yuto turned to Arisu with a confused deadpan expression, pointing at Ryuuen and posing his own question.
"Who the hell is this wannabe cool lookin' guy?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Arisu couldn't contain her amusement, chuckling softly as she watched the exchange unfold. Her cohort joined in, their laughter echoing through the corridor at Yuto's audacious remark.
Unfazed by Yuto's lack of recognition, Ryuuen introduced himself confidently. "Kakeru Ryuuen," he declared, his tone oozing with self-assurance.
Yuto's eyes widened slightly as he realized the identity of the individual before him – the notorious leader of Class C.
"The Rodent's name is Kazuki Yuto," Arisu informed Ryuuen, her tone tinged with amusement.
Ryuuen's expression shifted, a flicker of recognition crossing his features as he recalled Yuto's association with Horikita. His demeanor hardened as he regarded Yuto with a mixture of disdain and curiosity.
"Oh... you're Horikita's dog, I see," Ryuuen remarked casually, his tone carrying a hint of contempt. "Well, you've managed to piss me off, so I shall do Horikita a favor and discipline you."
With a dismissive shrug, Ryuuen commanded his imposing bodyguard, Albert, to step forward. However, instead of cowering in fear, Yuto met the challenge with a smirk, his confidence unwavering.
"Dogs can bite, you know," he retorted, his tone filled with defiance.
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kreakerss
kreakerss The next chapter was personally one of favorites yet!
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Chapter 18: Pool day! (2)
The tension in the air was palpable as Yuto and Ryuuen locked gazes, each refusing to back down in the face of the other's challenge. And as Albert loomed menacingly before him, Yuto remained undaunted. Sudo meanwhile, had a episode of reactions. First he called the Class A's leader a lolli and then proceeded to make fun of Class C's leader. It was safe to say that, Sudo was in dismay as his mouth was practically touching the ground!
As Yuto was about to engage in combat. Another fimillar voice stopped him. "What's all the fuss out here?"
Yuto looked to his right to see Manabu looking at all of them.
Yuto smiled and replied, "Nothing happening here brother-in-law! we were just playing. Isn't that right lolli-chan?"
Arisu smilied and nodded while the others looked startled by Yuto calling Manabu his brother-in-law! "Closer than a dog I see..." Ryuuen thought. While Sudo looked devestated! 'I wish I could call the student council president that.' he thought while holding back tears. That's when they heard a commotion. "Look there!"
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Horikita had just given a speech about reaching class A as everyone appluaded. The loudest of them all was Yuto himself! "What a speech! If only it was so cringe! Doesn't matter, it's still MY beloved that said it. It was lovely!"
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"Is that why you had to give me that attention drawing speech?" Horikita questioned Ayanokoji, who simply nodded in response. Yuto interrupted, "EHH! Those disgusting bottomfeeders resulted in that beautiful speech?"
Ayanokoji nodded once again, and suggested Horikita go for a swim, confusion clouded her expression. Before she could respond, Ayanokoji's swift action sent her plunging into the pool with a furious glare directed at him. In a swift retaliation, Horikita pulled Ayanokoji in as payback, her anger palpable as she turned her glare towards Yuto, who couldn't contain his laughter, clutching his stomach.
Suddenly, a somber Sudo approached Yuto from behind, his tone dark as he spoke. "Now you're the only one who isn't wet," he said before giving Yuto an unexpected push into the pool.
As Yuto descended into the pool, the world around him began to blur and twist, like a painting being warped by unseen hands. The vibrant orange sky above morphed into a sickly greenish-blue hue, casting an eerie pall over the surroundings. The clear water turned murky and opaque, transforming the pool into a dark abyss.
His hands, normally steady and sure, felt strangely foreign to him as he reached out into the distorted depths. They appeared smaller, more childlike, as if he had regressed back to a time long forgotten. Each movement felt sluggish and heavy, as though he were fighting against an invisible current dragging him down.
Memories flooded Yuto's mind, fragments of his past swirling in a chaotic whirlwind. He saw flashes of himself as a young boy, alone and afraid, reaching out desperately for a guiding hand that was forever out of reach. He desperately reached his hand out to a shadow of a person.
"PAPAAA!" he cried out, the word torn from his lips like a desperate plea. But there was no response, only the deafening silence of his own thoughts echoing in his ears.
He jolted awake, his hand still outstretched as he took in his surroundings. His friends appeared relaxed, but Yuto remained visibly shaken. Sudo's relieved expression stood out, drawing the ire of the others as they scolded him for his reckless actions.
Yuto turned to Ichinose, curiosity gleaming in his eyes as he sought an explanation for the chaotic events that had unfolded.
"What exactly happened?" he inquired, his voice tinged with a mix of confusion and concern.
Ichinose's warm smile dissappered as she recounted the sequence of events with vivid detail. "Well, when Sudo-kun pushed you into the pool, you started flailing," she began, her words punctuated by animated gestures. "At first, everyone thought you were just joking around, especially since it was only a 6-foot-deep pool. But then the flailing stopped abruptly, and we waited for you to pop out of the water and laugh it off. However, you never surfaced, and that's when Horikita-san sprung into action and pulled you out of the pool before things took a dangerous turn. We were all surprised to realize that you weren't joking when you mentioned having child trauma."
Yuto absorbed her explanation with a nod of understanding, a sense of gratitude welling up within him. He turned to Horikita with a warm smile, his eyes reflecting genuine appreciation.
"Thank you, Suzune-chan," he said softly, his words filled with sincerity.
Horikita's cheeks flushed a bright shade of red as she nodded grudgingly, her usual stoic facade momentarily softened by Yuto's heartfelt gratitude.
Turning his attention to Ike and Yamauchi, Yuto couldn't help but notice the somber expressions on their faces. Sensing their underlying sadness, he couldn't resist probing for an explanation.
"Why do you guys look so sad?" he inquired, his concern evident in his voice.
Before Ike or Yamauchi could respond, Ayanokoji interjected with a deadpan expression, delivering a bombshell revelation that left Yuto reeling.
"Because Horikita kissed you," Ayanokoji stated matter-of-factly, his words hanging heavily in the air.
Yuto's face instantaneously became beet-red as he instinctively touched his lips before looking at a flushed Horikita. He lost consciousness due to shock.
"Oh no, he is having hallucinations again." Ayanokoji remarked calmly, his expression unchanged.
Horikita, her embarrassment reaching its peak, marched over to Ayanokoji and delivered a swift punch to his stomach, her cheeks aflame with embarrassment.
"IT WAS CPR! YOU GET IT? CPR DAMN IT!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with frustration and embarrassment. Her stoic face cracking as she screamed.
Ayanokoji nodded in understanding, his composure unshaken as he absorbed the scolding. Meanwhile, the others, except for the boys, couldn't contain their laughter at the comedic turn of events, their chuckles echoing through the air as the tension of the moment dissipated.
While everyone else seemed preoccupied with the lighthearted atmosphere, Ayanokoji couldn't shake the significance of Yuto's cry for his father before he woke up.
'No one is mentioning it,' Ayanokoji mused quietly to himself, his expression unreadable as he observed the interactions unfolding around him. 'But Yuto shouted 'papa' before he woke up.'
The implications of Yuto's subconscious utterance weighed heavily on Ayanokoji's mind. He couldn't help but wonder about the parallels between Yuto's childhood and his own. Was Yuto's father as enigmatic and manipulative as his own? What secrets lay buried beneath the facade of Yuto's cheerful demeanor?
As he contemplated these questions, Ayanokoji's curiosity was piqued further. "Kazuki Yuto... Who are you?" he murmured softly, the words barely audible amidst the surrounding chatter.
Lost in his thoughts, Ayanokoji remained on the periphery of the group, a silent observer amidst the chaos, his mind consumed by the enigma of Yuto's past and the mysteries that shrouded his true identity.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
kreakerss
kreakerss
This chapter was sooooo fun to write!
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