章節 64: Winner
"So, this is how they do it, huh?" Xinyi murmured, her gaze fixed on the pairs slicing through the water, the rhythmic sound of their strokes accompanied by the teacher's whistle marking their timed laps.
Jingliu stood alongside Yasushi, with Furuya, Xinyi, and Laura, observing their classmates' movements in the pool. The air was thick with the scent of chlorine, mingling with the faint echoes of splashes and the occasional cheer from the sidelines.
Laura, curiosity evident in her tilted head, turned to the two Chinese students. "Did you guys have swimming classes in China too?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia.
Xinyi's eyes flickered with a memory as she replied, "We had a swimming pool and classes during our first year, but they stopped abruptly for some reason." She shrugged slightly, a touch of mystery in her tone. "There were rumors, but none of them seemed real."
Jingliu's expression softened as he filled in the gaps. "The truth is, there was always someone sneaking into the pool on class days to poop into it. It became such a problem that they finally decided to stop the classes altogether and renovate the area for another use. I don't know all the details, but things should be different now." His words hung in the air, weaving an unspoken connection among them, a shared understanding of the peculiarities of school life.
"S-someone...pooped in the pool? Seriously? But why?" Furuya's face contorted in a mix of confusion and horror, his voice trembling with incredulity.
"We never uncovered the reason behind it," Jingliu responded, his tone as flat as a calm sea under a cloudy sky. "Many speculated it was an act of rebellion, perhaps a way to express their disdain for swimming."
Xinyi's eyes widened, a mixture of shock and curiosity flickering in her gaze. "…That was one of the rumors, so they were true? How did you find out?"
Jingliu turned to her, her expression unchanging, and stated matter-of-factly, "I asked them directly. They admitted it and even showed me a video of their act. They were odd enough to document it, so I believed them."
Furuya's hands flew to his cheeks, his voice rising in astonishment, "They recorded it!?"
"They attempted to upload it to YouTube," Jingliu continued, her demeanor unperturbed, "but it was quickly removed from the platform. I'm not sure what became of them, but it's likely they were expelled." Her words lingered in the air, blending with the ambient noise of the swimming pool, the quiet hum of disbelief adding a surreal layer to the moment.
"People are crazy, man," Furuya remarked, shaking his head. Yet, before he could expand on his thoughts, the call came. Both he and Xinyi moved toward the boards, anticipation hanging in the air. They took their positions, poised to dive, every muscle tense and ready, awaiting the sharp, shrill signal from their teacher's whistle.
The whistle blew, piercing the heavy, expectant silence. In an instant, they launched themselves into the water. Xinyi moved with a grace and speed that seemed almost unnatural, her body cutting through the water like it was a part of her. Furuya, though competent, quickly fell behind, his strokes seeming laborious in comparison. Xinyi completed her laps with a fluid ease, leaving Furuya struggling to finish his second. The room erupted in collective admiration, voices rising in a chorus of "Oohs!" as they watched her effortless performance.
"She's fast," Laura exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement. "I didn't know Xinyi was that fast! She could definitely join the swimming team!"
Jingliu, observing with a knowing smile, said, "She's always been like that. Back in our first year, Xinyi was one of the best swimmers. Many people remarked on her talent. I believe they even have their own swimming pool at home." Her words carried a quiet pride, a recognition of a talent well-known but always impressive to witness.
As they finished their laps, Xinyi and Furuya walked back to their group, water dripping from their hair and swimsuits. Xinyi's face broke into a broad grin, and she flashed a peace sign at her friends. "See that! I haven't lost my touch!" she exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with triumph as she looked expectantly at Yasushi.
"Yeah, it was amazing, well done," Yasushi replied, his voice steady with admiration. He then turned to Furuya, who was hunched over, panting heavily. "You too," he added, offering a nod of encouragement.
"I…feel...like...I was...swimming against a dolphin...Jesus Christ...!" Furuya managed to gasp out, his breath coming in ragged bursts.
Yasushi placed a comforting hand on Furuya's shoulder. "You still did great regardless, so don't worry too much."
Furuya grumbled something unintelligible and sank to the ground, his exhaustion evident. Xinyi, ever the tease, began poking his sides, her laughter light and playful, much to Furuya's growing annoyance.
The rest of the class, spurred on by Xinyi's impressive display, was gradually called upon to take their turn. One by one, they stepped up to the pool, their expressions a mix of determination and apprehension. Finally, Jingliu and Yasushi were called to do their laps last, the anticipation building once more as they readied themselves for their turn in the water.
"No hard feelings, Yasushi," Jingliu remarked, her gaze fixed firmly ahead, eyes reflecting the shimmering surface of the pool.
"I was never that great of a swimmer," Yasushi replied with a self-deprecating chuckle, as they both took their positions, the anticipation thick in the air. The teacher's whistle cut through the tense silence, a sharp sound that prompted both to dive gracefully into the water below.
Their speed was breathtaking, each stroke powerful and precise, almost rivaling or perhaps even surpassing Xinyi's earlier performance. The entire class watched in stunned silence, eyes wide, breaths held, as the two figures raced through the water. Yet, it was apparent that Jingliu had a slight advantage. As they reached the final lap, her lead became undeniable. By the time they touched the edge of the pool, the margin of victory was a mere three, perhaps five seconds.
When they surfaced, the room erupted into cheers, the tension that had held everyone captive dissolving into exuberant applause. Yasushi, catching his breath, pulled himself out of the pool first.
He extended a hand to Jingliu, a gesture of camaraderie and respect. She accepted it gracefully, allowing him to help her up.
The teacher herself joined in the applause, her hands meeting in a rhythm of appreciation, a smile playing on her lips as she watched the two swimmers emerge from the pool. She had deliberately saved them for last, a calculated decision born from her intuition that something remarkable would unfold, and her instincts had not failed her. The spectacle had been every bit as exhilarating as she had anticipated.
As the echoes of clapping and cheers began to fade, the energy of the moment still hanging in the air, the teacher signaled the end of the session. The students began to disperse, their chatter filled with excitement and admiration for what they had witnessed. The day's swimming class, punctuated by the memorable race, drew to a close, leaving behind a sense of fulfillment and a lingering buzz of shared experience.
+-+
"You two were like Black Marlins darting through the pool! It looked surreal! And I suppose that makes Xinyi the Sailfish," Furuya remarked, his laughter trailing off as they exited the school grounds. The sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows over the group as they made their way home. "Anyway, I'll see you guys tomorrow!" he called out, before dashing off with a burst of energy.
"I'll be giving Laura a ride home," Xinyi said, watching Furuya's retreating figure. "I offered Furuya a lift, but he's heading to one of his baseball teammates' homes to strategize since they don't have practice today." She turned to the others with a smile, "See you guys tomorrow," she added, as she and Laura climbed into her family's car and sped away, the engine's hum fading into the distance.
"Bye," Yasushi mumbled, the word hanging in the air as he and Jingliu were left standing alone. The bustling departure of other students gradually quieted, leaving a serene stillness in its wake. They stood side by side, their hands finding each other naturally, fingers intertwining. Jingliu leaned against his shoulder, her presence warm and familiar.
After a moment of shared silence, Jingliu's voice broke the stillness, soft and playful. "I'd like a prize," she whispered, her breath a gentle caress against the evening air.
Amused by her words, Yasushi couldn't help but smile. "What kind of prize? And for what?" he asked, feigning ignorance despite knowing exactly what she meant. He wanted to hear Jingliu articulate her victory.
"I won... in our little swimming competition," she replied, her voice soft yet confident as she squeezed his hand. "I'd like a small prize."
Jingliu glanced around, ensuring they were alone. The school grounds were deserted, the last remnants of the day's activity fading into the quiet evening. Satisfied, she closed her eyes, pursed her lips, and stood on tiptoes, silently asking for a kiss.
Yasushi was momentarily taken aback, but an amused chuckle escaped his lips. He sighed, the sound mingling with the gentle evening breeze, and leaned down to give her a delicate peck. Jingliu's eyes fluttered open, her crimson gaze locking onto his.
"More..." she murmured, her voice imbued with a tender longing. Yasushi obliged, kissing her again, and again, each kiss a lingering promise of affection. They lost themselves in the moment, repeating the tender exchange until the sharp beep of a car horn broke the spell, reminding them of the world beyond their shared intimacy.
They reluctantly pulled apart from their intimate act, the spell of their shared moment broken by an unexpected witness. Turning to face the source of the interruption, they saw Yinhaie in the car, her eyes wide with astonishment and a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Her expression was a peculiar mix of surprise and amusement, leaving Yasushi and Jingliu momentarily speechless. They exchanged an awkward glance, unsure of how to respond, and decided to quietly slip into the back seat of Yinhaie's car, the silence enveloping them like a thick fog.
Yinhaie, ever the observer, caught her breath, then turned her gaze to the rearview mirror, her eyes twinkling with barely contained mirth. She saw the two through the reflection and, with a tone that was both teasing and oddly practical, said, "I don't think either of your parents are quite ready for grandchildren yet, so please, if you decide to pursue a more intimate relationship, use protection."
Jingliu's jaw dropped, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of crimson as she tried to process Yinhaie's bluntness. Words failed her, and she could only gape in silent mortification.
Yasushi, however, retained his composure and, in a deadpan voice, remarked, "We have condom dispensers in the new house, it's fine."
Yinhaie couldn't hold back her laughter, a snort escaping before she burst into a full-throated laugh. "Yasushi!" Jingliu exclaimed, her embarrassment giving way to a playful indignation. She playfully smacked his shoulder with her forehead, a gesture that was both affectionate and chiding, as Yinhaie continued to laugh while starting the car.
創作者的想法 
Haruki_Murakami
Haruki_Murakami "İki karpuz bir koltuğa sığmaz." -Turkish proverb
"Two watermelons cannot fit under one arm."
Meaning: This Turkish proverb from Istanbul highlights the difficulty of juggling multiple large tasks or responsibilities simultaneously. It implies that trying to handle too many significant things at once will likely lead to failure or inefficiency. The proverb advises focusing on one important task at a time to ensure better outcomes and avoid overburdening oneself.
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榜單 
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