Intro

I had been waiting by the school pool for a while now. It was after school, and there were no club activities now, meaning I wouldn't be seen by anyone. Don't get me wrong. I wasn't trying to break any rule or anything. I'm not stupid enough to do that with cameras watching.

No. I had been waiting for Airi to come by for a while. It was time for our weekly practice but she didn't show up. I don't know why, but for sometime now we had grown distant. Its like there's a barrier between us. It's a bit uncomfortable, but I plan on shattering that barrier, so I had been waiting here.

I sent her a text to come, but it looks like she hasn't received it yet. Still, I'm very certain that she's still on school grounds. For some reason she always stayed behind after school for a while before heading back to the dorms. I was curious but never got the opportunity to ask her why.

Anyway, since she hadn't arrived yet, it meant that she wasn't going to come. Maybe I should return to the dorms myself.

So it ended with me not even entering the pool, huh? That sits well with me.

I was going to change, when I saw a classmate of mine. She also saw me and looked shocked.

"Tatsumaki-san?"

"O-Onodera-san. What a coincidence meeting you here."

It was Onodera-san, from class. I wasn't especially close to her.

"What are you doing here?"

She asked.

"I could say the same of you, you know."

I responded

"Oh? I'm in the swimming club so I sometimes come here after school to practice."

Oh yeah, she was the best female swimmer in the class when they did the swimming contest the last time. It makes perfect sense that she would choose to join the swimming club.

"Oh? That's great. Keep up the good work. Imma just head over to the dorms real quick."

I tried to escape but she stood in my way and eyed me, making me feel cautious of my body.

"W-what?"

"...Nothing. It's just that... Tatsumaki-san."

"Hmm?"

"Do you swim?"

This is exactly the kind of conversation I wanted to avoid.

"N-not really, why?"

"Hmmm, it's just that with your build I thought you would."

"Haha, I guess it's hereditary?"

"Yeah maybe. I mean, I've never ever seen you in a pool before."

"Yeeeaah, so I will be going back now. See you later."

I waved at her and walked away to the changing room. That was an odd encounter. Anyway when I was done, I was headed back, when I saw Sakura's running figure. She was heading towards the dorms while holding her bag.

So she was still in the school, huh?

She hadn't noticed me. I wanted to shout out to her, but decided against it. I looked towards the direction I assumed she was running from. There was nothing out of the ordinary happening there, but curiosity got the better of me.

As I climbed the stairs, I saw Sudou heading down holding his bag. He was sweating a bit and wore a somewhat delighted expression on his face.

No way! They didn't do something, did they? No, Airi is too shy to attempt something like this. Besides, she doesn't talk to Sudo.

I immediately dismissed the thoughts, but

Then again, Airi and I have lost touch. Maybe she's been seeing Sudou in secret? Oh well, its their business, not mine.

"Oh? Tatsumaki-san. What's up?"

He raised his hand to greet me.

Of late, Sudou had become quite friendly towards me. It was probably because of the time during  the last exam when I helped Horikita with their study group. He had even gone the extra mile to ask me to personally tutor him. Of course I refused him. I don't plan on getting overly familiar with him.

"What's up Sudou-kun?"

"Er-erhm, nothing. Nothing!"

He was acting suspicious. Something had definitely happened. Let's dig in a little more.

"Are you sure? Cause it sounds like something happened."

"Y-yes! Nothing happened."

"You know, considering nothing happened you're sweating an awful much."

"Oh?"

He looked at his body as if he had just now realised.

"Y-yeah, it's really hot up there."

He said pointing behind him.

"Oh really?"

I looked behind him and there was nothing out of the ordinary there, so I shrugged and decided to walk towards that direction, but Sudou jumped in front of me and blocked my path.

"Is there a problem?"

I asked him. His face showed an unbelievable amount of nervousness on it.

"N-no!"

"Then could I pass?"

I tried stepping to the side but he blocked my path once again.

"S-sorry, but I can't let you do that!"

"Huh? Why is that?"

This was just too suspicious. What was he trying to hide?

"Because... I've got something I have to say to you."

I folded my arms and stepped down, waiting for him to speak. After a seconds he still hadn't spoken and I was getting tired of waiting.

"Out with it, Sudou."

"W-well the thing is, erh I wanted to find out if you had accepted what I asked the last time."

"Huh? To tutor you? I already said I can't."

"Erh yeah, but could you reconsider?"

"I'm sorry but no. I'm too busy after school. Try asking Horikita for help."

"B-but-"

"But what? Sudou, I don't know what you did up there but I don't care. I just need to go there."

I angrily demanded and he gulped. After wasting minutes there, I could finally hear some moaning coming from above. Then I looked past Sudou and standing there with bruises all over their bodies were three first year students.

In shock, I just looked at Sudou who was glaring at those 3. Then those words escaped my mouth. Words that I was sure any body in my position would have asked at that time.

"Damnit Sudou, what did you do!?"