Chapter 65: Vague Worries

The next swimming training session finally came. Akuma taught the other students how to properly kick their feet when swimming. The first half of the session was dedicated to just that. When the students finally got a hang of kicking their feet in the water, Akuma moved on to a new topic. He showed them how to do the freestyle swimming.

There were two important points to remember. The first one was how to take a breath and the timing to do it. The second was how to properly swing their arms into the water in order to move forward.

Most of the students had a hard time grasping the concepts. When the training session for that day ended, Akuma announced that they would have an additional session this coming Saturday, which would be two days from now. The other students weren't as opposed to it as Akuma expected. Everyone then left the pool area except for the Help club members, who were tidying up.

"Hey, you didn't tell us you planned an additional session for Saturday. I have to inform my dad about it. I usually help during the weekends, you know."

Kiba looked at Akuma while sweeping the floor.

"I didn't plan anything. I saw how much they sucked and decided on the spot. And it's so hot already so I want to swim anyway."

Akuma was seated on a bench in front of the changing rooms.

"Ah, there it is. Doing things for personal reasons."

Kiba laughed as he continued to sweep.

"I'm not sure I will be able to join this Saturday. We have relatives staying at our house. My brother is… afraid to be left alone with them, since he's still too shy around people he isn't familiar with."

Mimi looked at Angelie as she stepped out of the changing room for girls.

"Really? I hope he doesn’t have a hard time, especially now that he'll be in high school next year."

Angelie was standing at the door of the girls' changing room.

"I guess I spoiled him too much. It's my fault, really."

Mimi looked down at the ground.

"Then, why don't you just bring him here? It'll be a weekend so they won't be so strict if we have a few outsiders."

Kiba smiled at Mimi as he overheard the conversation.

"Hmm. That is not a bad idea. It will also help in fixing his extreme shyness toward other people."

Mimi nodded while thinking deeply.

"Are you sure he won't be shocked? Being around many people that he doesn't know?"

Angelie leaned closer to Mimi.

"I have coddled him too much. It is time I stand firm and expose him to being uncomfortable to further his personal growth. Also, I will be here with him so he shouldn't have that hard a time."

Mimi looked straight at Angelie.

"Mimi-san, you can just admit that you want to swim as well, since it's too hot."

Sanaka came out of the girl's changing room and grabbed Mimi by the shoulders. Mimi shuddered for a brief moment, but then composed herself and cleared her throat.

"I'll do it for my brother's sake. That is what a respectable older sister would do."

Mimi glared at Sanaka.

"Why not invite Hana-san while you're at it? I'm sure she'd like to have some fun, as well."

Kiba smiled at Mimi. She looked at Kiba, but then averted her gaze immediately.

"I'm sure you'd like that."

Mimi then walked away from the group and went outside of the pool area through the door.

"Wait up, Mimi-san!"

Angelie followed after her.

"That's why you're not popular with girls, Kiba-kun. Hmph."

Sanaka turned her face away from Kiba and followed after the two girls.

"Eh? What did I say?"

Kiba stopped sweeping as he watched the girls walk away.

---

The three girls from the Help club walked slowly toward the school gate. Angelie and Sanaka were just looking at Mimi, waiting for her to talk. Angelie couldn't take it any longer and decided to speak up.

"Are you alright, Mimi-san?"

Angelie looked at Mimi, who had a serious look on her face.

"What do you mean, Angelie-san?"

Mimi didn't look at Angelie's direction.

"I think she wanted to know why you just walked out like that? Did something happen between you two?"

Sanaka provided the answer as she closed her eyes.

"It's… not about Kiba-kun, specifically. I… I guess I'm envious of Hana-nee. She has a way of attracting people toward her. I felt like I was compared to her, even though Kiba-kun didn't say anything like that…"

Mimi looked at the ground as she walked.

"I'm sure Kiba-kun didn't mean it that way. He's just an overly friendly person, and since he already met your sister and spent time with you two, he might consider her a friend already."

Angelie offered a weak smile at Mimi.

"I foolishly thought I might have caught up with my sister. Instead, people around me are even drawn toward her… I feel bad for thinking this way. And Hana-nee didn't even do anything wrong…"

Mimi stopped walking. Her hands trembled. Angelie and Sanaka stopped walking as well.

"I don't know if saying this will help, but you’re still the number one 'Furui' for us. Right, Sanaka-san?"

Angelie grabbed Mimi's shoulder and then looked at Sanaka for confirmation.

"Of course. But I hope that's really all there is to it."

Sanaka placed her hands behind her. She looked at Mimi.

"And what do you possibly mean by that, Sanaka-san? Please enlighten me."

Mimi turned her head to face toward Sanaka. Mimi then glared at her.

"Oh, maybe you're jealous that Kiba-kun thought of your sister and wanted her to come here?"

Sanaka teasingly replied.

"No."

Mimi looked away from Sanaka and started to walk again. Angelie and Sanaka looked at each other. Angelie smiled awkwardly at Sanaka and then followed after Mimi.

"Hey, Mimi-san! I was just kidding! Wait for me!"

Sanaka hurriedly went after the two girls.

---

The weekend came around and the Help club scheduled the additional training session in the morning. They were there earlier than the other students. As Mimi mentioned the prior week, she planned to bring her brother with her.

Kuchi changed into his swimming trunks and sat under the covered bench near the changing rooms. He sat hunched and had his knees near his face. Kiba saw Kuchi and decided to sit beside him.

"Hey there, kid. Good thing your sister brought you here, huh?"

Kiba smiled at him. Kuchi didn't react. He didn't even look at the general direction of Kiba.

"So, how is Mimi as an older sister? She strict with you or something?"

Kiba laughed but then slowly stopped as he saw no reaction from Kuchi.

"Well, I don't see Hana-san. She didn't want to come or was she busy?"

Kiba continued to talk to him. Kuchi didn't even blink.

"Okay, I heard you were shy. No worries. Sorry for disturbing you."

Kiba stood up.

"Are you… dating any of my older sisters…?"

Kuchi finally looked at Kiba.

"Huh? Why do you ask that?"

Kiba controlled his laughter by covering his mouth.

"Hana-oneesan always mentions a 'Kiba-kun' at home… Mimi-oneesan is in your club and you're always together… So, please tell me…"

Kuchi averted his gaze from Kiba as he talked.

"Hey, I understand! You want to protect your older sisters, right? That's good."

Kiba sat back down and put his arm around Kuchi's shoulders. He leaned closer to Kuchi.

"Yes…"

Kuchi buried his face on his knees.

"Well, you don't have to worry about me."

Kiba smiled at Kuchi.

"I don't…?"

Kuchi made a side glance at Kiba.

"Yeah. But you have to be worried about him."

Kiba pointed at Akuma, who was standing just in front of them. Akuma could hear their conversation the whole time.

"Hey, you damn lewd bloodsucker. Don't drag me into whatever you're doing. And leave the kid alone."

Akuma spoke without turning around to look at Kiba and Kuchi.

"Who… is he…?"

Kuchi stared at the back of Akuma.

"He's the Demon Lord. And do you know what Demon Lords do to others? They order others to do anything a Demon Lord wants. Anything."

Kiba looked straight into the eyes of Kuchi.

"R-really…?"

"Of course, so—"

Before Kiba could finish speaking, Mimi grabbed his ears and dragged him away from Kuchi and then threw him into the pool.

"Stop poisoning the mind of Kuchi. I don't want him to be like you."

Mimi glared down at Kiba, who was now floating in the pool.

"We're just having fun! I wanted to make him feel at ease. He's already talking to us, see?"

Kiba smiled at Mimi while threading in the water.

"You've already poisoned the mind of one of my siblings. I don't want you to do the same to the other."

Mimi turned around and walked away from the poolside. She stood in front Kuchi.

"Hey, Kuchi! Why don't you jump in here while there still aren't any people around?"

Kiba waved at Kuchi, who was still seated on the bench.

"Can I… Nee-san?"

Kuchi looked up at Mimi. She let out a sigh and weakly smiled.

"Of course, you can. Go ahead."

Mimi stepped aside as Kuchi stood up, ran and jumped into the pool. She continued to smile as she watched her brother have fun.