Giving What I Once Got - Part 3

All of us got up onto the diving boards and prepared to race.

Kinoshita raised her arm.

"On your marks... Go!"

All of us dived into the water. Some of us caused bigger splashes than others. As my body glided through the cold water, I looked beside me to see how far ahead I was. I didn't want to bring too much attention to myself so I aimed to get fourth place.

There was a lot of splashing so it was pretty hard to decipher what was going on, I decided to bet on the lower side just in case. I swam at about half my full capacity as I made my way along the 25-metre-long pool. Eventually, I made it to the other side and did a pretty relaxed tumble turn, making my way back the way I came. 100 metres was 4 laps of the pool so I was about a quarter of the way.

After a little while, I managed to complete my four laps and finished with my hands on the wall. I bobbed my head out of the water and looked around to see what happened. From what I could see, only Fujiharu and Okamoto were finished.

A few moments later, everyone else finished and we slowly got out of the pool. The others were all huffing and puffing, as if they had just been in the biggest race of their lives.

"So Kinoshita, what did everyone come?" Asked Okamoto.

The results were quite different to what I expected.

According to Kinoshita the order was:

1. Fujiharu Sara

2. Okamoto Riku

3. Me

4. Takeuchi Kaito

5. Ikeda Hinata

Then the other 3 girls were the last three.

Fujiharu seemed disappointed that I came in the top 4. Honestly, I wasn't expecting her to be faster than even Okamoto. From what you could see, Okamoto looked quite athletic; for Fujiharu to beat even him was rather impressive.

"You were so fast! Fujiharu" Kinoshita commented after she finished her announcement of the order.

"Eh, I just do a lot of swimming in my free time~"

"So, what's your punishment for the losers?"

She thought about it for a little.

"Can I decide later?'

"That's fine."

After the race, everyone was quite tired.

"What's everyone's plan from here?" Asked Okamoto.

"I have some work to deal with, I think leave around now," I said.

"Ah, already?"

"Yeah, it's pretty important."

"Alright then."

I started to make my way back towards the change rooms. The ground was a little slippery so I made walked a little slower than usual. I wanted to go back and see what Kanako was up to. There wasn't much time left before the next exam and I'd prefer it if she passed. It was the best outcome for both me and her father.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of stomping behind me.

"Mizuhara!"

It was Fujiharu.

"Are you in a rush right now?" She asked.

"Not really."

"We should walk back together, I'll get changed as fast as I can."

"Aren't you going to stay with the others?"

"It's getting a little boring and I want to get back as well."

"I guess that's fine, you don't need to rush too much, I'm not really in a hurry."

"Okay!"

I made my way into the change rooms and took a quick hot shower. As the steaming water warmed up my body I thought about what I'd do to help her study. I had a feeling that when I leave, she doesn't have the discipline to keep studying. I could just stay there for longer but I would prefer to return to my dorm and rest.

I guess a study partner would help. We have a few exams on soon so I'm sure I could find someone from our school to be her study partner. The only problem was that I wasn't exactly close with that many people... ah, Fujiharu might do.

I've heard that she's been trying to beat Tachibana during the exams for a while now. I'm sure she's probably wanting to study as well.

I turned off the hot water and dried myself with a towel.

I thought about it for a little bit as I put on my clothes. Whilst I have talked to Kanako about the Ideal Human Project, I doubt that she actually knew that much about it. When I was talking to her about it before, she seemed to only know the very basics so I doubt that'd she knows I was a part of it. I guess it'd be fine for Fujiharu to study with her.

I made my way out of the change rooms and looked around. It seemed that Fujiharu wasn't here yet.

I guess I'd wait for a little bit.

A few minutes later, Fujiharu walked out of the girls' change rooms and saw me standing outside.

"Ah, let's go Mizuhara!"

"Wait, Fujiharu, I've got a question for you."

"Yes?"

"Are you looking for a study partner?"

"Yes! Are you suggesting that we should go study together now?"

"No."

"Eh?!"

I guess I must have given her the wrong idea.

"There's this girl who I've been tutoring for a little while, I think it'd be good if she got a study partner."

"Huh, then why don't you be her study partner."

Well, the main reason was that I couldn't be bothered.

I don't exactly need to do a lot of studying anyways.

"Also you're tutoring someone? That's a surprise, I didn't expect you to be a tutor."

"There were a lot of personal reasons for it."

"Ah, so is she in primary or middle school?"

"She's in the same year level as us."

"Huh? Really?"

"Yeah."

I guess it was kind of hard to explain.

"Anyways, you should come along today."

"Well... if you say so."

The two of us walked out of the leisure centre back out into the open air. It was starting to get a little dark since it was pretty late in the afternoon. It was nice to breathe the fresh outside air after being in that humid environment for so long.

"No offence, but you're grades aren't amazing, how come you're a tutor?"

I figured that this was coming.

I wanted to say that they were a family friend but I felt like that would complicate things more.

"I lied on my resume."

"Eh!?"