Chapter 30: Beautiful Girl, Enjoying the Pool? (Part 2)

After we finished taking photos, we stored our wallets and bags in the coin lockers.

"Hey, you’d better take off your hoodie soon, or you won’t be able to bring it along, you know?"

That was Moeka-chan speaking.
Yeah, I know that already… but still, showing this much skin just feels wrong. I honestly don’t get how everyone else can act so relaxed wearing nothing but swimsuits.

That said, since none of us is staying behind to watch the bags, lockers are the only option. Bringing the hoodie with me would just get in the way. Guess I’ve got no choice…

Clenching my fists around the fabric, I take a deep breath and pull my arms out of the sleeves in one swift motion.

"Whoa! The way you’re taking it off is kinda sexy…"

"Ohh, yes! Watching the hidden parts slowly being revealed—every second is a miracle!"

I told you guys to watch where you’re looking! And seriously, Ryoji, stop narrating like that—it’s embarrassing!

"Sakurako-chan, the boys are being gross."

"That’s why I told you it’d be easier if you just took it off from the start. That way, you wouldn’t have had to go through this twice."

Wait, what? Why am I the one getting scolded here?

Are normal girls really okay being seen like this? Maybe that’s why there are so many bikinis for sale.
So… does that mean being shy about it is what’s weird for a girl?

Wait. Why am I even worrying about what’s normal for a girl? It’s not like I’m actually one… right?

"Ayumi-chan, I’ll put your hoodie away, okay?"

"Ah—yeah, thanks."

While lost in thought, I absentmindedly handed my hoodie to Sakurako-chan, hugging it to my chest one last time before letting go.

Oh no—now I’ve got nothing to cover myself with!

"Ooh, Ayu-chan, is that the new swimsuit you bought?"

"Y-yeah, it is."

Today I’m wearing the white bikini-and-skirt combo we picked out yesterday with Moeka-chan and the others.

According to Moeka-chan, "Just the bikini alone is dazzlingly cute, but with the skirt, it really brings out your super adorable loli vibe. It’s literally unbeatable! Totally the best♪"
After saying that, she and Sakurako-chan hugged each other in excitement.
I still don’t quite get that kind of girl-to-girl energy.

"Wow, Ayu-chan, it really suits you!"

"T-thanks."

Togo complimented me on my swimsuit, and my face instantly grew hot.
I mean… no one hates being complimented, right? Even if I hate wearing swimsuits, if someone told me, “That looks terrible on you,” I’d still be annoyed.
It’s complicated.

"Ayumu, it looks good on you."

"Ah, yeah. Thanks."

"What’s with that super flat response just for me!?"

Ryoji slumped dramatically.
Sorry, but the second compliment doesn’t hit the same, you know?
Don’t look so heartbroken! And stop kicking at imaginary rocks like some tragic anime hero. Geez, why are you so crushed about this?

"R-Ryoji! Thanks! I’m really happy, okay?"

"Haha! Don’t mention it! I’m fired up now!"

He replied in a deliberately robotic tone, but at least he perked up again.
Boys really are simple creatures… or maybe it’s just Ryoji who’s simple.

When I was a guy, I wasn’t like that! Probably… maybe… I think?

We all headed to the lazy river area.
Since it was May, the place wasn’t very crowded.

"Ayumi-chan, are you okay getting into the water?"
Moeka-chan asked casually.

Of course I am! It’s not like I’m afraid of water. I just… can’t swim, can’t do proper breathing, and can’t open my eyes underwater. So yeah, I hate swimming lessons. That’s all.

"Hey Ayumu, I brought you a float ring."

Ryoji slipped an inflatable ring over me.

Oh—nice! I was wondering how weird it’d look just walking around the lazy river without swimming.
Apparently, it’s a one-day rental type. He must’ve gone out of his way to grab one for me. What a good guy.

"Thanks!"

I smiled at him. Don’t look away when I’m thanking you!

"Wait, but if I use this, it’s not really swimming practice, is it?"

"What, you can’t swim, Ayu-chan?"

"S-so what if I can’t? Got a problem with that?"

"Hmm, so you’re here to practice, then? What made you suddenly decide that, when you’ve never practiced before?"

He’s right. Our middle school didn’t have swimming classes, so I haven’t practiced since elementary school.
When I first heard that, I thanked God—honestly, that might’ve been the most grateful moment of my life.
Who would’ve thought high school would bring swimming back?

"Because Sakurako-chan and the others said we’d have swimming class…"

"Huh? But our school pool’s only used by the swim team."

"…Eh?"

I blinked, dumbfounded.

"Ah! Hey, Ryoji-kun—shhh!"

Sakurako-chan tried to shush him, but it was too late.

Wait… was I tricked!?

Unbelievable. You’re telling me the whole “we need swimsuits for class” thing was a lie!?
All those times they made me try on swimsuits and play dress-up at the shop—it all flashes through my mind like a nightmare montage.

"Sakurako-chan… there’s no swimming class, is there?"

"N-no there isn’t, r-right, Moeka?"

"R-right."

That was the most suspiciously fake tone ever. I stared at the two of them as they fidgeted nervously.

"B-but, Ayumi-chan! We just really wanted to go to the pool with you!"
Moeka-chan pleaded, face earnest. Sakurako-chan nodded beside her.

Sigh. Well… no point getting mad now. We’re already here.
If I think of it as avoiding a hit to my PE grade, I guess it’s fine.

"I’ll let it slide this time, but don’t lie to me again, okay?"

"Sorry!"
"We’re really sorry!"

They both apologized, so… whatever.
Honestly, if they’d just invited me directly, I probably wouldn’t have come anyway.

Since we’re here, I might as well get in the pool. Now that the pressure of “needing to learn to swim” is gone, I actually feel more relaxed.

Before I realized it, Ryoji and Togo were already in the water.
The three of us girls followed after them.

Grabbing the handrail, I dipped my toes into the pool.
Oh—warm! Right, it’s a heated pool. Not quite like a bath, but pleasantly so.
I slowly waded in, letting the warm water envelop me.

The depth reached just above my waist.
Sunlight sparkled on the surface, and the water was so clear I could see the bottom.
At this depth, I shouldn’t be able to drown, right?
But—whoa, the current’s strong! If I don’t brace my feet, I’ll drift away! Wait—my foot’s slipping—ahh, balance!!

Just as I was about to fall, someone caught me by the waist.

"Ayumu, you okay? You’re not used to this, so be careful."

"Th-thanks—ah!"

His hand slid around my waist. Hey! Taking advantage of me while I can’t fight back!?
I glared sharply at the culprit—Ryoji.

He just grinned, messing up my hair before letting go.
Ugh, he totally brushed it off like it was nothing.
Now that I think about it, I was wearing the float ring anyway—I wouldn’t have fallen.
Wait a second… so he just wanted an excuse to touch me!?

I turned to glare at him again—but he was already gone. How does he vanish that fast!?

Once I steadied myself, I let the current carry me along, gently drifting forward.

"Ayumi-chan, let me hold on too~"

Moeka-chan swam up with a smooth swoosh and clung to my float ring.

Whoa—her face is way too close! Even with the float between us, she’s practically right in front of me!

"Hey, Ayumi-chan, your face is all red. You okay? It’s not that hot, is it?"

"Ah, n-no! It’s not the water or anything. I’m fine, really. Don’t worry about it!"

People love teasing her, but honestly, Moeka-chan’s a genuinely charming girl.
And… well, I may have been a guy originally, so being this close to such a cute face makes my heart skip. I’ve gotten used to it somewhat, sure, but getting “used to girls” like this feels like the kind of skill a ladies’ man would brag about.
Except my “training” was brutal: girls’ restrooms, changing rooms, lingerie stores, swimsuit shops… total hardcore exposure therapy! Anyone would get used to it after that.

I smiled at Moeka-chan, trying to play it off. Then her face suddenly turned red too.
Heh, lately I’ve realized that a smile can defuse a lot of situations. A smile really is powerful, huh?
…Well, okay, to be honest, it’s more of a “please don’t notice I’m flustered” smile.

"Ayumi-chan, you’ve been smiling a lot more lately. I think it really suits you!"

"Huh? You think so?"

"Yeah! When you first started school, you always looked worried. I was a little concerned, honestly. But now, you smile so much more!"

Back when I first enrolled… yeah, everything felt overwhelming and unfamiliar. I hadn’t realized that made others worry. Hearing that they noticed—and cared—was kind of touching.
If they think I seem more relaxed now, maybe that means I’ve actually started fitting in, not just in my head but for real.

"Thanks for worrying about—hyah!?"

I tried to thank her, but before I could finish, something suddenly wrapped around my waist.
Someone hugged me out of nowhere, making me squeak in surprise.
Seriously, what’s with today? I keep getting ambushed!
And okay, yeah, maybe my exaggerated reactions make it fun for them, but come on—being poked, grabbed, or hugged without warning would startle anyone.

In short, I am the victim here. The attackers are the ones who need to restrain themselves!

The culprit, Sakurako-chan, surfaced with a huge splash, shaking her ponytail from side to side to flick the water off.

"You two were having such a nice little moment without me, I got jealous! So I came to interrupt. Let me join the flirting too!"

"F-flirting!?"

"Hehe, that flustered face is just too adorable to ignore. I love your smile, but this is pretty great too."

"Stop teasing me already!"

Sakurako-chan and Moeka-chan were still clinging to my float ring.

Two girls, both in swimsuits, pressed this close—adorable and beautiful at the same time!
Even if I’ve built up some resistance, being surrounded like this, hearing their breathing—it’s way too much for my heart!
Aahhh, I’m definitely blushing again…

Just as I was starting to panic, Ryoji drifted by on an inflatable mat, with Togo clinging onto the edge beside him.

"Ryoji-kun! Ryoji-kun! That looks so fun!"

Both Moeka-chan and Sakurako-chan’s attention shifted to the boys’ mat.

Phew. Good timing. At least they didn’t notice my face burning again. If they had, I’d never hear the end of it.
Seriously, Ryoji, great timing for once!

"I rented this too, so I thought I’d try it out. Ayumu, wanna use it?"

"Huh? Me? Nah, the float’s fine. Why don’t you let Sakurako-chan and the others use it?"

"I’m good. Ayumi-chan, you should try lying on it!"

Wait, why is Sakurako-chan volunteering me again?
I already know from experience—nothing good ever comes from going along with these setups!

Time for a strategic diversion… target: Moeka-chan.

"Then how about you try it, Moeka-chan?"

"Hmm… nope! I think it should be Ayumi-chan’s turn♪"

Moeka-chan swam over and grabbed my float ring.

Whoa, too close! Even with the float between us, her face is practically inches from mine.

"Hey, Ayumi-chan, your face is all red. You okay? It’s not the water, right?"

"Ah, um, yeah. It’s not the water or anything. Don’t worry about it!"

People have been teasing her a lot lately, but honestly, Moeka-chan is a really cute girl.
And… well, I used to be a boy, so when a girl gets this close, my heart still skips. I’ve gotten more used to it lately, but still! Getting used to girls like this kind of makes me feel like some popular guy—but the training was brutal: girls’ restrooms, changing rooms, lingerie stores, swimsuit sections… anyone would get used to it after all that!

I smile awkwardly to hide my flustered face. Moeka-chan blinks at me in confusion, and now she’s blushing too.

Smiling has been surprisingly effective lately. A smile can smooth things over, huh?
…Well, to be honest, it’s more of a “please don’t notice” smile.

"Ayumi-chan, you’ve been smiling a lot more lately. I think that’s great!"

"Huh? You think so?"

"Yeah, totally. When we first started school, you always looked so nervous. I was kinda worried. But now, you smile all the time!"

Back when I first enrolled… everything was rough. New and confusing. I hadn’t realized how worried that made everyone else. I feel bad about that—but I’m also really grateful they cared.

If they think I seem more relaxed now, maybe that means I’ve finally started to fit in—objectively speaking, not just in my own head.

"Thanks for worry—gyah?!"

Before I could even finish my thanks, something latched onto my waist.
I yelped as someone hugged me from behind out of nowhere.

Seriously, what is today? This is the third time I’ve been ambushed like this!
I know my over-the-top reactions make it fun for them, but still—if someone suddenly hugs or pokes you from behind, anyone would be startled! There’s no way to defend against that!

Conclusion: The attackers should really restrain themselves!

The culprit, Sakurako-chan, bursts out of the water with a huge splash, shaking her ponytail side to side to flick away droplets.

"You two were looking all cozy without me, so I got jealous! Let me join in on the fun!"

"F-fun!? What are you talking about!?"

"Hehe, that flustered face is cute too. I love your smile, but this is a close second."

"Don’t tease me like that!"

Sakurako-chan and Moeka-chan both cling to my float.

Now I’ve got two adorable girls in swimsuits pressing in close. Even after all my “training,” my heart’s pounding like crazy! We’re so close I can hear them breathing. My face must be bright red again…

Just then, Ryoji—lying back lazily on an inflatable mat—floats by, with Togo clinging to the edge beside him.

"Ryoji-kun! That looks so fun!" Moeka calls out.

Both Moeka-chan and Sakurako-chan immediately focus on the mat, sparing me from further teasing. Thank goodness—they didn’t notice my flushed face! Seriously, Ryoji, perfect timing.

"I rented this one earlier," Ryoji says. "Want to try it, Ayu?"

"Huh? Me? I’m fine with my float. Maybe let Sakurako-chan or someone else use it?"

"I’m good," Sakurako replies. "Ayumi-chan, you should try lying on it!"

Why does this always circle back to me?
Nothing good ever comes from “just going along with it” in situations like this!
Refusal is clearly the only path to a happy ending.

Desperate, I look for a diversion. "Then how about Moeka-chan tries instead?"

"Hmm… I think it should be you, Ayumi-chan~♪"

Why me!?

Maybe because I’m the lightest? But that doesn’t explain how Ryoji managed to lie on it earlier! And Moeka-chan was the one who said it “looked fun” in the first place!

"If Ayumi-chan won’t get on, I’ll just take your float!" Sakurako declares.

She suddenly yanks my float upward—it slips right off me completely!

Without its support, I lose buoyancy, flailing for balance as the float vanishes. My body sinks slightly before I can react.

"Here, Ayu-chan, this one’s free now!" Togo offers, holding out the now-empty float mat. At some point, Ryoji had slid off.

Without thinking, I grab it. I really should’ve thought first. This has “trap” written all over it.

"Come on, Ayumi-chan, hop on~!" Moeka grins mischievously.

Oh, I see how it is. They’re totally planning to flip me over. Classic pool prank move. And okay, sure, I’m fifteen—but I can’t swim! If they flip me, it’s not funny—it’s a crisis!

I protest, insisting I don’t want to get dunked. Everyone shakes their heads innocently, promising they won’t flip me.
Hmm… if that’s true, maybe it’s okay? Alright, I’ll trust them.

I pull myself up and stretch out on the mat. It dips for a second, then steadies and floats back up.

Oh, wow, this is actually pretty nice! So relaxing—way easier than a float ring.

Just as I start to enjoy myself, multiple hands suddenly rise out of the water around me!

"Wha—hey! You said no funny business!"

"I said we wouldn’t flip you. I never said anything about no pranks," Ryoji says smoothly, his face emerging from the water.

That doesn’t make it okay! You’re a guy—this is way past teasing! I know I used to be a boy, but still, boundaries!!

And it’s not just him—Moeka and Sakurako are at it too! All three are laughing as their hands tickle my back, sides, and thighs.
Togo just sits there watching, totally useless. His eyes are glued on me in pure shock—ugh, hopeless.

"Hey! Stop! Not there—chest and sides are off-limits!"

They’ve officially gone too far! My swimsuit could slip! It’s ticklish! It’s mortifying!

I curl up defensively on the mat to escape the onslaught—bad move.
My sudden shift throws off the mat’s balance, and before I can react—

Splash!

The mat flips completely, dumping me straight into the water.

For a moment, I panic—but before I can sink, Ryoji catches me from behind.

"Whoa, that was close. You okay?" he asks with a grin, teeth gleaming in the sunlight.

"Thanks, you…—Wait, no! Why am I thanking you! This is all your fault in the first place!"

I swing my arm and smack his cheek with an open palm.

"Idiot!"

"Wha—why just me!?"

Serves you right, creep! No amount of sweet snacks will get you forgiven this time!

"A-Ayumi-chan, are you mad?" Moeka asks nervously.

"Yes. Very."

I turn away sharply, making sure they see my anger.
Seriously! They do whatever they want, dunk me in the pool, and laugh about it! I was actually scared!

"Uuuh… sorry. We went too far. Also… um, Ayumi-chan—your swimsuit’s… kind of… slipping."

"Eh—what!?"

I glance down—and freeze. The top of my bikini has shifted out of place, creating a shape I really don’t want to describe!

For the record—it’s not exposed! It’s technically safe!
…but only technically. One wrong move, and it would be a total disaster.

To make matters worse, I can feel people staring.

My face burns hotter than ever. Mortified, I clutch my chest, scramble out of the pool, and dash to the nearest hiding spot.

I should’ve just stayed home. Coming to the pool was a terrible idea...