"Suzune, quick, take a look for me. I think I got water in my ear." Amane tilted her head, trying to drain the water from her ear.
"Honestly, you must have stayed underwater for too long. Hold on a second, I'll go get you a cotton swab." Horikita made her way back from the edge of the swimming pool.
"Sensei, Miyako-san seems to have water in her ear. Do you know where we can find a cotton swab?"
Only after hearing Horikita's question did the swimming teacher seem to jolt awake, as if from a dream.
"Miyako-san, you, you, you, you!!!!"
Horikita covered her ears. The teacher's sudden, explosive shout gave Horikita a real fright. For a second, she almost thought the teacher was having some kind of fit.
"Sensei, is there some problem with Amane-san?"
Horikita furrowed her brow.
The one who asked this was Kushida, who was standing nearby.
"Of course there's a huge problem!" Onodera Kayano, sitting by the poolside, exclaimed excitedly.
If possible…
Horikita really wished that before they all got carried away with their own emotions…
Someone would tell her the reason.
"Could someone please explain why everyone is so excited? There are even boys who can swim 50 meters in 21 seconds. Even if Amane-san's time is good, is it really such a big deal?" Horikita asked, somewhat bewildered.
The teacher then pulled out her phone, searched for something, and showed the screen to Horikita.
The women's 50-meter freestyle world record was 23.67 seconds.
So what was Amane's time?
23.01 seconds.
"You're not joking, are you? How could a high school student break a record like that so easily?"
Horikita Suzune couldn't believe that Amane had just casually shattered the world record. She even started to doubt the authenticity of the news.
"It's true. Even though Miyako-san was disqualified for a violation, with her speed and technique, just a little training and she'd surpass the world record. Miyako-san… she's amazing."
Onodera's eyes were filled with pure admiration.
As a member of the swim team, she understood better than anyone what surpassing a world record meant.
It was a goal they themselves could never hope to reach.
Hearing Onodera's confirmation, Horikita felt a little dizzy.
Seriously.
Why was fate playing such a joke on her?
In a place like this, to encounter someone as baffling as Amane…
Could it really be destiny?
"Suzune, did you get the cotton swab yet?"
Horikita turned around. Amane was patting her own ear, while waving at Horikita. Only then did Horikita remember what she was supposed to be doing.
With the teacher's help, Horikita found what she needed. She led Amane to sit on the bleachers and carefully began cleaning her ear.
"Ehehe~"
Horikita, focused on her task, was startled by Amane's sudden giggle and nearly poked her by accident.
"Can't you stay still for a moment?"
"Sorry, it's just that you're cleaning it so gently, it tickles. I couldn't help it."
"Ehehe~"
Horikita thought about it for a second. In the end, she decided to just ignore Amane. If she seriously tried to keep up with Amane's antics, she'd probably have a nervous breakdown sooner or later.
The swimming class concluded with Amane receiving 500 personal points.
The reason given was that while her time was exceptional, Amane had violated the rule requiring her to surface before the 15-meter mark, so her record was invalidated.
However, due to Horikita's insistence, Amane was still recognized as the winner of her heat, and rewarded with 500 personal points.
After class, both the teacher and Onodera invited Amane to visit the swim club.
But Amane flatly refused them all.
Her reason was that it would be a waste of her time. But then Onodera played her trump card.
She said there were lots of pretty girls in the club, including older senpais, and that they looked super cute in their swimsuits, trying to lure Amane in.
Horikita originally thought such an obvious trick would never work on Amane, so she didn't pay it any mind, walking ahead planning to go wait for Amane at the 'Palette' cafe.
But when she glanced back, she actually saw Amane, looking delighted, following Onodera away.
???
What on earth is this idiot thinking?!
"Amane-san, have you perhaps forgotten something important?"
Horikita, now seated, called Amane on her phone.
"Something important? Oh, do you need me to buy a pack of beef rolls for dinner? I've been craving the beef bowl you make again."
Even through the phone, Horikita could perfectly picture the greedy, eager look on Amane's face right now.
"Have you forgotten that you were supposed to have bubble tea with me? What's the meaning of running off with someone else?"
Horikita's tone was gentle.
"Wha—?! I forgot!!! Wait for me, I'm coming back right now!"
Click.
Panicked sounds came from the other end of the line.
Horikita let out a heavy sigh.
Amane was probably the type legendary for getting lured away by strangers while just walking down the street, wasn't she?
Horikita took a small sip of her latte.
Then she saw a white-haired idiot come rushing frantically into the cafe.
She then came over somewhat awkwardly and carefully sat down opposite Horikita.
"About earlier, I was just…"
"Drink it while it's cool."
"Oh."
Amane took a sip through the straw.
A sweet taste instantly filled her mouth.
Why… why is it… milk?!
"Suzune, this seems to be milk…"
Horikita calmly took a sip of her latte. "Is that strange? Children need to drink milk to grow strong and healthy." A shallow smile appeared on Horikita's lips.
This time it was much more natural.
At least the smile wasn't as stiff. It looked much nicer too.
It made a faint blush rise to Amane's cheeks.
She really was a beauty through and through. If the boys saw this, they'd probably cause a commotion.
Horikita rested her chin in her hand, her gaze bold and direct as she met Amane's eyes.
"I'm curious." Horikita used a napkin to wipe a spot off the corner of Amane's mouth.
"Curious about what?"
"Curious about your past, Amane. I think I'm becoming a little interested in Miyako Amane."
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Amane's heartbeat began to accelerate.
C-could this be…?
Suzune couldn't possibly be this hasty, right…?
But given the situation…
Amane instinctively tried to avoid Horikita's gaze, but Horikita gently bumped her leg against Amane's under the table as a hint.
It must be true.
Horikita probably meant exactly that.
Amane became convinced of her own interpretation.
After taking a deep breath, she also looked calmly back at Horikita. For the first time, the two held each other's gaze for a long time.
It was as if each was trying to read the other's thoughts through their eyes.
The urgency to understand each other better, involuntarily drew them closer.
Finally, the distance between them had narrowed so much that each could see her own reflection in the other's pupils.
They wanted to make contact.
An ambiguous atmosphere spontaneously arose.
Amane reached out her finger and gently poked Horikita's hand.
Horikita was a little resistant at first.
But after evading a few times, she finally let Amane take hold of her hand.
Just as the two were about to take a further step…
"Hold on a second."
Amane was the one who actively broke the ambiguous mood.
"What is it?"
"I've been staring for too long, my eyes are getting dry."
"You… must you ruin the moment?" Horikita had a vague feeling her headache was returning.
This time, it was probably her blood pressure shooting straight up.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.