COTE: Behind the Mask

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 5

"Alright, everyone who will swim, line up here, and those who won't can watch from the observation deck or anywhere else. But don't be too loud," Mashima-sensei announced.

"I'll cheer you on, Kiyo."

"Thank you, Arisu," I smiled.

"First, form groups of five."

Arisu and three other classmates either couldn't or didn't want to swim.

"Ayanokoji-kun, would you join our group?"

"Sure, why not, Katsuragi-kun."

Katsuragi led us to his group. The green-haired boy who always hangs around with Katsuragi, and Katsuragi himself, were familiar to me. But I had no idea who the other two were.

"Hashimoto Masayoshi, nice to meet you, Ayanokoji-kun," he said, holding out his hand for me to shake.

"Likewise. I'm Ayanokoji—" I began, but he interrupted me.

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Sakayanagi Arisu's boyfriend. After what happened that day, I think everyone knows who you both are."

"Ah, okay."

"Kamuro Masumi."

"Nice to meet you too, Kamuro-san."

She didn't even look at me. How rude.

"Does everyone have a group?"

Everyone nodded. Mashima-sensei continued.

"Alright, each group will race in a fifty-meter freestyle. The top two from each group will compete against each other. The winner from all the groups will get 5000 private points as a prize. Okay, which is the first group?"

After all the other groups finished, it was our turn. Katsuragi came over to me.

"Ayanokoji-kun, I'd like to make a deal. Whoever wins between us in the final round gives the other 10,000 points."

Our classmates around us were staring at us. After all, it was 10,000 private points in addition to the 5000 points you'd get for being the fastest overall.

"Do you think you even stand a chance against me?"

He looked confused, as if he didn't understand what I was saying.

"Hey, are you underestimating Kohei-kun?" That annoying green-haired boy.

"We'll see, Ayanokoji-kun."

"Alright." I shook his hand.

I heard Arisu giggling lightly in the back. I smiled at her and went to the start. One lane was 50 meters long. I thought I'd just place second, close to third. But who am I kidding? I want to win this. I will win this; there aren't any exceptions.

"Ready, set, go!"

With that, I dove in and swam. Katsuragi was way ahead of me. I reached the end a few moments after Katsuragi.

The times were:

- Totsuka Yahiko: 38.83 seconds
- Kamuro Masumi: 35.52 seconds
- Hashimoto Masayoshi: 32.37 seconds
- Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: 30.13 seconds
- Katsuragi Kohei: 27.68 seconds

"Katsuragi-kun won! You were so slow, Ayanokoji-kun!" said the slowest of them all.

"The deal was about the finals. But, Ayanokoji-kun, what did you mean by 'Do you think you even stand a chance against me'? If that was your fastest, you won't win."

"Thank you for your concern, Katsuragi-kun, but that wasn't my best. It wasn't even the fastest I could go," I said with a cold stare.

"Good job, Kiyo!"