A Whale Shark's Ray (Free!)(SousukexOC)(Boyxboy)

Chapter 4

After stretching and a quick warm up, we were paired with an alumni and one of the two others. They were done by a random draw, but seemed to work out the best anyways.

Satoshi got Makoto and Rin, and was already chatting up a storm with them over at his lane. He's such a social butterfly, I sometimes feel like a shadow raining on his parade of light.

And then there was us. Sousuke and Haru clearly didn't seem to be on the friendliest of terms, and it made me uncomfortable. To top it off, there was no talking at all. And Haru seemed to be having the time of his life just swimming around.

Some teachers...

Sousuke seemed to get fed up with this after a while, and called out to him. "Nanase, we came here to help with the new recruits, not take up their pool time."

He got out, but seemed a bit unhappy, in a way. Sousuke didn't hesitate to keep talking. "You're on the college swim team, and swim everyday. You don't need to take others' time away."

Haru seemed to nod a bit, then wandered off. I think he went to join Makoto and Rin..

"Get in. I want to see you swim."

I nod, smiling to myself as I walk over to the edge, putting on my goggles. I can feel his eyes on me. No, not just him, but Satoshi too. And now they're all looking at me. But I don't care as I crouch.

After all, the people around you don't matter in an individual race. It's just you. And the water.

I jump in, body already moving like it always does. But I can tell my kicks have already improved. I'll have to thank Gou for that.

The water slides over me with little to no resistance, guiding me to the turn. And there it is, that small moment of paradise before I'm going back the other way. I can feel the slight waves from Rei's swimming in another lane, but I push through them easily.

And then I reach the end. I pop out of the water, shaking my head a bit and taking of my goggles. There's silence, so I look up to see their reactions. Only to see Sousuke crouching by the water's edge, staring at me thoughtfully. Not the ideal view from down in the water.

I feel my cheeks warm instantly, and duck back down into my liquid sanctuary, closing my eyes for a minute before coming up on the opposite side of the starting block, away from the crouching man. He seems confused, highly confused. It shows all over his face. I guess he wasn't as emotionless as I thought. I can hear Nagisa and Satoshi boasting on how beautiful I looked to the others, but my eyes were on his turquoise ones.

"Come on out. Or keep swimming around. There's not much I can teach you, seeing you swim on your own."

"Then how about a race?"

We turn to see Gou smiling eagerly at us.
"It'll be Nii-san, Haru, and Munto, freestyle 100m! Then you can see him in a real competition. After all, those two are national swimmers!"

"That would be helpful."

Umm... That sounds like a horrible idea. Like, let's set him up to lose and tell him we expected better of him when he loses, bad idea. Fine. I'll show you what an angry manta ray looks like.

I get up and get in line with the other two, crouching along with them after putting on my goggles. I don't expect to win. This will simply be me venting my anger.

The signal. The water. The water seems unnaturally light around me, where those two are. Leave the water alone, weirdos. It didn't do anything to you.. Turn, speed boost. My anger is slipping away with every move. That's okay.

Finish. Like the other two, I take off my goggles, but don't shake my head, instead moving to get out.

Why is it so quiet...? I look up at the group watching. They seem surprised, staring at me. Did I do something wrong...? I look over at Gou, who's staring at her stopwatch.

Rin and Haru seem confused too.

I turn to my friend, who stares at me, with a lost expression. "Sato...?"

Gou seems to come to life at my voice.
"The results... Haru in first... Rin and Munto... tied."

We... tied? I was just venting my anger at being set up to lose... Oh jeez, what if he hates me now? You know what, I think I'll just... go hide somewhere.. Yeah, that's a good idea..

"That's impressive! I'll have to consider you my rival now, too, haha!"

Please stop laughing. It's scary. I'd much rather you were angry...

"Rival...?"

"Yup! Oh, but I guess I won't be racing you since you're in high school... Unless you become a national level swimmer."

My answer is already out. I don't need to think about it.

"No. I won't be a professional swimmer."

"Huh?! What are you, another Haru?! You've got the makings to be great!"

"No... I don't want to."

"Why not?!"

The others have already started talking amongst themselves, as practice was over. However, Rin kept on trying to argue with me. Until I'd had enough.

"Shut up! You sound like my father! I won't be a runner, and I won't be a swimmer! Now leave me alone..!"

I ran away, changing as fast as I could and high tailing it back home. I didn't even put shoes on, just carrying them in my hands. I didn't care. As soon as I reached an my currently empty house, I threw myself upon the bed.

I don't want to be a swimmer, even though I have an abnormal condition that makes me addicted to water. I wanted to dance. I wanted to be like my mother. I never was very fond of my father, though he was a nice man. But he was pushy, just like Rin. I don't like those kinds of people.

I can feel it. The cracks are growing now. My head pounds, my breathing erratic. I need something, someone, I don't care, just anything, to keep myself from shattering into a trillion tiny pieces.

That man's eyes were so beautiful...