Life Made Anew

2: Pool Time!

The next day, the pool opened, and we all charged to it when the time came, except for me. I got to the pool and realized something: I got a swimsuit for nothing but show; I don't know how to swim.

Does anyone see the correlation to Toradora! now? First, the play during the festival. Now, the female protagonist doesn't know how to swim.

I decided to just sit by the edge and pretend like I'm tanning, even though I'm too pale to tan. I don't want Kazama to know that secret, but I may have to in the future.

Tomoru walked over to me. He seemed a bit suspicious of me. "Aren't you a bit pale to tan?"

"Maybe that's why I'm doing this: so I don't burn in the future."

I lied just to get him away. It didn't work. "Come on! Swim! Have some fun!" He grabbed my arm and dragged me to the edge.

"W-wait! Stop!" I tried yanking free of his grip, but he was too strong.

"What's the matter? It's summer. Enjoy the pool while it lasts." He shoved me in.

I had my eyes closed because the chlorine burned my eyes. I kept sinking. Kazama saw him shove me in, but when he saw that I wasn't coming up for air, he jumped in instinctively and saw me drowning.

With no air to keep me alive, I was left unconscious, floating underwater. I blacked out. There was one thought on my mind before I blacked out: I'm scared; I don't want to die!

Kazama, with his two strong arms, carried me back to the surface of the water. The water filled my lungs already, so he started to use CPR on me.

He used his mouth to bring air back to lungs and pressed his hands to compress where my heart is to get the water out. I coughed and water came up. Everyone was happy to see that I came to. But I only said one thing when I came to: "Kazama..." He was the first person I saw.

"Quick, get her to the nurse's office now."

Tomoru raised his hand, which shocked me. "I will."

But I shook my head. "No, let Kazama do it." I could easily see that he was hurt by that statement. A small price to pay, for now. I stood up and stumbled a bit, but Kazama caught me. "Tomoru, don't worry about it. I'll be back to explain my decision."

He looked assured now, but he still was a bit hurt. "Look, I'm—"

I held my hand out. "Not yet."
—
Kazama took me to the nurse's office. The nurse checked me for anything bad, and it turned out that I was just fine. Kazama came behind the curtain now.

"I'm glad that you're all right."

I shook my head. "Maybe physically, but—" I gestured him over. He came over, and I quickly embraced him. I then let out everything I had been holding back: my tears, my fear from earlier. "Kazama... I was so scared! I didn't want to die... I thought that I wasn't going to survive!"

"Sorry, it's my fault..."

"Huh?"

He explained that he saw that I wasn't getting in the water, and told Tomoru to 'give me a little push.' "I had no idea that you couldn't swim... I'm sorry."

"I didn't want anyone to know. It's too embarrassing, not being able to swim."

"But, literally, your life was on he line then! If you had told me, I would have never told him to do that." He was yelling now. But it really is true. Had I told him, or known how to swim, I would have been able to live no matter the circumstances. "Do you not trust me with things like that?"

"No, no! I trust you... I'm sorry. I should tell you these things beforehand." I looked down. What I have built is not a relationship of trust anymore. I haven't told him things like that. But I never knew when I'd have to tell him. Even though I knew the day was nearing, I never told him about that.

"Thank you, now, let's head back. I'll teach you how to swim."

"Huh? Y-you will?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I do that?" I grabbed his sleeve.

"C-can we just stay here for a bit?" I pulled him in closer. "I feel like being a bit... Naughty now that we're alone." I kisses him and pulled him onto the bed.

"Okay, but not for too long. We only have about 15 minutes left of this period." He kissed back and let his tongue into my mouth. I did the same to him.

He rubbed my thigh, which made me moan a bit. I kissed his neck in an attempt to stifle the rest of it. He rolled over to put me on top. He kissed my neck and grabbed my butt, making me blush. "When will I be able to go farther than this?"

"W-when I'm more comfortable with this... Maybe soon."

We did that for 5 more minutes and returned to the pool before the bell rang to change out of our swimwear. When will I be able to do more with him? I thought before Sakura came over.

"What took you too so long?" She asked. She had a smirk on her face, suggesting that she may know already.

"From the look on your face, I can guess that you may have the right answer already."

"I knew it!" She came close to my ear. "You did some naughty things, didn't you?" I nodded. "You're getting quite bold already with these things." She laughed before waking off. "I'll see you tomorrow, Maki."

"See you, Sakura!" I said. I guess I am getting bolder. Maybe I could go farther pretty soon. I walked to the front to see Kazama. We then walked home. I had a slight blush on my face. Maybe even now.
—
Sorry for the late update. Well, not so late. Probably just a week. I'll try to be more frequent, but I want to slow things down to work on others things outside of wattpad as well as in.