Small Towns

Start To Finish, Chapter 4

Yori followed Mr. Zuta to a separate building which held the pool. It was just as big as his old school's. Which was comforting in a way.

Mr. Zuta waves at the swim captain who was standing near the far corner of the room. "Hello Mr. Mikoshiba! I have brought you a new swimmer!" They finally get in plain talking distance with the swim captain. "This is Miyamoto Yori. He just transferred from a highly eclaimed school in Tokyo. I expect great things from him! So I want to show off and see what he's got!"

Yori waves in greetings to the captain and smiles nervously. "Hello Sir!"

The captain smiles back broadly. "Hello Yori! Just call me Seijuro. Go change and show us what you can do."

Yori nods and heads towards the locker room. He puts his bag in a locker and gets changed walking out with a grey and light pink swimsuit on. He puts on his cap and goggles as he steps up on the starting block. Getting ready and waiting for the cue to start.

Seijuro yells. "Ready! Set! Go!" He blows a whistle.

At the sound of the whistle, Yori dove into the water and sliced quickly through the water. Coming up for air a few seconds after he first dove in. He starts doing his butterfly stroke and it was like he was skimming the water. He makes the turn and goes for the final 50 meters. His pace quickens and his dives get more separated. However, he is going faster than the first 50 meters.

Seijuro and Mr. Zuta watch him carefully. Mr. Zuta is astonished at the sight of Yori being this fast.

Seijuro on the other hand, is studying his movements. Seeing what he can improve and what he can loosen up on. But he is pleased with what he is seeing so far.

Yori hits the wall and breaks the surface, ripping off his swim cap and goggles. He tries to steady his breath and he climbs out of the pool and grabs a towel from a nearby rack, starting to dry his hair. He walks over to the principal and captain, still drying his hair. "So..? How did I do?" He smiles kindly.

Mr. Zuta stands and smiles, clapping loudly. "You did just, dare I say... Swimmingly!" He laughs.

Yori kindly laughs at the bad joke and nods. "Thank you Mr. Zuta!"

Mr. Zuta looks at his watch and grumbles. "Oh! Looks like I have to go! Have a great first day Mr. Miyamoto!" He leaves the building.

Seijuro stands. His face serious. "You have a lot of power in your stroke. You also have good times... That is, if we go back to your records from middle school. You are too light and are skimming the water which is just like your jumping out of it. You swim like you're trying to avoid touching the water."

Yori blinks and gulps. "A-Ah... I-I'm sorry--"

Seijuro interupts him with a slight smile. "However... After that turn, you swam like you really knew what you were doing from start to finish. You weren't afraid if the water fought back. You're ballsy kid! It's good!" He laughs.

Yori smiles and tries not to jump for joy. "Thank you!"

Seijuro nods and smiles wide. "See ya in practice tomorrow kid!"

Yori's smile grows, if that's even possible. "See ya then!" He laughs and walks towards the locker room.

Seijuro yells after him. "Hey Yori!"

"Hm?" Yori looks back at Seijuro.

Seijuro smirks mischievously. "I like the suit." He laughs lowly and walks out taking the towel from Yori.

Yori's eyes widen and he blushes madly. "W-Weird Captain..." He walks into the locker room and gets changed, heading out of the building and sees a person standing by the entrance way. Their silver hair obstructing their face. 'I thought girls weren't allowed to join this school...' He thought. "Hello?"

The silver haired person looked up and Yori blinked. 'Not a girl...' The other boy nervously stumbled back. "Ah! H-Hello! You must be... Er... Miyado...to?"

Yori smiled and laughed. "Miyamoto. But closer than most get! My name is Yori."

The other boy nods and bows. "H-Hello Yor-Senpai! My name is Aiichiro Nitori!"

Yori quickly tried to stop him from bowing. "No, no, no!! Just call me Yori! It's okay Nitori!" He nervously laughs.

Nitori stands straight and nods again. "Okay! So um... Follow me to your room, Yor-Sen-- Yori."

Yori smiled and tried to hide a laugh.