My Father's Secret

Chapter 49

Kimiko's shirt was soaked.

Not because she fell in but because she had been sweating too much. The sun was high up in the sky and bead of precipitate formed on her forehead, back and hands making them all slippery.

Half way through, her grip on Tsurugi's hand was slipping, but there was no way she was going to let go.

"I cant hold on anymore" at that moment they were standing still. They had already come too far to go back. The only way now was to make it to the other side.

If everyone else could do it then I can too. For the sake of the whole team.

The rest of their teammates on the other side were sending shouts and cheers of encouragement. Even Tenma and Shinsuke from the other team joined in.

"Tsurugi, my hand is slipping. I dont want to fall in"

"Just focus on me and dont look down. Just trust me, I promise I wont let go"

Kimiko followed obediently and looked straight into his eyes. She felt herself calm down and the two continued to take cautious steps. As they approached the end their teammates grabbed onto them and pulled them back to land. With a perfect score of 20 points and still in the leading position, their group continued to their next station.

***

It was past noon when all the teams finally completed the obstacle course. The teachers sent the soaking wet students - some from both sweat and pond water, back to their rooms to wash up for lunch.

Kimiko gave Aoi the privileges of showering first because she fell into the pond. By the time Aoi was done washing out all the dirt and pond plants out of her hair, that was barely enough time left for Kimiko.

Kimiko and Aoi were the last ones to arrive for lunch. Most of the other students had already begun eating and some were even finished. This is what happens when you get a roommate who takes way too much time in the shower.

After lunch the students gathered back in the hall again for the next round of activities.

"It was a bad idea to not dry your hair. You're going to get sick"

"Well its not like you have that much time when your roommate takes forever to finish"

"Yeah. Arata-kun takes just as long"

"I heard that"

And they all burst out laughing.

They did some indoor team building activities before the students were released for free time. Kimiko took this time to begin writing her letters. There were quite a number of people she planned to write to.

She and Aoi were seated at a wooden table by the beach each with a number of pieces of paper scattered on the table and colorful markers spread out - Aoi always brought them with her wherever she went, even to soccer practice.

"Umm..Kimiko, are you writing to Tsurugi-kun?"

"Yeah.."

"Oh ok" Aoi replied looking almost sad.

"Are you?"

"Yeah"

Then they were silent. Neither of them said much as they wrote their letters. The sound of the waves crashing onto the shores and the calling seagulls drowned the noise of their markers scribbling away on the pieces of paper.