To my Dearest Tomodachi.

CH. 7 The Swimming "Elite"

   The day Yuuma set eyes on Aiko, was love at first sight. The so-called swimming "elite" has many girls on him, due to his athletic ability to swim free. However, he only has eyes on one girl, who has changed from shy girl-to-strong talented female. The two barely talked throughout the swimming club, and at school. Yuuma hopes of getting to know Aiko more by next semester, where the swimming club is more active during the warmer season. The first time they met was in their first year. Somehow, the weather became warmer than usual when he set his eyes on her.

"Whoa! Look at Yuuma's strong biceps! He's so handsome when he swims!" said one of the girls in the swimming club.

One out of many complements Yuuma hears every swimming practice at school. His physic statue has many girls eyeing on him. However, he is very timid, almost known as a "lone knight" in the water. He becomes a different person when talking with his friends. When it comes to love, he tries many ways to step out of his comfort zone to reach them.

   Born into a very wealthy family, and being the next heir in his father's advertisement business in Okinawa. Yuuma tries to enjoy most of his final youth years doing what he loves; swimming. He sometimes convince his father that he'll become an athlete one day-however forgets the fact he's going to take over his father's business. As of now, Yuuma hasn't planned what to do after high school. Mainly keeping his main sport in mind. The lone knight has only one person on his mind in his final year, Aiko, whom he hasn't have a normal conversation since the beginning of the school year. Though, he sometimes want to talk to her during club, but always get left out because of her friend-also known for being the hard worker in the club: Misaki Tachibana. Yuuma isn't taking last minute chances, he must confess before Aiko leaves to Tokyo.

   On the other hand, Yuuma-when not participating in the swimming club-hangs out with his friends in the courtyard at school. Talking about video games, sports, and upcoming events in their lives. Surprising, most of his friends already got themselves a girlfriend during their final year. Yuuma still feels misplaced in the group for being a loner. But, he still gets praised by his friends for having every girl in the swimming club adore him. Aiko is his interest all throughout high school, and time is running out. Yuuma isn't the quick thinker, he plans on confessing in  the upcoming spring to Aiko.

   Meanwhile outside of school, he rides a bicycle home. Usually his mother text him for last minute errands, making a detour home from a nearby market. An even 12 minutes from the school to the house, which he doesn't mind the exercise from bicycling. He comes home greeted by his very cheerful Shiba Inu at home.

   "Machi-Machi! I'm home."

   The "lone knight" at Kentaru High School Swimming Club. Also known what he calls himself the swimming "Elite", or what he's trying to become throughout his high school years. Will he ever get a chance with Aiko, the probability is far from 100%.