Translucent Waters (Nanase Haruka Love Story) (Free! Iwatobi Swimming Club)

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Christmas Day

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Christmas Day

 

Mizushima Kasumi’s Point of View

 

            I was currently folding the bedcovers back to their original setting before rushing to the kitchen where Nanase was making breakfast—of course being him, he just got out of the tub and was shirtless, with only an apron and swimming trunks to cover himself.

            I glanced at the clock. It was one in the afternoon. It was true that Nanase and I were with Nagisa, Rei, Makoto, and Rin at the festival, playing games, eating out, watching the fireworks, and then walking around the lake and stands last night, and we were tediously worn out by the end of the day. I guess that that was what you got for staying up late and sleeping in—less time with Haruka . . . And he still woke up at the same time as each and every morning to take his daily runs and go to the swimming pool and exercise . . . Now that I think of it, I’m actually pretty lax compared to others . . . by a long run.

            “Good morning,” I gave him a smile as I hugged him from behind, my chin at the crevice of his neck.

            “The same to you,” he replied passively as I simply chuckled in response. “How many slivers of mackerel do you want?”

            I observed how thick and long the slices of the fish were before answering, “Um, three is fine.”

            He nodded his head as he reached for two plates from the upper cabinet and set the slivers onto the plates—respective to the amounts we wanted.

            I quickly grabbed some soy sauce before sitting down to eat.

            Nanase looked at me blankly as I poured a tablespoon of the liquid onto my cooked fish.

            “What?” I raised my hands in defense as I closed the cap of the soy sauce container.

            He continued to give me the blank stare, and I continued to do the same to him. This lasted for several minutes before the silence was broken by the sudden clanging sound of forks and knives piercing and cutting through the seafood.

            “Done exercising for the day,” I said out of the blue. “I’m gonna guess.”

            “Yeah,” Nanase replied simply.

            I stared at the plate as I sliced the slivers of fish into smaller pieces and continued to eat.

            “What’s the plan for today?” I asked Nanase as I put down my fork.