Into The Water

Chapter Four: Breakdown At The Swim Gear Shop!

Haruka glances at his far right and watches the girls flip through the pages of a swimsuit magazine. He has to work to keep the smile off his face as he listens to Gou desperately trying to get Mizuki excited about current fashion trends and cute accessories.

Gou never clicks her tongue or rolls her eyes when Mizuki says something silly; she's in good hands.

The boys each find a stylish swimsuit, a pair of neat goggles and a swim cap. Mizuki has so much fun watching them make their choices. But when it comes to her own needs she turns pale and makes up a flurry of ridiculous excuses on the spot.

"Just dive in," Haruka says. The boys approach the pair with caution; the female swimsuit section of the store confuses them to no end. Nagisa, on the other hand, boldly takes in the sight of the two pieces, busty halter tops, flashy thongs and frilly swim-dresses.

"Umm, what?" Mizuki asks, looking up from the magazine. "I don't understand what you're trying to say."

There's a pause.

"Embrace your inner water spirit." The two regard one another. Haruka remains still, keeping his eyes glued to hers while she fidgets awkwardly.

"It's not that easy, Haruka-senpai," Gou lets loose a grin. "She's not ready to buy a swimsuit, and definitely not ready to embrace her inner water spirit, as you put it."

"That's understandable," Makoto chimes in. "We already forced Mizuki to come along. Don't stress her out, Haru. Give her time."

Haruka pins Makoto with his aquatic-blue eyes, refusing to back down. "But she has the perfect figure for swimming."

Mizuki makes a face, but secretly she thrills at the compliment.

"Her head is cone-shaped, which makes for better streamlining, and her ears are small, cutting down on resistance. Her shoulders are flexible and stable, and her arms are slightly longer than average, which is ideal, like her legs; long and strong, very flexible."

Mizuki looks horrified. Haruka might not have meant it in a negative sense, but he took a wrecking ball to her self-confidence.

He looks closer. "Your chest—"

"CUT IT OUT!" she yells, causing for multiple heads to turn in their direction. Embarrassed, she hides behind Makoto—his size makes for a good makeshift shield—and he immediately takes on the protective mother role.

"Haru, don't just say things like that!" he spats urgently. "Girls tend to have hateful thoughts about their body on their own, so don't make things worse by pointing all that stuff out so casually."

"I like Mizu-chan's chest though," Nagisa adds.

"Agreed," Rei pushes up his glasses with a faint twinkle.

"Didn't know you had it in you, Rei-chan."

"I am not referring to that... area! I simply agree with Makoto-senpai's statement."

"So you don't like it?"

"Yes," a pause, "I mean no! It's decent enough... Stop making me look bad!" Rei explodes.

Mizuki is skinny, all long legs and arms, with flawless, sun-kissed skin and long, straight light-brown hair flowing past her waist. But does that really make her a good swimmer?

"You should cut your hair," Haruka comments. "It'll only slow you down in the water. Soon, you'll be swimming your first nonstop mile in the pool."

"We'll help you pick out a nice swimsuit!" says Nagisa coaxingly. "You'll look like a professional swimmer!"

Mizuki is hyperventilating; it's all too much. "This was a mistake," she says as she walks off, her feet picking up the pace, then disappearing out of sight. It seems suddenly quieter without her to focus on.