Volume 2 - CH 1.5

A while later, Yuuka and Hina returned. 

After that, everyone sat together on the sheet while resting and discussing what we should do next.

“What should we do? It’s still too early for lunch.”

I glanced at the clock and realized that Yuuka was right as it was still 10.30.

“I wanna go to the pool over there with Godou. It’s been a while since we’ve fought!”

Hina took on a stance.

Then, she lightly tapped my chest with her fist.

“Sure, but you should be aware that no matter how much you try, you’ll never defeat me.”

Hina had always tried to challenge me in all sorts of competitions, including but not limited to running and swimming.

But, no matter how much she tried, she could never defeat me except in studying. Gender differences aside, I was a hero in my previous life, my basic specs were ahead of your average joe to begin with.

“I’m going to win this time! Just wait and see!”

She pointed her finger at me before walking toward the pool.

It seemed like she had regained some of her vigor. I guess playing around in this place helped her with that.

I didn’t know what was wrong with her, but as long as she looked this cheerful, everything should be okay.

As I was thinking about this, I felt someone staring at me from the side.

It was Shiina.

“Ah… U-Um… Good luck?”

Why did she sound so unsure? Well, whatever. I nodded at her while making a strong fist.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while now… But your muscles are something…”

She was staring at my body for some reason.

Well, I knew that my muscles were noticeable if I was dressed like this.

“It’s because I trained them well. There are no downsides to having more strength, you know?”

Even though I stopped trying to sacrifice my well-being for others, I still continued to help them. For that reason, having more strength would help.

After all, it was only with strength that I could choose whether I’d help someone or not.

If I were unable to help someone who was asking for my help, I’d never forgive myself.

Ever since I regained my memory, I had been training my muscles and I continued to do so.

Suddenly, Yuuka joined in between our conversations.

“Right! I didn’t notice it when you had your shirt on, but your muscles are quite something!”

She proceeded to touch my belly. It tickled.

Shinji was staring at me with an envious gaze. This isn’t my fault, stop staring at me like that!

Yuuka then proceeded to lecture Shinji while pointing at me.

“C’mon, Shinji, follow his example and start training your muscles!”

“I don’t want you to lump me together with him. Also, I have some muscles too, you know?”

“Lies.”

“At least I don’t have excess fat in my belly.”

“W-What?! H-Hey!”

Yuuka blushed and became angry as Shinji said something unnecessary again.

Shinji ran toward the pool and Yuuka chased after him.

They got along well, good for them.

On the other hand, Hina was busy warming up for our ‘fight’. Her atmosphere was completely serious.

“Godou! I’m risking my life here, why are you so relaxed?!”

“My bad, my bad. Alright, let’s do it.”

Hina called out to me, clearly frustrated. Since she was so eager, I decided to take her seriously.

We competed in 50-meter freestyle swimming.

Needless to know, I completely overwhelmed her.

“Ugh…”

She was frustrated with the outcome. This girl really hated to lose.

Well, the more time passes, the more pronounced the gender difference gets.

Aside from that, in her case specifically, she had to deal with the water resistance due to her massive… Ahem…

“…Your gaze is disgusting.”

“W-What do you mean by that?”

Hina glared at me as I whistled to avoid her glare.

Then, she let out a deep sigh before tilting her head in puzzlement.

“Where did Mai-chan go?”

I looked around.

I saw Shinji and Yuuka swimming, but I failed to see Shiina anywhere.

…But there was a big splash of water in the middle of the pool.

“Could it be…”

I had a bad feeling about it, so I immediately swam in that direction. When I got closer, I saw the idiot flailing her limbs around. I didn’t know how she got there, but she was clearly drowning!

I held her body and dragged her to the surface.

At this point, I stopped caring about touching her or whatnot.

She was in danger!

“Hey, are you okay?!”

“*Cough* …S-Sorry… The pool is deeper than I thought…”

Shiina then clung to me tightly. She looked frightened.

“Seriously, you…”

I let out a sigh of relief.

At least the water didn’t enter her lungs or something.

She only coughed a lot, but she didn’t seem to be in any serious danger.

As I felt relieved by that fact, I became conscious of the sensation of her clinging to my body.

“Are you okay, Mai-chan?!”

Hina asked when she caught up with me.

Shinji and Yuuka also came over after finding out that something wrong had happened.

In any case, I pulled Shiina out of the pool first. When we got out, she apologized with a sullen expression.

“…Sorry, I troubled everyone.”

“It’s fine, as long as you’re okay in the end.”

Hina patted her chest, relieved.

“But…”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Yeah, don’t worry. It’s Godou’s fault that he didn’t look over you properly even though he knows that you can’t swim.”

“…Why are you acting like you didn’t do anything wrong at all?”

Yuuka glared at Shinji, who was acting pompous like usual.

And so, both of them also ended up comforting the depressed looking Shiina.

Shiina, who was on the verge of tears earlier, looked at this scene with a dumbfounded look.

“…See? You don’t need to worry. No one blames you.”

When I whispered this to her, Shiina looked at me with a serious look.

“Everyone knows you’re an airhead, so don’t worry.”

I said that one loudly for everyone else to hear it. They laughed.

“Well, I know that you’re bad in P.E. and stuff…”

Said Shinji while shrugging.

“You’re always so fidgety too~”

Said Yuuka while giggling.

“You don’t need to worry though, your clumsiness is what makes you cute!”

Hina probably said that to make her feel better, but she didn’t deny that the girl was clumsy.

Everyone looked at Shiina with warm gazes.

See, Shiina? You don’t need to worry.

Everyone here is your friend.

Even if you don’t think so, they all think of you as their friend.

So, there’s no need to be afraid. You can be happy in this world.

Perhaps, our feelings reached her. She mustered her courage and shouted,

“I’m not an airhead!”

Though, the content of her shout wasn’t really convincing.