Chapter 1
Gou waited patiently for the boys to gather for their first official practice in the pool. She had her entire training regimen ready, and she waved at Haruka and Makoto when they came out in their swimsuits. They looked excited. Well, Makoto looked excited. Haru just had a slight gleam in his eyes. Nagisa bounced out a few moments later too, with a grin.
"Where's Rei-kun?" Gou asked finally, looking at Nagisa expectantly. "He's late."
"He stopped to talk to someone," Nagisa explained with a shrug. They all waited patiently, looking at the entrance until Rei finally came out, still fully dressed. A girl with a mess of curly brown hair just past her shoulders followed him, smiling happily. Nagisa waved at them and called out. "There he is! Rei-chan! And Sayuri-chan? What are you doing here?"
Rei flushed, rubbing his neck uncomfortably and glancing at the cheerful girl. He looked as though he really didn't want her there, but had no choice. "Um, Sayuri-chan wants to sit in on practice today. Is that all right?"
Gou nodded and smiled at the girl. She didn't mind potential swim club members sitting in on their training. It would be nice to have a girl on their team, so she welcomed her warmly. "Of course she can! It's nice to meet you, Sayuri-chan! I'm the manager, Matsuoka Kou."
Sayuri smiled and greeted her warmly as Rei hurried back into the locker rooms to change into his swimsuit. "Nice to meet you too, Kou-chan!" Sayuri chirped. "I promise I won't intrude on your practice, I'll just watch quietly from the corner. You guys go ahead and do your thing," Sayuri assured her, settling down on one of the pool chairs to the side of the pool. Gou nodded, just as Rei came out wearing his swimsuit.
Sayuri sat quietly at one end of the pool, watching while Gou discussed their training regimen with Rei, Makoto and Nagisa. She pulled out her cell and earphones, placing the earbuds in her ears before blasting a nice song and leaning back to stare at the boys. Ah, music and a nice view. This is the best club ever! I should just quit the Sewing Club, it's full of girls.
As the boys split up to warm up by doing exercises, Gou moved over to sit next to Sayuri and make conversation. She glanced at the girl quickly, noticing that while she wasn't quite slim, she had long legs and her curvy body seemed in shape. "Ne, Sayuri-chan, are you a good swimmer?" she asked, as Sayuri tugged out her earphones. "It would be nice to have a girl swimmer on the team, I don't swim myself."
"Oh. I'm not bad, I suppose. I entered a few competitions in middle school but I never won anything significant," Sayuri explained, noticing the curious look Gou was giving her. She laughed. "Don't get me wrong Kou-chan. I'm here because I couldn't pass up the chance to see Rei-chan half naked."
"Are you his girlfriend?"
Sayuri sighed dreamily. "I wish. I have this thing for megane guys and guys with biceps. Rei-chan is the perfect and beautiful combination of both. It's like chocolate for my eyes. Just look at him. Such a gorgeous man is a threat to society." She sighed again as she watched Rei stretch his arms above his head, biceps flexing.
Gou laughed. "Well, biceps were about 75% of my motivation to join the club," she admitted. "Although your obsession with glasses… I don't know. I'm not really seeing it."
"You have no idea of the power those chunks of plastic carry," Sayuri replied seriously. "They make a guy look intelligent, mysterious and sensitive all at the same time. It's twice the seductive power. It screams Yes, my body is beautiful but I can also seduce you with my mind."
Gou blinked in surprise. She'd never seen a girl so attracted to glasses, but to each their own. She nodded and smiled. "Well, if you join the Swim club, you can watch Rei-kun all the time. Not to mention we go to Samezuka Academy for joint practice at times and there are tons of hot megane guys there."
Sayuri blinked. "Really? You're killing me, Gou-chan. I might just join if you keep saying stuff like that."
Gou smiled. "We'd love to have you. Anyway, watch for today and you can decide later."
"Will do."
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Rei changed back into his uniform after the first terrible swim practice, and hurried out of the swimming pool area. He was hoping to get away before Sayuri could catch him, but he realized he wasn't fast enough when he heard pattering footsteps and a small hand tugged at his arm. "Rei-chan! Where are you running off to that fast?"
Rei glanced at Sayuri, her curly hair framing her smiling face and flushed red. He'd humiliated himself in front of her today, by not being able to swim at all. He'd thought that he'd be fine since he learned all the theories, but… "What is it, Sayuri-chan?" he asked irritably.
"So… you can't swim, huh?" she asked with a teasing smile.
Rei stiffened. "I learn quickly."
"I'm sure you do. Don't worry, Rei-chan. It doesn't make you any less attractive." She sighed and a dreamy look came over her face as she looked at him. "You're perfect in all your imperfections. Besides, you were really rocking that penguin speedo."
Rei glanced at her, turning even redder. Sayuri never shied away from making lewd comments or fawning over him like a lovestruck teenager. He didn't know whether to be flattered or annoyed; she was probably joking anyway. There was no way somebody could see that terrible display and still be attracted to him. "I borrowed it from Nagisa. Anyway, you got what you wanted, you watched my practice. Are you happy now?"
"I don't know. Gou-chan got me thinking. Maybe I'll join the club."
Rei stared. "What? You can't!"
"Why not?" Sayuri pouted, grabbing his arm. "I thought you'd want to see me in a swimsuit, Rei-chan."
Rei wrenched his arm away. He did want to see Sayuri in a swimsuit, although he wasn't about to admit that to her. He was more concerned about his lack of swimming skills. He refused to keep embarrassing himself in front of her. He sighed and frowned. That just meant he would have to work harder. "Do whatever you want."
"You're so mean, Rei-chan. You're lucky you're hot," Sayuri replied, just as they reached the turning for her home. She smiled and waved at him. "Anyway, I have to go this way. Bye!"
"Bye," Rei muttered, watching her leave.
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A/N – This is another attempt at a Free! fanfic! The M rating will come during later chapters. Leave a review!