Me: I'm back! This will be Lee's third day in Minasoto, everyone!

Shin: Why am I here? I could be reading right now…

Me: Because I wanted you and Kounosuke to be in the commentary! But that lazy a*s isn't even here!

Kounosuke: I'm coming! Did I make it?

Me: Barely… I do not own Morenatsu. Otherwise, I would probably find a way to strangle this raccoon dog…

Kounosuke: Meep…

Shin: You would deserve it.

August 3

The River gives a Secret

Another day, another heat wave. By the gods, the heat is worse than it was yesterday! Torahiko and Hiroyuki left me alone in the middle of the street about ten minutes ago, and even in an old yellow t-shirt and light gray cargo shorts, I'm sweating buckets! Curse it, I really need to find a way to cool down.

"Lee-sama!" That voice is familiar, but I don't see who it is until they tackle me from behind. A mop of brown hair rubs against my chin, so I know it is Shun, the wolf from Raimon's. "What are you doing alone, Lee-sama?"

I can see Tatsuki, Juuichi, and, to my utter embarrassment, Kouya, all staring with mischievous grins. From Juuichi, it's just scary, so I try to ignore him.

"I was actually with Torahiko and Hiroyuki, but they left me alone. With this heat, I was hoping to find somewhere to cool off." Shun climbs off of me, pulling my hand to help me up.

"That's actually perfect," Tatsuki says with a wide, toothy smile. Even from a distance, I can still smell alcohol on him. "The four of us were going to the river for a swim!"

"There's nothing better than a good swim to wash away sweat and sore muscles," Juuichi adds. He rubs his shoulder, so I assume the sore muscle bit is meant for him. I guess he was just helping with at his former high school, since I can recall how Hiroyuki told me he helps teach judo there. "You can join us if you want to."

"I-I'm not so sure," I mutter, but then Shun makes his eyes go wide and frowns, the living image of a 'puppy dog face'. I smile, unable to resist the look. "O-okay then. But, I don't have anything to swim in."

"That's fine. We normally just swim in our clothes or in undergarments," Kouya says, winking. I blush at the idea of being around them with only boxers, and white ones at that, on.

Before I can say anything, Tatsuki picks me up with a single arm, making me cry out in surprise. "We can get there faster like this," the dragon laughs, breaking into a jog as he grabs Shun. Kouya and Juuichi keep a good pace, though they fall behind a little at a time. The arm in my stomach has me wanting to be sick, but I hold it in.

The river runs through the south side of town, and is a five minute jog, with Juuichi and Kouya behind Tatsuki a good five meters. I stand clumsily on my feet, and Shun supports me a little. Tatsuki and Kouya begin pulling off their clothes immediately, and in a few seconds, they are both in undergarments only. Kouya has a pair of black briefs on, a hole in the back for his tail. Tatsuki, on the other hand, is in a rather tightly fitting fundoshi, which has me completely red faced. Juuichi and Shun are both stripped down as well, with Juuichi wearing a fundoshi as well. Thank goodness Shun has on regular red boxers.

"Last one in is a rotten egg," Shun shouts, jumping into the water. Tatsuki and Juuichi follow, and Kouya is in the water soon afterwards. I sigh, pulling free of my shirt and shorts, sliding away my sandals as well.

I simply set my feet in the water, not wanting to risk going too deep. I doubt they'll mind if I get in fully, since they see each other in undergarments quite often, apparently. But, I actually have another reason besides my white boxers. I don't know how to swim.

Watching the four of them in the river, I wish I had my sketchbook. It's a nice scene, the four friends splashing each other and rough housing. I never got a chance to be in a situation like this during my childhood. I was always busy with school and judo, and I didn't even meet CJ until my sophomore year in high school, when we got together to make a few cover songs.

"Hey, Lee, come on in! The water's fine," the wolf shouts, sending a wave of water at me.

"I'm fine as I am," I mutter, wiping away water from my eyes. Tatsuki and Juuichi nod to one another, climbing out of the water on either side of me.

"Either you get in now," Juuichi says, "or we'll throw you in."

"You have till three to be in." I look around for a way to escape, but I don't get the chance to even make an attempt. The two beastmen lift me up, rocking me a little.

"Put me down! I said I was fi-" I don't finish my statement, unless a scream counts. I get sent flying into the air, straight over Shun. Kouya isn't in sight, having dived under a few seconds ago.

The water smacks my side, and I start to sink, my right side burning from the impact. I claw at the water, trying to reach the surface, but I only sink faster. The air was forced from my lungs when I hit the water, and my chest burns, aching for air.

A pair of arms wraps around me, pulling me to the surface from behind. I can see gray fur, so I know exactly who is holding me. The husky grins as he looks at me from over my shoulder, but all I can do is blush. Tatsuki and Juuichi are both re-entering the water with large smiles, and Shun splashes me in the face.

"You must be a natural on stage," Kouya snickers, winking again. "You really looked like you were drowning." The blood drains from my face, and I really want to just get away and hide. Sadly, Kouya is holding me tightly to his chest, and I can feel his body against mine.

"I, wasn't acting. I can't swim." I pull away just enough that I can go down a little, but I can stay above water. I really want to be somewhere else, even under the water right now, to hide such a shame.

"That's fine," Shun laughs. He grabs my hands, pulling me away from Kouya. "We can teach you! They taught me to swim a couple years ago."

"We better find my fundoshi first," Tatsuki blurts out, and I can see why. His cloth is floating down river at the moment. I turn a deep red as he dives in, swimming in the fashion of a reptile to retrieve his fundoshi. Shun keeps me from going under, laughing hysterically.

"Don't worry, this happens a lot, Lee-sama. Now, let's get you swimming!" I make a quick glance to Kouya, who is watching intently with his mischievous smirk, before I nod slowly to the wolf. I really hope I don't start drowning again so he won't have to get very close.

Me: Oh, is there a little Lee/Kouya there? (giggles like a crazy fan girl)

Shin and Kounosuke: That is a little disturbing, Reader…

Me: What can I say? I like the idea of Kouya! I admit it!