Disclaimer- I don't own Negima.
Enjoy! :)
Akira couldn't help herself. The pool was so huge and the water so inviting...she dived into it, clothes still on. She swam using wide, long strokes, diving underwater for almost a minute. When she emerged she heard the sound of clapping, and she saw Albireo standing outside the pool, looking radiantly pansyish in his cloak, vest, and tight black skirt.
She blushed. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to impose!"
"Don't worry about it. That's what it's here for," replied Al endearingly. "Swim as long as you like, then join me for some tea."
"A-Are you sure?"
"Positive. Enjoy yourself. I hardly ever swim in it, and it cleans itself."
Akira listened to him and swam long and hard. This pool, while not quite as big as Mahora's Olympic sized one, was beautiful and clean. The water glided across her skin, and she found the sensation of swimming alone fabulous.
When she finished Al handed her a towel and a change of clothes, the Mahora uniform in her size (she would rather not think about why he had it). Then she sat at a table with him and had herself several cookies.
"Thank you."
"Have as many as you like."
"You're nice. I don't know why everyone said you were creepy," She blushed again as she realized what she'd said. "I'm sorry!"
"Don't worry, I've heard it before," replied Al. "Did you have a good time swimming?"
"Yes, very much so."
"I'm glad. I'm not much for it myself."
"Why? You can swim, right?" Akira had always done her best to teach those poor souls who lacked the knowledge the way to swim.
"Yes. I've had a few bad experiences with water, though. It's not my thing."
"Okay, I guess..." Akira wasn't going to force the man to swim.
Albireo leaned forward slightly and winked. "So, I heard a little something on the grapevine about you and Negi?"
Akira covered her face with her hands. "Please don't talk about him! We're just friends- I mean, we're just teacher and student, it's no big deal, and I just-"
"Hmm, doesn't sound like nothing to me."
"Don't!" yellled Akira, flustered. "I change my mind. You're mean."
"That wasn't my intent," said Al. He quickly showed that he was lying when he teased her with, "Are you looking forward to high school? It might mean Negi won't be your teacher, and that would be unfortunate."
Akira chomped on a cookie in suppressed embarrassment. "Can I go swim some more?" she muttered.
"If you want. I promise to be good if you want to talk, though."
"That's perfectly all right." she grumbled, throwing her towel back on the chair and jumping in the water.
He shook his head, smiling slightly at his own stupidity. This was part of the reason he was always alone.
Argh. I'll be honest, this is my least favorite chapter. Akira's impossible to write. Tell me what you thought! :)
