Chapter 29Gritty
'Rise and shine sleepy heads. Today's another day for Tokyo and we're experiencing a bit of a warm weather here! Whew! Be sure to bring your umbrellas with you or any good ol' trusty caps to shield your pretty little heads. It's 7 o'clock in the morning, so get outta those beds and make yourselves some breakfast! My coffee's smelling good and you should make yours, too. Let me give you your favourite pop hits as you enjoy your meal. This is 'Bam the Man' coming from 96.8 wls fm.'
There was no movement coming from Haruka for a while. Her body was facing the bed and her face was buried on her pillow. The bed sheets were thrown off on the ground and her right leg was arched up with both hands extending outwards.
Even in Haruka Tenou's sleep did she look like a mess.
When the music started playing from her radio though, a furrow made its way between her brows. Haruka slightly opened her eyes in irritation and saw a blurred vision. When she blinked twice, she saw a 7:06 staring down at her.
The memory of receiving a radio-slash-clock as a gift from her relatives back in Kyoto made her grimace inside. For perhaps the fifth time in a row, her aunt Shiwa sent her a birthday present last month. Only it wasn't her birthday last month.
Aside from the strange gift, her eyes caught yet another contraption, and it came from her answering machine. She reached out and pressed the blinking red button.
'You. Have. 3. Messages. Received.'
She slowly turned her head on the other side of the room and saw tiny beams of bright light coming from the sides and corners of her covered window.
'Message 1...'
She closed her eyes one more time and breathed deeply, fully aware of her surroundings now and trying to get a firm grasp of her life as of today.
'Message 2...'
Haruka was about to delete all her messages when the last one caught her special attention.
'Message 3: Hey...uhm... I know it's been a while...but I really need your help. Iwamura hasn't returned yet from Los Angeles... and Ariya's not yet ready to get back ever since his car accident last month—don't worry, your cousin's fine...anyway I hope you could get back to me as soon as possible. We really need a good racer for next month's race. I'll tell you the rest of the details when you call back...thanks...bye.' –Beep—
Upon hearing that message, Haruka let out a heavy sigh. Several groans and coughs later, she got up and sat at the edge of her bed while listening to the background music of 'Bam the Man', who played the American song 'Aint No Mountain High Enough'.
As if the entire song was only dedicated to her, Haruka chuckled in frustration as she heard the chorus of the song, thinking of dismay instead of determination.
Using her knees as support for her elbows, Haruka leaned forward while looking at her bedroom floor.
She paused for a while, breathing slowly for a few seconds, trying to recall what happened last night.
Ah. Yes. Now she remembered. She was drunk. She went to a club. Then got drunk. To the point that a woman and a man were trying to get down on her. That was the last straw, of course. She got pissed and left the club in a rush. She just wanted to have a 'fun' time since her life wasn't anything close to that as of right now.
She was kneading her face like a dough. Trying to rub in some sense in her head.
After sighing for the nth time. She finally got up and headed towards her bathroom door.
Before she went inside however, she backed a few steps...
And turned the volume up.
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The smell of fresh eggs, garlic and onion seasoned the kitchen air unto the breakfast table. Grandma Kashita bought the colourful spring flowers just this morning, which was now daintily settled at the center of their rounded table. Greg, Usagi's younger brother was now happily munching away his hotcake-made-sandwich, a concoction he learned to make when he was still five years old: two hotcakes sandwiching peanut butter and strawberry jelly. While eating, he idly sat down while listening to grandma's sweet singing voice. It was the song she used to sing with her late husband, especially every morning to cheer their grandchildren up. Now that grandma's alone, she still likes to sing the same song. It reminded her of him, and the family they raised together.
While turning the hotcake on the other pan, grandma was skilfully manoeuvring two others: one with the eggs and one with the bacon.
It was surprising to know that their family was largely influenced by western lifestyle. When grandma Kashita was still working, she used to teach American and European literature, which perhaps made their family taste closer to that of westerners. Her husband, who was an artist, was just as worldly, passing on their preferences to their children and grandchildren.
Still, the house was hugely influenced by Japanese culture. They were, after all, a family composed of academes. Usagi took after his grandfather as an artist, and Grandma Kashita couldn't be prouder.
"Grandma, has mom left?"
Usagi immediately asked when she got downstairs carrying her backpack and extra luggage,
"Yes, she has, dear."
"Shoot." Usagi muttered, scurrying towards the breakfast table to get a seat while putting on her socks,
"What's the matter?" her grandmother asked inquiringly, transferring the eggs on a platter and putting it on the table.
"She was asking me last night to help her out in the shop today...she didn't tell me what time," Usagi replied, putting two eggs from the platter to her plate, "and I'm worried I might not make it because of our swimming practices."
Her grandmother smiled warmly at the thought of her concern and joined the two of them with platters of bacon and pancakes.
"Well you're mother's going to need all the help she can get," she explained, putting some bacon on Usagi's plate, "business isn't as good as before. I think it's because of the economy," her grandmother pondered, "Anyway, make sure to contact her later and tell her about your situation. She might be expecting you."
After eating her breakfast, Usagi got on her bike and hurriedly went to school. Along the way, she kept thinking about Haruka's sudden change of demeanour. She knew she was wrong about rudely pushing her away, but she didn't have much choice. If Mamoru finds out what happened, thing can easily fall apart. It was even harder now since their relationship was evolving into something deeper and serious. Ever since they started sleeping together, Mamoru became more protective and caring. The only reason why their physical proximity was lessened was because of Usagi's schedule.
Why does sex have to change everything? Usagi sighed in her thoughts, God... this is getting too complicated...
Added to her discomfort was Seiya's determination. His attention was becoming more of a nuisance than a series of flattery. He was always around her at school and pestered her even when she was about to enter the women's locker room. If Haruka hadn't intervened from time to time, he would've entered long before.
Upon arrival, Usagi walked in haste as she pulled out her locker keys.
"Usa-chan," Hein Mei Lee greeted out of nowhere, followed by her best friend, Sumi Kaw Chin.
Without turning around yet, Usagi already had the feeling of trouble rushing in. Just the mere sound of Sumi Kaw and Mei Lin's voices can entail danger. However, having subjected to study in the same school would mean that Usagi must, by all means, learn to live with them. Putting up a good face has become Usagi's most challenging feat ever since she entered the academy.
Putting her thoughts back into the moment, Usagi turned around to meet them and flashed a smile.
"What's up, girls?"
Sumi Kaw returned the smile and immediately went to her side and hooked her arm around Usagi's,
"So, how are you liking the practices?" she asked.
Usagi was reluctant to tell. First of all, she was still wondering if Sumi Kaw and Hein Mei really did tell Haruka about her injury,
"It's...it's challenging." Usagi feigned a grin, "It's definitely something."
"The best way to hone the skills of a toughie." Hein Mei pointed, walking to Usagi's other side and hooking her arm around Usagi's as well.
"And best learned from the best." Sumi Kaw added.
Usagi didn't know whether to balk or laugh. Haruka may be a good swimmer, but she hasn't earned Usagi' definition of 'the best'.
"I know," Usagi lied, acting much like an excited school girl, "and speaking of the best, I think I should go ahead now. Haruka's changing our schedule and we need to train earlier. Bummer, isn't it?" Usagi asked, raising her brows.
"Oh hush," Sumi Kaw fanned at her, "It's for your own good."
"You go ahead, dear. And watch out for your injury. You don't want it ending up worse."
Usagi paused, but ignored Hein Mei' s lat statement nonetheless.
After waving goodbye, the two best friends were finally left alone.
"So... " Sumi Kaw started, "Have you spoken to him?"
"Yes, I have." Hein Mei answered.
"It's still on then?"
"Of course."
"This is gonna be pretty exciting."
"Indeed."
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As soon as Usagi entered the swimming area, her teammates had begun to submerge inside the pool. She quickly went inside to change, and there, she bumped into the person she was most eager to avoid. As impossible as it may seem, Usagi refused to make contact with Haruka as much as possible by all means, if she can.
"Dress down fast." Haruka mentioned, not even sparing a look on Usagi, "We're starting now."
As if her words meant something else, Usagi brought her head up, her brows meeting.
It didn't exactly dawn to Haruka what else her statement implied until she noticed Usagi was frozen.
"Oh..." Haruka blushed furiously, "I meant...change into your swimwear..." she corrected herself, taking off her usual white shirt and beige khaki pants and revealing a maroon swimsuit.
"Yeah, I got that." Usagi replied, feeling insulted and embarrassed at the same time.
She was already unbuttoning her shirt when she realized why she was feeling that way.
The nerve of that woman, she fumed in her thoughts, did she actually think that I wanted to make out with her right here and now?!
When she got outside, she noticed that the other teams were practicing with them.
What's going on? Usage wondered, I thought we have our own schedules? This time's allotted for our team.
Right when Usagi dove into the waters, a teammate of hers, Nadine Sakamoto, came up at her side and mentioned,
"Brace yourself." She chuckled, "It's gonna be the rise of estrogens and testosterones."
Usagi knew for a fact that Nadine was a brainy kid, but she never thought that even her jokes contained traces of 'nerdity'.
"I'm sorry?" Usagi asked, perplexed.
"I meant about this premature competition." She pointed, "They say it's just some sort of gathering to see the improvements of each swimmer, but everyone knows it's much more than that."
Usagi began to understand. As she looked around the area, she noticed that everyone was somehow frigid. The four team captains, Haruka included, were huddled on one corner, talking seriously about something. The rest of the swimmers however, were just as serious. The atmosphere was tensed. There was very little interaction coming from all teams. Most of the swimmers were either stretching or taking lapses already. Nobody had the time to converse idly.
"The faculty is considering about giving extra points to all the students who'd win in the forthcoming intramurals. More so, there's talk about the teachers giving half of that grade today."
"What?" Usagi gasped, "Has it always been this way?"
"The premature competition? Yes. The extra points? No. That's why this year's intramurals is becoming more serious than ever. It's evolving into some sort of controversy, if you ask me."
Usagi sighed deeply and looked around her. Everyone was carrying a straight a face.
"But why would the school president let this happen?" Usagi asked,
"Beats me." Nadine shrugged, "But I think it has something to do with the PTA. Some of the parents are questioning if their children are having the 'rounded' curriculum they deserve. This is what happens when moneyed parents intervene. Still, that's just my theory. I'll go on now. I have to do my lapses."
"Okay. Thanks, Nads."
"Sure thing."
Usage took one more look around her. Nadine may be right about her so-called theory, but Usagi knew it was much more than that. It wasn't only the grades that's been driving these swimmers to win.
It was the glory.
Everyone knows Infinite Academy is the school for the gifted. Being accredited for something challenging would certainly gain attention in anyone's transcript, especially if you're an athlete.
"This isn't the Olympics." Usage grumbled, "It's just a game."
"Keep telling yourself that, Tsukino."
Usagi turned around and found Haruka perching near the gutter,
"I want you to do your lapses now. No time to waste."
As soon as Haruka left, Usagi wished she could've pulled her down.
That arrogant, boastful—ugh!!!!
"Iwamura!" called out to one of the male swimmers. Gale Iwamura, a junior student, specializing in engineering and a gifted swimmer himself, was next in command from Haruka. The said student got off the pool and went straight to his captain,
"I want you to take over for while. The rest of the team captains and I will be having a meeting. Give them the usual training and correct them if you have to. I'll be back in a couple of minutes. Keep an eye on their concentration. Whoever slacks off must be reported to me.
"Yes, ma'am." Gale saluted while beaming like a boy.
Haruka left him with a grin and a slight punch on the shoulder.
When she and the rest of the captains have left, something else was bound to happen.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen!" Gale shouted as all of his teammates gathered around him. "Let's do a hundred: back and forth, that's one count. Three different strokes: freestyle, back stroke and breast stroke. Do it in order. No exceptions."
Everybody was busy training now. The rest of the swimmers from the other teams were conditioning themselves just as rigorously.
One of them in particular, clad in orange trunks, was doing exceptionally well. He was part of one of the opposing teams and had a fine built for a sophomore student. His name was Hugh Rei Bergh, a half German student who was excellent at playing the saxophone. Apparently, he was also smart enough to be included in the toughest physics class in the academy.
Hugh, who seemed to be taking a break, was off the pool and about to take a sip from the drinking fountain. When he was in front of it, he bent down and looked at the far side of his left. From that direction, he saw Mei Lin and Sumi Kaw. Mei Lin nodded and looked at another direction, as if nothing happened.
When he finished drinking, he dove back into the pool and continued his lapses.
From afar, three students in civilian clothing entered the swimming area.
"C'mon, man. We're not supposed to be here. Let's get back to the field."
The red head from the three of them, Sebastian Yu, spoke while following his friends.
"His right, Seiya." Nathan Wang, Seiya's closest friend in the academy, agreed to Sebastian, "The coach will give you a penalty again if you don't quit doing this."
"Relax, you guys." Seiya chuckled, "Why 'you acting like a bunch o' sissies? We're just here to check out some ladies." Seiya emphasized, trying to look for someone.
"I understand what you mean," Sebastian nodded, checking out the behinds of four ladies in swimsuits who just passed by, "but if you mean by one person, then we'd rather leave you alone now."
"That was quick." Seiya laughed, having known that Sebastian was a lady's man, particularly ladies who're half naked.
"If you're looking for your blondie," Nathan started, "then she's just over there." He pointed.
Seiya's gaze followed the direction Nathan was pointing at.
And there she was. Usagi Tsukino. Swimming like a pro and looking more beautiful to Seiya than ever.
"Isn't she awesome?" Seiya breathed out, his hands on his waist.
When none of his friends replied, and when he felt like he ran out of company, Seiya turned around and saw them flapping their eye lids exaggeratedly.
"What the fuck?!"
"'Isn't she awesome?'" Sebastian quipped, imitating Seiya's dreamy look just a moment ago.
"I know." Nathan answered in an equal light voice.
"Cut it out! It aint funny!"
"Yeah right, man." Sebastian laughed, giving Nathan a high-five. "You and your love-sick thoughts."
"I am not lovesick—"
"HELP! SOMEBODY HELP!"
Suddenly, out of the blue, a loud commotion erupted.
"What's going on?" Nathan whispered.
From the spot where Usagi was just swimming in a while ago, bubbles came out and sent a huge wave from below.
"Jesus Christ." Seiya's eyes widened and automatically took off his shoes and dove inside the pool.
Nobody understood what exactly went on. Just a moment ago, everything was going smoothly, but all of a sudden, the pool sent a crashing wave from below.
"Hey!" Nathan shouted at one of the swimmers, "What the hell was that?"
"That's not supposed to happen." The male swimmer replied, putting a hand on his forehead.
"What's not supposed to happen?" Sebastian came up from behind, looking just as bewildered.
"That!" The student pointed, "That's an obstacle course reserved for the underwater sports." He explained, "There was a machine built and placed inside the pool to generate that kind of wave. It's not supposed to be turned on. A wire must've been tripped or something."
Nathan and Sebastian looked back at the pool. The rest of the students luckily got out, but it seems some of them were still inside.
Perhaps even just one.
Seiya was trying his best to look for Usagi. The bubbles posed as a challenge for him, not to mention the generated waves. It was coming from two giant exhaust pans from below, and it's not stopping.
Finally, he saw Usagi, and she was struggling midway in the waters.
He swam as fast as he could and got her arm before she ran out of breath.
When they got to the top, the students were more than willing to give a hand. A thick crown hovered around them.
Seiya placed Usagi down, and was frantic like hell.
"Are you okay?" Seiya asked, looking at an almost unconscious Usagi.
Before she could answer him, she puked some water.
"I guess not."
Despite having found the opportunity to even jest around, Seiya was aware of the situation. Usagi's body felt weak, and he knew she was going to collapse any time now.
"Make way, people! Make way!" Nathan shouted as everybody parted to give way for Seiya, who was carrying Usagi in his arms.
When the commotion almost died down, the team captain rushed inside the swimming area with identical worried faces.
"What happened?!" One of the captains demanded from the swimmers.
"A wire tripped off for the obstacle course."
"What?"
"The machine the engineering students built, sir. It got broken."
"Was anyone hurt?" another team captain inquired.
"One." Nadine Sakamoto went up front of Haruka, "It's Usagi. She's being brought to the clinic now. She—"
Before she could finish her sentence however, Haruka had already run off.
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Usagi was still in a daze. All she could remember was doing her backstroke when all of a sudden, something hit her right knee and a strange wave hauled her underneath the waters.
"Does something else hurt?" the doctor asked, looking at Usagi while Seiya stayed by her side.
"N-No...nothing else." She lied, "I'll be fine, really."
"Where is she?!" Haruka got inside the clinic as fast as she could, "Usagi! Are you okay?"
"Obviously," Seiya rolled his eyes, "she's not."
"What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Knock it off, you two." Usagi groaned, trying not to make a big deal of the situation.
Haruka decided to control herself for now. She shifted her look from Seiya to Usagi.
"What happened?"
"Haven't you heard?" Seiya started in sarcasm, "Something went wrong with the machines for the underwater obstacle course."
Haruka paused for a moment. She knew something wasn't right, and it didn't make proper sense.
"Will everyone please leave the room for five minutes? Just five minutes."
Haruka looked at the people around them, Seiya included.
"If you think—"
"Seiya." Usagi spoke softly, "Please."
Seiya bit back his tongue and decided to comply. Everybody left the room and as soon as they did, Haruka began,
"Are you sure you're okay?"
Usagi didn't know what to make of this situation. She was utterly confused and downright tired.
"Yes." She exhaled, looking away. "It's nothing, for real. It was just... a small accident. That's all. There's no one to blame, and I'm not blaming anyone."
Haruka wasn't satisfied. Not that Usagi's opinion didn't matter, but something wasn't just making any sense,
"Did anyone try to hurt you?"
"What?"
"Just answer the question, Usagi."
"I told you, nobody. Don't be so persistent. What are you trying to prove anyway?" Usagi reasoned.
Haruka wanted to believe nothing was wrong, but something tells her someone was lying and someone else was playing along.
"Can you still swim?" Haruka asked instead, after a long pause.
Usagi nodded, "Yes, I still can." And to prove that further, Usagi lurched forward and got off the bed.
A sharp quick pain ran through her right knee, but she ignored it.
"You can always take a leave—"
"I'm not doing that." Usage clipped. "I said I'm fine and I mean it."
Haruka looked at her and couldn't believe how stubborn she was.
"I'm just trying to—"
"Well then don't." Usagi cut her off before she could even finish her statement, "I don't need your help...I'm fine on my own."
Usagi turned away and walked towards the door, leaving a dejected Haruka behind.
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AN: My apologies for the late update. School became hectic just then. My vacation has only started now, spanning at around two weeks. I'll try to update more during this time. I hope you guys enjoyed the latest chapter ; ) Send me your reviews!
Spinx
