Chapter 37
AN: ...I was tempted to add a little something, but then I checked the word count... Yeah, I think that's enough.
Anyway, to those of you who don't know: I did a little translation experiment in my one shot collection, and I got positive feed back from it. So I'll be testing it here. If I get more positive feed back or no feed back at all(No feed back means no complaints) I might switch to this... I might have to rewrite some of my earlier chapters though.
(Inaba. August 22nd. Morning)
Feeling bad about yesterday, Chie decided to head to Rise's place to apologize. Even though, she had hard time thinking about what to say.
Chie didn't have much time to think anymore, because she had just made it to Rise's house. "You can do this," Chie said to herself, trying not to get cold feet, "Just go in there, and apologize for threatening her life." That latter one was an exxageration, but she might as well have.
After one last moment of hesitation, Chie entered the Tofu shop, which doubled as a house. Rise's grandmother was already manning the shop, before she noticed Chie. "Oh, Chie-chan. What brings you here," the old lady asked kindly.
Chie took one more calming breath before answering, "Is Rise-chan here? I need to talk to her.".
The old lady chuckled, "But of course. Rise-chan! A friend of yours is here!".
It didn't take long for Rise to come down. Judging by her clothing and a little disheveled hair, she had woken up minutes ago. At the sight of Chie, Rise turned away to get away.
"Rise-chan, wait! I'm sorry I got angry," Chie managed to call after Rise, who stopped, but didn't turn around.
"I'm just...," Chie started, glancing at Rise's grandmother nervously. It didn't take long, before the old woman realized that this was private.
"I can't stay in the back too long," Rise's grandmother said before moving into the apartment portion of the shop.
With the old woman gone, Chie felt more comfortable. "This is... this whole dating thing is still so new to me," Chie began, "I'm... well a little scared that I will screw this up somehow, and the threat of Hanamura teasing me about it doesn't help.". Chie paused to see how Rise reacted, but the auburn haired girl didn't turn around. "When you and Narukami-kun saw us, I was afraid that you would tell everyone. If that had happened..., I don't think I could take Hanamura's teasing," The green clad girl finished.
Rise stood still for a moment, before turning to face Chie. She had slightly downed look, but not really angry or depressed. "I guess I can understand that," Rise sighed, before having a more serious look "I'm sorry too, but you still didn't have to threaten Yu-senpai."
Chie almost retorted that it was Viljam who did that, but decided against it. Besides, she kinda did last night. "Yeah... Say..., would any of your fans actually go that far," Chie asked, just for the peace of her mind.
"I don't know," Rise replied honestly. "I mean, I know what half of them are thinking whenever I get on stage, but... I want to have at least that much faith in people," Rise said, not wanting to believe that her fans would go that far. Even if part of her acknowledges the possibility.
"Okay," Chie said, not really relievedm, but not too worried either. "So... Are we friends again," Chie asked, still unsure if they were cool.
That made Rise blink, "When did we stop being friends?"
Then Chie started laughing. She couldn't help it, she was just that relieved that Rise didn't hate her. But then she had a serious expression, "Rise-chan, can you still not tell anyone, please."
Rise couldn't resist rolling her eyes. "Of course," the auburn haired girl said while smiling.
At that, Chie released a sigh of relief. Then she blushed lightly, for what she was going to ask next, "Do you... still have that picture?".
"What? Oh that! Sorry, but as soon as I ended the call I deleted it like you wanted," Rise said, not even sorry about it. Rise almost teased about the irony, but since Chie looked a little crestfallen, she decided against it. "Though, Nousku-senpai should still have the one I sent him," Rise supplied helpfully.
That made Chie perk up, before blushing. "...I don't know if I can ask him," Chie said, wondering how he would react to it.
"I'm sure he'll send you a copy if you ask," Rise said cheerfully, attempting to cheer the girl up.
"...Maybe," Chie muttered, still not sure if she should ask. Then she made up her mind. "Okay, I'll do it," Chie said, filled with determination.
"Go for it," Rise couldn't help but cheer.
With that, Chie ran off. Possibly to Amagi Inn... or maybe just a more private place to call her boyfriend.
Regardless, Rise went to the back and told her grandmother they were done. She still couldn't believe how long she slept, which is why she looked like she had just gotten out of bed. Then again, her grandmother did say she looked like she had a happy dream. The old lady wasn't far off in her guess, since Rise was dreaming about a possible future with Yu. But then it shifted into a nightmare, when suddenly her fans attacked the Dojima household armed with pitch forks and torches. And Now Rise shivered in terror. She knew that she should get over it, but the seed of terror that Viljam planted was blooming. "I hate him," Rise sighed, more tired than angry.
(Amagi Inn. August 23rd. Daytime)
"You've gotten better, Viljam," commented Yukiko's mother who observed the recently vacuumed room that was freed today.
"Hopefully, it's good enough," Viljam said, unsurely. Currently he was dressed in a blue work kimono, that most of the male workers wore. It took some time for him to get used to, but now he almost feels comfortable in it.
"You worry too much," the older woman said with a smile, "I'm just glad you didn't complain about this arrangement, when I proposed it.".
"Eilisen huomioon ottaen mulla ei ole oikeutta valittaa(Considering yesterday, I have no right to complain)," Viljam thought, because yesterday evening there was a lot of work to do and he weaseled his way out of it. Well, "weaseled", as in begged Yukiko's mother to be allowed to go to the festival again. It wasn't until he confessed that it was with Chie alone that the older woman relented with a knowing smile. Of course the host-mother threatened to put Viljam into cleaning duty on some of the rooms that would be vacant until later tomorrow. Viljam honestly hated the arrangement at the time, but thought that it would be so worth it, which it was, as far as he was concerned. "Anyway, this was the last room that needed cleaning, right," Viljam asked, hoping this was the case.
The Amagi matriarch shook her head in what almost looked like disappointment. "Yes, but don't think my daughter has let you off the hook yet," the older woman said with a smirk.
Yeah, Viljam remembers. Yukiko looked a little mad about him sneaking out yesterday without saying a word to her. Thankfully, the host-sister had no time to interrogate him today. Although he heard some off-handed comments from the staff about tying him up and force feeding him Yukiko's cooking. Viljam almost felt jealous of that level of care from the other workers alone. "She's gonna kill me with fire," Viljam said, shuddering at the image of Yukiko firing an Agi spell at him.
The Amagi matriarch chuckled at the boy, "I doubt my little girl is capable of something like that.".
"Jospa tietäisit(If you knew)," Viljam thought, while trying to hide his amusement.
"Mother, is Nousku-kun done with his chores?" And there's the evil where it's mentioned.
"Why yes he is, dear," the Amagi matriarch told her daughter, "Now, then I have my own duties now, so do take care of the rest, Yukiko.". With that, the older woman left.
"I will mother," Yukiko said, while giving a sweet smile to Viljam, who looked scared. As he should.
"Yukiko, I'm sorry I snuck out, but your mother gave me permission," Viljam said quickly.
"Well, why didn't you tell me you wanted to go to the festival again," Yukiko said, sounding offended. "I could've gone with you. Actually, didn't the others wonder why I wasn't there," Yukiko asked the last one with more offense.
"Others? What others," Viljam asked in confusion.
"What others?" Yukiko looked baffled, "Narukami-kun, Hanamura-kun, Chie-" "Didn't your mother tell you," Viljam asked, interrupting Yukiko.
Instead of getting angry at being interrupted, Yukiko looked puzzled, "Tell me what?".
Viljam looked curious, he was pretty sure the Amagi matriarch would've told Yukiko about his... date. That still felt odd for Viljam. "...I only went with Chie," Viljam decided to admit.
Yukiko's eyes widened, before she had a light blush, "...Y-you were on a date with Chie?".
"Please don't say that," Viljam said, feeling the heat rushing to his face.
Yukiko quickly shook her head. "How did you get her to say yes," Yukiko asked.
Now Viljam had a look of panic. "Häh!? Mistä tiesit!? Enhän minä... Enhän(Huh? How did you know!? I didn't... I didn't)," Viljam said frantically.
Yukiko frowned a little. "Nousku-kun, I don't understand what you're trying to say," Yukiko said with mild annoyance. Even though Viljam had been teaching Yukiko Finnish, that doesn't mean she's exactly fluent in it. Much less understand some of the more complicated phrases. Not that Viljam said anything complicated now.
It took a moment for the Finnish boy to gather his wits. "H-H-How did you know," Viljam managed to stutter.
Yukiko gained an uncountable number of question marks at the odd question. "What are you talking about," Yukiko asked, not understanding.
"Uhh... When you asked me, how did I get her to say yes, what did you mean," Viljam asked carefully.
"I meant how did you get Chie to come with you to the festival of course," Yukiko said, wondering how Viljam could not understand something that simple.
"Ai." Viljam said, looking relieved. "I thought you meant... Never mind. It was Chie who invited me," Viljam answered quickly, still embarrassed.
Now, that surprised Yukiko a little, "Oh.". "So uhh... Did you have fun with her," Yukiko asked uncertainly, not sure why she suddenly felt a slight pang in her chest.
"Yes," Viljam said, happily remembering the events of yesterday. Even though Rise went and interrupted their moment.
"I see, that's good," Yukiko said, giving her best fake smile. "What's wrong with me," Yukiko thought, "Why do I feel like this?".
"Thanks. Hey, I'm still sorry that I snuck out without telling you," Viljam said, still feeling a little bad for that.
"Mother gave you a permission, so it's okay," the kimono clad girl said, but she still felt a little betrayed.
"Thanks, Yukiko. You're the best," Viljam said, before hugging her lightly. Then he picked up the vacuum cleaner that was still there, and went to put it back where it belonged.
As that happened, Yukiko felt just a little better, but couldn't understand why she felt a little bad in the first place.
(Inaba. August 22nd. Daytime)
Yu had decided to have this day to himself. Right now, he was just wandering Inaba with no real destination in mind. Until he stumbled into Samegawa and had an interesting sighting. Chie was sitting on the stairs that led down to the river bank staring at her phone. Curiosity taking over, Yu snuck behind Chie to see what was so interesting on her phone.
As this was happening, Chie couldn't help sighing again. As she planned before, she managed to call Viljam and ask for a copy of the picture. As difficult as it was to do without becoming a stuttering mess. She can't help herself trying to remember how that moment felt. Now that they're actually... dating(?). Well anyway, moments like these might come across more often, provided she doesn't mess this up somehow. "How did Rise-chan even get a picture this good," Chie wondered for the umpteenth time.
"That's a good question."
"EYAAAK!" Chie cried out, before getting up and delivering a round-house kick behind her out of reflex.
"Whoa!" Yu exclaimed, barely getting out of the kicking range. "It's only me, Satonaka-san," Yu said, while holding his hands in surrender.
"Narukami-kun!? Were you spying on me again," Chie asked defensively.
"I just wondered what you were so facinated about on your phone," Yu said, hoping that Chie wouldn't kill him.
"...Just, don't go and tell everyone," Chie said, trusting Yu to keep quiet about this.
"I won't," Yu said reassuringly. "So, does this mean, you're dating now," Yu decided to ask, causing Chie to flinch.
"...I guess," Chie said in a small voice, before remembering something. "You can't tell anyone, especially Hanamura," Chie said in a stern tone.
"It's not my place to tell anyone about this," Yu said, feeling like Chie was getting a little paranoid about people finding out.
Though his words did earn a sigh of relief from Chie. "Thanks... Say, what should I do now," the green clad girl asked.
"What do you mean," Yu asked, raising an eyebrow at the strange question.
"Should I try acting more... girly now," Chie clarified with a faint blush.
"Did he say that," Yu asked skeptically.
"Whuh? No! I just... I'm not sure if I'm what he expects in a girl," Chie said, while shuffling in place a little.
Yu resisted rolling his eyes, before saying his next piece, "Honestly, I'm not even sure if he's expecting anything. I mean, has he given you a reason to think otherwise," Yu asked, even though he knew full well that Viljam most likely worried about something similar.
"Umm... He... did say that...," Chie started, but couldn't finish it. "Never mind. I think you're right," the green clad girl said instead. Better that, than revealing Viljam's confession in her opinion.
Yu did raise an eyebrow at Chie not giving a proper example, but decided not to pursue. "There you have it. Don't worry too much and just see where this goes," the silver haired boy said with a supporting grin.
"Don't think, feel," Chie said what was pretty much her motto.
That gave Yu an evil smirk. "And you feel that this is so right?" Yu just couldn't resist teasing.
"SHUT UP!" And Yu barely avoided another kick that was aimed too low for his comfort.
(Amagi Inn. August 22nd. Evening)
Viljam was in his room worried again. Scratch that, he's terrified. What is he terrified about? Well, when he was cleared from the chores, he began to once again try to plan a perfect date. Unfortunately, it felt like nothing he could think of was good enough. Which, is part of the reason his mind spiraled into an extremely dark place. One where he feared that he's not good enough. Even couple times thinking about mostly ridiculous worst case scenarios. Like Chie ridding the world of his 'worthlessness'. That's not even the weirdest thing... or dumbest, depending on who you're asking.
Suddenly his phone rang, snapping the paranoid Finnish out of his thoughts with a startled yelp.
After checking the ID, he was a little surprised it was Yosuke. "Hello," Viljam answered the phone.
"Yeah, hi," Yosuke said rather awkwardly, causing Viljam to raise an eyebrow.
"...Is something wrong," Viljam decided to ask, wondering if something was wrong.
"...You're not mad at Teddie," Yosuke asked, sounding surprised.
Viljam almost asked why, before he remembered the day before yesterday. He had almost forgotten it. "I still feel like murdering him," Viljam lied. Truth is, while he hasn't forgiven Teddie, Viljam isn't mad at the bear anymore. Lying wasn't nice, but if he didn't give the impression of at least some anger, Yosuke might get suspicious.
Anyway, Yosuke sighed at the comment. "Look, I know what Teddie did was evil, but can you please not drown him tomorrow," the Junes boy asked, earning question marks from Viljam.
"What do you mean drown," Viljam asked in confusion.
"Oh right! Forgot to ask," Yosuke said in slight embarrassment, "Remember the beach trip we talked about? I thought why not tomorrow."
VIljam's eyes widened at that. Given the recent events, he had no time to even think that. Although..., "Sounds good to me. Yukiko's mom told me that there wouldn't be much to do tomorrow." Viljam said, sounding very eager about a chance to get to the beach now.
"Great! That makes three people who can come already," Yosuke exclaimed happily, "I already asked Yu and he said that he would ask Kanji and Satonaka."
"Jassoo(Is that so)," Viljam said, sharing Yosuke's enthusiasm to a lesser extent. "Would you like me to confirm Yukiko. I could text if she says yes," Viljam then offered.
"Sure, go ahead. And you better remember to text me," Yosuke said, adding the last part jokingly.
"Sure," Viljam said, and with that the two hung up. Then Viljam got off his couch to move towards Yukiko's room.
(Few minutes later)
"Toivottavasti se ei ole siellä missä luulen(I hope it's not where I think," Viljam muttered to himself as he walked down the halls. Yukiko was not in her room. The Finnish boy knocked several times and called out to Yukiko, before opening the door to see the room empty.
Right now, he was going to the one place, where he thought she was at. The kitchen. On one hand, he would have to search again if she wasn't there. On the other hand, he might risk food poisoning.
Sadly, it looks like fate was against him, because he found Yukiko from the kitchen, still in her kimono with an apron to keep it clean from... whatever she was working on. Currently, she was cutting vegetables, while something was boiling in a pot.
The Finnish boy slowly walked towards his black haired host-sister, who seemed to be very focused on what she was doing. "Hei, Yukiko," Viljam said, announcing his presence.
"EEK!" Yukiko shrieked, turning around and brandishing the kitchen knife. This action caused the Finnish boy to freeze in fear. Then Yukiko blinked once. "Don't sneak up on me, Nousku-kun. I could've stabbed you," Yukiko said, while lowering the knife and putting her free hand to her heart.
"It's not like I'm trying. And please tell me you're joking" Viljam said, still a little shaken at the possibility of being stabbed.
"You seem to have a talent for sneaking up on people," Yukiko muttered, now looking mildly annoyed, "Anyway, did you need something?".
"Yosuke called me, suggesting that we go to that beach trip tomorrow," Viljam informed Yukiko, who shook her head a little.
"Chie already told me," Yukiko said flatly, before donning a smile, "Actually, now that you're here could you taste this," Yukiko asked, while pointing towards the pot that somehow managed to look menacing.
"...Uhhh... I don't know," Viljam said, inching away from Yukiko and towards the door planning to make a run for it.
Unfortunately, Yukiko managed to grab the Finnish boy's wrist and drag him towards the pot. "No need to be shy, just try it," Yukiko said, while lifting the lid to reveal brown, boiling and highly suspicious concoction.
"Wh-what is that," Viljam asked, sounding scared.
Yukiko either missed the tone, or ignored it. "I thought I would try curry again," Yukiko said happily, while scooping a spoonful of the stuff. "Go on! Taste it." Yukiko said eagerly, but Viljam had clamped his mouth shut. "I know it's not ready yet, but it should be delicious." For some reason, that did not sound reassuring.
"En-" And now Viljam made the mistake of opening his mouth. Yukiko quickly plunged the spoon into the slightly opened mouth.
"How is it," Yukiko asked eagerly. Viljam didn't respond for a few seconds, before he started slumping down.
"Pappa?" Was the last thing Viljam said, before he reached the floor and stopped moving.
That earned question marks from the black haired girl. After few seconds of wondering, Yukiko remembered the time she asked Viljam about his family. "Pappa" was a Finnish word for grandfather, or that's what Viljam told Yukiko. But didn't Viljam say that his grandfather was... OH CRAP! "NOUSKU-KUN! DON'T DIE!" Yukiko screamed while slapping and shaking Viljam to get him to wake up.
(Several minutes later)
Currently, Yukiko was crying in her room, while her mother was trying to comfort the poor girl.
"I killed him...*sob*," Yukiko cried into her mother's shoulder. Of course Yukiko's earlier cry attracted attention. When one of the workers, who hadn't gone home yet saw the scene, he immediately alerted others who were around. It also didn't take long for the incident to reach the ears of Yukiko's mother.
"Like I said, Yukiko. He's not dead, only unconcious," Yukiko's mother said softly, while lightly stroking her daughter's head comfortingly.
"But I could've...," Yukiko retorted, hiccuping a little.
"Shhh. No you couldn't have," the Amagi matriarch shushed. The current manager of the inn still had a hard time believing that her daughter's cooking could actually kill someone. Actually, knocking someone out with cooking felt just as strange to the older woman. "He will be up and about tomorrow again, just wait and see," Yukiko's mother added in an attempt to comfort her baby girl.
"And then he'll hate me," Yukiko said sadly. She could see it now: Viljam would avoid her like a plague, claim that she attempted murder, and worst of all, people believing it, which would result in Yukiko ending up in jail.
"I doubt that," Yukiko's mother said confidently, "This was an accident. I'm sure he will understand.". The Amagi matriarch also thought that if Viljam did hold a grudge, he would get a stern talking to. But for now, the boy would need rest. Thankfully some of the remaining workers were kind enough to carry the Finnish boy to his room.
"I don't know if he can," Yukiko said, though she wasn't crying anymore. While the worst of the images of what Viljam will think of her were now gone, she still had some images where Viljam was avoiding her, or being scared of her.
"I'm sure he can, dear," Yukiko's mother said, while hugging her daughter for a few more minutes.
(On the road. August 23rd. Morning)
For Yukiko's relief, Viljam didn't hate her. Actually, he didn't remember anything that happened after he reached the kitchen.
Anyway, the gang was now driving on the road that supposedly led to the beach. "Supposedly", because Rise, Yu and Viljam were trusting Chie, Yukiko and Yosuke to know the way.
"Chie-senpai, is the beach really this way," Rise called loudly so she would be heard over the scooter engine. The scooter she had gotten from the agency was pink. And of course a pink helmet was on her head for safety reasons. Unbeknownst to others, Rise almost got cold feet in asking for it, due to having to go through her manager to get it. Thankfully there was no issue.
"Yeah! We've been driving for a while," Viljam added in. Turns out that the scooter Chie had gotten the Finnish boy from her cousin was very old, but still in a working condition. It was once white, but the paintjob had gone slightly gray for whatever reason. Although Viljam felt a little ridiculous at first, he got used to it. Chie also found him a black helmet, which felt a little uncomfortable to him, but Viljam didn't complain. Safety first, as they say.
"I'm positive," Chie hollered happily. The scooter she borrowed was blue, and the helmet she wears is orange. "Can't you smell the ocean," Chie said, before taking a deep breath for emphasis. Not that any of the rear holders could tell.
"What smell," Rise wondered mostly to herself.
Then Yosuke slowed down a little closer to Rise, "You can definitely trust Satonaka on this. She has the senses of a beast," Yosuke commented.
"Whaat!?" Chie shouted behind her, clearly offended. "Who're you calling a beast," Chie said angrily.
"Hey, I was complimenting you," Yosuke said in defense.
"What kind of girl would feel complimented for being compared to a big furry animal," Chie retorted.
While this was happening, Yu shook his head a little, while Viljam seemed ready to burst into laughter. Yu's scooter was white and fairly old, but still looked to be in near pristine condition. The silver haired boy was also wearing a black helmet with a white stripe.
"Yosuke is making this too easy," Viljam commented off-handedly to Yu.
"What?"
"Laughing at him," Viljam clarified with a smile.
"Uhhuh," Yu thought, not sure how to take the comment. "How far do you think Kanji and Teddie are," the silver haired boy then wondered. Since Teddie and Kanji couldn't get motorcycle licenses, Kanji had to settle for a bicycle, while Teddie had roller blades.
"Hard to say," Viljam said, thoughtfully. "I wonder how much Kanji can take this heat," the Finnish boy wondered. Indeed, it was sunny and hot. If it wasn't for the breeze that came from the driving, Viljam was pretty sure he'd have a heat stroke. Actually, he's been uncomfortable the whole summer. It was never this hot in Finland. How warm are Finland's summers compared to Japan you ask? Well Japan's spring is equals Finland's summer in warmth. So, yeah, Viljam doesn't like the local summer heat.
Anyway, before Yu could answer, trees gave way to the ocean view.
"Look! The Ocean!" Chie hollered happily, forgetting her fight with Yosuke. Everyone shared the Kung Fu loving girls enthusiasm to varying degrees.
Then something odd happened. A dust cloud was approaching them from behind. Then the said cloud passed them, revealing themselves to be Teddie and Kanji who had some kind of spurt going on.
"How did- When did-," Viljam stammered, unable to believe that they were just passed by a bicycle and a pair of roller skates.
"No one's gonna beat me to the water!" Chie hollered, while speeding up.
"Chie, wait up," Yukiko shouted, speeding up herself.
"Wait for me," Rise added in while speeding up herself.
Viljam was snapped out of his stupor by the others speeding up so..."Kuka vika, se on SIKA!(Whoever's last, is PIG)" Viljam hollered happily, while speeding past Yu, who didn't need a translation to guess that Viljam said something about last one being... whatever the Finnish said.
(Few minutes later)
Most of the guys had already changed into their swimming gear. Kanji was still missing though, and so were the girls.
"You know, I'm starting to get a little nervous here," Yosuke said nervously.
"Why's that," Yu asked, even though he had a pretty good guess.
"We're at the ocean, which means swimsuits, which means Risette in live and person," the Junes boy said in glee, earning a sweat drop from Yu.
"Mä en tajuu tuota(I don't get that)," Viljam mumbled with a sigh. Although he was also nervous for different reasons. By the way, while Yu, Yosuke and Teddie wore what Viljam calls swimming shorts, Viljam himself was wearing more form fit version of them.
"What are the ramifications," Yosuke questioned aloud, not hearing Viljam, "Am I using my lifetime supply of luck here?".
"Yosuke, I think you're overreacting," Yu tried to reason.
"How the heck is this overreacting," Yosuke asked, while looking at Yu like he was being weird. Then his gaze fell past the silver haired boy. "Whoa!"
And now the girls arrived. Chie and Yukiko had the same swimsuits that Yosuke got them. As much as the girls didn't appreciate Yosuke's little scheme, they liked the swimsuits. Not that they would ever admit it aloud, even if their lives depended on it.
But Yu's eyes had widened at the sight of Rise. "Rise-chan... isn't that...," Yu couldn't finish the sentence. Rise was wearing an orange bikini with white dots. The same one her shadow wore.
"Do you like it senpai," Rise asked cheerfully, either missing or ignoring Yu's reaction.
Viljam on the other hand was looking away from the girls. The reason being to hide his blush that came from seeing Rise's bikini. Well..., more specifically the said bikinis returned the image of Chie in them from the dream Yosuke put in his head. "Rauhoitu... Rauhoitu(Calm down... Calm down)," Viljam told himself in his head while taking calming breaths.
"What's wrong Villy," Teddie asked, causing Viljam to jump a little.
"Nothing," Viljam said, feeling like something bad was about to happen.
"Ooh! I know! You were thinking of Chie-chan, Yuki-chan and Rise-chan" Teddie said teasingly.
Instead of getting flustered, Viljam gave Teddie a dead pan look."Don't confuse me with yourself or Yosuke," Viljam dead-panned.
"HEY!" Came from Yosuke.
"What? He's telling the truth," Chie retorted to Yosuke. "Anyway, why are you guys still here, you should be in the water," Chie then asked.
"Were you guys waiting for us," Rise asked slyly.
"Kind of," Yu admitted easily, "I thought we should all go in at once.". What Yu said wasn't even a lie. Well, if you asked him anyway. Yosuke and Teddie were another matter.
As for Viljam... "Actually, you guys can go without me," Viljam said, earning surprised looks from others.
"Why? Don't you like swimming," Yukiko asked in surprise.
"No. I just... don't feel like it right now," the Finnish boy said, while looking away from the others.
Yosuke saw his chance for payback. "Are you scared of water by any chance," Yosuke asked with a sinister smirk.
"Heko, heko," Viljam said sarcastically. While the words were unknown, the sarcastic tone gave away the context. "Sorry guys, but I have my own pace that I can't break" Viljam said apologetically to the rest of the gang that was present.
"Oh come on! You can't just come to the beach and not swim," Chie retorted, still thinking Viljam just didn't want to swim at all.
"I didn't say I won't, I'll just take a moment," Viljam tried to reason.
Yu shook his head a little. Personally, if Viljam didn't want to swim then no one should force him. Then Yu looked past the Finnish boy to see Kanji approaching. "Ahh. There's Kanji," Yu said, drawing everyone's attention momentarily away from Viljam.
Sure enough, Kanji just arrived. Though most of them thought that he would still be tired from cycling at the speed he went at. Still he was here in his...
"DUDE! WHAT IS THAT!?" Yosuke cried out in horror.
"What's what," Kanji asked, not understanding what the problem was.
"Your... swimsuit! What else would I mean," Yosuke shouted, causing Kanji to glance at his black speedoes.
"It's... basic black," Kanji said, almost questioningly.
"Not the color! The model," Yosuke griped, "I'm seeing things I never wanted to see!"
"Then why are you looking," Viljam asked, sounding sounding completely serious. This earned shocked looks from everyone except Kanji. Followed by laughs from most people.
"Nice one Nousku-kun," Chie couldn't help saying even though she was laughing pretty hard.
"See! You're the only one who has a problem," Kanji said to Yosuke in agreement.
"Yosuke, are you repressing your feelings," Viljam then asked, almost sounding worried.
"WHAT!?" Came the shout with varying tones of shock, disbelief and/or outrage. Loudest being Yosuke. "I- He- WHAT HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!?" Yosuke finally managed to say.
Viljam flinched at the tone and volume, but remained calm somehow. "Well... The way you chastise Kanji from his wardrobe or make fun of... I'm-not-saying-what, makes me wonder if you're doing that to cover your own...," Viljam trailed off in his explanation.
"Preferences," Yu supplied helpfully, earning a look of shocked betrayal from Yosuke.
"Yeah, that," Viljam said."Besides, we don't even know if Kanji has such preferences, and even if he does that doesn't mean he could pounce on us any second," The Finnish boy finished his explanation.
At the last part, everyone was either weirded out, impressed or highly suspicious of Viljam's words.
"I...I," Yosuke stammered, while slumping to his knees in horror.
"Uhh...," Kanji sounded out.
"Wow." Came from Yu. The silver haired boy was impressed about the Finnish boy's acceptance. Are everyone in Finland like that, or is it just him?
"Villy is weird," Teddie said, while inching away and hugging his floating ring.
"That's... kinda... mature?" Rise said, not sure if she meant her words.
"Amazing," Yukiko said in wonder.
"Uhhh," Chie sounded unsurely. Sure the (probably) unintentional jab at Yosuke was funny, but now she wasn't sure if she should've laughed in the first place.
"Well, guess I'm gonna go ahead and jump into the water," Teddie then said, and ran off into to do just that.
That snapped most of the others out of the stupor. "Hey no fair," Chie shouted, before getting in too. And that caused a chain reaction, where most of the Investigation team got into the water.
"I'll come later," Viljam called to others, before moving to a shade to sit and watch the others. Yosuke also stayed behind for a moment to try and pick up the pieces of his pulverized ego.
(Few minutes later)
Yosuke was glaring at the shade where Viljam was now lying with his eyes closed. Part of him, knew that he shouldn't let Viljam's words get to him so much, but that last one where his preferences came to question was uncalled for. "He's gonna pay for this," Yosuke muttered as he just floated in place. While the rest of the gang was having fun. Teddie was now sitting on his floatsie while happily splashing water. Chie and Kanji were having a swimming competition. While Rise asked for swimming "lessons" from Yu, and Yukiko had joined them.
Soon enough, Yosuke decided to make the Finnish boy pay in a very humiliating way. With his quickly deviced plan in mind, Yosuke swam to intercept Kanji, who was about to swim past him with Chie not far behind.
"Hey, Kanji," Yosuke called to the punk.
"Not now, I'm winning," Kanji replied as he kept swimming, but Chie was slowly gaining on him.
"Guess I can wait for a moment," Yosuke sighed to himself, while waiting patiently for the race to end.
(Few seconds later)
Viljam was lying on the warm sand, despite being in the shade, while idly wondering if he should try to get in the water already. It sounded like the others were having fun.
However, those thoughts were cut, when he felt his ankles being grabbed. "Mitä-" was the only thing Viljam got to say, before his wrists were grabbed as well. "Kuk-Kanji!" Viljam exclaimed, seeing now who grabbed his ankles.
"Not just him," said a smug voice that was currently holding the Finnish boy's wrists.
Viljam turned his head to see the other perpetrator. "Yosuke! Mitä helkkaria hommaat(What the heck are you doing)," Viljam shouted angrily.
"This is payback for what you did," Yosuke said with a sinister smirk, having a good guess what Viljam exclaimed. Then the two guys lifted Viljam off the ground and started walking towards the water. Didn't take a genious to figure out what they were planning.
"Look, if this is about what I said, then I'm sorry," Viljam said in fear. "Just please put me down," Viljam said, increasingly more terrified of what they were going to do to him.
"Oh you're not getting out of this with a simple apology," Yosuke said, just as they reached the water.
"Kanji, why are you doing this? I didn't do anything to you," Viljam pleaded desperately.
"You said I'm you-know-what," Kanji said, as he and Yosuke started swinging his body for momentum.
"I didn't say that!"
"3" Yosuke began the countdown.
"No! Please," Viljam pleaded while trying to struggle, but unfortunately he couldn't move enough to even disrupt the swinging.
"2"
"APUA!" Viljam shouted in panic.
That earned the attention of everyone else. "Hey! What're you morons doing," Chie shouted angrily.
"Put him down!" Yukiko cried out.
"1. Lift off!"
"EI SAAAAAAAAAA!" Viljam cried just as he was flung a fair distance, before he fell down with a splash.
"That'll teach him to mess with us," Yosuke said with a satisfied smirk.
"HANAMURAAA!" And there came the Satonaka kick in the stomach. "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!" Chie shouted at the downed Junes boy.
"What's wrong with me!? What's wrong with HIM!?" Yosuke shouted with venom in his voice, despite clutching his abused mid-section. "He called us gay!" Yosuke said angrily.
Chie looked shocked about Yosuke doing something like this because of something so petty. "If it's not true, then why do you care!" Chie shouted. Chie was about to kick Yosuke again, but Yukiko said something that gave everyone a pause.
"Why hasn't Nousku-kun come back up yet," Yukiko said with worry. That caused Chie and Yu, who had just arrived to look to the area Viljam was flung to. Sure enough, the Finnish boy hadn't gotten back to the surface yet.
Then Yu had a fearful look on his face. "Amagi-san... does Viljam know how to swim," Yu asked the dreadful question. Worst thing is, it would explain why he was hesitant to get in the water.
"I... don't know," Yukiko said, getting very afraid herself.
Just as everyone was going to rush in to save Viljam, he got back to the surface with a gasp for precious air. Then the Finnish boy swam back to the shore with a look of pure hatred on his face. "Vihaan teitä," Viljam muttered with barely restrained fury to Yosuke and Kanji, before walking away from everyone.
"Nousku-kun, wait," Chie called after him, before running after him. Yukiko joined her best friend.
Which left Yu with Kanji and Yosuke. "What were you two thinking!?" Yu shouted with anger that the two weren't used to hearing. "You fling him into deep water without knowing if he can even swim," the silver haired boy scolded.
"I...," Yosuke tried to say, now feeling horribly guilty. The possibility of Viljam not knowing how to swim didn't even cross the Junes boy's mind.
(With Viljam)
"Nousku-kun, wait," Chie called after the Finnish boy who was angrily stomping away. But Viljam either ignored her, or didn't hear.
"Nousku-kun, stop," Yukiko said, getting in front of him.
"What!?" Viljam said harshly, causing Yukiko to flinch. That caused Viljam to forget his anger. "Sorry. I shouldn't snap at you," Viljam said with a sigh.
"No you shouldn't," Chie said with disapproval, before getting to the matter at hand, "Listen, you can't leave just because Hanamura and Kanji-kun decided to be idiots.".
That earned a curious look from Viljam, until he realized what Chie probably meant. "I'm not leaving, I just need to get a little something," Viljam said reassuringly.
"Are you sure you're okay, Nousku-kun," Yukiko asked, wanting to be sure. From the few times she had seen Viljam hurt, she knew that if left alone Viljam might hold onto his depressed state for too long.
That made Viljam sigh a little. "Yukiko, I'm fine," Viljam said reassuringly. "I mean, aside from hating those two for a while," Viljam added some of his previous anger returning.
"But you sounded terrified," Yukiko said, referring to Viljam's cries when he was flung. They were lucky that there weren't many people around otherwise, this could've caused a scene.
That caused Viljam to blush in embarrassment. "...Yeah, I thought the water would be freezing cold," Viljam said in embarrassment, "I was wrong."
Chie was tempted to slap Viljam. She thought Viljam was in a life threatening situation, and he was just afraid of a little cold. The water wasn't even cold, just cool enough to counter the summer heat. "Why would you think that water would be freezing cold in this heat," Chie asked, deciding to humour Viljam for now. And if he said something stupid, she might not be able to hold back.
"In my experience natural water spots are always cold," Viljam said with a sigh.
"Are you talking about the lakes in Finland," Yukiko asked, remembering that Finland was known as the land of thousand lakes. At least, according to what she had researched out of curiosity.
"Yeah," Viljam admitted. "Anyway, you two should get back to the others. I'll be back in a few seconds," the Finnish boy then said, wanting to get his instrument of vengeance.
The two girls glanced at one another, before shrugging and going back. At least Viljam seemed much less angry compared to few moments ago.
(A little later with the others)
While Yukiko and Chie were gone, Yu had lectured the two about putting Viljam's life in danger. Sure nothing bad happened, but if it had, well... Let's just say Youske and Kanji felt very bad. Especially Kanji, who realized that Yosuke had manipulated him. Viljam never called him, just acknowledged the possibility and even that was a very big "if" to the Finnish boy as far the punk knew.
However, Rise and Teddie managed to convince others that they shouldn't let this ruin their day. Besides, Viljam said he would be back so there's that.
Although... "Shouldn't he have come back by now," Yukiko thought with worry. Viljam said he would only take a few seconds, but more time than that has already passed.
"I'm sure he'll come any second," Chie said, even though she had started wondering herself.
"Well if he wants to ditch us, then let him," Yosuke said, now feeling bitter for being made to look like a bad guy.
"We're the ones who did that," Kanji pointed out, earning a glare from Yosuke.
"Well, you-AAGH!" Yosuke suddenly fell backwards in the water.
"Yosuke," Yu questioned, not sure how to react. They were all currently close enough to the shore that the water reached just past their waists. And there shouldn't be anything that would cause them to trip in the sand beneath their feet.
The Junes boy soon got back up frantically. "Something grabbed my ankles," Yosuke said, clearly spooked.
"What!?" Came from everyone, followed by Kanji falling over for no reason. Or so it seemed.
"Who the hell tripped me!?" Kanji shouted, after spitting out some salt water that got into his mouth.
Chie immediately went next to Yukiko to protect her best friend from... whatever was in the water now.
"Do we have a pervert lurking in the waters," Rise wondered in worry, immediately clinging into Yu's arm.
Before Yu had time to comment on Rise latching onto his arm, someone got up to the surface right next to Chie and Yukiko. "Miltäs suolavesi maistui, törpöt(How'd the salt water taste, morons)," The now revealed Viljam said smugly with his arms crossed. Although there was one difference to him compared to last time they saw him. Blue tinted swimming goggles over his eyes.
"You did this!" Yosuke shouted, now very annoyed.
"You threw me first," Viljam retorted.
"You bastard better start apologizing, or I'm taking you down," Kanji threatened while cracking his knuckles.
To everyone's surprise, Viljam's smug smile widened at the threat. "First, my parents were married when they had me. Second, tule hakemaan, JÄBÄ!(come get me, DUDE)" Viljam hollered before laughing at whatever joke he made.
Kanji didn't need a translation to recognize a taunt. So he started stomping at Viljam, who fell on his back and backstroked away while singing, "Tsuuida duida~. Osaat' sä uida~(Tsuuida duida. Can you swim~)."
As this started, everyone blinked at the mental flip that Viljam had gone through.
"Did he just turn into a little kid," Rise wondered aloud, still latched onto Yu's arm.
That earned a laugh out of Yukiko. "Viruyam,*ahhaha* viis vee(Viruyam, five years)," Yukiko managed to say through her laughter, mispronouncing Viljam's name in the process.
"Uhhh," Chie said with a sweatdrop, not understanding the joke that Yukiko seemingly thought of.
"I'm wondering that myself," Yu said, also surprised at Viljam's currently very childish behavior. "And Rise-chan, you can let go now," the silver haired boy added almost as an after thought. Not that he was entirely against this arrangement.
"Oh, sorry Senpai," Rise said in embarrassment. She was seriously scared that there might be someone creeping on them, which was why she latched onto the safest thing she could think of at the moment. Now she was a little embarrassed.
"Wow, Villy is fast," Teddie commented, lounging on his floatsie without a care in the world. Indeed, Viljam was swimming circles around Kanji. Whenever it looked like the punk would grab the Finnish boy, Viljam went underwater and reappeared some ways away from Kanji. And a few times, Viljam appeared at the same place where he last outswam Kanji, making whatever sounds the Finnish make when calling out to someone for good measure.
"For a guy with lung problems, he sure knows how to hold his breath," Yosuke said, not sure if he was impressed or disturbed.
"Yeah, how come he isn't coughing yet," Chie wondered too.
"I'm more curious about him swimming so well," Yu wondered aloud. Viljam was far from olympic class swimmers, but he still seemed better than Kanji. Plus he was diving, so Kanji had no way of tracking his movements properly.
Any further wondering about Viljam's hidden abilities came to a halt when Yosuke once again fell backwards, causing everyone to jump a little again.
"When did he get here," Rise nearly shrieked, because they all thought he was still making fool of Kanji.
Yukiko had a look of realization as she remembered something"Oh, that reminds me-" Yukiko was interrupted by Yosuke getting back up, a little away from where he fell down.
"You can't drag someone underwater!" Yosuke shouted at Viljam, who had also gotten back up for some air.
"Saapas! Vai haluatko maistaa saapasta!(Yes I can! Or do you want to taste boot)" And now Viljam went into a laughing fit, even as Kanji was approaching from behind.
Everyone who wasn't part of this sweatdropped, except Yukiko who looked curious, and Teddie who laughed at the funny scene.
"NOW I GOT YA!" Kanji roared, while pouncing on Viljam who hastily went underwater to escape. Unfortunately, Kanji managed to grab the Finnish boy by one ankle. "You're not getting away this ti-!" Kanji was interrupted by sudden torrent of rapid fire splashing. Courtesy of Viljam's still free hands. Kanji was forced to let go to cover his face, which of course allowed Viljam to escape.
"Kanji..., let's catch that asshole," Yosuke said, having enough of Viljam's BS.
"Yeah... let's," Kanji said while wiping his face.
And with that, Yosuke joined the hunt. All the while the rest excluding Teddie looked stupefied.
"Sooo... What were you saying Yukiko," Chie asked, wanting to forget Viljam's antics for a moment. That also earned everyone else's attention, except Teddie's who was still watching the show.
"Hmm? Oh! Last time Nousku-kun talked to his family, I was also there. I remember his family saying something that he refused to translate, so they tried to say it in English," Yukiko started explaining.
"What did they say," Yu asked, getting curious about a possible clue to Viljam's current behaviour.
Yukiko looked thoughtful for a moment, trying to remember the exact words and what they meant. "I think they said, 'Once you get him in the water, good luck getting him out'," Yukiko said quoting what she heard from Viljam's mother.
"Are you saying that this is normal for him," Chie asked in surprise, while motioning towards Viljam who once again avoided Kanji and Yosuke by diving.
"I don't know. Nousku-kun wouldn't let me hear the details," Yukiko said with a shrug. "Linnea-san also said something about a... beast," Yukiko said, straining her mind to remember.
"A beast," Rise said, not liking the sound of that, "What beast?"
"I'm not sure. Nousku-kun muted the computer before I could even try to ask," Yukiko said.
"Beast..., beast...," Yu repeated thoughtfully. Then it hit him. "Have you guys ever heard the term, unleash the beast," Yu then asked.
"Unleash... the beast," Rise repeated, while Teddie cheered Viljam on from his floatsie.
"You don't mean... Was Linnea-san trying to warn Yukiko about Nousku-kun turning into this," Chie asked, while looking to the direction where Yosuke and Kanji were currently eyeing the waters. Viljam was nowhere in sight, probably underwater again.
Even though no one saw him right now, they understood what Chie meant. "That... I don't know if it's funny or weird," Rise said, feeling torn.
"What is?"
And that caused everyone to jump a little, except Teddie who just turned to the direction of the sound.
Viljam had appeared, with only his head above the water and positioning himself in a way that Yu and Rise were blocking Kanji's and Yosuke's view of him.
"When did you get here," Rise nearly shrieked and Viljam sank underwater instead of answering.
"What're you guys doing," Yosuke called out to everyone noticing how they jumped.
"Viljam was here just now, but now he's gone," Yu answered truthfully. Or not so truthfully, because he could still barely make out Viljam's head just beneath the surface.
"Dammit, where'd he go this time," Kanji complained, while scanning the water surface to see any possible bubbles that could reveal Viljam's location. Yosuke joining in soon after.
As soon as the two had their attention elsewhere, Yu lightly poked Viljam's head. Which made the Finnish boy to slowly raise his head above the surface. "Are they coming," Viljam asked, referring to the two guys hunting him, while lightly gasping for air.
"No, they aren't," Yu responded earning a sigh of relief from Viljam.
"Good, because I don't think I can keep this up," Viljam said, sounding mildly exhausted.
"Nousku-kun, what did your sister mean by 'beast'," Yukiko decided to ask.
That question made Viljam look down. "...Do I have to answer," Viljam asked almost sounding ashamed.
"You've been acting weird, so yes," Rise said, although she used her teasing tone.
The Finnish boy sighed. "Whenever our family went swimming, I have a tendency to... get a little hyperactive," Viljam admitted with embarrassment that didn't fit with how he was not too long ago. "Hence the saying, 'Once I flip, the water beast is out," Viljam added with an embarrassed chuckle.
"...Wow," Chie said, trying to picture Viljam acting like he was all the time. The image was a little weird to her, that's for sure. "So, you're always this excitable when at beach," Chie then asked, wanting to be sure.
"Well... Actually I've been told that compared to when I was little, I'm actually pretty calm now," Viljam said, earning weird looks as the gang tried to picture Viljam worse than he is now.
"And you didn't want Amagi-san to know this... why," Yu asked, and if the answer was what he thought it was...
"It's embarrassing," Viljam said, before taking the goggles off his eyes and placing them on his forehead. "Though, I guess... I didn't think it through," the Finnish boy admitted, seeing as they had now witnessed it first hand.
"No, you didn't," Yu said with a near condecending look, causing the hiding Finnish boy to sink a little.
"Aww, don't be a baby," Chie said teasingly, now finding this situation funny.
"Hey," Viljam retorted rising to his full height.
"THERE YOU ARE!" Which unfortunately made him visible to Yosuke and Kanji, who were still chasing him.
"Räkä! En jaksa enää(Booger! I can't continue anymore)," Viljam whined, but put his goggles back on anyway, preparing to dive.
"Wait," Yu said, before Viljam could attempt to escape again. "I think this show has gone long enough," the silver haired boy said. "Satonaka-san, can you help me a little," Yu asked Chie. He would need back up to stop both Yosuke and Kanji. Kanji could be reasoned with, but Yosuke might need a kick to calm down. Though hopefully it won't come to that.
(Some time later)
It took a fair bit of effort from Yu and Chie to pacify Kanji and Yosuke enough to see reason. Afterwards, the two were able to apologize for throwing Viljam, without knowing if he could swim. In return, Viljam apologized for being a pain in the ass just now.
From there, the gang had their fun at the beach, although Viljam had to rest a little first, but that didn't take too long.
Interestingly enough, Chie asked to try Viljam's goggles for a moment, because she wanted to dive without her eyes burning from the salt water. Viljam allowed it, but told Chie to be careful not to lose them. It was kind of funny how the visage underwater was clearer than when looking from the surface.
Teddie also asked to borrow the goggles, but Chie told Viljam to not let him. Thankfully the Finnish boy had no intention to do that anyway.
Now however, Yosuke and Yu had decided to take a break on the shore. "Wanna get some drinks. I saw a vending machine not too far from us," Yosuke asked Yu.
"Sure," Yu said and the two were moving to do just that.
"EEK!" Until they heard Yukiko screaming.
"What the...?" Yu exclaimed, looking towards the sound alongside Yosuke.
"My strings gettting undone," Rise cried, while submerging most of herself to fix it.
The two guys also saw Viljam who seemed to be scanning the waters. They also noted interestingly enough that he wasn't wearing his goggles anymore.
"HEY, TEDDIE! WATCH THE HANDS PAL!" And now Chie cried out, lashing out at whatever was underwater.
"AND GIVE MY GOGGLES BACK!" Viljam shouted, swimming to Chie, hoping to catch the goggle thief.
Yosuke had a blank look. "Did Teddie steal Viljam's goggles," Yosuke wondered idly, before a look of realization hit him. "Wait! He got a nice view of the girls underwater!? No fair," Yosuke whined, earning a concerned look from Yu.
"Yosuke... do you realize how you sound," Yu asked in concern. "And I think Viljam was too busy to dive away from you and Kanji to look," the silver haired boy added.
That earned a nearly offended look from Yosuke. "It was just a thought," Yosuke complained, "Besides, I wouldn't toy with my life like Teddie is right now."
As soon as that was said, they heard Kanji yelp. "Got ya you little bastard," Kanji then exclaimed, catching the diving bear/boy in question.
"Busted," Teddie whined, as he was carried back to the shore by Kanji. That is, until Viljam reached them and yanked the goggles off the blonde boy's head, before flicking his forehead.
"That's for stealing my goggles," Viljam said in annoyance, before following it with a smack upside Teddie's head, "And that's for what you used them for.". With that, Viljam slid the goggles around his neck, where they would stay until he felt like diving again.
With that business done, Kanji carried the dismayed blonde in a one armed hold to the shore. "What the hell did you think you were doing Ted," Kanji asked angrily as he exited the water.
"We were due for a 'wardrobe malfunction'," the blonde boy complained.
Yu shook his head at hearing that. Then he and Yosuke saw something terrible.
"NO! Not cool!" the Junes boy cried out while covering his eyes.
"What the heck's up with you," Kanji said, clearly not in the mood.
"Down there," Yu said calmly, but was worried about how Kanji reacts.
"Down?" And Kanji looked down. "HOLY SHIT! The wardrobe malfunction was mine," Kanji cried out after realizing he had lost his speedoes.
Teddie also realized what happened to Kanji and started struggling in panic.
"We need to cover up Kanji," Yu said, not really worried about the situation, but the longer Kanji is uncovered, the more likely a scene is about to happen.
"How? We don't know where his swimsuit ended up," Yosuke said. Then he saw something that would probably add up to Kanji's misery soon. The girls and Viljam were getting out of the water.
"Oh, crap we gotta over him fast! I'll go look for something," Yosuke said quickly before running off.
Teddie, meanwhile had gone limp. "I can hear the bells," the smaller blonde boy said deliriously.
"Stay with us, Ted!" Kanji shouted, before addressing Yu, "Senpai, isn't there anything you could think of?"
Yu honestly didn't know what to do right now. The girls were getting closer. Viljam will probably just pity Kanji or something, but who knows how the girls will react. "How about a seashell," Yu suggested spotting one big enough to cover what was needed.
"No! It's too... sexy," Kanji said, causing Yu to feel uncomfortable at the phrase.
"Here, Kanji," Yosuke exclaimed as he got back.
"That's seaweed," Kanji complained, but the sound of the rest of the gang approaching made them more fearful.
"No time to argue, just put it on," Yosuke said quickly.
Kanji wanted to protest more, but he had no time for that, so he dropped Teddie and took the seaweed.
And he had it on just in time for the girls and Viljam to see the scene.
"What is that," Viljam asked, clearly trying to process the seaweed attire. Why was Kanji even using any of it to cover his chest.
"Uhhh...," Chie sounded out, clearly weirded out. As were the other girls.
"Were just...," Yosuke said, trying to come up with a good excuse, "...re-enacting the Birth of Venus.". That caused Yu to cover his face with his hand in embarrassment of the pathetic excuse.
"Yeah! I'm ready to be born DAMMIT," Kanji said, not helping his case.
After few seconds of silence, the girls ran away screaming in disgust. Viljam on the other hand bursted into the worst laughing fit by far.
"I knew this wouldn't end well," Yu lamented, while daring to look at the Finnish boy, who had collapsed and was rolling on the sand laughing. "Wait, isn't that," Yu said, noticing that Viljam was holding something in his left hand.
Kanji too dared to look at what the Finnish boy was holding. "Whuh!? THOSE ARE MINE!" Kanji shouted after realizing Viljam was holding the punk's speedoes.
With what little clarity he had in his head, Viljam threw the speedoes to Kanji, who caught them easily.
"Why did you have them," Yosuke asked with slight worry. Unfortunately, Viljam was still laughing and unable to answer.
"Maybe they floated to him or something," Yu theorized, earning a furious nod from Viljam, signaling that the Finnish at least had the presence of mind to understand.
That is, until laughing finally turned into coughing. Which meant Viljam had to hurry and get his inhalator.
(Much later)
The sun was now pretty low, but the gang was still at the beach. Although they did take a little break. It was kind of funny for Yu to see Chie and Viljam eating steak together at one of the little stalls that were set up. Speaking of which, it seemed like the longer Viljam was out of the water, the more he returned to his usual self.
Now however, the girls were building a sand castle with Teddie. They were still a little wary of the bear because of the stunt he pulled, but they decided to believe that Teddie had learned that what he did was wrong. Though that doesn't mean the bear won't get it if he tries something funny again.
Meanwhile, Yu, Yosuke, Kanji and Viljam were sitting in the sand, with the Finnish boy's childish reserves completely used up.
"We've had busy day," Yosuke commented.
"We sure did," Yu agreed.
"I'm still itchy," Kanji complained, while shifting uncomfortably.
*Snrk*
"Viljam," Yu said, in an admonishing tone.
"Oh come on, it was funny," Viljam retorted, still finding the whole thing amusing.
"Speak for yourself," Kanji grumbled. "By the way, how come you're so good at swimming," the punk then asked.
"Dad put me and Linnea in swimming school once. Guess the lessons stuck," Viljam shrugged.
"That so," Yu said, finding that little tidbit mildly interesting. "How good would you say your sisters are," the silver haired boy then asked, wondering if Viljam's swimming was a family thing or just him.
"Linnea and I occasionally raced, I always won," Viljam said with a smile, before donning a serious expression, "But compared to Maria, who was once in a swimming contest, I'm not much."
"How big of a contest are we talking about," Yosuke asked, already getting the image of Viljam's sister being a professional.
That made Viljam think for a moment. "I think it was between neighbouring towns at least," Viljam said clearly having trouble remembering.
"And how did she do," Kanji also asked.
"I don't remember, but I do know she didn't win," Viljam said, not remembering the event too clearly.
"How can you not remember something like that," Yosuke asked. Surely a competition where someone's sister participated in was important enough to remember.
Viljam sighed. "It was many years ago, and I barely understood anything that was happening around me," The Finnish boy said like he was ashamed of himself.
"Uhhuh," Yosuke said, totally unconvinced. But deciding that this subject wasn't important, "Hey, how about we go skiing during winter."
"Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself," Kanji asked. "Winter's still a while away," the punk pointed out.
"Skiing? I love skiing," Viljam exclaimed happily.
"Well, someone's excited," Yu duly noted.
"Skiing means winter, winter means snow and I love snow," Viljam said already picturing his idea of a perfect winter.
"Uhhuh," Kanji said, not sure if he shared Viljam's level of enthusiasm.
"Name three things about winter you like, Viljam," Yosuke suddenly said, earning questioning looks from the other two.
"Snow, don't have to worry about being fried and no bugs to annoy me," Viljam said easily.
"Well... that's disappointing," Yosuke said with a sigh.
"Why?"
"Never mind," Yosuke quickly said.
Then Viljam looked like he remembered something. "I forgot to ask this earlier, but why didn't you just get Kanji's towel to cover him up," Viljam then asked. He still found it funny that Teddie had managed to drag down Kanji's speedoes. The bear probably thought he was doing it to a girl, which probably would've ended worse, but still. Then the said speedoes got tangled around Viljam's foot and the rest is history.
Three face-palms was the Finnish boy's answer.
"I didn't think of that," Yu said, feeling extremely stupid.
"Could've spared the humiliation," Yosuke lamented.
"I'm the one who got humiliated," Kanji growled angrily.
Viljam had a very hard time keeping a straight face or not giving a smart-ass remark. "Ei saa nauraa. Ei saa nauraa. Ei saa nauraa." The Finnish chanted in his head.
In a desperate attempt to direct this conversation somewhere else, Yosuke decided to ask a little something from Viljam that's been bothering him, "Hey, Viljam. I never asked, did you see anything underwater," the Junes boy asked.
Viljam had question marks at the question, "What do you mean?"
"Come on, you know," Yosuke said slyly.
Viljam gave Yosuke wary look. "No I don't," the Finnish boy said, getting suspicious.
"Yosuke means if you had any interesting views on the girls," Yu decided to spell out to save some time.
That caused Viljam's eyes to widen. "...Yosuke, for the sake of not wanting to hurt you, please keep your desperation out of this," Viljam said, not wanting to deal with this subject.
To Yosuke's credit, his eye only twitched at Viljam calling him desperate again. "Says the guy who imagined Satonaka in Rise's swimsuit," Yosuke said almost maliciously.
"Ä- How did you know," Viljam asked, before realizing what he just said.
"Whuh? You did," Yosuke exclaimed in surprise. "I was just... *ahahhahaaa*!" And now Yosuke started laughing at Viljam who covered his face in shame.
Yu also shook his head, not exactly surprised at Viljam having thought patterns of a normal guy, but rather at the Finnish boy's reaction to Yosuke's teasing.
"It's your fault for weaving that in my head," Viljam grumbled weakly, not taking his hands off his face.
"Oh, and when did I do that," Yosuke snickered thinking he had Viljam cornered.
"Back in Rise's dungeon," Viljam said, refusing to call it "strip club".
Unfortunately, Yosuke's smug look never faltered. "I didn't say anything about Satonaka wearing a bikini," Yosuke said evilly.
"Yes you did!" Viljam argued, believing Yosuke was lying.
"Nope. I only said what she was doing and where. I never said anything about what she was wearing," Yosuke said having a victorious look, "So whatever Satonaka was wearing came out of your head."
"...I hate you..." was the only thing Viljam could say, and wishing that the sand they were sitting on would devour him.
"...Yosuke, I think you should stop pushing your luck," Yu said, not wanting Viljam to snap. Or better yet, the girls overhearing this. Also the sad thing is, Yosuke told the truth about what he weaved into Viljam's head. When Yu asked Yosuke about the incident, not once did the Junes boy describe Chie's clothing.
"Yeah, just stop before something bad happens again," Kanji added in, having enough of the shit that happened today. Also, the punk wasn't comfortable with this topic. And neither was Viljam judging by his reaction.
"Whatever," Yosuke said in a very good mood. "Anyway, should we start heading back before it gets dark," the Junes boy then said, seeing as the sun had gone just a little lower now.
"That would be smart," Yu said, "I for one don't want to drive in the dark."
"Alright, Yosuke said before getting up alongside the other guys. "Hey! We're going home," Yosuke called out to the girls and Teddie.
The girls weren't happy about it, but they decided to go too. Although Teddie was a little harder to convince.
AN: And I'll end it here. Yeah... I... might've been like Viljam was sometimes. Whenever we went swimming, getting me in the water was a pain in the ass, but once you got me in, good luck getting me out.
Anyway, what do you think? Should I use this system from now on, and remember, silence means yes here XD.
I hope you guys had fun reading this as much as I had writing.