(Previously...)
I wonder what you'd do if I ever decided to show you the real me…" Ami explained as she put her tea on the table
She started to crawl to me getting very...very close to me.
"Would you...fall for me?" she said as she inched closer to me
"Your getting way too close Kawashima, hold on a second, please?" I said as she got closer and closer her face was pleading for an answer her lips were inches away from mine as she was about to close the gap between our lips... but maple saved the day and jumped on my lap and gave Kawashima a hiss which made her jump a little bit back in fear, I sighed in relief as I started petting Maple's head to calm her down which she did and curled on my lap and started purring.
Kawashima regained composure and cursed something under her breath knowing my cat ruined whatever she was planning to do.
"Is that your cat Saikawa?" Kawashima asked tilting her head slightly
"Yeah her name is Maple I adopted her a couple years ago, Wanna pet her?, she's very sweet" I asked and she nodded reluctantly her reached for my cat's head to pet, Maple realized this and took her paw and swatted Kawashima hand away meowed angrily at Kawashima
"Nyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" this terrified Kawashima prompting her to put her now dry gym clothes on took her stuff and ran out of my apartment while apologize and saying that she had to go. I laughed at this and Maple calmed once again and snuggled on my lap and I got back to petting as she purred.
"Good girl Maple serves her right trying to play with my emotions" I smiled sweetly at my cat. I heard a small creak at the door and I realized who it was.
"I guess I owe you an explanation huh Taiga?" I said as Taiga was standing there with crossed arms, it took a while but I was able to explain the whole story to her about Kawashima and the stalker and letting her stay at my apartment to dry her gym clothes but left out the part of Kawashima trying to kiss me. Which satisfied Taiga, we talked for a bit and she left to her apartment for the night so I went to bed after a crazy day.
Next Day (Morning)
I slowly got up from bed and I looked at the alarm clock seeing that it was 8:00, after realizing this I was mentally freaking out. I gave Maple her breakfast and quickly dressed in my summer uniform. and left my apartment locked my door and ran to Ryuuji's house but saw him on his balcony banging on Taiga's window.
"C'mon, Taiga! Wake up, wake up, wake up! Come on! I can't believe how late it is…" he said as he kept banging on the window a few more times, then Taiga slid her window open and is met with a bang on the the head by Ryuuji's broom and she fell on the floor.
"Ow… what was that?" she asked in pain
"My… broom…Nevermind , we slept too long! Come on, hurry up and get dressed!" Ryuuji replied
"What'd you make me for breakfast? And why the hell did you wake me up like that?" she asked
""No time for breakfast or lunch! We gotta leave or we'll be late! I'll get Ren!"
"Actually I'm down here I'll be waiting". I said as Ryuuji nodded. Next thing we know we're running as fast as we can to get to school on time.
Crap! We gotta hit the market or we won't have anything for lunch! Ryuuji stated while me and Taiga don't respond
"You two hear me? Get those legs pumping or we'll-GAH!" he asked as Taiga jumped in the air and double kicked his back
"We heard you, you pervy mutt! The market!" she responded
"Why are you pissed about missing one meal?"
"Guys we don't have any time to talk right now, let's go!" I yelled at both them
School (Morning)
As the bell rung, the three of us managed to get to 2-C on time.
"Yes… we made it…" Ryuuji said exhausted
"That...was the fastest... I ever ran... in my life" I said in between breaths but before I can gather my thoughts a certain blue haired girl came around.
"There you are! Finally! Thank you so much for helping me out with that thing yesterday!" Kawashima said in her fake tone which was clearly annoying Taiga.
"Sure, no problem" I said which caused Ami's smile to grow
"Oh my god, do you like the way my uniform fits or something? You're staring-" she said trying to flirt with me but Taiga put an end to it by swinging her bag to her side.
"You're blocking the aisle, dumb chihuahua" Taiga said with disdain towards Kawashima.
"I didn't see you come in, Aisaka. Morning." she replied
"Morning, Kawashima. I see you're looking a little flushed today. Are we in heat again?" Taiga asked causing a vein to pop on Kawashima's head then suddenly pretended to laugh and said
"I get it! But you shouldn't be getting jealous over such a tiny, little thing like that! You totally have the wrong idea." then Taiga turned around to face her
'You really are a moron, you know that? If you think I'm jealous-" she replied but she couldn't finish her sentence when Kushieda came out of nowhere and picked Taiga up by the hips.
"Top of the morning, everyone! I think I found a new way to tone my upper arms!" Kushieda said as she did reps with her.
"Don't use me as a weight, Minorin!" she replied embarrassingly, Ryuuji sighed while I had a slight smile on my face.
Homeroom started with our teacher was discussing that the pool is opening up tommorow, everyone was excited, well except for the female students, talking about how there stomach will stick out and there legs and other parts of there body, as the conversations progress, our homeroom teacher in fact was getting more and more angry at this and Kitamura reminded her that homeroom was over and she proceeded to tell at him to end it.
My eyes were Taiga, her hands were on her head, her look says it all, full anxiety and stress...
one thing is for certain...
She's was not prepared for this.
After School
Me, Taiga, Ryuuji and Kushieda decided to go to a department store to pickup swimsuits, Taiga was very hesitant, prompting Kushieda and Ryuuji to grab both her hands trying to get her in the swimsuit section.
"C'mon, Taiga! Hurry up!" Kushieda said pulling Taiga's wrist as best as she could
"I said I don't need to buy a swimsuit!" she claimed
"But the one you wore last year is all gross and moldy now!" Kushieda said shutting down her claim.
"Cause when you don't wash and dry it right away, that's what happens!" Ryuuji said, then Taiga finally got free from him and Kushieda
"Would you guys knock it off?! And who the hell invitedthatthing along?" she said said pointing at Kawashima who was looking at swimsuits
"I came because this store is the only place in town that sells swimsuits!" she explained causing to darkly glaring at me.
"You know very well that didn't invite her, so stop making assumptions" I blankly responded to Taiga
"Guys, check it out, thhis would look soperfecton Aisaka, don't you think? It's actually kinda too perfect!" Kawashima said holding a pink swimsuit for a child, this made Taiga even more angry raising her fist ready to punch her.
"Control yourself Taiga, people are watching" I said trying to clam which seemed to work, I was able to buy my swim trunks, I see Kushieda picking out swimsuits with Ryuuji's help, while being flustered, then Kawashima entered out of the dressing room with a navy blue one piece swimsuit.
"Does it look okay? I'm not gonna stick out in it, am I?" she asked in her cutesy tone
"Yeah, you're gonna stick out! Like a sore thumb! Why the hell are your damn legs so long?!" Kushieda asked angrily
"Really? They're not that long! And it's the plainest style I could find." Kawashima responded the Minori took Ami's hand.
"K-Kawashima! You gotta tell me, what brand is that? Where did you find it, huh?" she asked
"Oh, over there! You wanna get matching swimsuits?" the blue haired girl responded but Kushieda responded with a hysterical no, but went to the direction that she pointed to anyway.
"Go to her Ryuuji, she needs support, I'll go check on Taiga" I whispered and he nodded and left to go find Minori, before I could go to find Taiga, I see Kawashima admiring herself in mirror while still wearing the swimsuit, i shook my head and went to find Taiga who was still in the dressing room.
"Are you ok in there Tai-" I was about to ask but she pulled me by the shirt and before I know I was in the dressing room, I was going to tell her off but Taiga was on her knees looking down at the ground, there was a assorted pile of bathing suits on the floor.
"I… I don't know what I'm supposed to... I can't decide on any of these things!" she said sadly, I tried to respond but she continued.
"None of them fit me!"
"Have you tried kids sizes" I said awkwardly
"I'd rather die! And don't treat me like that dumb chihuahua out there!" she said, facing me as tears threatening to come out of her eyes, first thing I did is crouch front of her and put my hand on her head and rubbed it a little bit which surprised her a little bit.
"It's ok, I'm not going to make fun of you, your my friend, hell I sorta see you as a sister, so cheer up alright" I smiled to which she smiled and nodded, I looked at the pile of swimsuits and saw a XS navy blue swimsuit.
"Hey how bout this one, it's extra small, not expensive, pretty durable too. Did you try this one yet" I asked Taiga
"I did, but… well… it's just… I don't know. I guess… it sorta fit me, more or less… But it was kinda… just…" she responded looking at the floor embarrassed.
…Well, if it fit, then it should not be a problem, right? I asked her
"Uh… yeah, I guess." she reluctantly agreed and we're able to pay for it.
I managed to let Taiga and Ryuuji know that I couldn't join them for dinner due to a matter I needed to attend (you'll know in due time). I finished but I received a text from Ryuuji saying that I should come over to Taiga's apartment for moral support as she'll try on the swimsuit.
I got to her apartment and he explained why Taiga was afraid of going into the pool, is because she's flat chested. Ryuuji was cleaning her glasse table vigorously as I leaned by the wall next to the door Taiga's changing in.
"Honestly Ren, I don't know what the big deal is. Her boobs are small, so what?" he said to me but I shook my head and said
"Meh I think it's cute that someone that is rough around the edges as Taiga can care about her appearance, shows she's human" I said as Ryuuji nodded we heard the door slowly open.
"Thanks for waiting you guys" Taiga said as she revealed herself in the swimsuit. Confirmed she's flat chested as Ryuuji said.
"No problem" I said with a smile
"What do you two think, duper flat, right? Kinda like a board??" Taiga asked nervously
"Are the pads in?" Ryuuji asked.
"Oh, they're in. Yeah, but… (she chuckled) They're not staying in place. Now you know why I hate swimming pools." she stated as she went to back to change back in a robe, Later she sat in a recliner, holding a drink as she slid a picture across the glass table to Ryuuji and me.
"What's this?" I asked
"Go ahead. Turn it over. Once you see it, you'll know why I'm so miserable." she responded, as I flipped the picture for me and Ryuuji to see a picture of Taiga last in a swimsuit with someone writing "Pathetic Boobs" and an arrow pointing at Taiga's chest.
'That's kinda uncalled for" i said for whoever wrote the mean comment
"Can you believe that? I'm pathetic. I'm so flat, people feel sorry for me" she said sadly looking down at her drink.
"Well, you can't take it seriously. I mean, it's just the opinion of whoever wrote this." Ryuuji said trying to cheer her up
"Naturally, I had no choice but to paint the walls of the photography club in theirblood." Taiga said darkly gaining some chills down my spine
"Well, that explains why they shut the club down all of a sudden." Ryuuji said in realization
"And now… Kitamura's gonna see what a pitiful body I have… What do I do? It's over!" Taiga said quietly sobbing to herself into her knees. Me and Ryuuji looked at each, it appeared we have the same idea to help our palmtop tiger out.
"Hey, Taiga…Stop crying. I think me and Ren got an idea." Ryuuji said as she stopped crying face burning red as i stood in front of her to look at me.
"Tommorow, you'll be standing proud in front of Kitamura. Don't worry, Ryuuji's got this." i said with a putting my hand on her head and rubbed it a little bit earning a small smile from Taiga.
Later at Night
The three of us found ourselves at Ryuuji's house in the living room, Taiga is playing video games I'm sitting next to Ryuuji's working on Taiga's pad that'll go in her swimsuit. I brought Maple along, currently she snugly sleeping on my lap and slowly petting her.
"Y'know, you two can go home and get some sleep, if you want to." Ryuuji said to the both of us.
"No, I've got nothing better to do. I'm gonna stay up until you're finished." Taiga said rubbing her eyes still puffy from crying this, earning a smile from Ryuuji as he continued working.
"Same here plus I'm obligated by cat law not to move when my cat is sleeping on my lap." i said which caused Ryuuji to chuckled a little bit.
"You guys...um… I just wanna say… I know I'm being weird and stubborn and everything, so… I'm sorry." Taiga said as me and Ryuuji looked at each other smiling at what she said, it showed she does appreciate what we've done her. Ryuuji continued and i feel asleep without even knowing it.
Morning
It was morning and it showed that Ryuuji worked all night on the pads for Taiga because of the dark circles under his eyes I'm behind Taiga as she looks herself in mirror with her swimsuit on. Ryuuji's behind the mirror.
"So how are the pads Taiga?" i asked her, with her face turned bright pink, her eyes shimmered in the light as she looked at her self in the mirror.
"On the day I get married, I'm definitely taking these along!" she responded clearly satisfied with the results, all that's left is the final challenge...…...
...The Pool.
Afternoon
It was time for the pool as the boys and girls were gathered around me, Ryuuji, Noto and Haruta were in the shade, Ryuuji still had dark circles in his staring at the girls changing room, the rest us was watching Kitamura getting gawked at by Nanako and Kihara about him looking better without his glasses.
"Damn it. I took off my glasses off, too." Noto said out of jealousy
"There, there..." I said patting Noto's shoulder as my attention shifted to the changing room, I hoped Taiga is alright, let's hope Ryuuji's idea work.
"Saikawa..." someone stood in front of me, It was none other than Nanako Kashii in her bathing suit blushing up a storm.
"U-um...you look handsome without your glasses..." she said nervously.
"T-thanks y-you look cute in your s-swimsuit" i complimented her looking down very nervous and mentally kicking myself, I looked up she was still blushing but had a closed eyed smile.
"We should hang out sometime." she said and ran off meeting up with Kihara and Kawashima my mind was in overdrive I didn't know how to react.
"She's not into me right?, we hardly know each other most girls outside of Taiga, Kushieda, and Kawashima just ignore me..." I got out of my thoughts to see everyone's jaw dropped and gawking at Kawashima in her basic swimsuit, it's official she's got everyone in the palm of her hand.
"Oh Saikawa, Takasu!" said a bubbly voice revealed to be Kushieda in her swimsuit with her hair in a ponytail (was she always this cute?) with Taiga not to far head in her swimsuit with a jacket wrapped around her shoulders and her hair tied in two buns that looked like mouse ears (adorable I'll say)
"Don't run so fast, Minorin! My hair's gonna get all messed up!" Taiga said to Kushieda trying to get her to slow down
"Time to get those muscles loosened up for some swimming! I know! How 'bout a quick run around the pool?Psych!" she said as she went right into the pool very quick.
"Minorin!/Kushieda?" Ryuuji and Taiga both replied, Kushieda surfaced up and took a breather.
"I just came up with the perfect plan!" she proclaimed
"What is it?" I asked
"I figured out that as long as I keep myself in the water, no one's gonna be able to see my belly flab. I better get some laps in before it gets crowded!Ciao!" with that response she took off for her laps.
"Look who it is. For a second there, I thought you weren't gonna come out! Thought like, you were embarrassed 'cause your swimsuit was too loose or something." Kawashima said coming on the scene as her way to mock Taiga who was unfazed.
"Sorry, you talking in your sleep or something? You know they've got a pill for that. Seriously. Ugh…" she said letting her jacket off, slowly dropping off her shoulders to her lower back.
"Oh… it's hot! I hope I don't get a sunburn!" she said showing her grown "chest" gaining gasps from everyone and compliments, Kawashima was kinda surprised but unimpressed.
"Kinda average, if you ask me. And you're still out of proportion. Nice try, though." she critiqued and walked away.
Me, Taiga and Ryuuji smiled at each other knowing that we fooled Kawashima and the classmates. However one was not fooled at all.
"The Bogus Boobie Force!" Kushieda said with a glare still in the water that sunk into the water disappearing, we were found out.
"Crap, she knows." Ryuuji said shocked
"Can't put one over on her, i guess" i replied and Taiga gave a nod.
"Aisaka?" Kitamura showed up squinting his at Taiga, she got scared and put her jacket over her head, while curling up into a ball.
"Wait, you are Aisaka, aren't you? Sorry, but I can't see a thing without my glasses. You're the same height as her, though. Why are you hiding? I like how you did your hair. Looks like mouse ears." Kitamura continued while complimenting her hair as Taiga got redder and redder to the point we're she had to say something.
"G-g-get away from me!" she said as I facepalmed her as her nervousness got in the way yet again as Kitamura turned to me.
"I'm sorry, did I say something wrong to her?" he asked me
"Uh… I don't know." I said with a shrug.
Later on more people started to get in the pool, I stood at the edge of the pool with my feet In the water, Ryuuji and Taiga sat next to me, we watch Kitamura getting gawked at by Kihara an three other girls. Unfortunately for said girls, Haruta and Noto had enough of him "hogging" the girls and proceeded to suplex Kitamura into the pool, causing most boys to run and jump in.
"God, they're like a bunch of berserkers out there. If they're not careful, someone's gonna get hurt. Right, Tai-?" Ryuuji said to Taiga but didn't finish because she wasn't listening, holding the buns in her hair, blushing bright red.
"He called my hair cute…" she said giggling
"...No… that's not what he said." Ryuuji replied, I sighed and got up to get a bottle of water I was grabbed by my shoulders
"Target acquired!" I heard a voice say as I was thrown into the pool, I surfaced up and took a deep breath to see that it was Kushieda giggling
"I got you Saikawa!" she chirped, now I decided to get revenge on her as my hair shadowed my eyes that went noticed by her and she felt guilty and reached her hand to me
"I'm sorry, are you ok Saikawa? I hope I didn't throw you too hard" she said, I smiled darkly and grabbed her hand.
"I am... don't worry about it" I said as I pulled her into the pool, my revenge was complete. Kushieda surfaced up took a deep breath and looked at me
"Awww no fair, you trick me" she said with a fake pout
"All is fair in love and war, my dear" I replied as we both burst out laughing, it subsided but we couldn't stop staring at each other, realizing what was happening we look away from each with blushes on our faces.
The awkward silence stopped as we got out of the pool and went our separate ways, I met up with Ryuuji and Taiga, her in particular was completely embarrassed, Ryuuji explained that Kawashima through her in the pool against her wishes, turns out that she couldn't swim and Ryuuji had to save her and Taiga's chest pad fell so he had to put back in underwater causing Taiga's major embarrassment... what a way to end pool day.
After School
Me, Taiga Ryuuji and Kawashima were in 2-C with Taiga in particular sitting on her desk face first on the table.
"Oh, come on. I said I was sorry, didn't I? It's not like anyone told me you couldn't swim. So look, everyone's gone home now, why don't you just cheer up already?" Kawashima muttered
"A simple sorry ain't gonna cut it. Because of you and that stupid prank, my b-b-b-b-b-boob- APOLOGIZE! Apologize, apologize, apologize, apologize, apologize, apologize!" Taiga replied while bringing her head up and flailing her arms
"Darn, this sucks. If Aisaka doesn't know how to swim, she's not going to be able to come with us to the beach or the pool! Hey, that reminds me and my family has a vacation home by the beach! you two wanna go there and spend our vacation together? She asked me and Ryuuji causing Taiga to stop shaking
"I have a better idea. I can ask Yusaku to come with us!" Kawashima continued which was the final straw for Taiga and stood up from her desk.
"Uh oh! Did I say anything wrong, Aisaka?" the blue haired asked Taiga
"If you pull any more crap like you did today, I swear I'll leak the footage you you doing those 100 impressions. Or was it 150?" she threatened Kawashima as her fake tone broke.
"You go right on ahead and try it, and I might just sue you for violating my privacy. The law is the law, and I'm sure even Little Miss Palm-Top Tiger knows better than to break it." Ami replied laughing, and Taiga also laughed
"Can't we just get along... please?" I muttered but out of nowhere Kushieda was at the front of the class, donning her softball uniform in a heroic pose
"Stop this madness, you'll only hurt… your own fists." she proclaimed causing Taiga and Kawashima to argue with each other, about who started what and who's fault it truly was.
"SILENCE! If you want to forge a friendship with your fists, fighting is not the way!" Kushieda replied with a fire in her eyes and pointed at the two girls.
"Settle your differences with SPORTS!!!" Kushieda proclaimed causing the four of us to go silent.
"Uh...sports?" both Taiga and Ami asked in confusion. My thoughts are pretty much is swirling at this point
"Sports huh? I was really hoping that they would settle it in Smash Bros. but that's just, I wonder how high the stakes are..."
A/N: Phew!!! I'm finally done with this chapter, who knew getting Covid would ruin my train of ideas for this chapter had to try to remember it all and it was difficult but I pulled through. We're almost to the point were going to ramp up the Kushieda x Saikawa ship with the potential of triangle with Kawashima and possibly a quadrangle ( yes I had to look that up) with Nanako. Be ready, I hope you enjoyed Chapter 7. Chapter 8 hopefully will be released soon enough. Thanks to Johnhouse125 for the Reviews and good vibes. Like, Review and Follow and I'll see you all in the next chapter Peace!!!!!