A/N: Yep. I just did that. I gave you guys a cliffhanger. How does it feel? Anyways, on to the story.
Tensions were high at the Kaze high swimming pool. The match up had already been delayed for one day which only served to increase the hype within the swim club for this match. In fact, the whole pool was cleared just for this short match between Nagatoro and Mano.
Mano: "You're going down, Nagatoro-san! I won't hold back against you!"
Nagatoro: "I'd sure hope not! That would invalidate my victory!"
Nakai: "You can do this Mano!"
Mano blushed at Nakai's words while Hamaguchi began counting down.
Hamaguchi: "On 3! 1, 2, 3!"
The swimmers dived straight into the water, shooting through it like torpedoes. Mano managed to get to the other side first but Nagatoro managed to make a comeback, narrowly beating her by less than a second.
Nagatoro: "I win! Better luck next time, Mano-chan!"
Mano: "You'd better believe I'll try my hardest to improve! I'll get you next time, Nagatoro-chan!"
Nakai: "You were great out there, Mano! You'll definitely get her next time!"
Nakai planted a kiss on Mano's forehead which made her blush.
Hamaguchi: "Come on, Nakai! Are you gonna ref for us or are you gonna let someone else do it?"
Houjou: "Yeah, come on Nakai!"
Nakai: "All right, all right. On your marks, get set, go!"
Hamaguchi and Houjou set off. Both of their swimming styles were a little klunky but the got the job done. Nevertheless, Houjou beat Hamaguchi by a margin of a couple of seconds.
Houjou: "Hah, take that! Where's your confidence how, Hamaguchi?"
Hamaguchi: "Great job Houjou! Don't worry, I wasn't holding back. I'll get you next time, though, I swear!"
Houjou was mildly shocked at how well Hamaguchi seemed to take his defeat. It was definitely more mature than how she's reacted to winning.
Houjou: "Don't count on me not improving at all. I'll give it all I've got!"
Nagatoro: "Alright you 2. If you want to improve here's a few pointers…
Nagatoro and Mano started giving Hamaguchi and Houjou tips on their swimming techniques and helping them practice. Before long, Houjou was gliding through the water like she had fins, but Hamaguchi was still floundering.
Hamaguchi: "Argh! I just don't get it!"
Houjou: "Don't worry, Hamaguchi, I'll help."
Hamaguchi turned tomato-red as Houjou moved his arms with her arms and began showing him how to swim herself.
Hamaguchi: "I-I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. T-thanks, Houjou!"
Houjou: "No problem!"
Nagatoro and Mano both smiled at the scene unfolding in front of them, both at Houjou's ability to learn swimming quickly and teach Hamaguchi some basics but also at how close the 2 of them seemed. Mano had been rooting for her 2 friends to get together since middle school and although Nagatoro hadn't seen them much, she understood what was going on between them.
Before they knew it, the time for clubs had come to an end. As Nagatoro went into the changing room, she noticed a text from Gamo on her phone.
Nagatoro *reading* "Sorry Hayacchi, we had to do an extra tutoring session after school and we've got some homework to do. Can we move this a couple hours back?"
Nagatoro typed out a response of affirmation and relayed the information to Senpai. Senpai received the message but remembered what Takagi said about alone time.
Senpai: "Hey guys, great work today. Loved your sketches, I can definitely see the improvement. Thanks for cleaning up the room!"
Takagi: "See ya, Hachioji-san!"
Nishikata: "Bye!"
Senpai closed the door behind him only to find a curious Nagatoro standing right in his face.
Nagatoro: "Su~p Senpai!"
Senpai quickly put a finger to her lips to shush her but quickly pulled it away, blushing.
Nagatoro: "What was that for Senpa- mmph!"
Senpai: "Hey, keep it down. Takagi said something about having alone time with Nishikata before when I said I'd have to leave slightly early and I don't want to ruin this for them."
Nagatoro: "Ah."
They slowly made their way to the exit of the school before it dawned on Nagatoro that Senpai was playing matchmaker.
Nagatoro: "Is gross Senpai trying to help their relationship along? Sad that you're all alone and rely on lewd manga to get you off? So gross!"
Senpai: "Hey! That's not true! I have you."
Nagatoro was shocked for a moment before letting out a sweet smile. Then, the full implications of Senpai's words hit both of them and they both turned fire-engine red.
Nagatoro: "W-what are you trying to say, Senpai?! You have me to get you off? Gross, gross, gross, gross, gross!"
Senpai: "I-I didn't mean it! I just meant that I like spending time with you!"
Nagatoro was so taken off guard by this that she stopped noodling Senpai to turn even redder and stare at him, speechless.
Nagatoro: "W-well, thanks I-I g-guess."
Senpai found it incredibly cute when Nagatoro was this flustered but decided to keep that information to himself. Nagatoro, on the other hand, was too emotionally drained at the moment to tease him. She'd be fine before the restaurant, sure, but at the moment, she was fresh out of ideas. Meanwhile, back in the art room, Takagi and Nishikata were cleaning up.
Nishikata: "I wonder how their dinner at the sushi place will go."
Takagi: "Inquisitive today, are we?"
Nishikata: "It's not like I'm jealous or anything! I would've thought you'd have noticed what's going on between them since you can read minds!"
Takagi: "Ahaha! I only read your face, Nishikata! Still, I did notice and I do hope that they have a great time."
Nishikata: "Yeah, I guess."
Takagi: "Are you excited for our little field trip to the zoo?"
Nishikata: "Actually, I am. It seems like the perfect opportunity for Hachioji-san and Nagatoro-san to get closer."
Takagi: "Just promise me you won't become a stalker like Yukari, Nishikata!"
Nishikata: "Hey, I'm just doing what I can to help them. Anyone would help out a friend like that."
Takagi: "Fair enough. We should probably head out since we're done packing up.
Right on cue, the announcement telling all remaining students to return home played over the PA system.
Nishikata: "R-right."
Takagi: "Hey Nishikata."
Nishikata: "Y-yeah?"
Takagi: *Smirking* "If you can hold my hand the whole way home, you win!"
Nishikata: "What? Are you sure?"
Takagi: That's strange, he should've started blushing by now…
The truth was that since that morning, Nishikata had been gathering his confidence to ask Takagi to hold his hand because of how much he liked it since that morning and now, there was a perfect opportunity to hold her hand right in front of him.
Takagi: "Yep! That's it."
Nishikata felt a light blush spread across his face but it quickly subsided.
Nishikata: "Alright! You're on, Takagi-san!"
Nishikata grabbed Takagi's hand and they began walking home.
Takagi: *lightly blushing* This… wasn't supposed to happen. I-I didn't think he would be this far along! He didn't even try to challenge me that much! Oh god, I'm so happy! His hand feels so nice! I honestly don't care about losing at this point, I just want to hold his hand.
Nishikata: Is she… blushing? DOesn't matter, I'm too much of a chicken to point it out anyways. Besides, her hand is soft and… I'm enjoying this. I guess I'm winning in more ways than one…
A genuine smile spread across Nishikata's face. Not the smirk of someone who was about to win a challenge but the genuine smile of someone who was holding hands with the person they love. The 2 of them walked in relative silence for most of the rest of the walk home. As they were about to reach the crossroads, Takagi broke the silence.
Takagi: "You know, Nishikata, if anyone sees us, they'll think we're a couple.
Nishikata: "What?!"
Out of reflex, he pulled his hand away from Takagi.
Takagi: "Ahaha! I win!"
Nishikata: "Curse you Takagi-san! Oh well, I'll get you next time!"
Nishikata then grabbed Takagi's hand again, causing her to get a surprised look and blush on her face.
Takagi: "! Nishikata?"
Nishikata: "Your hand… feels… nice, Takagi-san."
Takagi turned completely red at his words. Nishikata noticed, but didn't mention it. They went the rest of the walk without saying a word
Takagi: Oh god, oh god, did he just grab my hand with no challenge at all? I need to get better at this, I couldn't control myself at all back there. Deep breaths Rie, deep breaths.
Nishikata: Oh god, did I mess up? She seemed really flustered, maybe I scared her off. Knowing Takagi, she won't avoid me because of this but I should probably call her just to make sure.
Before long, they both went into their respective homes.
Nishikata: *in text* "Are you ok? I'm sorry if I pushed things too far, it won't happen again, I promise."
Nishikata: That should do it-
Nishikata jumped 3 feet in the air as he got a call from Takagi.
Takagi: "Hey Nishikata!"
Nishikata: "H-hey Takagi."
Takagi: "Don't worry about before. I just got a little put on the spot, y'know?"
Nishikata: "Y-yeah. Alright."
Takagi: "Anyways, you lost the challenge so I need to give you a punishment."
Nishikata: "What is it…"
Takagi: "You need to hold hands with me whenever we're walking together!"
Nishikata *Slightly blushing* "T-that's it?"
Takagi: "Yep!"
Nishikata: "You think I can't do it, Takagi-san! Just you wait. I'll show you!"
Takagi: "We'll see tomorrow."
Nishikata: "Well since there's not much else to do, why don't we stay on the line? After all, we've got some homework to do."
Takagi was still mildly shocked at Nishikata's lack of resistance to holding hands but quickly composed herself.
Takagi: "Sure! Let's get to work."
After Nishikata finished his push ups, the 2 of them spent the rest of the evening speeding through their homework. Before going to bed, Takagi said one last thing.
Takagi: "So, Mano, Houjou, Yukari, Mina, Sanae and I were going for a girl's day out tomorrow so I'll see you on Sunday!"
Nishikata: "See you then, Takagi-san!"
With that, they both went to bed and fell asleep.
