Notes

i should probs get this out of the way, but don't expect any kind of schedule - i'll just be writing whenever i feel like it. i've written additional parts of this then "scrapped" it several times over the course of the last 2/3 years and this one is partially influenced by a few factors. i'm not the same person i was when i wrote Would You Like to Turn Back Time, yknow?

also if you saw this fic published with a spelling error in its name no you didn't 3


Break time already...?

That familiar whistle, yet again.

Late afternoon made way for early evening, and You Watanabe found herself at the same bench for the third rest period in a row. It wasn't her regular pool, but felt familiar in a way she couldn't explain. The pool staff seemed restless this time round, and she couldn't help but wonder what they were preparing for; she looked to the entrance, and heard distant voices - a class, most likely. You leaned forward and sighed; a nondescript sigh, not at anything, not for anything, just...a sigh.

I think I'll head home for now...I'll check out the rest of Nagaoka another day.

The additional chorus on the other side of the hall changed the atmosphere entirely; You was among the last of this hour's leavers to shuffle out as the early swimming class members shuffled in, sorting onto the benches as they awaited the beginning of their session.

A cold draught came in from parts unknown, and for a moment, You was reminded of the dark, strange nature of November evenings at the pools as she took one last look back through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the end of the room, on the long side: pitch black. The few active voices on her side of the poolroom echoed noticeably now, sharing the space with the sound of the water. There were people around, and yet...the moment felt isolated.

The walk back to the changing rooms is always the hardest part, the walk back to the changing rooms is always the hardest part, the walk back to the changing rooms is always the hardest part...

You stood in place to let out a shiver in the hopes it would fill some unquantified shiver quota between here and the changing rooms. She turned round and continued slowly forward to begin the cold walk back to the changing room; the last of the early swimming class members passed her, though none carried the air of an instructor.

There was one more, and a glimpse of dark blue hair quickly become a person and she recognised this evening's swim class instructor, even now: Kanan Matsuura.

"Kanan?"

You froze after the first word, immediately struck with the thought that it'd been so long that Kanan may well choose to blank her to save an awkward conversation. The thought came to an end when Kanan turned to face You; the two of them stopped just outside the door, and You moved out of the way in anticipation of further staff or attendants entering or leaving the hall.

"Ah...You. It's good to see you after so long. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

A steady, neutral smile formed on Kanan's face, and You resumed breathing.

"It has, it has..." You replied, trying her best not to stammer, "Over a year. Are you...are you doing well?"

Kanan's expression remained unchanged for a moment as she determined the context of "well", weighing her options: telling her everything or even just anything, or figuring out a way to make a year and a half of diving instruction since they'd last talked sound interesting.

She also realised if she took too long, You would take her answer to be "no", and so Kanan set aside her thoughts.

"I'm fine, I'm fine! I got my instructor's certification since we last talked, and I'm hosting refresher swimming courses for prospective divers now and again in place of my grandfather. All in all, I can't complain. Once the weather gets warmer and they get a little further in their course, I can take them back outside to Suruga Bay and show them a whole new world under the waves..."

Kanan smiled and let out an involuntary giggle under her breath. In the moment before she recomposed herself to reciprocate, You saw the Kanan she remembered: the Kanan from Aqours' summer get-togethers.

"Anyway, how have you been?" Kanan inquired coolly, "I haven't seen you since before I moved away to finish my instructor courses."

"Umm...fine as well! I'm working for my dad's friend's company here and there."

You broke eye contact to give herself a five-millisecond time-out, arriving independently at the same conclusion that an awkward silence could kill this conversation very quickly. The crashing of the water against the sides of the pool stood out painfully in this pause, but they waited still.

Come on, You, you can do better than that...it's the first time any of us has seen sign of her or Mari in a year and a half.

Kanan breathed in, and You knew she had to say something quickly, lest it become an "end of conversation" sigh.

"I haven't seen you here often, Kanan! Do you come here a lot?"

"I've...been with Izu Swim for as long as I remember. It's where I've always been."

"Oh." You sheepishly broke her gaze again.

"Now you mention it, You..." Kanan replied, "This isn't your regular pool. Wasn't your regular pool in Kakida after you graduated? It's a lot nearer to your house."

"Ah, uh...that one was closed tonight. And I've never been to the one in Mishima, and I know the one here, and, yeah...ehehe..."

Kanan smiled, and You returned it. Another silence fell, and the crashing waves of the pool surrounded them again like some oceanic microcosm; it felt almost as lonely as the ocean often seemed to be around this time, too.

"Well, You, it was nice meeting you..."

Oh, no...is this it? "Well, You, it was nice meeting you, but I have to go and never come here ever again and never meet you again because this was way too awkward?" Stupid, stupid, stupid! I messed up big time!

"But how would you feel about catching up sometime in the week?"

Kanan's simple request stunned You into silence proper, the unexpected turn cutting free her line of thought.

"Th-this week?"

Kanan's smile was much more genuine this time round. "It's been a while. I can't do Sunday or Wednesday though."

"Well..."

What if she's being polite and doesn't really mean that? Or what if she cancels? I can't wait that long...

Kanan's expression became curious, having heard only the one word spoken out loud.

"Would you be free for a snack after your class finishes?" You asked with unwavering resolve, "I'll be in Nagaoka a while longer, and I still have 2 hours left on my parking. If, um, that's okay with you, Kanan!"

"It's fine, it's fine! I'll meet you in around an hour and 15 minutes. Don't be late!"

"Mm!"

At the end of the moment, they parted ways for a little bit longer; Kanan beamed at You and sauntered further into the hall, and You headed to the changing rooms.

The walk back to the changing rooms was unsurprisingly the coldest part, and the walk to the car in the midst of a cold November night in Numazu to extend her parking permit was only marginally more forgiving.

But for You Watanabe, it was worth it.