Whaa? Early update? 3.3k words? Actually proofread? Who am I? Have I been abducted by aliens and replaced by a robot? Who knows?

Enough crazy talk. Enjoyyy.

(Present time)

"What is 'please' again?" Rin quizzed me.

"O-ona," I began and paused at Rin's raised eyebrow. "One?" Rin nodded. "Onegaishimasu." I exhaled as if I just ran a mile. "Ugh, this sucks," I groaned, tossing my Japanese notes on his study table and fell backwards on his bed. "I can barely keep up a conversation with you."

Rin wheeled his desk chair over to me and whacked the notes on my forehead. "At least you can keep up a conversation with me," he said. "Now, get off my bed. I just changed my sheets last night."

I sat up and looked at him, appalled. "Are you insinuating that I stink? I took a shower before I came over," I huffed, snatching my notes from him.

Rin rolled his eyes. "Don't be dramatic. I mean, you're crumpling my sheets," he said. "Now, come on. Kanji time."

I groaned again. "Tell me again why I asked you to teach me Japanese," I sighed, grabbing my pencil. "Your English is better since you first arrived, so I no longer need to learn random Japanese words from you."

"Well, you can understand basic Japanese. Why not go further and practice your reading and speech skills?" Rin said. "They say bilingual people are smarter, you know."

I scoffed. "Now, are you insinuating that you're smarter than me? I scored higher than you during midterms. Thank you very much."

"Not in that history pop quiz last week," Rin teased.

Before I could retort, my phone alarm went off. As if something shifted in the air in the room, Rin and I jumped to our feet. I stuffed my notes and pencil in my backpack and immediately ran out the door. "Race you to the shore!" I laughed when Rin stumbled over his feet as I dashed past him.

Rin easily caught up to me halfway to the beach. While I still ran, he slowed down to a jog right beside me. I pouted at the clear height difference between us. Ever since Rin hit his growth spurt last summer, he continued getting taller, which meant he got faster as well – both on land and in the water. Still, that didn't stop me or him competing against each other as our usual friendly banter.

When I began to slow, Rin continued jogging ahead of me. "Hurry up, slowpoke," he called out. "I thought this was a race to the shore."

"Shut up, sharkie," I shouted while panting to catch up. I braced myself and sped up, my eyes locked on his broad back. "Watch out," I giggled before latching onto his shoulders.

"Oomph." Rin grunted at my sudden weight pulling him down. His hands instinctively grabbed at my thighs to keep himself balanced. "Hmm, your thighs are more toned," he said, squishing my thighs.

"Hey!" I blushed and wrapped my arms around his neck, lightly choking him. "Stop your fondling, sir." I paused and felt his shoulders. "Now that you mentioned it. Your shoulders are a bit broader."

"Nice to know those butterfly laps are doing its job," Rin said, starting to speed up to a jog. "How's your time this week?"

"Three seconds faster," I answered. "I heard your coach gave you a rough time last Friday." Ever since we graduated from middle school, swimming teams were separated by boys and girls, each with their own respective coaches. From what I heard, the boys' team coach can be extremely strict with their swimming regimen.

I instantly felt Rin tensing against me as well as his grip that tightened on my thighs.

"It's fine," he answered tersely.

"Hey, you can always join the girls' team," I teased, hoping to brighten up his mood. I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a back hug. "Your name can earn you a spot in the team."

Rin responded by pinching my right thigh, making me yelp and struggle in his grip. Despite me trying to get back at him for that, we still ended up laughing on the way to the beach. By the time we got there, the sky began turning purple and orange as the sun began to slowly set.

I slipped off my sandals and sunk my feet in the warm sand. Reveling in the softer rays of sunlight, I pulled my shirt over my head, leaving me in my black beach shorts and bikini top. I tried to not notice Rin staring at the motion, but I did.

"Take a picture. It'll last longer," I smirked. Although it was still weird knowing that Rin had a crush on me, it grew out of the awkward phase over the past couple of years. Even though I teased him about it in several occasions, he can also get back at me for checking him out in his swimming attire.

Like I was doing now.

"I do have a picture," Rin said, making me raise my brow in question. "That camping trip we had last month," he provided. I pretended not to stare at his bare arms as he folded up his shirt and baggy pants. "Then again, you have more pictures of me topless." He turned to me, definitely catching me.

I rolled my eyes and threw my balled-up shirt in his face. Before Rin can hit me back, I quickly ran for the sea. Having Rin call out to me and hearing his footsteps approaching from behind, I giggled as I dove straight in the water.

Because the waves were particularly stronger today, Rin and I were short of a couple laps on our personal beach training regimen. Despite not meeting our goal, both of us were exhausted as we lied down on the warm sand, gasping for breath. With my head resting on his outstretched arm, I chuckled and patted his bare chest, leaving my palm on his skin. "Beat you twice on those final laps."

"Still one win more than you," Rin laughed breathily.

"Arse." I slapped his bicep. I reached down and poked his hairless armpit. "You know, I still think your shaving theory is crap."

"Is that why you do it too?" Rin smirked and rubbed his toes along my leg.

I slapped Rin's toned thigh as I cringed from the tickling sensation. "I had a date," I huffed, kicking his ankle for good measure.

"You didn't mention any date." Getting up on his elbows, Rin looked at me accusingly.

"I thought you didn't want to know," I shrugged, sitting up as well. "I didn't want you and Winnie 'joining in' on our jogging date again."

"Ah, so it's the same guy," Rin scoffed, shaking his head in disapproval.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Look, I'm not just saying this because I like you," Rin began, making me give him a skeptic smirk. "I'm really not." Rin raised his hand as an imitation of a scout's honor. "What I'm trying to say is that…"

"Yes?"

"He's a pig."

I burst out laughing. "I know, I know, but I'm not gonna lie. I like the attention," I giggled.

"Why? Your mum nagging is not enough attention for you?" Rin teased.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny, Rin." I blew him a raspberry while tossing a handful of sand to his abdomen. I tried to avert my eyes when Rin's stomach tensed as he patted away the sand. I've never been great at self-control, so my eyes remained glued to his muscles.

"Hey, the sunset is starting," Rin said, patting my shoulder.

Relieved that Rin kept his eyes on the horizon and remained oblivious to me ogling him, my eyes followed his and reveled at the sight of the golden sunset. Though this had been almost a habit of ours, watching the sunset was amazing and surreal every time. There were days that that it would be too cloudy to see the sun, but we still enjoy seeing bits of oranges and yellows spread through the clouds. There were also days that there were more purple and blues than the warm hues, and Rin and I would be too busy arguing about something to actually pay attention to the sunset.

"I'm leaving for Japan."

I turned to him so fast that any faster, I would have probably gotten whiplash.

Rin turned to meet my eyes and chuckled at the look on my face. "It's only for the summer. I'll be back before school starts," he said. Then he nudged my shoulder with his. "You should have seen the look on your face."

"Arse," I pouted.

"Try not to miss me too much," Rin teased. Then he shook his head. "Actually," he corrected himself, "try not to get into too much trouble while I'm gone."

"No promises."

"Has anyone told you that you're more of a little shit when Rin isn't here to tug on your leash?" Tyler groaned when I hung out in his room.

I rolled my eyes. I wasn't even annoying him that much. I just hung out in his bed playing video games on my phone while he studied for his college admission exams. From time to time, he crumped pages of paper and tossed them on his paper bin, but since his aim was shit, his trash rolled over to my side of the room from time to time. So, I grabbed those paper balls and aimed them for his head.

"Well, you say that almost every waking moment of my life, so yes, I do know," I retorted.

Tyler groaned. "Another paper ball, and I'm kicking you out of my room," he threatened. "Didn't Mum tell you to do your summer book report? You know? The reason why she made me babysit you, even though I'm studying for an important exam?"

"Pfft. No one ever does those reports." I huffed and tossed my phone to the side. I've lost so much that I have to wait another half an hour to restore the lives. "Well, you probably did because you're a nerd."

"I'm sorry that I actually pay attention to school, unlike some who probably has a bubble for a brain," Tyler shot back. "That report would actually be easy if you tried and not just do the bare minimum."

"It's not like I'll use Shakespeare's sonnets as an athlete," I said, tossing another paper ball at the back of his head.

"Has it occurred to you that you can be good at more than one thing?" Tyler swirled his desk chair to look at me. "In a way, I understand why Mum isn't so supportive of you dedicating your whole life to swimming."

I groaned and rolled over in his bed. "You sound like Dad," I said. "Did he set you up to this?"

"Guilty," Tyler smirked. "You don't listen to either of them, so they put me up to it, knowing I don't take any of your shit."

"Fine, okay?" I said, resigned. "I'll try. Since all of you are so bent on this, I'll try a bit more. Happy?"

"Don't make us sound like we rained on your parade," Tyler frowned. "We're only doing this because–."

"Because you love me." I cut him off, sighing. "I know. I know," I said meaningfully.

(A few weeks later)

I fidgeted with my fingers while rocking back and forth on the balls of my feet. I got even more restless when I noticed that Rin's plane rushing down the airway. I peered over the gates even though I know that the passengers haven't even left the plane yet.

"Meeting your boyfriend, kid?" a middle-aged man asked from his seat, looking at me in amusement.

"What?" I sputtered, turning red. "No, no. Just a friend."

He laughed. "I'm just teasing," he said. "Unless you really like this friend of yours."

I frowned, not liking my constant rise of embarrassment. "I… I need to make a call. Excuse me." I walked to a corner and dialed Lory. She picked up in two rings. "Hey, Lory. Rin's plane just landed. He might be down in a few minutes," I informed her.

"We're heading in right now," Lory replied. "No wonder Winnie's getting restless. Smart dog. Who's a smart girl? Yes, you are." Winnie gave off a faint yips of joy.

I chuckled and hung up. I turned to the escalator and perked up when I finally saw that hair of red slowly descending from the escalators. I waved at him with pure excitement when he just walked passed me. I blinked in confusion and looked twice at his back.

He was talking with another girl, possibly from the same flight as him. If my ears were still working well despite my rage of him just ignoring me, I could hear them conversing in Japanese. I could only make out a few words every now and then, but I still couldn't tell what they were talking about. He even looked happier and more easy-going, and that only gave me a heavy feeling knowing that one of my insecurities were true.

Rin and I were too different, and that scared me because he was the only friend I've got.

I swallowed the heavy load lodged in my throat and walked towards the exit. I passed Rin, who stopped by to bow and greet who looked to be the girl's homestay parents. He didn't even notice. However, the one who noticed me was Russell.

"You found Rin already?" he asked. "Lory's out cleaning up after Winnie. Good thing we let her out of the car before she made a mess." He chuckled in relief. "Are you alright?" he said, looking concerned.

I almost shook my head but held myself at the last minute. "My stomach hurts. I think I got the cramps," I lied easily, immediately getting that awkward male look when faced with menstruation talk. "I'll just go run to the toilet." Instead, I briskly walked to the exit. With my luck going down the drain, I ran into Lory who was waiting by the doors with Winnie.

"Oh? Where's Rin? I thought you'd both be attached at the hip by now," Lory giggled. Winnie, on the other hand, whined and intuitively licked my hand in attempts of comforting me. Lory noticed and asked, "Are you okay?"

I sighed. "I'm fine. I just feel a bit nauseous," I said half-honestly. "I'll catch a cab and head home first." Without waiting for her reply, I walked out, stuffing my hands in my hoodie pockets.

"Wha– Charlie, wait! Did you meet Rin already? Charlie!"

"I knew I'd find you here."

Just as my head emerged from the water, I saw Rin grinning at me, showing off his shark teeth. I would have smiled if I wasn't still angry, but my anger was mostly directed at me rather than at Rin. Without giving my lungs a break from my recent lap, I dove back into the ocean and swam away from him, ignoring his calls.

Suddenly, I felt a grip on my ankle then I was tugged to stop. I moved myself into an upright position and paddled my legs to keep my head above the water. "Rin, what the– Did you just get into the water with your clothes on?"

"What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you?!" I shot back, louder. "I could've kicked you in the face!"

"I know you're not that stupid to kick me."

"Of course, I'm not," I huffed. I groaned and splashed him in frustration, unable to express my feelings. "You suck, you know that?"

"I don't even know what I did wrong!" Rin yelled at me. "I just got here an hour ago. Don't tell me I screwed something up again that quickly."

"Fine! You want the truth?" I snapped, then I caught myself. "What do you mean 'screwed something up'?"

Rin's face closed off. "Nothing," he blatantly lied. "You're clearly too pissed for this." He began to swim away, but I caught his ankle. "What happened to grabbing people's ankles?" he chuckled tightly.

"Did… did something happen back in Japan?" I asked, my anger melting into concern.

Rin looked like he wanted to tell another lie but surrendered to me. "I met Haru," he said. "I challenged him." He ran his fingers through his wet hair in agitation. "I lost. I wasn't even close."

"Don't take it too hard," I said, placing my hand on his shoulder for comfort. "Even I beat your ass several times."

Rin easily shrugged off my hand, and I won't lie that that stung quite a bit. "You don't understand. This is Haru!" he growled. "This just shows how I'm not improving. I'm still second-best. Whether it'd be here or in Japan, I'm just not good enough!"

I mellowed from his words. "Rin," I began, placing my hand on his shoulder again. This time he didn't shrug it off. "Life isn't a competition. You don't have to be the best all the time. You don't always have to win at everything."

"But…"

"No 'buts,'" I scolded. "Even Olympians also lost some time in their life. This is just a minor setback. Don't be such a loser and stay down," I teased.

Rin gave me a faint smirk before splashing me in the face. "Arse."

"Come here. I haven't given you your welcome back hug," I smiled, holding out my arms.

Rin easily swam towards me and into my arms. He tucked my head under my chin just like our usual hugs. Then I felt him slightly shaking in my arms.

"You're not crying, are you?" I received a sneeze as a reply, making me laugh. "Let's get out of the water," I suggested.

"Mmm, for a moment," Rin said, pulling me tighter. "I missed your hugs." He raised me slightly higher to keep me from going under the water. "Now, tell me. What were you so annoyed about?"

"Shut up, and enjoy the moment," I grumbled in Japanese.

"Hey, you practiced," Rin pulled me slightly away to look at me in praise. "Keep this up, and you can come along to Japan with me."

I rolled my eyes. "Pretty sure you would prefer with your new friend," I said, my jealousy slipping out. "You certainly converse with her far better than I can."

Rin looked taken aback at my sudden outburst. Then it was as if a lightbulb went off on the top of his head. "Are… are you jealous?" he resisted the urge to laugh. "So, you did see me at the airport." He couldn't help himself and burst out laughing. "We just sat next to each other at the plane. She's only staying for a year at Canberra."

"Okay, fine! I was jealous," I admitted, blushing despite the cold water. "So, if you're just going to shit on me, I'm leaving." I shrugged off his hands and began swimming away, but Rin grabbed my ankle and pulled me back to him. "I told you to stop grabbing my ank–mm!"

I wasn't able to finish my complaints because Rin just kissed me. I relaxed in his arms and immediately closed my eyes as I kissed him back. However, when a considerably large wave smacked me in the side, I returned to my senses and shoved him back.

"You… you just kissed me!" I exclaimed. My fingers lightly touched my lips, still feeling the tingles of Rin's lips against mine.

"You kissed me back!" Rin shot back. Then he smiled giddily. "You like me, don't you?"

"I do, so what?" I huffed in faux indifference. "It's getting cold," I lied, even though I was still burning up from the kiss. "Come on, let's get changed. I heard Lory is cooking up a homecoming dinner."

"Charlie, don't worry about it! You're the one I like!"

"Shut up!"

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