CHAPTER FOUR: Himeko (Day 2, Part 1)
Switch and Bossun went out to change into their swimsuits with the Otaku Club so I invited Yabasawa-san and Captain to change in the Sket-dan room since the two goofballs went out. Captain used our bathroom first so that Yabasawa-san can talk with me. I polished my hockey stick while waiting for my turn.
"So, we saw Bossun carrying you yesterday~. Both of you looked like you just came from your honeymoon. What happened?", asked Yabasawa-san. I blushed. "I see, you're still not used to falling for someone. "
I nodded. I told her what happened to Chuuma-sensei and that I fell asleep on the bus so the boys played rock-paper-scissors to pick who will carry me and that as usual, Bossun lost and became the one who carried me all the way to the buses to our room while I was unconscious.
"He does suck in that game," agreed Yabasawa-san.
"I have a secret to tell," I said while giggling and putting down my hockey stick. "I wasn't fully unconscious when I was being carried by him."
"Yabas!" she reacted and sighed dreamily. "It's like your living a fairy tale… Your first love is with the person who trusts you the most and who you trust the most."
"He mentioned something yesterday, on the way here. He said that he was confused and that he wanted to understand what he was feeling. I want to help him understand. Help me, Yabasawa-san, please." I said, bowing down.
"Of course, I'll help you, Himeko-chan. Now, lift up your head and stop embarrasing me."
"But there's no one here."
"I know. I just wanted a chance to say that line." She smiled. I smiled back.
The bathroom door opened then closed abruptly. Captain moved out of the shadows, revealing her form. She was breathtaking-her hair was loose, brown hair locks flowed playfully on her shoulders; she wore a plain midnight blue one-piece swimsuit, which showed off all her curves in the right places; her sapphire eyes brought out by her swimsuit.
"You look beautiful with your hair loose.", complimented Yabasawa-san.
"Cute! You look nice with that swimsuit. Even though it's pretty simple, you make it look fashionable. And I do agree with Yabasawa-san. You look absolutely striking with your hair loose."
She blushed. "Thanks you guys. Sad to say, though. I won't be wearing my hair like this later. I'll put it in my usual hair-do."
"No!", disagreed Yabasawa-san and I.
Captain sweat dropped and raised her hands in defeat. "Okay! Okay! I'll let it stay like this. Just for you guys."
"Yehey!"
"Himeko-san, your turn to change!"
I just nodded, grabbed my bag, and then headed to the bathroom. I removed my clothes and speedily put on my tangerine two-piece swimsuit because I felt a little chilly. I took a brown see-through cloth from my bag and tied it around my waist, placing the knot on my right hip. I wore my orange slippers, folded my civvies and placed them neatly in my bag. I went out of the bathroom, only to be welcomed back by two observant pairs of eyes.
"Yes, she needs that. But not too much, it will be visible… I agree, she'll be our best product…", they whispered to each other.
Captain turned to me. "I heard all about it from Yabasawa-san." 'How long was I in there?' "We already came up with two plans. The first plan will work out great, and we know it. The last is all you, we'll just tell you what to do."
"First plan= Beautify each and every single part of Himeko!", they chorused then leaped at me with gleaming eyes.
"EH?!"
I looked at myself in the mirror, after they did an extreme make-over on me. My nails were polished with transparent nail polish; my lips had cherry lip balm and it was barely even seen; my hair was tied in low pigtails; my cheeks were a little bit rosier than before; and my eyelashes were made thicker with the help of mascara. I looked as natural as ever, but with a little artificial help.
They sighed. "Beautiful."
"Nice touch on the pigtails, by the way." said Captain to Yabasawa-san.
"Thank you! Now, Bossun-san will drool at her… Yabas! Other guys will be so attracted to her, they attempt to violate her. Then Bossun-san will…"
"Yabasawa-san!" They looked at me. "You did remember that the plan was supposed to help him understand, right? The plan wasn't to make him fall for me like this."
"We know that the plan was to make him understand. To tell you the truth, we want you look stunning later for the last plan.", Captain replied.
"What is the last plan?"
"The last plan… is for you to confess your feelings."
"Wha-"
"Because that way, he can pinpoint what he truly feels about you and he will know what you will feel. Don't worry, it's Bossun! You won't get hurt… If he turns you down, he'll probably ask you to be friends and that's still…" Yabasawa-san slowed down, noticing my frown. "…good, right?"
"That is what's going to hurt me! I'm not ready yet…"
"But, honey, if you don't do it soon, he might never understand."
"I know. I'm sorry; it's all just so new to me. I'll just think about it."
"Sure…"
I walked near the shore, observing the tides. The wind blew past me, making my hair flow with the direction of the wind. I paused in front of the waters, removing my slippers and the wrap-around. I placed my slippers on top of it to prevent the wrap-around from flying off to a land I shall never find. 'No one's here? Okay then. I'll just take a dip and clear my thoughts.' I dove in the lukewarm waters, closed my eyes, and let myself rock up and down along with the gentle waves. I opened my eyes and observed how blue the water was.
Someone tapped my shoulder from behind me. I panicked, swimming away then turning to face the intruder. Bossun looked at me with sorry eyes, as if saying; 'Sorry, I made you panic' and he swam towards me and hovered over me. I felt so embarrased, my heart started pumping hard and fast, we stared at each other for a moment, then all went black.
I felt my body being lifted ashore. I was laid on the soft, smooth sand. I was aware of my surroundings, even though I can't open my eyes or move my muscles. I felt a pain in my chest. 'Brilliant. This is just perfect. The person you like is alone with you underwater and you let yourself drown. You are truly the best, idiot.'
"Himeko! Oi, Himeko, hold on there!" He pumped my chest, but the water didn't spurt out. "I'm sorry, whatever I did to you, I really am…" He placed his mouth on mine and performed CPR on me. He broke it off, then pumped my chest then performed CPR again.
My eyes flew open, I sat up, and then I spurt off the water from my lungs to the side. I faced him then… his lips crashed on mine. The kiss felt sad and content at the same time. I broke the kiss, panting.
I hit his head. "First, you make me drown—"
"Almost."
"—okay, and then you kiss me? Who are you and what did you do to Bossun?"
'I kinda liked the kiss though…'
"Sorry.", he apologized again. "I don't know what took over me, I'm so sorry."
"It's fine. I just didn't get a chance to breathe easily before you did that." I smiled at him. He smiled back. "So, are you still confused?"
"How—""I wasn't completely unconcious when you were carrying me to our room. I heard you shouting it to yourself. "
"I admit, I am still confused about what I'm feeling but, I have this strong feeling that it has something to do with you." I blushed upon hearing him say that.
"Before, I was confused, too. I didn't know that I was falling for this guy. He was this friend I relied on when I'm in trouble. He would always find a way to save me, whatever it takes. Once or twice already, he saved my life. My other friends helped me decide who to listen to because there were two Himekos in my head. One agreed that my confusion over this guy had something to do with love and the other one disagreed. You know who I listened to?"
He shook his head.
"The first guy. Because I knew if I was going to choose the second guy, I would be this girl who lied to herself. So here I am, still in love with him but he can't figure out his feelings so he can't understand mine."
"That must be hard on you." 'I know that. I'm talking about you and you still can't get a hint.'
"It is."I kiss his cheek, and I get a blush in reply. "Thanks for saving my life."
"No prob."
My phone rang, and I answered.
"Hello? Who is this?"
"Help!"
"Switch? What happened?"
He hung up. I stared at the phone in shock.