Chapter Thirteen – Beach Challenges
Miyako yawned pitifully and walked out of the cabin. Kiba was gone from her place on the veranda, but Miyako knew she'd be with one of the boys somewhere. She'd already replaited her hair in a simpler fashion and gotten changed – her pink flip-flops and a summer dress over the top of her swimsuit as the morning training was going include all of the students on the camp. Over her shoulder was her small beach bag, her towel and tank top along with sunscreen safely placed into it for when they were needed. Male helpers on the girl Regular's team and female helpers on the boy Regular's team. Trouble was sure to ensue.
"Sakuno-chan~? Are you coming? Or do you want me to go on ahead?"
"N-no~!" Sakuno exclaimed, appearing quickly and closing the cabin door. "I don't want to walk into the hall on my own."
"Don't avoid him, Sakuno-chan." Miyako suggested as they began their walk to the hall. "He'll only think the worst if you do. Remember, not a lot of guys know how you're feeling from subtle hints. You need to keep things a little more obvious when it comes to things like that."
They walked into the hall and it was discovered that they were not the last ones to arrive. All the boy's were already there and they were the only girls so far. Kiba was sitting on the floor beside Kaidou's chair, his hand stroking her head absently.
"KYA~! I was right!" Eiji rejoiced. "Pay up, Momo-chan~!"
Momo begrudgingly handed Eiji a one hundred yen coin.
Miyako pulled back the chair between Tezuka and Fuji. "What happened?" She asked as she placed her bag down and sat down in the seat.
"They made a bet." Fuji replied, pouring her a glass of juice from the jug on the table.
"On?"
"Who would come to breakfast first." Tezuka replied. "Eiji said it would be you and Sakuno-san. Momo said that it would be the Regular girls."
Miyako scoffed. "Did you really have such little faith in Sakuno-chan and I, Momo?" She scolded.
Sakuno giggled. "Yeah~ Miyako-chan is unusually cruel when she wakes up a person in the morning." She said, glaring in Miyako's direction slightly from her place down the table beside Echizen and on the end of the opposite side to Miyako.
"You were being stubborn and I knew that if we were too late that the boys would eat all the good food." Miyako defended. "You're such a pain to wake up, Sakuno-chan. I swear, I pity the man who marries you."
"So, Echizen then?" Momo teased. Sakuno flushed and Echizen splattered into his drink.
"Momo-chan!" Eiji scolded. "Don't assume such things." He added and hit Momo on the head with a spoon.
Miyako giggled lightly.
"You know something?" Tezuka whispered softly into her ear.
Miyako blushed, but made the motion of zipping her lips shut. "Yes, but I won't be telling you a word." She said, quoting him from the morning before.
The corner of Tezuka's lips turned upwards as he sat back upright as though nothing had happened.
Kikuchi and Oshiro were standing by the serving counter, Kikuchi looking at his watch carefully. "Do any of you know where the girl's are?" He asked.
Everyone at the large table shrugged.
Oshiro sighed. "Then you may serve yourself breakfast while I go and find them." She said and walked out of the hall's main door and passed by the windows as she headed towards the girl's cabins.
In a surprisingly ordered fashion the table stood and walked over to the counter. Picking up a bowl, picking a cereal to eat and then adding the milk.
When Miyako took her seat at the table again, Momo was nearly ready for seconds and Echizen was blushing lightly, waiting until Sakuno was ready to eat, while the others were just beginning to eat. Self consciously she looked to the main door and the windows, wondering where Oshiro was.
"Are you okay, Miyako-chan?" Fuji asked.
Miyako nodded. "I'm just wondering where Oshiro-sensei is…I need to get my medication."
"Miyako-san." Kikuchi called. "You can get it off me."
Miyako nodded, left her breakfast where it was and walked over to the Sensei's table. He handed her the plastic container and she clicked open the compartment for Tuesday and emptied the three tablets into her palm and then handed the plastic container back to him. "Arigatou~." She said and turned back to sit at the table with the others.
"Medication?" Oishi asked. "What do you have medication for?"
Miyako smiled a little, but didn't reply. She picked up her juice, tossed the tablets into her mouth and after filling her mouth with juice, threw her head back and swallowed them easily.
"Miya…why do you have medication?" Tezuka asked, using the nickname that would make her tell him anything.
Miyako looked away, a little ashamed. "I was really sick when I was a kid – I spent most of Kindergarten in hospital, I almost had to repeat too. The medication is to stop me from ever being that sick again." She explained. "I don't like to look back on it." She sighed. "So can we keep questions to ourselves now?"
Tezuka wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Of course."
Fuji pet her head lightly. "I always knew that you were a strong girl."
Miyako smiled. "Thanks guys."
Oshiro then returned, the girl Regular team trailing behind, all of them yawning and one was still brushing her hair. Miyako rolled her eyes and began to eat.
. : . : . : .
Though she knew it was stupid, pulling the dress off in the open, with more than enough guys around, unnerved her a little. She kept her back to all of them until she'd pulled the white tank top down over her head and smoothed it down over her stomach.
"Everyone, gather around!" Kikuchi called, raising a hand into the air. "You all know the rules from the meeting we had after dinner. Sakuno-san, Miyako-san will be teaming with our male Regulars, Inui and Kokone-kun will be teaming with the female Regulars."
"Training for this morning will involve a series of challenges that will require both physical and mental capabilities to win and gain the prize." Oshiro added.
"The prize?" Fuji asked curiously.
"A Lei each." Oshiro replied, holding up an example of the Hawaiian style floral necklace.
Eiji squeaked with delight. "I want one~!"
"Looks like we have to win then." Miyako announced to the guys. "We've got to make sure that Eiji gets his Lei."
Oishi smiled. "That's right. Hands in everyone."
Readily the Regulars placed their hands in on top of Oishi's, but it wasn't until all them looked at Miyako and Sakuno that they also placed their hands in.
"To victory~!" Taka-san exclaimed.
Their hands then lowered and as they rose, the boys all shouted: "Seimaku!"
"Let's use our exceptional team work to get those Lei's." Tezuka encouraged his team – the natural born leader.
"The first challenge will be a race." Kikuchi announced. "A good old fashioned race. Three people from each team will start from where I am standing here." He said, standing on the edge of the grass line. "Down the sand, into the surf, around where Inui will be standing." At this Inui began to walk down the sand and towards the water. "And then back here. First, second and third place will receive points that will contribute to your final score." He explained. "Now, each team choose three people to participate."
The boy's team huddled for a moment.
"Who is fast in water and on land?" Fuji asked.
"Kaidou?" Eiji asked.
"Fshuu." Kaidou replied, smiling a little.
"I think Eiji should go too." Oishi suggested.
"Hoi hoi~!" Eiji said, raising his hand into the air. "You can count on me!"
"Okay, Eiji-senpai is in." Momo said. "I'll go too."
"Remain vigilant." Tezuka warned. "Who knows what dirty tricks those girls will play on you."
The three participants nodded and the group broke to watch the race. Miyako sat down on the beach and Kiba came up beside her, sitting comfortably on the soft surface. Tezuka didn't sit, but he stood on Kiba's other side, petting the dog's head absently as he watched the events diligently and faithfully as the race began.
. : . : . : .
"I'm telling you, she shoved me! I would have won if she hadn't knocked me over in the water." Momo stated, glaring at the accusers – Eiji and Kaidou.
"We would have gotten all three sets of points." Eiji complained.
"Calm down." Oishi soothed. "We got the first two – that's enough to keep us in the lead during the next game even if we lose."
"Peacemaker." Kaidou mumbled to himself as Kiba changed her place to sit beside him. "Fshuu." He hissed, gladly petting the dog.
"Our next game!" Oshiro announced, bringing the teenagers to attention. "Tug-o-War. A test of strength. We have several teams we'd like you to use. The first one will be – the Coach assistants on each team will play first."
Miyako blanched, looking at Inui and Kokone fearfully and then at tiny little Sakuno. They didn't stand a chance. "Are you kidding me, Oshiro-sensei?" She exclaimed, standing up. "Sakuno-chan and I will get completely creamed by those guys!"
"Ah yes, we've got compensation." Oshiro replied. "Inui and Kokone-kun, come here." She knelt down to a bag and pulled out weights on Velcro bands. "You will tie one of these onto each of your legs – as a handicap to give the girls a bit of a chance." As the boys took them from her, Kokone complained a little under his breath. "Each one has ten kilograms in them. I think that will be sufficient enough."
Miyako and Sakuno gulped as they walked over to the large piece of rope that had been placed out on the sand. Halfway down its length was a piece of material.
"When the midpoint of the rope passes your side then you win, but if it passes your opponents side you will lose." Kikuchi explained as each pair took a hold of the rope.
Miyako felt her chest swell with dread before she looped the rope around her middle twice and then took a strong hold on it behind Sakuno who was trembling.
"Ready?...Go!"
. : . : . : .
"Ow…" Miyako whispered, unwrapping the rope from her waist and pushing her shirt down as she stood up. "That was pointless." She said, helping Sakuno to her feet.
They trudged back to their team and were met with apologetic embraces from Fuji and Eiji.
"It's okay Sakuno-chan and Miyako-chan! We can get them in the next round." Fuji encouraged them.
"Captains up next." Oshiro called.
Tezuka walked by, he pet each of the girls on the head once and then walked over to the rope.
"Now our Captain's should both be at equal strength, so Tezuka won't have to wear the weights." Kikuchi said smoothly.
"What?" Anne exclaimed.
"Would you rather forfeit?" Tezuka asked mockingly.
Anne picked up the rope as though it was horribly diseased. "Not a chance." She replied. "You know, Tezuka-kun, I never thought that you would be pulling me towards you like this."
Tezuka glowered at her darkly as their symbol to start sounded and instantly he tugged the rope towards himself, barely using any strength as she was pulled with the rope and flailed until she fell flat onto her face when he won and dropped the rope. He turned from the Captain and back to the group – he was welcomed with cheers.
"Now, we need one more team." Oshiro said. "From the Boys team, two boys and one girl. From the girl's team, one boy and two girls."
Miyako looked over at Sakuno who looked like she would swim with sharks then have another Tug-o-War game. "I'll go again." Miyako offered.
Tezuka looked at her. "Are you sure?"
"Sakuno-chan can't do it. I'm the only option." Miyako replied. "Besides, it won't be that bad with two guys in my team this time."
Tezuka offered a small, insignificant smile. "Anyone else want to team with Miyako?"
Taka-san stepped forward shyly. "I'll help out. I haven't participated yet."
Miyako gave him a hi-five as he stood beside her.
"I'll go too." Fuji said, giving Miyako a hi-five. "This'll be fun."
Miyako stood between the two third years, she grabbed the rope before they could and looped it around her waist again before letting them take it.
"Any reason for that?" Fuji asked, standing behind her.
"It helps me to put all my weight into it. My Dad taught me." Miyako replied with a smile.
Fuji noticed a flaw with the rope, but he didn't have a chance to warn her as the signal was given and he threw all of his strength into pulling the rope to their side.
Taka-san had already gone mad with enthusiasm, screaming his signature phrases as he power-pulled the rope towards him and across the line and then let go in such a shock that Miyako tumbled back into Fuji and they fell into the sand. "Ouchies." Miyako grumbled, rolling to the side and then sitting up, letting the rope fall from her waist.
Fuji stared at the rope on instinct and then his eyes widened. "Miyako-chan…Your waist."
"What about it?" Miyako asked teasingly. "Why are you looking there…anyway….oh, ow." She gasped, staring at the red marks left behind by the rope. "My tank top must have ridden up from the rope."
Fuji sat up as she straightened herself to inspect the wound.
"Is she okay?" Oshiro called.
"Yeah!" Miyako replied. "It's just a slight rope burn – I'll live."
"Doesn't it hurt?" Fuji asked as she stood up.
Miyako shrugged, pulling her shirt down. "I've had worse." She replied, smiling as she offered him a hand, which he gladly took.
"Okay, Boy Regulars, you're in the lead." Kikuchi said, writing down a score on his notepad. "Our next challenge: Flag Races."
. : . : . : .
Miyako spat sand from her mouth, frustrated that she would probably never get rid of it all. She'd been pushed out of the way so far by Anne that she'd taken in a mouthful.
Tezuka offered her his drink bottle and she gladly used it to water out her mouth. "Sorry, I think I used most of it."
"I can always refill it." Tezuka said in response. "Is your stomach really okay?" He asked, noticing that her arms circled the rope-burned area protectively.
"It just stings a little." She admitted, watching the next round of Flag Races.
"Can I see it?" Tezuka asked.
Miyako looked at him. "Even if I say no you'll bother me until I agree, right?"
Tezuka replied with a slight smile.
She sighed lightly and – with a wave of hesitation – lifted the tank top up to show the burn. There was one line of layered burning, varying in darkness in a pattern that resembled the rope they had used. "It's not too bad, Tezuka. It'll be gone by tomorrow." She insisted, pushing the shirt back down to cover the mark.
"It'll be gone by tonight if you get a cream from Oshiro-sensei." Tezuka said, reaching out and taking a hold of her hand.
She slipped her fingers out from his, staring at him with slightly narrowed eyes and a hurtful expression. "You don't have permission to hold my hand, Tezuka."
"Miyako – "
She crossed her arms and looked away. "It hurts more if you do things like that." She admitted.
"I'm sorry."
She shrugged a little.
"Teams, come together. The next challenge will require all of you." Oshiro announced. "It's a Human Pyramid Building Challenge."
Miyako looked at Tezuka, raising her eye brows a little, and then looked back to the Sensei.
"Using your whole team, minus a supervisor, you will build a human pyramid." Oshiro explained. "The first to build the pyramid and hold it for a solid minute will be the winners. Once the pyramid is built, Kikuchi or I will click the timer." She added, holding out two timers.
Eiji was chosen as supervisor for the boy Regular's and Rika Hime for the girl Regulars.
"And….begin!"
The boy Regulars carefully started the lower level with Momo, Oishi, Taka-san and Kaidou, on their hands and knees in the sand, hands locked over to help maintain stability. Then Echizen climbed onto Oishi and Taka-san before Tezuka and Fuji took their places on either side of him. Miyako and Eiji then assisted Sakuno up onto Echizen and Fuji before she carefully used Momo's back and Eiji's help to remain steady to climb onto Tezuka before evening her weight into Echizen as well, linking her arm around Sakuno's on the middle of his spine.
"Do we have it?" Oishi called.
"Almost." Eiji replied. He whistled. "Kiba!"
"Are you nuts?" Echizen demanded. "She'll make us all fall."
"No she won't." Miyako replied, smiling as she realised Eiji's plan.
Kiba toddled over from her ordered place on the grass and sat down, looking up at Miyako questioningly.
"Can you tell her what to do, Miyako-chan?" Eiji asked.
"Around the back, Kiba." Miyako called.
Kiba obeyed and both coaches were observing the occurrence, completely bewildered by the animal's obedience and understanding.
Once Kiba was behind them, Miyako gave another order that shocked the whole team. "Jump up, Kiba!"
They all braced themselves as the puppy yelped happily and then she leaped. She landed easily and steadily on Miyako and Sakuno.
"Good girl." Miyako praised. "Now, sit and stay." Kiba did as she was told and sat down; tail still wagging side to side.
"Timer!" Eiji called.
Kikuchi pressed the timer, still with a look of bewilderment on his face.
"You could have ended it for us." Tezuka said to Eiji.
"Yeah, but I didn't. Kiba looked so bored I wanted her to be involved." Eiji replied. "Can you hold her, Sakuno-chan?"
Sakuno nodded. "She's not very heavy."
"Try picking her up on your own." Miyako replied, giggling lightly.
A cry reached her ears and the whole team looked up to see the Girl Regular's fall. They'd barely managed their second layer and when Anne had tried to climb to the top she'd caused them all to fall. A fight of words soon ensued.
Miyako then realised – the Girl Regular's had no team work and no friendship. There was something seriously wrong with the structure of their team – and it wasn't the fact that they had been joined by Inui and Kokone.
And they were also missing one critical thing: they had no trust for one another.