The bet
- I've won.
Maya states smugly as she splashes water at Claudine one last time, seeing her completely soaked and sputtering water off her mouth as her hands strikes the water and an angry expression takes over her features.
- No, you didn't!
Claudine exclaims as she splashes more water at Maya, not giving up in their particular battle.
- Ma Claudine, I didn't peg you for being such a sore loser.
Maya teases Claudine as she swims closer to the ash-blonde, who can only keep splashing water at her to try and keep her away.
- Hah!? I'm not! You cheated! – Claudine accuses Maya who can only laugh amused at the half-French.
- And how did I do such a thing, ma Claudine? – Maya asks with a sly smirk on her face that only infuriates the other girl further.
- We said that we'd start at the count of 3, and you started the splash battle even sooner than the countdown ended!
Claudine exclaims outraged, now poking Maya's chest while the brunette simply laughs and takes her finger to leave a kiss on her fingertip, causing the ash-blonde to blush furiously.
- I apologize ma Claudine. It appears that I was so excited to play with you in the water that I didn't listen to it. What can I do to make it up to you?
Maya asks charmingly as Claudine takes her hand back and looks away to hide the adorable yet stubborn blush tinting her cheeks.
- I want the revenge – she mutters.
- Excuse me, I'm afraid I didn't quite hear you.
- I've said I want the revenge!
Claudine says louder this time, glaring at an amused Maya.
- Okay, let's get ready then for another water splash battle.
- No.
Claudine interrupts Maya, causing her to clam up and open her eyes in surprise.
- Then can I know what do you have in mind, ma Claudine?
As soon as she asks that question, Claudine can't help but smirk mischievously.
- Whoever that lasts more time holding her breath under the water, wins the competition AND have to grant the other with a wish.
Maya can't help but look at her with evident surprise on her face, before she also smirks, offering her hand to Claudine to shake it.
- It's a deal then, ma Claudine. Get ready to lose again.
- Hah, not even in your wildest dreams, Tendou Maya.
They smirk at one another, Claudine then glaring at Maya, before they get ready.
- At the count of 3 we dive into the water. You better don't cheat this time, Tendou Maya.
Claudine warns the brunette who can only laugh before she nods.
- 1... 2... 3!
Claudine counts down, before the both of them take a deep breath and dive at the same time into the water.
The ash-blonde can't help but look stunned at Maya, seeing her hair floating freely in the water as she sports a calm expression on her face, smiling softly at some small fishes that come to play with her.
This elicits a smile from Claudine, before she focuses on keep holding her breath for as long as she can, closing her eyes to stop getting distracted with Maya's carefree beauty.
Maya for her part, can only observe the ash-blonde in front of her amusedly, seeing her puffing out her cheeks to hold her breath for longer, before oxygen becomes an issue for her.
The brunette engraves Claudine's adorable image in her memory, before she gets out to the surface and takes a big breath, looking at the spot beside her in the water.
- Claudine, you've won!
She yells loudly for the other girl to hear her, watching bubbles emerging to the surface of the water, making her furrow her brow at it.
- Claudine? – she calls out the ash-blonde's name once again, before she gasps – Claudine!
She yells as she dives into the water to see an unconscious Claudine floating inside it, quickly taking her in her arms to kiss her and give her some air, before she propels the both of them back to the surface.
- Claudine, please, answer me.
Maya says distressed as she swims with the ash-blonde in her arms to the rocky shore, laying her carefully down, before she quickly gets out of the water and checks the other girl's pulse and breathing.
A relieved sigh escapes her lips, before she begins practicing a cardiac massage. Just as she's about to practice Claudine the mouth to mouth resuscitation, the ash-blonde regains her consciousness, sputtering water off her mouth while soaking Maya's face.
- What happened? Did I win?
Claudine asks out of breath, making Maya click her tongue at how competitive the ash-blonde can be, before she smiles.
- You've won indeed, ma Claudine – Maya says calmly as she pulls some wet strands of hair out of the other girl's face and places them behind the other girl's ear – But next time please be more careful and refrain yourself from doing something so dangerous. You've got me worried upon losing your consciousness for a moment.
Maya scolds her softly, causing Claudine to blush embarrassed, before she perks up.
- Wait, I've won, so that means you have to grant my wish, Tendou Maya.
Claudine states seriously, standing up before her legs wobble and she falls right into Maya's arms.
- Be careful, you're still weak – Maya says with concern as she makes sure Claudine sits back on the shore – I'll grant your wish once you're feeling better.
- Are you trying to sneak away, Tendou Maya?
- I can assure you I'm not, ma Claudine. I'm merely concerned about your well-being.
Maya says softly as she leaves a caress on Claudine's cheek, and Claudine can only blush at her fond gaze and how delicate the brunette is treating her.
- Fine.
The ash-blonde mumbles under her breath, before she notices Maya crouching in front of her.
- W-w-what do you think you're doing, infuriating girl!?
- I'm offering you a ride back to the inn – Maya simply says as Claudine blushes harder.
- I-I don't need it!
- But ma Claudine, you're still too weak to walk. Please, accept my offer.
Maya says, pouting lightly before Claudine reluctantly gives up.
- F-fine, but only because I still feel weak.
Claudine mutters as she pouts and puffs out her cheeks, before she reluctantly surrounds Maya's neck with her arms ready for her to piggyback her to the inn. She holds tight onto her, resting her head against Maya's as the brunette begins to walk.
- Tomorrow you'll grant my wish, keep it in mind, Tendou Maya – Claudine murmurs as her eyes flutter close, lulled by the brunette's soothing scent, and as tiredness slowly takes over her.
- Tomorrow, ma Claudine.
Maya whispers softly with a fond smile on her face as they keep walking back to the inn they're staying to rest after a fun day playing at the water.