I marathoned RWBY's 8th and 9th Volumes recently with some friends. I have this thing where my stomach gets REALLY nervous when watching episodes for the first time, but I've learned it does that when rewatching it too!
Fun :)
also sorry chibi for geeking out about RWBY stuff i'm very passionate about it
Anyways, here's your chapter. Here's the Discord: /cgFmXz3qJ5
While Medaka's team and the others took fifteen minutes to rest up and get ready for the next event, some background on the Swim Team. Mogana is already familiar, the money-loving sonic Quirk swim enthusiast and Medaka and Zenkichi's classmate. The other two members of the swim team, Umumichi and Sotsu, actually kind of outdo Mogana's love of cash. She may be rather neutral about it, treating it more as just something mundane, but her teammates were cutthroat when it came to getting paid. What's worse is that they actually had the power and skills to back it up.
Much like U.A, there are two ways to get accepted into Shiketsu, the usual method of applying and hoping for the best, or through recommendations. Momo, for instance, got into U.A. on recommendations and, usually, every year only has about a dozen or so students that get in through that method. For Shiketsu, one of those dozen was Mogana. But in a rare twist, one in a million really, all three of the Swim Club reps entered the academy on recommendations.
Sotsu's Water Control made him practically unstoppable during the entrance exam, an obstacle course with some of the teachers providing the obstacles. With a body turned to water, most of the physical stuff literally went through the now Vice-Captain of the team. Umumichi seemed to be at a disadvantage at first, but he quickly showed off that he could attract water from the very vapor in the air and use it to his advantage. As for Mogana, well, sonic screams gave one hell of an advantage.
The fifteen minutes seemed to pass like nothing and the assembled teams quickly prepared for the three-legged race.
"Now then, the rules for this are simple," Yoshida announced, "This time, only two members of each team will participate, by having their legs tied together and then swimming the entire length of the pool!"
"And just like that, we know who's competing for us there," Umumichi scoffed.
"Would've been more surprised if you told me to sit this one out," Mogana said.
「saki, you're at good at swimming, right?」Kumagawa asked.
"What, can't you swim?" Saki poked her partner in crime.
「not well enough for a race」
"Don't worry! I'm great at swimming!" Inasa saluted.
「see? you're in good hands」Kumagawa smirked and walked back to the bleachers, 「routing for you two!」
"Well...nothing said we couldn't use our Quirks for the race," Saki hummed, summoning up a card and holding it between her fingers, "Just as a little...insurance policy."
"Alright!" Medaka said, clapping her hands together, "You and me on this one, Zenkichi."
"Really? Not gonna partner up with Star?" Zenkichi asked.
"To be sporting, of course!"
"Eh, makes sense. Was pretty good at my swim club back in the day. Don't wanna overshadow anyone," Star humbly bragged a bit.
"Riiiight," Zenkichi rolled his eyes a bit.
Once the teams were formed, including Hana and Uchi for the Music Club, the duos lined up at the starting point.
Zenkichi awkwardly put his arm around Medaka's shoulder. "This is uncomfortable. Even on land this would be hard. Why in water?"
"For an added challenge." Medaka smiled.
"...it's still VERY weird."
"Some are just taking to it better than others," Medaka nodded. There was quite a different array of reactions to the duos down in the pool. Some were struggling to even stand properly, while some, especially the Swim Team, seemed totally fine with it.
From the bleachers, while other students cheered encouragement to their respective teams, Kumagawa was focused on the biggest opponents in the pool. Part of Kuudou's little investigative exploits was to uncover as much as he could on the swimmers and, with a Quirk like his, it was easy money. The information that the disappearing student had gathered was...interesting to say the least. Honestly, if things had gone differently, Kumagawa would have enough material for three future targets. He still might use it, though. After all, what kind of concerned citizen would he be if he didn't act upon such interesting information? It would even allow Saki to have some fun with her cards.
"Not much for swimming either, huh?" a voice called out, breaking Kumagawa from his train of thought.
「oh it's...」Kumagawa blinked 「youuuuuuuu-」
"Itsuki," the springy student reminded Kumagawa.
「itsuki! right, right, sorry. sometimes i don't remember all the supporting characters. hard to juggle them all sometimes. some people might have call it character bloat, but you just need to balance it right if you ask me. 」
Itsuki blinked. "I'm gonna pretend I know what that all meant."
「as you should. so, what can i do for you?」
"Just wanted to talk. Out of everyone in the class, you're one of the few people who I haven't really gotten to know better yet," Itsuki explained.
「ah, i see. you're like me, gathering up information on people!」the screw-user announced, 「so happy to see my ways imparted on others just through seeing me work!」
"Not...really? I just like meeting people."
「oh. damn. well, it's whatever.」
"Yeahhh, sorry. And sorry if I broke your train of thought there. You looked focused; I can come back after-"
「no, no, please. having someone around who isn't saki might give me a fresh take on this. just don't judge me for digging up dirt on our schoolmates」
"Make no promises on that last part, but...always a good idea to have someone new look at something. What's up?" Kumagawa's extroverted new friend asked.
「the swim team. thanks to an...acquaintance, lets call him, i've been managing to find out more not just about mogana, but umumichi and sotsu as well. putting it lightly? they're all nuts. even if its for a single yen more, they will throw caution to the wind! i'd almost go so far as to call it an addiction!」
"All for money? Jeez..."
「but it seems that of the three, umumichi is the worst of the lot. there's an...odd stereotype i've come to realize many shiketsu students love to perpetuate. not all, but still. they believe that many students who get in on recommendations are...quirky, eccentric...or just outright weird. good thing i didn't get in on recommendations eh?」
"...gonna be honest, I thought you did," Itsuki admitted, "I mean, having the power to basically shut off other people's Quirks? That's strong, man! You could take stop even the strongest of villains with that stuff! Maybe even shut down Ghost if you can land a hit on 'em."
「i'm sorry, ghost? ah yes, i'll just my proton screw while saki readies the trap」Kumagawa scoffed, enjoying the reference.
"Not an actual ghost," a female voice suddenly chimed in.
[ah, there she is. my employer. miss katsuragi, i do apologize for the...rather weak showing in the first event.」Kumagawa apologized with all the faux-sincerity he could muster.
"It's fine, Kumagawa. Not what I'm here about anyway. I couldn't help but overhear. You were talking about Ghost," Katsuragi continued.
「you know them?」
"Hard to not know someone who's almost an urban legend," Itsuki noted.
「hmm, fair」
"Who are you, actually?" Itsuki asked.
"I'm head of the model UN," Katsuragi introduced herself. "We run a small 'community' of students that simulate what society would be like without any of the quirk by-laws in place, and try to work through them through a routine meeting. An interesting study, honestly."
「indeed」
"Of course...I only came because I tried to sign up...but someone registered under my club name." Katsuragi hummed, looking at Kumagawa.
「honest mistake. itsuki is a common name, after all,」Kumagawa defended himself.
"Well, in any case, Ghost is actually something of a topic of debate for us, alongside others who today are dubbed villains," Katsuragi continued.
"You study them?" Itsuki asked.
"In a sense. They're...case studies. We do take their crimes into consideration, but we also look at their stories as well. Some histories, such as Ghost's, are a bit harder to get a clear read on. Urban legend and all. Others though, such as Captain Nemesis, are a bit more well documented."
「captain nemesis? that's...that's his name? really? sounds like some d-lister hero」Kumagawa scoffed.
"They had such powerful quirks. If only society had a good place for them..." Katsuragi sighed. "Oh well."
「...yeah」Kumagawa said, eyebrow raised. 「oh well」
"Good sources for debate though. Things have gotten heated more than once with some of our members. No one's thrown a punch but the verbal debates are honestly a spectacle all their own," Katsuragi chuckled a bit.
「...weren't we talking about something else before ghost came up? ah yes. umumichi.」
"Yeah, you said he was...weird? Even by a stereotype's standards?" Itsuki asked as Katsuragi took a seat, listening in on the conversation as well. Something told her the information could be useful to her as well.
「he's a different kind of genius if you compared him to someone like medaka. mogana may be the team's ace, but he's an all-rounder. butterfly, breaststroke, backstroke, he's mastered so many swimming styles...and yet he's hard to read. can't tell what he's thinking or what he wants. i mean outside the money, of course. his greed's painfully obvious now, i'd hope.」
"Dang. Dude sounds pretty talented. Guess money does make the world go round." Itsuki hummed.
"You could never understand what we truly want," Mogana's voice added, approaching the trio. "But...I will tell you what we want to do."
"Please. Enlighten me." Itsuki said. He'd always wanted to say that.
"...we want to swim in a pool of money."
The trio stared.
"...like a cartoon duck?" Itsuki asked.
"I don't understand that reference."
「how do you not get that one? i get that one. katsuragi probably does too!」
"I actually do...and I agree. That...that's just..." Katsuragi struggled to find the right words to describe her confusion.
"Mogana, what are you doing?" Umumichi called out, "Almost time to start!"
"I'll ask about it later," Mogana finished the conversation, turned, and walked back to her partner. Sotsu was sitting in the bleachers for this one with a confident smirk on his face. The captain and the ace working in unison on a three-legged race was a recipe for instant victory, no question about that.
Back in the pool, Medaka and Zenkichi had managed to find something akin to balance, though now with only about two minutes or so before Haruka was set to announce the race's start.
"Now, I know I've said that we need to be sporting about this, but that doesn't mean we hold back too much. Not in a true blue battle like this!" Medaka advised.
"You say that like I ever intended to go easy on people," Zenkichi rolled his eyes, "This one's easy. Just need to match my pace to yours."
"Heh, I didn't need to encourage you? Already come around to the fun of the competition?"
"I'd...be lying if I said no. It's pretty fun," Zenkichi admitted.
"Excellent! As long as that's how everyone feels, then I can say with confidence that this meet was a success!" Medaka nodded proudly, her ahoge swaying in sync with her nods.
"Now then...how about we show these guys how the Student Council works?" Zenkichi asked with a smirk.
"To show off our individual abilities and how they're enhanced through our teamwork! Of course!"
"ON YOUR MARKS!"
Zenkichi and Medaka leaned forward.
"GET SET!"
Medaka and Zenkichi shared a knowing nod.
"GO!"
Immediately, Medaka and Zenkichi took an awkward first step forward. "Oh!" Tanzako yelled. "The student council has run straight out of the gate!"
Yoshida's eyes narrowed. "...or, more like...an awkward stumble."
The best way to describe Medaka and Zenkichi movement was a jumbled mess of a dance. The two weren't in sync at all...but somehow they were ahead of everyone else.
"A-ah!" Zenkichi frowned. "Why is this so weird!"
"Just try to keep up!" Medaka yelled.
"I AM!"
"Are they...arguing?" Tanzako asked.
"I think it's more quarreling." Yoshida hummed. "A lover's quarrel."
"Wow." Hana mumbled. "They're really fast."
Uchi frowned. "We're losing face here..." She looked around to see how everyone else was doing- but her gaze stopped when she saw two people, still at start.
"Hey, what the hell are those guys doing?" Uchi pointed at the swim club- Umumichi and Sotsu weren't even moving.
"...they're gonna do something cool and show-y off-y." Hana huffed. "I know it!"
Umumichi hummed. "...so, when do we wanna go?"
"Give me a few more seconds. THEN we can go into it." Sotsu smirked, showing off his fanged smile.
"Alright. 5...4...3...2..." Umumichi counted down.
"1!" Sotsu finished off, before the duo took to the water and seemed to dominate in terms of sheer speed. What's more the announcers and everyone in the bleachers were stunned as, not only were the duo quickly catching up to everyone...they were swimming in perfect sync.
"I...I don't believe it. Did I accidentally copy Mogana's bad eyesight again?" Yoshido joked.
"5 yen for that!" Mogana called out.
"It was a joke!"
"I know and now it'll be ten yen!"
"Back on to what I was saying, Sotsu and Umumichi are swimming with their legs still tied together!" Yoshida finished.
"That...that shouldn't even be possible right?" Tanzako asked.
"Not without an incredible amount of coordination."
"And considering that Sotsu might be the fastest in men's swimming...it's even more impressive that Umumichi can keep up!"
"And they're passing up all the other teams as if they were standing still!" Yoshida said. Though one team actually was standing still, courtesy of two well-placed cards from Saki. In what seemed like a few seconds, Sotsu and Umumichi crossed the finish line first, much to everyone's surprise. Everyone, that was, except Mogana. That was just what she expected to happen.
"In...in a shocking display of sheer swimming talent, the Swim Club duo claims first place and grabbing fifteen points for themselves!" Tanzako announced.
"That...that was insane," Haruka gasped.
Zenkichi huffed. No, no...this is just showing off. Of course they would. Shiketsu wants to bolster our egos- but this is just crazy. Even if their quirks relate to water in some regard, one mistake costs a life.
Medaka frowned, and untied herself from Zenkichi's ankle. "Come on. Next event starts soon."
"Hm?" Zenkichi said. "Oh, yeah. What... is the next event?"
Eel wrangling.
Literally eel wrangling. Done in the wading pool.
This isn't the author making it up, this is legit. This happens in the actual Medaka Box manga.
Can...can eels even be in a chlorinated pool? Hold on.
...
Okay. Here's an answer: "Yes, but only briefly. The chlorine will kill them in minutes to some fraction of an hour because their gills will be damaged by the chlorine and their blood will be poisoned as well. Time will depend on chlorine concentration."
...for the sake of eel safety, let's say this pool isn't chlorinated.
Eel wrangling.
God.
Anyways, you got one point per eel. Only one person was allowed to grab eels, and then put them in a little jar. So, Kumagawa went in for once. He was only able to get about nine eels, and he was happy about it.
Mogana, ace of the swim team, easily passed him and got thirteen eels. It was an easy task for her-
Oh, my god. I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't interrupt this, but I tried looking up how you can catch eels, but apparently this was a 'forbidden game', according to wikipedia. Palingtrekken, meaning eel pulling or eel drawing, was an old Amsterdam game. A rope was stretched over a canal from and a live eel was hung from it. The players had to sail underneath in boats and try to grab the slippery eel, with the risk of ending up in the water. Eel pulling was banned by the government as "cruel public entertainment".
There was a riot started because of this.
Jesus christ.
...
Anyways, uh, Mogana was able to just grab them- odd jobs were her specialty. She could just do whatever. As for the student council, they sent in Star.
...none of them expected Star to have cheliphobia.
"Where did you even get this many EELS?!" Star yelled, her face pale from irrational fear.
"That's...actually a good question," Zenkichi asked, turning to Medaka for an answer.
"...I...I don't know." Medaka admitted.
「i know a guy」Kumagawa joked.
"You...'know a guy?'" Saki repeated.
「don't question it」
"I will because who just has access to EELS?"
「i'll never tell! side note, i think the student council team just wasn't made for this one. star's...afraid of eels, never thought i'd say that and medaka's just terrible with animals.」
By the end of the eel wrangling event, the Swim Team was still in first place and the Student Council hadn't moved. Thanks to Star's fears, the trio collected zero points for that one, much to everyone's surprise.
"I am...so sorry about that," Medaka apologized.
"You didn't know. It...it's fine. Just...never do anything with eels ever again. For my sanity's sake," Star pleaded.
"It's fine, it's fine." Zenkichi sighed. "Should have sent me in."
Medaka raised an eyebrow. "Why not me?"
Zenkichi gave her a look.
"...oh, right."
"Well...well, maybe we can pull through with the last part of this," Star suggested, "What's the final event?"
"Oh, I took some inspiration from the U.A. Sports Fest!" Medaka beamed.
"Meaning what, exactly?" Zenkichi asked.
"Calvary battle." Star grinned.
"Calva-" Zenkichi started, "...oh."
"I thought it would be a nice spectacle for the end! A real showing of teamwork amongst the club members!" Medaka nodded.
"HYA HA!" Sotsu's laugh brought Zenkichi back to reality. "I didn't think it'd be this easy to walk over the student council."
Zenkichi looked over to see Sotsu, taunting them. "Don't forget that triple fund increase. Might wanna make it quadruple!"
"Do you think about anything BESIDES money?" Zenkichi sighed.
"Of course not! The saying's 'money makes the world go round!' Not 'friendship' or some other crap like that!"
"...a pathetic viewpoint for a pathetic man," Medaka commented, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Miss President...that's a bit harsh isn't it?" Umumichi asked, feigning being insulted.
"Not at all. Simply the truth. However, I can only imagine what terrible circumstances lead to such a materialistic outlook. Clearly, you were all led astray by the pull of money as a way to cope, but now it's gone out of control."
"Is she being serious right now?" Sotsu scoffed.
"But rest assured! I will help. By the end of today, I shall reform all three of you and give everything you have to a charitable service!" Medaka declared.
"Really? 'Charitable service?' Yeah, don't quit the council and go into comedy. You're not very funny," Umumichi fired back, "but if you're dead set on it, I won't stop you from trying. Just don't come crying to us when you sink."
"In despair!" Sotsu added with a smug grin.
"...I don't think that was needed but whatever," Mogana huffed.
As usual, there was a short fifteen minute break so the teams could rest and plan for the next event, the cavalry battle. The rules were the same as the one U.A. does during the sports fest, headbands equal points, but there was a small twist that the announcers explained.
"So! While the usual cavalry battle would be fine and all, the event organizers decided on a little mix-up to the usual!" Haruka announced.
"That's right, Haruka! If this was a normal battle, teams with low points wouldn't really stand much of a chance. In the spirit of fair play, the point system's been altered! It's not just the number we'll be looking at, but the quality!" Tanzako beamed.
"If you manage to steal a headband from a higher-ranked team, you'll get even more points than normal," Yoshida clarified.
It was quite a mix-up, effectively painting a target on the backs of the Swim Team, not that they seemed worried about it. Sotsu and Umumichi would be carrying Mogana for this. With their incredible speed and coordination showcased earlier, other teams were probably scared of going up against them. But that tantalizing first-place headband would motivate them to act, no doubt. However, there were still other teams to worry about.
For the Model UN team, Saki had insisted that she be the "rider" of the trio. Her plan was actually pretty simple, but it was good. Her cards would give them the advantage over the teams, though making sure to avoid the Student Council. She hadn't tried to use her cards on Medaka, not even sure they would even work on her. But Star? She basically knew Star wouldn't be affected. Hana ended up being the rider for the Music Club and, while she intended to play this one clean, her teammates did not. Tamiko would use his Quirk to drum up shockwaves with his feet and throw their opponents off balance, letting Hana and Uchi have an easier time stealing headbands.
And the Student Council? Zenkichi and Star would be carrying around Medaka. The student president tied the headband on tightly, letting her ahoge straighten up for a split second.
"Always love mixing things up don't you?" Zenkichi smirked.
"Of course! Much more interesting this way, don't you think?" Medaka grinned.
Sotsu, though, could only roll his eyes at the whole thing.
"Did they really need to do a rundown here? We figured it out," Sotsu scoffed.
"This twist? Unlikely. Everyone would be so lost in the chaos to focus on the scoreboard" Mogana explained.
"She's right," Umumichi chimed in, "But enough on the rules. Enemy's right in front of us...and they'll probably be gunning for us. As little as I know about Kurokami there, she's not one to make empty promises. We have 48 points, they have 33. They swipe our headband, they'll be in first, but if we get their nine, that's a 15 point lead on the track team. So even if they get the Music Club's band, who're in third, we'll still be safe."
"These rules weren't meant to give lower ranking teams a chance to take the lead- just so we could fight it out with the student council." Mogana frowned. "Who came up with that?"
Kumagawa whistled innocently.
"No reason to accept that fight, honestly. We take seventh, we gain an extra point in the lead." Mogana hummed.
"Huh...you're right," Umumichi realized.
"Wait what? So, after that whole thing, instead of actually one-upping her, we're...running away?!" Sotsu complained.
"Precisely," Mogana said.
With a few minutes left to prepare, the Swim Team swiftly turned, positioning themselves for their plan...and ran away.
"The hell?! After all that bravado, they're just...running away?!" Zenkichi asked.
"Ooooohohohoho, I don't think so! Come back here and fight us!" Medaka shouted, "I intended to keep my word and show you there's something more important than money!"
"Ah crap," Umumichi muttered, "Uh...Mogana? Did you-?"
"I take back what I said. Turn around and gun for them," Mogana ordered.
Umumichi shivered- Mogana was usually a hot head on money, but this was bordering on crazy. Medaka had taken on Star and Stripe in hand to hand not long ago, right? And her ability to copy quirks was...dangerous.
"Y-yeah. Alright." The boy said, as he and Sotsu braced for combat.
"On your marks! GET SET!" Yoshida yelled.
"GO!"
Immediately, Medaka and Mogana's groups clashed.
"Right out the gate, we got two teams clashing as bitter rivals!" Yoshida announced.
"The Student Council and the Swim Team! Let's be honest here, those two have effectively been rivals in this entire competition," Tanzako said.
Medaka and Mogana struggled against each other, trying to get the upper hand and steal their opponent's headband. Zenkichi, hell even Sotsu and Umumichi, had never seen Mogana this angry before, fires practically glowing in her eyes. Usually the girl's expression was neutral at best. Medaka just grinned at the effort the swim team ace was putting forth here.
"So, who do you two think will come out on top here?" Haruka asked her co-commentators.
"Well, if it's just about pure strength, then Medaka comes out on top, easy," Yoshida answered, "but it's not."
"It's all about the 'horse,'" Tanzako added, "If the two people making up the horse can't cooperate, then the lancer's got no chance. On water or on land, the Swim Team has the advantage there, as seen in the three-legged race."
"You three really are something else! I do mean that!" Medaka said, "So determined, so passionate!"
"Oh, you're complementing us now? After basically calling us money ZOMBIES?!" Mogana growled.
"Zombies...that's a good word for it actually! You do act like zombies, searching for your next meal. Or...money in this case. The styles you've been showcasing clearly tell me you have little to regard for your own lives, and that declaration? That you'd laugh for a dollar just as easily as die for one? I can't believe a student said that! And I will NOT let you off the hook for that!"
Medaka's strength began to overpower Mogana's, the student president giving an aura of pure power and intimidation.
Mogana grit her teeth as she began to push back. "Oh, shut up! What the hell would YOU know?" She said accusingly- the girl was gaining some strength. "Because we didn't have any money, my father ran out on us! My mother is SUCK because she worked herself into the ground!"
Medaka nearly gave up hearing that- but Mogana's rant wasn't over just yet.
"Yakushima's family split up because they always fought about not having enough money. Sotsu's orphanage was foreclosed because there was no money!" Mogana yelled. "I don't care who thinks what! Money is more important than life itself! I'd take the money if it meant sacrificing myself!"
Zenkichi shot a glance towards Umumichi and Sotsu- they both avoided eye contact. He couldn't blame Umumichi and Sotsu for avoiding eye contact, as he himself felt ashamed for not fully grasping the struggles they faced. No wonder they had such big egos- they needed to stand out for possible jobs.
"If you don't think I have ENOUGH respect for my life, fine! I'll die for money!" Mogana yelled. "Anyone would be sad if they lost money from their purse or wallet. But one could care if we died, either!"
「yeah」
「you're right there, honestly」
Mogana's eyes widened as a screw impaled through her chest...and the headband was quickly yoinked off her head.
"M-Mogana!" Umumichi yelled out.
「oh i'm sorry, were you in the middle of something?」Kumagawa asked, feigning ignorance.
"Kumagawa!" Zenkichi growled. His words were ignored though as Medaka's opposite passed the headband up to Saki.
"Good strat, keeping us in the back." Saki smirked. "See what everyone was made out of..."
「you're shocked i'd have a bad one? it was obvious to us but not them」Kumagawa sighed. 「money is a fickle thing...but it's not exactly heroic to want it」
"Not at all. Even if some people are wholly motivated by it, like Mt. Lady," Saki sighed.
"Uh, maybe we should've tried a more upfront approach here?" Inasa suggested.
「where's the fun in that?」
The group trotted away, while Mogana's group stood there. They looked utterly defeated. They let their guard down for one brief second and-
"GODDAMN IT!" Mogana yelled, and she could yell loud, even without her quirk. "What are the damn rules? Are we out!?"
"Uh...well, by the rules, no?" Haruka said, "You're only really out if you fall off your horse."
"I'm not out, am I?" Mogana huffed, and she glared at Medaka. "We're not done here."
Medaka nodded. "I don't expect us to be."
"Good." Mogana looked down at her two teammates. "Assume delta formation."
"You mean-?!" Sotsu gasped.
"Yeah. The BIG one."
"The big one?" Zenkichi repeated, "The hell does that mean?"
"It means we really play dirty." Sotsu said, starting to transform his body.
"How-?" Medaka began to ask, before Sotsu, his body now entirely made of water, fell into the rest of the pool. The Student Council team blinked, surprised since, at first, it just looked like he'd given up. The assumption was only further cemented by Mogana, jumping off of Umumichi's shoulders.
"Wait! I thought you said we weren't done!" Medaka countered, but when Mogana fell...there was no accompanying splash. Instead, to the shock of the audience, the announcers, and the other teams, including the Model UN's, the Swim Team's ace was standing on the water.
"WHAT," Zenkichi loudly deadpanned.
Star was quick to notice. "She's not standing on the water- she's balancing on one of the floaties!"
Zenkichi quickly realized it too- Mogana was balancing with ease on one of the boy's random floaties. Insane! She really doesn't value herself, does she!?
「that...can she do that?」Kumagawa asked.
"Apparently!" Saki hissed.
"Sotsu! Next one!" Mogana called out. With that, the second floatie bobs to the surface of the water and the swimming ace jumps off the first. The floaties pulled under the water and quickly repositioned to be in front of the second. Mogana jumps from floatie to floatie as a makeshift path of stepping stones.
「i...waaaaaaas not expecting this today.」
Inasa hummed. "Should have planned this better, buddy!"
「implying i can't improvise」
「...」
「inasa do something」
"On it!" Inasa said, "Hold on, Saki!"
"Holding!" Saki yelled, grabbing on as tightly as she could. Inasa held out his hand and summoned up a small vortex to disturb the water, knocking Mogana off of her improvised path.
"Nuh uh. Not on my watch..." Sotsu gargled, as he shot out of the water.
「saki?!」
"My cards won't work on water!" Saki countered.
With a well placed floatie on his back, Saki jumped atop his back...and then pounced on Kumagawa.
"Listen to me, you little shit-" Mogana cursed.
「oh heeeeeeey mogana」Kumagawa chuckled nervously, 「nice...uh...weather, we're having today?」With Mogana so focused on the screw-user, Saki decided to take the risk. A card manifested between her fingers and she spun around to try and jab into the money-loving swim ace.
Mogana caught her wrist, and clenched it tightly. "Don't. Even." Mogana huffed. She then headbutted Kumagawa with FULL force, almost instantly knocking out the boy.
"Thanks." Mogana huffed, taking back her headband.
"Woah..." Inasa muttered. When Mogana tried to swipe Saki's headband as well, the Student Council moved in to stop her. They still had a rivalry to settle after all.
Mogana was still balancing on her floaties, mind you. And while Medaka made her work up a sweat, she felt nothing fighting Saki.
"D-damn it," Saki huffed. "How are you this-"
"My scholarship isn't for show, mind you." Mogana said. "I'm just as capable as any seasoned fighter...you're just not accustomed to my element."
"She may not be!" Medaka called out, grabbing Mogana's attention. "But she isn't your rival here!"
The Student Council team charged in, with Medaka aiming to steal away Mogana's headband, but the ace-swimmer jumped away, landing on another of the floaties and sneering. Umumuchi didn't stay idle, though. He quickly began to attract some of the water to his hand before throwing the water-spheres towards the student council trio. They harmlessly splashed against Star, but the attack was only meant to distract really.
"Do...we still count them as in?" Haruka asked.
"Rule of cool," both of her co-commentators nodded.
"Rule of cool!" Haruka declared.
Medaka frowned. "...I think...we may need to replicate their strategy."
"Seriously!?" Zenkichi frowned. "Are we just trying to lose faster?"
"If she's chasing me across the way for my headband, then you guys can distract the others...and handle Kumagawa's remaining friends."
"Oh! I get to fight Star and Stripe? AWESOME!" Inasa cheered.
"...Well, at least Zenkichi's an easier opponent," Saki sighed.
"Hey!" Zenkichi growled, "Know what? I take it back. Go nuts, Medaka!"
Medaka nodded, as Zenkichi tossed up some of his floaties. Star began to remove hers, and began to toss them across the battlefield. Medaka flipped off her 'post', and onto a floatie. Mogana frowned.
"No shock YOU can do that too..." Mogana huffed.
"Well, you did inspire me to try," Medaka smiled.
"Oh shut UP! Sotsu!" Mogana ordered. From his spot in the water, Sotsu fired his own watery bullets at Medaka, but his opponent was able to swiftly dodge the barrage, leaping from floatie to floatie. At the moment, Mogana was her priority target since, right now, she couldn't really do much against an enemy made entirely of water.
Medaka and Mogana began hopping from floatie to floatie- Medaka had an advantage in distance, but Mogana was making up for it by making a bunch of erratic jumps. It was like she knew every fluctuation in the water, knowing how it'd ebb and flow.
"After you went on saying how important money is to you, you went and bought something VERY expensive...my wrath." Medaka yelled.
Zenkichi frowned. "Oh, no..." He muttered, dodging a card throw from Saki.
"Hey, eyes on me, Zen!" Saki smirked, summoning up three more cards.
"How many of those can you make again?"
"Drawing a blank right now! Let's just find out!"
"You really think you can beat me in the water? In my element?" Mogana taunted, continuing her almost unpredictable jumps. Almost being the key word of course.
Medaka smiled, as she suddenly LUNGED towards Mogana. Mogana's eyes widened- what was the class president doing?!
"I'm not SURE about water..." Medaka said. "But I'm GREAT in mid air!"
Medaka suddenly tackled Mogana at full force. "You can simply pick up a wallet or purse that's been dropped, but there's nothing that can replace a human life!" Medaka looked up at Mogana, an oddly cute look on her face.
"If you guys died...I'd be sad!" Medaka declared.
Mogana had no fucking idea how to respond.
"I...w-whu..." the swimming ace sputtered, before the student council president just pulled her into a tight but rather caring embrace. Mogana wasn't usually one to blush, but right now her cheeks were glowing red.
There was just...one small thing that both of them forgot about during this, and they were quickly reminded they were falling when they hit the water with a loud cold splash.
"And like that, both lancers for the Swim Team and the Student Council have fallen into the water!" Haruka announced, "What...what's the ruling on this one?"
Tanzako was already crying. "OH MY GOD-"
"THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL!" Yoshida cried. "BEAUTIFUL!"
"I mean, yeah, it was but...hoooow do we rule that? Who got out first?" Haruka asked.
"THEY WIN! LOVE WINS!" The two co-hosts cried.
Haruka blinked. "...I'm just gonna say they're out."
"Technically, Medaka was the last one to make a move!" Inasa pointed out.
"Don't help them!" Saki hissed.
"Just sayin'!"
Kumagawa, meanwhile, was face down in the water. No idea how he's doing, but let's assume he's just vibing and call it even.
"Well...if Medaka was the last one to move and that move counts, then that means that the Student Council just stole the points from the Swim Team's headband! Which means the Student Council rockets to first place!" Haruka announced.
Zenkichi wanted to feel happy about that victory, but...it felt oddly hollow. Thanks to Mogana sort of spilling the beans about their various money troubles, he kinda felt bad for the other two.
Medaka then began to emerge from the pool, Mogana safely in her arms. Sotsu and Umumichi were shocked at the development, stunned into silence, while Yoshida and Tanzako were crying at how beautiful this whole scenario was. Haruka was much more measured and, while she appreciated the idea, she wasn't balling her eyes out.
"That...was a bit more dangerous than I was hoping," Medaka sighed, "But this is the finest example of what I meant. This is something money can't buy, a match like this. A thousand, ten thousand, a hundred thousand, even a million wouldn't be enough to replace a match like this."
"That's what you meant by 'reforming' us? You're crazier than we are," Sotsu muttered.
"Is...is she ok?" Umumichi asked.
"Perfectly fine. I suspect it was just the sheer shock of my brilliant plan," Medaka answered.
"One win doesn't really mean we'd change. You have to see that, right? Not gonna change how we live."
"Did I say you had to? If that's what you took out of my words then perhaps I need to clarify a bit. I never wanted you to change how you live. The thing I wanted you to change was your obsession. Working for money is a totally reasonable thing in modern society. True, there are some heroes who are solely focused on making money and use greed as their motivation...but some have more noble goals for the money. Some donated to charity, others use the money, not for themselves, but for someone close. Perhaps a relative or partner in need of expensive medical care. As long as you care for your lives, as long as you live to enjoy your money, you're free to follow the almighty yen as you see fit!" Medaka explained, "In fact, you all have a dream, don't you? The pool full of money? Such a dream is motivation enough to not throw your lives away! You can't really swim in it if you're dead, now can you?"
"...shit, she's got a point," Sotsu muttered.
"In fact, once you have enough money to fill a pool...mmm, let's say a 50 meter pool like this one, call me!"
"Call you?" Umumichi repeated.
"I'd love to swim a few laps in with you! Your dreams are worth achieving, so live and see them through! Don't just toss away something as precious as your life!" Medaka finished off, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. As she finished her speech, Mogana began to wake up, as if the inspirational speech roused her back to the land of the living. The swim ace sat up and caught her breath before turning to her teammates.
"Sotsu...Umumichi..." Mogana started, "Money or me?"
"Huh?" Umumichi muttered.
"Money or me. Which is more important?"
"Well that's a stupid question! Money, duh! M-O-N-E-Y!" Sotsu scoffed. Medaka, Star, Zenkichi, and even Saki seemed a little disheartened by the response. Did the words just not resonate with him at all? Hell, they even got through to Kumagawa's card-wielding partner and she wasn't even the intended target! The message was just that good!
"...ok. Next one," the ace swimmer continued, "Money or me. Which do you like better?"
"Again, little bit of a stupid question," Umumichi said, setting everyone up to be disappointed.
"You," the swim team captain answered, catching those listening by surprise. Medaka's eyes brightened up at the response. Sotsu had deceived them all, only for Umumichi to come in and inspire them again. If she didn't know better, she'd say that was planned, it might as well have been, too. Mogana blushed a little before she allowed herself a smile.
"I like you guys more too. More than money, more than winning," the swim ace beamed.
"One hug and you're getting all mushy on us? Didn't take you for a romantic," Sotsu rolled his eyes.
"Come on. Can't get that money pool without our ace, right?" Umumichi said encouragingly.
"Medaka's done it! She's gotten through to the hardened money-loving Swim Team and changed their minds!" Yoshida announced.
"Truly, a victory worth celebrating!" Tanzako cheered.
"We just kinda forgot about the rest of the event here, didn't we?" Haruka asked.
"Overshadowed by a showing of sheer love!" both co-hosts announced.
"...fair enough."
When did everything have to be publicized? Zenkichi thought. I don't think half the people here were paying attention-
"ANNNNND TIME IS UP!" Tanzako yelled. "The winner of this final leg is- THE MUSIC CLUB!"
...What?
"Wait, when did-?!" Saki asked.
"I...cannot believe that worked!" Hana beamed.
"Huh...guess we didn't even need the drumbeat that much," Uchi muttered.
"Hey..." Tamiko huffed.
"No, no, I mean that in the good way."
As the swim team and the student council were going through their soap opera of a match, Hana and her teammates secretly took all the headbands of the other clubs. And that totaled up enough...to supersede anyone on the board.
Hana had really just won with ease.
"A little disappointed though," Uchi said, "Was hoping to see what Kurokami was capable of. I'm sure there'll be other ways to take her on though. No need to direct an entire drama series."
"Drama series? Really?" Zenkichi asked.
With that, the first Inter-Club Swim Meet came to an end. As promised, the funds were transferred to the Music Club, including the higher amount for beating out the Student Council. Hana was actually surprised by just how much money they got and even argued that the Music Club didn't need all of it. The normal prize was more than enough for what they needed.
Still, the event ended on a pretty...positive note. For most. For...some.
...well, for everyone but Kumagawa. Kumagawa rested an ice pack on his head, right on where Mogana struck him. "Daaaang, dude. She got you good." Inasa said, poking where Mogana struck.
「yeah. i noticed」
"I should be surprised but...considering how stubborn she was on money, yeah, no, the damage makes sense," Saki added.
「yes. i'm aware. you don't need to tell me...」Kumagawa groaned, 「remind me not to piss her off again any time soon...」
As for Kumagawa's opposite, Medaka was somewhat warned against using personal funds for a school event again. It just confirmed Zenkichi's warning from the start of the meet. But, thankfully, she had a solution.
"Zenkichi, you were right. I shouldn't have brought in my personal funds to the event, something only confirmed by the headmaster," Medaka admitted.
"Won't even say I told you so," Zenkichi said.
"Good! Because I already have a solution! In order to prevent such money troubles from plaguing us ever again, I've recruited a treasurer to the council! Allow me to introduce her!"
"Her?"
Zenkichi blinked. "...you didn't."
Medaka clapped, and the sliding door opened. Zenkichi didn't bother to turn around. He took a deep breath as her footsteps approached, and stared at the new treasurer. "Mogana Kikaijima is our new treasurer. She's on loan from the swimming team, so treat her well." Medaka said. "By the way, her rental fee is 300 yen a day."
"Cheap." Zenkichi frowned.
"I just joined. I can't drain you of all your money in a single day," Mogana sighed, "Honestly, it's a bargain."
In reality, her teammates had convinced her to join up with Medaka and the Council. Considering all the support she got from them, how could she refuse Medaka's offer?
They were happy that she was being scouted, and also wanted her to learn a little more about the world. Keep in mind, Sotsu and Umumichi were older students. Umumichi would be leaving in a year...so, it would help soften the blow if Mogana made some friends her age.
"That Medaka girl seemed pretty keen on being your friend. Start there."
Medaka might've been easy, and honestly, that wasn't exactly Mogana's worry here. In order to really fit in with the student council, she'd have to win over Zenkichi.
Medaka hummed. "I need to go help with some minor clean up. Get accustomed, you two!" And with that, Medaka walked out. Zenkichi stared at Mogana for a few seconds.
Mogana coughed. "Nice weather we're having..."
Zenkichi looked out the window in the room and raised a brow.
"It's raining," he pointed out.
"O-oh...uh...right..." Mogana muttered, clearing her throat and taking a seat at her treasurer's desk. Outwardly, she was calm and collected. Inwardly, the alarms were sounding.
Ahhhhh, crap, crap, crap. Why didn't that work?! I read you could just strike up a conversation by bringing up the weather. Was that book wrong? Or does Zenkichi just hate me?! Mogana's mind raced, focusing on the wrong things.
Ironically though, Zenkichi was also mentally chastising himself.
Damn it! She was trying to talk with me and I blew her off! She probably thinks I hate her now! 'Yeah, even rainy days are nice!' You should've said that, Zenkichi, you IDIOT! Medaka's vice-president thought.
Kikaijima was ranked higher than Zenkichi, since she had a scholarship and everything. So, he'd try to break the ice with that- change the mood with a better one.
"You...swim good."
"Um...thank you?" Mogana responded, a little uncertain before going back to her work.
Son of a BITCH! I just made it worse didn't I?! I mean, not the worst thing you could say, but still! You swim good? Absolute MORON! Zenkichi mentally rattled on.
Just thank you? That's all you can muster, Mogana? S-surely you could've gone on a bit mo-wait, no! That wouldn't work either! That'll come off as prideful! the new treasurer rambled in her mind.
Zenkichi sighed internally, realizing that the conversation wasn't going as smoothly as he had hoped. He needed to salvage the situation somehow and make Mogana feel more comfortable. Speak to her on...an emotional level, maybe?
"Sorry if I came off a bit awkward there," Zenkichi said, leaning against the desk. "I'm not great at small talk, especially with new people. But, hey, since we're going to be working together, maybe we can find some common ground."
Mogana glanced up from her work, a faint hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Common ground?"
"Yeah." Zenkichi said. "...my dad also kinda walked out on me too."
"...oh..." Mogana said, not really sure how to respond to that one.
"Yeah. So…I can relate to not having a dad in my life. It's…it's kinda hard." Zenkichi admitted.
"It...really is," Mogana muttered, focusing back on her work now. The topic was the one that she fully accepted as too awkward to really approach easily.
"…my mom is a nurse, too. Maybe she could…do a house call. For free." Zenkichi suggested.
"For free? Really?" Mogana asked.
"Yeah. She's...kind like that. So...if I put in a good word for a friend...she'd jump on it ASAP."
"...Maybe."
"Maybe?"
"I don't like taking things for free. I have to work towards them." Mogana said. "Even if this is a good deal, I'd feel awful for taking it."
"...I see."
"One day, maybe. When I work enough to feel like some 'debt' has been repaid, I'll gladly take your offer." Mogana said. "Does that sound good?"
Zenkichi closed his eyes.
"Yeah. I guess."
He could see Mogana's mind screaming at her for not taking the easy road for once.
And it hurt.