Chapter 52: Last Option

Angelie and Yuurei returned to practicing how to swim once the mandatory rest time was over. They stayed for about another hour and then decided to call it a day. When they were done changing clothes, the two of them exited the public pool building.

"I feel so tired, Yuurei-chan…"

Angelie slumped as she was walking.

"You'll get used to it, Onee-san. Let's continue again tomorrow."

Yuurei pumped her fist as she looked at Angelie.

"How about we get something to eat before we go home? My treat."

Angelie smiled at Yuurei.

"Okay! I'd like to eat ramen!"

"Sure. I could use the energy boost or I might not make it home."

Angelie laughed as the two of them went to a nearby ramen place. After eating, the two of them said goodbye and went their separate ways.

---

The next day, Mimi came across Kiba in the hallways before morning classes started. Kiba was hunched forward while walking slowly and his arms hanging downward. Mimi matched her pace with Kiba.

"Ah, Kiba-kun. I would like to say good morning, but judging from your destitute nature, I am assuming you're not having a good morning."

Mimi looked sideways at Kiba.

"I should be angry at you… But I don’t have the energy to do so… They made us non-swimmers practice early in the morning at the pool… Our class reps are making sure we can participate in the competition…"

Kiba could barely lift his head to look ahead to where he was walking.

"I offer my sincerest condolences on your unfortunate situation."

Mimi averted her gaze from Kiba and looked ahead.

"Why do I feel like you're secretly enjoying this…?"

Kiba mustered his remaining strength to glare at Mimi.

"Oh, I am. It's not a secret, do not worry."

Mimi slightly smirked.

"I expected nothing less… So, is your class not interested in the swimming competition…?"

"They are. Our class representatives asked us to practice on our own."

Mimi's face turned serious.

"Really…? And how are you going to practice…? Are you going to join Angelie and her sister-in-law…?"

Kiba was looking ahead again.

"I initially thought to do so, but… I didn't want to be a bother to Angelie-san. It's better for her teacher to have her full attention on Angelie-san. And she will never be Angelie-san's sister-in-law."

"Are you her mother or something…?"

Kiba laughed weakly.

"No, I am her guardian and protector from the evil that is surrounding her. You're included in that evil."

Mimi glanced sideways at Kiba momentarily.

"I appreciate being included as a threat… Anyway, what are you going to do about the swimming lessons…?"

"Even though I do not ask too many favors from my older sister, I asked her to help me."

Mimi continued walking but Kiba halted in his tracks.

"Did you say… Older sister?"

Kiba miraculously was able to stand up straight.

"Yes. She's a year older than me."

Mimi stopped walking and looked back at Kiba.

"Can I please train with you two?!"

Kiba suddenly knelt in front of Mimi and looked up at her. His face was close to Mimi's skirt. He clasped his hands together as he begged.

"Why would you want to do that? And more importantly, what makes you think I will allow you to be even an inch near my sister?"

Mimi glared at Kiba while looking down at him.

"If your sister is a cutie like you or better, then I will have all the motivation in the world to learn how to swim! And I'm scared of my classmates and their spartan ways! But you can forget that last part because you might tell them again about that."

Kiba continued to look at Mimi with glittering eyes. He inched closer to Mimi's skirt.

"Are you aware that your face is near my skirt?"

Mimi raised an eyebrow as she continued to glare at him.

"No, I'm not. And I swear I'm not doing it on purpose—"

Kiba dropped to the ground as Mimi slapped him on his cheek.

"Hmph."

Mimi turned around and started to walk again.

"Please, Mimi! You're the only one I can turn to!"

Kiba groveled on the floor, his forehead touching the ground. Mimi stopped and looked back. She let out a sigh after seeing Kiba begging on the floor.

"Fine. I'll ask her. But don't expect anything."

Mimi walked ahead and entered her classroom.

---

During lunch break, Mimi informed Kiba that her sister agreed to him joining their swimming lessons. Kiba then screamed victoriously. He then informed his class representatives about the personal lessons he will take to learn how to swim. In order for the class representatives to make sure he was really training, 2-D will have a competition within their class by next week. Kiba must show progress during their competition or there would be 'consequences'.

After classes, Mimi and Kiba informed Sanaka that they were not going to the club. They explained that they would also concentrate on learning how to swim. The two of them left the school and headed to a different public pool from the one Angelie and Yuurei went to.

On their way to the public pool, Kiba and Mimi had been silent for a while. Then, when they were only a few steps away from the public pool building, they started to talk with each other.

"Hey, I've been meaning to ask. What is your sister like?"

Kiba opened the conversation.

"Hmm. She is outgoing and very boisterous. Sometimes, a little bit too much."

Mimi answered without looking at his direction.

"Oh. That makes me excited to meet her, then."

"Well, I cannot guarantee that this will turn out as you expect it to be."

Mimi closed her eyes for a moment and then looked ahead.

"Why is that?"

"There is no way to be sure if her ways are not that of the spartan you spoke of. That is because I have never asked her helped on such things before."

Mimi glanced sideways at Kiba.

"Huh. Also, just to be sure. Your sister has no misconception about us or anything, right?"

Kiba stared directly into Mimi's eyes.

"I'm afraid it's too late to worry about that—"

"Hey, you! You dare flirt with my sister out here in the open?!"

Hana appeared out of nowhere, running toward Kiba. She then grabbed Kiba by the collar.

"I'm sorry, what did I do—"

"You were tricking my sister into doing something inappropriate, huh?!"

Hana tightened her grip on Kiba's collar.

"Hana-nee, please let him go. He hasn't done anything yet that warrants your attitude toward him."

Mimi looked at her older sister while standing still.

"You said 'yet'. So… he WAS planning something?"

Hana dragged Kiba's face closer to her face as she glared at him fiercely.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance. I'm Ketsueki Kiba. I don't think I have caught your name, lovely lady."

Kiba smiled at Hana while their faces were close.

"I'm F-furui Hana, Mimi's older sister. And don’t think sweet-talking me will make me lower my guard. I will watch over my sister carefully."

Hana released Kiba's collar as she looked away. Her face turned red.

"Well, thank you for taking the time to teach us how to swim, Hana-san."

Kiba fixed his collar as he continued to smile at Hana.

"Yeah… Anyway, let's go inside and get started already. I won't go easy on you until I'm sure of your intentions on Mimi."

Hana walked ahead toward the entrance to the public pool.

"Shouldn't we correct your sister?"

Kiba scratched the back of his head as he and Mimi watched Hana walk away.

"Probably after she has made you suffer a bit."

Mimi followed after her sister.

"Wait, did you say 'suffer'? What does that mean, Mimi? Hey, come back here and explain!"

Kiba reached out his hand as he went after Mimi.

---

Once the three were inside after paying the admission fee, they went straight to the changing rooms. The rules and regulations of this public pool were more or less the same with the one Angelie and Yuurei were going to. There was one giant pool inside for all the assorted swimming activities. There was also a small pool for kids.

Kiba was the first one to change his clothes into his swimming trunks. He went to the pool area and waited for the two sisters. He sat down on an empty bench and discreetly watched the swimmers in the pool, especially the ladies.

"Stop leering at them or we'll get called out by the lifeguards."

Mimi appeared from behind of Kiba and stood beside him.

"I was just appreciating their figures as they move about graciously in the water."

Kiba smiled as he continued to watch women who were swimming.

"You're looking at other women even though my sister is standing beside you. Unbelievable."

Hana crossed her arms as she stood beside Kiba, on the opposite side from Mimi.

"I was just appreciating beauty—"

"Let's start practicing!"

Hana dragged Kiba by the arm to get him into the pool. Mimi followed suit.

During Hana's lessons, she was very strict at Kiba. Every little mistake of Kiba was called out by her. She didn't even let him talk back. When Kiba couldn't take it any longer, he just let himself sink under water.

(I'm starting to miss my classmates…)