Chapter 68: Payback Time

The week of the swimming exam and swimming competition finally arrived. The schedule for the swimming exams was during each class's designated P.E. time. The swimming competition would be held at the last day of the week. No other classes would be held that day, as the whole day would be dedicated to the swimming competition.

It was then time for 2-B's P.E. class. Everyone from their class went to the pool area. The P.E teacher, a well-built man in his early thirties, made a roll call of the name of the students. After doing that, he announced the procedure of how the swimming exam would go. Four students would race at a time for one lap. They would be then graded on their swimming form and speed.

"Today, all of you will be enemies. But during the swimming competition, you will have to work as a team. Watch your classmates to see who are the fast swimmers and those who will have trouble. That will help you in deciding the swimming order for your class during the competition."

Their P.E. teacher reminded everyone of the importance of the activity after he made his announcement regarding the swimming exam.

After a while, the swimming exam started. As fate would have it, Akuma and Angelie were slated to face off with each other in a race. The two of them were waiting for their turn. They were seated together on the floor near the poolside.

"Revenge will be sweet and it will be swift."

Akuma was smirking without looking directly at Angelie.

"I hate to break it to you, but this will end just like last time."

Angelie smirked as well while staring at the pool.

"That's one thing I really hate about you. Your unfounded confidence. You will finally cower at the presence of absolute power."

Akuma finally turned his face toward Angelie and glared at her.

"It's not unfounded. I beat you, like, four times?"

Angelie raised her eyebrow as she faced Akuma.

"That last one didn't count! I cramped and almost drowned!"

Akuma slammed the floor with his hand as he leaned closer to Angelie.

"Well, you might have a handicap now, since I'm still tired after all those swimming training sessions we did."

Angelie looked away again.

"Already prepared with the excuse when you lose, huh?"

Akuma moved away and smirked at Angelie.

The teacher finally called Akuma and Angelie's names. The two of them stood up while glaring at each other. They had a staring contest until they were in the pool. Their teacher raised his hand. Once he brought it down, the race would start. The students nervously awaited their teacher's go signal.

Finally, he brought his hand down and shouted the word 'start'. Akuma pushed off from the wall of the pool and started swinging his hands into the water. While swimming, he kept on checking where Angelie was. She was assigned to the lane beside him. They were in lockstep with each other. Every time Akuma raised his head to breath, he would see Angelie beside him. This happened a few times.

Then, when the time came for Akuma to breath again, he didn't see Angelie beside him. He thought it was impossible for her to get so far ahead in an instant. He raised his head again when he needed to breath. He tried to look ahead. He still didn't see Angelie. He then thought that he must be winning. Suddenly, the moment when Angelie told him she was still tired flashed in his mind. Reluctantly, he stopped swimming. He then decided to dive into the water.

---

Angelie was grasping her leg as she was sinking deeper into the pool. She tried to keep her mouth closed to keep her breath in. Finally, her exhaustion caught up to her and she opened her mouth. Her vision started to become blurry. As her consciousness was fading out, she noticed that someone was swimming underwater toward her. She couldn't make out who it was, and she finally lost consciousness.

---

Angelie slowly opened her eyes. She realized she was lying down on a bed. She looked around and saw that she was inside the nurse's office. She also saw Sanaka beside her.

"You're finally awake, Angelie-san."

Sanaka was rubbing her eyes. She was also a bit teary-eyed.

"Sanaka-san… I'm sorry if I worried you."

Angelie looked at her and weakly smiled at Sanaka.

"You did! Good thing nothing bad happened…"

Sanaka grabbed Angelie's hand with her two hands.

"Thanks for saving me, then."

"Huh? I didn't save you…"

"You didn't? Then, who was that I saw…?"

Angelie looked up at the ceiling.

"I guess you wouldn't believe me even if I told you."

Sanaka smiled as she continued to rub her eyes.

"Don't tell me—"

"Yes, it was me!"

Akuma loudly opened the door of the nurse's office. He was still in his swimming trunks. He went inside the room holding a bottle of ion supply drink that looked like water.

"What took you so long?"

Sanaka glared at Akuma.

"I didn't have money with me. I had to borrow from some first-year. He was willing to help, anyway. Here, give it to that weakling Saint."

Akuma tossed the bottle at Sanaka. She barely caught it with her two hands, as it almost fell two times.

"You mugged a first-year?!"

Angelie barely raised her head and shouted at Akuma.

"Of course, I didn't! I told him where he can find me."

Akuma pointed at Angelie.

"But you didn't tell him you will pay him back, did you?"

"Well, not exactly…"

Akuma averted his gaze from Angelie and slowly lowered his hand.

"I knew it!"

Angelie closed her eyes and dropped her head back into the pillow.

"I've had enough lecture from you! You haven't even thanked me yet for saving you!"

Akuma crossed his arms together. He turned his head to his side.

"…Why did you, anyway?"

Angelie opened her eyes and looked at Akuma.

"So that I can have you in my debt! Why else?"

Akuma grinned at Angelie.

"I thought so."

Angelie let out a sigh.

"I failed the swimming exam because of you, so you better remember you're indebted to me!"

Akuma walked out of the room and closed the door.

"Don't believe everything he says, Angelie-san."

Sanaka just smiled at Angelie. She also opened the bottle and handed it to Angelie.

"What do you mean by that?"

Angelie sat up on the bed as she took the bottle from Sanaka and drank from it.

"When he got you out of the water, I saw him panicked. A little. I think…"

Sanaka looked up as she recounted her memories.

"You're just imagining things, Sanaka-san."

Angelie laughed while covering her mouth with her closed fist.

---

Class 2-B's P.E. was finished during the morning. As soon as Angelie was able to stand up, she was called to the faculty office by their P.E. teacher. After she changed back into her school uniform, she went straight to the faculty office. When she entered, their P.E. teacher was already talking to someone else. It was Akuma. The teacher was sitting down on his chair while Akuma stood in front of his teacher.

"Well, you didn't finish the race. So, I have to give you a failing grade for that. But… since you saved your classmate, I'll give you special points. Or was she your girlfriend?"

Their teacher looked up and stared into Akuma's eyes.

"I'm definitely not, Sensei."

Angelie went closer to Akuma and their teacher. She stood beside Akuma.

"Well, Fukushuu. I'm glad you're okay, but I'll have to give you a failing grade for the exam. You just have to make sure your class wins the competition so you can get those bonus points."

Their teacher then pointed at Angelie using his pen.

"I understand, Sensei."

Angelie looked straight into the eyes of her teacher.

"That's all. Good luck on the competition, then."

Their teacher rotated his swivel chair and turned away from the two students. Angelie and Akuma bowed at their teacher and then left the faculty office.

---

The two of them were quietly walking toward their classroom. Akuma was walking ahead of Angelie.

"T-thank you."

Angelie barely could be heard as she spoke. She was looking at the floor the whole time.

"Huh? I couldn't hear you. Speak louder!"

Akuma stopped walking and cupped his hand near his ear. He was grinning the whole time.

"I know you heard me! I'm not going to repeat myself!"

Angelie stomped past Akuma without looking at him.

"Is that how you good-hearted people show your gratitude?"

Akuma smirked as he watched Angelie from behind.

"Why, you…! Well, follow me. I'll show you my gratitude."

Angelie stopped walking. She crossed her arms together.

"Huh? Where are we going? I want to eat lunch. Unless you're paying for it, then what are we waiting for?"

Akuma put his hands inside his side pockets.

"We're going to look for that first-year student! And you'll pay him the money you owe!"

Angelie turned around and pointed at Akuma.