Chapter 71: Realization of Fate

During their final class meeting, 2-B also decided on what was the order everyone would swim in. Akuma was included in the first half of the order, since he would also swim again at the end. Their class's strategy was to let one who was not confident in their swimming capabilities to swim first then immediately followed by someone who was a fast swimmer. They would alternate this method throughout the race. Their rationale was so that they wouldn't be left far behind in the race unlike if they let all the slow swimmers go first.

All the second-year students then gathered in the pool area. Five lines were formed on one end of the pool. Those represented the five classes of the second-years. Starting from the right side of the pool, it was 2-A to 2-E. There were about six students in each line. Once a swimmer goes into the pool, the next student should replace that person in the line. This would maintain the six total students in line waiting for their turn. It was important for those students not in line to remind their classmates of their turn.

The race was finally nearing its start. The first batch of five students who would swim first was already in the pool. There were six students lined up behind each swimmer. 2-B elected to let Angelie swim first. Her classmates said that she could take it easy as they would pick up whatever slack was needed to be picked up. They didn't want her to exert too much effort due to the events of the other day.

On Angelie's right side, the swimmer for class 2-A was a male student with green hair. It was Kenji, the captain of the Kendo club. He kept on staring at Angelie the whole time from when they first got into the pool. He couldn't believe the luck that was given to him. Finally, his chance to talk to the girl he was so interested in had come.

Many things ran through his mind. What would be the first thing he would say to her? How can he ask her the one thing he had wondered for a long time now? He then decided he was going to greet her first, and then ask her name. That was what was important to him in that moment. He finally found out which class she belonged to. Once he knew her name, he could easily find an opportunity to talk to her further. As these thoughts ran through his mind, he at last steeled his resolve. Kenji turned his head and faced Angelie.

"Hi—"

The teachers signaled the start of the race. Angelie and the other students pushed off from the wall of the pool and started to swim. Water splashed over his face as he was left alone at the starting point. He didn't move for a while. His classmates started to shout at him to start swimming. A few more moments passed before he started to swim.

---

Against her classmates' wishes, Angelie exerted much effort. In fact, she was leading the race. She was the first to reach the other side of the pool. The person who was next in line to her quickly started to swim. She hurriedly got out of the pool. She watched the race as she walked toward where Sanaka was waiting for her turn. Angelie sat beside Sanaka on the floor.

"Wow, Angelie-san! I didn't know you were that fast!"

Sanaka pressed her hands together and smiled at Angelie.

"Well, I did beat THAT Demon Lord. But I guess he was just slow."

Angelie smiled back at Sanaka.

"But now you've made me nervous! I don't think I can do it, Angelie-san!"

Sanaka grabbed Angelie's hands. Sanaka leaned closer to Angelie and looked directly into her eyes.

"Y-you can do it, Sanaka-san! Just do it like how you practiced. I'm sure you'll be fine!"

Angelie stared into Sanaka's eyes as well.

"B-but what if I'm too slow? What if I drag everyone down because I couldn’t do it?!"

Sanaka's hands trembled as she held Angelie's hands in them. Her voice started to crack.

"Don't worry your sorry ass about anything. I'll be swimming behind you. I can get back any ground you'll surely lose."

Akuma stood in front of the two girls and looked down at them.

"That's not how to encourage someone, you callous Demon Lord!"

Angelie looked up and glared at Akuma.

"I just said the truth. There's no point in sugar-coating reality now."

Akuma pointed at Angelie.

"Even though you just insulted me, I somehow feel relieved that you're the one who'll work hard after me and not someone else."

Sanaka looked up at Akuma as she sniffled.

"It just goes to show how dependable I am."

Akuma closed his eyes and pointed his thumb at his chest.

"No, no. It's not that. I don't want to be a bother to our other classmates. But if it's just you, then it’s okay."

Sanaka waved her hand at Akuma and simultaneously shook her head.

"It's not okay!"

Akuma stomped his foot near Sanaka.

---

It was finally Sanaka's turn to swim. She was now at the starting point, waiting for the person ahead of her to touch the other side of the pool. Akuma knelt on one knee behind her.

"Just remember everything I taught you! Relax and breath—"

"I can't relax with you pressuring me like this!"

Sanaka didn't look back at Akuma as she was focused at the person ahead of her. It was so that she could see if it was already her turn. Akuma kept on talking.

"Always keep in mind to keep your feet kicking and your hands—"

"You're really not helping me now! I'm starting to blank out here!"

She turned her head around to glare at Akuma.

"It's your turn! Stop talking and swim!!"

Akuma glared at Sanaka and pointed toward the other side of the pool.

"Ah, it’s because you kept on talking to me—"

Sanaka finally started to swim. Her arms stroked hard into the water. She kicked the water fiercely. 2-B was somehow leading, but during Sanaka's turn, the other classes were able to make up ground on them. Eventually, 2-A was able to surpass them.

Sanaka was one of the last persons to reach the other side during her turn. Once she tapped the wall of the pool, Akuma pushed off from the starting line and swam hard. His speed was a lot faster than when he first raced with Angelie at the water park. He was able to make up the lost ground with 2-A.

The race was close between 2-A, 2-B and 2-D. Those three classes already had fifteen students swim. They only needed fifteen more in order to win. Classes 2-C and 2-E were lagging behind by two students each.

When Akuma got out of the pool, he watched his classmates furiously swim. He smirked as he saw his plan bore fruits. They were all motivated to win.

Akuma then waited for his turn to swim again. The race was still neck and neck between 2-A, 2-B and 2-D. It finally then came to a point where the last few students were lined up behind the swimmers in the pool. Akuma glared at the person beside him. It was Teki.

"I honestly am surprised your class is competitive."

Teki made a side glance at Akuma.

"What's this? Is your prediction of the future in jeopardy of not coming true?"

Akuma smirked as he glanced sideways at Teki as well.

"Don't worry. It's still going to happen. You better pay attention to the race, Mr. President of the Help Club who surely will mess up and disappoint his whole class."

Teki stepped forward as there was only one person ahead of him in the line.

"Oh, I am paying attention. I hope you won't be surprised by the result, Mr. Vice President of the Student Council who will eat his words after the race and admit humbly how he screwed up."

Akuma, too, stepped forward as there was also only one person ahead of him now.

"We'll see if your confidence is warranted or not."

Teki spoke without looking at Akuma. He was now focused on the race in front of him.

"Of course, I am confident. I have a secret weapon in front of me."

Akuma whispered to himself as he smirked.

Finally, Teki and Akuma were in front of their respective lines. For 2-B, Hayai was already in the water, waiting for his turn. The one swimming for 2-A was a little bit ahead of the person currently swimming for 2-B. 2-A was able to finish first, so the person beside Hayai started earlier than him.

Then, the person for 2-B finally reached the wall on the other side. In one smooth and quick sequence of events, Hayai was able to push off the wall of the starting point and catch up to the person from 2-A who started earlier than him. In no time at all, he was able to overtake the person from 2-A.

Akuma and Teki were finally in the pool, awaiting their turn.

"Well, it's time to settle this, once and for all. Right, Mr. Vice President of the Student Council who is about to lose?"

Akuma stared straight in front of him, concentrating on Hayai's movements and waiting for his inevitable turn to swim.