Rin - Swimming Lesson

Light Sunday breeze ruffles my hair as I dip my toes into the pool water. It is relatively warm, and I breathe a sigh of relief – for some reason, I expected it to be ice cold – maybe, some repressed memory of going to a pool as a kid? I shake my head, it all doesn’t matter now. I decided by myself to partake in this little experiment, and even the nature itself, with its stupid trick known as temperature, would not stop me now.  I raise my head to the locker room door, where my companions should show up any minute.
To be honest, I was never a person to take the initiative in my own hands. Dragged along, sure, it sometimes got me into trouble, but to throw ideas around? That’s a pass from me, even if a group decides on such a simple thing as where to eat, I’d rather listen to everyone and then support on of the choices rather than propose something. Therefore, I surprised even myself, when this Friday I actually offered Rin a pool visit. I guess, jealousy towards Miki and Misha having so much fun there got to me, and when I blurted how envious I am out to Miura, she laughed and told me to get a permission from the head nurse, so we could swim along on Saturday, when the pool is open to everyone. However, I felt like going by myself would be a bit unfair to Rin – after all, I was speaking to her about swimming. Oh, and with just Miura there, it would feel too much like a date – a date in a crowded pool, but nonetheless. And I’m not sure I’m ready for something like that. I told her how I was going to invite Rin, and she responded that it was a terrific idea without batting an eye, so I guess she’s fine with that. Or is she? Damn women, maybe Kenji is right.
So I dragged Rin with me to the nurse’s office (she was immediately up for the idea. Does she even have a swimsuit? I should probably ask such questions before making such plans). He was stoked for me to finally get some physical activity, and wrote a permit immediately, but when he learned that Rin also wanted to swim, his face showed some concern.
“You know, miss Tezuka, we here at Yamaku take all the precautions to ensure our student’s safety. And we haven’t yet developed a program or hired a specialist to work with students of your condition” – his critical glare inspected Rin head to toe, as if he hasn’t seen her a hundred times. – “Are you sure you want to swim in our pool?”
“Yes” – Rin’s answer is as concise as ever. – “I want to swim. With people beside me, I don’t think I will be in danger”.
“Well, okay” – Nurse’s face suddenly breaks into a smile – “Just a formality. I’ll write a permit for you also”. – he quickly scribbles something at a piece of paper, then looks at me. – “Under your supervision, Nakai. I assume you read the pool rules?”
“Sure. Don’t run on slippery floor and all that jazz” – I triumphantly grab our permits, and we head to the door.
“And remember – girls’ locker room to the left, boys’ to the right. Don’t mix them up!” – he shouts at my back.
Finally, I see Rin and Miki making their way to me from the other side of the pool. Rin is wearing a standard blue one-piece, like all the girls do at the PE lessons. Isn’t it a bit too small for her? She’s also in a swim cap and goggles, making her somewhat comically looking. I notice to myself that she looks a bit like a tadpole – I hope I won’t say something like that out loud. Miki is sporting a green bikini, which sits on her greatly. As they draw closer, a pig in me can’t help but compare their bodies – both decently packed. I give myself a virtual slap on the wrist.
“Hisao!” – Miki waves to me halfway through. – “Great morning weather today. Ready to gulp down some pool water?”
“Sure, sure” – I smile back. – “Hi, Rin”
Tezuka nods back. I can’t see her eyes from under those dark goggles, so when she points at me, it’s somewhat a surprise.
“It’s pretty big, huh. Just like you described” – she states.
“Yeah, it is. Even bigger than I thought…” – Miki chimes in. – “Oh, wait, you’re talking about his scar, right?” – she adds, grinning widely.
Right, this is the first time the girls see the surgery aftermath on my chest. I didn’t think of that, to be honest, I haven’t paid too much attention to it in the last couple weeks. This is a good thing, I guess? The innuendo reaches my brain too late, and as I start to turn crimson, Miki is openly snorting already.
“So, I’ll leave you two kids together. Don’t leave the shallow section of the pool, or kraken that lives at the bottom may drag you down and eat you. If one of you starts having a spasm in their leg or something, scream on top of your lungs – miss Miura will come and save you. Adios!” – Miki winks, and starts heading towards the springboards at the deep side of the pool. I follow her with my eyes, unable to take the glare off her green butt. Damn, high blood pressure and weak heart, not now. It’s not the time. But what would I expect to happen in the public pool?
I turn my eyes to Rin, who is already on the cliff. She looks indecisive, which is surprising, considering how she usually acts. I decide to break the ice.
“First time here, right?” – I ask, stepping right next to her.
“Yeah.” – She answers, examining the waves. – “I don’t even have a swimsuit. Emi had to lend me hers”
“I noticed. Still fits you well” – it’s not just a compliment. It really does. – “Must be nice having a friend with the same body type as you.”
“Do you think I’m that flat?” – Rin asks, rasing her unseeing eyes to me.
“No, I mean… I was making a compliment to your and Emi’s slimness” – good job walking right into a trap, Hisao.
“Right.” – Rin looks at the water again. – “I’m diving in.”
Rin steps off a cliff, making a small splash. There’s the stairs for people just like her, who can’t use the ladder, just couple meters to our left. Whatever, I prefer this option too. Without a second of delay, I follow her.
The water is heavily chlorinated, not enough to burn my eyes, but still somewhat unpleasant. I emerge and look for Rin – there she is, her black cap is pretty noticeable among all the blue that surrounds us. I swim to her, trying to remember the plan for us that I came up with last evening.
“Look” – Rin nods towards the springboards, where Miki is getting ready to jump. She corrects her bikini before stepping forward, jumps up and makes some impossible somersault before landing in the water. I can see some people visibly impressed, almost ready to clap. Damn, this girl is full of mysteries.
“Wow. Such grace. She must be great in bed” – Rin plainly states to seemingly no one.
“I wouldn’t know” – is the only thing I can blurt out. – “So, I take you don’t really know how to swim, right? I came up with an idea for us – I will show you swimming technique I use, and then oversee you trying to do the same.”
“Oh, so this wasn’t just one big ploy for you to see me in a swimsuit? My opinion of you grew marginally, Hisao.”
“Rin, please, I would really appreciate if you stopped holding me for some sort of a pig. I simply wanted to spend some time at the pool with friends» - these girls definitely want me to have a second heart attack – this time, from embarrassment.
«Okay» - she replies. I swear I could see her grinning ever so slightly. – «What's your idea?»
"So I looked in your… situation, and figured out an optimal way for you to swim» - I lie blatantly. I couldn’t come up with anything else besides what’s I'm about to propose. – «I think, you should swim on your back – it's an easy and enjoyable way – I'm quite fond of it myself - and it allows for you to breathe, communicate and watch the sky. Here, look»
I drop on my back, trying not to use my arms to be more educational. I manage to make a couple circles around Rin, working with my legs. Ah, I haven’t swam in a long time - but an old dog doesn’t forget his tricks.
«Well, this looks easy» - I think, I finally got Rin interested in something. – «I'll try» - with these words, Rin sinks underwater. Some teacher you are, Hisao.
As Rin emerges back, l rush to her aid. She doesn't seem surprised with an outcome.
«Did l do good?» - she asks, spitting out water.
«For a brick, sure» - I tease her back. «Let's try it with my help.»
I stand behind Rin, and grab her stumps. She shudders - was it because of my touch, or is she just cold? Crap, I should have asked her permission first. Rin doesn't aseem to mind, though – just patiently waiting for my commands.
«Now, lay on your back, don’t be afraid – I will support your upper body to be above the water. With your legs, make those motions I showed you – like a frog.»
«l like frogs. They're easy to draw» - Rin remarks, lowering her back onto me.
«That's great, you must be familiar with their anatomy, then. Now, push with your legs, right, right, that's it…» - I encourage Rin as I slowly tread backwards. Rin wiggles her legs instead of gracefully pushing, but it surprisingly keeps her afloat – l don't know how much of it comes from my help, she is almost weightless. We make couple meters that way, until a sudden blow in my back doesn't drag me underwater.
I surge to the surface, spitting water and curses. Who can be so inconsiderate?! As I clean my eyes, I firstly find Rin, there she is, unscathed, looking as puzzled as I am. And here' the perpetrator - Miki, twirling her hair, and trying to look apologetic.
«I'm sorry, you guys. Didn't notice you.»
«Sure you didn't.» - Rin replies ahead of me. Her tone is surprisingly cold – it's how I imagine Shizune would sound.
«No, I really… Fine, you may not believe me, but it was a honest mistake» - Miki smiles at me, making puppy eyes. – «Forgive me. How's your lesson going?»
I really want to tell Miki that any such a hit may be the last one for me. I want to scold her, because my condition gives me the right to do so. But I stop myself – who knows, it could be an accident. I will have plenty of time to show the people here my heart problems, hopefully, just in form of heavily panting after conquering a set of stairs, and not falling on my friends after having a heart attack. So I suppress myself and smile back.
«It was going fine just before your interruption. Rin is a capable student. I was teaching her how to swim on her back.» - I declare proudly.
«And I’m sure you’re a great teacher. However,” – Miki turns to Rin – “Here’s something he won’t be able to show you.”
Miki storms off unexpectedly, disappearing underwater, and emerging couple of meters from us, swimming butterfly style towards the opposite side of the pool. I watch in slight awe as she keeps showing up from under the waves, and vanishing again. Miki reaches the opposite side, reverses and heads towards us – this time, she stops right before ramming into me once again.
“See, Rin? Easy. Now you try.”
“Ha ha.” – Rin’s voice could cut butter like a hot knife. I feel tension rising in the air – doubt that Rin is used to people making fun of her, however friendly they might be. And Miki is not the one known for her tact, either. I decide to cut in before it’s too late.
“Not cool, Miki.” – I step forward – “You shouldn’t make fun of people like that. We’re all at Yamaku for a reason, you know.”
Miki looks stupefied for a bit, but quickly regains her composure.
“Wha… Oh, crap. Rin, baby, I’m sorry” – Miki steps towards Rin, hugging her – “I can be such an ass. It’s just banter, you know. I overstepped my boundaries.”
I don’t know if her passionate speech made Rin mellow even a bit, but she seem to be eager to get out of Miura’s embrace – “I get it, Miki. No hard feelings. Your ass surely gets the best of you sometimes.”
“It’s certainly one of your… outstanding parts.” – I mumble, mostly to myself.
Miki shines lie a million bucks, ruffing Rin’s hair through the cap. – “I won’t interrupt you no more. Tell me if you’re about to leave.” – With these words, Miki submerges once again.
We continue our attempts, I try showing Rin the way I swim couple of times, and she sure seems to pick up quickly. However, no matter how well she does with my help, she still doesn’t manage to stay afloat on her own. After another failed attempt Rin emerges near me with a determined look on her face.
“I figured out what the problem is.”
“Really? Sure, tell me”
“It’s goggles and cap. They are too tight”
I smirk a bit.
“Didn’t you pick them yourself?”
“No. Miki insisted I put them on. Do you think she was making fun of me?”
Miki’s words seem to cut deeply into Rin.
“Nah, relax. She wished no harm – after all, we vouched before nurse to take care of you this morning”
“I think it’s enough care. Take them off, please”
I grunt, but obey. Rin’s auburn hair springs from under the cap. I remove her goggles, and can’t help but chuckle at the red rings around her eyes. I guess they really were too tight.
“Your chains are broken. Fly, I mean, swim.”
Rin shakes her head, splashing me a bit, and goes for a swim. Surprisingly, she makes it three or four meters before stopping. I raise my hands and clap – hopefully, it wasn’t too disrespectful. Thankfully, Rin is too delighted to pay it any mind.
“So, how did you like to swim by yourself?” – I ask, swimming up to her.
“I felt… free.” – Rin goes for it one more time, but sinks once again. Guess she’s pretty tired. I drag her from under the water, just as Miki appears beside us once again.
“Rin! Where did your protective gear go?” - Miki asks somewhat scoldingly.
“Hisao took it off. He said I looked ridiculous in it”
Miki throws me a piercing gaze. I open my mouth, but then decide that I had enough squabbles for today, so I just smile weakly.
“Whatever. Just don’t take off your swimsuit if he asks you to, okay?” – Miki laughs as Rin gets a bit red in the face – “Time’s almost up. I’ll pick you guys up in five minutes. Or,” – Miki turns to me – “Maybe you want a race?”
“Now I’m certain you want to kill me, Miki”
“And one day I will! Mwahahahaha!” – With these menacing words, Miki storms off again. Rin strolls to me from the back, attracting my attention by tackling me with her shoulder.
“Hisao, hold me one more time. I wanna try something”
“Okay. One last time, then let’s relax. Your legs must be killing you”
I once again clutch to Rin’s stumps. Funny how things go around here – around a month ago, a person with such condition as hers would still freak me out – especially when not covered with clothes. But nowadays I got so used to it that Rin doesn’t seem alien to me – she seems funny, the way she wiggles her stumps and makes weird motions with her legs. I guess I finally am one of them – for better or worse. Rin finally raises her legs high enough, but instead of trying to swim, she starts hitting them as hard as she can on the surface of the pool. I swear I can hear her laugh over the sound of splashing water. She finally runs out of energy half a minute later, panting heavily as she turns her head to me.
“Swimming sure is fun, Hisao”