Seeing Haruno's pained expression as she nearly suffocated, Natsuki hurried over without hesitation.
At the moment, both his arms were pinned by Haruno's embrace, so he couldn't reach for the Breathing Mask. And while she was choking on water, every passing second only doubled her suffering.
After a quick assessment, Natsuki chose the simplest, most direct way to help her.
Thanks to his experience with Chika and his senpai, underwater kisses had become second nature to him.
"Mm..."
As Natsuki breathed air into her, Yukinoshita Haruno felt the pain ease and finally came around.
"Natsuki...-kun?"
Yukinoshita Haruno blinked, quickly took in the situation, and then... clung to Natsuki even tighter.
Seriously, they'd been swept beneath the waves and couldn't even tell up from down, left from right. With their lives on the line, it wasn't just a kiss she wouldn't pull away from—even if Natsuki did something more outrageous, she still wouldn't let go!
Natsuki had planned to wait until Haruno came around, then have her release him so he could get the Breathing Mask. Instead, she clung to him even tighter. With no other choice, he kicked off with both legs and swam upward.
Splash!
The two of them soon broke the surface.
"Haah... haah..."
Realizing they were back above water, Haruno finally relaxed a little and gulped in air.
But before she could catch her breath, panic and terror surged into her beautiful eyes once more.
"I-it's coming again!"
Whether it was in front of them or behind, a wave four or five meters high came crashing down on them with overwhelming force.
"I'm here. Don't panic."
Natsuki's voice was steady. At last, he had an arm free and could pull out the Breathing Mask.
Crash!
The wave slammed down, sending countless shards of foam flying across the