The Narcissist

Before long, Sato returned from the changing room with bath towels for both of them.

Matsushita stubbornly pressed Hoshino to the side and forced him to squat down with his back turned, treating him exactly like a criminal suspect. Sato helped Hasebe climb out of the water, wrapped her entire body in two large bath towels, and then led her toward the changing room.

"I say, Matsushita, can you let me go now?"

Once only Hoshino and Matsushita remained by the poolside, Hoshino spoke up. Matsushita slowly released her grip.

"That's really harsh, Matsushita. Treating me like a criminal and all."

"Because you are a perverted lecher! You can't be allowed to see Hasebe in that state."

"Isn't it a bit excessive to insult me like that? I don't recall doing anything to warrant such a misunderstanding."

"It's not a misunderstanding. Your head is genuinely filled with lewd thoughts!"

She hesitated for a moment, then added in a tiny voice.

"Just now... you had a reaction down there... I saw it."

"Matsushita, what did you say?"

"Nothing! Just pretend I didn't say anything!"

"I actually heard you clearly."

"Then don't ask!"

Matsushita frantically wanted to lunge at him, but realizing something, she stiffened her face and pulled back.

"You really are observant, Matsushita."

"That's because it was really obvious."

"So, I wasn't wrong about what I said last time."

"...You guy, do you have to talk about lewd topics with girls?"

Matsushita said indignantly, then moved a little further away from him.

"Who do you think is to blame for that? It's because a sexy girl in a swimsuit has been standing right next to me this whole time. Now I have no choice but to hunch over and cross my legs just to keep my wandering mind in check."

Matsushita's face turned bright red at a visible speed. She and Sato had come to the pool to play, so naturally, they were wearing swimsuits. She had been so focused on the soaked Hasebe that she had forgotten she was also wearing a swimsuit that exposed her skin.

Compared to the curvaceous Hasebe and Sakura, Matsushita had a slimmer build, and the one-piece swimsuit she chose highlighted this. Her slender waist and long legs were quite eye-catching.

Matsushita didn't speak, and Hoshino chose to quit while he was ahead, keeping his mouth shut to give her some space.

"I didn't expect you to be such a good swimmer."

"I'm quite confident when it comes to swimming."

"It's a bit strange, though. You came to the pool to hang out with girls, yet you're the only one who went into the water, and the other two didn't even bring swimsuits."

"That's because..."

Hoshino told the truth, roughly explaining the sequence of events.

"I see. Hasebe actually has some common sense."

"...Indeed. So, Matsushita, since you also have common sense, you're here alone with me in a swimsuit. Aren't you afraid I'll lose control and pounce on you?"

Hoshino, deciding to just roll with it, said exactly that. Matsushita stared at him cautiously for a while.

"My judgment is that while you have the desire, you won't lose your rationality. In a public place, it's safe enough for now."

"Thank you for your assessment, Matsushita. It would be even better if you hadn't scooted further away just now."

Matsushita huffed and didn't answer him.

"By the way, I didn't expect you and Sato to come to the pool. You even chose to sit out during swimming class."

"That day, Shinohara wasn't feeling well. Maya and I were just keeping her company. Besides, I don't want to be stared at by the boys in class."

"So you aimed for a holiday morning when it's less crowded? Just like us."

"Hmph, it's not the same as you. You big scumbag, dating two girls at once!"

"I already explained the reason why we ended up here, didn't I?"

"That's just a trick you use to reel girls in. Including your cramp in the pool—that was all part of your acting, right? Did you really think I couldn't tell?"

"Oh my, and here I thought it was quite convincing."

"If you were truly as skilled a swimmer as you claim, you wouldn't have panicked like that over a mere cramp, let alone a broken leg."

"Uh, I think I'd still panic if I broke my leg..."

"So your cramp was entirely a performance, wasn't it?"

"Well, you're half right. I intended to fake it, but I didn't expect to actually get a cramp. The drowning part afterward was indeed a performance."

Hoshino didn't show a hint of panic; instead, he faced Matsushita with a relaxed smile.

"Telling a few harmless, easily spotted lies can liven up the atmosphere and provide conversation topics. That was my goal. I believe I kept it within reasonable bounds. At the very least, Hasebe should have seen through my act as well."

As he spoke, Hoshino stood up. His calf, which had cramped earlier, no longer hurt. He stood by the edge of the pool. This time, he began to properly warm up.

"You say... Hasebe saw through your tricks too? And yet, she jumped into the water to save you without a moment's hesitation."

"Indeed. Her choices make me wonder, 'Could she possibly like me?' But looking at the results, it forced my dates with them to be cut short. A truly intriguing variable."

"Hmph, thinking other girls like you for no reason—you really are a narcissist."

"Personally, I don't see 'narcissist' as a derogatory term. I believe I am handsome, have a sunny personality, excellent grades, and outstanding abilities. I consider myself a boy who is very popular with girls. Is there something wrong with that? I think everyone should think this way; self-approval is the first step toward growth."

Matsushita stared at Hoshino, somewhat dazed. She hadn't expected Hoshino to suddenly come out with such a statement.

And yet, it actually felt quite reasonable?

"Of course, it's undeniable that my situation is entirely factual. I am a boy who is exceptionally popular with girls. Whether it's Hasebe, Sakura, Sato, or even you, Matsushita, you will all inevitably fall hopelessly in love with me. But don't worry, Matsushita-san, no matter how many girls like me, I will always reserve a space for you in my heart."

"Enough! Stop spouting such nonsense!"

Matsushita's expression turned sour as she shouted a rebuke. However, seeing Hoshino's annoying, smiling face again, she didn't feel as confident inside as she appeared on the surface.

Maya does seem to have a crush on him right now... That silly girl is a face-value addict who only cares about looks, and this guy Hoshino is indeed a bit handsome... And Sakura-san, who barely speaks to other girls, actually agreed to come out with him—she must be interested in him too? Could it be that Hasebe-san is also...

Matsushita pondered to herself, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt that what Hoshino said just now wasn't entirely nonsense.

No, regardless of anything else, I will absolutely never fall for this lecherous, perverted jerk!

Matsushita shouted in her heart, finally shaking her head to cast away the image of a little boy that had surfaced in her mind.

At this moment, Sakura finally returned from the dormitory, carrying a paper bag containing her clothes. Matsushita took the bag to deliver it to Hasebe, who was waiting in the changing room. Although Sakura looked out of breath, she insisted on coming along.

"What about me? I'll go help too."

"What are you sticking your nose into girls' changing business for?"

Matsushita didn't even look back, her roar cutting off Hoshino's intentions. Sakura, standing to the side, was startled by her shout and stood there blankly.

"Is that so? What a pity. Sakura-san, let's end our date here for today. Please convey my apologies to Hasebe-san."

"Da, date..."

A certain word Hoshino used struck a chord with Sakura. She mumbled softly, unsure if she had even heard the rest of what he said.

"It can't be helped. I'll leave her in your care, Matsushita-san."

"I don't need you to tell me that."

Matsushita glared fiercely at Hoshino before stepping over to take Sakura's hand.

"See you next time, then. Matsushita-san, I have a feeling we'll have some wonderful interactions in the future."

Matsushita didn't respond, pulling Sakura away without looking back.

Hoshino stared at their retreating figures, lost in thought.

"It seems I really didn't remember wrong. Matsushita-san, you are welcome to come and test me again. After that, what kind of conclusion will you reach?"

He dove into the water with a graceful motion, then stretched his arms forward, swimming to the other end of the pool at high speed using only a flutter kick.

As he surfaced to breathe, Hoshino couldn't help but wonder.

Compared to Katsuragi and the others playing together as two boys, was he, swimming alone in the pool, even more pathetic?