Kikyo: What's it like being accompanied by two super-beautiful girls?

Time flew by as Ju Ji wondered how he would explain things after the two of them met. Before he knew it, it was time for remedial lessons.

Besides Ju Ji, there was one other boy who needed extra help: the boy who'd told the teacher earlier that he wasn't good at swimming. His name seemed to be Yukimura Teruhiko. He wore thick black glasses and was very good at studying, but not so good at sports.

"Hey, Yukimura. I didn't expect you to need remedial lessons, too. Let's do our best together."

"Shinomiya, don't get the wrong idea. I'm just a slow swimmer. It's not that I can't swim at all. But let's do our best during the lessons."

For some reason, Yukimura seemed a little hostile toward Ju Ji. But plenty of people in the class disliked Ju Ji for one reason or another, so Yukimura made no difference.

"Ju Ji, you're here pretty early~. Oh, Yukimura's here too. Let's do our best together. Teacher, let's get started."

"No, there's still one more student who hasn't arrived. Let's wait a little."

"Kushida? Why are you here?"

Kikyo was the third to arrive, and her appearance left Yukimura, who didn't know the reason, quite surprised. Kikyo had done well in swimming class, so she shouldn't have needed remedial lessons.

"There's someone else?"

Since, in theory, Yukimura should have been the only one besides Ju Ji taking the lesson, Kikyo was puzzled to hear there was another student who needed help.

"Kushida, what is this?"

Before long, Horikita's pretty figure appeared. When she saw Kikyo there too, she shot Ju Ji an annoyed look, as if asking why Kikyo was there.

"Ah, Yukimura, let's go practice over there. We'll leave them to it. You two should get started soon."

"Right, Teacher. Let's go practice first."

The two onlookers seemed to sense the tension and agreed to head to the edge of the huge pool to practice. They were traitors in a way, but it was a wise move.

"Ju Ji can't swim, right? I happen to know a lot about learning to swim, so I came to help him as a friend. What brings you here, Horikita? Don't tell me you came to help Ju Ji, too.

Ju Ji already has me, his friend, to help him. So don't worry, Horikita. You can go back."

As far as Kikyo was concerned, this was a perfectly airtight excuse. As his friend, she clearly had more reason to help Ju Ji than Horikita did. Besides, he only needed one swimming instructor.

Horikita, glaring at me won't help. Kikyo's excuse is just too perfect.

"Whew... Fri... I'm... also fri... friends with Shinomiya... classmate."

Horikita, if it's that hard to say, don't force yourself.

Of course, Ju Ji could only imagine saying that in his head. He didn't dare say it out loud. Even if Horikita didn't mean it, he was still happy to hear her call herself his friend. It was a good step forward.

"If you're friends, you should call each other by your first names, right? Isn't that right, Ju Ji?"

Ju Ji felt as if a pair of devil horns and a tail had appeared on Kikyo, who wore an angelic smile. You're playing with fire, Kikyo. Can't you see the look in Horikita's eyes? She looks ready to kill someone.

Couldn't Kikyo give Horikita a way out? Ju Ji knew the situation was bad, but he couldn't get a word in edgewise. He wouldn't mind if both of them taught him. With two beautiful girls in swimsuits keeping him company, what could he possibly complain about?

"Shinomiya... Ju... Ju... Ju Ji. We're friends, right, Ju Ji?"

Horikita gritted her teeth and tried several times before she finally managed to say Ju Ji's name. Her expression was so pained that Ju Ji thought he could see blood and tears on her face. He'd better avoid her for a while.

Otherwise, Horikita would probably go berserk and beat him to a pulp. But even so, they were sitting about as close as desk mates. How could he possibly get away? He could only hope Ayanokoji would distract Horikita.

After Horikita said Ju Ji's name, the two of them stopped talking altogether. It seemed they were waiting for Ju Ji to respond.

"Hahaha, of course. Horikita... Suzune and I are definitely friends."

Unlike Suzune, Ju Ji had been preparing for this day for a long time, so he could say her name without a problem. He just hadn't expected it to happen like this. He'd thought they wouldn't officially become friends until after the midterm exams at the earliest.

"That's great! Since Horikita is Ju Ji's friend too, let's help him practice together. I know a little about swimming lessons, but I'm still a bit unsure. It's great to have you join us, Horikita. I'd also like to get along with you."

When Suzune wasn't looking, Kikyo flashed Ju Ji a victory sign. With her cute expression, she seemed to be showing off how well she'd done and asking him to praise her. Well, he'd treat her to a fancy meal later.

Regardless of how things had gone, or what it might cost him later, Kikyo had successfully helped Ju Ji make a friend. He was grateful for that. Though the scene earlier had certainly been full of tension.

"Fine, then. Let me make this clear: being friends with Ju... Ju Ji doesn't mean we're friends too. Don't get too close to me. And you shouldn't get carried away just because you've become friends with me."

"Don't take it so seriously, Horikita. I'm sure we'll get along soon."

"I look forward to that day."

Although this tricky matter had been resolved smoothly without Ju Ji getting involved, there was still an unmistakable tension between the two of them. It looked like these remedial lessons wouldn't go smoothly.

"What's it like, Ju Ji, being accompanied by two super-beautiful girls in swimsuits?"

Kikyo leaned over and whispered in Ju Ji's ear.

Ju Ji was lying on a kickboard, with Suzune pulling him forward by both hands while Kikyo held him steady from the side so he wouldn't drift off course and fall into the water.

"Of course it feels amazing. I wish it could be like this every day."

Following his heart, Ju Ji cheerfully voiced what he really thought. Then he saw Kikyo's expression darken. She pulled the kickboard out from under him.

Ju Ji sank straight down without a hitch, like a stone dropping into the water. Suzune, who was holding his hands, swallowed a mouthful of water too.

"What are you doing, Kushida?"

"Sorry, my hand slipped by accident. We should get Ju Ji out of the water first."

Kikyo wore such an innocent, adorable expression that you'd think she hadn't done anything.

"Honestly, be more careful next time."

Suzune believed her without a second thought. In the end, Ju Ji was the only one who got hurt.

Though it had been a bumpy ride, fortunately, Ju Ji overcame his fear of the water and learned to swim.