Just after lunch break, Mashima Tomoya walked into the classroom with no books in hand, only a sheet of paper tucked under his arm.
"First period this afternoon is swimming. Boys and girls together. Same rules as last time."
He swept his gaze across the classroom and set the paper on the podium.
"This is the last swimming lesson before departure. This time next week, you'll already be on the cruise ship!"
The classroom fell silent for a second, then erupted with a bang!
"Huh? It's the last lesson already?!"
"I still haven't learned how to breathe properly, Sensei!"
"What about the reward you mentioned last time? Is there still one this lesson?!"
Mashima ignored the commotion. After writing a line on the blackboard, he turned and left.
Kiryu Yume leaned against the back of his chair. The motion of spinning his pen paused for half a beat. The last lesson already?
Morishita Ran reached over from the back row and lightly poked the back of his shoulder with her pen cap.
"Kiryu Yume."
"Hmm?" He turned halfway around.
"I don't want this time's reward."
"What reward?"
"The reward for coming in first."
Kiryu Yume raised an eyebrow at her. She rested her chin on her hand and looked over at him. Her eyes brightened for an instant before she quickly suppressed it, like she was hiding a star she was afraid someone might notice.
"Haven't you always wanted to win?"
"Winning once is enough. What's the point of winning again?" She withdrew her hand, her fingertips brushing the chair back, then added, "You take first place. I want to watch you swim."
Kiryu Yume said nothing and quickly turned back around. The heat at the tips of his ears spread all the way to his earlobes. *How could this