15.5 Chapter 4.2: To Each Their Own Growth Part2

Our time in the private pool ended in the blink of an eye, and we started changing our clothes.

The employees still had to do things like cleaning before the next reservation came, so we couldn't extend. Us 3 took quick showers, changed our clothes and left the private pool. The girls weren't there, probably because they needed more effort to change compared to boys.

"Looks like the girls still aren't here."

Since we hadn't talked about what we would do after this, we waited for them to come out.

"Ayanokouji-senpai!"

"Hm?"

When I noticed that someone was suddenly looking at us, it was Nanase.

Including today, I've been meeting her everyday since we boarded the ship.

"Nanase worked with me in the written special examination. And she really saved me a lot of times on the island too."

"Heeh? So she's a pretty amazing girl then."

Akito nodded in admiration, slightly raised his hand and greeted Nanase. Keisei did the same.

Could it be that Nanase rented the private pool next? I thought that, but...

"I happened to be passing by."

As if to deny that, Nanase said that it was just a coincidence.

"Okay."

"I might be bothering you so I will excuse myself now, okay?"

In this area, there was no place for students to play in except the private pool.

Nanase started walking away. In truth, I don't see her reason for coming here.

No - believing that she came here just as a coincidence would be too naive.

It looked like Nanase had somewhat of a grasp on my whereabouts and was keeping track of me in detail.

Although I can't feel any malice from that.

If that's the case, then why?

In front of us three, Nakaizumi and Suzuki were walking through the path.

Though I saw that, the other two didn't seem to notice anything strange.

"What's the matter Ayanokouji? Is there something up with those two?"

"No... I was wondering where they were going."

"Ah- right. There's not really anything past here. You think they're lost?"

Beyond this point there were no special establishments at all. It's not as if it was unlikely for them to be lost.

To start with there's nothing to see on this level other than the private pool.

Like Nanase, they were walking along a very unusual place.

On the subject, I saw Nakaizumi and Suzuki near Nanase on the bow of the ship yesterday, too.

"But Airi sure has it rough. Looks like she has a lot of strong competitors."

"What?"

Akito whispered behind my back. Keisei retorted.

"No, it's nothing."

Shortly after Nanase disappeared, the two finished changing and came out.

"That was fun, Haruka-chan."

"Yeah. If you're with friends, playing in the pool might not be bad."

The two women seemed very satisfied. Even after changing they were all smiles.

Haruka is probably worrying about what I said to her a while ago, but she wasn't showing it.

"Ah..."

After we all gathered and left the private pool, another person appeared who seemed to have the next reservation.

"What the heck, the next guy is Ike."

"H-Hey. I couldn't get any reservations aside from now."

"You're not alone are you? Where's Sudou?"

Akito looked behind Ike in curiosity, but no silhouette could be seen.

"Ah~ no, uh..."

Ike's words clogged up and he panicked. Then he saw something ahead.

"Sorry for making you wait!"

"Damn that's rare. Shinohara and Ike hanging out together. What about the others?"

Akito and Keisei didn't question anything and asked indifferently.

Of course, Haruka and Airi guessed right away and pushed the guys even while they were surprised.

"Come on, come on. That doesn't matter so let's go already."

"Hah? Why so sudden?"

"Sa-Satsuki, let's go."

"Yeah."

As if to run away he took Shinohara's hand and the two went to the private pool reception desk.

Time was limited so they didn't have time to waste on something like this, right?

"Satsuki?"

Calling each other by their first names and holding each other's hands happily. After seeing that, Akito finally noticed something abnormal with the two as they went to their respective locker rooms.

"Those guys... eh, since when!?"

"What are you talking about?"

Keisei didn't understand yet, but Haruka gave a short explanation.

"Aren't they going out?"

"What are you saying? Ike and Shinohara are like water and oil. Why would they go out?"

He denied it with a straight face, saying that it was unthinkable since they hated each other.

"Yukimu is smart but... an idiot."

"I don't know if they hated each other to begin with, but I guess they've been closing the distance little by little. I've kinda been noticing it recently."

It looked like girls were stronger with love talks. Airi also understood and nodded.

"More or less. But to think that they'd actually start going out, I'm surprised."

"...Is-is that so? Ike and Shinohara? ...No, I really don't get it."

Keisei understood the situation and, seeming surprised, looked for the two, but they could no longer be seen.