13 Chapter 13: Flood (1/2)

Pool season has started, which means summer is really here. As a perfectly normal adolescent boy, like how my mom would say it, I get 'excited' seeing girls in their swimsuits, even if it's a school uniform. The sad thing about having classes while using the pool is that boys and girls are separated. I think every guy in this class is sadden by this situation. Well, not if Jirai has anything to say about it.

”Guys! Gather around!” Jirai stood up and called everyone's attention while the teacher was not yet around. We were already at the outdoor pool waiting while the girls were having their swimming class in the indoor pool.”I don't think I have to remind everyone about our failure last time. We were deprived of our right as adolescent males to indulge in this world's pleasures.”

”Yeah!” The guys responded enthusiastically. I did, too.

”Now, another opportunity has been given to us. The walls that hinder us from gazing upon such delicate flowers will not stop us this time. Will we seize this opportunity?” There he goes again. Jirai is leading us into war. Everyone's morale is high.

”Yeah!”

”Will we not let anyone or anything get in our way?”

”Yeah!!”

”Are you with me?!”

”Yeah!!!”

”Then let us go to war!!!”

”YEAH!!”

”Hey! What is this screaming all about?!” Our teacher finally arrived.

”Sir, we are about to go to war.”

”Hmm...” The teacher suddenly became quiet and pondered something for a moment. ”I see.” He looked at Jirai. He then grabbed him in the shoulders. ”I remember the time when I led my men to the battlefield as well during highschool.” What? ”That is why I became a teacher, to fulfil my lifelong dream. Now go. Your generation carries the will of those who came before you. Carry out your destiny! I will be here awaiting your news of victory.” Wow. If he were the one who caught us in the hot springs, maybe, just maybe we would have succeeded.

”Yes, sir!!!” After saluting our heroic teacher, everyone ran towards the indoor pool.

As expected, it was closed. The doors were locked, the windows sealed tight. We all searched for any opening, any glimmer of hope to see what's inside this building. As we were busy looking, one of our classmates called my attention.

”Why are you even here, Takaiyama?”

”What do you mean? I'm here because of the reason why all of you are here.”

”What, you ok with us peeping at your girlfriend or something?”

”Huh?”

”Or you're so greedy you want to see every girl in a bathing suit? You should just be contented with Hiroisora-sama! Leave some for us, you bastard!” Everyone then looked at me as if they were thinking the same thing as this guy. So, now everyone really hates me?

”Stop it! We shouldn't fight amongst ourselves! Focus on the goal at hand! Everyone here is the same! We all have the same wishes! Let's just keep on searching and talk about this later, ok?” Jirai came between us. After hearing him talk, everyone went back to looking.

”Thanks.”

”What's important to me is to accomplish this mission and deliver everyone to the promised land.”

”Of course.”

”But make no mistake, if I hadn't known the truth, I would have punched you for going with us. You greedy letch.” Now I'm glad I told him the truth. But maybe I should punch him for calling me names? That's not a bad idea. Someday.

After a while, someone finally found something.

”Guys! Look, there's an open window!” And there it was. A single open window. A window of hope.

Everyone started to make a human pyramid, just like what we did back at the hot springs. We were a lot faster now. We knew what to do. As Jirai was reaching the top of the pyramid, an unfortunate incident happened. The window was suddenly closed from the inside.

”No!!!” Jirai screamed. Everyone's hopes were shattered. We went back to our class with disappointed faces. Even our teacher was sad for us. What a nice guy. He should be a role model to all teachers.

---

Yesterday was a sad day for all of us guys. The most disappointed was Jirai, since he was our leader. I saw him earlier in class and he was blankly staring in the air. It affected him so much, huh.

Classes were over and I was hurrying up to leave, as to avoid people I don't want to see. While I was packing, Jirai came up to me.

”Takaiyama.”

”Yeah?”

”Where are you going?”

”Home. Why?”

”What do you mean why? You're not going home. Oh, no.”

”What are you talking about?”

”We'll go scouting.”

”Scouting? For what?” I don't like where this is going.

”An opportunity, of course! We failed yesterday, and that was my fault. We went to war unprepared. Now, I've come up with a plan.” That's what he looks like when he is thinking? He stares into space? ”If we can't find an opening, we have to create it ourselves. Hehehe...” When he's decided on something, he really will pursue it. I admire that. ”And as my right-hand man, you have to go with me. Let's go.”

I wanted to argue that last part, but what the heck. Maybe this will help me get my mind off things.

---

We were sneaking outside the building of the indoor pool.

”What's the plan?” I can't believe I asked him that.

”You go inside the pool, check if anyone is inside. Once we're clear, go back outside and call me. Then I go inside. I'll do my magic then.”

”Why do I have to go inside first? What if someone sees me and asks me why I'm there?”

”I'm sending you in this mission because I know only you can do it.”

”Even if you sugar-coat it, I don't want to do it.”