After watching the affectionate couple stroll away, Akira finally retracted his gaze. He gave the small hand he was holding a gentle shake and asked curiously:
"Shouko, which activity do you want to try first?"
"Hmm..."
Shouko scanned the amusement facilities in sight, hesitated, then raised her finger and pointed toward a blue sign in the distance on the right.
"How about over there? Akira, can you teach me how to swim?"
"Huh?"
Akira looked in the direction she pointed. The sign read "Shallow Area."
Underneath it, a handful of little kids wearing cartoonish swim rings were splashing around.
"Shouldn't we take advantage of the short lines and try the fun stuff first?"
"Oh, let's go, let's go!" Shouko ignored the slightly helpless look on his face and tugged him in that direction.
The shallow pool was quiet, but their arrival briefly drew attention. Some kids stopped splashing and stared curiously at the older pair who had wandered into their territory.
Sunlight filtered through the surface, breaking into shimmering golden ripples on the water. Akira borrowed a shark-themed kickboard from a nearby staff member and handed it to Shouko.
Without minding the stares, he led her gently to the water's edge.
As soon as Shouko dipped her feet in, a flicker of nervousness stirred inside her. Her fingers tightened around the kickboard, knuckles whitening.
It was Akira's first time teaching someone to swim—he wasn't sure where to start. After a pause, he swallowed and said:
"F-First… maybe let's start by holding your breath?"
"Mhm, mhm." Shouko nodded quickly.
Sensing her tension, Akira lightly rubbed the back of her hand and tried to comfort her.
"Don't worry. The deepest part only reaches your chest, and I'm right here. Nothing's going to happen."
Hearing that, Shouko took a few deep breaths, and the panic gradually receded.
"Since it's your first time, let's try ten seconds first and slowly build from there. I'll count silently, and as soon as the time's up, I'll pull you up."
"Mhm! I'll follow everything you say, Coach Akira~" Shouko grinned playfully.
Akira smiled. Seeing her in a better mood, he quietly swallowed the encouragement he'd been about to offer.
"Let's begin."
Shouko nodded. She pinched her nose and slowly squatted down. Just as the water reached her lips, the panic surged back for a moment.
But she didn't flinch.
She buried her face into the water, believing that as long as Akira was with her, nothing would go wrong.
Under the rippling surface, Akira noticed something odd: the way the light shimmered made the tiny hairs on the back of her neck glint with gold.
In that brief moment, he was so distracted that—
He forgot to count.
Before he could correct himself, Shouko resurfaced abruptly, her nose bumping right into his jaw.
"Ah..."
Shouko covered her nose with a wince.
Splash!
Akira, caught off balance, slipped and fell backward into the water.
Several kids and even a nearby lifeguard turned their heads toward the sudden movement, though they quickly returned to their own business once Akira got back up.
Shouko extended her hand to help him, but he stood on his own, prompting her to ask worriedly, "Akira, are you okay?"
Akira saw her expression—wet bangs clinging to her forehead, holding her nose like a startled kitten—and tried to suppress a laugh. He shook his head and waved it off.
"It's fine. I... forgot to count because I got distracted."
He gently moved her hand away to check her nose and, finding nothing serious, breathed a sigh of relief.
But those words were a mistake.
Shouko's guilt vanished instantly. Instead, she started pounding his chest with light, harmless thumps.
"Idiot! It's your fault! Were you distracted by those girls in swimsuits?"
"Stop, stop, I was wrong!"
Though her punches were soft, Akira noticed the surrounding glances again—some amused, some curious. Worried she'd grow embarrassed, he quickly caught her wrists.
"Shouko, look around—just kids and one lifeguard here. No swimsuit models in sight. That lifeguard? A guy."
Shouko narrowed her eyes but relented.
He was right—this shallow area was nearly empty, aside from some kids and their parents. And she certainly didn't feel inferior to any of the adults or little girls nearby.
"Shall we continue?"
"Mhm, mhm."
From that point on, Akira stayed focused. Shouko's breath-holding time gradually extended to thirty seconds. Once she seemed comfortable, Akira kept the duration steady instead of pushing it further.
He only allowed her to stop once the nervousness had completely faded from her expression.
"Okay, Coach Akira. That feeling of panic is gone now. Let's move to the next stage!"
"Hm... Next is floating practice. Once you feel the water's buoyancy, you'll be well on your way."
Shouko nodded. "Okay, what should I do?"
"Wait a sec."
Akira stepped away briefly and returned with a pair of goggles, borrowed from the staff. After helping her adjust them, he explained:
"I'll support you. You take a deep breath, lower your head, and stretch your body horizontally. I'll demonstrate."
He walked her to the pool's edge, held on with both hands, inhaled, and slowly dipped his face into the water. His body floated effortlessly.
He even slowed the demonstration, floating in place so she could observe.
"Got it?"
"Mhm, mhm!" Shouko nodded eagerly. She was already curious about where he'd be supporting her from—but decided it didn't matter.
"Oh, right," Akira added. "Tighten your core, relax your shoulders. Don't stick your butt out or bend your knees."
Shouko grinned. "So, Coach Akira… where are you going to support me from?"
"Is... is that the important part?"
She nodded... then immediately shook her head.
Water droplets flew from her hair, splashing on Akira's face. He recoiled dramatically before stepping closer again.
"I'll support your waist, and I won't let go. Promise."
Shouko gripped his forearm with nervous fingers. The pressure of her grasp left red crescents on his skin—warmer than the pool.
Just before starting, she paused and looked at him seriously.
"What if I sink?"
Without hesitation, Akira replied:
"Then I'll be your personal float."
"That sounds like a terrible deal for you..."
"Do you still want to try?"
"Yes!"
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