Sanemi dives under, attempting to tackle Giyuu from below. The students are losing their minds, some even recording the whole thing on their phones. The pool is filled with bubbles and splashes as the two teachers wrestle in the water. Giyuu uses his superior swimming skills to maintain his distance, occasionally brushing against Sanemi teasingly. After several minutes of this cat-and-mouse game, Sanemi finally manages to pin Giyuu against the pool wall.
He surfaces with Giyuu trapped between his arms, both of them breathing heavily.
"Got you now, you sneaky bastard."
He pants, his face inches from Giyuu's. The students have gone silent, watching the scene unfold with wide eyes. Giyuu poke into his side. Sanemi flinches violently at the poke, his grip on Giyuu loosening momentarily. He lets out a startled laugh before catching himself.
"That's cheating!"
He tries to maintain his composure, but Giyuu's unexpected tickle attack has thrown him off balance. The students start giggling again, some trying to mimic Giyuu's poke on their friends. Giyuu takes advantage of Sanemi's momentary weakness, slipping out of his grasp and swimming away with a victorious smirk.
"I swear, I'm going to make you regret that."
He growls, chasing after Giyuu again with a determined look. The students start chanting "Fight! Fight!" in the background. The group has set up camp near a clearing, with tents scattered around. The night air is cool and crisp, and the stars are visible above. Shinobu approaches Giyuu and Sanemi, who are sitting by the campfire.
"Well, well, look who's having a domestic moment. Should I leave you two alone?"
She teases, knowing about their relationship but enjoying the chance to poke fun at Sanemi's obvious affection for Giyuu. Sanemi glares at Shinobu, his cheeks reddening again.
"Shut it, Shinobu. We're just keeping an eye on the students."
He says defensively, though he's sitting unusually close to Giyuu. Some of the students are already gathering around the fire, sharing stories and snacks. Shinobu sits down across from them, smirking knowingly.
"Sure, sure. And I'm the queen of England. Just remember, there are plenty of trees and bushes for... private moments."
She winks at them before turning her attention to the students.
"You're impossible."
He mutters, trying to focus on the students but his eyes keep drifting to Giyuu's side profile illuminated by the firelight. One of the students raises their hand to ask a question.
"Mr. Shinazugawa, Mr. Tomioka, are you two going to tell us scary stories?"
The other students perk up at the suggestion, some looking excited while others look nervous. Sanemi grins wickedly, clearly pleased with the opportunity to scare the kids.
"Scary stories? I've got plenty of those. But first, who's afraid of the dark?"
He stands up dramatically, his tall figure casting a long shadow in the firelight. The students lean in closer, a mix of fear and anticipation on their faces. Sanemi begins to weave a tale of a creature that stalks mountain paths at night, making the students shiver. Giyuu watches him with a mix of amusement and fondness.
"And if you hear rustling in the bushes, it's not just the wind... it's the monster coming to eat you!"
He finishes with a growl, causing several students to jump and clutch each other. The students are now visibly frightened, looking around nervously into the dark woods surrounding them.
"That's not funny, Mr. Shinazugawa! What if it's real?"
Sanemi laughs heartily, enjoying their distress.
"It's just a story, you wimps. Though I hear there's a ghost that haunts this very mountain..."
He glances at Giyuu, who gives him a warning look. Giyuu sighs and takes over, his voice calm and steady.
"There's a legend about a woman who died on this mountain long ago. She wanders the trails, searching for her lost child."
The students listen intently, some of them moving closer to Giyuu for comfort.
"Oh come on, that's way too gentle. Let me add more details."
He tries to interrupt, but Giyuu gives him a firm look that says 'let me handle this'. Giyuu continues his story about the ghost woman, describing how she appears as a pale figure in white kimono, crying for her baby.
"If you hear a baby crying in the distance, it's not a hallucination. It's her calling for her child."
The students look terrified now, some covering their ears at the thought of a baby's cry.
"Yeah, and she'll drag you into the mountains if you follow the sound!"
He adds, unable to resist adding his own spooky twist despite Giyuu's disapproval.
One brave student raises their hand again.
"Mr. Tomioka, have you ever seen her? Have you been here before?"
Giyuu pauses, his expression becoming more serious.
"I have... once. But that's a story for another time."
Sanemi's eyes widen slightly at Giyuu's admission, realizing there might be more to the legend than he thought. Giyuu looks at Sanemi briefly, then back at the students.
"It was many years ago. I was lost in the mountains during a storm. I heard the baby crying, but when I found the source... there was nothing there."
He speaks quietly, his eyes distant as if remembering that night.
"Damn it, Giyuu... why didn't you tell me this before?"
He asks, his voice softer than usual. The students are completely silent, hanging on every word. Giyuu seems to snap out of his memories and shrugs.
"It's not a pleasant memory. Now everyone should get some sleep."
He stands up, signaling the end of storytime.
"But what if the ghost comes for us tonight?"
A girl whispers, clutching her sleeping bag. Sanemi stands up as well, trying to sound reassuring despite his earlier scare tactics.
"The ghost won't come if you're quiet and stay in your tents. And if it does..."
He glances at Giyuu, then smirks.
"I'll protect you. But only if you stop asking questions and go to bed."
He crosses his arms, looking like the grumpy math teacher again, but with a hint of protectiveness. The students reluctantly start heading to their tents, still glancing nervously at the dark woods.
"Goodnight Mr. Shinazugawa, Mr. Tomioka."
Sanemi watches them go, then turns to Giyuu with a concerned expression.
"You really saw a ghost? And here I thought you were just being your usual stoic self."
He tries to sound casual, but there's genuine worry in his voice. Giyuu gives Sanemi a small smile, realizing he's worried him.
"I lied. I just wanted to scare them more than you did."
He admits, sitting back down next to the fire.
"Tch, you bastard. I should have known."
Sanemi huffs, but there's relief in his expression as he sits beside Giyuu again. Sanemi bumps his shoulder against Giyuu's playfully.
"You had me worried for a second there. Don't go around telling scary stories that aren't true."
He says, though he seems more relaxed now that he knows Giyuu was joking.
"I'll keep that in mind, Shinazugawa."
Giyuu's voice is teasing, using Sanemi's last name intentionally. Sanemi scowls at the use of his last name, but there's a hint of a smile playing at his lips.
"Call me that again and I'll make you tell the ghost story tomorrow night instead."
He threatens half-heartedly, leaning back on his hands.
"You wouldn't dare. You'd miss the chance to be the one telling them."
Giyuu counters, his eyes twinkling with amusement in the firelight. Sanemi pretends
to consider it, then shakes his head.
"Fine, fine. But only because I want to see their faces when they find out you lied."
He glances at the sleeping students, then back at Giyuu with a mischievous grin.
"You know, you're surprisingly good at messing with people. I might start to like this side of you."
Giyuu raises an eyebrow, a rare full smile forming on his face.
"I'm full of surprises, Shinazugawa. You just never paid attention before."
He stretches his arms above his head, his shirt riding up slightly.
"Maybe I should start paying more attention then."
Sanemi says quietly, his eyes lingering on Giyuu's exposed skin before quickly looking away, pretending to check on the fire.