Real teaching, hypocritical gray life

I didn't expect Ichinose to get any other useful information from President Horikita, so after placing her bathrobe on the ladder of the lifeguard chair, I helped her stand up.

After Ichinose took my hand and propped up her uninjured left leg, I pulled it upwards. Considering that the lack of support from her right leg might cause the center of gravity of her body to shift and eventually cause her to fall, I held her waist again when Ichinose half-squatted to get ashore.

Because of the soft touch on my hand, I was a little addicted to this magical feeling. When I came to my senses, I pinched my left hand unconsciously a few times.

Ichinose's body also stiffened because of my actions, with her right foot still touching the surface of the swimming pool and not leaving. She even bumped into my waist due to the sensitivity of the nerves in her waist.

"Gently, gently..."

I opened my mouth to refute what had just happened, but seeing my slightly red cheeks I couldn't say anything. In fact, I couldn't explain it.

I moved my right hand to Ichinose's armpit and slowly lifted her body up.

Although this behavior can effectively break the stalemate, my nerves became even more tense afterwards. Also, it may be because my nails once again scratched Ichinose's tender skin, and she even cried out softly. My right hand was also tightly clamped by Ichinose, and it was difficult to break free for a while.

"…Sprained ankle?"

President Horikita pretended that he didn't know the details of Ichinose's injury and asked after glancing at the bandage wrapped around her ankle.

"Well... I accidentally hurt myself while playing volleyball. I feel much better now..."

President Horikita doesn't seem like the type of person who would do useless things, but I don't intend to pay attention to what purpose he has in speaking to us now.

Now all I need to do is get out of the student council president's speaking area as quickly as possible.

After stabilizing Ichinose's body, I removed the bath towel draped over her, and then covered her with the bathrobe that I had brought out from the locker room earlier.

Ichinose was stunned for a moment, then slowly put it on.

"Then President Horikita, we will take our leave first."

I supported Ichinose as we walked toward the stall and said goodbye, and Ichinose followed suit and said something.

It was just a farewell to each other, but when we passed by President Horikita, we were warned.

"...Be careful next time."

"...Are you referring to Ichinose's ankle injury...?"

"No, I want you to be more careful about your words and actions in the future."

As he said that, President Horikita climbed up to the seat of the lifeguard chair step by step, and when he got to his seat, he looked down at Ichinose and me.

Although I don't think he meant it that way, let's just assume it that way.

"......What's the meaning?"

"Improper love between high school boys and girls... I personally won't intervene in this matter, but since I've seen it, I still want to remind you to avoid affecting the atmosphere. After all, this school has a clear rule in writing, and Ichinose is still a member of the student council."

"...You seem to have misunderstood our relationship."

Ichinose opened his mouth and tried to refute President Horikita's remarks, but in the end no words came out. I had no choice but to speak out in rebuttal.

However, he did not intend to take my words seriously. After glancing at me, I looked at the far end of the swimming pool.

"That's it. You know the details well, so I won't say any more... You still have half an hour to rest."

"...It's really harsh."

I didn't have any firm reason to argue. My actions at the time of the incident had already left an indelible change in the impression I left on President Horikita, unless I could do something extraordinary and "famous" in love, like Vice President Nanyun did.

However, if that happens, evaluations and favorability will also decline, which will definitely have a certain negative impact on future development.

"I'm sorry for causing trouble to Luo because of my injured ankle."

As I was supported step by step, Ichinose got rid of the embarrassment left over from President Horikita's speech and apologized to me.

"It's nothing that bothers me, please don't mind."

"Hmm...why did you suddenly remember to get me a bathrobe? I'm clearly covered with a bath towel, right?"

Ichinose raised the towel in her hand and asked me in confusion.

"Even in the summer, you'll still feel cold if you're exposed in a swimsuit. A bath towel can only cover your upper body at best, and if it's not well covered, your body will still catch a cold... In addition, Ichinose doesn't plan to go back after lunch. So from an overall perspective, wearing a bathrobe is a better choice."

"......How did Luo know?"

"...In fact, I can tell from Ichinose's performance that this is the case."

"What's the specific reason?"

"...Since Ichinose has sprained his ankle, he won't be able to go back alone. Forcing himself to do so will only make his injury worse. In other words, he needs someone to support him at least."

"From the way Kanzaki and Shiranami are acting, it seems that a volleyball game is not enough for them to enjoy themselves. Also, based on what Ichinose just said, I don't want others to end their enjoyment of the special pool early because of my injury, and I can't get away because of my job as a pool lifeguard."

"...So the result must be at least to wait until everyone else has had their fun."

Although there was an option to call for off-site rescue, Ichinose could not afford to disturb the last day of other people's summer vacation because of this incident.

If I act on my own, I might even incur Ichinose's wrath.

I don't want to offend either side.

"Haha, I've been completely seen through... Luo is really smart."

"No, this is just a simple matter. If someone else were to come here, they would come to the same conclusion as me. After all, Ichinose's personality is easy to understand."

"Shouldn't you accept the praise from a girl frankly?"

"I don't think I can bear it...but this is one of the rare times I'm sober today."

“So I should praise you more?”

"I can accept subconscious praise, but I don't want it to turn into a prank the next moment..."

"I'm serious."

“I’m serious here, too.”

“Mmm——”

Seeing Ichinose pouting in anger, I had no choice but to give up my insistence.

"If Ichinose insists on praising me, I won't think about the meaning behind the words and will just accept the compliment literally."

"Well, Luo is really amazing."

"..."

That’s right, these are the words that are obviously compliments, but there is always a murderous intent underneath.

I totally cannot accept this.

I don't know if it was intentional or not, but the dining place between Ichinose and I was a little distance away from Kanzaki and the others. Ichinose didn't pay much attention to it, and after glancing at the 'junk food' they put on the table, he stopped paying attention.

"...By the way, what does Luo think of Ayanokouji-san?"

"...What happened to Ayanokouji?"

"He gives me a strange feeling... Although I only participated in nine rounds of the volleyball game just now, and Ayanokouji-san's performance on the court was not very good... But I just have the illusion that he can do it, but deliberately doesn't do it... Just like Luo."

"...There's no need to involve me in this matter. I'm doing my best."

"If Luo could replace the word 'try your best' more naturally, I wouldn't think you were hiding something."

"...Is it too late for me to change my words now?"

"It's too late. Besides, Ayanokouji chose the same type of swimsuit as Luo. He's a boy and it's summer, but he uses a swimsuit to cover his entire body. He's hiding his physique after all."

"We can't make this conclusion just because we are boys. You see, in the summer when the sun is so strong, maybe we will also think about sun protection and the like..."

"That reason doesn't work on Luo. The last time we went out, I asked Luo to apply sunscreen. This means Luo has no concept of sun protection at all."

"..."

It's scary that he would pay attention to details even in such trivial matters that happened during the summer vacation.

"Speaking of which... does Luo like to hide his abilities so much? He is half-naked in swimming class, but puts on sun protection clothing when he reaches the outdoor swimming facilities. There is no need to force himself in this regard."

"After all, I didn't come to the pool to swim. Compared to a pair of swimming trunks, this swimsuit is more suitable for the work of a lifeguard. And it doesn't matter what I wear. No one will care anyway."

I took a bite of the 'Deluxe Supreme Hot Dog' I just bought without a care in the world, but Ichinose at the opposite table was not so contented. His eyes wandered around, occasionally looking at me.

"..."

"...Um, what if I say I want to see it..."

"..."

I'm sorry, I absolutely will not answer this question.

Although I wanted to let the topic go, I still gave a vague answer verbally.

"Xia Ciba."

0

"Summer Nap"

It is also known as "summer fatigue" in medicine.

To put it simply, this disease means that people always feel very sleepy in the summer afternoons.

The reason for this is that as the temperature rises in summer, people's skin blood vessels and pores expand, the diameter of blood vessels becomes larger, the blood flow to the skin increases greatly, and the amount of blood supplied to the brain decreases relatively. The brain will automatically make protective adjustments to reduce excitability, and people will feel sleepy due to the self-inhibition of brain tissue.

On the other hand, the human body's metabolism speeds up in summer and oxygen consumption increases. The brain is unable to adjust its dependence on oxygen. As a result, the body's functions cannot adapt to the environment temporarily and people feel sleepy and tired.

Finally, the human body sweats to cool down, which leads to a large loss of potassium. Because potassium is not replenished in time, the human body will feel tired, fatigued, and listless at any time.

Even with the Da Vinci Sleep Technique, 3pm is almost time for me to take a nap, but now I have to keep my eyes open and be alert to everything that happens in the swimming pool.

It's quite a tormenting thing.

Ichinose was still sitting in the shade of the parasol on the lifeguard chair. She did not leave after lunch, which was what I expected.

I originally wanted to at least have her stay on a beach lounger by the pool, which had a parasol and even a table nearby for extra drinks and snacks, but Ichinose refused to agree and declined, saying that this location was cooler.

Although I didn't experience the strong wind here, I finally did what Ichinose asked.

We returned to our posts at noon, which meant that both of us stayed in silence for three hours.

I didn't pay much attention to Ichinose's situation. She was still the same as she was this morning. She put her feet into the pool, swaying up and down, and occasionally reached out to scoop up a handful of water...

Ah, speaking of which, just now Kobashi Yume and the others came over to Ichinose and splashed water on each other, playing for quite a while.

Four beautiful girls were playing in the water right under my eyes, but I didn't even notice.

I am indeed a pretty bad person.

This seems to be seen from their wanton play.

Just when my mind was still empty due to having nothing to do, Ichinose in front of me turned his head quietly and glanced at me, and then I met his gaze.

"..."

"..."

I personally didn't have any special emotions because my mind was empty, but Ichinose's expression was clearly hesitant and uncertain. He also looked a little anxious with his hands on his chest.

Just as I was about to ask, Ichinose made a decision. He turned around, bent over, scooped up a handful of water from the pool, and then slowly moved it diagonally below me.

Could it be——!

"Snapped--"

As expected, a handful of cold water hit my face. Although I knew what was going to happen, my body didn't dodge due to laziness. I closed my eyes in time, but my nose was not so lucky, and it was filled with water deep inside.

"Gurgh..."

I pinched my nose in embarrassment, and at the same time, Ichinose burst into laughter.

"Ahem, sneak attacks are too childish, ahem..."

The feeling of water choking my nose kept lingering in my nerve center, making me uncomfortable for a long time, during which time Ichinose's laughter did not stop.

It seemed that the resentment in my eyes awakened Ichinose's inner guilt, and he finally yawned at me, although he was smiling...

"I will definitely take revenge."

"Hey, really?"

"...Is it my illusion? Why do I feel that Ichinose's words just now have a hint of expectation..."

"How is that possible? Luo wants to retaliate against me, but I don't know if the counterattack will be strong enough."

"I won't show mercy just because Ichinose is a girl."

"Hum—"