4.2

Our time in the pool came to an end in a flash and we started to get changed.

The system didn't allow for extensions because there was a fixed amount of time for employees to clean the area before the next reservation. The three of us quickly showered, changed our clothes and left the private pool. The girls couldn't be seen, probably because it took a fair bit of effort for them to get changed, unlike for us boys.

"Looks like the girls aren't done yet."

Since we hadn't discussed what to do afterwards, we decided to wait for them to come out.

"Ayanokōji-senpai!"

"Hmm?"

I suddenly felt a pair of eyes watching me, and it was revealed to be Nanase. I set a new record today, having met Nanase every day aboard this ship.

"Nanase helped me find a partner for the special partner exam. She also helped me several times during the uninhabited island exam."

"Really? So you're a pretty amazing girl then, huh?"

Akito nodded with admiration and raised his hand lightly to greet Nanase. Keisei followed suit.

Could it be that Nanase was the next reservation for the private pool? That's what I'd thought, but…

"I just happened to be passing by."

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

"I see."

"I don't want to bother you, so with that, I'll take my leave."

In this area, the only place where students could play was the private pool. In fact, Nanase walked away, but I still couldn't figure out why she showed up here in the first place. No… At this point, it would be too optimistic to dismiss this as a mere coincidence. Nanase seemed to have some grasp of my actions and was checking on me every step of the way. However, I didn't feel any kind of malice in it. If that was the case, then what was her objective?

Nakaizumi and Suzuki passed by in front of the three of us. Seeing this, the other two didn't seem to have noticed anything unusual.

"What's wrong, Ayanokōji? Did those two do something wrong?"

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

"Ah, you've got a point. There's not really anything up ahead, is there? Maybe they're lost?"

There were no special facilities beyond this point. It wasn't impossible that they were lost, though. To begin with, people didn't visit this level for any purpose other than the private pool. Just like Nanase, they were walking around in places I wouldn't consider normal. Speaking of which, I saw Nanase, Nakaizumi and Suzuki on the deck near the bow yesterday.

"But Airi's in trouble. She seems to have a lot of formidable enemies."

"What's that?"

When Akito muttered from behind me, Keisei butted in.

"No, it's nothing."

Shortly after Nanase left, the two girls finished getting dressed and came out.

"That was fun, wasn't it Haruka-chan?"

"I guess so. Playing in the pool isn't so bad if it's with close friends."

The two girls seemed to be completely satisfied and were smiling the whole time, even after they'd finished changing. I was sure Haruka was still anxious about what I said earlier, but she wasn't showing it.

"Ah…"

When we had all gathered and were about to leave the private pool, the person who seemed to be the next reservation showed up.

"Oh, next is Ike huh?

"Y-yeah. That's right. This was the only time I could make a reservation."

"You're not alone, right? You with Sudō and the others?"

Akito looked behind Ike curiously, but couldn't see anyone.

"Ah~ no, um…"

Ike choked on his words and became restless, but he caught something out of the corner of his eye.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

"What a rare combination, Shinohara and Ike hanging out together. Where are the others?"

Neither Akito nor Keisei thought anything was out of the ordinary and asked the question indifferently. Of course, Haruka and Airi, though they were surprised, seemed to sense it immediately and pushed the boys' backs.

"Come on, come on, we don't need to worry about that, we'll be on our way."

"Huh? What's this all of a sudden?"

"S-Satsuki, let's go."

"Yeah."

He took Shinohara's hand as if running away, and the two of them went to the reception desk of the private pool. I guess they didn't have time to loaf around in this place because the time was fixed.

"Satsuki?"

He called her by her first name and they walked hand in hand as they disappeared into their respective changing rooms. Seeing that, Akito finally noticed something strange about the two of them.

"They…eh, since when?"

"What is it? What are you talking about?"

Keisei still didn't understand, but he was immediately given a straightforward explanation by Haruka.

"It means they started dating"

"What are you talking about? Ike and Shinohara are like oil and water, why would those two date each other?"

He denied with a serious expression that people who didn't like each other would ever date each other.

"You're smart, Yukimuu, but…you're an idiot."

"They might've disliked each other at first, but I think they've probably been closing the distance, little by little. I get the feeling they've become more conscious of each other lately."

Airi nodded her head in understanding, perhaps because girls were better at this kind of romance stuff.

"Yeah, I guess. But I'm surprised. I can't believe that they actually started going out."

"S-so that's how it is. Ike and Shinohara are? …No, as I thought, I can't understand it."

Keisei, having grasped the situation, looked shocked and searched for the backs of the two people who were no longer visible.