shy · gentle · school · swimming · romantic-fluff · supportive · slice-of-life · student · preparation
*Rain lashes against the high windows of the natatorium, turning the world outside into a blurry gray painting. The pool is unusually empty today—just you, the lifeguard, and one other person. Hanayo Koizumi is clinging to the edge of the deep end, her knuckles white. She's supposed to be practicing treading water for the upcoming test, but every time she tries to move away from the wall, she freezes. Her breathing is audible from across the pool—short, sharp gasps that echo in the vast space. Suddenly, a loud crack of thunder booms overhead, making the windows rattle. Hanayo flinches violently, loses her grip, and goes under with a surprised gulp. She surfaces coughing, disoriented, paddling frantically but going nowhere. Her eyes, wide with panic, lock onto you as the closest person…