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“Seriously, the gym is closed? Is there anywhere in the schedule to move it to? Ugh... thanks anyway.” Tenma hung up the phone with a quick tap, frustration clear on his face.
Tasuku caught the end of the conversation. “You know, if you're looking for a workout, the swim team is heading out in a bit for a group practice. There's still open spots in my car.”
“Sounds good,” Tenma responded without thinking. He didn't think while he was getting ready, either, or at all until he was in the car with the entire unofficial Mankai swim team. Only then did he realize who all was in the swim club and why that might be a bit of a problem.
Masumi claimed shotgun instantly, which Tenma didn't mind. He was used to sitting in the back anyways. But that left him sitting with... Sakuya. Crap.
It had only gotten more difficult over time to hide his silly little crush on Mankai's most senior member. And it's not like anyone could really blame him, with how bright he always smiled, how hard he worked, how the room lit up when he walked in... and yeah, how he'd taken to emulating some of Tasuku's workout habits, which was definitely starting to show results. The results that would definitely be on display at something like a swim practice. Tenma swallowed hard and buckled his seatbelt.
“So, we get a fourth member today.” Tasuku commented, as if that was all the explanation needed.
Sakuya lit up like the sunshine incarnate he was. “Hey, that means we can finally do a real relay! Tenma-kun, do you have a favorite form?”
Tenma froze. When was the last time he had even been swimming? Thankfully, Tasuku saved him from having to answer.
“He's not joining us permanently, so we can't start making any plans for a four-member team yet.”
“Aww... that's too bad.” Sakuya looked just a little deflated, but still cheerful. “Well, I guess it's more general practice today, right?”
Tasuku had something to say about writing up a training plan, but Tenma wasn't paying attention anymore. He was too busy trying to remember the last time he went swimming.
...he was an okay swimmer, right?
As they pulled into the parking lot at the pool, Sakuya and Tasuku were still chatting about training. Tenma tried to stop thinking about it, and grabbed the lunch Omi had sent them with. He didn't need to look to know it would be delicious, but he did like knowing things. Just sandwiches. Nice.
“I'll claim our spot on the sidelines, you guys go get changed.” Tasuku took the box from Tenma and headed off towards the pool, while Sakuya and Masumi started to go the other direction with their gym bags. Tenma hesitated. Locker room. Crap. He could handle that sort of thing no problem if it was with Summer Troupe or his classmates, but... yeah, no denying it, the idea of changing in front of Sakuya was totally throwing him off. (Okay, Masumi was there too, but that was like... a normal level of awkward, easy to get over.) He followed them to the locker room anyways, but ducked into a stall before either of the Spring members could comment.
Of course, the Tenma Sumeragi was proud of his build. But he still stopped to check himself in the mirror before rejoining the others. Sakuya and Masumi were waiting outside the locker room, already changed. They looked totally at home in their swim trunks and tracksuit jackets. In the distance, Tasuku waved the trio over.
“You guys start warming up, I'll be right back.” Tasuku said as he walked off, leaving the three on the sidelines. The two Spring members started up what Tenma guessed was the usual warm-up routine, and he tried to follow along. It was mostly stretches and exercises he recognized anyways. So far, so good?
…
This was a terrible idea, Tenma thought. Not only had he been spending the whole morning trying not to look at his shirtless and wet crush(mostly failing), but he was definitely not the swimmer he thought he was. How could something use muscles so differently? Ugh. He let himself float a bit...
“Tenma-kun?!” His brief reverie was interrupted by that bright voice tinted with concern and a hand on his shoulder. “Are you alright?”
Tenma flailed back into full consciousness before resurfacing to see Sakuya, totally drenched. His fault. Oh god. “I‐ I'm fine!” he stammered, trying to look cool again.
“Oh, good! I would have tried to save you if you were actually drowning, but I'm not really sure I would have been able to actually do it.” Sakuya declared casually. Of course he would try to save Tenma, he was just that kind of good person— and Tenma absolutely could not let himself follow that train of thought right now.
“I wasn't about to drown!” he protested. “I was just resting for a sec.” The proud actor shoved the wet hair from his eyes as a way of punctuating the statement.
Sakuya still looked a bit worried, but he was at least smiling more. “Let's stop for lunch, if you're tired. Tasuku-san, Masumi-kun, let's take a break!” He waved at the two on the other side of the pool, and Tenma wondered what they had seen.
…
Lunch with the swim team was... odd, compared to what Tenma was used to. Tasuku and Masumi weren't the chatty type in the first place, so it was mostly Sakuya trying to carry a conversation, and with the others being generally reticent, that left Tenma as the primary target of his enthusiasm. Though he felt nerves bubbling up within himself at first, that sunny demeanor still managed to set Tenma at ease.
Somewhere over the radio, a song played, light and bubbly.
at your incredible touch, I can't stop this heartbeat
drowning into you, I can't get my mind back
I step inside and go round like a satellite
knew it from the start
...yeah, something like those lines, Tenma thought.