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Sakura enters her school’s pool carrying too many things and feeling very embarrassed about that. She stops a few steps from the door to scan the bleachers for her friends. Makoto, Chihiro, and Sayaka are sitting in the middle of the bleachers toward the back. Sakura smiles and heads up to meet them.
“There she is!” Sayaka says as she notices Sakura coming up the stairs, “We were just talking about you.”
Sakura sits in the empty spot next to Sayaka on the bench they had chosen, and puts the box, bouquet, and balloons she was carrying down by her feet. “Oh, you were?” She asks, curious.
“Nothing bad, I promise,” Chihiro meekly says.
“Yeah, Sayaka’s been texting Hina, and Hina asked if you were here yet,” Makoto clarifies.
Sakura’s smile grows. It’s reassuring to know Hina was thinking of her.
Of course Sakura was going to be here today. Hina is competing in Japan’s National Swimming Championship, and Sakura wouldn’t miss it for the world. She considers herself Hina’s biggest cheerleader, and Hina is Sakura’s biggest cheerleader in return.
“What did you bring, Sakura?” Sayaka asks, peering at what was at Sakura’s feet.
Sakura picks up the box and takes off its lid, revealing a dozen donuts inside. “I made these for Hina. They’re protein donuts.”
“Oh, she’s going to love that,” Makoto says.
“Are there enough to share?” Chihiro asks with a giggle.
“Of course. I didn’t expect Hina to eat a dozen donuts by herself,” Sakura replies, “Though she probably could if she really wanted to.”
Her friends laugh, and Sakura puts the box back down. Sayaka continues her playful prodding, saying, “I see you also brought some other goodies.”
“Hina is certain to win today,” Sakura explains, “I thought celebratory gifts would be appropriate.”
“And if she doesn’t— which I don’t think will happen,” Chihiro adds, “Gifts could cheer her up.”
“And look!” Sayaka reaches behind everyone and pulls out a large scroll of paper, handing one end to Makoto, who unfurls it. It's a homemade banner that reads ‘Asahina #1!’
Sakura no longer feels embarrassed about bringing things for Hina after seeing that her other friends made something for her, too. She glances down at the bouquet of flowers and her collection of balloons and hopes Hina will understand these gifts have a more than platonic meaning behind them.
Hina befriended Sakura very quickly during their first week at Hope’s Peak Academy, and Sakura started developing feelings almost just as quickly. Hina included Sakura in class activities and discussions. They spent hours talking and hanging out in each other’s dorm rooms. They would have sleepovers at least once a month. There’s a worry in the back of Sakura’s mind that tells her she’s not Hina’s ‘type’, but with how cuddly she is, how much she praises and compliments Sakura, and how she always seems to choose Sakura first, Sakura is hopeful that Hina feels the same way.
Suddenly, the crowd starts applauding. Sakura looks around to figure out why, and sees people emerging from the locker rooms. Hina has to be among them, but from this spot, all the swimmers look the same: wearing a school swimsuit, swim cap, and goggles.
Sayaka, Chihiro, and Makoto hold the banner and wave it around, cheering. Sakura continues to scan the competitors and spots one at the edge of the pool looking in her direction. The swimmer waves excitedly, and Sakura knows then: there’s Hina. She waves back as their friends continue to cheer, and Hina gets into her starting position.
An emcee welcomes the crowd to Hope’s Peak Academy and thanks them for coming to support Japan’s most skilled swimmers. Then, the competitors are all introduced. Hina gets the most applause, since this is her home base, and Sakura couldn’t be prouder.
The crowd is hushed in anticipation as the swimmers get ready to race. Sakura has her eyes glued on Hina. She looks determined, focused, and completely in her element, which makes Sakura’s heart bloom.
Once the whistle is blown, the swimmers all dive into the pool. The cheering starts up again. It’s exhilarating watching them all in the water, seeing who is making headway and who is lagging behind. These swimmers made it to the National Championship, so it's very close for the entirety of the race. Sakura is on the edge of her seat, holding her breath as she watches Hina in the water. “Come on, Hina,” she whispers to herself.
“And Aoi Asahina from right here at Hope’s Peak Academy is our first place finisher!” The emcee announces.
The vast room is full of cheers and applause, especially from the friends Sakura sat with. Sakura stands up and applauds with a big, bright smile on her face. The second and third place winners are announced, but Sakura doesn’t pay attention to their names. All that matters is Hina.
The winners are presented with medals, the emcee thanks everyone for coming, and then Sakura and her friends make their way down from the bleachers to meet Hina poolside. Wrapped in a towel and wearing slides, Hina greets everyone with an excited “Thank you guys for coming!” hugging everyone individually as they come up to her.
She saves Sakura for last, wrapping her arms around her and holding on for just a bit longer than she hugged the others. When she pulls away, she notices the things in Sakura’s hands. “What’s all this?”
“Congratulations, Hina,” Sakura says as she presents the goods.
“Sakura! You shouldn’t have.” Was Hina blushing as she took the flowers?
“You should have a look in the box, Hina,” Sayaka pointedly remarks, “Sakura made those herself.”
Hina gasps and puts the bouquet under her arm so she can open the box in Sakura’s hands, revealing the protein donuts. “Are they all chocolate?” She asks with excitement.
“Made with chocolate chips and chocolate protein powder,” Sakura explains, hoping it doesn’t sound like she was boasting.
“Oh my gosh, they’re protein donuts! I’m gonna try one. Have you guys tried them yet?”
Laughing, Makoto says, “No, not yet.”
“Let’s all try them together!” Hina offers.
Everyone takes a donut and takes a bite, humming when they tasted the chocolate treat. Once they finish eating, Hina says, “Seriously, guys, thank you so much for coming. And Sakura, I really appreciate you coming.”
Sayaka whispers, “Let’s give them some space,” but it’s certainly loud enough for Hina and Sakura to hear. Sakura feels her face flushing. Sayaka ushers Chihiro and Makoto away, saying, “We’ll catch you guys at the dining hall for dinner!” as they walk out.
As soon as their friends are out the door, Hina gets on her toes and stretches up to kiss Sakura’s cheek. “Hina—“ Sakura is completely surprised, but Hina doesn’t let her finish her thought.
“Sleepover at my dorm tonight? To celebrate?” There’s a glimmer in Hina’s eye that Sakura has never seen before. “I need to thank you for the gifts.”
“You don’t have to—“
“But I want to.”
Hina’s smile is mischievous, and Sakura can’t help but hope it was flirtatious. Sakura, face still flushed, replies an affirmative “Then let’s celebrate.”