deep sea mystery - chapter 5

[mandytl]

Location: Gymnasium

Kaoru: You see this, Anzu-chan? I’m running this just for you, so think you can follow me with your eyes? ♪

Right, right. I get you. This is practice.

But that doesn’t mean I should just relax; I want to show you how cool I can look, right?

Souma: How long will you continue to accost Anzu-dono? You won’t be able to pass the baton on to President-dono if you don’t start running.

Kaoru: Yeah, yeah, I know. … okay. This should about do it for warm up exercises.

Yuta: Huh. Hakaze-senpai’s actually pretty quick on his feet.

That form's beautiful, too. I get the feeling he’d do well in sports, so why’s he in the Marine Biology Club… ?

Souma: Hakaze-dono’s the disgrace of our club. I've yet to even acknowledge him as a member.

Yuta: You really hate Hakaze-senpai, huh. Anzu-san also had her guard up around him at some point.

Well, it might be that more responsible people can’t stand him for being so flippant about everything.

That's the exact same Hakaze-senpai who said he’d enter the club competition relay, right? He even showed up for practice… it’s a little hard to believe.

Kaoru: Here, Kanata-kun. Baton pass.

Kanata: Puka, puka... ♪ Thank you, Kaoru. ♪

Kaoru: Uh, you don’t have to bow. Look, just take it already and go.

Kanata: Having to do so many things at once is confusing… uhm, so I take the “baton” and run… ?

Kaoru: Yep, exactly. You just have to run. Souma-kun’s right over there, see? You’ve got to get there from here and pass him the baton. Okay, go!

Kanata: Puka, puka. ♪ Running’s pretty fun… but swimming in the “water fountain” is even more fun… ♪

What I really want to do is go swimming in the “ocean”, but I can’t. I’ll just sink.

It’d be nice if we could all swim on “land”, wouldn’t it… ? Having so many “sea friends” would make me happy… ♪

Bringing up “sea friends” reminded me that it’s almost “feeding” time. They must be so hungry.

Hunger pains are a cruel thing, aren’t they? A “growling” stomach makes you feel helplessly sad…

Souma: Mh. What’s wrong with President-dono? That’s the way to the exit.

… President-dono? President-dono… !

This won’t do. My voice doesn’t seem to be reaching him. Someone, hold back President-dono… — ?!

Yuta: There we go. Going off track’s a no-no, Shinkai-senpai.

Kanata: Please don’t stop me. I have to go “feed” my “sea friends”. Everyone must be so sad and hungry....

Souma: Worry not, President-dono. I took it upon myself to feed them earlier so by no means are they miserable and going without.

Kanata: Is that so~... I'm relieved to hear that. ♪ Thank you, Souma. ♪

And so, uhm… that’s right. I completely forgot that I ran over here to pass you the “baton”...

I made it just in time. ♪ Here, Souma. Go ahead and take the “baton”. ♪

Souma: I’ve most certainly received your sentiment, President-dono, and I’ll see it through towards the “goh-ru”!

Yuta: Stop. Stooop!!

Taking the baton when you’re outside the course is against the rules, okay?

Souma: Mmgh. To think there was such a “ruuru”... the “reeray” is quite profound.

Yuta: … Anzu-san. I’m really starting to get concerned over whether or not they’ll be okay…

The fact that Hakaze-senpai's the only one here with his head on straight is really not great, in a lot of ways...

Kaoru: Talk about rude~. I’m just a sensible guy. Don’t place me in the same crowd as Kanata-kun and the others.

Yuta: Then why’d you join the Marine Biology Club?

Kaoru: Because I love the sea, obviously. That, and I get to slack off a good deal.

Yuta: What an awful reason… Anyway, at this rate it’ll be difficult to even complete the race.

Teamwork’s critical in the relay. If you're all over the place nothing I say's going to make a difference.

Souma: Hmm. In what way should we go about improving our “chiimuwark”...?

Yuta: Hmmm. Probably in the way you’re working towards the same goal? Doing your best should improve your teamwork alone.

Who knew you guys couldn’t even pass the baton successfully, though. I didn’t expect that one at all. Nnnh, where should we go from here…

For now let’s just keep practicing with me observing. The situation just now was pretty weird.

Maybe it’s too early to draw conclusions…

Kanata: Puka, puka… ♪ I’ll do my best to pass the “baton” to Souma next time. ♪

Kaoru: Ahahah. You're really getting into this, Kanata-kun. ♪ Here’s hoping that motivation won’t be in vain.

Souma: Why, you… are you making a mockery of him?

Kaoru: Whoa, watch it there.

Isn’t it way too dangerous for you to run around with that sword in hand? You think so too, don’t you, Anzu-chan?

Souma: … mhgh. Winning Anzu-dono over to your side like that’s hardly fair!

H-However, this blade has been handed down through the Kanzaki family. I’m under orders from my parents to keep it on me at all times.

I beg of you, Anzu-dono! Anything but the sword at my side… please, I’m bowing and begging you!

Kaoru: Uwah; he’s seriously kneeling. We get you’re desperate, but this is just going to end up inconveniencing Anzu-chan.

Souma: B-But… !

You’ll take it upon yourself to look after it for me, Anzu-dono?

… no one other than you. I’d be willing to entrust Anzu-dono with even a second sword.

The blade itself cuts clean. I humbly ask you not to draw it from its sheath.

Kaoru: Welp, time to give this another go.

I’m sticking with you guys ‘til the end today, so don’t leave in the middle of practice, Anzu-chan. My drive’ll get cut in half.

Kanata: I’m happy that Anzu-san is with us too~. ♪

I’ll do my very best, so stick with us to the end, Anzu-san… ♪