Chapter One: Admiration or Rivalry

Have you ever been so excited to see someone that you just can't control yourself? Well, that's how I feel every day when it's time for the swimming club. The girls and boys swimming clubs would often practice together, to challenge each other and make ourselves better in every way possible. Because of this I have been able to meet all sorts of people at our brother school of the all-boys high school of Samezuka Academy and the all-girls school as well.

I didn't think nothing of it, going into my first year of high school. I was bummed that it was an all-girls school, because in reality who wants to go to a school that has all the same gender student body as you. The reason my parents gave was because I get too easily distracted and boys would only do just that. I didn't argue , it would only make things worse. All I have to do is play the role as the obedient daughter and go to school.

It was only my second day I already hated being at an all-girls school. I didn't get a chance to meet with my roommate, but I hear she's something else. Someone called Ayame Mitsuho. I never heard of her, I've never even seen her, but all I heard was how great she is from the second and third years. Classes were over, and I was making my way back to the dorms when I noticed a group of people gathered around a large window that looked down into another room.

"I wonder what everyone's looking at?" I made my way over to the window, pushing through the crowed to see what was going on. Everyone was looking down at the school's pool where the swimming team was practicing. The team was of good size, but I've seen bigger.

"I can't wait to see Ayame go. I hear she's trying to beat last years speed. I beat she can do it no problem." I over heard someone say next to me.

"Wait, I think she's up next. Yes, there she is! She's about to go!" Another person next to me basically yelled in my ear as she almost knocked me over.

I looked to where she was pointing and that's when I saw her, Ayame Mitsuho. When she stepped up onto the staring block she gave off a strong presence that rushed right at me. Somehow it was able break through the glass and wash over me entire body.

"What is this feeling? Why... how?"

I couldn't explain it. I don't think anyone could if they felt what I felt. All I knew is that I had to know this person. I had to know everything about her to understand how she gave off such an aura. It was almost... terrifying. I watch as she got down into her starting position as one of the members of her rely team turned for the final stretch. I watched in anticipation as the seconds were counting down before it was time for her to dive in. I counted in my head, almost like there's a ticking clock I could hear ticking away like a bomb.

"5.... 4.... 3.... 2... 1...."

As I hit one Ayame launched herself off the starting block. It was like she was flying through the air and when she hit the water her body just glided so perfectly. What was this person? Who was this person? I just needed to know. Everyone's eyes were locked on Ayame. No one wanted to miss something, I could see it in their eyes. Something was going to happen. Something that's going to be absolutely amazing.

"Why? Why do I have this feeling that something I've never seen before is going to happen?"

And just as I thought this, it did. I saw it, something that was incredible. When Ayame dove down to make the turn to head back to the starting block she did something I've never seen. Her body did some odd spinning motion. Like a torpedo shooting through the water. Everyone let out a loud cheer like a group of fan girls. They were so loud I had to get out of there before I lost an eardrum.

I pushed my way through the crowed but never took my eyes off of Ayame. I didn't want to miss a single movement that she made. Finally, she touched the wall and the clock that was timing her stopped. Everyone who knew her last years' time let out a loud cheer.

"I can't believe it, she broke last year's record. Ayame is getting just as good as the captain." One of the nearby girls squealed in excitement

When Ayame pulled herself out of the water she was suddenly surrounded by members of the swimming club, all proud of her for doing so well. She seemed unfazed by the whole thing, but I swore I saw her crack of a smile when the others weren't looking. It was nothing special, but from what I've heard from other students is that she never really smiled.

I continued to watch Ayame as she went over to get a drink of water and placed a towel on top of her head. When she finished spraying the water into her mouth, she looked up at the giant window where we were all standing around. I don't know if she really was, but it looked like she was staring right at me. I could feel a slight blush run across my face. Her eyes seemed like they were seeing right through me. I could sense people staring, like they were jealous that I caught Ayame's eye.

"Did you see that? That first year has caught the eye of Ayame."

"Does anyone know who she is?"

"I think she's Ayame's roommate if I remember right."

I heard all these words ringing in my ears. I couldn't take it and ended up running as fast as I could back to the dorms. I have only been at this stupid school for a couple of days now, and already it looks like I've become the one person that people were going to be keeping an eye on to make sure I didn't mess with their star student. I didn't want that, I just want to get through the three years of being here in peace.

When I got back to my room I quickly closed the door and lied down on my bed. Running all that way really took the breath out of me. Why did it bother me so much? I don't know, all I did know was that I had to get away from all of them.

"What the hell was all that? I don't usually act like this. Before coming here, I didn't give two shits about what other people thought of me, but by just getting Ayame's gaze put on me, what I thought then suddenly shattered like glass. Damn, what the hell has gotten into me now?" I looked up at the bottom of the top bunk that was right above me.

This was going to be my new life now for the next three years. Dodging glares from fan girls, never thought I would say that at an all-girls school. As I looked up at the bed above me I suddenly heard the door to my room open. My roommate was back, and I didn't want to talk to her. Not like we even did in the first place. I quickly turned over, so not to make eye contact with Ayame. She threw her gym bag next to her desk and then climbed up onto the upper bunk of the two beds. This is how it's like every day. She comes back from swimming practice, puts her bag in its usual spot and then climbs up onto her bed. Never have we talked to each other.

"Are you interested?" Ayame suddenly spoke to me.

"Interested?"

"In the swimming club. I noticed you staring, and you had a look in your eyes like you may be interested or something."

Is that really what she thought? Of all the things that could have come to her mind, it went straight to swimming.

"Well... um. I'm not really sure. I'm not part of any club yet so I guess I could give it a try." I nervously responded to Ayame's question. I was part of a swimming club way back in the day. I had to stop because my parents could no longer afforded sending me to it. After that I didn't really care.

"You should. The rely team I'm a part of is looking for a new breast stroke swimmer. It looks like you might have the body and the stamina for it. Come on by tomorrow and you can try out."

I continued to look straight up at the bottom of Ayame's bed. This was the first time the two of us have talked to each other and all she can talk about is the swimming club.

"Is that all you have to say to me after being roommates for two days. This is the first time we've had a conversation together and all you've mentioned is the swimming club! What's wrong with you?!"

Ayame suddenly jumped down from the top bunk of the beds and glared down at me. Those eyes of hers were just as piercing as when they stared up at me the first time. I could feel beads of sweat starting to stream down my face.

"Is that really what you're complaining about? Was I the only one who could've started up a conversation? No, I wasn't. It's like you said you're not part of any school clubs. I've noticed your routine even though it's only been two days. You wake up, get ready for classes, go to classes and then return to this room. That's what you've done for the past two days. I come back at a later time then you do because of club activities, but that doesn't mean it was up to me to start a conversation with someone like you. Forget about showing up tomorrow, I really don't care anymore."

I watched Ayame make her way back up to the top bunk speechless about what she just said. The room was engulfed in a unsettling silence that was unbearable for me to stand. I took out my earbuds and plugged them into me phone to listen to my music.

"I really am stupid. The first time we talk, and I had to mess it all up. I'm going to those tryouts tomorrow and I'm going to beat Ayame. No matter what I'm going to win and I'm going to prove that Ayame isn't that great of a person."

The next morning when I woke up I found that Ayame had already left, but I didn't, messed with my goals for today. I jumped into the shower and quickly washed my hair before rushing off to class. I had woken up later then I had originally thought. I had just made it to class when the bell rang. Everyone was staring at me like yesterday when they noticed Ayame staring at me.

"Isn't that the girl from yesterday? The one Ayame was staring at?"

"Yeah, I think she is. I wonder why someone like Ayame would take interest in someone like her. I heard she didn't even want to come to this school in the first place."

"Really?"

This continued all day during classes. The endless babbling of people not shutting up about what happened the day before. It sounded like monkey chatter to me. When classes where over and it was time for club activities I made my way to the locker rooms where the swim club would change. When I opened those door, I expected hell to break loose, but all I got was some looks and that was it, everyone went back to getting ready for the club activities. These are my kind of people.

I had brought a swimsuit I just happened to pack when I was getting ready to move into the dorms. I don't know why I brought it, but I think my mom said something about there being days of P.E when we would be using the pool. I stepped out of the locker room and into the pool area. The smell of chlorine filled my nostrils. I looked around for a moment and I bet I looked totally lost until someone came up to me.

"Hey there. You must be a new comer, am I right?"

"Ye-yeah. It's that obvious huh?"

"Well, you look lost and we all know each other in the club pretty well. Seeing a new face can kind of give you away. Hey captain, we have a newbie here!"

I looked over to see an older student with short brown hair and dark brown eyes turn my way. She wore a black one-piece swimsuit with bright neon blue strips going down both sides.

"So, we have a greenhorn huh?! What's your name greenhorn?"

"Shinonome... Natsume Shinonme."

"Well Natsume first things first, we need to know your time. Let's see who's available and the two of you can go at it. Oh, and my name is Captain Sakya Sunaki. Now, let me see... ah yes, I'll have you..."

"Excuse me Senpai, but if it's alright I would like to make a request to race someone." As I said this I almost felt like I was stepping over a line.

"A request? Is there someone you would like to race that you know?"

"Yes, Ayame Mitsuho."

Sakya Senpai looked at me for a moment in shock. Like I had said something unheard of in the Swimming Club.

"Really? You want to go up against our rising star?"

"Yes Senpai."

"Alraight. Oi Ayame, front and center!!"

As I looked up I saw Ayame making her way towards Sakya Senpai and myself, an equal look of shock on her face that was on Senpai's.

"Yes captain."

"Sounds like the greenhorn here wants to race you. What do you say to a little race to see what her time is?"

Ayame looked to Sakya Senpai and then to me. Although after the conversation from last night and her telling me not to come I came anyway, I had to show Ayame that there was more to me.

"Fine, if I really have to I'll race her."