Stealing Spree

Chapter 2688: Final Round (1)

"Onoda-kun, are you sure we’re going to be fine? I can feel too many stabbing gazes directed at me. Your girls are scary." Umeda whispered nervously as I fastened the bright orange tether around our waists. Given how short the rope was, we had no choice but to stand too close to each other. I also couldn’t help but steady our footing by hooking my arm around her waist.

"Well, I’m sure they understand it. But if it’s making you uncomfortable, let’s go. I’ll talk to them for you."

"Eh? What are you going to--"

Umeda’s words were cut off as I quickly brought us to Satsuki first. As always, the girl looked like she was about to bite someone’s head off. However, contrary to Umeda’s worries, Satsuki was actually glaring at me as she always did.

"What, idiot? Are you here to brag about bagging another girl to me?"

"You know it’s not like that, Satsuki. Come on, should I pamper you after this?"

"Hmph. You can only use that to get away a few times," She huffed and reached for my cheek, pinching it as hard as she could before turning her gaze at Umeda, "You best be careful from this idiot, Umeda-san. He’s quite terrific when it comes to charming girls."

"D-don’t worry, Maemura-san! I’m just here for the extra credit!" Umeda stammered as she looked like she was shrinking under Satsuki’s intense gaze. The girl ended up pressing herself further against me, the sensation of her soft body shot straight to my head.

Satsuki raised an eyebrow before pretending not to be affected by it. "You best behave, idiot. If you don’t win, you know you’ll have to pay me back properly later." She gave Umeda one last assessing look before turning away to tie herself with her partner.

After that, we went to the audience side. Nami and Maaya reacted almost the same way as Satsuki, while Kushii still tried to pretend she was not also looking at us. After that, we also approached the girls who had just come back from the indoor pool. Misaki and Aya were such sweethearts that they both enthusiastically cheered us on. Saki, Chii and An-rin playfully teased us while pretending they’re not jealous at all. Then, Hana, Hina and Mio got Umeda so tense, prompting the girl to hide behind me.

Well, they’re not intimidating, they’re just trying to talk to her but she interpreted that as intimidating.

Of course, the other students of both classes had mixed opinions, especially after seeing us being the only pair with a mixed-gender tether.

When we returned to join the qualified pairs, we waited for Ryouko-san to announce the turn order. In the end, she chose to stick with the original winning pairs order.

Wakaba and her partner, the meek girl from Class 3, went first.

"Remember, if you hit an obstacle, there’ll be a penalty of an additional second to your time. Getting a flag will reward you with a five-second reduction," Ryouko-san announced as Wakaba and her partner stood nervously at the starting platform, their waists tethered together. "If you still want more clarification on the rules, you can ask now."

Satsuki raised her hand sharply. "What if the rope snaps, sensei? Will we be penalized?"

"No. While it’s unlikely to happen, we’ll accord you consideration as long as you don’t separate intentionally," Ryouko-san replied, tapping her clipboard. Her gaze swept across the tethered pairs. "Any other questions?"

"About emergencies..." Umeda began hesitantly, but Ryouko-san cut her off with a wave. "Unless someone’s drowning, keep moving. Obstacles first, rescue second."

That’s quite harsh. But with the two qualified teachers watching, I’m sure they’ll step in if needed.

With that, Ryouko-san blew the whistle, signaling the start.

Wakaba and her partner jumped into the pool at the same time, the orange tether could be clearly seen underwater. When they surfaced, they immediately charged to the first obstacle zone.

Since it’s a time-attack race, Orimura-sensei divided the pool into three different zones, each one containing a flag. Platforms Alpha and Bravo remained to be used by us as resting points and transition areas.

In the first zone, it was still the same net barrier, except that weights were added to keep it submerged deeper. Wakaba dove immediately, her partner following a beat later. They struggled to synchronize their movements underwater, bumping shoulders as they tried to swim beneath the mesh. Wakaba surfaced first, gasping, and tugged her partner up beside her. They lost precious seconds untangling themselves before swimming to Platform Alpha.

Although they got a few penalties, Wakaba managed to grab the flag stuck in the net barrier. They swam to Platform Alpha, transitioned smoothly, and dove into the buoy corridor, now tighter and more complex.

Here, they struggled with coordination. Wakaba had to slow down for her partner to keep up, costing them time. They clipped several buoys, adding penalties. Despite grabbing the second flag at Platform Bravo, their time ballooned significantly.

And for the last zone which would include reaching the other end of the pool, the obstacle Orimura-sensei put was a series of floating rings that we needed to swim through. Wakaba and her partner swam through it with minimal penalties, but their synchronization was off, causing them to collide as they reached the final platform -- climbing out of the pool. They looked utterly drained as Ryouko-san announced their total time: 3 minutes and 12 seconds, with penalties adding 8 seconds. Their flags only reduced it by 10 seconds, leaving them at 3 minutes and 10 seconds.

"Think we can beat that, Onoda-kun?" Umeda whispered at my side as the second pair, Tadano and his partner from Class 3, took position.

"Maybe? Let’s think about strategy while watching each pair," I answered as Ryouko-san’s whistle signaled the start for Tadano and his partner.

Umeda nodded as she subconsciously pressed herself closer against my side while holding onto my arm. To avoid gathering attention to us, we moved closer to the other two pairs waiting for their turn. And this move also gave Satsuki the opportunity to take my other side, her arm instantly hooking around mine as she leaned her head against my shoulder.

Umeda noticed that but she pretended not to see it. Instead, she focused on Tadano’s pair as they navigated the net barrier.

Tadano’s partner struggled immediately, causing them to hit the mesh twice within seconds. Penalty seconds piled up as Tadano tried dragging him through.

At Platform Alpha, Tadano snatched the flag while his partner gasped for air. Their coordination visibly worsened in the buoy corridor. Tadano also moved too fast while his partner lagged, clipping buoys constantly.

By the time they reached the floating rings, his partner’s frustration showed. He yanked the rope, pulling Tadano back roughly, causing them to collide mid-ring. Because of that, they finished at 3 minutes 25 seconds before penalties. They’re already out of contention, even if they get all three flags.

"It’s your turn, Satsuki. Have you recharged your ’Ruki’ energy?" I playfully nudged her shoulder as Tadano’s pair trudged past us, dripping and defeated.

Satsuki released my arm with a theatrical sigh. "I’m not Elizabeth or Hiyori-chan, idiot. I don’t need to recharge like that. However, I need a good luck charm."

Upon saying that, she squeezed my face between her palms, forcefully turning my head toward her. Before I could react, her lips pressed against mine. She was so quick about it that she already pulled back when Umeda gasped beside us.

"There. Now I’m properly charged," Satsuki declared while sporting flushed cheeks and a triumphant smile as she strode toward her partner, the tall girl from Class 3 who looked bewildered by the display.

"W-was that necessary?"

"Yes. I don’t want to lose to that idiot. But he’s also my lovable idiot," Satsuki replied as they got into their starting position.

Her partner looked confusedly at me, to which I responded with a wink, causing the girl to immediately blush and look away.

Beside me, Umeda took a few seconds before she recovered. Then, she whispered almost absent-mindedly, "Maemura-san is so bold...Kissing you out in the open..."