COTE: Ayanokoji Socially Capable

Chapter 5.5: Fun in the Sun

It was now 8:00 am, the agreed-upon meet-up time, and we had all decided to gather in the lobby. Chiaki, however, mentioned meeting me at the pool. I was the last one to arrive in the lobby, finding everyone seemingly waiting for me.

"Finally, you're here," Amikura and Shibata exclaimed in unison.

"What were you doing?" Ryuji inquired.

I shrugged, "I came at the meeting time, didn't I?"

"People know they should arrive 10 minutes earlier; it's common sense," Amikura chimed in.

"Now now, thanks for coming, Ayanokoji-kun. Shall we leave?" Ichinose interjected, aiming to defuse the situation.

We then left the lobby and made our way to the pool. Carrying bags with our swim supplies and other items, I informed everyone that Chiaki and her friends would join us there. The idea was well-received, with the consensus being that the more, the merrier. However, Kanzaki didn't seem particularly enthusiastic about it, though he kept his thoughts to himself. Upon reaching the pool, we separated to enter the locker rooms to change and store our bags.

"Ayanokoji-kun, try not to steal all the girls with your physique," Shibata jokingly remarked as we changed.

I shook my head at his comment, "That won't happen; my build is pretty average," I said with a hint of humor while getting changed.

Shibata and Kanzaki couldn't help but laugh at my 'joke'

Emerging from the locker rooms, of our group we were the first to step into the vibrant pool area. The scene was lively, bathed in the warmth of the sun. The facility boasted a sand volleyball court, a spacious swimming pool, another pool designed for water polo, a lazy river, thrilling waterslides, and ample spaces for sunbathing. The setting was undoubtedly luxurious, providing a high school experience beyond the ordinary.

Entering the pool area, it became apparent that my physique hadn't gone unnoticed. Blushes and lingering stares from some of the girls hinted at the attention Shibata had jokingly predicted. I shrugged it off, not paying much heed to the fleeting glances, and not long after Ichinose and Amikura emerged from the locker rooms

Ichinose was wearing a two-piece bikini in floral pattern with hues of blue and white, that complemented her figure. The sun highlighted her features, and her carefree smile added to the relaxed atmosphere of the pool. I discreetly appreciated her grace and elegance, I quickly averted my gaze, reminding myself to stay focused on the planned activities rather than letting my thoughts wander. I then noticed Ichinose and Amikura staring at me with a tint of blush on their faces.

she asked, "How long have you worked out for?"

Amikura nodded in agreement, "Your physique is quite impressive."

I shrugged off the compliments, replying, "Not too long, nothing special."

Ichinose's curiosity seemed to get the better of her as she poked my chest, closely observing my physique. The others in the group couldn't help but exchange puzzled glances at Ichinose's unusual actions. Amikura, however, wore a smirk as she observed the scene unfold.

"Very impressive," Ichinose mused, seemingly impressed.

Ichinose suddenly realized her actions and quickly backed off, her face turning bright red.

"OMG, I'M SO SORRY, AYANOKOJI. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAME OVER ME," she apologized, blushing hard.

I chuckled, "It's fine, Ichinose."

Amikura couldn't help but tease Ichinose about the situation. Not long after Chiaki and friends arrived at the pool and were already changed. This wasn't the first time I had seen Chiaki in a bikini, but every time felt like a new experience. The vibrant color of her two-piece swimsuit perfectly complemented her captivating eyes. The way the sunlight played on her slim, fit body highlighted every contour, giving her an alluring and confident aura. It was a captivating sight, and I couldn't help but appreciate the beauty of the moment. I smiled at myself, then quickly shrugged it off. However, I couldn't help but notice Chiaki, Karuizawa, Sato, and the other girls blushing hard when looking at me. It was surprising to see her reactions, considering Chiaki should've been used to seeing my physique by now. Perhaps, she too had her own thoughts and reactions, mirroring the ones I had when I saw her in her bikini.