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Ch. 4: Playing in the Water With Him

 

The next morning…-

 

I slowly opened my eyes to the light of the morning sun.

 

I feel heavy…

 

Possibly from the exhaustion of the day before, my head felt hazy.

 

Just 5 more minutes.

 

Feeling listless, I started to close my eyes again when…-

 

Tiga: "Hey, you awake?"

 

There was a knock on the door, and I heard Tiga's cheerful voice.

 

OO: "T-Tiga!?"

 

As if on reflex from hearing Tiga's voice, I leapt out of bed, then Tiga opened the door and poked his head in.

 

OO: "Wait a minute…!"

 

Tiga: "So you were still sleeping huh?"

 

OO: "D-don't just come in here like that."

 

Tiga: "Why not? You were being slow so I came to wake you up."

 

As I pressed down on my hair, which was in disarray, I felt my face flush, but Tiga didn't seem to mind and just laughed happily.

 

Tiga: "Now that you're up, we can go out."

 

Without giving me time to answer, Tiga pulled on my hand.

 

OO: "G-go out?"

 

Tiga: "Hurry and get ready. I'll call a maid."

 

Tiga…

 

But for some reason I couldn't go against his coercing.

 

 

……

 

After I finished getting ready, Tiga took me to a kind of beach near the castle.

 

The sun's rays beat down, reflecting beautifully on the water's surface.

 

It's kind of relaxing…

 

Beside me, Tiga took off his shoes and waded into the water.

 

Tiga: "Come on in, the cold water feels good."

 

[CHOICE]

  • I'll try (SUN)

  • I'll watch from here (MOON)

 

Tiga stood there watching me for a moment when…-

 

Tiga: "I'm gonna get out of the water for a sec, so lend me a hand."

 

He said as much and held his hand out to me.

 

OO: "Ah, OK."

 

In the instant I took his hand…-

 

OO: "…!"

 

I was pulled into the river.

 

I was shocked at the sudden cold sensation that went up to my knees and lost my balance, and Tiga helped hold me up.

 

Tiga: "Feels good right?"

 

OO: "What the heck…-!"

 

Before I could finish, Tiga splashed me with the water.

 

Tiga: "Haha!"

 

OO: "…well fine then!"

 

In an instant my shoulders relaxed, and I determinedly splashed him back.

 

I wonder how I got so wrapped up in the way Tiga lives his life.

 

But it's fun…!

 

After a little while, Tiga suddenly completely stopped what he was doing.

 

Tiga: "Hey, you're…!"

 

OO: "Eh? What?"

 

His face turned red and he looked away.

 

What's wrong?

 

Tiga: "Just wait a sec!"

 

Tiga got out of the river and I watched as he hurriedly grabbed his jacket, then something was put on my shoulders.

 

OO: "!?"

 

Luca: "You're wide open."

 

Luca had suddenly appeared and put his jacket on my shoulders, smiling mischievously.

 

OO: "You're…"

 

Luca: "You're showing through your clothes."

 

OO: "!!"

 

I was so embarrassed I couldn't move, but I covered myself with both hands.

 

Tiga: "You again! What're you doing here!?"

 

Tiga glared at Luca, having returned jacket in hand.

 

Luca: "What am I…This is my favorite place. I always come here to read. Shouldn't I be asking you the same thing?"

 

Tiga: "…!"

 

OO: "Tiga, Luca was just letting me borrow his…-"

 

Tiga: "Don't say anything. Come on!"

 

Tiga grabbed my hand, and while still wearing Luca's jacket, we left the river behind.

OO: "…alright, I'll try."

 

Tiga: "That's the spirit!"

 

I nervously stepped into the river.

OO: "It's fine, I'll just watch from here."

 

Tiga: "What does that even mean…"

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