Chapter 12: Poolside Temptations

Takeshi Zakaki stared blankly at the notice pinned to the faculty board:

“POOL CLEAN-UP DUTY: HOMEROOM 2-B SUPERVISOR: ZAKAKI.”

He exhaled a long sigh, cigarette dangling loosely from his lips.

“…Kill me.”

Five minutes later, he stood by the school pool, sleeves rolled up, the summer sun baking his skin. The shimmering blue water reflected like a mirage.

“Sensei! Over here!”

Zako turned his head lazily—then froze.

--

Three silhouettes strode out from the changing room like models on a beach runway.

Mitsumi Kageri in a sporty navy bikini that hugged her toned figure, a white hoodie unzipped just enough to tease cleavage.

Chihiro Arima in a fiery red two-piece, her ponytail swinging like a whip.

Minami Agatsuma in an elegant black halter bikini, sunglasses perched on her head like a magazine cover queen.

Zako’s cigarette almost slipped from his mouth. “…Why… are you three here?”

Mitsumi grinned, hands on hips. “We’re here to help, duh! Can’t let our poor Sensei do all the work alone!”

Chihiro winked. “Yeah, think of us as your personal… lifeguards.”

Minami adjusted her glasses with a serene smile. “Faculty shortage. We volunteered.”

Volunteered my ass, Zako thought grimly. But he didn’t argue. Too much energy.

--

As Zako knelt to scrub tiles near the pool’s edge, Mitsumi made her move.

“Oops!” she chirped, deliberately stepping on a soapy patch.

SPLASH—SLIP—FLAIL—!

“Sensei!!”

In a blur, Zako dropped the brush and caught her mid-fall—bridal style. Her arms instinctively looped around his neck, her flushed face inches from his.

“Ah… uh…” Mitsumi’s brain short-circuited. Ohmygodohmygodhe’sholdingmelikethis—

Zako just stared down at her, deadpan. “You done?”

“Y-Yeah!” she squeaked, hopping down so fast she almost fell again.

Behind them, Chihiro clicked her tongue. “Tch. Lucky stunt.”

Minami scribbled something in her notebook. Hypothesis: Physical rescue creates oxytocin spike. Replication required.

--

“Sensei,” a cool voice purred behind him.

Zako turned—and almost dropped his cigarette. Minami stood there, serene as always… except her bikini strap hung loose over her shoulder.

“Could you… tie this for me?” she whispered, tilting her head so her glossy hair slid down her back like silk.

A single bead of water traced her collarbone, sliding down the swell of her chest.

Zako froze. …Is this a crime scene? This feels like a crime scene.

“Please, Sensei,” she murmured, holding the strap out delicately.

From the sidelines, Mitsumi nearly exploded. “W-WHAT THE HELL?! THAT’S CHEATING!”

Chihiro crossed her arms. “Damn… respect the hustle.”

“…Fine.” Zako tied the strap with mechanical precision, expression unreadable. Then he stepped back and muttered, “Next time, use a knot that isn’t garbage.”

“Noted,” Minami said, a faint smirk curving her lips.

---

Minutes later, Chihiro lounged by the pool’s edge, glaring at the other two like a lioness guarding her kill. My turn. Time for the nuclear option.

She stood, stretched dramatically—earning whistles from the boys outside the fence—then dove in.

SPLASH!

Underwater, the world blurred blue and silent. She let herself drift a little too long, eyes closed. One… two…

Above, Mitsumi frowned. “Uh… she’s been down there a while.”

Zako noticed too. His cigarette dropped into the water as he cursed and dove in without hesitation.

---

He surfaced, hauling Chihiro’s limp body onto the tiles. “Oi! Arima! Breathe!”

She stayed still, eyes fluttering shut like a drama queen.

“Tch… damn it.” He tilted her head back, pressed his lips to hers, and—

Her eyes shot open mid-breath. CPR KISS ACQUIRED.

Around them, fireworks went off—at least in her head. SO WARM SO CLOSE HE’S MINE HE’S MINE—

She almost wrapped her arms around him before Mitsumi yanked her back by the ponytail.

“WHAT THE HELL, CHIHIRO?!”

Chihiro coughed dramatically. “S-Sensei saved me… it was destiny…”

Minami adjusted her glasses, voice like a blade. “You risked hypoxia for a kiss. Admirable… but sloppy.”

--

Outside the fence, a horde of male classmates clung to the bars, eyes bulging.

“WHY DOES SENSEI GET ALL THE LUCK?!”

“IS THIS AN H-DRAMA?!”

“I’M CALLING THE POLICE!!”

One boy fainted. Another started a petition titled “Ban Hot Teachers from Pool Duty.”

Zako ignored them all, dragging a wet towel over his head. I should’ve become a monk.

--

The sun dipped low, casting molten light over the pool. Mitsumi sulked, Minami plotted silently, and Chihiro sat grinning like a fox, still high on her CPR victory.

Round one complete, Minami wrote in her mental ledger. Next step: private encounter.

Mitsumi clenched her fists. Next time… he’s hugging ME for real.

Chihiro traced her lips, smirking. I’ve already tasted victory. Literally.

And poor Zako lit another cigarette, completely unaware he’d just become the main character of the world’s most dangerous love war.

---