Chapter 42: The Joke, The Cramp, and The Panic

"I hate this."

"You said that," Toujo replies, splashing me.

"I'm saying it again. I hate this."

Somehow, they dragged me into the ocean.

The three idiots are 'competing'. Again.

Hiroto is on a *giant, pink flamingo float. He is 'directing'.

"No, no, Daiki-kun! Your splash is too 'aggressive'! Fuji-kun! Your form is 'elegant' but 'lacks passion'! Splash our Angel like you MEAN it!"

Fuji is ignoring him, practicing his freestyle. He is a perfect swimmer. Of course he is.

Daiki is just trying to dunk Toujo.

"Twilight! Watch this!" Daiki yells, lifting Toujo up.

"I AM A GOLDEN GOD!" Toujo screams.

This is my life.

I'm actually a good swimmer. My grandma made me do that, too.

I float on my back. Ignoring them.

If I close my eyes... it's almost peaceful.

"Okay, everyone!" Hiroto shouts, paddling over. "Time for the 'climax' of the scene!"

"What climax?" I grunt, not opening my eyes.

"The DANGER!" he cackles. "The drama!"

Fuji stops swimming. "Suzume-san. What are you doing?"

"Just a little joke! To liven things up!" Hiroto whispers... loudly.

He stands up on his float.

It wobbles.

"AIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEE!"

He screams.

"A SHARK! NO! A GIANT SQUID! IT HAS ME!"

It's a terrible joke.

It's not funny.

Fuji sighs.

Daiki rolls his eyes.

Toujo laughs.

I open my eyes.

And my leg.

CRAMPS.

A real, paralyzing CHARLIE HORSE.

"AGH!"

It's not a joke.

My leg is on fire.

I try to straighten it.

I go under.

I inhale water.

Salt. Burning.

I come up, coughing. Spluttering.

This is that feeling.

Weakness.

Panic.

"Aoi?" Fuji calls. His voice is sharp. He's not fooled.

"She's faking!" Hiroto laughs. "She's getting into the 'scene'!"

"I... Agh!"

My leg seizes again.

I can't breathe.

I can't stay up.

I am drowning.

I am ACTUALLY drowning.

My head goes under.

This is so stupid.

The last thing I see is Hiroto's stupid face.

And then ... panic.

Real panic.

"SHE'S NOT JOKING!"

Fuji's voice.

It's terrified.

A splash.

Another splash.

Hands are on me.

Daiki. Fuji. Both of them.

"I got her!"

"We both got her! Swim!"

I am being dragged. Fast.

I'm choking. Coughing.

The world is spinning.

I feel sand.

Rika is screaming.

"Is she okay?! Aoi-chan!"

I try to say 'fine'.

I just cough up water.

My lungs burn.

I can't catch my breath.

"She's not breathing right!" Fuji yells. He's not a 'Prince'. He's a commander. "Daiki, tilt her head!"

"Twilight! Breathe! Come on!" Daiki shouts, patting my back. Too hard.

"That's not helping!" Fuji snaps. "Hiroto! Call an ambulance!"

Hiroto is white. He's frozen.

I am so tired.

My chest is so tight.

I can't...

"She's stopping," Fuji says. His voice is shaking. "Daiki, move! Do you know CPR?"

"WHAT?! Like... the thing?" Daiki yells.

"MOVE!"

I am so dizzy.

I see Fuji's face.

It's pale. Scared.

His white hair is dripping.

He pinches my nose.

He leans down.

Oh.

...Oh.

His lips are on mine.

It's not romantic.

It's desperate.

He breathes.

My chest moves.

He does it again.

He starts compressions.

One. Two. Three...

And then I am coughing.

A huge... violent cough.

Water... everywhere.

I roll over.

I gasp.

Air.

Sweet, beautiful air.

It hurts.

"She's breathing!" Rika sobs.

I am so cold.

So tired.

I look up.

Daiki is staring, horrified.

Hiroto is on his knees in the sand.

Fuji...

Fuji is sitting back on his heels.

He's shaking.

He wipes his mouth.

He looks at me.

His eyes are... I don't know what they are.

I am so embarrassed.

I am so tired.

The world goes black.