Chapter 79: Don’t Be Fooled
Mizuki and Taka followed the stretching I’m doing while Himari guided Shiho to the pool. She’s not allowed in the deep pool that’s why she’ll be spending time with the kids. "Does Noelle onee-chan always swim in a deep pool like that?" Mizuki pointed to the other pool and I nodded with a smile.
"Aren’t you scared?"
I giggled while I stretch my neck. "I was when I’m your age, but now I’m used to it." Mizuki’s eyes twinkled in amusement.
"I drowned before, that’s why I’m afraid of swimming," Mizuki said while sitting beside where I am. "I’m afraid of swimming." She said.
I smiled as I patted her head. "You don’t have to do it if you don’t like it," I told her. "But we overcome our fears and become better, that’s all you need to know."
"Does onee-chan feared drowning before too?"
Did I? It makes me want to think of how I started swimming. "I think I did. I also drowned when I was younger, and it made me fear the water." I smiled as I remembered the memories of that time.
It was a sunny day, my dad and mom brought me to Thailand and we spent our holiday there. I think I was 7 years old at that time, and I really like going to the water to swim and play. I’m really cheeky back there and I thought I can do anything. That’s why I dived into the adult pool and the moment I realized that my feet couldn’t reach the ground, I panicked. I started sinking and I couldn’t breathe, that’s how I realized that I was drowning.
When I couldn’t breathe, I never understood that I could lose my life at that time. My parents were really worried and that incident traumatized me and I started hating being near the water. Daddy was worried about me because of that, and he’s been blaming himself because he wasn’t paying me attention at that time. Even though I was traumatized, I didn’t want to stay like that. I don’t know why, but I have the tendency to do something I’m really afraid to do just to prove that I can surpass my fear.
I know that sometimes we should take care of our feelings and not push ourselves too much, but that’s how I am. I push myself to the limit
"Yes, I did drown before." I smiled. "And I was traumatized because of that incident, but I chose to face my fears."
Mizuki looked sad after I said that. "But I don’t want to be weak."
"Having fears doesn’t make you weak. It’s okay to fear something, and it’s okay if you still can’t face it." I smiled. "We all have our own pace and you don’t have to match anyone’s pace. It’s okay, you’ll be able to face your fears someday."
"But Yoru doesn’t fear anything."
Night? "How did you know that?"
"It’s because he’s strong and brave. He looks like he can do everything." Mizuki said with pride. "He’s like a superhero."
I guess he might look like he doesn’t fear anything because of the vibes he gives, but I think he has plenty of fears. Just like when I witnessed him having a nightmare. "Night probably has things he fears and he just doesn’t show it to anyone." Mizuki looked up at me. "He’s indeed strong, but strong people need to take a break sometimes too."
After that talk with Mizuki, she went to Shiho and Taka while I ready myself for some laps. "You look sexy in that swimsuit." I heard Makoto say while staring at me. ’This is sexual harassment, isn’t it?’ I took a deep breath as I wore my goggles. "I think it will suit you more if you become an athlete rather than Night’s wife."
I turned to Makoto as I removed my goggles again. "I am an athlete while being Night’s wife." Makoto smiled and I smiled back at him. "I don’t need to become just one thing, and please stop sexually harassing me. If you don’t want to be beaten into a pulp."
Makoto chuckled. "What? Are you going to beat me?" He pointed at me but I just smiled.
"Not me." I pointed to the person behind him. When he turned around, he immediately raised his hands upon seeing Night. "See? I’m not the one going to beat you." Although it’s all an act from Night, at least this way I can stop the sexual harassment from his cousin.
Night then looked at me. "Just do what you’re doing." He said as if reassuring me. ’It’s all an act. Don’t get swept away.’ I told myself as I wore my goggles again. Someone needs to record my time though.
"I’ll record your time, milady," Kaoru suggested. I didn’t know he was here with us.
"Sure. Do you know how to do it?"
Kaoru nodded, it seems like he was an observant child and he learns how to do it just by watching us. "Are you ready?" I nodded, and as soon as I dived in, Kaoru started the timer.
I swam confidently and like usual but not with all my might since it can cause shock to my body. I’ve been staying in bed and not doing any exercises so it might cause a great shock if I started pouring everything out. ’It’ll be bad if I drown again.’
As soon as I got up from the pool, I saw Night who was sitting on the side while staring at Makoto. "Why is Night here? Is he done with his work?" I asked Kaoru while I check on my first record for today.
"The young master chose to take a break today and accompany the lady with her practice," Kaoru said causing me to raise an eyebrow. ’What does he mean with accompanying me? When did he ever want to accompany me?’ "Since it’s the young master’s birthday, the oyabun lets him do what he wants."
"What’s wrong with him?" I muttered making Kaoru tilt his head as he didn’t hear what I said. "It’s nothing." Even though it’s weird, I won’t be fooled by his actions. I will never fall for his tricks. I’m not the same naïve girl I used to be and I’m not in love with him anymore.
My practice continued while I can hear Mizuki and Taka playing well. ’I hope they’re not getting bored, I’m almost done.’ I thought as I looked in their direction, and there I saw Night talking to Shiho. The smile on Shiho’s face makes her look like she’s shining. Maybe she misses her older brother so much and it looks like Night didn’t talk to her lots of times before. ’I don’t understand why Night ignores Shiho too. Is he like that to everyone?’
I removed that thought from my head, soon I’ll be busy with the semifinals and I want to win the championship too. ’There are lots of things to do.’ I thought as I went towards the locker room with Mizuki.
"Yoru said he’ll bring us to a restaurant with good food," Mizuki said while I help her change into new clothes. "I’m so excited." She added.
Did Night really say that though? It’s kind of weird for him to say something like that. "Was it really Night who said that?"
Mizuki giggled. "Kaoru onii-san said it, but Yoru will let us go since onee-chan’s with us." It’s funny that she calls Kaoru brother while she calls Night ’Yoru’ and only that. "Will onee-chan go? Are you tired?"
How could I say I’m tired when she’s looking at me with expectant eyes? "Let’s go."
"Yay!"
After changing clothes, we went out of the locker room and Night was already waiting there. "Let’s go." He reached out his hand at me and I grimaced. "What?" Night asked as if he doesn’t understand my reaction. I let Mizuki go to where Shiho and the others are.
"What’s wrong with you?" Night raised an eyebrow. "Are all these an act? Cause if it is, then tell me beforehand."
"Why? Does it make you uncomfortable?"
It’s funny that he’s asking me about my feelings now. "Yes, it does. And not only that, it makes me look stupid because I’m not ready to act the same." I sighed. "I’m just complaining but I’ll do my best to act as if I like you too so don’t get mad," I said because I can see how his eyebrows furrowed.
"Then, will you hold my hand?"
My forehead creased. "Why? No one’s here but us."
"I want to hold your hand."
I blinked thousands of times due to surprise. ’Don’t be fooled. Don’t be fooled.’ I took a deep breath to compose myself again. "Fine." He reached out for my hand and we walked toward everyone while holding hands. ’I won’t be fooled.’
We rode the car towards the said restaurant, I thought it’ll be fine because there were only a few chances to bump into someone I know, but I shouldn’t have thought of it that way.
"Ellie? Isn’t this fate to meet you here?" El was sitting beside our table and he greeted me with such a huge smile that it makes me want to hide from the questions I’ll be receiving.
’Why? Just why?’
