“Lieber nicht” the white girl replied shortly as she walk off to grab a towel from a pile of it at the side of the pool. 

Other middle school girls appear to be looking a bit troubled. Being one of the fastest swimmer on the team, Tsurara Maria is a figure of admiration for them. Refusing an invitation from such person like that is unthinkable, but there stood Weiss Kristallglas who did just that without even a second thought. That is very like her, everyone thought, but no one expected it to happen in such way.

While everyone watches Weiss in awe, a sound of footsteps echos. Wiess something approaches the swimming poothout long, a small figure enter the area.  “Yahho, is everyone doing okay~?” a cheerful voice belonging to the intruder brings a new air to the atmosphere. Black short hair with a white hairpin on her bang, a little girl wearing the school uniform of Navy Hill enters the area with a smile on her face. As expected, she quickly notice that awkwardness from the face of the surrounding.

“…Did something happen?” she ask one of the girl nearby. After a quick whisper, the girl nodded and approached Weiss. “Geez, you don’t have to act like that. I told you to be nice with everyone right? Hurry and be prepared!” the girl suddenly start yelling to Weiss.

Rouka could not believe what he just saw. Judging from how Weiss behave so far, he had expected her to be a person who will not listen to anyone, but there she is being yelled by a girl who is smaller than herself. What is more surprising is that Weiss actually listen to the girl and start preparing as she was told. After she put her goggles back on, Weiss returned to where Ria is.

“I’m sorry for what I just say. Please let me swim with you”

Weiss bowed a little before she walk ahead to the starting platform. On other hand, the girl approaches Coach Ko and asked her to organize the match. [i]So efficient[/i], Rouka thought. Then after that, that girl looked at Rouka before setting her target to Hazel Lim. 

“Yahho~”
“Yahoo~”

The two cheerfully greeted each other. It took Rouka quite a while to notice. This new girl is none other than Chloe Lim, Ria’s protection target and Hazel Lim’s little sister. 

“……” Rouka just quietly look at Chloe. According to the report he got, Chloe had suffered an injury on her left leg and temporarily left the swimming club, so why she is here?

“Ah, I believe you notice it already, but she’s my little sister”
“Nice to meet you, my name is Chloe Lim”

Chloe politely bowed as she introduce himself to Rouka. Naturally, the three then move on to a light talk as they wait for Ria and Weiss match to commence. So just like what the report said, Chloe really did was injured in the school trip incident and had to leave the swimming club as result. The reason why she is here right now is none other than Weiss.

“I don’t have to keep my bandage on anymore, but swimming will put too much strain to my leg so I still can’t rejoin.” She said dejectedly, but she quickly turn that frown upside down. “I came here to check on Weiss. As you see, she is a pretty awkward girl. It is my duty as her friend to support her!” So apparently, the one who invited Weiss to the swimming club is none other than Chloe herself.

“She saved me when we got stuck in the wood. She is really cool!” she excitedly talk about the moment during school trip incident. Chloe got injured when school bus fell from the cliff, and the one who take care of her during that time was Weiss. They become friend quickly, and soon after they return to their school activity, Chloe learn that Weiss have not join any club so Chloe suggested her to join the swimming club. Weiss was a fast learner and quickly become the middle school division ace, but because of her bulky and distant attitude, she is not exactly blend in with other club member. To help her with it, Chloe would occasionally visit the club like this to lighten up the mood so Weiss can hang out with everyone else easily.

“Just like your older sister, you’re really nice” Rouka honestly thought so. “You really think so? Ehehe” smiled Chloe so innocently. Hazel Lim and Chloe Lim. It seems both has a caring personality. Sister alike. They are the type of person who would bring smile to everyone they meet. In that aspect, both Weiss and Ria is quite alike.

“Ah, look, they’re starting!” cheered Hazel as she points at Weiss and Ria who is now ready to start their match.