The Silver Monster's Final Dash
Japan's sweltering heat persisted even as September loomed on the horizon. Late August. The Interhigh that had seemed like it would never end was finally drawing to a close. The swimming events were no exception. The fourth day of the swimming competition was the last one among the summer-held Interhigh events.
Shin Tae-il had returned to Gunma Prefecture. True to his promise, he was there to watch Sakuraba Sakuya's finals. What was unusual was that he wasn't alone with Rena this time—everyone from the Light Music Club except Yuuya was with him.
"Shin-chan, aren't you hot? Want some wind?"
"Huh? Nah, I'm good. You use the hand fan, Ayane."
"Ayane's fine sharing it with you though…."
"Sticking together just makes it hotter and defeats the purpose of the fan."
"But that's the good part…."
"What?"
Ayane, dressed in a light orange sundress to beat the heat, pouted her lips. Beside her sat Iris and Rena side by side.
"Rena-chan, how many events is Sakuya competing in?"
"100m freestyle, 100m butterfly, and 400m medley relay."
"All today?"
"Prelims in the morning, finals right after in the afternoon."
"Whoa, that's a tight schedule."
"Yeah. On day one, I think? She already did the 200m and 1500m freestyle."
"Swimming's a battle every single day, huh."
So far, Sakuya had won gold in the 1500m freestyle on the first day, and the 200m freestyle and butterfly on the third. Already a triple gold medalist, she was gunning for six today, drawing intense media attention.
Six golds. Even world-class adult male swimmers could barely achieve that with relays helping out—a historic feat. Sure, compared to the pros, high schoolers fell short in skill and competition, but no one could deny it was unprecedented.
"The media's already calling her the Silver Monster."
"Ahaha! Silver Monster? Like a silver beast? That's hilarious. Sakuya'd be hurt if she heard."
Iris burst out laughing, saying it was too harsh a nickname for a girl.
"Those hacks never gave a damn about us anyway."
"True that."
Iris nodded in agreement at Rena's grumble. No need to even bring up Sakuya—Rena, her friend, had been prime tabloid bait herself. Back in her debut days, the stalking paparazzi had stressed her out so bad she crashed at Iris's place for months.
Doesn't this girl ever get stressed?
Iris flipped through the pamphlet in fascination. Sakuya here, Sakuya there. It had to be physically draining. Sakuya was competing in so many events, it made Iris feel like she was the naive one.
"Didn't realize 'cause I wasn't paying attention, but swimming's way tougher than it looks? Did she drop track for this?"
"Both have tons of sub-events. Even with her monster stamina, juggling track and swimming would be insane."
Sakuya was human too—stamina limits applied, but scheduling was the real killer. She was pushing it now; doing both would've required two bodies.
Iris nodded. "Hmm, makes sense now?"
In middle school, Sakuya had dominated track and volleyball. Volleyball was team, but she'd ruled the court like an MVP, snagging Best Player. Track? She conquered sprints single-handedly like some sprint overlord.
This year, though, she'd chosen swimming over track.
"Any special reason she picked swimming over track?"
"I looked it up. Her middle school intramurals swim times weren't great. Revenge match, maybe?"
Recently self-proclaimed "Dr. Sakuya" Rena added that rumors had swirled back then about swimming being her weakness.
"Ah, a rematch? Fair enough."
Iris glanced at Tae-il chatting with Ayane. The day he'd met Izumi and Yahiro and parted ways, Tae-il had struggled through a massive parfait the size of two faces while declaring his intent to recruit Sakuya. That's when he'd finally spilled the band plans he'd been agonizing over.
Sakuya's role: lead guitar. Second to vocals—or sometimes stealing the spotlight—the band's face.
Fits her perfectly.
And to master guitar fast, that competitive fire was essential. If Rena was right and Sakuya had chosen swimming for revenge in middle school….
Gotta respect that grit.
Iris pondered buying her a guitar if she hit six golds as expected. Even though Sakuya hadn't agreed to join yet. Tae-il hadn't even properly pitched it, but Iris was dead certain she would.
She's straight-up fallen for Shin Tae-il.
Iris already had her hands full with Rena and Ayane; another rival wasn't welcome. But if Sakuya buffered their friction? And band-wise, Iris secretly welcomed the recruit.
With her, we'd make a real splash no matter what.
Rena had fame, but popularity? Iris tilted her head. Rena's fan crowd was… questionable. Sakuya, though—vibrant, bright, appealed to everyone. Idol-wise, perfect opener act.
Our lineup's got personality quirks….
Tae-il and Ayane skewed gloomy; Rena's mouth wrote checks her face couldn't cash—better off quiet. Iris tried, but it was tough. She needed another mood-lifter like Sakuya.
Ayane friction worried her a bit….
That's Shin Tae-il's mess to fix.
There were limits to backroom meddling. Iris decided to dump all band drama on the culprit from now on.
* * *
The final day of the competition. By then, winners from the prior three days were clear, so crowds thinned out. Unless a star showed up.
"Good we came early like Sakuya said. Otherwise, we'd be swept in that mob."
"Totally."
Rena shuddered and nodded. Less than five minutes to prelims. The seats, tighter than the volleyball gym, overflowed with athletes, school staff, industry folks, and media.
"Guess it's the swimsuits…."
"Pervert."
"No, I mean the people…!"
"Sure."
Rena cut him off with a sly grin. "So, Shin, no interest in Sakuya's swimsuit look?"
"W-Well, not none…."
"See?"
Rena snickered; Tae-il ducked his head in shame. Plenty of guys in the crowd, all eyeing Sakuya's swimsuit chance.
"Shin-chan likes swimsuits?"
"Don't phrase it like that—it makes me sound like a total perv."
"But you do?"
"No guy hates swimsuits…."
"Heh."
Ayane covered her smirk as Tae-il admitted it.
"Fine. Ayane'll show you hers next time."
"Outta nowhere?"
"Beach trip soon? Family vacation style."
It was tradition—Golden Week or summer break, the families vacationed together. Hokkaido last year.
But.
"Whoa there, childhood friend girl. Sorry to interrupt, but band's crazy busy this break—no time."
"Tch…."
This year was off. New band, long road ahead. Plus Tae-il's parents were slammed on a project, no vacation possible.
"Haha, winter trip instead, right?"
"Still…."
Tae-il awkwardly smiled to soothe her.
Bwaaaam. Blasting horns and upbeat music kicked off.
"Starting soon."
Rena held her breath. A flat female voice announced the start, listing judges' names. Eight judges, one per lane, bowed to the crowd.
Then player intros as they entered the pool.
Lane 4. Sakuraba Sakuya. Yuuma Private High School.
The monotone announcer read the roster; Sakuya, in swim cap and goggles, emerged from the ready area and waved lightly. Yuuma students waved flags, chanting her name.
Tae-il eyed her thigh-length swimsuit and tilted his head. "Huh? Not a high-leg…?"
He realized his mistake instantly, paling.
Chill. The humid pool air vanished; a shiver ran down his spine, body trembling involuntarily.
"Shin-chan…?"
"Whoa, Shin Tae-il, that's your type?"
"Pervert."
Instant death glares from three beauties. Tae-il protested desperately. "N-No, I mean, I misunderstood, but I'm not a perv…!"
He was innocent. Yesterday, cheering Sakuya by phone. Hanging up to sleep, her photo hit—high-leg racing suit for finals. He'd choked.
I questioned it, but she said it was…!
Ultimate injustice face, but couldn't spill the photo. He gave up explaining.
"Ugh, whatever. Think what you want…."
Slumping in defeat, Iris patted his shoulder sympathetically. "It's okay, Shin Tae-il. I get it."
"Iris, you…."
He looked up gratefully; she thumbs-upped.
"Kiriko told me. All guys are pervs, right? I get it. Sakuya's stunning. Yeah?"
"…."
Moment ruined. And why the anger earlier? Iris affirmed; Rena crossed arms, nodding.
"Eh, Iris is right. Pervy's not bad if not overboard. If not overboard."
Ayane too. "Yeah, yeah. Holding back too much's worse, so sometimes vent on Ayane…."
> On your mark.
Ayane's risky line cut off perfectly by the announcer's ready command. All eyes locked on Sakuya's lane 4 start block.
Beep!
Sakuya dove. Even prelims, her start looked cleaner than others to a novice. She surged ahead in streamline, then freestyle proper.
Slicing water, gapping rivals—champion form.
"She's fast…."
Tae-il, who'd done swim lessons in his past life, marveled. To match her? He'd need frog kicks.
Smooth strokes from long limbs. Underwater turns flowed seamlessly, holding lead to the end.
Final touch. Sakuya surfaced, tossed goggles; Tae-il checked the board.
55.56 seconds. Latecomers: one 56s, rest over a minute.
"Rena-chan, good time?"
"Seems so?"
Heat 1 women's 100m free: all but Sakuya and silver over 60s.
Cheers as she exited.
"Sakuya broke the meet record."
"For real?"
"Show us, Shin."
Iris and Rena clung shamelessly; Tae-il panicked. "W-Wait! I'll show, just back off… guh!"
Ayane, predictably, intervened. "Shin-chan's suffering! Stop clinging!"
"What's wrong? Right, Rena-chan?"
"Yeah. Touch won't wear him out."
"It will! Shin-chan'll wear out!"
Surrounded by three stunners, drawing stares, then massive cheers from Yuuma's opposite cheer squad. Record confirmed.
Rena wedged between Tae-il's legs, leaning back in awe. "Amazing. No records in other events…."
"100m's her main?"
"Even so, nuts. She's done three already."
"True."
Casual chat vs. Ayane's flailing. "Agh! Shin-chan! Sorry, they won't budge!"
"It's…."
Tae-il sighed, sweat pouring down his back.
Don't you pile on too….
Hot. Embarrassing. Worst: Rena's position—social suicide.
Dead on paper. Dead socially.
Apart from Sakuya's record joy, Tae-il could only shed tears of sorrow.