Snippet #2757033

"It's no big deal, Captain." Rhys had no outward reaction but he noticed Mao's respect for his position on Upstream was carried on away from the pool. He wasn't sure what he had done to earn her respect especially as the majority of the team had their doubts on his leadership. What could I have done better? I didn't know I'd get elected and I haven't done this shit before. He was frustrated and stressed out by recent events from his newly appointed title to his encounter with the flirtatious one of the Kitogawas. He took a deep breath in and tried to focus on the present. There was some unrest in the junior classroom (Rocco and Kaito) that reminded him things could be much worse. Assigned a partner for the assignment left to luck of the draw, someone from his swim team who respected him was something he could appreciate. It was also a chance to get to know his club member better.

His shoulder nudged, Rhys stopped fidgeting with his pen and turned to look at Mao. For a few seconds, he was wondering if he had offended her but the nudge was interpreted as playful to his relief, by her expression and following words. "No way." She was quick to say no but the color in her cheeks told another story about her relationship with Chase. "Boys who are late to class should focus on words to add. If you laugh I'll shove you out of your chair, Captain or not." She had earned his respect back. Not just anybody would threaten jokingly or not a student above their station. He took it positively, a smirk sliding on his face. "Understood. I wouldn't have laughed anyway. I can see what he sees in you." Rhys spoke honestly, leaving his compliment vague as he returned to looking at the sheet of paper they were sharing.

"Jeez, we are behind on this..." Rhys rubbed the back of his head then nodded in agreement. He knew he had a long way to go in his studies, only really achieving good grades in physical activities. Blank paper was more intimidating than a ball. "I'm not good at writing in English and I don't really know a lot about being a tourist. My parents always handled everything, so I'm apologizing in advance." Rhys' hand slid down from his head to his neck as he stretched it after staring down at the paper for a good while. "If you're apologizing, I should too because I'm shit at Japanese writing. I'm a foreigner here so I know what it's like to be a tourist and English is what I'm good for. We can balance each other out. What do you say?" As a captain of a team and from prior experiences, he knew that everyone had their own unique weaknesses and strengths. All it took was a good approach and willingness to work together to make solid teamwork. They had the willingness and just needed a game plan to execute.

He began writing down some general sentences in English that he had asked as a tourist such as, 'Can you speak English? How much is it? Where can I use the internet? Could you repeat that, please?' before continuing onto the locations they listed. "Should we trade contact information in case we have to finish this after school?" Rhys clicked his pen and leaned back in his chair to look over what he had already written which added up to 20. They still had 80 more to go and he groaned at the realisation. "Yeah." The bell rang and they weren't done. He wrote his mobile number on the paper and took a quick photo with his phone's camera to save a copy of the assignment. "I have study club. Keep in touch Nozomi-san." And God only knows how badly he needed to study. He pocketed his phone hurriedly and waved but stopped a bit away feeling like he forgot something. Rhys turned around to add one more thing, "Oh and thanks." He was thankful to Mao for respecting his title as captain but treating him like an equal at the same time.

Rhys walked down the hallway but he stopped again, reaching the other English classroom that was pointed out to him and attended by his senior. He hesitated standing right by the doorway. Shiori and him were both members of study club and Takumi was an unresolved problem. As long as she followed his advice and had company, Shiori would be okay but he didn't know if she had any close friends to accompany her right now. But after her cousin.. she probably wants nothing to do with me. It looked like I was handling a girl I just met again and.. fuck!

He moved out of the way after a close bump in and leaned against the wall as seniors exited the room with a few giving him odd looks and whispering, wondering who he was waiting on. Despite his inner indecisiveness because he had no bloody clue if he should wait or go ahead, he maintained a calm almost deceptive front. She might ignore and walk right past me. It was a fucked up moment. Rhys second guessed what to do over and over again but he didn't budge one inch away from his spot. I'm not her Tou-san..