The Golden Pear [YA - Featured]

♫~Notes 90~♫

 Ueno dived under the water, the stream of bubbles protecting her from praying eyes. She hugged herself, holding her breath as seconds ticked away.

'She... She!' Tears joined with the water, and like a dolphin, she rocketed towards the surface, giving everybody a nice spectacle as she mimicked the sea animal.

Boos, cheers, and clapping filled the air. Nothing she wouldn't be accustom to. Well, those boos would be a new experience. Nevertheless, she no longer was her old self. Something changed inside her, and it bugged her to no end.

She let her body float for a bit before she went swimming, burning the inside energy.

Rigaku took a seat near the pool, letting his body rest, and watched as his brother joined the beginner's group, helping sensei with teaching. Freya soon joined him, wearing her P.E. T-shirt instead. Her wet hair narrowed as if she never had any curls.

"Your face!"

Freya touched her cheek, and her lips twitched as it prickled.

"Was it Ueno-san?" He pushed his glasses up, searching for the culprit.

Freya waved it off.

"Freya-san!" He clenched his fists as the anger grew inside him, bubbling like boiling water. "Onegaishimasu, tell me!" The words came strangely from him as they carried a growl.

Inflating her cheeks, she narrowed her eyes and tapped his balled hands. He promptly released them, and the anger turned into a blush, reflecting on his red cheeks.

"Su-Sumimasen. I should control myself better."

She shrugged.

"But, onegaishimasu, tell me if somebody is bothering you. You are too kind. I don't want to see you suffer because some jerk uses it against you."

A wind blew between them, carrying sparkles that danced around them. Freya cast her eyes away from the boy as if scared, he would notice her.

'Strange, isn't it?' She stood up and sat at the edge of the pool. Taking down her shoes and socks, she dipped her legs. The warm water caressed her skin like her mother used to. She closed her eyes, letting it take her away above the clouds and mountains, flying toward the stars.

Rigaku joined her, enjoying the moment of harmony despite the cheers, shouts, and water splashes around them. 'Why is she putting up with bullies so easily? Doesn't it bother her? She reacted strongly against us at first as well.'

He caught his chin, pondering about this problem that refused to transform into a mathematical equation. 'Is she giving people a second chance? Could some events trigger this chance?'

Aiyoku swam in front of them, whistling. "If you aren't lovebirds, I'm not Ai."

Freya's eyes shot open as she heard him. Winking, she needed time to get the message. On the other hand, Rigaku didn't need a second to do so.

"What?" He jumped into the water, pursuing his fleeing sibling.

Aiyoku laughed, swimming to safety. After reaching half of the pool, he looked behind, but Rigaku was nowhere to be seen. Turning around, a feeling of immediate danger enclosed him.

Water spurted next to him, revealing two arms that hooked around his neck.

"You!" Rigaku shouted, outsmarting his brother by swimming underwater. "Take. That. Back!" Losing his breath, Rigaku hung around his younger brother.

"But why? You two look so cute together!" Aiyoku kicked his feet to keep both of them afloat. "She is the first girl that makes you smile. I would be beyond Seventh Heaven if you would bond together."

"But that pear!" Rigaku realized too late the forbidden word had left his lips.

Aiyoku's smile dispersed with the bubbles around them.

"Sumimasen."

He shook his head. "No, you are right. I keep forgetting about it. I wish it never existed."

Rigaku calmed down his breath. 'And I still have no idea what could happen to those who don't receive it, and Father won't answer my questions.' He bit his lip, letting go of his brother.

He winked, realizing the world wasn't blurry for water in his eyes but for lacking his glasses. "Dang!" He looked around, and before his brother could help him, a tap on Rigaku's shoulder directed him toward a fellow student.

"Are those your glasses?" the girl asked, pulling them in front of him.

"Ah, Hai, arigatou!" He gladly accepted them, finding no damage.

"You are welcome, Rigaku-san!" The girl swam away, using the whole dose of courage for today.

Freya, at the edge of the pool, laughed and coughed, slowly calming down. 'I should do something with my throat.' She gasped for air. 'It feels I may suffocate at this rate.' No fear filled her. She had met death numerous times before. Her own escape had marked her for the rest of her life.

'Am I sad?' She could tell this sadness wasn't the same as the one from losing her father. Neither the shade resembled the tears she had shed for Star. 'Maybe I'm starting to care about myself a bit.' She touched her burned face. 'Perhaps I'm tired of being the old me.'

The siblings floated in front of her, their eyes watching her like curious cubs. Freya smiled, pointing down. They followed her movement and she kicked her legs, splashing them.

Mischievous smiles spread across their faces, and they splashed water at each other. Soon, Freya needed to change her clothes once more.

"Okay!" one sensei called, gaining everybody's attention. "Clear the area under the springboard!"

Students cheered and fulfilled the order. Rigaku's eyes trailed the tall structure with three levels. The senseis gave instructions as each student could get bonus points for performing a jump.

Mostly boys lined up and leaped into the water, trying to look cool. Some succeeded, and the others earned laughs and pats across their backs. One of the girls climbing up was Ueno. Whistles and a bit pervy shouts flew her way. She might have lost her position, but her bold curves still earned her lustful gazes.

Standing above everybody, the wind played with her wet hair. The streams of water rushed down across her figure.

The highest board bent under her weight. The water drops under her feet dipped over the edge.

Onegaishimasu - please

Arigatou - thank you

Hai - yes

Sumimasen - I'm sorry