Author’s Note: Hello, FictionPress readers! You bet I have a new chapter for you, but no, I don’t, and I never will! XD On the other hand, I have this filler story of the main characters in the 4th years, especially here for the New Year, and for my collaborating artist’s birthday. She is working slowly on the manga version, so just keep on checking the official at http://multiply . ihousha . net (without the spaces) concerning it. Thanks!

Filler

“Here’s your strawberry and vanilla ice cream cone. Have a nice day!”

Natsuichi’s face was drenched in sweat, but his bright smile made the perspiration of hard work seemed to shine blissfully on its own. The same went to his satisfied heart at that moment.

He had gotten a summer job as an ice cream seller at the beach. The pay was fine, since there were plenty of customers, he was allowed to wear his own shorts and shirt, a cap, and he was under the cool shade of the shack. Besides, every time he opened the container to retrieve the ice cream, he was greeted by the chills within. Even though he was not allowed to taste the icy goodness, that was just enough for him.

Furthermore, working by the beach was the best job he could ever ask for. When he was on a break, he could either take a quick swim or play beach volleyball with random people, otherwise practice soccer by a corner where many pretty girls would crowd to watch. Pretty girls in swimsuits and bikinis, he added to himself smugly.

Business was slow that day, but it was fine. Natsuichi leaned against the counter and gazed at the tiny waves crashing against the beach, daydreaming over the perfect day. If only he could share it with---

“Hello!”

Natsuichi snapped back in surprise and almost fell over. He blinked at Arano, who waved with a giggle from across the counter. She was in a pink swimsuit, carrying a beach ball. Next to her was Yasushi in her branded bikinis, tying up her hair in a bun.

“A-A-Arano?! What are you doing here?!” Natsuichi blurted.

“Yasushi-chan invited me to the beach!” Arano replied cheerfully. “She said that you’re working here. I can’t come unless she brings me.”

“That’s why you should thank me,” Yasushi said with a knowing snicker, patting her hair. “I know you’re dying to see Arano-chan in swimsuit.”

“What---no, I was not!!” But Natsuichi’s face was beet red even as if he tried to deny it.

It did not look like Arano had noticed anyway. Instead, she was pointing down the beach. “Ne, Ichi-kun! Do you know that Inoue-kun is working here as well?”

Natsuichi was taken aback. “He is?!”

“Yes, we met him there just now. He just started not long ago!”

Natsuichi stretched across the counter to see. Not far away, Takashi was seated in a high chair, wearing the red shirt of a lifeguard, peering at the ocean in his binoculars. A few college girls were hanging around behind him, whispering comments to one another about how cute he looked. As if he did not know.

Stupid bunch of old girls…I’m only 16, Takashi thought, vein throbbing and hand giving dismissing gestures, though quite unnoticed by the girls. Leave me alone already, pedophiles.

“Tch, stealing my spotlight, that representative,” Natsuichi muttered heatedly. He turned to Arano, and, to his terror, found her staring in Takashi’s direction thoughtfully. He quickly waved his hand in front of her eyes. “A-Arano!! Oi!!”

“Eh? What?” Arano turned to him, blinking. Before Natsuichi could respond though, Yasushi took her elbow and started dragging her towards the water, smirking.

“Come on, Arano-chan, it’s getting hot by the shack. Let’s take a dip while the jealous boy there cools down.”

“I’m not jealous!!”

Natsuichi slumped onto the counter numbly, a hand over his head. Just when he thought that the summer belonged to himself, everything took a wrong turn. “Could it get any worse?” he muttered.

Fortunately, he got off work ten minutes later. He staggered out of the shack and down the beach, stretching and swinging his arms as he warmed up. If there was anything that would get rid of his stress, it was swimming. He looked around, wondering where Yasushi and Arano had gone to.

“HELP!!”

The high-pitched scream almost broke through his ears. He immediately snapped towards the source of the distress signal, where Arano was standing near the waters and pointing towards the sea.

“Yasushi is drowning!! Someone help!!”

It occurred to Natsuichi how unlikely Yasushi was the one drowning, since she was a good swimmer, but from the way he saw her thrashing in the waters many meters off the coast, he decided not to think twice. He stripped off his shirt and dove into the water. The waves were slightly stronger than before, but he was not backing down.

“Calm down, Akira! I’m coming!” he shouted as he began to approach her. That was before he saw Takashi surfacing next to Yasushi, taking hold of her shoulders. He was not wearing his glasses, but Natsuichi could recognize him anywhere. He stopped swimming, casting glares at Takashi, who looked back carelessly.

“Slowpoke,” Takashi said.

That made Natsuichi’s nerves crack. “Right, mock people, won’t you?! I’m not an all-so-mighty Mr. Lifeguard, I can’t swim fast enough to save people! Like I care! You can keep all the glory to yourself!”

He shoved water into Takashi’s face. Takashi’s vein throbbed, and pushed Natsuichi’s head into the water. Natsuichi’s nerves totally snapped.

“That’s it, you stupid proud representative, you!!” He punched Takashi in the face.

“…You asked for it.” Takashi returned the punch.

“You did!!” Natsuichi attempted to spray as much water as possible at Takashi.

“You did.” Takashi took Natsuichi’s arm and twisted it.

“Aaaaargh, let go!!” Natsuichi continued splashing water at Takashi.

“You stop it!”

“Oh my, I didn’t expect two boys to be fighting over me.”

Natsuichi stopped struggling and Takashi stopped twisting. They whirled around to see Yasushi floating calmly not far from them, having been released by Takashi as soon as they started fighting. She seemed just fine.

“Akira! Weren’t you supposed to be drowning?!” Natsuichi demanded.

“Drowning? No, I wasn’t! But freaking out, yes, I was. My left leg went numb suddenly, but it’s fine now, so you don’t have to bother saving me. But it’s very exciting to have two guys coming after me during emergencies. I know someone has a crush on me, but I didn’t expect it to be you! Especially Inoue, whom I always thought would be attracted by Fumiko-chan---”

“Are you done talking?” Takashi asked icily. It looked like he was about to drown her.

“Ooh, getting heated, aren’t you? Be careful, you might get heat stroke from it---eee!!” Takashi and Natsuichi were coming after her now, splattering water over her. She started to swim away, only to be followed.

“This was supposed to be a perfect summer! Supposed!!”

Back on the shore, Arano was getting puzzled as to who was drowning and who was not. Not far behind her, hidden behind a rock, was Jun, who was constantly peeping out nervously, asking himself the same question.

“Akira-san was drowning…now it looks like all of them are drowning…but I can’t swim…uh…”