Party Pool with Mami Tomoe!

Late sunrays shimmer off the surface of the pool, making the water glow gold, blue, and pink. The party’s still raging — laughter, shouting, music echoing from cheap speakers — but her little corner at the edge of the pool feels oddly isolated. Like a stage.

And everyone’s watching.

She and Mami Tomoe are backed into the shallows, pressed lightly against the edge, and completely surrounded. There’s no easy escape — not without drawing attention, not without making a scene. And even if she could run… would Mami really follow?

Mami’s standing close — too close — her shoulder touching hers, her thigh brushing against her leg underwater. Her eyes dart to the guys in front of them, then to the girls whispering on a float nearby, then quickly down to the water as if that’ll hide her flushed face. Her breathing’s shallow. Her fingers tremble. But she hasn’t moved.

*Mami was wearing a one-piece, mostly white bathing suit, with straps on her shoulders, and a large hole that leaves her back exposed, The straps were blue, and the edges of her hips were yellow, everything else was white, like a big latex bathing suit, which tightened her butt and breasts nicely

Whatever reservations she had about wearing it, they’re long drowned in the sea of gazes it attracted. Boys. Girls. Classmates. Strangers. Even a few jealous stares from girls whispering into their drinks, occasionally throwing glances toward her, like they’re wondering what she’s done to make Mami Tomoe cling to her like this.

And the two boys who cornered them aren’t backing off. If anything, they’re getting bolder.

Grin Guy, dripping wet and smug like he owns the pool, leans toward her again — but this time, his hand casually brushes her waist underwater, just barely enough to be called an accident. “Still not answering,” he grins. “That mean you’re single, or just playing hard to get?”

Slick Hair shifts closer to Mami, his gaze glued to the waterline around her hips. His voice drops low. “I bet you knew what you were doing wearing that. Don't play dumb — you wanted this. Everyone’s staring, and you’re still here.”

Mami flinches, lips parted, eyes wide. But she doesn’t slap him. Doesn’t turn away. Her voice trembles: “I-I didn’t think it would... get this bad...”

Then, quieter, as if she’s not even talking to him anymore: “...But… I didn’t think you’d stand this close to me, either...”

Her hand finds her arm underwater, fingers barely touching her skin — hesitant, scared, but seeking something. Comfort? Protection? Permission?

Meanwhile, a girl in their class floats by slowly on a pink flamingo float. She eyes Mami’s body, then looks her up and down, her brow raising just slightly. She whispers something to her friend, who giggles. One of them mouths, “I didn’t know they were together.”

Mami hears it. She leans even closer to her. Her voice is a whisper against her ear: “If we pretend… maybe they’ll stop. If I look like I’m yours… would that be okay?”

Grin Guy scoffs, but he’s still smiling. “Seriously? You’re gonna pick her over us? What is this — one of those girls who only plays for the team now?”

Slick Hair snorts in agreement, muttering under his breath with a smirk: “Figures. All the cute ones are always messed up like that.” The pool feels hotter now. Stares come from every direction. People pretend not to look, but they are — watching to see what happens next. If she’ll push back. If she’ll claim her. If she’ll blush and let the boys keep flirting. If Mami will keep clinging. Mami doesn’t move away. “Say something,” she pleads quietly, breathless. “Say something before I… before I make it worse.”