A Brother's Sacrifice

"Can you tell me your name again? I didn't quite catch that."

"It's Hirabayashi Maika."

"Can...can you tell me one more time?"

"It's Hirabayashi Maika."

"One more time."

"It's Hirabayashi Maika."

That cheerful wide smile, plastered on her innocent face didn't change one bit when I was taunting her.

"That's enough Tenma."

"But that's a long-ass name, so I must hear it properly so as to say it without any mistake."

"You know, that's a bit rude towards her and her family."

Although Aki said that, she was not that serious because this Hira-whatever girl is one of the types of girls that Aki hates. So she isn't really bothered by me teasing this cheerful girl.

"You can all call me Maika if you want."

"Might as well take up your offer as it will take me ages till I remember that other name."

She didn't twitch nor destroyed her carefree smile's form. For some reason, I want to see how her face would be when that radiant smile crumbles in front of despair.

"Enough talking. Let's get onto the boat. Everyone has already rowed quite far."

"But who's rowing?"

At Kinoshita's question, Aki sneered at him and me then she said,

"Of course it will be you and Tenma. You're gonna let delicate women do the job?"

'Delicate, my ass!' was what I would say but there doesn't seem to be another option. So I unwillingly volunteered for the rowing job while glaring at Aki.

Kinoshita started rowing and I tried to sync my actions with his. That way, the boat will be easily manoeuvred and be faster. Aki and Maika were at the centre of the boat while the 2 rowers sit at both ends of the boat.

After rowing for quite some time, we stopped as our hands were beginning to get tired. We were not that far from the land, but we were quite isolated as we did not get close with the other boats. Resting was all we could do right now.

"So Maika, do you know who we are?"

I said that to pass some time before we return back on land.

"Yes."

"...And you are not scared of us?" said Aki.

"Frankly I was scared of you all three before but, now that I've seen you up close, talking with each other, it was not that scary being with you."

Well, she didn't see us in action so she doesn't know us very well. There was a moment of awkwardness which filled the air. Then I proceeded to lay down on my back where there was enough space and yawned.

"Sleeping here?"

"Just for a bit, do whatever you want."

Kinoshita was quietly looking at the sky while breathing with his eyes closed. Aki was playing with the water with small movements of her hands. She didn't know herself what she was doing but continued doing it. Meanwhile, that Maika girl spectated this unenthusiastic group of people silently.

.....

"Shall we return then?"

After a period of resting and having a breath, I thought that it was now time to go back on land. This was a good time to rest because of that meaningless hiking 'fun' that that muscular teacher organized.

"Yea."

Maika, for some reason, was a little bit surprised. I don't why but I ignored her and continued to prepare to return.

I signalled Kinoshita to start rowing. At the sudden movement of the boat, Maika's body swayed in the direction of the sides of the boat.

"Kyaaaaaaaaa!!!"

Her body weight enabled her to lean back on the boat so she fell out of the boat.

*Splash*

The circular waves pinpointed the exact place where that girl fell. We three looked at each other. Then Aki, with a grin on her face, said,

"The heck did you do?"

"It's not our fault. She didn't hold onto something."

We looked at that place where she fell. It was quite some time since she fell. Then Aki worriedly turned towards us.

"Hey, do you think she can swim?"

"..."

"..."

Silence befell on us as we once again looked at each other. Then after 3 seconds, Kinoshita removed his shirt and threw it at me.

"Watch where you are throwing it!"

Ignoring me, he dived into the water. Just me and Aki were on the boat.

"Soooo...Aki, want a lollipop?"

"Sure."

I took out two lollipops and gave one to Aki. I took out the plastic wrapping and put it in my mouth. It was strawberry flavoured, my favourite one. After that, we waited for those two to come back up.

Finally, after quite some time, two heads appeared from the water. Kinoshita was grabbing onto her waist and swam to the boat. Our unbothered faces looked at this scene, thinking about Kinoshita as a hero.

"What took you so long?"

"She is unconscious so she was quite heavy."

My eyes fell on her c.h.e.s.t area. Her clothes were wet so, we could clearly see her bras and body.

"That explains everything," I muttered

The second I quietly said that, I felt a slap at the back of my head. I'm getting way too familiar with this pain because I instantly knew that that was Aki's doing.

"You are the worst."

She disgustingly stared at me.

"Don't be jealous Aki. I know that you are lacking in that department but still, don't vent out your anger on me."

The next thing she did was look at her own b.r.e.a.s.t before attacking me like a wild animal.

"Guys!"

At that voice, we two stopped and looked at Kinoshita.

"...She is not breathing."

"Eh?"

"What!?"

Sounds of astonishment came out of our mouth. The heck does he mean she is not breathing!?

"Remove the water from her stomach! Push on her belly constantly!"

Kinoshita did it well but little water was coming out of her mouth.

"Shit shit shit shit! It's not working!"

I panicked and didn't know what do to. If something happens to her, we would be blamed for it.

"Calm down Tenma! Isn't there anything we can do!?"

"I don't. I don't!"

I tried to think of some ways to get out of this terrible situation. Kinoshita was still pushing on her belly but nothing is really happening. Then at that moment, Kinoshita said the things that I couldn't think of.

"What about...CPR?"

"Good idea Kinoshita! Then does anyone know how to do it?"

I looked at Aki and waited for a response.

"I don't know, don't ask me. What about you?"

"I also don't know, that's why I was asking, you numbskull!"

She was glaring at me. But before she could do anything, Kinoshita broke in between us.

"I know how to do it."

"Is that so? Then do it!"

"But...Won't there be any repercussions?"

I get what he is saying but this is not the time.

"Just do it! No one will know about it if this matter isn't disclosed to everyone! And would you waste your time thinking of the consequences if it was your sister lying there!?"

Kinoshita, who was staring at me, smiled lightly, then turned back to Maika to do the CPR. He leaned towards her mouth, touching it and performed a life-saving technique.