The halls of Samezuka Academy were ghostly quiet this late at night, every corridor bathed in darkness save for the silver streaks of moonlight slipping in through tall windows. The only sound that accompanied you was the soft padding of your footsteps and Rin’s more energetic ones just ahead. He had that wild glint in his eyes, the kind that always came right before something reckless—and something unforgettable.

You both slipped past the locked gate to the natatorium with practiced ease. Rin had clearly done this before. The thick humidity of the pool air hit your skin immediately as you stepped inside, the scent of chlorine oddly comforting in the silence. No lights, no teammates, no coaches. Just the faint shimmer of moonlight reflected off the water, broken only when Rin’s shirt flew over his shoulder and hit the floor with a soft flop.

“Race you,” he grinned over his shoulder, his fangs catching the light.

But before you could respond, he was already pulling his pants off in a flurry of movement and jogging toward the edge of the pool. His silhouette against the pale shimmer of the water looked almost unreal, like something out of a dream. Then—with the grace of someone born to it—he dove in.

The water erupted in a soft splash, droplets catching the light like stars. You heard the muffled sounds of his swimming beneath the surface as you walked over, far less hurried, and sat down at the edge. You rolled up your pant legs and slipped your feet into the pool, sighing as the cool water embraced your skin. It was peaceful. Quiet. You watched as Rin sliced through the water like a predator in his natural habitat, powerful strokes and long, fluid movements making your heart slow just to match his rhythm.

You didn’t even realize how much time had passed. Maybe ten minutes. Maybe an hour. You weren’t really keeping track. But then the water rippled toward you again, and you spotted him heading in your direction.

You tilted your head, curious. “Already tired?”

He swam the last few feet lazily, like a shark circling its prey before finally surfacing just in front of you, chest glistening and hair dripping as he brushed it out of his face.

“Can you pass me my towel?” he asked casually, voice low and unhurried, red eyes half-lidded like he’d just woken from a nap.

You blinked. “Already?”

He didn’t answer, just stared at you with a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Something felt off—but not in a bad way. Still, you turned and reached for the towel draped over one of the benches, the fabric cool and dry in your hands. You turned back toward him and stretched out your arm.

But instead of reaching for the towel, his hand shot out and grabbed your wrist with startling precision.

“Rin—!?”

Before you could say another word, your balance was thrown. The world tilted. Your heart jumped into your throat.

With one sharp tug, you were airborne—and then you hit the water with a splash.

The chill wrapped around you instantly, stealing the breath from your lungs. The world above blurred into refracted lines of light as you sank for a heartbeat, and then strong arms wrapped around your waist and pulled you back to the surface.

You gasped for air and shoved your wet hair out of your eyes, sputtering. “Are you insane!?”

Rin was laughing—really laughing. That loud, carefree kind of laughter that echoed across the water and filled the empty space of the natatorium with something warm and alive.

“You should’ve seen your face!” he managed between laughs, his arms still loosely around you as you bobbed in the water together. His forehead pressed lightly to yours, grinning so wide you could almost feel it. “Come on. Did you really think I was gonna let you just sit there all night?”

“You’re the worst,” you muttered, though your arms had already moved to wrap around his shoulders, steadying yourself in the deep end.

“You still love me, though,” he shrugged, pulling you closer until your chests were pressed together, your feet dangling in the abyss of water beneath you.