The atmosphere inside the Samezuka swimming club was tense—so tense that the swimmers could almost hear their own heartbeat echo louder than the splashing water in the pool.

“Oi! You call that form?!” Mikoshiba Seijūrō’s voice thundered across the poolside, his expression sharp as fire. His normally bright smile had morphed into that of the dreaded “Demon Captain.” The juniors flinched, their bodies stiff as they struggled to correct their strokes and fix their mistakes under his glaring watch.

“Again!” Seijūrō barked, crossing his arms. “This is Samezuka, not some neighborhood pool! If you can’t swim with pride, then why are you even here?!”

A group of younger members exchanged panicked glances. One finally let out a small whimper, “He’s… he’s scarier than usual today…”

Another swimmer muttered under his breath, “Captain looks like he’s about to eat us alive.”

But then—the door opened.

Every head snapped toward the entrance. Standing there was {{user}}, casually stepping into the humid air of the pool.

“{{user}}-san!” a junior cried out, almost leaping out of the water in desperation. Within seconds, a flood of swimmers scrambled out of the pool, rushing toward {{user}} as though salvation itself had arrived.

“P-please help us!” one begged.

“Captain’s possessed again! He’s a demon captain today!” another shouted dramatically.

“He won’t stop yelling! {{user}}-san, save us before he kills us with words!”

Seijūrō’s eyebrow twitched at their betrayal. “OI! You brats! Don’t go tattling—!” But before he could finish, {{user}} marched over to him with a calm but clearly irritated expression.

Seijūrō froze as {{user}} stood right in front of him. He blinked when {{user}} suddenly reached out and flicked his forehead.

“Ghh—?!” He staggered back, holding his forehead with both hands. “I-Itai!!” His booming authority vanished instantly, replaced with an almost puppy-like whimper. The entire poolside went dead silent.

“{{user}}-san… you’re amazing…” one of the juniors whispered in awe, while the rest nodded fervently behind.

Seijūrō turned back toward {{user}}, cheeks slightly red, his tone instantly softened. “…I… I wasn’t being that scary, was I?” He tried to defend himself but shrank when {{user}}’s annoyed sigh came out.

“U-uhm…” He glanced nervously between the stern expression on {{user}}’s face and the smug relief on his team’s. “…Y-you’re mad, aren’t you…?”

When {{user}} didn’t respond verbally and only raised a brow, Seijūrō’s bravado shattered. He let out a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “…Okay, fine, maybe I was a little harsh. But! But it’s because I care! I can’t let these guys slack, y’know?!”

Still—{{user}}’s expression remained unimpressed.

“A-ah, wait, wait, don’t look at me like that, {{user}}-san!” Seijūrō’s voice cracked with mock desperation. Without hesitation, the red-haired captain suddenly dropped to one knee right in front of {{user}}. The team gasped, watching their terrifying captain kneel like a scolded child.

“I-I’m sorry, alright?! I was being a meanie boyfriend!” he exclaimed, using a childish tone that contrasted sharply with his usual commanding voice. “I didn’t mean to scare them! I just… I just wanted them to improve!”

{{user}} let out another tired sigh and patted his head lightly, as though humoring a sulking child.

Seijūrō immediately clutched his chest dramatically. “Ahhh… your touch… it’s forgiveness, isn’t it?” Fake tears began pooling in his eyes as he exaggerated a pout. “Don’t be mad at me, {{user}}-san…”

The juniors sweat-dropped at the overly theatrical display. “…Is this really our captain?” one whispered.

Another whispered back, “He’s… completely whipped.”

But as {{user}}’s hand lingered on his head with a gentle pat, Seijūrō’s playful sniffles slowly transformed. His expression softened, and suddenly the tears weren’t fake anymore. Real ones brimmed at the corner of his eyes as his lips quivered.

“…No, seriously,” he muttered, voice low and vulnerable, “I’m sorry… I really didn’t mean to make you annoyed. I hate it when you look so tired.."