Does this make me a sempai or something? [izuna]

Gabe was an alumnus from the seven stars academy. After gaining a steady job all of those years ago, the desire of continuing his education because his parents would have wanted that was the reason why he continued the way that he did. Right now, he graduated only a few months ago but maintained his alumni status to volunteer and help out and whatnot. Right now, Gabe was helping out with the swim team as an assistant and spent most of the time critiquing about proper form and things of that nature. But afterward, everyone was just hanging out in the pool area as Gabe stayed around and stood as the watchful eye of the area.

He wasn't that much older, but he still felt like he had a responsibility to them, so he stood around.



"Ah, youth isn't really meant to be wasted. "

After visiting the pool the other night with Yuri and Lupin, Shouhei admitted that he’d much rather swim than run for a cardiovascular exercise.  Either way it would keep his lungs fit and more than just his legs.  Also he would earnestly try to cut back on smoking… key word being try.  His black shoulder length hair was tied back neatly into a ponytail and he wore a simple black track jacket with matching swim trunks and sandals, and a towel draped over his shoulder.

Once again, his timing was off as he found the area full with what appeared to be the swim team.  While it looked like they had finished practice, Shouhei didn’t want to cause any problems and went to what he thought looked like a coach or someone responsible for the team.  The raven haired guy with glasses that seemed to lord over them was a good shot as any.

“Excuse me… is the swim team done using the pool?  Am I allowed to jump in?” Shouhei asked a bit apprehensively.

Turning over, Gabe faced the younger lad that asked him about using the pool now that the swim team was done. Much to his knowledge, this was it for the day, so it was free for everyone to use.

"Around this time, everyone is simply hanging out, I'm not necessarily sure that it would matter if you jumped in. No one's going to say anything, and if they do, I'll be sure to clean up the altercation if there is one. Right now, the pool is free for everyone, so enjoy. "

Gabe gave the other a haughty smile.

"You know, I think the swim team is always looking for new people. You could have introduced yourself earlier when the head coach was around. "

That was certainly a relief to hear.  No one to cause any trouble, a worry free and relaxing swim.  Some days, it seemed, that any choice he made was the wrong one.  Shouhei set aside his towel and began stretching, a tiny smile showing.  

“Uh… me?  As much as I enjoy swimming… I don’t think I could,” he was a bit flabbergasted at the kind words given to him.  Most students, and even some teachers, had venomous tongues.  He had heard the rumors surrounding him; it was hard to ignore.  Still stretching he continued, “Besides, I’m already in Music Club.  That’s the main reason why I’m swimming now.  I appreciate the offer and- wait... you’re not the coach?”

"Me? The coach? Hahahahaa! No, I'm actually a volunteer. I graduated from the seven stars academy a year ago, so that pretty much makes me alumni of this place. One of the things I liked doing was get involved with the teams and clubs whenever they are up to something, so I liked to volunteer my services from time to time. In a sense, I try to make my "master of none" attitude work for me when I'm stretched thin, but still feel a good sense of accomplishment when helping out. But I do know the coach and the team captain if you want me to introduce you."

Gabe said this with a wink as he stretched out a little.

"Music huh? What kind of instrument are you into for you to incorporate swimming into your training? Is it something that requires you to take in long deep breaths?"

Gabe was genuinely interested, it wasn't every day that someone said that the main reason they were swimming was because of something else entirely.

"Oh, by the way, let me introduce myself. I'm Gabriel, and you?"

“The name’s Shouhei Kagawa.  Nice to meet you Gabe,” the grin on Shouhei’s face couldn’t help but widen at how verbose this overly friendly alumni was.  Quite charitable of Gabe to spend time here as well; if Shouhei somehow managed to graduate from this Academy, returning would be one of the last things on his mind.

“Like I was saying, I appreciate the offer, but I can’t at the moment.  I’ve got a couple of part-time jobs on the side, and well, I’m surprised I found the time to even exercise,” with a nervous laugh he hoped Gabe wouldn’t press that topic any further, as kind as it was.  “But yeah, I sing, so it’s to help build stronger lungs for the most part.  The fact that swimming’s a full body workout on top of that is great; most of the time I’m just sitting or standing around.  I realized this is way better than running too, haha.”

"Shouhei, ah...that's a pretty good name. Are you originally from Endymion? Or did you move here before the divide and get stuck after it happened? To be honest, we do get a lot of foreigners in the sense of people who didn't originally come from the city."

Gabe even met someone that was from Sweden, there were a lot of names and faces that came up when Gabe really thought about it. After hearing that he could sing, Gabe made a bit of a whistling tone.

"Ah, so you are one of those types? Once you hit the microphone, the girls tend to swoon when they hear your voice. I'm not hating, I think that anyone who can maintain a beat and has a strong enough voice for singing has a real gift to them. Well, reaching the hearts of people through your music. As a matter of fact, I think an idol goes to seven stars still as well, she's a close friend of mine. That would be someone on par in the sense of singing that you can connect with, right?"

If Gabe wasn't good at something, he would be the one to build the bridge towards something or someone that could fit the bill.

“Born and raised in Japan.  But that’s the beauty of America, yeah?”  Shouhei was starting to find it easier to talk around Gabe, the man’s constant questions and sincerity behind them were breaking down his guard.  

...You have no idea about my other job, Shouhei replied mentally at Gabe’s mentioning of getting women to both literally and figuratively pay attention to him.  Singing and dancing at a host club was surprisingly lucrative.  Then his brilliant blue eyes lit up at the mention of Nola.  “Oh, you mean Nola Allaway, right?  I couldn’t believe she attended this Academy, and was in the same club I was in!  I’m a huge fan of hers and the opportunity to meet her was just… out of this world.  And yeah, just like you said, I want to sing so I can inspire people just like Nola does.”

"Wow, for once, there's not much I can do then if you already know about her. Yeah, the person I was talking about was Nola, she's a pretty good teacher and shes kindhearted, so you couldn't ask for a better companion if you continue down this line. I also did some media work for Katty Kurei as well, so i'll keep my eyes open if any openings for background singers for one of her concerts open up. mean, it's something."

It was a good that Nola managed to make new friends, especially Shouhei being someone that has the singing and music business in common with her. It was also a good thing that he was around her age as well.

"Well, if you like working out around here, things might get a little boring doing it alone. So how about i swim a few laps with you from time to time?"

“I’d be honored to!” Subconsciously Shouhei’s Japanese mannerisms slipped as he bowed formally to his senior.  An embarrassed laugh escaped him this time before he said, “I mean, I’d be honored to have your help.  About Katty Kurei- I hear she’s ridiculously popular.  To work under her would be an extremely impressive job to add to my career.”

Having finished stretching, Shouhei removed his track jacket.  Noticeable scars ran across his shoulders and biceps but he attempted to play it off as if it were nothing.  With a beaming smile on his face he added, “I’d also be honored to have an exercise partner.  Thanks Gabe.”

Gabe wasn't usually the kind of guy who would make promises that he couldn't keep. However, if this guy was really a friend of Nola, Gabe wanted to really give it his all in the act of assisting him. He would also want to take care of Nola's friends, knowing full well that they took quite a blow in that department when the other two were gone.

"You know, we can definitely get started right now. "

Gabe said as he took off his jacket and slipped into the pool.


"How about a few laps for starters? You know the basics right? Speed isn't too important here, just proper form. "