A Poolside Story

Ejji Reiguu did not particularly like the cold of the winter, but he did not bother much by commenting on it whenever he went outside. A minor thing such as cold temperature was not something Ejji would let himself complain about, lest he ridicule himself. That was why he proceeded towards the front entrance of the Nokawia Public Pool with as much haste as he could muster, without breaking into a run and possibly embarassing himself in front of other people. The good thing was - the distance between the car that brought him here - his limo - and the doors was short.

After emerging from withing the changing rooms, where he had left his belonging Ejji made his way towards the edge of the central pool. Clad in only his royal blue, knee-long swimming shorts and a small amulet around his neck (his ear piercings long like a part of him), a gift from his mother, he did have to admit to himself... he looked good. And he loved the fact. After all - he came to the pool for multiple reasons. One was, of course, to swim and relax, which he enjoyed doing very much. It served as both excercise and good past-time. Two was to be able to look at girls in their swimsuits. Naturally - he had the mind to do it discreetly, so as not to attract unwanted attention and bad reputation. And lastly - he liked to be admired. He wasn't really ripped or anything, but well-fit enough to attract attention of the opposite gender to himself. He would never admit it, but he liked to be admired, as he thought he deserved. Besides - he didn't spend his time and effort on looks for nothing!

So here was Ejji now, thinking whether to swim for a bit, or go into a separate jacuzzi for some warmth and relaxation. A truly tough choice - since he didin't exactly knew what he preferred right now.
That was when his roaming eyes fell upon the guard tower by the pool. Even from this distance Ejji could clearly see a familiar face. Now he remembered! That was where!

With a neautral expression on his face, Ejji began walking towards the tower. It wouldn't be proper not to greet a new... friend. Ejji still supressed a cringe at that thought. He just wasn't used to it. But maybe he would be.

Ejji allowed his face to soften out a bit as Genji greeted him. It would be a good step in getting to know each other, and reduce any possible hostility that might be present between them. Ejji, however, doubted that would happen, since the other boy seemed to be genuinly happy to see him. Well, he guessed he was somewhat pleased to see a familiar face as well. Listening carefully, the Reiguu made sure to reply to all the questions.

"Greetings, Genji-san." Ejji decided to go with this honorific, since he found it weird to call him sempai, and "-kun" was too familiar a suffix to be used at the present time. "I am here to relax and excercise. I attend the pool quite often." he looked aside, taking in the scene of the indoor pool, and then turned back to Genji, raising a brow in the slightest of amusement. "I also had a feeling I have seen you somewhere else when we met in school. It seems I have seen you here before."

It was a good thing that Genji's break was pretty soon. They could... dare he say it - hang out for a bit? He would like that, since it would mean he had a familiar face to concentrate on, and not accidentally end up in a crowd or something. Ejji hated crowds. In that aspect Nokawia was the best place - everyone liked to stand alone, not mingling into a crowd. Individuality was everywhere here.
But back to the matter at hand...

"I suppose we could spend some time in mutual company. If you're not against it, that is?" Ejji never said the words "hang out". They were ill-suited for him.

"I am glad that I was of some help." Ejji nodded, feeling pride swell up at the fact. He had known that the books were returned, but he didn't actually know if they helped Genji or not. Even with the right materials it still took effort and a correct approach to the subject to get a good score. It seemed that his new friend had some academic talent. How much was unknown for now, and it wasn't like Ejji needed to know. Frankly - he didin't care.

Then Genji announced that his break was starting right now. Ejji had to think on this one. The pool had enough activites available for them to participate in, or they could simply get some light snacks. The people attending the pool would spend a lot of time here, and no one really came in here with homemade lunches or anything. So in case anyone got hungry - a snack bar was installed in one of the corners of the pool area, not too far away from the doorway that led to the solarium section of the pool building. There was also a sauna area, but that was a bit further, and Ejji wasn't a fan of sauna - he liked his air fresh and breathable.
Ejji looked at Genji and gestured to the side, in the direction of the previously mentioned snack bar.

"It has been a while since I ate. A light snack is something I need." Ejji concluded, not wasting any time and setting off in the chosen direction. He didn't even think that Genji could have second thoughts or an another idea, but Ejji didn't notice thee selfishness in his actions.

He expected the other boy to follow, and so continued to talk. Which was unusual for him, except that he was explaining his reasons. "Usually I eat before going to the Pool, but today our cook caled in sick and Shizuka, one of my personal maids took it upon herself to make a meal for me. She may be cute, and an expert at cleaning, but her cooking skills are not one of her accomplishments. That is why I had to skip lunch today. A pity, but nothing to worry about - I do not consider this a sebtack." he looked back, only now wondering if his friend was following. "I could go without food for two days if I so desired. That is, however, foolish and thus not a correct thing to do."

Coincidentally, he stopped in front of the snack bar. "Is there something you want? I shall provide the money."

He needed to be a generous friend, right? That's what people said, he recalled.

Ejji looked at Genji with a note of understanding and a bit of pity. He tried not to show it thought, but maybe emotions would flicker just for a split second. It was really a shame that his new friend knew nothing of how much money was circulating just outside, in the Nokawia Town. Usually those people that had dealings with the residents of this town had a rough idea that the people who lived here were those who had a long standing and history in the region. Some were, however, newcomers, who had come to live the luxury town from places close and distant.
Ejji saw it as correct to elaborate on the situation, just as he ordered the sadwich Genji desired and a few others for him - meat, cheese and crab. Two crabs, actually. He especially loved the crab meat ones.

"You see, Genji-san..." he began, taking the plate and walking up to one of the empty tables with seats nearby. He set the plate, holding their meals on the center of the table and deftly took a seat on a chair of his choosing. He decided to keep his back to the pool, allowing Genji to watch the area while eating. This would be prudent. "... I am not the only one who has great amounts of wealth in this town. Many can claim to have connections, well-established trade, reputation or simply inheritance." he paused, taking the cheese sandwich in his hand, carefully, and crossing one of his legs over the other. "My family simply has all of them, combined."

Ejji could really say with certainty that he could trust this information to Genji. And it wasn't like nobody knew of this, since the Reiguu were famous both in Nokawia and beyond. He took a bite and chewed, thinking of what to explain next. Ah, yes.

"The Reiguu Family were a part of the founding families in this region, and all of their decendants can be easily recognized. With this." then Ejji pointed at his hair, a distinct trademark of his lineage. "As for the treat. There's no need to thank me. I was... just doing what was right." Ejji couldn't keep the small blush from his cheeks. He was not used to this level of gratitude. And his last phrase sounded a bit weaker than usual, since he was making a guess.
He hated feeling weak like this, so he swiftly composed himself.

"We are not really royalty. Although we are well known." Ejji admitted with a small shrug. He listened to his friend talk, slowly taking off bits of his sandwich until it vanished from his hands. His mood was steadily improving, both from the conversation and the food. That saying about the man's stomach was true, after all. Ejji would always be a little more patient and accepting after a nice meal. Well - he had a few more sandwiches do deal with here.

But then Genji had to go and speak about pressure. There was no pressure. Ejji was neve pressured into doing anything - he had only duties, only responsibilities he had to uphold. He was tasked with learning everything and doing everything he was supposed to know and do when he would reach certain ages in his life - nothing more and nothing less.
Ejji's face reverted back into his usual cold and concentrated expression. It wasn't much of a change, but Genji certainly could notice. Not that Ejji knew, or thought about that right now.

"Pressure? I certainly have no idea what you are talking about." he crossed his arms, the sandwiches momentarily forgotten. "My family and those around them simply have standards. That is all." he finished, a slight growl in his voice.

He didn't want to talk about it. He didn't wish to admit it, to think even for a second about his real feeling, somewhere there, in the deep. That sometimes he felt like he was in over his head in this, that he was weak, unable to be the Heir everyone wanted him to be. He so desperately wanted to be stronger. But he would never go into that train of thought - he was strong, he was reliable, he was versatile. He was all these things!

The Reiguu heir decided not to dwell on that for long, going over to safer topics. That was just a wrong question - it was all. It was no big deal. his point already made, Ejji spoke again, reaching for the crab sandwich.

"This world..." he began, thinking. He could share a bit of his views, could he not? Certainly no harm in that. "... is a cruel, bad place to live in. Most people do not meet... my expectations. Many do not realize their own foolishness, their sins - until there is too late. Some do not care even if they realize. Such a world... is an ugly world. But..." he nodded his head, still not biting into his snack. "... there is some beauty in it. And virtue. Good people."

He concluded, finally starting his second sandwich.

Wherever the conversation between the two students would go from there, it seemed that fate had an another idea for the things that would happen. Ejji had a feeling that his friend wanted to say something more, but at the very same moment a scream could be heard from behind Ejji, to which he only turned his head, trying to understand what was happening and if there was a valid reason for distress. What he saw a a bit of a shock.

The only things he did was to stand up and move to the edge of the pool, watching Genji do his job. He would be there in case something went wrong, but he had no desire, nor the thought at the moment, to get in there as well. He'd only just get in the way.

After the ordeal was over, Ejji moved closer to his friend. He decided to share his thoughts, even if the scene was a bit weird... vomit on the young man and everything.

"That was very admirable. A wonderful performance." he said, concluding it with just two words. "Good job."

Ejji didn't know if he had the right to comment on this, or if even Genji would take the compliments. He just said what he felt at the moment. Although, he made sure not to touch Genji. All was well and good, but he didn't need the nasty stuff on his hand - any hand.
He wondered if it was really normal to react as calmly as he did in a situation like this. He was, the way he was.

Ejji just looked at Genji as he walked closer. He had seen him talk to the manager, who'se face he knew from all the times he had visited the pool. He couldn't really hear what the wo talked about, but it was fortunate that the manager was facing Ejji's way. That way - the Reiguu heir could read the man's lips a bit, and could bascially undestand that the pool needed to be closed. A shame, since Ejji had yet to excercise and relax, and now he would have to find an another way to do it. At least Genji was doing splendinly a his job.

When Genji arrived, Ejji did something he rarely did. He put his hand on the upperclassman's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. He had something to say, something that he felt Genji needed to know, before they parted ways for today, since he guessed that they lived far apart.

"Remember what I said about the world and the people in it?" he asked, making sure to sound as sincere and serious as possible. "You're a good person. In my eyes, at least."

Ejji removed his hand and turned sideways, in the direction of the changing rooms. He still had to get his clothes, and all that.

"I shall see you around. Goodbye." Ejji waved a bit, walking away. Today was certainly something people didn't get to see everyday. Ejji felt that he started understanding Genji a little better, and divulged a bit more about himself to the boy. It was a steady pace, but he felt they could get somewhere. He supressed a smile.

[Ejji - exit]