She can't swim. My mind echoed the same three words over and over.

That has to be it, I... have to stop Hikaru! But he's so fast...

"Hikaru, stop! I don't think Akane-san wants to do this, put her down!"

"Since when have you became aware of others?" Hikaru shot at me and set Akane down. Akane clumsily wobbled back and forth before regaining her balance. I ignored Hikaru's tasteless comment and take Akane's wrist.

"Okay?" I whisper.

"Mm." She responds quickly. I turn back to Hikaru who was confused at... well, everything.

"Uh, maybe she wants to just sit and watch... y'know."

"That," Akane spoke up abruptly. "sounds like a fantastic idea, Kaoru."

I might've imagined it, but by the sound of her voice and my look on her face, something told me she hasn't experienced anything "fantastic" in her life. Not to insult her, but the possibility made me worry. Just a little.

"

"Look out, Honey-senpai!"

"Ah! Tama-chan why'd you do that?"

"I was aiming for Hikaru!"

"No you weren't you were aiming straight at Honey-senpai!"

"Was not!"

"Fight me."

We were in the club room and yes, there is a beach in the club room-- don't ask.

I watch Tamaki and my brother battle with water guns. Of course I was in the fight too, but it appears they've forgotten my existence. But I didn't mind of course, I liked talking with Akane who was sitting in the shade with Haruhi.

Both girls were changed in almost identical outfits-- a hooded t-shirt and shorts. They were only different colors and Akane had longer sleeves that went to her elbows.

"You have a brother?" Haruhi asks Akane.

"Yeah, he's eight."

"I'm an only child, not very exciting." Haruhi sighed.

"For me, having Hikaru with me is fun, but even though I'm younger, it always seems like I have to look after him and not the other way around."

"Well, that makes sense..." Haruhi's eyes avert to Tamaki and Hikaru's water gun battle.

"But I like having Yoichirou around," Akane says. "He's very responsible and well mannered. He's like a mini adult."

"Aw, that's a brother I would want to have. In fact, it might be a brother everyone would want." Haruhi sighs.

Silence.

"... But..."

"Huh...?"

"That... is the one thing that worries me."

"Why's that?" I ask, scooting my chair a little closer to hers.

"Well... it's a long story. Good for another time, but let's just say that he acts like he must act the way he does."

"Really..." I wonder.

"Well," says Haruhi, "You should still be grateful for Yoichirou. I don't think brothers come like that often."

"Yeah, Yoichirou is one special kid." I admit.

"Yeah, you're right..." Akane sighs.

"Aka-chan! Play with me!" Honey-senpai tugged Akane's sleeve.

"Oh, uh... maybe another time, Honey-senpai."

"Mm... how about nope!" Honey picked up Akane for the second time today and rushed her to the water. I was about to stop him, but I saw for awhile that Honey was just splashing around in knee-deep water-- well for Honey, it was waist deep.

"You'll be fine, Akane! The water goes up to your knees!" I call. Akane nods.

I watch them play in the water for a few minutes.

"You like her, don't you?" Haruhi speaks.

"Figured that out already?"

"Yep. I get what you're feeling, she is a likable girl."

"Ooh? Does Haruhi--"

"No." She says flatly and I laugh.

"Just checking."

"Yeah, right." Haruhi rolls her eyes. My eyes averted back to Akane, running in the water, making splashes with every step. Laughing like she had nothing to worry about--

"Akane! Honey-senpai! LOOK OUT!"