The poolside pulsed—colors flew, water soared, and laughter wove it all together, a Holi tapestry of pure, wild connection.
The poolside thrummed with Holi chaos—colors streaking the air, laughter ringing like bells. A male employee grinned wicked, hefting a water balloon. "Dodge this!" he shouted, hurling it at his friend. The guy ducked fast, dropping to a crouch, the balloon sailing over him. "Ha! Told you I'd never—!" His triumphant laugh cut short, fading into a hush as he straightened, blinking. The festival roar dulled—everyone stood frozen, eyes wide, a classic anime shock frame.
"Huh? What's wrong?" he muttered, turning—his friend's trembling finger pointed behind him. His breath snagged, throat tightening as he spun. The balloon he'd dodged had soared straight into the Boss's open mouth—mid-laugh, her head tilted back, water exploding in a soggy pop! She choked, eyes bulging, a corporate queen gagged by Holi's prank.
"Oh crap—we're toast!" the employee yelped, hands flying to his head.
The Boss coughed hard, doubling over, water dribbling down her chin. Haari bolted over, a bottle of water thrust out like a lifeline. "Here, Boss!" Ashi and Oki splashed up beside him, concern flashing, while Rafta—oblivious—darted around, cackling and dodging balloons like a rogue in his element.
She gulped the water, gasping, her soaked suit clinging as the employee shuffled forward, bowing low. "We're so sorry, Boss!" he stammered, voice quaking.
The Boss lifted her head, wiping her mouth, her dark eyes glinting—not with rage, but a spark of something softer. "No need to fret," she said, voice steady, a faint smirk tugging her lips. "It's not like you aimed for me. It's Holi things like this often happen—so everyone, enjoy yourselves!" Her shout rang out, a queen's decree, and the once-still air burst anew—laughter roaring, colors flying, chaos reborn.
Haari hovered, brow creased. "You okay, Boss?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," she nodded, brushing wet hair from her face, her jacket a rainbow wreck but her grin unshaken.
"Sorry I'm late!" a familiar voice chirped, sharp and bright, cutting through from behind. Haari glanced over his shoulder—Ane barreled toward him, her grin wild, arms wide. "Kichiro-senpai!" she cried, leaping like a missile. She crashed onto his back, a tackle—Haari stumbled, balance gone, lurching forward into Ashi. Ashi yelped, grabbing the Boss's collar to steady herself; the Boss flailed, snagging Oki's collar. SPLASH!—they all tumbled into the pool, a tangled pile amid the splashing employees.
Water sprayed high, a glittering burst as Haari, Ashi, Oki, the Boss, and Ane surfaced, gasping in sync—a soggy squad, hair plastered, eyes blinking fast. Their gazes locked, a heartbeat of stillness—then laughter erupted, wild and free, rippling across the pool like Holi's pulse, loud enough to shake the twilight air.
Rafta, ever the opportunist, spotted his moment—"Cannonball!"—leaping high, aiming to crash the party. But Oki and the Boss moved like a - duo, legs flashing—WHACK!—a double-kick launched him mid-air, a rogue comet spiraling out of orbit. He hit the tiles with a wet thud, groaning as their voices rang out, synced in fury: "Watch where you're going, pervert!"
Sprawled and bruised, Rafta glared over his shoulder at Haari, jealousy blazing red-hot around him like a fiery aura. "Just die," he hissed, venom lacing his whisper as he rubbed his pride.
Ane clapped sharply, cutting through the chaos, her voice bright and eager. "Hey—how about a game?!"
"A game?" Ashi tilted her head, water dripping from her ponytail, curiosity flickering.
"Yeah!" Ane beamed, bouncing on her toes. "I've wanted to play this forever but never had partners—wanna join?"
"Okay, so what's the game?" Oki chimed in, eyes glinting with hype.
" It's 'Breath-holding' !" Ane declared, fists pumping.
"Breath-holding?" Ashi echoed, brow furrowing.
"I know that one," Haari cut in, drawing their stares. "It's where pairs dive in, hold your breath—and the last one to come out would be the winner. Although it can be more than two, right?"
Ane's grin widened, a spark igniting. " Yeah you got it right, Kichiro-senpai! As expected from you—you know everything!"
"Let's pair up quick!" Ane clapped again, rallying the troops. Employees splashed into the pool, some joining the fray, others lounging poolside to spectate. Pairs formed fast: Oki vs. Rafta, Boss vs. Ane and Haari vs. Ashi.
"Rules are simple," Ane said, voice ringing clear. "Like Senpai said—pairs dive, the last one to come out will be the winner. But it's not over there—among all of us, the last one to come out will be the ral winner! Ready? Three—two—one—GOOOO!"
Everyone sucked in deep breaths—chests swelling, eyes flashing—and SPLASH!—they plunged into the pool, water swallowing them whole.
The pool shimmered, dustier now from the day's chaos, faint clouds swirling in the blue—but clear enough to catch blurred shapes ahead. Bubbles trailed up, time ticking slow, a silent underwater battlefield blooming.
The pool rippled, bubbles bursting as Ane shot up first—"Waaahhh!"—gasping hard, her hair a wet mop clinging to her face. "This is way harder than I thought!" she wheezed, flopping against the edge, a spark dimmed by defeat.
Below, the water churned with silent war—Boss, Oki, and Rafta locked eyes, a blurry standoff through the dusty blue. Their cheeks puffed, lungs burning, each refusing to crack. Time dragged, seconds stretching like hours—Boss's stern glare flickered, Oki's fiery stare wavered, Rafta's smirk twitched. Limits loomed, but pride held them under—until, in a frantic burst, Oki and Rafta broke together—SPLASH!—heads popping up, gasping in sync and then boss.
"Yeee—I won!" Rafta roared, fist pumping, water streaming off him like a rogue victorious.
"What?!" Oki snapped, splashing him with a glare. "I came up after you— So I won!"
"No, I won!" Rafta barked, leaning in.
"No, I did!" Oki shot back, foreheads clashing—electric sparks crackling between them, a showdown igniting.
"Now, now—calm down!" Ane waved her hands, voice pitching high, a peacemaker caught in the storm.
Oki grabbed Ane's shoulders, shaking her with wild eyes. "You saw it, right? I came up after him—I won right! Tell him!"
"No, I won—right?!" Rafta loomed, his own glare pressing in.
Ane squirmed, pinned between them. "Uh—your match was even! No winner, no loser—okay?!" she yelped, voice firming up.
"Even?!" Oki groaned, stepping back. "Me and him? Ane, you really need to get your eyes checked!"
"My eyes are fine!" Ane shouted, puffing up, her wet bangs bouncing. "And anyway—the game's not over yet! Kichiro-senpai and Nicawa-senpai are still down there!"
"Oh yeah," the Boss muttered, peering into the pool, her soggy suit dripping. " I wonder if they're okay… you think they're still alive down there?"
Rafta smirked, a dark glint in his eye. "Worst way to go if they're not—drowning in a Holi game. " Hope it's true for you, Haari, he whispered, jealousy simmering red-hot under his breath.
The pool shimmered, dust swirling faint in the water, Haari and Ashi's shapes still submerged—a quiet suspense hanging over the chaos above.
Beneath the pool's dusty blue, Haari's eyes fluttered open—shut tight until now, guarding his breath. What he saw stole it anyway: Ashi crouched before him, an angel in the water, her hair floating wild in every direction, a halo swaying with the current. His heart skipped, a wild ba-dump jolting through him, warmth blooming deep—an unknown fire sparking. The Old Man's voice echoed, low and sly: "Why don't you make her your own?" His pulse raced, hammering loud in his ears.
He swam closer, drawn in, a tiny gap shrinking between them—close enough to feel the water shift. Ashi's lids lifted slow, her hazel eyes meeting his, wide and startled to find him so near. Haari jolted, balance slipping in the depths—his arms flailed, a fluster underwater. Ashi's hand shot out, grabbing his, steadying him with a firm tug. He righted himself, breath hitching, and their gazes locked—deep, unspoken, a current stronger than the pool's pull.
Time slowed, the moment glowing soft, their hands a quiet anchor—until they realize that something is missing they took a second before a sharp pang hit. Oxygen! Their lungs were screaming for oxygen, realization crashing in. Eyes widening, they kicked upward, bursting through the surface with desperate gasps—"Haa!"
"Oh—they're finally—" Ane's cheer froze mid-sentence, her jaw dropping as she stared. Haari and Ashi blinked, following her gaze—their hands still clasped, a tangled lifeline. Flash!—they yanked apart, red flooding their faces, hands flailing like they'd touched fire.
"AH—uhm!" Ane coughed, voice pitching high to cut the tension. "Since we've got two ties, let's go another round!" she yelled, rallying the crowd.
"Yeee!" Cheers erupted, employees splashing in—some new faces joining the fray. But the air shifted, a dark edge creeping in something has changed. Rafta swapped pairs, his smirk twisting as he faced Haari, eyes glinting with bloodthirsty intent.
Underwater, the game reignited—dust swirled, bubbles trailed. Rafta's stare bore into Haari, a rogue's craving for victory—or vengeance—burning red-hot. What's his deal?! Haari thought, unease prickling, but he held steady, lungs tight, focus sharp. Ashi looked at Haari from the cornor of her eyes.
The final round ticked on, a breathless battle. One by one, they broke—Rafta first, a gasping "Gah!" as he hit the surface, last at sixth. The Boss followed, fifth, her suit a soggy ruin but her grin intact. Ashi emerged fourth, hair streaming, a quiet huff escaping. Oki popped up third, splashing with a pout. Ane claimed second, a triumphant "Whew!"—leaving Haari last, rising slow and steady, the winner crowned as water dripped from his bangs.
Twilight deepened the sky, a velvet canvas streaked with purple and gold, casting a dreamy glow over the office crew—still buzzing from their poolside Holi madness, colors streaking their clothes like battle scars. The air hummed with lingering laughter as they gathered, reluctant to let the day fade.
Oki's voice burst through, bright and bold, cutting the dusk like a festival flare. "Thank you, everyone! Today has been absolutely amazing, and it's all because of you!" Her grin flashed, water still glinting in her damp hair.
The Boss sidled up, her soaked suit a rainbow ruin, a mischievous grin curling her lips. She clutched her chest, feigning shock with flair. "What?! We're done already?!"
Oki laughed, shaking her head, droplets flying. "Yeah, It's almost time to wrap it up."
The Boss's eyes sparked, playful and fierce, her voice rising like a queen's command. "Listen up everyone—nobody's going home yet!" She thrust her arms high, a triumphant silhouette against the twilight.
The crowd buzzed, curiosity crackling—Haari's head snapped up, eyes wide. "What?!"
Her grin turned wicked, arms crossing as she leaned in. "Anyone bolts before I say so, you're out—no spot in my company for you tomorrow!" Silence crashed down, a stunned anime freeze-frame, jaws dropping, breaths held.
Then—BOOM!—she threw her arms wide again, voice booming. "We're celebrating with a night party!" Cheers erupted, a tidal wave of "Yeeeaaaahhh!" shaking the air, the crew igniting like fireworks.
The scene shifted to "The Lounge," a chic downtown bar pulsing with life. Warm lights spilled out, painting the street in hues of amber and rose, echoing Holi's vibrant soul. Employees streamed in, still speckled with powder—red on cheeks, blue in hair—grinning like kids sneaking past curfew.