Hitomi takes the ramp.

“All or nothing!” Hitomi muttered to herself as she formed a determined look on her face. She braced herself and charged directly toward the ramp! As the platform grew larger and larger, to the girl’s eyes, her eyes widened. She was locked into her decision though and there was no turning back. She tensed up as the sea doo made contact with the wood frame. It rumbled as it slid along the steep incline. Hitomi gauged her ascent and jumped moments before the vehicle left the ramp in an attempt to lighten its load. She was in the air!

A rush of adrenaline coursed through her veins as the weighless sensation of soaring in the sky overcame her. Her hair fluttered in the wind like a flag as she sailed down toward the water. As the weight of the water vehicle and her body lurched back under the pull of gravity once again, Hitomi felt her stomach churn. The only way she’d cross that finish line in time is if she stuck this landing. She clenched her teeth and buttcheeks, tightening her grip on the handles. The sea doo hit the water with a hard splash and the martial artist did her best to maintain her balance through it all. She took a quick look around and realized, much to her surprise, that she was still upright! She did it!

Hitomi was about to jump up and cheer when she remembered that she was still in a race! Christie was barreling ahead and Lisa was close behind. Hitomi poured on the gas and torpedoed toward the finish line! It was neck and neck as each girl sped toward the goal. They could reach out and touch one another, they were so close. What seemed like ages of jockeying was, in reality, mere seconds and a few seconds more left them over the finish line, all looking to one another wondering who came in first.

Lei Fang ran up to the dock to greet them.

“That was an amazing race, you guys!” she exclaimed.

“But who won?” Lisa asked.

“It was a photo finish, but it was logged into the computer…”

Hitomi peered over at the monitor display posted by the dock. In large yellow font, it read: Winner - Hitomi!

Hitomi raised her arms in victory and jumped in the air, “I did it!!!”

Then she slipped and fell into the water.

Laughing, Hitomi pulled herself up onto the dock with Lei Fang’s help. She was dripping wet with her t-shirt dragging down her body, but she was elated by her victory. As she wrenched out the water from her top, Lei Fang was examining the display and noted, “Looks like you scored yourself some money for that too!”

Hitomi looked to the screen and under rewards it stated that she had been awarded 1000 zack bucks for coming in first. “Woah, we can go shopping!” she announced proudly. She then turned around to see Christie staring back at her. Not sure how her challenger would react to her win, Hitomi stayed quiet and looked down.

Christie stood on her jet ski for a long and awkward silence. She enjoyed watching Hitomi squirm. Finally she said, “Well done, luv.”

Hitomi blushed despite trying to appear cool about the praise. She bowed her head respectfully and said, “You were really good! If you had been racing at your full ability, you would surely have won! You were even doing those amazing tricks in the air, backwards!”

Christie waved her hand, dismissively, “I wasn’t taking your seriously enough and I lost. I suppose we could chalk it up to beginner’s luck, but either way, you won the wager.”

Hitomi smiled, then paused to think about her prize. She tilted her head and turned to Christie asking, “What is it exactly that I won? Maybe you could show me how to do one of those flips?”

Christie scanned the others present before returning her gaze to Hitomi. “Well, I promised to show you SOMETHING, but I don’t think this is the most appropriate spot for that.” A small grin formed on Christie’s face as she gazed casually at Hitomi. “How about we find somewhere more private?”

Hitomi blushed. She looked at the other two and then at her feet, then mumbled nervously, “I don’t know…”

Christie took the girl’s hesitation in stride and sauntered over to the winner. The platinum blonde brushed Hitomi’s cheek and tilted her head up to lock eyes. Her pristine figure was uncomfortably close to Hitomi, causing the young student to breathe heavily. Christie chuckled as her fingers traced the contours of Hitomi’s face.

“If you’re that shy, maybe we can meet up later tonight,” she whispered softly.