A calculated life-or- risk.

Somehow, Tenko still seemed as full of energy as when she'd entered the pool. For a person who didn't know how to swim, she was doing a heck of a job floating. Maybe that was Neo-Aikido, after all. However...

"In this case, it'd probably be better if she'd worn herself out." Shuichi watched the martial artist's thrashing green-covered arms whirling through the air around her and was reminded of a documentary he'd seen about a wastewater treatment plant, with huge blades spinning in the center of a tank to break down the material. "If I move into that, I'll be 'broken down' for sure. Still... I've gotta approach somehow!"

Gulping, contemplating the idea of faith and the afterlife, the detective took a few bold strokes closer... Then, a few more... This close, he was in splash range, although a few more splashes on top of what he was currently covered in was no big deal. Still... "This wind, this pressure! My animal instincts are telling me not to get any closer... Wait! That's it! Instincts!"

Shuichi got a plan, but it was a dangerous one. He continued inching closer and closer... Soon, the arc of Tenko's arms carried them mere inches from his face. And then, just when he began to get in striking distance, calmly floating next to his wildly flailing classmate...

The distance stopped increasing. Even as Shuichi advanced, that three-inch distance was maintained. Tenko was being driven towards the pool edge!

Himiko opened her eyes wide. "Woah, Shuichi! That's pretty- I mean, my magic barrier is pretty cool, huh?" She bragged to the two boys near her. "With my protective spell, Shuichi'll be one-hundred percent protected and Tenko can be pushed around just like a pool toy!"

Shuichi wasn't listening, but he knew it was no magic or random coincidence protecting him: this was all part of his plan. "Tenko's hatred... or fear... her distrust of men is so powerful, she instinctively retreats from them as they approach. Honestly, I can't believe it's working... It'd have to be more powerful than her basic survival instinct, seeing as she didn't start drifting there naturally." In any case, he had to pat himself on the back for getting through this dangerous situation with a calm strategy instead of more hijinks. Now, Tenko had safely reached the edge of the pool...

... And Shuichi made the mistake of continuing to move forward.

With nowhere further to retreat to, Tenko's reaction manifested itself in another way as she let out a blood-curdling scream. She pulled one elbow up on the concrete edge, the slime still obscuring her form, and lifted her entire body horizontally out of the water and pushed off, her muscles firing like pistons to shoot her leg out in a javelin kick towards the male who continued to invade her space.

With his life flashing before his eyes, the detective could only duck and pray for his life. This had the positive effect of saving his life, but the negative effect of allowing Tenko to sail like an arrow over him. He felt her knee brush the top of his head, and then she was falling pitifully into the water at the center of the pool again.

"For Pete's sake!" Before Tenko could start thrashing again, or worse, sink to the bottom of the pool, Shuichi reached out his hand and grabbed hers. It felt like giving his hand over to a shark... For just a moment, he'd have Tenko's attention, before she either started flailing for her life again or decided to put an end to his degenerate male life. Was there any other strategy he could use?