Chitose was being an absolutely adorable little moving figurine. Her stature only amplified her inherent cuteness. If she had been a full-sized girl, she still would have had the swim coach sighing in contentment as he watched her blush and accept his praise. Being in the water and talking with her had pushed the thought of her being a tiny figurine out of the forefront of his mind, and it took actual thought to acknowledge the difference that made. He had adjusted his gaze and his re-calibrated his expectations, and now all he saw was a mostly normal teenage girl looking to enjoy some swim time in the warm weather.
"That's great to hear! I'd love to swim all year 'round too. But the warm weather makes me wanna do it even more. Even indoors, just knowing that there's cold weather outside makes me not want to swim. It's strange."
He was excited to hear that she was enthusiastic to learn some structured swimming techniques. Swimming was generally something everyone could improvise when not in any danger, but it was inefficient and ill-suited to times when swimming was a matter of importance. So having some formalized training was always a plus.
Gently, he took his hand out from under her so he could have his back to demonstrate. Jacob took a step back in the water and turned to his side so Chitose could see the position of his arms and hands in profile.
"There aren't any secrets. But there are some things that a lot people miss. Watch my hand. Keep your fingers together and your palm flat. That pushes the best. Enter the water fingertip first to reduce drag..."
Jacob remained standing in the water and simply moved his arms and body for Chitose to watch. He figured that actually swimming around would cause him to lose her pretty quick.
"... When you kick your legs, don't kick too much. Just shallow kicks. You follow?"
"That's great to hear! I'd love to swim all year 'round too. But the warm weather makes me wanna do it even more. Even indoors, just knowing that there's cold weather outside makes me not want to swim. It's strange."
He was excited to hear that she was enthusiastic to learn some structured swimming techniques. Swimming was generally something everyone could improvise when not in any danger, but it was inefficient and ill-suited to times when swimming was a matter of importance. So having some formalized training was always a plus.
Gently, he took his hand out from under her so he could have his back to demonstrate. Jacob took a step back in the water and turned to his side so Chitose could see the position of his arms and hands in profile.
"There aren't any secrets. But there are some things that a lot people miss. Watch my hand. Keep your fingers together and your palm flat. That pushes the best. Enter the water fingertip first to reduce drag..."
Jacob remained standing in the water and simply moved his arms and body for Chitose to watch. He figured that actually swimming around would cause him to lose her pretty quick.
"... When you kick your legs, don't kick too much. Just shallow kicks. You follow?"