Anchovy goes to the pool, hearing cheers of "Duce!" but is inwardly terrified. She asks for help from Carpaccio and Pepperoni, saying that she's "not that kind of chara-", but Pepperoni decides to "help" by pushing her in (which, as one might expect, is not a good idea). Anchovy somehow swims upward through the air, only to fall, and, after her Mega Twintails fall off her head, grabs them as she falls.
A cover shot shows the three leaders of Anzio in swimsuits, and says that this time, it's Anzio's turn to have a pool episode. The artist seems to be making up for lost time as far as Anzio goes; by comparison, in the Saki spinoff Saki Biyori, some of Oarai's newer rivals, like Rinkai and Usuzan, have only recently started getting featured, and the chapters are still just as likely to feature recurring groups like Kiyosumi, Achiga or the Ikeda family.
Carpaccio does CPR on Anchovy, but when Pepperoni asks her whether they need to kiss, Carpaccio points out that it's no longer required. Anchovy comes to just as Carpacciois about to attempt mouth to mouth anyway, and freaks out for a moment as Carpaccio more or less says "I told you so" to Pepperoni.
We see some nameless Anzio students having fun on the pool, but Anchovy calls Carpaccio and Pepperoni to a pool. The two of them ask why she only called them over, and Anchovy hesitantly confesses that she can't swim(It's a bit surprising how many teenagers or even adults in fiction don't know how). Carpaccio asks why Anchovy didn't tell her, and Anchovy says that it's to uphold "the Duce's dignity."
As Carpaccio wonders why Anchovy doesn't just carry a swim ring, Pepperoni offers to teach Anchovy how to swim, but says there's no basis for her confidence. Carpaccio, being much more sensible, starts with the basics, such as getting her to put her head under water. When Anchovy freezes up, Pepperoni forces her head underwater, and decides to count to ten. Unfortunately, she loses count at four and starts over. This results in Anchovy having to be revived again, and reflexively smacking Pepperoni when she tries to kiss her again.
Carpaccio notes that Anchovy is making progress, and has her do some swimming, holding Anchovy's hands and occasionally releasing them to force her to swim over. Unfortunately, one time, Carpaccio gets distracted by a call from Caesar. This results in Anchovy swallowing more water and getting mad at Carpaccio this time.
Pepperoni notices that Anchovy improves each time there's trouble. Anchovy angrily points out that it's usually Pepperoni's fault, but mentally notes that she is improving, and will have to thank Pepperoni and Carpaccio. At that point, Carpaccio, in a shark mask, announces the graduation exam, and says that she will allow her to "cross (her) boundaries" to escape her, but if she catches her, she'll get a kiss. Anchovy flees in terror, only to find in a lucid moment that she's swimming naturally , and Anchovy and Carpaccio are pleased when they see Anchovy doing well... so well that she slams into the opposite side of the pool.
At Hippo Team's house, Caesar's friends discuss what Anzio's been up to, and Saemonza offers to show off her "ancient swimming style," (with a paragraph-long note about what it means). Caesar gets a picture from Carpaccio, saying that Anchovy "lost the memory of half a day" and forgot how to swim, and Anchovy is seen smacking Carpaccio, who's still wearing the shark mask.
I personally have to wonder if MLLSD is running out of ideas at this point, and how much longer the series will go on, especially considering how long it's outlasted the main series.
- Next Installment: Even more comics from the web edition.
