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“...So tired.”
“Hmm... Riran-chan. What happened to Akito-kun?”
“He brought it on himself.”
For these past three days, I’ve been doing homework non-stop under Riran’s thorough management.
As someone who hasn't taken homework seriously before, just the sheer volume of summer assignments is draining my mental energy.
Moreover, Riran has stayed true to her word, maintaining a complete ‘no-touch, no-lovey-dovey’ policy.
Seriously, even though we were in a private room for three days, I haven't been able to do anything. The frustration is really piling up.
Well, I know I brought this on myself.
However, today is the reward for surviving those three days of hell—the beach.
Blue skies, white clouds, and the vast ocean stretching as far as the eye can see.
And above all—beauties in swimsuits.
How long have I waited for this day...!
“Hehe, hehehe... I’m going to enjoy today to the fullest...!”
“Akito, your eyes look dead. You don’t look like you’re in the mood to enjoy anything.”
“Shut up. Hey, Ryūya. Take a look around.”
Riran, Rion, Neika, and Liza-san. They are all beauties, one after another.
Well, one of them looks more like a beautiful young girl... or maybe even a beautiful toddler if you look at it wrong, but let's put that aside.
To be able to behold such people in their swimsuits, just how much merit did I accumulate in my previous life?
Thank you, previous life.
“Boy, you have a lewd look on your face.”
“Liza-san, you’re one to talk.”
Liza-san, standing next to me, was also staring at Rion with an entranced expression.
This is basically a triple date, isn't it? And it's with three couples connected by the 『Red Thread of Fate』.
If someone were to measure the concentration of happiness in this area right now, the meter would probably break. Not that I know how to measure that.
“Akito, if you do anything lewd to anyone but me, I’ll gouge your eyes out.”
“Akito-kun, if you make Riran-chan cry, you’re taking a trip to Tokyo Bay.”
“Akki has been a pervert since the old days, hasn't he?”
The cold stares from the girls were painful.
But it can't be helped! With this many beauties gathered, anyone would get excited regardless of being fated partners, right!?
Right, Ryūya, Liza-san!?
“Hey, hey, hey. I’m devoted only to Neika.”
“I only have eyes for Rion-san, too.”
“Traitors! You guys are a disgrace to men!”
“Hey now, boy. Did you just call me a man? Huh? Want to go for ten dashes across the sandy beach?”
“I’m sorry.”
Under this scorching sun, that would be death. I would literally die.
I cleared my throat to disperse the cold gazes from the girls. Sorry, I got a bit too carried away.
“So, what are we waiting for?”
It was just past 7 AM. We had already been gathered in front of the station for five minutes.
We weren't getting on a train; we were waiting for something at the roundabout.
If we're going to the beach, I want to start moving soon. And I want to see the beauties in swimsuits.
In response to my question, Neika tilted her head.
“Huh? Ryūya, didn't you say you’d explain?”
“I forgot, ZE☆”
“Don’t add a star.”
“Honestly, Ryūya... From here, we’re going to the Jūmonji family's private beach in my family's car.”
“Oh, a private beach.”
“.........”
“What? A private beach?”
“What are you so surprised about, Akito-kun? A private beach isn't that rare, is it?”
“My grandfather also has a private beach in England.”
“I also have two mountains owned by my late father's family. I received one of them, so we can go camping or play in the river there.”
Isn't the wealth level of this group way too high? No, I thought I understood that there would be a certain number of such people since the Red Threads appeared... but what are the odds that four out of the six people gathered own beaches or mountains?
“...Don't tell me Ryūya is hiding something too?”
“Nah, we don’t have anything like that.”
“Phew, that’s a relief.”
“Instead, they bought me a condo unit.”
“You are the enemy.”
What the heck. Only my family is commoner-style.
W-Well, whatever. I’m not jealous or anything.
Owning a beach or a mountain is just a lot of work to maintain. And living alone means you have to do everything yourself.
...I’m not jealous!!
“Akito. Stop saying stupid things and come here quickly. The car is already here.”
“Got it.”
“You’re already whipped by Kuonji, aren't you? Well, that seems more like you guys anyway.”
It’s because I don’t want Riran to hate me. Not that I think she would.
We climbed into the car prepared by Neika’s family. Riran and I sat in the very back. Rion and Liza-san were in the middle. Ryūya and Neika sat in the front.
“Well then, let's head out! To our family's private beach, Izu!”
“Hey, hey, hey! Come on, everyone else too!”
“Hey, hey. Liza-san, you do it too.”
“H-Hey...? Ugh, this is embarrassing, Rion.”
“Fufu, Liza-san is cute.”
Rion is surprisingly good at going along with the mood.
Also, don't flirt inside the car. I won't be able to hold back.
“.........”
“Hey.”
“Ow.”
When I tried to gently hold Riran’s hand, she gave it a light slap.
“No flirting.”
“Muu.”
Just for today, it should be fine...
“But—”
“Eh...?”
Riran gently rested her head on my shoulder.
The long-awaited rich scent and sensation of Riran made my heart jump instantly.
“Since it's early and I’m sleepy, you’re just my pillow for now.”
“...Is this not flirting?”
“This doesn't count because I’m just using you as a pillow.”
“I-Is that so.”
“I’ll get mad if you touch me.”
Unfair. You’re unfair, Riran-san.
It's too much to say 'no flirting' in this situation.
Ah, but if we flit in front of everyone, that would be embarrassing in its own way.
I guess I’ll just have to endure it.
“Hey, Ryūya, do those two not realize they’re flirting?”
“If that doesn't count as flirting, they’re usually terrifying.”
“So this is the lovey-dovey level of Dark Scarlet... the sweetness is suffocating.”
“Knowing the boy from the old days, this is kind of embarrassing to watch.”
You guys, shut it.