For the first time this year, I stepped into the ocean.
Under the scorching sun, the water at my feet felt just right and cool.
The waves tickled my feet, bringing a unique sense of comfort—both ticklish and calming—that spread throughout my entire body.
In front of me were beauties, beauties, beauties, a beautiful young girl, and a pervert.
Leaving Ryūya aside... it was a sight for sore eyes.
“Wooohoooo! Hey, hey, hey! Sorry for the wait, my dear ocean!”
“Hyahou! This is the best!”
Ryūya and Neika, utilizing their natural athletic abilities, started swimming vigorously.
“The water is cold and feels great.”
“It certainly does. In such a pleasant environment, it seems we could do some long-distance swimming to increase stamina or beach dashes to train our lower bodies.”
“We are not doing that.”
“Rest assured. I will only make the boy do it.”
“Then I’m relieved.”
In. What. Way?
Hey, where exactly was the reassuring element in that conversation? I can only see a future where my stamina and legs end up dead.
“Fuhaha. I am joking, a joke.”
It didn’t look like one. Good grief...
Looking at Riran next to me, she was splashing her feet in the water with her eyes sparkling.
While her appearance could rival any adult’s, seeing her like this made her look her age... no, she looked a bit childish.
As I was feeling heartwarming at Riran's childlike side, she suddenly crouched down as if she had found something.
“Riran, what’s wrong?”
“Hey, hey. Akito, look at this.”
“This?”
Riran put her hands into the sea, and as I leaned in to peek—
“Ei!”
*Splash!* It’s salty!?
“Ahahahahaha! You fell for it, Akito!”
“*Ptu, ptu!* Y-You got me!”
“It’s your fault for being off guard!”
Even as she said that, she started splashing water at me continuously and with full force!
Wait, hold on, it’s salty!
“Oh, a water fight!? Let me join in!”
“Me too!”
“Hebe!?”
*Splash! Splat!* Hey, don’t only aim at me!
“Hmm. Then I shall as well.”
“Sorry, Akito-kun ♥”
“Hey, Rion, I can see a black heart—*gurgle*!?”
Gueh! I swallowed sea water straight!
“Akito, prepare yourself! Bohe!”
“Guhehe! Ryūya, I found an opening!”
“*Ptu, ptu!* You did it now, Nei! I’m gonna strip that school swimsuit off you!”
“Kyaa! I’m being assaulted!”
Ryūya’s target shifted to Neika. Now’s my chance!
Calculating the timing when the two gathered in one spot, I splashed water at Ryūya and Neika with all my might.
“Nyaaaa!?”
“Ubah!? *Ugh*, it’s salty!”
“Nuhahahaha! Don’t think your enemies are only right in front of you!”
If that’s how it’s going to be, it’s a free-for-all! I’m going all out!
“Take this!”
“A-Akito-kun, wait—!”
“Boy, if you splash me, I’ll double your training—*blub*!?”
Ah, whatever, I don’t care anymore!
In things like this, the one who has the most fun wins! Uhahahaha!!
After that, the water splashing continued for over an hour.
Due to the chaotic water war, everyone was now exhausted.
“I’m... tired.”
“Y-Yeah. We definitely fooled around too much.”
“I haven’t played this hard at the sea since middle school.”
“I also got carried away, which isn’t like me.”
Having returned to the beach, Riran, Rion, Liza-san, and I lay down leisurely under a parasol. However, as for Ryūya and Neika...
“Alright, Ryūya! Let’s build a huge sandcastle!”
“You bet! Aim for Neuschwanstein Castle!”
“Eh— wouldn’t Pena Palace be better? It’s round and cute.”
“Isn’t the name kind of lame?”
“Don’t diss Pena Palace!”
They sure are energetic.
Under the scorching sun, they added water to a mound of sand to solidify it, building a castle with impressive skill.
Is half of it modeled after Neuschwanstein Castle and the other half after Pena Palace? It’s a rather strange-looking castle.
Looking at those two, Rion had eyes like she was watching something heartwarming.
“Kurashiki-kun and Neika-chan are so energetic.”
“Maybe they’re two of a kind because they’re connected by a red thread. It’s terrifying to think about when those two have children.”
Riran, don’t say such scary things.
Those two alone are noisy enough, but if there were children who inherited those personalities... I can only see a future where everyone is dragged along.
Well, when that time comes, I’m sure Riran and I will have children too.
I’ll leave being dragged along to our future children.
Just as I was thinking about that.
—*Gyuuuuuuuuuuuu~*.
A surprisingly loud sound came from beside me.
The person next to me was Riran.
In other words, that sound just now was Riran’s stomach.
............
No. Don’t look, me. If I look now, Riran will definitely feel embarrassed.
Pretend you didn’t notice, me. Absolutely, definitely don’t look.
............
*Glance.*
“Ah.”
“Ah.”
Our eyes met perfectly.
Immediately after, Riran’s skin rapidly turned bright red.
T-This is bad. This is the pattern where she gets normally angry! Though looking at the situation, it’s completely a misplaced anger!
“A-Ah—! I’m hungry after moving around so much! Hey, Neika! Want to get some lunch!?”
“Ah~ true. It’s a bit early for lunch, but playing in the sea makes you extra hungry. Then, let’s eat!”
Neika and Ryūya paused their serious sandplay and jumped into the sea to wash off the sand.
“Hey, Akito.”
“Y... Yes?”
Ugh, the pressure from my side is so intense I can’t look at her face.
“Did you hear that just now?”
“W-What are you talking about? I just made the suggestion because I was hungry.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Hmm... Thanks.”
Along with those words, I felt a slight sensation on my shoulder and looked that way.
Riran had shyly kissed my shoulder.
“H-Hey.”
“...For now, just this.”
*Pui.* She turned away, but her ears were bright red with joy.
I bet my ears are red too...
“What was that? Aren’t they being too fresh?”
“I feel like sugar is going to come out of my mouth.”