And so.
Neika contacted someone, and a group of beautiful swimsuit maids, who had apparently been on standby at the villa, came swarming out.
In their hands, they carried heavy-duty grills, chairs, tables, and various ingredients like meat, fish, and vegetables.
Yes, this was...
"Oh, a BBQ?"
"Yeeeessss! Let's BBQ!"
"Hey, hey, hey! BBQ! Woooo!!"
Ryūya and Neika briskly started preparing the charcoal. We've been having BBQs in the summer since middle school, and their efficiency is as good as ever.
"Ho, this is some good lean meat. There's fish and vegetables too; the nutritional balance is excellent."
"I've always felt a bit of resistance toward having a BBQ at a summer beach after seeing the news, but..."
"Rio, this is our private beach, so don't you worry about a thing!"
True. At many public beaches, BBQs are prohibited on the shore. I can understand why Rion is hesitant. But as Neika said, this is a private beach. As long as we don't litter or deviate from common sense, there shouldn't be any problem.
"...I see. Then, I suppose I'll enjoy myself."
"Hey, hey! That's the spirit, Ryūguuin!"
Ryūya, wearing a heat-resistant apron, had already started grilling meat and vegetables. An apron over boomerang pants... his perversion level has definitely gone up. He's incredibly hard to approach.
The sound of charcoal grilling and a savory aroma spread around. This looks delicious.
"Neika. I'll take over for you, so you can go ahead and eat."
"Akki, thanks! Man, I'm starving!"
"Yeah. Eat a lot and grow big."
"Hey, are you picking a fight with me?"
Not really... well, I was teasing a little. Ow, ouch. Hey, wait, sorry, I'll apologize, so stop silently kicking me.
"Honestly. Akki really has no delicacy."
"Neika, hasn't Akito always been like that?"
"...I guess so."
Hey, you two. Don't bond over my lack of delicacy.
I swapped with Neika and stood alongside Ryūya to grill the seafood. Why does charcoal-grilled seafood smell so good? BBQ is the best.
"There we go. Hey, hey, ladies! The meat and vegetables are done!"
"The shrimp and octopus are ready here too."
I piled them onto a large plate and brought them over to the parasol where everyone was cooling off.
"Whooooaaaaa! Meat, meat, meat!"
"Neika-chan, eat your vegetables too."
"Thank you, young man, Ryūya-kun."
"It looks so delicious!"
The girls' squad seems to be enjoying the BBQ. Well then, I'll take a bite too.
*Munch.* "Yeah, this is great!"
"BBQ really is the best! Akito, let's grill more!"
"Yeah!"
Since they're so happy, and we're at an age where we're always hungry, we want to eat a lot more. We've gotta keep grilling away!
Returning to the grill, while securing our own portions, I grilled a massive amount of ingredients alongside Ryūya. Since Neika has an infinite stomach and Liza-san is a sportswoman, the food keeps disappearing no matter how much we grill. Even aside from them, Riran and Rion seemed hungry too, eating more than usual.
This is what they mean when they say there's no time to even catch a breath, but...
"I'm happy that everyone is enjoying it."
"Yeah. Especially when it's for your beloved wife."
"Ryūya, that teasing is going to come back like a boomerang at you."
"I'm aware. Nei is my wife."
Ryūya let out a mischievous grin. Wife... wife, huh?
"I guess so. Riran is my wife."
"Ugh... that makes my skin crawl..."
"You jerk..."
He shouldn't react like that when he's the one who brought it up.
Ryūya chuckled and started grilling sausages. Leaving him be, I placed some shellfish on the mesh and glanced toward Riran.
Riran was eating a shrimp with a look of delight, her smile blooming like a large flower. Seriously, I'm glad she's this happy. I'm just the one grilling, though.
...Hmm? ...Hmmmm??
"Hey, Riran."
"Hm? What is it? Oh, of course, it's delicious!"
"Yeah, no. That's fine, but... did you take off your earrings?"
At my question, Riran looked blankly at me. Everyone who had been chatting happily until now also looked back and forth between me and Riran.
Riran gently touched her ears, then dashed toward the place where our luggage was as if in a panic. She rummaged through her bags, checking, and checking, and checking... then slowly turned around.
Her face was dyed in despair.