Vol. 2 Chapter 80 – The Sea, Popular Types, and a Luxury Resort (4)

“Th-This is…” (Reiya)

I gasped at the outrageous presence emanating from that thin packet.

It was something you attach to the convex part of the凹凸 (unevenness/ins and outs) during male-female relations, and on the internet, it was also a staple accessory for gyaru-type characters whose images flowed through social media.

I’d learned how to use one in health class, but this was the first time I’d seen a real one.

“Well, that’s the deal. I need your cooperation…” (Komiya)

Looking slightly awkward, Komiya-kun returned it to his wallet.

“But, cooperate how, specifically? And anyway, aren’t the girls staying in a separate place from us…?” (Reiya)

In response to my question, Komiya-kun glanced around a few times and then continued in a low voice.

“About that, I talked a bit with Kyo when we were waiting earlier. She said they couldn’t officially have guys and girls in the same room because we’re high schoolers, but if there are couples or people who hit it off during the day, she can arrange for them to have some alone time together secretly at night.” (Komiya)

“Seriously…?” (Reiya)

Following his lead, I also asked back in a hushed tone.

“Dead serious, I heard it directly from her. So, the favor is, when I disappear with Haruna, I need you to cover for me with some random story for everyone else.” (Komiya)

“Ah, I see… So that’s how it is…” (Reiya)

“Honestly, I feel pretty bad asking Kageyama, who I just met today, for something like this. But, if I asked the guys who don’t have girlfriends right now, they might get the wrong idea, you know?” (Komiya)

Komiya-kun pressed his palms together, pleading as if in prayer.

“You don’t have to go that far, of course I’ll help. It’s not that big of a deal.” (Reiya)

I answered him without a moment’s hesitation.

Not just because of what happened earlier, but he’d been saving me since we were at the cottage.

There was a bit of impurity to it, perhaps, but there was no reason to refuse such a benefactor when he asked this much of me.

“Seriously?! Man, Kageyama, you’re a good guy~! I owe you one! Oh yeah! Since we’re at it, let’s exchange PINE IDs too!” (Komiya)

“Ah, yeah. Sure.” (Reiya)

I took out my phone from my bag, and we exchanged IDs.

It had been roughly a year since a male classmate was added to my friends list.

I was happier about it than I expected, and I hid my expression so he wouldn’t see.

“By the way…” (Reiya)

Once we finished exchanging contact info, I brought up something that had been on my mind.

“Hm?” (Komiya)

“Since we’re a couple, does that mean Hikaru and I can also… you know… be alone together…?” (Reiya)

Since we’re at a resort, I want to spend some quality evening time alone with Hikaru.

Considering all the circumstances, I had almost given up, but if what he just said was true, then things were different.

At my counter-question, Komiya-kun paused for a moment, as if caught off guard, then—

“What’s this, Kageyamaaa…! You’re pretty sly yourself, huh…!” (Komiya)

He grinned, nudging me lightly with his elbow.

“No, it’s just, the place and the lodging are both really nice, so since we have the chance…” (Reiya)

“It’s fine, it’s fine! When the time comes, I’ll be the one to help you out! Heck, want me to give you one of these?” (Komiya)

“No, no, no…! That’s okay…! It’s still too early for us…!” (Reiya)

I stopped Komiya-kun as he tried to take that packet out of his wallet again.

“Early or late has nothing to do with it. What’s important is how much you like the other person, right?” (Komiya)

“W-Well, that might be true, but…” (Reiya)

“Right? If anything, Asahi-san might be waiting for it too, you know?” (Komiya)

“W-Waiting for it, you think…?” (Reiya)

“Totally possible. Girls are surprisingly interested in that stuff too, you know.” (Komiya)

At those words, I gulped.

Certainly, considering Hikaru’s proactiveness, it didn’t feel like a completely impossible scenario.

She might act childish, but age-wise, she’d undoubtedly have at least some knowledge and interest in such things…

“Anyway! This summer of our second year of high school only happens once! Let’s both do our best to make it the best summer ever, with no regrets!” (Komiya)

He said, giving me a light pat on the back as if to push me forward.

“Speaking of which, are those guys still dawdling over there?” (Komiya)

“Ah… Maybe they’re having trouble deciding who’s going to ask out whom.” (Reiya)

Turning my gaze towards the group of guys by the sea, they were looking towards the girls and discussing something.

I couldn’t hear their voices, but I could generally imagine what they were saying.

“…Honestly, they’re hopeless. They need to work as a team in these situations.” (Komiya)

Komiya-kun stood up, sighing as if exasperated.

“I’m gonna go talk to them for a bit, can I leave you in charge of the luggage?” (Komiya)

“Ah, yeah. No problem.” (Reiya)

“Alright, I’ll be back. Sorry about this.” (Komiya)

With those parting words, Komiya-kun walked off towards them.

Left alone, in an environment I found calming, I recalled our earlier conversation.

‘If anything, Asahi-san might be waiting for it too, you know?’

I’m a healthy high school boy too.

I’m intensely interested in that sort of thing, and I do hope that Hikaru and I will get there someday.

How much you like each other is what matters, not whether it’s early or late.

If his words were true, then this situation certainly felt tailor-made.

As I let that small expectation swell within me, vaguely watching Hikaru’s figure—

“Sorry to keep you waiting~” (Kyo)

Someone called out from behind me.

Turning around, I saw Sakuramiya-san approaching, carrying her luggage.

She was wearing only a thin cover-up, already fully prepared to play in the sea.

It wasn’t the kind of wild swimsuit someone had been anticipating, but she was wearing a rather daring bikini-type.

However, perhaps thanks to having seen Hikaru in a bikini first, I didn’t find myself particularly flustered by the sight.

“Ah, Kageyama-kun! Are you alone? Where is everyone?” (Kyo)

“The girls are over there playing beach volleyball. The guys are over that way… in a strategy meeting?” (Reiya)

Tilting her head at my out-of-place words, she said, “Oh, I see, I see,” and put down her luggage.

“How about you, Kageyama-kun? Are you enjoying yourself so far?” (Kyo)

“Ah… yeah. The lodging seems nice, and the beach isn’t too crowded, so it looks like it’ll be a comfortable and good time. Thanks for inviting me today.” (Reiya)

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it. But it seemed like I invited you to a place where you didn’t know anyone besides Hikaru, so I’m a little relieved to hear you say that.” (Kyo)

She said, making a gesture as if stroking her chest in relief.

Perhaps because my impression of her trying to assert dominance when I met her during my date with Hikaru was so strong, I was a little taken aback by her surprisingly gentle demeanor.

To be honest, I’d suspected she had some ulterior motive for inviting me in such a way at the closing ceremony.

However, right now, she wasn’t showing any signs of that at all.

I started to feel a little embarrassed for having been unnecessarily wary of her.

“But… Kageyama-kun, wouldn’t you have fun anywhere as long as you’re with Hikaru?” (Kyo)

“…Well, I can’t deny that, I guess.” (Reiya)

I returned her teasing smile with a wry one of my own.

Perhaps because Komiya-kun had helped me relax considerably, I felt like I was getting used to conversing with A-List girls I usually had little interaction with.

“What about you, Sakuramiya-san…?” (Reiya)

“Hm? What about me?” (Kyo)

“Well… I was wondering if you invited that boyfriend from back then…?” (Reiya)

“That boyfriend…? From when…?” (Kyo)

She placed a hand on her cheek, feigning contemplation, as if she couldn’t quite grasp my words.

“You know, the person you mentioned when we bumped into each other by chance on a day off quite a while ago. If I remember correctly… a medical student from Keiyo University…?” (Reiya)

“Medical student… Ah, that guy! We broke up quite a while ago.” (Kyo)

Having finally remembered, she then stated it nonchalantly.

“Broke up… Ah, I see… In that case, sorry. For saying something weird…” (Reiya)

“Don’t worry about it. It wasn’t really breaking up, it was kind of ambiguous if we were even dating in the first place.” (Kyo)

I found myself slightly recoiling from her as she spoke so casually about such things.

She had been so boastful about him back then…

No, maybe I’m the strange one, and this kind of casual approach to romance is normal for young people…?

I don’t understand… It’s a different culture…

I’d felt like I’d gotten a little used to it, but I was once again made to realize that we were completely different breeds of people.

“He was all like, ‘I’ll take the lead!’ and planned out all the dates and stuff. But for all that, everything was just copied from somewhere, and it was boring being with him. His conversation repertoire was all bragging and never changed. Plus, he tried to drag me to a hotel right away, so it was seriously the worst.” (Kyo)

“H-Heh… I-Is that so… That’s awful…” (Reiya)

“What do you think about that on a second date? Isn’t that unbelievable?” (Kyo)

“Th-That’s… well, uh… unbelievable, yeah…” (Reiya)

“Right? At the very least, they should wait until the third date or so.” (Kyo)

“Yeah, yeah… Definitely, definitely… It really has to be the third date…” (Reiya)

As I was just parroting back words from a completely incomprehensible, different cultural sphere to smooth things over—

“Ah, Kyo! You’re finally back!” (A Girl)

One of the girls who had been playing beach volleyball noticed Sakuramiya-san’s arrival.

With that as a cue, the guys and other girls also gathered around, as if they’d been eagerly awaiting her.

“Mooom! Miyamiya, you’re laaate! What were you doooing?” (Chisato)

The moment she returned, Takasaki-san sidled up to Sakuramiya-san like a pet dog.

“Eh? Ah… I got caught up talking with my uncle for a bit. Sorry, sorry.” (Kyo)

“Hey, Miyamiya, aren’t your eyes kinda red?” (Chisato)

“Really? Maybe the sea breeze irritated them? More importantly, what do you mean, late? You guys could have started having fun without me.” (Kyo)

“Ah, about that… Actually—” (Komiya)

Komiya-kun explained the situation to the late-arriving Sakuramiya-san.

“Pairing up guys and girls… Hee~, sounds interesting! By organizer’s authority, that plan is approved!” (Kyo)

There was no way the representative of Popular Type girls would refuse such a proposal, and thus, that plan was officially decided.

“Well then, I’ll pair up with Miyamiya~!” (Chisato)

“With me…? Why would it be like that? Pair up with a guy.” (Kyo)

“Because, if I have to choose from these guys, I’d rather be with Miyamiya~… And there are more girls anyway, so someone will be left over~…” (Chisato)

Takasaki-san said bluntly, after glancing around at all the guys’ faces.

“Haaah… Well, I’m the organizer today, so I guess I can’t avoid the thankless roles…” (Kyo)

Sakuramiya-san accepted Takasaki-san with a heavy sigh, albeit reluctantly.

The guys who had presumably been aiming for those two were visibly dejected, but I felt a sense of relief, like a stray dog whose owner had finally taken it back before it could cause any trouble.

With that settled, all that was left was—

“Reiya-kun, Reiya-kun!” (Hikaru)

Slipping through the crowd of people scrambling to decide on pairs, Hikaru came over to my side.

“Let’s go quickly! If we wait until after lunch and more people show up, we might have to wait in line!” (Hikaru)

“True. Alright, let’s go.” (Reiya)

Without going through the process of asking, I took the hand she offered so naturally.

Sorry everyone, but we’re going to sneak off ahead of you.

“Hurry, hurry!” (Hikaru)

“Wh-Whoa, wait a sec… It’s dangerous to run on the sand…” (Reiya)

“It’s fine! I’ve trained my legs and core quite a bit!” (Hikaru)

“No, no, I haven’t trained… And how do you have so much stamina after playing beach volleyball that seriously…?” (Reiya)

“That’s because I train, of course! Come on, run, run!” (Hikaru)

Pulled by Hikaru’s hand as she urged me on, I ran across the sand, feeling the heat even through my sandals.

Just that simple act made me think, yet again, ‘I’m really glad I came.’

And so, the curtain finally rose on the first real summer we would spend as a couple.