Vol. 2 Chapter 84 – The Sea, Popular Types, and a Luxury Resort (8)

“Your swimsuit… so that’s the one you chose.” (Reiya)

I said, looking up from my position at Hikaru, who was staring intently at me.

With the zipper pulled down a good 20 centimeters, the area around her chest was completely exposed, finally revealing it.

A flare-top tankini swimsuit, primarily white.

It was the second swimsuit she had tried on at the shopping mall that day.

“Eh? Swim… Huh?! W-when did I!?” (Hikaru)

Hikaru frantically crossed her arms in front of her body to hide it.

Had she only just realized she’d unzipped it when I pointed it out…?

“Isn’t hiding it against the rules? Since your health gauge went down.” (Reiya)

“Hmph…” (Hikaru)

Hikaru pouted at my remark.

Perhaps now that she had hidden it once, she was embarrassed to show it again.

Nevertheless, she resigned herself to the fact that rules she herself had decided were rules, and moved her concealing arms away.

Once again, her swimsuit-clad figure was exposed to my sight.

“So… what do you think? I don’t usually wear this kind of thing, so I’m not very confident…” (Hikaru)

Perhaps because it was an unplanned event, she asked with a slightly brusque attitude.

“No, like I said before, it suits you incredibly well… and it’s really cute.” (Reiya)

It was still just a small part of her chest, but those words slipped out smoothly enough.

Meanwhile, Hikaru responded to my compliment with a “Hmmph,” but she couldn’t completely hide her joy.

She skillfully maneuvered the board just by shifting her weight, swaying gently as if dancing.

“Just wondering, but… did you happen to bring any of the other ones you bought?” (Reiya)

“I brought a few spares, just in case…” (Hikaru)

“So, does that mean there might be a chance to see those too…?” (Reiya)

“…You’ll have to defeat this one first before you can say things like that.” (Hikaru)

She said, pointing to the still-zipped portion, indicating that not even half her health was gone yet.

After that, we paddled our boards together and cruised around the sea for a while longer.

After falling once, it was as if my earlier proficiency had been a lie, and I kept falling over and over.

But Hikaru’s words, “That would be exciting in its own way, so it’s fine, right?” were probably true, and I think I had a decent amount of fun.

“That was fun!” (Hikaru)

As soon as we finished returning the boards, Hikaru exclaimed loudly.

“Hey! What should we do next!?” (Hikaru)

However, as if she still wasn’t satisfied, she immediately asked me that.

“I’ll go along with anything… but I’d like to take a break first, if that’s okay.” (Reiya)

“Ehh… A break…? Well, I guess it’s fine…” (Hikaru)

She seemed a little dissatisfied, but there was a clear difference in stamina between me and Hikaru.

If I continued to play at her pace, my stamina wouldn’t last.

Yes, my stamina until tomorrow…

‘Maybe Asahi-san is waiting for you too?’

…………No, no, no, that’s not why I want to save my energy.

I shook my head, banishing the wicked thought that had suddenly surfaced.

“What’s wrong?” (Hikaru)

“N-nothing… More importantly, how about that shop over there?” (Reiya)

I pointed out the window at what looked like a stylish little café with a blue sign.

“Yeah! Looks nice! Let’s go, let’s go!” (Hikaru)

“W-wait, if you run, your stamina… ah, never mind…” (Reiya)

Hikaru took my arm, and we ran towards the shop together.

The inside of the shop was as stylish as its exterior and bustling with many customers.

There weren’t any people our age, but there were couples who looked like university students and people who seemed to be married couples in their thirties or older.

Perhaps drawn by the shop’s atmosphere, the clientele consisted mostly of male-female pairs.

“It’s amazing that you can get stuff here for free too if you show your wristband, right?” (Hikaru)

“Yeah, apparently it’s a system where you settle everything together at checkout, and this time it’s all free because we’re invited guests.” (Reiya)

“Either way, it’s all thanks to Kyo, huh? Now then, what should I get?” (Hikaru)

Hikaru, having taken a seat, picked up the tablet and started browsing the menu.

“I wonder what this Sunshine Tropical Dream Splash Explosion is!?” (Hikaru)

“W-well… I guess it’s a dreamy tropical juice with sunshine that’s splashing and exploding…?” (Reiya)

Perhaps it was the owner’s taste, but the menu was filled with overly grandiose foreign words.

“Alright, I’ll have this Exotic Paradise Blend Sunday Fiesta! What about you, Reiya?” (Hikaru)

“Hmm… Then, I’ll have the same thing.” (Reiya)

It was just a string of words like “the l’Cie of Fal’Cie are purged in Cocoon,” and I had no idea what anything tasted like, so I decided to piggyback on Hikaru’s order.

“If it’s the same one… it looks like there’s this ‘twin’ option…” (Hikaru)

“Twin…?” (Reiya)

“Look, it’s this kind… with two straws for two people…” (Hikaru)

The tablet screen, spun halfway around, showed a colorful drink with a heart-shaped two-person straw stuck in it.

‘This looks nice… I want to drink it together with him…’

A silent demand was cast with a slightly upward glance.

“Ah… so it’s this kind of thing…” (Reiya)

“Yup, this kind of thing.” (Hikaru)

Our seats were by the window, in full view from outside.

There was a good chance not only other regular customers but also our classmates could see us.

I wanted to oblige, but this was, as expected, too embarrassing, and I hesitated.

“It looks like the portion per person will be smaller too… and it’s better if I can drink at my own pace—” (Reiya)

I tried to gently guide her towards getting one each, but…

Hikaru ostentatiously fiddled with her zipper slide in silence.

Held hostage by that absolute power in this sea, I was helpless and could only tap the ‘Order’ button.

“Thank you for waiting. Here is your Exotic Paradise Blend Sunday Fiesta, twin version.” (Female Waitress)

A large glass with a ridiculously festive-shaped straw was placed on the table by the female waitress.

“Wow…! It looks so yummy…! Let’s dig in!” (Hikaru)

Hikaru popped one of the two mouthpieces facing each other into her mouth.

The pink liquid passed halfway through the straw, coloring half of the heart.

“Mmm…! Sweet and tropical! Aren’t you going to drink, Reiya?” (Hikaru)

“I-I will, but…” (Reiya)

Steeling myself, I brought my face close to the mouthpiece of the straw.

Hikaru started drinking at the same time, and our faces came within about 30 centimeters of each other.

Perhaps because she was wearing a thin layer of lip gloss, her lips, pressed against the straw, looked glossy and sensual.

Even though we should be much closer when we usually kiss, my heart was pounding like crazy.

I put the straw in my mouth and sucked up the liquid from the glass.

The pink liquid passed through the straw on my side, completing the heart mark.

Although no classmates saw us, it was incredibly embarrassing… and incredibly sweet.

And so, after finishing our short break, we returned to the activity reception.

“What should we do neext…!” (Hikaru)

Hikaru, having replenished both her physical and mental energy, said this while stepping cheerfully.

“How about wakeboarding!?” (Hikaru)

“Wakeboarding… isn’t that the one where you get pulled by a motorboat or a jet ski?” (Reiya)

“Exactly! Doesn’t that look fun too!?” (Hikaru)

“It might look fun… but isn’t it a bit too difficult for me…?” (Reiya)

Even the board I paddled with an oar earlier was a disaster in the latter half, so standing on a board pulled at many times that speed was beyond difficult; it was dangerous.

“Hmm… I see… You’re right… In that case—” (Hikaru)

Just as Hikaru, seemingly convinced, put a hand to her cheek and pretended to consider the next candidate—

“Aah! It’s Kage-P!” (Takasaki)

A name that made my body freeze stiff came from somewhere.

Turning towards the sound of creaking wooden floors, I saw Takasaki-san rushing towards us, various things bouncing up and down.

— Author’s Note —

This is a major announcement!!

I’ve received permission to release information about the book version of “The Case of Asahi-san, the Light-Attribute Beauty, Somehow Ending Up Hanging Out in My Room Every Weekend,” so I’d like to take this opportunity to announce it!

First, the publishing label is GA Bunko, and the release date will be October 13th (Sunday). GA Bunko is a major label that boasts many famous web-発 works! Especially in the rom-com genre, it’s a great honor to be published by the same label as the great predecessor, “The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten”! Yay! I’m so happy!

Next, the illustrator in charge of character design, cover art, and illustrations is Mamyoda-sensei (https://x.com/mamy6o6)! They are an artist who depicts incredibly charming beautiful girls with a delicate yet splendid brushwork, and they have wonderfully expressed Asahi-san’s light-attribute charm. You can check out the cover illustration by Mamyoda-sensei on GA Bunko’s official website (https://ga.sbcr.jp/product/9784815626945), so please do take a look!

Also, for the publication, some revisions and additions have been made based on the web version. A completely new, original epilogue and other things have been added, so please look forward to those as well!

Umm… that’s about it for the announcements, and the rest is a request to all you readers.

I DON’T WANT IT TO BE DISCONTINUED!!

I DON’T WANT IT DISCONTINUED I DON’T WANT IT DISCONTINUED I DON’T WANT IT DISCONTINUED!!

I DON’T WANT IT DISCONTINUEEEED!!!!

The publishing industry is a brutal world, and if it doesn’t sell, it’s difficult to get a sequel. But, at least three volumes… no, I want to release four volumes… and maybe even a manga adaptation… dream big, an anime adaptation…

…So please buy it! Please! I’ll do anything!

Since it’s a paperback, it’s a little over 700 yen including tax. It’s more affordable compared to large-format books, but I don’t think it’s a cheap purchase by any means. However, it’s been eight months since I started posting… I believe that all of you who have followed along up to this 121st chapter will surely pick it up!! I humbly ask for your support!!

Once again, the release date is October 13th (Sunday). Pre-orders have already started on mail-order sites like Amazon. Initial sales are extremely important for light novels, so if you plan to purchase it, please pre-order!! https://amzn.asia/d/2hk85Dc https://www.sbcr.jp/product/4815626945/

Finally, to achieve the unexpected result of a book deal with my first attempt at the rom-com genre is all thanks to everyone who has supported me this far. Thank you so very much. Of course, I plan to continue updating the web version, so please continue to support Kageyama-kun and Asahi-san.