Vol. 2 Chapter 94 – The Sea, Popular Types, and a Luxury Resort (18)

Maid outfits, miniskirt policewoman costumes, bunny girls… even school swimsuits.

Naturally, criticism began rising from the girls when they saw those cosplay outfits.

“Ugh… that’s the worst…” (Girl A)

“I knew it, that’s what you were really after… perverts…” (Girl B)

“This requires a trial… I’m seeking permanent banishment.” (Girl C)

Maybe he thought this was his chance while everyone’s excitement was peaked after a fun day, but the criticism was overwhelming.

I thought banishment was unavoidable and quietly watched the situation unfold—

“W-wait wait… hear me out to the end…” (Ooba)

Still having something to say, the defendant continued undaunted.

“It’s a punishment game, so you don’t have to wear it if you win. And of course, if we guys lose, we’ll wear them…” (Ooba)

“That would be more like punishment for us. No matter what you say to try to convince us, it’s useless.” (Matsunaga)

At Matsunaga-san’s merciless announcement, voices of agreement rose from the girls.

Indeed, having the guys wear those outfits would only be punishment for those forced to watch.

His grand ambition of ulterior motives seemed to crumble here, but he still had one tremendous trump card hidden.

“But if you lose there’s punishment… which means if you win, there’s a prize…!” (Ooba)

“A prize…? It’s probably just cheap snacks, right…?” (Girl A)

“Ta-da! Fukushimaya Department Store gift card worth 10,000 yen!!” (Ooba)

Whoa, he brought out something serious…!

I couldn’t help but shudder at the almost-cash prize Ooba-kun held up.

“A Fukushimaya gift card…” (Girl A)

“There’s a House of Cosmos on the second floor there, right? I wonder if you can use it there?” (Girl B)

“Probably? I was just wanting to get a whole new set of cosmetics.” (Girl C)

“I’d like Nichi Dou cakes…” (Girl D)

“But if you lose, you have to wear that, right…?” (Girl E)

“But if you win, it’s 10,000 yen…?” (Girl F)

However, the effect was tremendous.

Fukushimaya was a major department store everyone knew.

A 10,000 yen gift card usable for everything from popular cosmetics to sweets sold there was truly a special item effective on high school girls.

Among the girls who had firmly rejected the idea until now, an atmosphere of “as long as I win, it’ll be fine” began spreading.

“Eh~ so cute~! I want to wear this~! Let’s do it~! Seems fun~!” (Takasaki)

“H-hey, Chisato… that one might be okay, but the others are dangerous…” (Matsunaga)

Matsunaga-san tried to restrain Takasaki-san, who was making statements that further accelerated this atmosphere.

Indeed, while a maid outfit might be consumable as a somewhat embarrassing memory, being forced to wear a bunny outfit or school swimsuit would become an unforgettable day of shame.

“The others… aren’t those fine too? I’ve worn similar things before…” (Takasaki)

“You really are…” (Matsunaga)

“So I’m participating~! I’ll do my best~!” (Takasaki)

However, it didn’t seem that way to Takasaki-san, who expressed her agreement with full motivation.

“I might join too. I haven’t really placed low much yet.” (Girl A)

“Then me too! 10,000 yen for winning is too good to pass up!” (Girl B)

That seemed to be the final push, as other girls began entering one after another.

The terrifying power of (almost) cash…!

“Hmm… then I guess I will too… I want the gift certificate…” (Haruna)

“H-hey… Haruna… if you lose, you’ll have to wear that in front of everyone, you know?” (Shuu)

Shuu spoke worriedly to Fujimoto-san, who was about to participate following everyone else.

He didn’t want anyone else to see her in such a state.

I could understand that feeling well, but—

“It’s fine as long as I win… plus if I think of it like a track uniform, it’s totally fine… so I’m participating too…!” (Haruna)

Fujimoto-san declared her participation without concern at all.

Somehow Shuu always gets ignored, and I started feeling a bit sorry for him.

“So, is Hikaru not participating?” (Girl A)

“Hm? Me? Hmm… Reiya-kun, would you be okay with other people seeing me wearing that?” (Hikaru)

When asked about participation, Hikaru questioned me back somewhat suspiciously.

“Well, it’s not that I’d be okay with it…” (Reiya)

“But?” (Hikaru)

“You’ll win 100% so they’ll never see it anyway.” (Reiya)

“What’s that supposed to mean?” (Hikaru)

Hikaru giggled at my response.

With this group, Hikaru would win overwhelmingly no matter how many times we played, so I had no worries from the start.

…And as expected, Hikaru didn’t participate (or rather was half-excluded).

After that, regulations were established through discussion between guys and girls.

The competition would be Marimo Cart.

50cc class, running four courses with victory decided by total points from each placement.

Fine rules about the punishment game were also set, like photography being prohibited even if girls ended up wearing costumes.

And so began the ruthless battle for 10,000 yen between four guys and four girls.

“Here we go! The summer Marimo Cart tournament for Fukushimaya gift cards! Commentary by me! Asahi Hikaru! And analysis by—” (Hikaru)

“Um… analyst Kageyama here… is this necessary?” (Reiya)

When I greeted following format, cheers went up for the “♥Reiya & Hikaru♥” combo.

I’m going to be teased for a while longer…

“It’s necessary! We need to get everyone excited since we have the chance!” (Hikaru)

Hikaru’s energy was even higher than usual.

Maybe since she’s usually on the player side in tennis and games, seeing others seriously compete was fresh for her.

“Well then, what should we focus on watching in this match?” (Hikaru)

“Um… well… judging from the play so far, skill levels are pretty close, so it should be quite an intense battle. If I had to pick one player to watch… I’d say Takasaki-san…” (Reiya)

“…What? You’d be happy if Chisato placed low and wore those clothes…?” (Hikaru)

“Eh~ Kage-P, is that it~? Should I lose on purpose~?” (Takasaki)

“No no, that’s not what I meant…” (Reiya)

I continued while defending myself against Hikaru’s scary glare.

“Takasaki-san often gets powerful items from low positions and disrupts the race for sudden comebacks…” (Reiya)

“I see~ so she could be the eye of the storm?” (Hikaru)

“Exactly.” (Reiya)

Hikaru understood my explanation.

In the earlier race, she’d gotten Thunder consecutively from last place and crushed everyone to reach first.

Her disruptive nature apparently applied to games as well as reality.

“Alright, let’s refocus! First race begins! First to pull ahead with the start dash I taught is Matsunaga-san!!” (Hikaru)

“Sorry, but I’m escaping to victory like this!” (Matsunaga)

With the race start, Matsunaga-san pulled ahead with a rocket start.

She’d hated the punishment game so much initially, but once committed, she was serious.

“Following behind are Ooba-san, Fujimoto-san, Yamashita-san… Takasaki-san, who failed the start, is trailing far behind the lead group in last place!” (Hikaru)

While Hikaru hyped up the battle with surprisingly skilled commentary, the race quickly developed action.

“Whoa! Don’t push! And you fell off too!” (Girl A)

One of the girls got body-slammed by another guy’s character and both fell off the course.

“Ugh… unbelievable.” (Girl A)

“Heh heh heh…” (Guy A)

While taking abuse from the girl who suffered major losses, he just laughed wickedly.

The same thing happened several more times with different targets.

“Not again…!?” (Girl B)

“Wah! This time he came for me…!” (Girl C)

“Oh! Kiue-san controlling Yoshi! Another course-out here! Taking Pinocchio down to the abyss!!” (Hikaru)

He continued disrupting the girls without caring about his own placement.

Sometimes ramming into their racing lines, sometimes using powerful items picked up from low positions…

When I wondered what his goal was, he glanced at the other guys.

Ah, I see…!

I realized the victory conditions differed between girls and guys.

While individual girls absolutely had to avoid low placement, guys didn’t.

They just needed to send multiple girls to low positions for cosplay…!

Even if he ended up in last place wearing a school swimsuit as a result…!

They probably secretly decided on a disruption role while discussing rules.

It was clear teaming, but no rules were established prohibiting it.

The guys had outmaneuvered them here, so I watched the continuing battle without interfering.

“Now! Final lap with only half remaining! First place is Ooba-san, second is Mukumoto-san! Will the two guys finish one-two without incident!?” (Hikaru)

As the race entered its final phase, Hikaru’s commentary grew more passionate.

However, there was a large gap between the guys’ leading group and the pursuing girls, partly due to the disruption.

A comeback from here would be quite difficult.

Just as Ooba-kun and Mukumoto-kun were about to escape and cross the finish line—

“Harunaaaaaa!!” (Shuu)

Shuu’s Donkey Kong appeared from the side and knocked both into the abyss.

“What!? Komiya!?” (Ooba and Mukumoto)

Completely caught off guard, they let out bewildered cries.

Where did that come from? There should have been no one in front of us.

However, only I, who’d been watching the minimap constantly, understood.

Yes, seeing how the race developed, he’d remained near the finish line from the second lap, waiting for the leaders to arrive.

Even if it meant being lapped and guaranteed last place, he did it to protect her.

Manly in a way, but…

“Komiya-kun’s fierce side attack explodes!! He knocked the leading duo off course along with himself!! Behold! This is how a man lives!!” (Hikaru)

Matching Hikaru’s wrestling-style commentary, great excitement erupted in the living room.

Ah… it’s complete chaos now…