Vol. 2 Chapter 96 – The Sea, Popular Types, and a Luxury Resort (20)

“I did it…! The gift card…!” (Haruna)

Fujimoto-san, who obtained the prize Fukushimaya gift card, raised it high with a smile.

The final Marimo Cart tournament rankings had Fujimoto-san in first, followed by Matsunaga-san in second, Yamano-san in third—girls monopolized the top positions.

“Well then, we’d like to hear from the victorious Fujimoto-san about her current feelings!” (Hikaru)

Hikaru, transformed from commentator to interviewer, attempted to interview the victorious Fujimoto-san with an invisible microphone.

“…Happy!” (Haruna)

“Happy! We received a simple yet powerful expression of joy! Now, what will you use the prize for? Maybe a slightly expensive restaurant date with your boyfriend…?” (Hikaru)

Hikaru tried to steer toward consoling Shuu, who was burned out white from wearing a girls’ school swimsuit—

“Huh? No. I plan to use it toward buying new shoes.” (Haruna)

That plan was readily denied.

Somehow I started feeling sorry for Shuu beyond just pitying him…

However, the person himself was saying in a voice about to fade away, ‘It’s fine… if I could protect Haruna, that’s enough for me…’

After finishing prize presentation and such, the Marimo Cart tournament truly concluded.

However, gaming time continued afterward, with everyone playing through various titles.

Party games, casual battle royales, friendship-destroying co-op games, and more…

All were fun just to watch, providing good times I couldn’t experience alone.

And so, as night deepened further—

“Everyone everyone~! Look look~! There was a karaoke machine~!” (Takasaki)

Takasaki-san brought a karaoke remote from somewhere.

“Karaoke! Nice!” (Girl A)

“Then shall we hold a karaoke tournament during game waiting times too!” (Guy A)

“I agree~! I want to sing that~!” (Girl B)

“Hey, Miyamiya~! This is okay to use, right? Hm? Miyamiya…?” (Takasaki)

Takasaki-san, trying to confirm with Sakuramiya-san whether it was okay to use, tilted her head as if noticing something strange.

“Eh…? Did you say something…?” (Sakuramiya)

Sakuramiya-san answered after several beats to Takasaki-san’s question.

“I asked if the karaoke machine was okay to use… Miyamiya, are you alright…? You’re still not feeling well…?” (Takasaki)

Takasaki-san spoke worriedly to Sakuramiya-san, whose response was clearly slow.

Indeed, she who should usually be at the center of the girls had strangely little presence today.

I barely saw her eating at the BBQ either, and now she hadn’t participated in games at all, just sitting in a corner looking absent the whole time.

She said she was fine during the day, but maybe she was sick somewhere after all.

But since girls have health changes guys can’t easily address, I thought I should leave this to close friend Takasaki-san and watched—

“Like I said… I told you at lunch there’s nothing wrong…” (Sakuramiya)

“But…” (Takasaki)

“Just…! Leave me alone…!” (Sakuramiya)

At Sakuramiya-san’s raised voice, the previously lively room was wrapped in awkward silence.

With only game BGM playing, everyone’s gazes turned toward her.

“Sorry for yelling… but I’m really fine…” (Sakuramiya)

“If Miyamiya says so… I’m sorry for being persistent…” (Takasaki)

“Yeah… those things here, feel free to use anything…” (Sakuramiya)

Sakuramiya-san said that awkwardly, then turned away to escape everyone’s gazes.

“Well, shall we get ready… so how do we use this?” (Guy A)

With some awkwardness still remaining, everyone refocused and prepared karaoke together.

“The main unit’s already connected to the TV, right?” (Girl A)

“Then… oh, got it working. What should I sing?” (Guy B)

Even as night deepened, no one seemed tired of playing yet and nobody tried to sleep.

We played games and karaoke to our hearts’ content.

Incidentally, Hikaru sang so well I wondered if she was a professional.

More time passed, and as it approached 11 PM—

“Huh? Where’s Komiya?” (Guy A)

Suddenly, one of the guys said that while looking around.

Following his lead, I looked around too, but indeed Shuu wasn’t visible.

“Dunno, maybe went to the bathroom?” (Guy B)

“Or went outside for fresh air?” (Guy C)

Everyone gave half-hearted responses while absorbed in games, having no clue.

“Kageyama? You know where Komiya went?” (Guy A)

“N-no… I don’t know…” (Reiya)

I answered that way reflexively, but actually only I had an idea where he’d gone.

“I see… well, it’s not like anything’s wrong, so whatever…” (Guy A)

As he returned to the game screen, I glanced toward the girls’ karaoke group.

They were cheering on Matsunaga-san singing enka passionately, but Fujimoto-san wasn’t there.

‘I’m planning to make my move tonight… with Haruna…’

Remembering that conversation, my heart jumped heavily.

‘Maybe Asahi-san’s waiting too?’ ‘Let’s both work hard to make this the best summer with no regrets!’ ‘In exchange, look forward to tonight’

Apparently, that time had finally come.

— Author’s Note — As announced in status updates, I wanted to inform you here too!

Store-specific bonus information for “The Light Attribute Beautiful Girl Asahi-san Somehow Started Spending Every Weekend in My Room” releasing October 13th has been published on GA Bunko’s official blog!! https://ga.sbcr.jp/bunko_blog/t/20240930t/

Available at three stores: ‘Animate’, ‘Gamers’, and ‘Melonbooks’, with purchasers receiving leaflets with original bonus short stories!

The SS contents are: ・Story of Kageyama-kun observing Asahi-san playing imaginary games during class ・Story of Asahi-san having love talk with friends during lunch break
・Story of when Kageyama-kun and Asahi-san actually first met at the high school entrance ceremony …these three stories. I’m confident in their quality, so I’d be happy if you purchase from bonus-offering stores and read them!!

Also at ‘Gamers’, a limited edition with a tapestry using Mameda-sensei’s color illustration of ‘Post-Bath Asahi-san’ will be released!! https://www.gamers.co.jp/pn/pd/10748299/

Furthermore at ‘Melonbooks’, a limited edition with an acrylic figure of Asahi-san using the cover illustration will be released!! https://www.melonbooks.co.jp/detail/detail.php?product_id=2558208