Chapter 384

When we first boarded the bus and set off, the atmosphere inside was incredibly boisterous.

But after over two hours with no sign of stopping, it grew dead quiet.

Everyone had fallen asleep.

Some had braved motion sickness to play on their consoles, chat, or even play board games in the cramped seats, but most were sleeping to recharge their stamina for when we reached the Beach.

Miyuki was even more exhausted than the other students.

Between waking up early and having so much to take care of since morning, she was completely out cold, resting her head on my shoulder with her mouth hanging slightly open.

The air conditioner was blasting. Worried she might get cold, I used my free arm on the aisle side to pull out the Blanket I'd brought and tucked it carefully around her.

"How sweet of you."

It was the Vice Representative sitting across the aisle, her voice laced with teasing.

I answered with a wordless, indifferent look, then chuckled when Miyuki pulled the Blanket tighter and curled into a ball, as if enjoying the cozy warmth.

'Seeing her like this reminds me of the last school trip.'

'She slept on the train just like this... She was cute back then, too.'

The bus barreled on for another two hours before arriving at our destination.

It was a Hotel situated just a short walk from a crystal-clear Beach, the air exuding a refreshing ocean scent.

'Since it's a private Academy known for its prestige, they really spare no expense.'

'It's incredibly nice for a place where students are staying.'

Miyuki, who had woken up ten minutes before we arrived, patted her cheeks to shake off the sleep.

Smoothing out her messy hair, she stepped to the front of the bus, spoke quietly with our homeroom teacher, and addressed the students.

"Everyone, we're heading straight into the lobby after we get off. If you need the restroom, go ahead, but make sure to gather at the Class 2-A sign. Got it?"

Following her gentle instructions, the students began piling out of the bus.

I'd been holding my bladder for a while, so I grabbed my bags, entered the Hotel, and headed straight for the restroom.

'Have the first-years not arrived yet?'

'Didn't they say the first and second-years would be using the same Lodging?'

'In that case, they must still be on their bus. Hiyori is probably getting anxious.'

When I returned from the restroom, I saw Miyuki and the Vice Representative trying to placate the students with troubled expressions.

They were struggling to calm a crowd clamoring for ocean-view rooms, a scene playing out all across the Hotel lobby.

It was a chaotic sight, reminiscent of a state of anarchy.

Clicking my tongue like an old man, I put on a stern face and raised my voice.

"Quiet down."

Instantly, the area where the Class 2-A students were gathered fell deathly silent.

'They only listen when someone snaps at them. They aren't even kids...'

Regardless, it was a bit disconcerting watching the silence ripple outward like a gradient wave, starting from the students closest to me.

'I didn't expect it to be this effective. It's a little awkward.'

"I told you that a tour group canceled their Lodging reservations, leaving extra rooms. Since we're Class A, we get first pick of the remaining ocean-view rooms. Our homeroom teacher is exchanging our city-view rooms right now, so calm down."

Miyuki shot me a grateful look as she spoke, and the students nodded in understanding.

'She already explained it to them and they were still throwing a fit?'

'Then they all deserve the death penalty.'

Not long after, the homeroom teacher returned with the room keys.

Smiling broadly at our well-behaved group compared to the others, he had Miyuki and the Vice Representative distribute the keys to the students.

All the while, I maintained a slouched posture and a deep scowl.

This was entirely intentional.

The Academy had booked double rooms.

And there was an odd number of boys in our class.

This meant one person was highly likely to get a private room, so I glared at everyone to make sure no one wanted to pair up with me.

Truthfully, even if I hadn't done this, I was bound to get a room to myself.

Protagonist plot armor aside, I fully believed that Miyuki—who had a strong voice as both the class monitor and a member of the Student Council—would pull some strings so we could hang out in private.

"Here you go, Matsuda-kun."

After handing out all the card keys to the students, Miyuki offered the last one to me.

Just as I expected.

"I'm by myself?"

"Yeah. Or do you want me to swap it for you?"

Miyuki's question was brimming with playfulness.

She already knew my answer.

Flashing an arrogant smirk, I shook my head.

"No. I'm comfortable alone."

"Got it. I have a lot of work to do until tonight, so do you want to hang out with your friends?"

"I will. Let me know if you need any help."

"Thanks."

Splitting off from Miyuki, I took my card key and got into the elevator.

The spacious elevator was packed with first and second-years who had just gotten their room assignments.

'But what's that sour smell?'

'Someone clearly hasn't showered. This is exactly why you need a single room.'

Keeping my expression neutral, I rode up to my assigned floor, checked the room number, and tapped my card key against the door lock.

With a sharp beep, the door swung open.

It was a fully equipped space. I checked the bed first and found it ridiculously softer than standard Hotel beds.

'With it being this soft, our posture might get a little awkward while doing this and that with Miyuki,' I thought, pulling the window wide open.

Perhaps because it was on a high floor, the wind was cool and strong.

It felt incredibly refreshing.

As I lay down on the bed and let the heavy ocean breeze smack me right in the face, my eyes closed on their own.

'Should I sleep for thirty minutes? Yeah, I think I will.'

I woke up when the Cell Phone I'd left by my pillow started ringing with an alarm.

I had only been in a light sleep, so I easily opened my eyes and checked the screen to find a message from Hiyori.

[Matsumatsu, where are you?]

It was just toneless text, yet I could somehow feel Hiyori's emotions seeping through.

'She must be completely ready to play.'

'But the nickname Matsumatsu keeps sounding like a brand of snack.'

'A snack... Maybe I'll try making one after I graduate.'

'The fruits symbolizing the heroines happen to be the kind that pair well with jelly, so if I take it in that direction, it might be pretty popular.'

'But what kind of academy do I need to attend to learn how to make jelly?'

'Do I go to a baking and pastry school?'

Making a mental note to seriously consider it later, I replied to Hiyori.

[At the Hotel.]

[In your room?]

[Yeah.]

[Aren't you hanging out with Miyuki Hanazawa?]

[Miyuki is busy.]

[Then come hang out with me for two hours. I already rented a Parasol at the Beach.]

[Already?]

[Yeah. I'm at spot 98, so come over here. From the Hotel, just head straight left. You'll have to walk for a bit.]

'Did she have to rent a Parasol all the way out there because it's too crowded?'

'It looked pretty empty when we arrived, but the Academy students must have flooded in while I was asleep.'

[Are your friends with you?]

[Why?]

'She isn't asking because she doesn't know the reason...'

'She's trying to test the waters.'

[Things will get awkward if I intrude.]

[They aren't here, so don't worry. I'll be waiting, so hurry up and come.]

Firing off a text of agreement to the incredibly driven Hiyori, I changed into a simple cotton t-shirt and the swim trunks I'd packed.

Leaving the Hotel, I headed toward the spot Hiyori had mentioned.

Contrary to my expectations, the Beach wasn't very crowded.

Actually, there were a lot of people, but not enough to call it a sea of humanity.

There were even empty Parasol spots scattered here and there.

'Did Hiyori rent a distant Parasol so she could have a secret date with me?'

'Usually, places like that have a large rock more than big enough to hide behind, and doing that kind of thing there is a classic trope.'

Letting my imagination run wild, I arrived at Hiyori's numbered spot to find sunbeds, a beach ball, a swim tube, and all sorts of other gear laid out under the Parasol.

'She's entirely determined to play her heart out. She'll definitely be sore tonight... I guess she isn't saving any stamina for tomorrow.'

'Where did Hiyori go?'

Seeing a waterproof pouch with her Cell Phone inside resting on the sunbed, I figured she'd just stepped away for a moment.

'What if someone steals it? She's way too careless.'

I was glancing around looking for Hiyori with that thought in mind when—

"Matsumatsuken!"

Her bubbly voice rang out from behind me.

And when I turned around, my jaw dropped slightly at the sight of her incredibly daring swimsuit.

"Hey...!"

Hiyori had shown me the design before, so I knew it gave off a mature vibe, but seeing it in person was far more erotic than I'd expected.

Those thong-like bottoms in particular were utterly obscene.

The strings under her bust and by her hips, which looked like they'd come completely undone with a single tug, drove me wild while simultaneously filling me with anxiety.

To make matters worse, the cardigan I'd told her to bring was designed purely to be draped over the shoulders—it had no buttons or zippers, leaving the center wide open. Its sheer material faintly revealed her skin beneath, making an already explicit Hiyori look even more suggestive.

"What's wrong?"

Blinking innocently, she looked incredibly fake, to say the least...

'Does she even realize she's drawing the attention of everyone around her?'

'Of course she knows.'

Squeezing my eyes shut before opening them again, I addressed a wide-eyed Hiyori.

"Don't tell me you walked here like this?"

"Yep."

"Right... That's so like you. Didn't the teachers or the other kids say anything?"

"I didn't run into any teachers, and the kids didn't say a thing."

"What about Mitsushima?"

"Miho is hanging out with friends at the Beach entrance near the Hotel right now."

"No... I mean, didn't Mitsushima say anything?"

"Isn't the ocean over there super pretty?"

Seeing her casually change the subject, it was clear Miho had definitely given her an earful.

'Regardless, I hadn't realized it until now, but our Hiyori pulls off a ponytail incredibly well.'

'It would be quite a sight to see her standing next to the navy-blue-haired Renka.'

All things considered, we were alone together now. Though there were people around, it was practically deserted compared to the front of the Hotel, so I decided to let her aggressive, daring swimsuit slide for now.

"It is pretty."

"Me?"

"Don't try to trap me."

"Bummer. Does sunbae-nim's grade have free time all day, too?"

"Yeah. Aside from roll call in the middle of the day, we're free to do what we want."

"That's great. Let's play now."

"If you want to play, do your warm-up stretches first."

"I already did them."

"Quit lying."

"I can do warm-up stretches after we play."

Hiyori seemed even brighter than usual today.

As she stamped her feet in excitement, her breasts bounced slightly up and down under the tight constraint of her swimsuit, sending my libido surging.

"Then it wouldn't be a warm-up stretch, would it?"

"What if it rains! We have to play as much as we can before that happens."

"Is it supposed to rain?"

"I'm asking what we'll do if it rains."

'She's spouting nonsense again.'

Shaking my head firmly, I stood under the Parasol and gestured for Hiyori to step forward.

She swaggered over and stood facing me.

Then, instantly dropping her sulky expression in favor of a bright smile, she suddenly grabbed my hand and pointed at the ocean.

"Then let's get in first and do them in the shallow water!"

'She's completely tossed safety awareness to the dogs.'

'Still, I can completely understand why she's so excited, so I should just do as she says.'

"We are definitely stretching in the water. If you don't, I won't let you play."

"Got it. Grab that swim tube next to you for me."

Being led toward the ocean by Hiyori's hand, I saw her pale-white rear completely exposed due to the bikini's design.

'She's wearing something straight out of a photoshoot.'

'I was going to let most things slide, but I absolutely cannot ignore that.'

'That is way too much exposure.'

'After playing for a bit, I'll have to stash Hiyori somewhere and go fetch a bathrobe or something.'

Making that mental promise, I left footprints in the wet sand of the Beach alongside Hiyori and dipped my feet into the gently lapping ocean.

"Ah, it's cold...!"

At the same time, Hiyori kicked one leg back, splashing water at me.

Seeing her exaggerate how cold it was just to play a prank on me, even though the water temperature was perfect, made me let out an involuntary scoff.

A totally disobedient and stubborn gyaru girl, a pristine ocean, and clear, beautiful weather...

It really did feel like a scene straight out of a slightly explicit visual novel, right when an event with the target heroine triggers.

I placed the swim tube on a nearby rock jutting out of the water, then lightly chopped the back of Hiyori's neck as she stared curiously at the deep end, despite being a terrible swimmer.

Putting on a serious face, I pointed straight down at my feet.

"I know, I know. You're so annoying."

Catching on to what I wanted, Hiyori complained without meaning a word of it. Letting her grumbling go in one ear and out the other, I began stretching with her, finally ready to enjoy our school trip.