…
Elsewhere
Kudou, who was getting ready to leave, looked at the PAB members acting like idiots and remained frozen for a long while.
"It's time to go, Kudou."
The vice-president reminded him. The camp had been cleaned up.
Kudou came back to his senses, looked at his long-time friend, and suddenly said:
"How about we throw a party when we get back? All of us together."
"Eh? What brought that on? Didn't we just drink yesterday?"
"Yeah, but not with everyone."
"Haha, well, you're the president. If that's what you want, I'll start prepping when we get back." The vice-president adjusted his glasses and smiled indulgently. He somewhat understood Kudou's feelings.
"So, dear Mr. President, same drinks as usual? One of the new freshmen in the club is good at mixing cocktails, you know~"
"Drinks, huh…"
Kudou thought for a moment. He felt it was time to try something different.
"Let's go with oolong tea."
"Oolong tea?!"
The vice-president looked dumbfounded. Isn't this supposed to be a booze party? Why oolong tea?
"Yup, oolong tea. The kind mixed with whiskey and vodka."
"And get some 'water' too—the flammable kind. Preferably 'aqua vitae.' Hmm, that's all for now."
"..."
(???)
The vice-president didn't write anything down. He just looked at Kudou like he was an idiot.
"What… exactly did you go through last night?"
How could just a few hours make their president into a totally different person? Are those even drinks meant for humans?!
Kudou didn't answer. He just started walking toward the boat.
Then stretched, as if letting go of something deep inside.
He turned slightly, flashing a big grin at the vice-president behind him.
"Sometimes, you gotta try something new, right?"
At that moment!
Kudou felt incredibly cool.
The vice-president thought… what a dumbass.
Still, he didn't dislike this dumbass.
"You're the president, your call. Just don't blame me when the freshmen revolt—I'll totally rat you out."
"Yeah yeah, don't worry. I totally stole this recipe~"
"You…"
The two of them smiled at each other. After all this time, you don't need a reason to do stupid things together.
…
At the Dock
"Mmm~ we're back~"
"That uninhabited island was so fun!"
"We should really thank the guest who gave us their spot."
"It's a shame Azuma and the others couldn't come."
"Hahahaha, next time we do team building, let's find another island and bring Azuma and the gang."
The PAB group returned shortly after the tennis club left. It had only been one day, but it was a fulfilling one.
Just as everyone was heading back to the dive shop, Kohei suddenly noticed someone missing.
He looked at Azusa and asked, "Where's Lady Maya?"
"Eh? Maya? She said goodbye earlier and left. Her manager was waiting nearby."
!!!
"Why didn't I know?!"
Kohei looked completely lost—had he missed Maya sama's farewell?
(;?＿?)
"Maybe because you were too busy admiring the signatures on your shirt…"
Earlier on the boat, Maya had signed Kohei's clothes, and he'd been acting like a fool ever since, even now.
*BOOM!*
Kohei froze, then wailed to the sky, "No!!!!"
Everyone was used to it by now, ignoring him and moving on. He'd sulk back soon enough.
But…
Maya wasn't the only one missing~
"Where's Shirou?"
"Who knows~"
A cryptic smile curled Azusa's lips.
…
In a nearby alley
A cute double-ponytailed idol was pinning a male college student against the wall.
She hooked her arms around his neck, her bold red lips pressing forward aggressively.
She'd held back for so long!
This kiss was shy yet commanding, like a rookie female knight charging into her first battle.
Clumsy, but brimming with courage!
After a long moment
Their lips parted
A silver thread glistened in the sunlight, telling the tale of the boy and girl's feelings.
Maya's face flushed, her misty eyes full of affection.
She wanted to stay by his side, but her vacation was over.
She lightly kissed the corner of Shirou Kamishiro's mouth. "Wait for me. I'll come find you once work's sorted!
And! Next time you're in Tokyo, find me first!"
With that, Maya tilted her head high, striding off like a triumphant knight.
Watching her cheerful figure, Shirou touched his kissed lips.
A smile curved his mouth. "Definitely!"
He turned to leave as dashingly as Maya!
But…
Reality always had surprises in store.
The moment he turned, he saw two figures he *really* didn't want to face.
Kiyoko, Sakura…
Their gazes locked on his fingers and lips.
Where
A silver thread still lingered~
"…"
Shirou's eyes dulled, his face paling as he stammered, "Uh… I was just helping her lose weight, believe me… You know, they say kissing skinny people burns fat…
It's true, there's science behind it…
Wanna try?"
He was babbling nonsense—no one would buy this!
Sure enough, the girls' eyes grew even more dangerous.
"Scumbag!"
"Trash!"
"…"
Shirou gave up, squatting down and covering his head. "Not the face."
*THUD THUD THUD!*
"AAAAAHHH!!!"
…
Nighttime
Returning from the dive shop, Azusa saw the lights on at Shirou's place and barged in.
She grumbled as she entered.
"Shiro, why didn't you show up today? Even if you're cozying up with Maya, it shouldn't take *this* long. Kohei's saying he'll… he'll…"
{{(°△°; "}}!
Seeing the scene inside, Azusa was speechless.
Shirou lay naked on the bed, his eyes numb.
His hands and feet were bound, and two witches were mixing "potions" beside him.
Mustard
Lemon extract
Reaper chili strips
And other torturous concoctions.
In Kiyoko and Sakura's words, they were erasing Maya's traces!
(*?????)
But Shirou felt they were erasing *him*!
*Save me! Azusa-nee, save me!!!*
"…"
Witnessing the horror, Azusa quietly backed out.
Which system magic was this?
Unable to recall, Azusa crossed herself.
Hoping she'd see Shiro tomorrow. Amen.
All done!
Time to sleep~
In Shirou Kamishiro's room
Staring at the messages on his phone, Shirou's eyes brimmed with despair.
Izu University Forum
*"Shock! A certain squinting freshman is two-timing! Sisters, beware—don't fall for his sweet talk!"*
*"The hottest freshman flirts but doesn't commit, dumping girls after he scores. Don't be fooled!"*
Posts like these weren't new on the forum.
But…
These were so detailed, clearly from someone who knew him.
Like
Kiyoko and Sakura…
If it were just that, it'd be fine. What crushed Shirou was the next message.
*"Dragon Tiger Boss: Sorry, Shirou-bro, the missus is back. Shop's under renovation, closed for now…"*
This news shattered Shirou's world.
The Dragon Tiger Love Hotel was his safe haven for flirting, its yakuza-faced owner shielding him from trouble.
Now… his safe spot was gone. If Kiyoko and Sakura found out, he'd be toast!
In that moment, Shirou felt like he was back in Tokyo.
AAAAAAHHH!!!
Why did a love hotel need renovations?!
That boss was definitely off gallivanting with his wife!
Damn it!
Tears of sorrow welled in Shirou's eyes. He'd have to be sneakier now.
*Ding-dong~*
As he scoured for other love hotels, a message popped up.
*"Yamamoto: Got something to discuss. Can we meet up?"*
Shirou paused, then realized this was a golden opportunity. Those jerks might have good ideas.
Scumbags, after all, were sharp in this area.
He just needed to reframe the problem so it didn't sound girl-related!
*Tap tap tap tap~*
*"Shirou: Perfect, I've got something to talk about too."*
*Ding-dong~*
Right after Shirou sent it, the group chat exploded.
*"Mitarai: What a coincidence, I've got something to discuss."*
*"Nojima: Sorry, I've got something to say too."*
*"Kitahara: Me too…"*
"…"
Silence, endless silence.
Did modern male college students have *this* many worries?
And what could *Kitahara*, that idiot, possibly be stressed about?!
Baffled, Shirou suddenly looked forward to this meet-up.
He couldn't imagine what these guys were fretting over.
…
Nighttime
The meet-up spot: Mitarai's room.
"So this is Mitarai's place."
"First time here."
"Looks nice, like a normal human lives here."
The group scoped out the room. Mitarai had insisted on hosting, which was rare.
"Convenient timing?"