"Damn it, damn it! I'm gonna kill that bastard!"
On the boat, Iori raged with a twisted expression.
If the boat hadn't been about to leave just now, he would've charged over and had a death match with that blonde idiot!
Kamishiro: "Someone's pride sure took a hit~"
Kamishiro teased him from the side, clearly enjoying Iori's misfortune.
Iori: "You bastard! You were thinking the same thing as me back there!"
Kamishiro: "Yeah, I was. But I'm not mad about it~"
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
No kidding!
If he'd spent the night with a cute girl, he wouldn't be mad either!
Chisa: "Is it really something to get this upset about?"
Hanabi: "Aren't friends supposed to be happy for each other?"
The girls didn't quite get it—though for different reasons.
One didn't understand what was so upsetting about it.
The other didn't get the way the boys interacted.
Iori: "How am I supposed to stay calm?!"
He bit his finger, trembling with rage.
Iori: "This is the most important kind of competition between men! And to think I've been overtaken by Kohei of all people! It's so infuriating!"
Kamishiro: "Uh… hate to break it to you, but... you and Kohei weren't exactly starting on equal footing to begin with.
And considering his looks, Kohei was already ahead of you.
So... how exactly is this being 'overtaken'?"
As soon as Kamishiro finished, silence fell over the group.
Chisa and Hanabi glanced at Iori, then recalled Kohei's face.
...That did make sense.
The moment the truth sank in, Iori's eyes turned murderous as he stared at Kamishiro.
Iori: "Why the hell aren't you mute?!"
Kamishiro : "Can't help it~ My best quality is honesty~"
He grinning in a way that made people want to punch him.
Perfect. Iori decided to add another name to his Death Note.
Chisa: "Alright, alright, you two, stop fighting. It's really not that big a deal. Maybe this was all just a misunderstanding."
Iori: "Not a big deal?!"
Seeing how calm Chisa was, Iori decided to show her just how aggravating this whole situation was!
Iori: "Chisa, just imagine!"
Chisa: "Imagine what?"
Iori: "From your perspective—say someone won a prize trip to go diving in the Rangiroa.
And then!
That person threw it away right in front of you, saying 'Tch, what trash, not nearly as fun as shopping.'"
Crack crack
As Iori finished, Chisa trembled violently, her fists clenching as cracking noises came from her knuckles.
Her face darkened as she growled:
Chisa: "Unforgivable!!"
That tone. That reaction.
Hanabi was shocked that this airhead of a girl could actually get that mad.
Looks like these two might really have something going on.
Everyone knows—when someone knows how to hit all your nerves just right, it means they're always paying attention to you.
Iori: "Aaaagh! This is so damn frustrating!!!"
Now that Chisa understood his feelings, Iori got even more agitated.
So annoying!
Kamishiro was surprised, though.
Frustrated, huh...
That was... an interesting reaction~
Just as he was about to ask more about it, the diving instructor started calling out to them from nearby.
It was time to dive!
________________
On the Water's Surface
The instructor was explaining the meeting point and precautions—most of which had already been covered on the boat.
Kamishiro (worried): "You okay?"
He looked over at Hanabi, who'd been unusually tense from the start.
________________
"Mm... I'm a little nervous."
Hanabi spoke softly. She had some diving experience, but it had been a long time since her last dive.
These days, she rarely even swam, and the unfamiliar environment made her feel uneasy.
"Don't worry, I'm here."
The boy gently took the girl's hand, a big smile blooming across his face.
If it had been any other time, Hanabi might have scoffed at those words.
Words from a playboy were the least trustworthy.
But now...
Seeing that smile, Hanabi's heart suddenly calmed down.
For once, she didn't lash out at the stupid pigeon. She simply nodded quietly.
"Mm."
At this moment, I really need you.
Knowing that Kamishiro was there, Hanabi couldn't help but close her eyes as she dove underwater.
As the seawater slowly enveloped her body, she gradually opened them again.
What she saw—was a world straight out of a fairy tale!
Sunlight streamed through the ocean surface, casting a shimmering blue glow.
All kinds of marine life swam around them, and even a curious little sea turtle came right up to her, trying to snuggle up affectionately.
The overly friendly sea turtle left Hanabi momentarily flustered.
As she reached out to touch it, she realized—her right hand was tightly held by Kamishiro.
Although his face was mostly obscured by his diving mask,
Hanabi could still see the smile on that stupid pigeon's face.
Hmph~
Stupid pigeon!
Hanabi turned her head away in a tsundere manner but gripped his hand a bit tighter. She reached out with her left hand to gently pat the affectionate little turtle.
…
"Whew! The ocean—no matter how many times I see it, it's still breathtaking!"
Back on the boat, the four of them stood at the bow, enjoying the sea breeze.
Iori: "Just thinking about the beautiful scenes we saw underwater really lifts my mood."
Chisa: "Oh? So you're not irritated anymore?"
Iori: "After seeing such beauty, how could I stay irritated?"
Kamishiro: "Aren't you curious about what's going on between Kohei and Aina?"
Iori: "No! That's a separate issue!"
"..."
Well, that's human nature—no one can resist gossip!
"How was it?"
Ignoring the idiot Kitahara, Kamishiro turned to Hanabi.
Perhaps still overwhelmed, Hanabi looked a little dazed—maybe still thinking about her little sea turtle friend.
"Eh?"
Hanabi snapped out of it, a smile naturally curving her lips.
"It was beautiful. I suddenly understand why so many people fall in love with diving."
"Down there... is really like another magical world."
A place filled with scenery that tugs at your soul!
Hearing that, all three of them smiled.
Kamishiro looked into the distance. The waves seemed to echo their feelings.
"The ocean… is like a love letter from Earth to all living creatures."
"I just hope it always stays blue."
Chisa sighed slightly. That shade of blue—no one could ever get tired of it.
"It will stay blue. Anyone who tries to destroy it will suffer the consequences!"
Those who pollute the ocean deserve to be sunk into it!
Some of the senpai were even thinking of going to Hawaii to learn jungle warfare—
And he was tempted too!
Fight!
ψ(｀∇´)ψ
________________
Nighttime
Kamishiro and the others found Aina's group at an izakaya.
Aina had finally given up resisting.
Her name had been outed—there was nowhere to hide now!
No time machine, and mind-wiping wasn't an option either. What else could she do?
(っ╥╯﹏╰╥c)
Inside the izakaya, Iori kept glancing between Kohei and Aina.
Iori: "So... you two got jealous hearing we were coming to Okinawa."
Chisa: "Then rushed over but couldn't find a place to stay, and ended up being forced to share a room?"
Kamishiro: "Come on, that's way too far-fetched. Even if it were true, you could've just booked two sepa—mmph!!"
A soft hand clamped over Kamishiro's mouth. Hanabi gave Aina an apologetic smile.
"Um, don't mind him. That's actually what we assumed too."
She also shot the stupid pigeon a warning glare.
Was this the reaction she wanted from Aina—awkward and shy?
Obviously not!
She wanted to ship the couple! Ship them!!
"..."
Kamishiro rolled his eyes at Hanabi.
So much for her serious editor persona...
Where did the cool career-woman Hanabi go—the one who only cared about work?
Right now, Aina was thoroughly embarrassed. She really wanted to stab Kamishiro.
She had wanted to book two rooms. But she was afraid if she did, she'd wake up and Kohei would be gone forever.
It definitely wasn't because the hotel receptionist didn't even give her a choice!
Just thinking of that front desk ticked Aina off.
Love hotels should not assume a man and woman coming in together only want one room!
Totally unreasonable!
Luckily,
Iori and Chisa didn't take Kamishiro's words seriously and instinctively trusted Aina.
After all, people tend to believe the version that benefits them most.
It's a kind of self-comfort, in a way.
Iori: "Ah, I see!"
Chisa: "Yeah, I figured it was something like that."
Hearing that, Aina let out a sigh of relief. "So the misunderstanding's cleared up?"
"Of course! Kohei and the Cakey—that makes perfect sense!"
Iori took a sip of his beer, grinning. He knew there was no way those two would ever hook up.
One's into making people look like mosters, the other's a hardcore otaku—different species!
"..."
"What do you mean by that…?"
Aina felt a bit insulted. That idiot was definitely imagining something rude!
"Well, at least it shows we trust you two."
No matter how they twisted it, at least the end result was trust.
"You weren't saying that earlier—you looked like you wanted to drown Kohei."
Kamishiro gave Iori a look of disdain. The guy really switched gears fast.
"Nonsense! I'd never throw garbage in the ocean!"
Iori refuted, proud of being the ocean's protector. He even picked up trash from time to time—no way he'd pollute it!
"..."
Kamishiro glanced at Kohei with pity—being called trash by Kitahara?
So sad~
"By the way, what's with this guy? Didn't the soul-sucking clear up by now?"
"What soul-sucking?! I told you—he was just in shock from last night!"
Aina blushed furiously. They had just moved on—why did Kamishiro have to drag it back up?!
Hmph!
I'll remember this! I'm totally tattling to Kiyoko later!
Wait…
What did she forget again…?
Aina glanced at Kamishiro, then at Hanabi beside him.
And finally remembered.
Kiyoko!!!
Another green flag for you!!
Aina was now seriously conflicted. Should she message Kiyoko to tell her the brutal truth?
Or let her stay blissfully ignorant for now?
So hard to decide!
Damn it!
It's all because she got too embarrassed during the day and completely forgot about that jerk Kamishiro.
Aaaaahhhh!!!
Why is that bastard in Okinawa, and with his editor no less?!
It was too frustrating!
Looking at Aina's fierce glare and the black mist rising behind her, Kamishiro scratched his head in confusion. He didn't think he said anything wrong just now.
"Sapping energy" was just a metaphor! Why such a huge reaction?
Just as Kamishiro was about to find a place to hide, a hero appeared!
"So what exactly did this guy see that shocked him so badly?"
Iori roughly pushed Kohei's head. Normally, this guy would've bounced up and challenged him to a real-life PK fight.
But now he was so quiet, it felt unsettling.
"Well… It's that Ikegoshi and Yurika are holding marrying soon."
"Huh? That fast?"
Kamishiro was surprised. Logically, as an idol, it would be better for Ikegoshi to delay announcing his relationship—it'd help maintain his popularity longer.
He had just switched career paths too. There was no reason to rush.
He remembered Ikegoshi being a very rational person.
"Emmm, I'm not totally sure either. The news I saw yesterday mentioned something about an 'unstable factor.' Because of it, he wanted to give Yurika sana home as soon as possible."
Kamishiro the "Unstable Factor" sighed deeply, a bit emotional. "Being an idol is truly not easy."
Obviously—Kamishiro misunderstood. He thought it was obsessive fans that made Ikegoshi feel unsafe.
"But even then, Kohei's reaction is too extreme. Didn't he already know about this last time?"
Last time, he practically tried to off Ikegoshi. He should've already come to terms with it.
"Well, I think what really broke Kohei was another piece of news—something about his emotional lifeline."
As Aina spoke, she gave Kamishiro a strange look.
"Come to think of it, this does have something to do with you, Kamishiro."
"Me?"
Kamishiro was puzzled. What did Kohei's emotional support have to do with him?
Kohei was a hardcore romance purist. Kamishiro leaned more toward darker fantasies. The only crossover point in their preferences was in cuckold plots—one being the victim, the other the "blonde guy."
"It's… Maya san suddenly announced that she has someone she likes."
Kamishiro: ???
Huh?!!!
BAM!
Before Kamishiro could even react, a figure suddenly lunged at him.
After a swirl of dizziness, lying on the floor, Kamishiro looked up into a pair of violent, cruel eyes!
"What's your relationship with Maya sama?!"
!!!
{{(°△°; "}}!
Exposed?!