"Gasp…"
Not long after Hifumi's sudden rampage forced me into the water, a loud crash echoed across the sea. When I poked my head above the surface, I saw both motorboats, battered and broken, capsized in the water.
I found the button on my belt and pressed it twice. The belt instantly inflated, puffing up into a tube. To be honest, if it weren't for my gun, I probably wouldn't have needed it.
Not far from me, Hina also surfaced. She coughed, spitting out water, and stared up at the sky with a look of utter defeat.
I paddled through the water towards her. Maybe it would have been easier without the tube.
Only when I was right beside her did Hina finally look at me. Her expression was a complex mixture of emotions that was hard to decipher.
"...I really wanted to win."
"Ahaha! I know, right? What an anticlimactic ending… Yeah, I'm a little disappointed too."
"It wasn't really about the match itself… I used to care about that, but not so much anymore."
"Hmm… so you wanted that wish that badly? But even if it wasn't the way you wanted, I think your feelings got through."
I held out my hand to Hina. No matter how hard she kicked, she'd be slower than me, so I figured I might as well just tow her.
"...Yeah, my feelings got through. But I never got an answer."
Hina shyly took my hand, and her words left me speechless.
Right. I never gave her a definite answer.
"Th-That's… ahaha, right. I guess I didn't, did I?"
This wasn't something I could answer lightly.
If I accept one, I lose any justification for rejecting the others. The girls from Arius Squad and Haruna had already made their feelings clear. And, as conceited as it sounds, I have a feeling there are probably more out there that I don't even know about. With so many girls already into me, it'd be ridiculous to assume there aren't others.
If I'd been even half this popular back when I was a guy, I would have had nothing to complain about. I might have even dated someone before getting dropped into Kivotos. If I'd had even one romantic experience, I might not have been so clueless until things got to this point… Hmm, or maybe not? Is being dense in this area completely unrelated to dating experience?
...How would I know? I've never had any. Damn it.
"To be honest, I always knew there was no reason for you to like me, Mika."
Huh? How did the conversation get here…?
"I don't have a cute personality, and I'm not a good talker. My body hasn't changed in years, so I just look like a kid…"
Ah, her complexes. This is usually a problem that stems from comparing oneself to others and feeling inferior. And the person Hina would be feeling this way about is…
"Mika, the first time I saw you and Kirifuji standing side by side, my first thought was that you two looked like a match made in heaven. You suited each other so much better than someone like me ever could… and that's why I hated her."
Yeah, it had to be Nagisa. Of course.
I silently pulled Hina along, heading towards the overturned boats. I could see a rescue boat preparing to come out from the arena. We probably didn't have much time left to talk.
"The other day, when you were kidnapped by Kurodate, Kirifuji was the one who contacted me first… She must have looked more desperate than I could ever imagine. Seeing her like that made me reflect on my own feelings a little. I realized that I, too, had fallen for you so madly… that for your sake, I was willing to set aside even the discipline I hold so dear."
"…I see."
"But I just couldn't see myself ever pushing aside the Kirifuji who stood by your side. I didn't want to accept it, so I threw a childish tantrum. I just wanted you to look at me… I just wanted a sliver of a chance."
Love can exist as a one-way street. But for love to be complete, it must be a two-way street.
And so, I asked myself. Do I like Hina?
Even if I got Nagisa's permission, I couldn't accept Hina's feelings just because I didn't want to see her get hurt. A relationship built on one-sided feelings can never be complete.
I want Hina to be happy. But that wasn't a wish reserved just for her. If possible, I want everyone my life touches to be happy.
But then… I realized that my feelings for Nagisa started from the exact same place. It's just that Nagisa won my heart when I confessed the guilt that had been tormenting me for months, and she understood and embraced it.
…No, that's all just an excuse. The truth is, I had my own sordid desire to not push away a girl who said she liked me.
In the end, it all comes back to the beginning.
I wanted Hina. I had to admit that fact.
The only thing that worried me was the pain Nagisa would feel if I selfishly took Hina for myself. I hadn't pushed Hina away under the pretext of not wanting to hurt her, and I didn't want to become a hypocrite who would then turn around and hurt Nagisa without a second thought.
It seems I'm just a big kid who can never truly grow up.
"I'm sorry, Mika. I forced this on you and the two of you…"
"You're giving up a little too easily for someone like you, don't you think? I've already made my resolve."
"Resolve? What are you talking about…?"
"Well… the resolve to get on my knees and beg for forgiveness while driving a nail through the heart of the person I love? Yeah, it seems I'm just a hopelessly greedy person. I don't want to give up on someone who says they like me this much!"
I fished my straw hat, which had drifted from under Hifumi's capsized boat, out of the water and placed it on my head. If I was going to pull a stunt like this, I figured wearing this might lessen the scolding I was about to get.
"...Don't you think that's going a little too far?"
"Ahaha, what can I do! It's all your faults for saying you'd rather die than not have me."
"I never said that… To think I'd fall for such a troublesome woman. What a life."
"But you like it."
"I don't even know anymore, so please stop asking…"
Iroha and Hifumi were wearing regular life jackets, so they were fine after the crash, just floating around the overturned boats.
"Lord Perorooooo…"
"Excuse me. Could you please be quiet? Why is a Trinity student acting so violently? My book is now at the bottom of the ocean because of you."
The sight of Hifumi, floating on her back, dazedly calling for Peroro, and Iroha, who, after glaring at her, seemed to decide it was too much effort and lay back as well, was so ridiculous I couldn't help but laugh. Considering the conversation I'd just had with Hina, I probably shouldn't have been laughing, but I couldn't help it.
By the way, I had expected a boat to get damaged or capsize eventually, but for it to happen before the main competition even started…
A short while later, the four of us, sprawled out on the rescue boat, must have looked utterly pathetic as we were brought back to the grandstand. For the record, I asked Iroha on the boat how she ended up teaming with Hina, but she dodged the question, saying she could never reveal it. Then she turned around and asked me to repeat my recruitment offer from before. Iroha, a chance once passed doesn't come again.
[The opening match has unfortunately ended in a draw, but both teams showed us a thrilling battle that blew away any disappointment. Great work, everyone!]
I looked up and my eyes met Nagisa's. She was staring at me with a worried expression, as if wondering if I was seriously hurt. I subconsciously touched my lips.
…Is this a phantom sensation?
This time, I don't think I'd have any complaints even if Nagisa stuffed two roll cakes into my mouth at once. Not that I'd be able to say anything if she did.
Nagisa came to the Trinity-side waiting room, where for some reason Hina and Iroha had also ended up, and looked at me with a gaze mixed with a hint of contempt. Hifumi and Iroha had already gone to the showers, so thankfully they didn't have to witness this soap opera.
"Huhu… Mika. You are truly the worst."
"Yep, I'm aware."
"Don't be aware, deny it. What was it you said earlier? 'Love you, Nagi'? You sure have a funny way of showing it, coming back completely bewitched by Sorasaki after just a few moments."
Nagisa's righteous fury washed over me. It seems fishing my straw hat out of the water didn't do me any good.
"Ahaha… I'm sorry, Nagi."
"I'm telling you, stop doing things you'll have to apologize for…! And stop laughing like you can't read the room. Do you think I'm joking… sigh."
Nagisa, who had been scolding me while I sat next to Hina, suddenly let out a deep sigh. She glanced once at Hina, and then…
"...To be honest, after our trip to the amusement park, I had a vague feeling that something like this would happen sooner or later. You do realize this is all because you're too indecisive, right, Mika?"
Indecisive? Nagisa, who couldn't say "no" to Mutsuki and Azusa that day, is one to talk…
"Just in case you were wondering, I trust you're not entertaining any impure thoughts while you're being scolded for your transgressions."
"O-Of course not! Absolutely not. I swear, I wasn't thinking anything like that. Believe me!"
"Oh, honestly… you're not even trying to hide it. What's so good about a person like this… No, I suppose this is why I like you, but…"
I could feel water trickling down my neck, but I didn't dare move to wipe it, not wanting to break my repentant posture. I was a sinner, and I had to do whatever Nagisa wanted.
"I don't know anymore. I don't care what happens."
"Uh, hey. Nagi…? Hina is right here, what are you do— Mmph?!"
Nagisa pushed my hands off my lap and sat down, cupping my face in her hands.
And then, so naturally, she stole my lips. It was a kiss we had shared occasionally in private since we'd become a couple. But this was the first time she'd done it so openly, with someone else watching right in front of us.
And not only that, but until now, our kisses had never progressed beyond a light peck. For the first time, Nagisa's tongue fiercely parted my lips and delved deeper.
"Mmh… ch…"
In front of Hina, Nagisa displayed her desire to possess me without reservation. She pressed against me, as if showing off that desire.
Even in my daze, my gaze flickered to the side for a moment, and I saw Hina, blushing and completely flustered.
And besides that, why is Nagisa so good at this? This is a first for both of us, this is weird…!
Her tongue pressed against mine, pushing, then gently yielding, over and over, drawing me in. I gasped for breath, surrendering myself to her.
And then, just as suddenly, it stopped. A silvery thread connected us for a moment before it, too, broke.
"Hahh… Misono Mika, you are the absolute worst. And you'd better remember this. You too, Sorasaki. This time, I've allowed this to happen because I love Mika so much. But don't think I've given my full permission yet. And as for you," she said, turning back to me, "please, for the love of God, stop wagging your tail at every single person you meet."
I stared at her blankly and nodded. I understood what she meant. Behave yourself from now on, and don't expect a second time to be a given.
"You really are… the worst."
I silently pulled Nagisa, who had whispered those words once more, into a hug. From now on, I'll get my act together, I vowed to myself.
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