"Welcome to Fairy Island!!!!"
After Fairy's brief welcome, Rin and the girls disembarked. Just past the pier, a brightly lit seaside hotel stood behind a seawall.
"Hmph... This place is much better than Karen's island, right?" Fairy bragged.
Under the bright moonlight, they could see the dark silhouette of a mountain behind the hotel. The island was roughly the same size as the main island of Karen's family estate, but because it was mostly forest and mountains, it was uninhabited. Fairy's family had bought the whole thing and developed it into a private resort.
The hotel was only three stories high, but it covered a large area, enough to hold over a hundred guests. It was a different vibe from Karen's place; while Karen's was focused on diving and scattered cabins, Fairy's was a classic seaside resort with one big luxury building—and because of the volcanic nature of the island, it even had natural hot springs.
"It used to be open to the public, but after my father died, we just kept a skeleton crew for maintenance. I had them clean it up ahead of time. It's just us on the island tonight!"
They walked across the sand toward the hotel. Even with the lights on, the island felt vast and dark. Ami shivered and grabbed onto the hem of Rin's shirt, staring into the darkness as if some "Eldritch horror" were lurking there.
"It... it's a little scary."
Closed spaces can be oppressive, but they also offer security. Karen's island was tiny enough that you could run around it in minutes. This place felt too big for just seven people.
"It's like a 'Blizzard Manor' or a 'Typhoon Island' from a mystery novel, right? Maybe there's a serial killer hiding in the woods," Fairy teased wickedly. "Hmph... the culprit is among us!"
"Eek!" Maki jumped, instinctively hiding behind Rin along with Ami. Sagiri looked even more terrified.
"Don't worry, you're safe with me," Erimi said, patting her chest. She then shot a glare at Rin. "But I'm only protecting the girls. If he dies, I don't care!"
Erimi had been ignoring Rin's existence since they met. While Fairy said Erimi had a "male phobia," it was clear she also just hated the man who had stolen her "wife."
"Let's just get inside."
They hurried across the beach and into the hotel. Once inside the brightly lit lobby, the girls finally relaxed.
"Your luggage is already here. I'll show you to your rooms. Everyone must be tired from the flight and the boat, right? Let's rest tonight. The hot springs here are amazing! Let's all go soak together~"
Ami and Maki looked at each other and nodded, blushing. They had been sweating all day; a bath sounded perfect.
Rin watched them, noting the girls were clearly up to something. He took his luggage and went to his assigned room. Even though it hadn't been used in a while, it was perfectly maintained.
After a short rest, Rin put on a bathrobe and headed out. The public hot spring was divided by gender. Standing outside the entrance, Rin could hear the girls splashing and giggling. If Erimi hadn't been there, he would have walked right in, but since there was an "outsider," he went to the men's side.
The water had a faint scent of sulfur—a real geothermal spring.
"Phew..." Rin sank into the water and closed his eyes.
"Ami... did your boobs get bigger?" "Eh... yeah, my old bras are getting tight." "Eromanga-sensei is so flat... Erimi looks a bit bigger than her." "I... I don't know anyone named Eromanga-sensei!"
Maki and Ami were comparing their development. Fairy was teasing Sagiri about her flat chest. Erimi was blushing, unable to look Fairy in the eye. Even though they were childhood friends, this was the first time Erimi had seen Fairy's naked body.
The sight of Fairy's small, budding breasts and her smooth, hairless "secret garden" made Erimi's heart race so fast she thought she'd get a nosebleed. Ami and the others were used to being naked together because of their parties, but Erimi was a total novice. She hid her body with her hands, only stealing occasional glances at Fairy.
Megumi, meanwhile, looked at the wall separating the men's and women's baths. There were no "peep holes" like in an anime, but hearing Rin enter the water next door, she yelled out.
"Big Brother~ You must be lonely all by yourself! Want to come over and soak with us?"
"I'll come over if you don't mind," Rin replied.
"Megumi, what are you saying!? How can we let that old man in here? Stay away, you pervert!" Maki shouted.
"He... he's a man!" Ami added.
This was all part of their plan. If they were on the previous island, Ami would have already sneaked over to Rin's side. But for now, they had to keep their relationship a secret from Erimi.
Rin stayed on his side, listening to the girls play. They seemed to be having fun, comparing sizes and splashing around. Rin wasn't in a hurry for a party; he could have one whenever he wanted. He didn't want to ruin whatever "game" they were playing.
After the bath, Rin went back to his room and lay on the bed, scrolling through his phone. Unlike Karen's island, this place had full utilities and internet. He could hear the faint sounds of the girls' laughter echoing down the hall.
Gradually, the noise faded. Just as Rin thought they had gone to sleep to prepare for tomorrow...
Knock, knock, knock.
Rin opened the door. Standing there in a white nightgown, her face flushed with shyness, was Fairy.
"It's late... Are you here for 'Life Counseling' too?"