Translator’s note: in this chapter the author announced a title change for the work itself. The long-form title (used at publication) was renamed to the shorter alt title. No content changed — just the title. We’ve kept the long-form title on the series page for English-reader recognition.
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“Sorry to keep you.”
“Hey, everyone, long time no see.”
We arrived at the Tokyo Summer Hills meet-up point. They were already keyed up — and addressing Kano, not me.
“Yuki-senpai, hi.”
“We were waiting.”
“You look as beautiful as ever.”
The three were visibly lovestruck. We headed for the restaurant.
“Don’t want anything heavy before swimming.”
“Yeah, something light.”
”…Yuito and Yuki-senpai look closer than before, no?”
Kenji broke in as Kano and I walked. Shou and Kaito agreed.
“Yeah, true.”
“You could pass as a couple.”
Since the confession I’ve definitely been more aware of her — the emotional distance shrank. Kano looked pleased.
“Oh — figured out, huh. Actually, Yuito and I are at the stage where he goes wild and gets stuff everywhere all over me.”
“What?!”
“Yuito — don’t tell me —”
“Explain. Now.”
The three closed in for full interrogation. They were imagining one specific thing. Wrong.
“I accidentally drank alcohol, blacked out, ran amok, and vomited everywhere — that’s all that happened. Ruined my clothes.”
“Aw — honestly, don’t spoil the joke so fast.”
“Don’t phrase it like that.”
They half-believed me initially but Kano’s reaction confirmed. After the restaurant we headed to the pool.
We parted with Kano at the changing rooms and went into the men’s side. Plenty of post-school middle and high schoolers — same idea as us.
“Kaito, you’re as pale and stick-thin as ever.”
“You’re the only one abnormally bulky, Kenji.”
Kenji is close to 180 and very muscular; Kaito is slim, around 165 — opposite ends.
”…Maybe I should bulk up. Not Kenji-tier, but.”
“Compared to him you and I are noodles, Yuito.”
Shou and I are average build — next to Kenji we look spindly.
“If you and Shou are noodles, what am I, a toothpick?”
“Kaito, you genuinely need to eat more.”
We bantered, changed, and went to shower. Pre-pool showers used to be ice-water as students — this place was warm.
“That trauma of school-pool ice-shower stays with you.”
“Yeah — what’d we used to call it, the hell shower?”
“That one was brutal.”
We got out and started warm-ups poolside. Then Kano arrived.
“Tah-dah — how does it look?”
“Incredible.”
“Yay — happy.”
I’d picked the black ribbon bikini thinking it would suit her — the actual sight blew that away.
The three were so stunned they couldn’t speak. Every man in the place was looking at her.
“Let’s go in.”
“Right, pool first.”
As Kano and I were heading to the water, Kenji spoke up.
“Shou, Kaito, and I will be a trio — you two enjoy alone time.”
“Sure?”
“Yeah, you don’t get this kind of opportunity often.”
Shou and Kaito were nodding behind him. They were giving us space.
“Then I’ll accept the kindness.”
“We’re going pickup-hunting — expect reports.”
“Today I level up to boyfriend.”
“I’ll be observing Kenji and Kaito.”
The three peeled off briskly.