3.1
The first day of the training camp. The sky is a brilliant, endless blue.
The TV had mentioned that this year's rainy season had been unusually dry. Come to think of it, had the rainy season already ended?
Our Literature Club crew has taken a combination of trains and buses to arrive at Shiroya Beach, which is conveniently close to our lodging for the night.
While fumbling around in the heat, I spread out a beach towel. The whole situation feels so bizarre that my head is spinning.
"Hey, Nukumizu. I gotta say, this is some incredible work on your part."
In high spirits, Prez Tamaki, our long-absent club president, is enthusiastically planting a parasol into the sand. He also happened to be the one who saved me from being the only guy thrown into a group of girls during the camp. Truly, my savior.
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Yanami and Yakishio, of course! Bringing along two cute girls!"
He kept glancing nervously toward the changing rooms as he spoke.
"And on top of that, they suddenly wanted to go to the beach-"
"Sorry, but that was all Yanami-san's idea."
"-No need to apologize! Really, thank you! I owe you big time!"
He grabbed my hand and shook it enthusiastically.
"Huh? Do you like swimming that much?"
"It's not about the swimming. It's about the swimsuits! Swimsuits! Four female club members in swimsuits, that's a once-in-a-lifetime event!"
"But two of them are in the same class as me, so I've already seen them in their swimsuits during PE lessons at the pool."
"What are you talking about? The school's designated swimsuits and their private swimsuits are completely different things!"
Sure, the designs or level of exposure might vary a bit, but…
Seeing that I didn't quite grasp his point, Prez sighed dramatically and shrugged.
"Listen, the swimsuits they wear for class are standardized and something they are forced to wear out of necessity."
Fair enough.
"In contrast, private swimsuits are something they choose to wear. Do you understand the difference?"
"...Could you elaborate a bit more?"
This is starting to sound interesting.
"In everyday life, girls are shy about exposing their shoulders or thighs, let alone their navels, which could even get them labeled as, you know, 'loose'. But as soon as they get the excuse of going to the beach, they willingly put themselves in outfits that are basically equivalent to underwear."
Prez clenched his fist and looked up at the sky as if overwhelmed with emotion.
"It's socially acceptable to stare at them... no, I would argue it might even be considered rude not to look."
I see. He has a point. Is this what they call the magic of summer?
"I understand now. My thinking was too shallow."
"So you get it, huh?"
"However, there's just one thing about what you said that caught my attention."
"Go ahead. What is it?"
"Prez, you mentioned that designated swimsuits are worn 'out of necessity', correct?"
"Yeah, I said that."
"Doesn't that mean they're being semi-forced to expose their skin against their will? Couldn't it be interpreted that way?"
"Ah, I see. That sort of perspective does make gym class even more enjoyable."
Prez Tamaki nodded deeply at my observation.
"It's like gazing at beast-girl slaves lined up at a marketplace. You've got the right idea."
"Yeah, I'm not following that metaphor."
Please don't lump me in with you.
"Hey, what are you two talking about?"
Appearing out of nowhere, Tsukinoki-senpai grabbed Prez's ear and gave it a sharp tug.
"Ow! Hey, Koto- wait, no bikini?"
Tsukinoki-senpai tightened her grip, eliciting an even louder yelp. Her swimsuit is a black one-piece with lace covering her chest.
"Alright, enough nonsense. Let's get in the water already."
With that, she dragged Prez away.
"Ah, a parasol! Thanks, Nukumizu-kun!"
"Yanami-san-"
Before I could finish, Yanami appeared, already holding a shaved ice in her hand. My brain didn't even have time to question the shaved ice before my attention was overridden by something else- her pale skin.
Her swimsuit is a simple bikini, but…isn't it a little too simple? The amount of skin exposed seems almost excessive.
Despite her voracious appetite over the past few days, her waist is surprisingly slender. On the other hand, certain parts that have grown in proportion to her appetite look like they might spill out of her "last year's swimsuit", which doesn't quite seem up to the task of containing them.
This isn't a matter of whether it suits her or not- it's simply something that makes me want to thank the heavens.
"What's wrong? Did my swimsuit knock you dead?"
"Uh, no, not at all. I wasn't even looking."
What a terrible lie, even by my standards. Yanami, looking pleased, settled under the parasol.
"I'll be here snacking for a while, so you go on ahead and enjoy the water."
"C'mon, Yana-chan, let's go! The water's so pretty!"
The next arrival is Yakishio, holding a beach ball in one hand and barely able to contain her excitement as she gazes out at the ocean.
Her swimsuit is also a bikini, but hers is a strapless tube-top style. The contrast between her tanned skin and the untouched white beneath is already striking, but the swimsuit's design is even more distracting. The top is tied at the front with a string.
And what could be seen between the gaps of that string is-
Let's just say I owe some serious gratitude to swimsuit designers. Maybe I should send them an Amazon gift card or something.
"Alright, Nukkun, you're coming too!"
"I'll stay here and watch our stuff for a bit. Yanami-san's going to take her time eating, so Yakishio-san, you can go on ahead-"
"Oh? Nukumizu-kun, are you challenging me right now?"
...Challenging? What does that even mean? Before I could ask, Yanami suddenly began shoveling shaved ice into her mouth at full speed.
"All done!"
"Wait, already?"
"Shaved ice is practically a drink, Nukumizu-kun- gahhh!"
Yanami immediately clutched the back of her head, curling up into a ball from brain freeze.
"See? That's what happens when you eat something cold too quickly."
"Are you okay, Yana-chan?"
"My head really hurts…"
With tears welling up, Yanami looked at us as if pleading for help.
I had a vague suspicion, but now I'm certain. This girl is kind of an airhead.
"Once you're feeling better, you should go too, Yanami-san. I'll stay here."
"Thanks! I'm fine now, so I'll head out!"
"Nukkun, hurry up and come join us!"
Kicking up sand, Yanami and Yakishio ran toward the shoreline. Yakishio promptly hurled the beach ball at Prez's back with surprising force. Isn't this her first time meeting him?
As I watched their retreating figures, a nagging feeling tugged at me. I couldn't shake the sense that I was forgetting something…
While I pondered, someone nudged my back with their bare foot.
"N-Nukumizu. Y-Your gaze is... pretty l-lewd."
Ahh, I have completely forgotten about this girl.
Komari sat on a spot away from the leisure sheet, wrapped up in a long-sleeved hoodie.
"You're not going to join the others?"
"I-I'm fine right here."
Prez's surrounded by three girls, sporting a grin I have never seen before. He looks like he's having the time of his life. He even brought out some giant orca float.
Komari, on the other hand, watched the lively group with a sour expression.
"You should just go hang out with Prez. It's a rare opportunity."
"M-Mind your own business."
Komari began fiddling with her phone, which was sealed in a ziplock bag. Then, without looking up, she suddenly spoke.
"S-So. Nukumizu... do you, um, like Yanami?"
"Huh? Why would you ask that?"
The thought has never crossed my mind. After all, she still likes Sosuke Hakamada, but she has just been rejected recently.
"B-Because you're always t-together."
"Well, that's because the only time you have seen Yanami-san is when I'm with her."
Hmm. I guess when a guy and a girl are seen together, it does give off that impression from the outside.
In reality, we don't even talk or greet each other in the classroom. The only person in our class that knows that we're even acquainted is probably just Yakishio.
"Besides, my connection with Yanami-san only started recently because of specific circumstances. If I liked her, I would be no better than one of those guys who falls for a girl just because she talked to him."
"Eh?"
Komari pulled her hoodie tighter around herself and started scooting away from me.
"...No, I mean, 'I wouldn't fall for someone just because we talked.' That's all I meant."
What an incredibly rude person. Just as I was thinking this, I noticed the swimsuit peeking out from under Komari's hoodie.
"Oh, that's the school's designated swimsuit."
"I-It was all too sudden. I didn't h-have one."
Komari stared at me suspiciously.
"Nukumizu, y-you went out to buy a s-swimsuit in a panic, d-didn't you?"
"Haha, don't be ridiculous. I'm just using last year's swimsuit. It's a bit tacky, though."
"B-But, the tag is still a-attached."
Shit. As I instinctively patted at my swimsuit, Komari flashed a devilish grin.
"...Yeah, fine. I bought it yesterday after school."
Damn you, Komari. I clenched my fists in frustration.
"Come on, it's a beach trip with girls. I'm allowed to feel a little excited, aren't I?"
I'm not sure if that's the right thing to say to Komari, who barely qualifies as part of the "girls" category in this context. Her scornful gaze cut through me.
"S-Swimming is no different from w-what we do in c-class."
"It's not the same. It's for fun. Isn't it normal to get a little excited?"
"T-Think about it for a second. L-Let's say, for example, you're p-playing with friends."
Hmm, yeah, I can't even imagine that scenario. Judging by my expression, Komari quickly rephrased her example.
"O-Okay, let's say you paid a f-friend fee to bring someone a-along."
Suddenly, the scenario feels painfully real.
"W-When you're deciding what to do, w-would you play catch with a ball…?"
"No."
I answered immediately.
"W-Would you have a water fight?"
Definitely not. But still-
"...Komari. You're missing one critical detail."
I glanced over at Yanami and the others, who were laughing and messing around on the orca float.
Yakishio tried to stand up on it but slipped, splashing into the water with a big cheer from everyone.
"C-Critical… detail?"
"My friend in this scenario is a girl. And she's wearing a swimsuit."
Suddenly, the concept of a "friend fee" becomes far more concerning.
"In that case, yeah, I would totally play catch or have a water fight."
Determined, I stood up. Komari stared at me with a look reserved for observing the lowest of life forms.
"F-Fine, just h-hurry up and leave already!"
*
I flopped back onto the hot sand, spread out in a starfish pose, and closed my eyes.
…I'll probably never forget this day for the rest of my life. The fact that I played joyfully with girls in swimsuits will surely be a memory to sustain me through the solitude of my future life.
A cold sensation presses against my forehead. Yanami is passing out paper cups of juice to everyone.
"You've got to stay hydrated, right? So, what should we do for lunch?"
Yanami asked as she broke apart a pair of wooden chopsticks. My gaze unintentionally fell on the yakisoba sitting on her lap. Wait, is that not her lunch?
Tsukinoki-senpai, retying her hair, glanced around at everyone.
"Should we grab something and eat here? What does everyone want?"
As everyone exchanged looks, trying to gauge each other's preferences, Yanami raised her hand.
"Well, how about yakisoba?"
The smell of sauce wafted through the air, tempting anyone nearby. Just from the aroma alone, it made sense why you would crave it.
"...Yanami-san, isn't that yakisoba you're eating right now?"
"This? I got it from some random stall that was open, but it was a total miss. My gut's telling me the stall at the far end is the jackpot."
Yanami slurped her noodles confidently. Clearly, she's planning to have another serving.
"I'll go get some!"
Tossing aside the towel she had been using to dry herself, Yakishio sprang to her feet with enthusiasm.
"Alright, I'm counting on you. Nukumizu, go with her."
Prez Tamaki said as he scanned the surroundings cautiously.
"When girls go shopping alone, there's a high chance they will trigger a 'getting hit on' event. It's best to shut those events down early."
"That…only happens in 2D, right?"
Well, better safe than sorry.
I followed Yakishio across the beach. Walking alongside a cute girl in a swimsuit is enough to make me nervous, but it's also… kind of nice. …What am I, some elementary school kid?
"Did you get home alright yesterday, even though it got late?"
"Of course. I always get back around that time when I take detours after club activities."
Our conversation lapsed into silence. Now that I think about it, yesterday's topic is probably off-limits. Moments like this make me despair at my lack of conversation skills.
"Wait, are you being considerate about yesterday?"
Yakishio peered into my face as I awkwardly kept quiet.
"Well, uh... I just thought maybe I said or did something unnecessary and made things worse for you."
"Well, sure. I'm feeling down, and honestly, it wouldn't take much for me to cry right now. But, you know, that's not the point. Whether I cry or not is my issue, and right now, we're all here having fun together."
Yakishio smiled faintly and then kicked up a large spray of sand with her foot.
"That guy… He's so oblivious, but somehow he still managed to get himself a girlfriend."
"Well, Ayano is good-looking and smart, after all."
"Right?! And not just that, he's funny, kind to everyone, and-"
She trailed off and let her shoulders slump.
"…I've been by his side for years, and he never even saw me as a girl, did he?"
"Well, uh, yeah… probably. But maybe in a good way?"
"That's a terrible way to try and cheer someone up."
Yakishio shot me a serious look. Yeah, I didn't think it was, either.
"Yakishio-san. Well, uh… let's just forget about all that today and have fun, yeah?"
"Yeah, you're right."
She came to a sudden stop, turned to me, and flashed a bright, toothy grin.
"Hehehe."
"…Uh, what?"
Still smiling, she suddenly grabbed my hand.
Wait, what!? What's happening!?
"Alright, let's run!"
What? She started running, pulling me along before I could even process what was happening. Panicked, I stumbled after her.
"H-Hold on!"
What the hell is this speed!? She's pulling so hard that my shoulder might pop out of its socket.
Nope. I couldn't keep up at all. I tripped and went sprawling face-first into the sand, dragging Yakishio down with me since she still had my hand.
"Nukkun, you're so slow! Like, ridiculously slow!"
"No, no, you're just way too fast, Yakishio-san!"
As I struggled to get up, covered in sand, Yakishio burst into laughter, still lying in the sand.
"You're so slow, and then you go and fall like that! You're completely covered in sand- that's hilarious!"
She clutched her stomach, laughing uncontrollably.
"What!? That has nothing to do with me being slow!"
What's with her laughing so much?
I tried wiping my face with my arm, but all I managed to do was rub the sand in even more.
"Stop! My stomach hurts- I can't!"
Yakishio gasped for air, still laughing as she rolled around on the sand. Meanwhile, I silently dusted myself off.
"...Ah, that was so funny."
Still chuckling, she wiped tears from the corners of her sand-covered eyes.
"…Yakishio-san, let's just go get lunch already."
"Just drop the honorific, okay? We're the same age, right?"
Still lying down, Yakishio held out both of her hands to me.
"Here."
"Huh? What is it? Was there a bug or something?"
Blinking her eyes in confusion, she brushed the sand off herself and stood up.
"Seriously, Nukkun. Just like Yana-chan says, this is why I don't like this part of you."
"Which part?"
She lightly tapped my chest with her hand.
"Girls, you know... sometimes we just want to be pampered."
"Huh, is that how it works?"
Wow, that's kind of educational. I nodded sincerely, taking her words at face value.
With wide eyes, Yakishio stared at me for a moment before muttering again.
"Yeah, that's the part."
Why don't you just tell me?
*
"Sorry to keep you waiting! Got the goods!"
"Hey, Yakishio, stop swinging that around."
Covered in sand but triumphant, we brought back the yakisoba from the "end stall".
"You two took so long, I thought I would starve!"
Yanami happily took her portion, her first yakisoba already conquered.
Despite that, she shows no signs of being full, which is truly a testament to Anna Yanami's consistency and reliability. Her skill at keeping the largest portion for herself while handing out the rest is also not to be underestimated.
"Hey, Komari. Aren't you hungry?"
Komari isn't touching the food, instead nervously poking at the sand with her fingers.
"P-Prez is reading m-my novel."
Oh, really? Finally, something that actually feels like a Literature Club training camp. I broke apart the disposable chopsticks I had clenched in my mouth.
Prez accepted his yakisoba while lifting his gaze from his phone.
"I read it. Yeah, it's well-written, and I think it's interesting. Let's start preparing to post it online tonight."
"R-Really?"
Komari let out a small, relieved smile.
"It's about 10,000 words in total, right? While editing, we can break it into three chapters for posting."
"B-Break it…?"
"Yeah. For a serialized story, it's standard to split it into sections of around 3,000 to 4,000 words. It's an amount readers can finish in one sitting while still feeling substantial. Also, you'll need a title and a summary."
I listened to their conversation while shoveling yakisoba into my mouth.
The spicy aroma tickled my nose. I could see why Yanami had her eye on this place. It's not like the other stalls. The sauce has a distinct, handmade quality.
"I-I already…have a title…"
"Yeah, I think it's a good one. But how about adding a subtitle at the end to make it more descriptive?"
It seems Prez's suggesting a web-novel-style title, keeping Komari's original intact while spicing it up.
…By the way, these noodles aren't bad at all. They aren't the cheap bulk ones from a wholesale store; they are probably fresh from a local noodle maker.
When I glanced at Yanami, she gave me a triumphant thumbs-up.
"H-How do you add a…s-subtitle?"
"...Hmm. For example, if the title were
"Wait. me?"
What kind of unreasonable question is that? I have been thinking about nothing but yakisoba. And with swimsuit-clad club members around me, I have to tread carefully.
"Uh… how about
I played it as safe as possible. Prez nodded enthusiastically.
"If it's mystery-themed, that works. Using a famous title like that can help guide the reader's expectations."
"What would you add, Prez?"
"Well, let's see... From my experience, something like
Before he could finish, Tsukinoki-senpai's hand-chop landed squarely on the back of his head. Prez doubled over, groaning.
"Alright, Shintaro, that's enough."
"K-Koto… I wasn't suggesting you need to undress-"
"I. Said. That's. Enough!"
Alright, that's enough, you two. Stop flirting. It's getting annoying.
"Wow, Yana-chan, the Literature Club sounds like it does some pretty complicated stuff, huh?"
As Yakishio said this, she poked around in her yakisoba with her chopsticks, searching for something.
"Right? By the way, Remon-chan, does yours have any meat in it?"
"I've got squid, but no meat to be found."
"Man, I really want some meat~"
"Same here~"
Their crystal-clear, glassy eyes shone as they slurped their noodles. When Yanami and Yakishio line up together like this, they certainly don't end up looking smarter.
"D-Does someone have to s-strip...? O-Or are they being m-made to strip?"
Komari muttered something as she stared at her phone.
"Komari, that was just an example. You don't have to make your novel characters strip, okay?"
"S-So, does that mean y-you're going to... strip?"
How did it even come to that?
"I'm not stripping. Nobody's stripping. Now hurry up and eat your yakisoba."
*
It's time for a break after lunch. Apparently bored of just sitting around, Yakishio suddenly stood up.
"Isn't there some kind of event going on over there, across the beach? Let's check it out."
"…Think there will be food stalls?"
Yanami mumbled as she gnawed on a freshly grilled corn cob. Of course, she got up and followed.
How does she still have room after just eating? As I absentmindedly looked up, my gaze landed directly on Yanami's stomach.
"Ah, wait, Yanami-san. You haven't put this on yet."
I held out her jacket, but Yanami blinked at me with a puzzled expression.
"A jacket? I just put on sunscreen, so I'm fine."
"Uh, no, it's just…your stomach…"
I trailed off, quickly averting my gaze.
Yakisoba × 2 + grilled corn = chubby tummy.
Yanami snatched the jacket from my hand and threw it right back at my face.
"I-I have my own jacket, okay!? This is why I don't like this part of you, Nukumizu-kun!"
Grabbing her own hoodie, she put it on and quickly marched away, still clutching the grilled corn.
As Yakishio moved to follow her, she turned and flashed a carefree smile at Komari, who was still glued to her phone.
"Komari-chan, come on! You've been sitting here all day, haven't you?"
"Fueh!?"
Komari's eyes darted nervously as she tried to type a response on her phone, only for Prez to firmly press his hand down on it.
"P-Prez!?"
"Komari-chan, why don't you go with them? Think of it as research for your novel."
"I-If Prez insists…"
"Good girl. Koto, you go with them, too."
"Got it. Komari-chan, let's go together."
Hand in hand, Tsukinoki-senpai and Komari followed after the others. I stood next to Prez, absentmindedly watching them leave.
"Is it really okay for just the girls to go? What if someone tries to hit on them?"
"It will be fine with Koto there. She's a flag-breaker."
Is that trust or some kind of backhanded compliment? Either way, Prez pulled out his phone.
"Besides, I thought I would start prepping for tonight's submission."
"Oh, right. This training camp is supposed to be a writing retreat."
I should probably write something too…
Feeling the pressure, I opened my phone's note app. Just then, I received a message from Prez. It has a document file attached.
"What's this?"
"Aren't you curious about the kind of story Komari-chan wrote?"
He looked oddly smug. Intrigued, I opened the file.
*
Literature Club Report
Yuri Mizuhara, a first-year high school student.
One day, on her way home, she spotted a strange creature.
"...A fox?"
What caught her attention was its fur, a dazzling silver that seemed to glow. Mesmerized, Yuri found herself following it.
Before she knew it, she had wandered into an unfamiliar street, where a cafe, its walls covered in ivy, stood before her. As if drawn by some invisible force, she pushed open the door.
"Excuse me, I'm lost. Could you give me directions?"
Inside is a tall man wearing a chef's coat. His long silver hair is tied back, and he looks at Yuri with surprise.
"So, you followed me here. Sit down. I'll get you a cup of tea."
"Um, I just need directions-"
"This is the 'Town Between Worlds'. Now that you're here, you'll have to eat or drink something before you can leave."
As Yuri hesitated, a young man in a waiter's uniform appeared from the back of the cafe.
"It's been a while since we've had a customer. Go on, have a seat."
The young man, who introduced himself as Sumire, welcomed Yuri with a sheepish smile.
"Welcome to the Lost House of the Town Between Worlds."
How many times has Yuri visited this cafe since that first encounter? Sitting by the window in her usual seat, she let her eyes wander across the serene atmosphere of the café.
It seems the shop owner, often referred to as the Young Master, only shows up once every three days. Most of the time, it's just Sumire-san running the place, but given how rarely customers visit, that doesn't seem to be an issue.
As she basked in the familiar scent of chamomile tea, a man entered the café. The aura surrounding him is unmistakably inhuman.
At the sight of him, the blood drained from Sumire-san's face.
"Great Master!"
"Today is the appointed day. I've come for the promised dish."
"I-I'm terribly sorry. Young Master hasn't shown himself today…"
"Then, as per our agreement, everything will disappear into the void."
Sumire-san trembled as he clung to Yuri in desperation.
"Please, Yuri! If I can't fulfill the promise, I'll be erased into the void, too. Please, cook something for him!"
"Wait, what?! I can't do that! Don't you know how to cook, Sumire-san?"
Looking troubled, Sumire-san muttered quietly.
"I…I can't use fire."
Yuri has hardly any cooking experience herself. Hesitantly, she decided to recreate an omelet rice dish she had once made with her mother as a child. She nervously served it to the man.
The man picked up his spoon, eyeing the dish with suspicion.
One bite. Two bites… He ate Yuri's dish without much enthusiasm as though it was merely passable, then put the spoon down with a shake of his head.
"Next time I visit, make something better."
Leaving half the omelet rice on the plate, he tossed out those words and walked out.
"That's amazing, Yuri! Usually, he only takes a single bite before leaving!"
Sumire-san exclaimed joyfully just as the shop's master appeared from the back.
"Geez, that old man finally left, huh?"
"Young Master!"
The master took a single bite of the leftover omelet rice and then frowned.
"This tastes…cheap."
With a clatter, he dropped the spoon back onto the plate.
"But, I suppose it's edible."
"What the hell!? I cooked for you in your place! And that's how you treat a customer!?"
"Well, the problem is solved if you're not a customer anymore. Your shift starts tomorrow"
"Wha!? Who said I'm working at your café?!"
The man cornered Yuri against the wall as she resisted.
"Didn't you chase after me in the first place? Sounds like a stalker to me."
"I was following a silver fox, not you!"
The man reached out and gently lifted Yuri's chin with his fingertip.
"My name is Gekko. Remember it." [TL: the name means "moon fox".]
Then, leaning close to her ear, he whispered.
"I'll make sure my flavor seeps into your bones."
*
…Ah, I see. So that's how it is.
Having finished Komari's novel, I gazed up at the billowing clouds in the summer sky.
"I see. So that's how it is~"
This time, I said it aloud. This is definitely outside my area of expertise.
Still, it was an easy read, and I found myself finishing it all in one go.
"Not bad, right?"
Prez Tamaki beamed with pride.
"Komari-chan can write pretty well, huh?"
"Yeah, I would say so. At the very least, I couldn't write something like this."
Feeling a little envious, I made a point to sound somewhat pompous.
"With all the new members joining, the Literature Club is pretty much safe for the near future, huh?"
From the distant event venue, a loud cheer erupted. Prez Tamaki glanced toward it, curious.
"By the way, Prez, what kind of stuff do you write?"
"Me? Well, I've been writing a serial on the web for about three years now."
"Seriously? That's amazing. Can I see it?"
"Man, showing it to someone like this is kind of nerve-wracking..."
Blushing slightly, he handed me his phone. The title displayed on the screen looked oddly familiar.
…Wait, I have seen this before.
"I know this one. Actually, I have read it."
"No way. This is the first time I've met one of my readers in real life."
I've heard that there are plenty of student authors on the internet, but I never imagined that Prez Tamaki is actually the Tarosuke-sensei behind a work with over 20,000 cumulative points.
"That's an impressive score. Do you think it'll get published as a book?"
"Not even close. There are tons of people way above my level."
That's the kind of world this is, huh? Even with thousands of readers, it's still not enough to stand out.
"I'll send you what Yanami-san wrote later. How's your progress, Nukumizu?"
"I've only managed to put together a rough outline. I haven't written any of the actual text yet. Honestly, when it comes down to actually writing, I have no idea where to start."
"Then let's at least work on your title and summary today. In times like these, the important thing is just to get something down, even if it's just one line."
Coming from someone who has written over a million words, that advice felt weighty. I nodded earnestly.
"Okay, so about the plot I sent you last night, what do you think? It's for the opening part of the story, and I'm thinking of turning it into a full scene tonight."
"Oh, that one... Hmm, the way you develop the heroine needs more work."
"You're saying it's not enough to justify her falling for the MC?"
Hmm, so I need to write more about the emotional connection between the protagonist and the heroine?
"No, it's the opposite. The protagonist saves the heroine, and she falls for him because of it, right?"
"Yeah, exactly. At first, the heroine is hostile, but as she experiences the MC's kindness, she's gradually drawn to him."
"That sounds…calculated."
"Huh?"
"Falling for someone just because they saved you or were kind to you is nothing more than a transaction. It's conditional love, a shallow, impure thing."
I thought he was joking, but Prez's expression was dead serious.
"As water flows naturally to the lowest point, so too must the world's logic dictate that the protagonist is simply loved. To be captivated by someone is, conversely, to risk being driven away. The heroines must not 'fall' for the protagonist. They must adore him as a matter of course, praising him unconditionally as dictated by the laws of the universe."
Prez had passionately delivered his grand proclamation, only to slump and gaze at the sky.
"I wish I could reincarnate into another world, surrounded by people fawning over me… If I drank some booze and went for a swim, do you think I could make it happen?"
"Let's wait until Obon. The timing seems better for something like that."
Still, it's surprising that Prez dreams of reincarnation. He's good-looking and cheerful, and he even has a beautiful childhood friend he's close to. I guess everyone has their own struggles.
As we idly chatted away, the girls returned carrying a large haul of something.
"Heeey, we're back! Here, a souvenir!"
What Yakishio was lugging was an armful of fireworks.
"Whoa, that's amazing. Did you buy all this?"
Grinning triumphantly, Yakishio handed me some of the fireworks.
"Nope! I ran really fast and grabbed the flag, and boom! I won!"
Okay, I have no idea what she's talking about. The mental confusion must have been plain on my face because Tsukinoki-senpai stepped in to explain.
"Yakishio-chan jumped into the beach flag competition on a whim, and this was the grand prize. You two should have seen it."
"Y-Yeah, it was amazing."
Komari added, nodding eagerly, still looking thrilled.
"Well, I mean, it's no big deal, but…come on, praise me more!"
Yakishio squirmed in delight, clearly enjoying the attention. In stark contrast, though, there is one person who seemed utterly dejected.
"Yanami-san, what's wrong? You don't seem very lively."
"No food stalls…"
She gazed longingly at the beachside shops, looking absolutely famished. Her lips silently formed the words ta-ko-ya-ki. I'm certain of it.
"If you eat too much now, you won't have room for dinner."
"...Huh? Why?"
…Why?
Yanami looked genuinely confused. Why is that, anyway? This feels like a philosophical question.
"Speaking of dinner, we have to cook our own meals at the youth center, don't we? What should we make?"
"Hehehe. Nukumizu-kun, worried about a lack of meat? Fear not."
Yanami smirked confidently.
"I reserved a spot at the nearby campsite. Dinner's going to be a barbecue!"
"Oh, I see…"
Didn't she come on this trip to escape a barbecue in the first place? Personally, I would have preferred curry. There's something special about rice cooked in a camping pot.
"Huh? Nukumizu-kun, why do you look so unenthusiastic?"
Noticing my lackluster reaction, Yanami looked at me like I was some sort of alien.
"Barbecue! Meat! What more could you possibly want?"
As if suddenly realizing something, Yanami clapped her hands together.
"Oh, I get it. Don't worry, we'll get beef too. We're high schoolers now, after all."
Yanami gave me a thumbs-up, her face brimming with smugness.
"...Uh, what exactly is the connection between beef and being in high school?"
"It's obvious. Families aren't allowed to eat beef while their kids are still in compulsory education. It's the rule!"
"…There's no such rule."
"Huh? But my dad said so."
This conversation is starting to sound kind of depressing.
"Wait, is it a regulation? A school rule, maybe?"
"It's probably just something related to your dad's work. You know, like how some families only buy Toyota cars because of where they work."
Nice save, me. Let's just end this conversation here.
"...Work, huh? What's my dad doing these days, anyway…"
Yanami lowered her head, her tone growing gloomier. The chain of sadness isn't over yet.
"...Well, uh, working? Probably?"
"Y-Yeah! He's working, definitely! But my dad's not really good with, like, organizations and stuff."
It's okay, Yanami. Let's stop here. If this goes on any further, I might cry.
*
The time for our bus to arrive is drawing near.
Factoring in time to shower and change, it's about time to start packing up. Yanami is nearly done eating her last takoyaki, too.
As I packed up the luggage, Yakishio, apparently still not ready to call it a day, began stretching as she gazed longingly at the sea.
"Hey, by the way, Komari-chan. Don't tell me…you haven't gone into the water yet?"
"Huh? Ah…"
Komari fumbled nervously with her bag, trying to pull out her phone.
Yakishio didn't miss her chance. Grinning mischievously, she swooped in and lifted Komari into her arms in a classic princess carry.
"Nua!?"
"Off we go! See you guys later!"
"See you" (x4)
We all waved as Yakishio sprinted toward the water, completely ignoring Komari's squirming protests. What a powerhouse she is.
"I'll fold up the parasol, then."
"Great. Can you return it along with the inflatable orca? I'll finish packing up here."
Water splashed into the air at the shoreline, accompanied by a sharp scream. Komari's scream, surprisingly, is kind of cute.
"Shintaro. The girls are going to hop off halfway to do some shopping at the supermarket. Can you two go ahead and take the luggage to the inn?"
Tsukinoki-senpai let down her damp hair, her black locks cascading over her bare shoulders.
As she patted her hair with a towel to absorb the moisture, she leaned in close, almost unnecessarily so, to peer at the timetable in Prez's hands.
"If we shop and catch the next bus, the timing will work out perfectly."
"Koto, your hair's touching me. It's cold."
"Shut up. I'm doing it on purpose."
There they go. Flirting on full display. Can they just hurry up and explode already?
"Ugh… I-I'm so wet…"
Completely drenched, Komari returned while wringing out her jacket. The school-regulation swimsuit clung tightly, accentuating the line of her waist.
...I see now. Yanami's earlier comment finally makes sense. This mismatch, the contrast between the setting and the attire, creates a potent mix of embarrassment and taboo. Definitely something for advanced tastes.
"Komari-chan! How was it? The ocean felt good, right?"
"S…Salty…"
"Right?! Isn't it great?"
"I-I said it's s-salty!"
"Well, duh, it's the ocean! Komari-chan, you say the funniest things!"
Yakishio laughed cheerfully. Komari, save your breath. Trying to have a normal conversation with her is futile.
Tsukinoki-senpai clapped her hands briskly.
"Alright, everyone! Playtime's over! Time to get changed and head to the inn!"
...We've played plenty already. Maybe we could just call it a day and disband at this point? That thought crossed my mind as I hoisted the parasol onto my shoulder.
*
The sun began to set, and the oppressive heat of the day vanished as if it had been a lie.
The sharp chirps of unfamiliar insects echo through the air. Honestly, it's kind of creepy.
"I've placed the washed vegetables over here."
"Thanks. Can you line the chopped ones up on the tray?"
Yanami has volunteered to take charge of cooking at the campsite's outdoor cooking area. For some reason, she specifically designated me as her assistant.
True to her word, she handles the knife with decent skill- or, well, it's pretty average. She peels carrots with a technique that's competent but just precarious enough to make me a little nervous.
"Yanami-san. Did you have something you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Huh? Nope, nothing at all. Here, next, you're going to slice those peeled carrots into rounds. Think you can handle it?"
Of course, I can handle that. With about the same level of skill as Yanami, I started slicing the carrots into rounds.
"I was just wondering why you picked me to help instead of Yakishio."
Yanami's hands stopped abruptly.
"...Have you ever been in the same group as Remon-chan for a cooking class?"
"...Uh, no, I don't think so."
For a moment, Yanami's eyes took on a faraway look.
"She's still at the stage where you shouldn't let her near fire or knives."
What on Earth happened? From the outside, Yakishio seems like the perfect athletic beauty, a high-class flower perched atop an unreachable peak.
But once you actually get to know her, you realize she's quite the scatterbrained klutz.
"By the way, she volunteered to be in charge of starting the fire."
"Let's just pretend I didn't hear that."
Well, whatever happens over there, they will figure it out. I decided to bring up a topic I had been curious about.
"Speaking of which, Yanami-san, I read the short story you wrote earlier."
"What? Already? That's kind of embarrassing."
"I thought it was really good. Super easy to read, too."
Yanami's short story is a refreshing vignette that captures a fleeting moment on a school morning. It's written in a conversational tone, depicting the protagonist's internal struggle over whether or not to greet the boy she liked.
"And I had no idea convenience store fried chicken skewers had that kind of design innovation. That was surprising."
"Right? A lot of people don't know about it."
Wait, what were we talking about again? Well, whatever. Yanami seems to be in a great mood.
Once we finished the prep work and returned to the campsite, Prez was fanning the coals while tending to the fire. Nearby, Tsukinoki-senpai stood, fanning him as well.
"Hey, where's Yakishio?"
She's nowhere to be seen.
"She's over there sulking about something."
Just outside the circle of light, Yakishio sat cross-legged, her soot-covered face turned down as she quietly peeled fava beans.
...Looks like something happened.
"Let's leave her alone."
"Yeah, let's just let her be."
*
Meat, meat, green pepper, meat, sausage.
As if to make up for the daytime meat shortage, Yanami showed no signs of slowing down.
For the record, I had just made my way through cabbage, onion, and corn when the slice of meat I was carefully tending was swiped right off the grill by Yanami.
"Hey, wait, that's still cooking-"
"It's fine, it's fine. You're such a stickler, Nukumizu-kun."
Yanami happily bit into the barely cooked piece of meat, blood still dripping from it.
...Between those who don't mind half-cooked meat and those who like to take their time grilling it to perfection, there exists a vast and unbridgeable chasm. Realizing I had already lost the battle, I resigned myself to nibbling on a burnt carrot while observing the other club members.
"This is amazing! Is this meat from Mexico?"
Yakishio, delighted, chomped into her meat, red juices spilling from the corners of her mouth.
"Shintaro, this batch is done. Pass me your plate."
"P-Prez, this one's r-ready too."
"Thanks. Food just tastes better when you're eating outside, huh?"
Prez's in the middle of constructing his very own mini-harem. Whether to envy him or not is something I can't quite decide.
"Nukumizu, you getting enough to eat? This meat is great. You should eat up while you can."
"Yeah, somehow managing."
Still, I couldn't shake this odd sense of unease. Glancing around, I suddenly realized something.
…Why does everyone else seem to be eating meat?
Before me, Yanami clicked her tongs together and laid more meat onto the grill.
"Remon-chan, this texture screams Argentina, doesn't it? When it comes to imported beef, the Americas are where it's at."
"Whoa, Yanami-chan, you know so much! Argentina's, uh... super far away, right? Is this what they call aged beef?"
As Yakishio, impressed, popped another bite of meat into her mouth, Tsukinoki-senpai shrugged with a resigned smile.
"Yakishio-chan, that's not what aged beef means. Come to next year's training camp, and I'll let you try the real thing."
...Wait, isn't she a third-year? Does she plan on sticking around the Literature Club next year, too?
"B-Beef... it's been so long..."
Komari, seemingly overcome with emotion, is also devouring her share of beef.
The meat Yanami had just placed on the grill moments ago is already gone, devoured by everyone else.
...No doubt about it. These people are all firmly in the "don't care if it's undercooked" camp.
To think that everyone around me is an enemy. But even so, I couldn't just sit here and accept defeat. My eyes landed on a particular ingredient.
This could be eaten raw if necessary. I reached out with my chopsticks for a sausage that had just been placed on the grill.
"Nukkun, that was barely on there. You should wait a little longer for it to cook properly."
"S-So greedy…"
How could they, who ate half-cooked meat without a second thought, say such a thing to me? The unfairness of it all weighed heavy on me, but then Yanami, holding a piece of pork with her tongs, offered it to me.
"Nukumizu-kun, you must be starving. Here, this one's done."
I instinctively moved my plate away from the half-cooked pork she was handing me. ...Why does this feel like deja vu?
From the side, Tsukinoki-senpai held out a plate to me.
"If you're hungry, have this instead."
On the plate is a rice ball, red bean rice, to be exact.
"Oh, where did this come from?"
"Some people at a nearby booth shared it with us. They said it's freshly made."
Huh, I see. The salt sprinkled on it was just right, and it tasted delicious.
"It was a cute girl, probably a middle school student. I wanted to thank her with some meat, but I couldn't find her anywhere."
I reflexively glanced around but didn't see any familiar faces.
...No way. Brushing away the bugs buzzing around me, I took another big bite of the red bean rice ball.
*