An Unexpected Proposal

In the common room of the dormitory, the usual chatter and lazy weekend atmosphere were suddenly interrupted by a single, well-placed statement.

"Let's go to the beach."

Ayane's voice carried through the room, calm yet firm.

The effect was immediate.

Rika, lying upside down on the couch, perked up. Saya, in the middle of reading, barely lifted her gaze but acknowledged the words. Mikako, stuffing her face with snacks, stopped mid-bite.

A brief silence followed.

Then—

"Beach?" Mikako blinked. "Like, an actual beach trip?"

Ayane nodded. "Crystal Bay Resort."

Rika sat up so fast she nearly fell off the couch. "Wait, THE Crystal Bay?!"

Even Saya, who rarely showed strong reactions, lowered her book slightly.

"That's quite a high-end place," she remarked.

Mikako whistled. "Damn, that's the kind of place rich celebrities go to."

Renji, who had just entered the room, paused mid-step with a cold drink in hand. His sharp gaze flickered toward Ayane, already suspicious.

"...What's the catch?" he asked.

Saya smirked. "That was fast."

Ayane's expression remained calm as she leaned back. "No catch. Just an opportunity."

Renji didn't buy it. "Bullshit."

Mikako nodded. "Yeah, you don't just get access to a place like that for nothing."

Rika, however, was already invested. "Wait, wait—let's hear her out! If this is legit, I'm totally in!"

Ayane, as composed as ever, continued smoothly.

"The resort is hosting a private event and needs extra volunteers to help out behind the scenes. In return, we get a fully paid vacation."

Renji exhaled. "Knew it."

Mikako groaned. "Ughhh. So it's a job disguised as a vacation?"

Ayane shook her head. "Not quite. It's light work—helping move equipment, assisting the staff here and there. Nothing serious. And once we're done, we get to enjoy the resort freely."

Saya adjusted her glasses. "That doesn't sound too bad. But why us?"

Ayane gave a casual shrug. "I have connections."

Renji narrowed his eyes. "And why should I care?"

Ayane's lips curled slightly. "Because everyone else is going. You really want to be the one stuck here alone?"

Mikako gasped. "Oof. She got you."

Renji clicked his tongue. "That's not a reason."

Ayane smoothly continued. "And besides, it's Crystal Bay. You might not get a chance like this again."

Renji took a slow sip of his drink. "Still not convinced."

Rika groaned. "Ugh, what would make you say yes, then? Free beer? VIP perks?"

Ayane's gaze sharpened. "Actually, Renji… if you're worried about working too much, you should know that most of the heavy lifting is going to fall on you anyway."

Renji stopped.

A beat of silence.

Then—

Mikako and Rika simultaneously burst into laughter.

"Hah! She got you AGAIN!" Mikako wheezed.

Rika clutched her stomach. "You're going to be our muscle!"

Renji's expression darkened. "Tch… You planned this."

Ayane's innocent smile didn't waver.

Saya chuckled. "Not that it's surprising. We all knew the guys were going to end up doing the labor."

Renji sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "So basically, I'm getting dragged into this no matter what."

Ayane simply gave him a knowing look.

Another pause.

Finally—

Renji groaned. "Fine. But I swear, if I get treated like a pack mule, I'm walking out."

Rika grinned. "Oh, don't worry~ We'll supervise properly."

Mikako fist-pumped. "Hell yeah! Beach trip, let's go!"

Satomi, who had been quietly watching the scene unfold, let out an amused chuckle. "Heh. You kids better not regret this."

And with that—

The beach trip was officially set.

After the collective laughter died down and the beach trip was all but confirmed, Renji leaned back into the couch with a sigh.

Mikako and Rika were still grinning at his reluctant agreement, and Saya had gone back to her book, clearly satisfied with the outcome.

But just when Renji thought the conversation was over—

A soft, warm presence leaned in close to him.

Ayane.

She moved so smoothly that none of the others even noticed—her voice a mere whisper against his ear.

"You know, Renji... There's a little extra benefit for you."

Renji's brow twitched, but he didn't react outwardly. "…Go on."

Ayane's lips curved into a knowing smile.

"Crystal Bay isn't just a high-end resort. It's where top models go to relax… and guess what? It's a private beach."**

Renji's fingers twitched slightly. Ayane caught it.

Her voice lowered even more, teasing yet deadly precise.

"Which means… no crowded tourists, no paparazzi… just you, surrounded by beauties in swimsuits. Some of them? Professional models."

Renji exhaled slowly. "…Tch. Is that supposed to tempt me?"

Ayane's smile widened.

"Oh, I'm not done yet."

She shifted slightly, her shoulder brushing against his—casual, but intentional.

"Because it's not just the models you'll see."

Renji glanced at her. "What do you—"

Ayane's eyes gleamed.

"There's also… us."

Renji paused.

Ayane continued, her tone deliberately slow.

"Rika, Mikako, Saya… Me." She smirked. "And I don't need to tell you this, but… we're just as good as any model, aren't we?"**

Renji's jaw tightened. His gaze flickered toward the group—Mikako playfully teasing Rika, Saya quietly focused on her book, completely unaware of Ayane's words.

She was right.

Too right.

Ayane's voice turned silky smooth.

"You're not telling me you're gonna pass up a front-row seat to that, are you?"

Renji stayed silent.

Ayane let the moment linger, enjoying his reaction before finally pulling back—her mission accomplished.

She straightened with a victorious smirk, acting as if nothing had happened.

Renji closed his eyes for a second.

Then, with a long sigh—

"…Fine."

Mikako looked up. "Huh?"

Renji took a slow sip of his drink, pretending nothing had happened. "I'll go. But if it turns into a slave camp, I'm bailing."

Rika grinned. "Oho~ We finally got him!"

Mikako fist-pumped. "Beach trip, LET'S GOOO!"

Ayane just smiled.

And so, the trap was fully set.

Renji sighed internally, his fingers lightly tapping against the couch.

He had already agreed to go—so there was no point pretending otherwise.

But…

His mind kept circling back to what Ayane had whispered earlier.

"You'll get to see models in bikinis… and let's not forget the girls here are just as stunning."

Renji wasn't blind.

Rika, Mikako, Saya—each had their own charm, their own irresistible allure.

Even if he wouldn't say it out loud, the idea of seeing them in swimsuits wasn't exactly a downside.

And beyond that—

A change of scenery might not be so bad.

Despite his usual indifference, Renji knew that being stuck in the same routine wasn't ideal.Growth wasn't just about training his body—it was about expanding his experiences.

Maybe this trip would bring something unexpected.

An opportunity. A realization.

Or even a new blessing.

Renji's gaze flickered toward Ayane, who was smirking as if she knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Tch." He clicked his tongue. "Stop looking at me like that."

Ayane tilted her head innocently. "Like what?"

"Like you've already won."

Rika giggled. "Ehhh~ But you're not denying anything, are you?"

Mikako leaned forward, resting an elbow on her knee. "Oi, Renji—if you get too into the beach life and start chasing girls, don't expect us to save you."

Renji scoffed. "As if I'd waste my time."

Saya, without looking up from her book, added in a calm voice, "That remains to be seen."

Renji arched a brow. What's with that tone?

Before he could respond, Ayane clapped her hands together.

"Alright then! We'll leave in three days. Pack wisely."

Renji exhaled slowly.

A beach trip, huh?

He wasn't sure what would come out of this.

But something told him... this wouldn't just be an ordinary getaway.