Chapter 163: The Obligatory Swimsuit Episode Found in Every Slice-of-Life
The official tournament site was a place called Ganryu Island.
It was an island bought by Kengan Association's chairman, Katahara Metsudo, to serve as the final battleground for the warriors.
Everyone gathered at the bow of the ship, staring at the island slowly emerging on the horizon. Each person wore a different expression—some nervous, some excited, some anxious, others deep in thought.
They were all waiting for the moment the ship would dock—waiting for the thrill that came right before the elimination matches began.
Everyone… except for one.
He wasn't excited or expectant.
He was doing homework.
Inside a bedroom on the S.S. Kengan, Rinji had printed out the summer homework from school and was now writing furiously.
"Damn it. So much homework over summer break. You teachers are really something. When I get back to school after finishing this, I'll send you all to Africa to help teach over there."
His eyes were bloodshot as his pen flew across the paper, almost sparking from friction.
He had just gotten a girlfriend and wanted to spend more time with Karura, but one call from Kaya forced him to drop everything and return to his homework.
It wasn't that he didn't have enough days left to finish it—it was just that with summer ending soon, he needed to make time for Karura.
"Okay, math's done."
After four hours of battle, he finally completed all of his math assignments.
Next up were the rest of the subjects.
BANG!
Just as he laid out a few sheets of classical literature homework, the door burst open.
Karura ran in and hugged him from behind.
"Rinji, we've arrived. Time to get off the ship."
"Yeah, alright."
Rinji smiled, crumpled the papers on his desk, shoved them into his bag, and walked out of the cabin hand-in-hand with the bouncing Karura.
---
"Members of the Kengan Association~ Thank you for your long journey."
"Welcome to Ganryu Island~"
As soon as they disembarked, they were greeted by rows of sexy, swimsuit-clad hostesses—prompting many of the men to shout "Ooooh!"
Despite his age, Katahara Metsudo clearly knew how to enjoy life.
Ganryu Island was essentially a self-contained resort in the middle of the ocean, fully equipped with everything needed. Amid the blazing summer, beaches, the sea, and bikini beauties were a welcome sight.
After disembarking, everyone changed into swimsuits and relaxed before the upcoming showdown.
A few fighters, seeing the beauties on the beach, eagerly began chatting them up.
"What a great place."
Rinji, now in a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses, lay down under a beach umbrella and pulled out his homework sheets.
Sure, the bikini girls were nice, and the beach was refreshing, and the entertainment was top-notch.
But in Rinji's eyes—there was only homework.
"Rinji~"
A familiar voice called out. Rinji turned his head to see Karura, now in a bikini.
Her swimsuit was quite minimal, revealing her entire figure to him.
A perfect golden-ratio body, no excess fat anywhere, with defined abs on her flat stomach, and a well-developed chest that didn't match her identity as a sixteen-year-old student.
She ran up to Rinji and wrapped herself around his arm, her softness pressing against him.
"Let's go play~"
"Sure."
Rinji immediately tossed aside the pen and homework sheets.
Summer homework? What's that?
…
On the beach, the entrepreneurs and fighters were letting loose. Since the main event started the next day, this was their only time to unwind.
Karura clung to Rinji's arm as they strolled casually along the beach. From time to time, they passed fighters playing beach volleyball or taking group photos.
Even though they'd be mortal enemies in tomorrow's matches, right now they were carefree and friendly.
"Ah! Watch out!"
A whistling sound cut through the air—a volleyball came flying toward Rinji and Karura.
Rinji heard it and casually lifted his hand, smacking the ball back in the direction it came.
The person who had shouted the warning caught the ball, but stumbled back a few steps from the impact.
"Whoa… that was heavy."
When he looked up and saw Rinji's face, he immediately dropped the ball and jogged over.
"Hey, you're Takamine Rinji, right?"
"Hmm? You know me?"
The one who approached was a blond-haired boy about Rinji's age—eighteen or nineteen at most.
He had a cute face but a muscular build, clearly a fighter, not an entrepreneur.
"I saw you during the prelims. You're a strong fighter, aren't you?" He extended his hand. "I'm Imai Cosmo. We might be opponents tomorrow."
"Nice to meet you."
Rinji smiled and shook Cosmo's hand.
"But you're mistaken. I'm not a fighter—I'm a member of the Kengan Association."
"Huh? You're an entrepreneur?"
"Yep. Currently the CEO of Amano Pharmaceuticals."
"Wow, amazing. You look younger than me too." Cosmo was surprised.
"I only started the company recently," Rinji chuckled.
He glanced around and noticed several well-known fighters—some of whom weren't just active underground but had appeared on TV.
Thailand's "Thai God of War" Kaolan Wongsawat, a famous boxer.
"King of Combat" Naoya Okubo, an MMA champion.
There were also some that, in Rinji's eyes, seemed weak—but were still far above normal people.
After Cosmo went back to playing volleyball, Rinji was planning to take Karura elsewhere.
But just then, a massive figure blocked his path.
"…Long time no see, Takamine Rinji."
Looking at the towering man with a trace of killing intent in his expression, Rinji thought for a moment and remembered who he was.
"Yeah, it's been a while, Officer Akoya."
Standing before him was none other than Akoya Seishu, the former captain of the riot police unit who helped arrest Rinji four years ago.
Akoya looked down at the shorter Rinji, his tone icy. "It's great that you came here—because now I can execute you personally."