In the spaceship, Zastin was sitting in the captain's chair, tapping his fingers on the table, as if waiting for something.
"Captain Zastin, we have a reaction on the subspace radar!" a black-suited guard suddenly called out.
"So they're finally here…"
A strange light in his eyes, Zastin stood up.
On the monitor, a flash of light appeared in the empty space, and then a castle-like spaceship materialized.
"Requesting to open a communication channel."
"I'll go and get Lady Lala. You all prepare for their arrival here."
"Yes, sir!"
…
"Aww… I wish Sora would teach me how to swim too."
"Lala-chan, you swim better than anyone. Do you really need to be taught?"
"That Kusanagi Sora! He's definitely trying to do something shameless again! No, I have to stop him!"
"Kotegawa-san, Sora-san isn't as… as… as you think…"
On one side of the pool, Lala and the other girls were gathered together. On the other side, Sora was holding Sayaka's hands, playing the role of a swimming instructor.
"Just like that, just like that! You're doing great, Sayaka-san! A little more effort…"
He guided her through the water, his words full of encouragement, but in his mind, he thought she was quite clumsy. It was just simple swimming, but he had already taken her around the pool several times, and she still couldn't get it. She really was quite a ditz.
Of course, though she was a little dorky and slow, he quite liked her that way.
Because of that, he had plenty of opportunities to take advantage of her.
"Nngh… Sora-san, I-I can't anymore."
Feeling like her legs were about to give out, she tried to stand up and rest, but as soon as she let go of his hands, she lost her balance and fell into the water.
"Ahem… help! S-Sora-san, help! Waaah…"
Choking on water, she struggled and cried for help. Speechless, he quickly pulled her out of the water.
"Sayaka-san, haven't I told you many times? Even if you fall into the water, don't panic! Don't move! Your chest is your best life preserver! As long as you don't move, their buoyancy will lift you up immediately," he said, covering his forehead with a look of "you're a hopeless case," and lecturing her earnestly.
"Sora-san, I-I…"
Her face as red as a beet, she was so embarrassed she wanted to bury herself in the water again.
Honestly, Sora-san! My chest may be a little… big, but it can't be used as a life preserver! And how can I not panic when I fall into the water? My body moves on its own!
Though she thought this resentfully, she didn't have the courage to say it out loud. She just hugged her chest and lowered her head even further.
Seeing her reaction, a playful smirk formed on his lips. He was about to tease her some more, but he suddenly frowned and looked up at the sky.
A black dot had appeared, and it was falling rapidly.
BOOM!!!!! SPLASH!!!
"Ah…"
It was a human figure. It landed right in the middle of the pool, and the immense force sent a wave of water splashing out, even knocking over some of the students who weren't standing firmly.
"Sayaka-san, are you okay?"
Haruna and Yui were protected by Lala and were fine. He looked at Sayaka, who was in his arms, and asked.
His face was full of concern, but his wicked hands were discreetly squeezing her impressive chest…
"Sora-san, I-I'm fine…"
The strange sensation made her body tremble slightly. She quickly pulled away from him, a mix of shyness and emotion on her face.
With a faint smile, he said no more and turned his gaze to the side.
"Zastin, what are you doing here?" he asked the person who had fallen from the sky.
"Young Master, I have important business with Lady Lala," Zastin said, bowing to him, and then walked over to Lala.
"First Princess of the Devilukean Royal Family—Her Highness, Lala Satalin Deviluke. Your country now has official business for you to attend to. Please come with me at once."
Hearing the words "official business," Lala immediately pouted, her face full of displeasure.
"Eh… official business? So annoying."
Zastin also had a headache. His princess was fine with lazing around all day, but getting her to do official business was always a struggle. But this time, the guest was very important. She had to go.
"Lady Lala, you can't be willful," Zastin said.
Just as he was trying to figure out how to get her to go with him, Sora's voice came from the side.
"Lala, since it's official business, you should go. I'll go with you," he said, walking up to her and stroking her head.
"Oh, if you say so…"
Pouting, still looking unhappy, but since he had said so, she didn't refuse.
Zastin gave him a grateful look. He shrugged, trying to suppress a laugh. Actually, he wasn't being responsible or anything. He just wanted to see this wild girl doing official business.
For some reason, just thinking about it made him want to laugh.
"Lala-chan is going to do official business? We want to go too, we want to go too!"
"Haruna, let's go too! It looks like fun!"
Risa and Mio also clamored to go, and they pulled Haruna in with them.
"The distinguished guest has been waiting for a long time. We should go now," Zastin said, not minding a few extra people. He drew his sword and pointed it at the sky. A beam of light descended, and they were all lifted into the air.
"Sayaka-san, I'll teach you how to swim next time."
"And you over there, you can give me back my little pet now," he said to Shirayuri, and then with a wave of his hand, the loli Valkyrie, who was on the verge of exploding from being nuzzled by a certain twin-tailed girl, flew back into his hands.
"Kusanagi Sora, where are you going?!" Yui shouted from below as they were about to fly away.
"You want to know where we're going? Then you can come with us!"
He had almost forgotten about her. With a snap of his fingers, a sphere of light appeared and enveloped her. With a cry of surprise, she was also lifted into the air.
"They… they flew away…"
"A-aliens…"
"You detestable Kusanagi Sora! Give me back Rhea-chan!!!"
…
"Honestly… so tiring."
"Lady Lala, Prince Carter represents our important ally, Planet Baroz. Please just bear with it for a little longer."
In the spaceship, after some preparations, Zastin had finally managed to coax the reluctant Lala to the reception area. Not long after, a portal of light opened, and a man's figure walked out.
A handsome face, a noble presence, and a pair of pointed, elf-like ears. He was a man who looked like a prince from a fairy tale.
"Long time no see, Princess Lala," he said with a smile that could captivate thousands of girls, and gave her an elegant bow.
"Long time no see, Prince Carter," she replied with a polite smile, looking quite the part, which was very surprising.
After greeting each other, a group of servants began to play a symphony, and they both curtsied and began to dance a diplomatic dance symbolizing peace and friendship.
"Heh… that Lala girl, I didn't know she could be so capable."
"Mmm-hmm… Lala-chan is so wild, but now she really looks like a princess," Sora and the others said, teasing her with interest.
Risa and Mio were one thing, but Haruna and Yui were still in a daze. Though they had been told where they were, looking out at the vast starry sky still felt like a dream.
"Young Master, you should find a partner and dance as well," Zastin said, having finally escaped his duties. He looked at Haruna and the others.
"Zastin, are you asking us to help create an atmosphere?"
"Young Master, we're short on staff here. Please!"
"Well, it's just a dance. I suppose I can…"
His gaze swept over the girls. Yui was a direct pass. With her rigid personality, he couldn't imagine her dancing. Risa and Mio were also out of the question. They were fine for a striptease to liven things up, but an elegant and solemn dance was not their cup of tea.
Looking around, the only choice was Haruna.
"Sairenji-san, may I have this dance?" he asked, handing his little pet to Risa. He gave a gentleman's bow and held out his hand to her with a smile.
"Eh? Dance? I… I…"
As if completely caught off guard, she blushed, not knowing what to do.
"Since you're not refusing, that means you agree. So, let's go," he said with a smile, not giving her a chance to hesitate. He took her hand and led her out.
Filled with a deep shame, she was a little resentful. Honestly, Sora-san! He's so domineering, just pulling me out like this! I'm still in my school swimsuit! I haven't even changed!
To dance in such an elegant setting, dressed like this… she was so embarrassed she could have died.
But her worries were unfounded. With a flash of light, as they walked, they were both changed into gorgeous and noble formal attire.
"Sairenji-san, shall we begin…"
Looking at the still-dazed girl, a smirk formed on his lips. He took her hand, placed his other hand on her waist, and began to move gently to the elegant melody…