David didn't plan on going to the beach. His plan involved laundry and maybe surviving without emotional trauma.
But the H-System had other ideas.
System Notification:
Quest Accepted: Saionji Sisters' Beach Day
Objective: Survive a full beach day with Seika and Reika.
Optional Bonuses:
– Apply sunscreen to both sisters without combusting from awkwardness.
– Impress them with beach volleyball skills you do not possess.
– Avoid public embarrassment (difficult).
Reward: +3 Affection (Seika), +3 Affection (Reika), Bonus Event Unlock.
David blinked at the message and then at the two girls standing at his door.
Reika was in shorts and an oversized white shirt that did nothing to hide the pink bikini underneath. She tossed a towel over her shoulder like a movie star.
Seika wore a dark blue swimsuit hidden under a light dress, her cheeks already pink—and not from the sun.
"Beach," Reika declared. "Now."
David sighed. "I assume this wasn't optional?"
"It never is," Seika mumbled.
10:30 AM
The sun was already cooking the sand like nature's frying pan. David dropped their bag and collapsed onto the picnic mat.
Reika immediately stripped off her shirt and ran into the waves.
"Last one in has to buy shaved ice!" she yelled.
David turned to see Seika awkwardly peeling off her dress, revealing a surprisingly cute one-piece. She caught him staring.
"What?" she said, trying to cover herself with her arms. "I'm wearing more than Reika!"
"I just didn't expect you to look like that," David muttered.
"Like what?"
"…Good."
System pinged.
Mini-Flag Triggered: Accidental Compliment
+1 Affection (Seika)
Reika splashed him with seawater the moment he stepped in.
"Focus, David! This is a beach episode! Where's your over-the-top summer energy?"
David grumbled but let the chaos happen.
---
12:00 PM – Volleyball Carnage
Event Prompt:
Mini-Game Unlocked: Beach Volleyball Showdown
Opponents: Local Club Duo
Stakes: Winners get shaved ice, losers get shame
Bonus Objective: Spike Impressively in Front of Reika
"Why is this a thing?" David asked, holding a ball like it might explode.
Reika smirked. "Because it's tradition."
Seika, standing beside him, looked terrified.
The match began. Chaos followed.
David tripped. Twice.
Seika panicked and kicked the ball.
Reika accidentally spiked it into David's face.
They lost gloriously.
System Update:
Volleyball Performance: 2/10
Crowd Amusement: 8/10
Affection Change:
Reika +2 (sympathy)
Seika +2 (laughter)
Status Effect: Sunburned Ego
2:00 PM
"Hold still," Seika said, dabbing sunscreen on David's back like she was painting a fragile sculpture.
"Why is this the most stressful part of today?" David asked.
"Because you're surrounded by two pretty girls in swimsuits," Reika said, smearing lotion on his shoulders from the other side.
"I can apply my own—"
"No," they both said.
System Update:
Buff Received: SPF Shield (Duration: 3 hours)
Debuff: Heart Rate Increase
Affection +1 (Seika), +1 (Reika)
Mini-Flag: Sand Between the Lines – Sibling Rivalry Tension +2
Reika leaned in close. "You smell like coconut and fear."
David groaned into the towel.
4:00 PM
They built the world's ugliest sandcastle.
It had three towers, all leaning, and one sad stick flag.
Reika claimed it was "artistically tragic."
Seika placed a tiny shell heart on top. "For balance."
David didn't even argue.
They sat in silence, watching waves roll in. The breeze was warm, the laughter was real.
System Notification:
Special Event: Summer Bonding Complete
Bonus Affection Gained:
Seika +4
Reika +4
Unlock: Group Memory – "Cursed Castle of Chaos"
6:00 PM – Final Ping Before Sunset
As they packed up, the system dinged with finality.
Quest Complete: Saionji Sisters' Beach Day
Rewards:
– +100,000 yen
– Summer Badge: "Heart on the Shore"
– Special Title: Beach Mediator
Affection Levels:
Reika – 11
Seika – 10
Route Update:
Romance Route: Stable
Rival Status: Brewing
Upcoming Event Unlocked: "Fireworks Festival (with one or both sisters?)"
David stretched, sore but weirdly content.
Reika bumped his shoulder. "That was fun."
Seika gave a shy nod. "We should do this again."
David smiled. "Sure. Just… maybe without the volleyball."
As the sun dipped low, painting the sky in colors too perfect to be real, he knew one thing—
The game was far from over.
And summer had just started.