Chapter 142: The Sandbank
[Your relationship with Tomoe Gozen has reached the point of no return.]
[Once Tomoe Gozen returns to the academy, what awaits you will be a severe public trial.]
[In the few hours remaining, you rack your brain but still can't think of a solution.]
[Because Tomoe Gozen has already gathered enough incriminating evidence against you — solid and undeniable — you have nothing left to refute.]
[Well, if you had to force out a possible way… it would be the "Lancelot Strategy" that Tristan so passionately advocates…]
[While you're struggling to find a way out, time quietly drifts toward noon…]
[The sun hangs high, the temperature rises, and finally arrives the activity all the boys have been waiting for the most.]
...
"Woohoo! Time to swim!"
The Round Table Knights and the Twelve Paladins — a bunch of guys in swim trunks — excitedly rushed toward the widest riverbank nearby.
As soon as they saw the shore, they jumped out of the vehicle at lightning speed, leaping and splashing wildly in the shallow water, overflowing with excitement.
The sunlight was dazzling and intense, making the glittering surface of the water almost blinding. The sand beneath their feet was so hot it felt like burning, soft and loose — even through sandals, the heat was unmistakable.
"What's wrong, Sir Eikou? You don't seem very spirited."
Gawain, ever observant, noticed that Eikou was the last to get off the vehicle, his shoulders drooping heavily.
"Don't mention it, I'm dying of worry right now…"
Eikou said wearily, completely out of the mood for fun.
"Still troubled over that Japanese widow?" Tristan flicked an imaginary note into the air.
"That's right, that's right, the moment I get back to school, I'll be publicly executed — how can I not worry?"
"Actually, I do have a plan..."
Tristan made a face that looked like he wanted to speak but held himself back.
"No, I absolutely won't use that kind of method to solve the problem,"
Eikou placed his hands on his hips, speaking with righteous conviction:
"Being misunderstood is a normal part of life, but I don't want to lower my moral standards just because someone thinks I'm a bad guy. If I were to use my skills to seduce her, to manipulate her feelings for my own benefit just to make her change her judgment of me, then I'd truly become the 'enemy of women' she believes I am. Even if I could escape their public trial, I wouldn't escape the judgment of my own conscience."
"But it's true that I'm not exactly clean either — I can't deny that I often rely on my 'Disaster With Women' to deal with problems. The more I use it, the more chaotic it becomes. Saying I want to be proper while also liking to play around isn't wrong either... forget it, if I'm to be judged, then so be it. This is also a chance for me to face my own mistakes!"
"Well said, Sir Eikou," Gawain gave him a thumbs-up, "I support your choice. This is the conduct of a true knight! This is the righteous path!"
"That's… not what I meant..." Tristan explained,
"I only meant that if the young lady could first understand the charm of Sir Eikou, gain a basic level of affection, then it'd be easier to reconcile later. If through that she came to truly see what kind of person he is, she wouldn't see him as some scumbag who toys with women anymore."
"Umu, I also think it's just that Tomoe Gozen doesn't understand Eikou well enough." Charlemagne laughed, "Because in my eyes, you're one cool guy!"
"Aiyaya~ you guys are way too much bromance~~" Eikou chuckled mischievously.
"It's alright, if they really open a public trial, we'll testify for you — we'll help clear your name for sure!" Tristan and Roland said in unison.
Looking at Roland — who was completely naked — and Tristan, the founding member of the Married Woman Club, Eikou could only shake his head.
"You two absolutely must not show up at my trial. I'm afraid they'll arrest you both on the spot!"
[You feel the support of your male companions. Your friendship has grown stronger.]
[Your "Dream-like Charisma B" has increased to "Dream-like Charisma B+."]
[At this point, might as well go for a swim first!]
[You all drive to a wide river near the outskirts — it looks perfect for swimming.]
[The group of girls soon arrive as well, but they bring a bolt of depressing news.]
"Sorry, little brother..."
Jeanne White looked a bit embarrassed. She smiled bitterly and apologized,
"Before coming here, we checked the weather forecast and thought that early June would still be cold, so we didn't plan on going into the water. In other words..."
"You girls didn't bring swimsuits?!"
"Umu..."
Jeanne White nodded shyly.
Eikou and the other boys all showed expressions of deep sorrow — as if the sky itself was collapsing.
"Uwaaa..."
Roland, with his fragile heart, couldn't hold back his tears.
"Don't cry, Roland! If you cry, I'll start crying too!"
Eikou covered his face, looking like he was on the verge of tears himself.
"You guys are insane..." Jeanne Alter beside them said helplessly. "It's just swimsuits, is it really that big of a deal?"
"That's harsh, Jeanne Alter! I told you to bring a swimsuit... Damn it, now I finally understand why Goetia wanted to wipe out humanity..."
"Understand what exactly?! Are you saying Goetia destroyed humanity because he couldn't see Solomon in swimsuits?!" Jeanne Alter shouted.
"Eh... you girls didn't bring swimsuits?"
Tomoe Gozen raised her delicate brows slightly, looking a bit surprised. Her gaze flickered with faint embarrassment.
"That's such a pity. The weather's perfect for swimming — doesn't that make me look strange then..."
"What do you mean?" Jeanne Alter asked, confused.
"Well actually..."
Tomoe Gozen's beautiful face flushed slightly as she reached up and unzipped her jacket.
Beneath that modest outerwear was an unbelievably alluring blue competitive swimsuit.
Her graceful figure was flawless — those full, curving lines seemed ready to burst out of the fabric; her fair, smooth skin and round contours were tightly wrapped by the sleek one-piece suit that clung to every shape.
Though the competitive swimsuit wasn't particularly revealing, the subtle areas it did expose were more than enough to stir the imagination.
Everyone had known Tomoe Gozen was beautiful, but now it became clear — she was the type of woman who looked slender when dressed, but revealed her true power once undressed.
"...I thought everyone might want to play in the water, so I just changed into my swimsuit around noon," Tomoe Gozen said bashfully.
Th-this… isn't this gap-moe at its finest?!
The most proper, composed woman turned out to be the first one ready to have fun! She said she came to "investigate Eikou," but in truth, she was the one most eager to play among all the girls?!
Eikou could hear his own heartbeat pounding violently.
At that moment, he felt Tristan's sharp gaze pierce into him from behind, sending a chill down his spine.
"What's wrong, Sir Eikou? Why so quiet all of a sudden?" Tristan raised an eyebrow.
"..."
Tristan, are you the devil whispering in my heart or what?!
No, I absolutely will not give in to the temptation of a married woman! Even if Tomoe Gozen looks incredibly seductive right now!
"I—I mustn't use 'Disaster With Women'!" Eikou blurted out, face flushed red.
"Just a moment ago it was 'I don't want to use it,' and now it's 'I mustn't use it,'" Gawain said, arms crossed. "Looks like you're not that firm in your resolve after all."
There was nothing he could say to that — after all, the woman before him radiated the warm, nurturing aura of a Yamato Nadeshiko, and her chest was… large. It completely clashed with his passive skill — 'My Love is Eternal.'
...