When Yukinoshita Yukino stepped out of the changing room, Takumi Yuuya was still in the corridor.
He smiled at her.
"Little Yukino… there's still hope."
"Disgust from Yukinoshita Yukino +30"
She glared at him and walked forward.
Takumi watched her back as she passed.
The white swimsuit suited her perfectly.
He was still thinking about it when the changing room door opened again.
Miura Yumiko and Yuigahama Yui emerged.
Yumiko wore a red swimsuit, Yui a blue one.
Takumi's eyes were drawn to Yui.
She blushed and turned away.
"Not bad… both of you look great," Takumi complimented.
"Affection from Yuigahama Yui +10""Affection from Miura Yumiko +30"
They walked through the back gate along a narrow path.
A few minutes later, they arrived at the beach.
There were umbrellas, beach chairs, and even a volleyball net set up.
Takumi went to Yukino's side.
"Little Yukino, want me to help put sunscreen on?"
"I already applied it."
"What? You already did?"
"It was hot walking from the villa here."
"Anime lied to me… I thought this would trigger a special scene," Takumi muttered.
"Are you saying your brain stops working in hot weather?" Yukino snapped without mercy.
Takumi sighed and looked at Yui and Yumiko.
"You two done with sunscreen?"
"Yumiko helped me," Yui said.
"Yui helped me," Yumiko replied.
Takumi still had one last hope and looked at Hina Ebina.
She gave a small smile.
"The maid helped me."
Takumi lay back on a beach chair and closed his eyes.
Yukino couldn't help but smile at the sight.
Takumi opened his eyes and looked at her.
"What's so funny? You have no idea how important this is to me."
"Seeing you so disappointed is… amusing," Yukino replied.
"Amusing? I was trying to conserve water—it's a precious resource," he said.
"What do you mean?"
"My bathtub is big enough for two people."
"You… don't go too far," Yukino said, flustered.
"Too far? With our relationship, it's not too far. After all…"
"Terrible!" Yukino clenched her small fists.
"Disgust from Yukinoshita Yukino +10"
Takumi chuckled and sat up.
"Why aren't you smiling? Don't you like to laugh?"
"Disgust from Yukinoshita Yukino +30"
"Speaking of which… I haven't applied sunscreen yet. Will you help me?" Takumi said, standing in front of her.
"I…"
"If you don't help me, I'll have to teach you some new knowledge later."
"…!" Yukino, both embarrassed and annoyed, could only get up and fetch the sunscreen.
When she returned and applied it on Takumi, her cheeks flushed.
Takumi watched her quietly.
A few minutes later:
"All done," Yukino whispered.
"Little Yukino… sorry," Takumi said suddenly.
"Hm?"
"I just… had an inappropriate thought."
"Disgust from Yukinoshita Yukino +30"
Meanwhile, Yui and Shōko were building sandcastles.
Hina lay on a beach chair, sipping juice brought by the maid.
Yukino swam a bit, glancing at Takumi and Yumiko.
Takumi had claimed he couldn't swim and wanted Yumiko to teach him, but seeing her shy expression, it was obvious he had other intentions.
"Disgust from Yukinoshita Yukino +30""Disgust from Yukinoshita Yukino +30""Disgust from Yukinoshita Yukino +30""Affection from Miura Yumiko +50""Affection from Miura Yumiko +50""Affection from Miura Yumiko +50"
Takumi saw the messages pop up on the virtual screen and gently hugged Yumiko.
"Thanks, Yumiko. I've got it now."
"Ah… y-you're welcome," she stammered.
"You exercise regularly, right?"
"Yes."
"Feels good," he said.
Yumiko blushed, looking down.
"Affection from Miura Yumiko +50"
Takumi glanced toward Yukino.
"I'll go over there first; you can rest for a bit."
With that, he swam toward Yukino.
She saw him coming, snorted, and swam along the shoreline.
Takumi didn't rush, following slowly.
A few minutes later, Yukino stopped.
When she turned back, Takumi had vanished.
As she began swimming back, she was suddenly lifted into someone's arms.
Takumi's voice whispered in her ear:
"Little Yukino… this spot is perfect."
"First you had Yumiko teach you, now you can dive under like that?"
"Maybe I'm just naturally talented," he said with a grin.
"Hmph… what a terrible guy," Yukino muttered, not believing him.
Takumi smiled, coming closer.
"No one can see or hear us here."
"You… don't go too far."
"Too far? You deliberately swam this way—wasn't it so I could tease you?"
"I… I wanted to get away from you!"
"Tsundere Little Yukino…"
"You really are… mmmph!"
Her protest was cut off as Takumi kissed her.
On the way back, Takumi carried Yukino in his arms.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her small head rested against his chest.
"Little Yukino… you're too weak."
"That's because you never taught me martial arts," she muttered.
"Oh? Want to learn? That's easy. Once we have our little Yukino, I'll teach you immediately."
"Hmph."
"Actually, you don't necessarily need martial arts. My master can brew a potion that cleanses impurities and strengthens the body."
"Potion?"
"When you truly like me, I'll have my master make it for me again."
"…!"
Yukino remembered the conditions she had set.
She looked at Takumi.
"Three hundred billion yen is fine."
"No, I want to challenge one trillion yen, and I'll check with your sister as well."
"If your sister agrees, you…"
"We'll see then," Takumi said, looking ahead.
Yukino didn't ask further.
Back on the beach:
"Yukinoshita-san, are you okay?" Yui asked, noticing Takumi carrying Yukino.
"Nothing serious. Little Yukino just swam too far, her stamina is low. She's resting now," Takumi said, placing her on a beach chair.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, thank you for asking."
Takumi turned to Shōko, who was still carefully building her sandcastle.
"Even though I don't understand sign language, it seems we can communicate with gestures. She's really focused," Yui whispered.
"I haven't built a sandcastle in ages," Takumi said, walking over to Shōko.
She gave him a gentle smile.