“Why are they here……”

 

Nagi and I were heading to the beach.

In one corner, there were two people emanating an overwhelming aura, even from a distance.

Two people underneath a parasol, and one person preparing a barbecue.

 

One was Tanaka-san, who, as usual, loved barbecues.

I’m also fond of them, so I’m happy, and doing a barbecue by the seaside must be great.

 

The problem was the remaining two.

 

One was in boomerang pants with a muscular body.

He had chest hair and an unkempt beard, along with a silver necklace around his neck.

 

He looked tough.

 

Like a soldier, or a mercenary.

 

That was Tendou Ryunosuke-san.

Even from a distance, I could tell at a glance, because the tourists around were keeping their distance in fear.

He’s supposed to be a celebrity and his face should be known… No, wait, boomerang pants… It’s laughable.

 

And then, there’s the other one.

 

Compared to Tendou-san, his physique was slightly worse.

Not to say that he was thin, because that wasn’t the case.

His body was like a pro wrestler’s, but he was a bald old man in his 70s.

 

The world’s strongest old man, looking dashing in shorts, an Aloha shirt, and sunglasses.

 

“Oh! Kai-kun! You’re here!! Nagi-chan too, is it your first time? Let’s have fun!”

 

“H-hello!! Why are you here, chairman? What about work?”

 

“Ah, nice to meet you! Work, huh? Well, things can run without an old man like me. I have only excellent subordinates… It should be okay, probably.”

 

◇Meanwhile, at the Dungeon Association Japan branch.

 

Knock, knock, knock.

 

“I’m coming in, chairman, it’s Tsubaki. I know it’s a pity that you couldn’t go on the trip with Aya-san but─”

 

Tsubaki, who opened the door to the chairman’s room, is an A-Rank clearer, an association employee, and the ace of the awakened crime countermeasures section. She’s a career woman with job of paladin who took in the God-Destruction cultist defeated by Aya and Kai.

 

Among the association’s members, she is known as one of the most capable, even being called the chairman’s trusted aide.

 

Tsubaki came to see the chairman, who was supposed to be at work, because she wanted to discuss something.

 

And then, she opens the door.

 

“I wanted to discuss something about the three God-Destruction Cult members from the other day…”

 

Then, she notices that the window behind her is open, as if a burglar had broken in.

But Tsubaki knew.

There was no way a burglar would break into the chairman’s office.

It would be suicidal. Only a handful of people in the world could defeat chairman Kagetora.

 

In other words…

 

“That damn old man! He abandoned his work to go play!”

 

◇Kai’s perspective

 

“So that’s the plan. I intend to take a vacation today. After all, if the boss doesn’t take the lead and rest, the others can’t rest.”

 

The chairman is showing us his strong will not to return.

At first glance, it seems like a very sensible opinion, but when I think of the subordinates who have to cover for that boss, I can’t help but cry.

 

Tanaka-san, with a distant look in his eyes, mumbled as he prepared the fire.

 

“I won’t be responsible if Tsubaki-kun gets angry. She called earlier and was furious, telling us to definitely send him back tomorrow.”

 

“I plan to go back after witnessing the A-Rank Cube strategy tomorrow. I’m not going back until then! It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a trip! I also just want to play more with everyone.”

 

“’Just play around?’ Old man, how old do you think you are? Anyways, kid. Please entertain him.”

 

“Haha, if you’re okay with me…”

 

I, for one, like the chairman and am happy that he makes things lively.

The A-Rank strategy is scheduled for tomorrow.

We could have arrived on the day, but we, the young ones, wanted to play and arrive the day before.

Seeing this, Tanaka-san suggested that we do so. I want to become a cool adult who can casually make such arrangements.

 

“Oh? The ladies are here. You know what to do, Kai-kun? Compliment them! Even if it’s flattery. Especially, shower Aya with praises…”

 

“There’s no need for flattery for those two. I can genuinely say─”

 

As I turned around while preparing for the barbecue, there they were, two beauties.

Aya and Reina, both were stunning, albeit in different ways.

 

Aya, slender and thin, almost like a model.

Her jet-black hair was tied up for the beach, adorned with a flower ornament.

She wore a black bikini, and around her feet, she had wrapped a red scarf with floral patterns.

 

Elegant and beautiful, she looked older than her actual age of 18.

As if a foreign celebrity was spending her time at the beach.

The contrast between the black and red, combined with the sea of Okinawa, was like a hibiscus flower.

 

And then, there was the other.

 

Honestly speaking, my eyes were drawn to her chest.

 

Reina, wearing a straw hat from Aya, with her silver hair and a white bikini contrasting Aya’s.

Thanks to her mixed race, her development was better than the typical Japanese like Aya, protruding where it should.

I didn’t know what her cup size was, but why was her waist so thin despite her large size?

 

She was beautiful, but it felt like a direct hit to my sexuality.

The power was such that it held my gaze captive.

Not even my 『Provocation』 skill had this much force!

 

“Y-you both look incredibly beautiful.”

 

I managed to spit out words of praise as instructed.

 

“Thank you. I’d be very happy if you were looking at my face while saying that!”

 

However, Aya noticed and turned away in a slightly disgruntled manner.

 

And of course, to Reina as well.

 

“Kai… you’re only look at my chest? Is there something stuck to it?”

 

“I… I’m sorry!!”

 

Even though I tried with all my might, my face wouldn’t move.

With a steely resolve, I forcefully turned my gaze away.

Even with the Eye of God, I couldn’t resist her allure. It was good I had made it through many life-threatening situations; I was about to lose consciousness.

 

“Kai-kun… you get zero points… no, you’ve already failed the course…”

 

The chairman muttered sadly, holding his head.

 

After that, we enjoyed our barbecue.

Delicious meat, blue skies, emerald sea, white sandy beach, and beautiful women.

 

I can say I had the best time.

 

“By the way, have Tendou-san and Reina ever cleared the Cube we’re tackling tomorrow?”

 

“Ah, Reina and I have done it many times, so there’s not much tension. So, don’t get too worked up about it. Well, if you let your guard down, you’ll die.”

 

“Kai, the inside is complicated. Don’t leave my side.”

 

“I… I understand. But I’m an S-Rank too, so I can’t afford to lose. I’ll fight.”

 

With that, I made up my mind not to back down, clenching my fist.

If possible, I would like to solo an A-Rank too.

I haven’t checked the conditions yet, but I guess a full clear would require a solo attempt.

 

I looked at Reina with determination.

My gaze was about to land on her chest again, but I managed to direct it towards her thigh with a great effort.

Yes, her thigh was also plump and sensual.

 

(…? A wound?)

 

As I was looking at her thigh, I noticed a wound on Reina’s leg that looked like a sword had pierced it.

But on closer inspection, there were also similar wounds on her right thigh and upper arm. Honestly, they were almost unnoticeable; I wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t been staring.

 

(What kind of wounds are these…)

 

“By the way, Kai-kun. After this mission, I plan to officially register you as the sixth S-Rank. You will be exposed to public scrutiny, is that okay with you?”

 

“Huh? That means…”

 

“Ah, you will be the sixth S-Rank in Japan after Chairman Kagetora, Ryunosuke, Reina-kun, Aya-kun, and Yumiichi Amano, who you haven’t met yet. We are announcing this because you’re participating in the Dragon Island recapture operation. We can’t hide it any longer. And you are no longer…”

 

Tanaka-san patted my shoulder and smiled gently.

 

“…You aren’t so weak that you need to hide. I’m very glad that you’ve come this far in just two months.”

 

“Thanks to your help, Tanaka-san. Thank you very much!”

 

While expressing my gratitude to Tanaka-san, I grilled the meat. I felt a bit sentimental, realizing that I had covered a long distance in just a few months.

 

◇ A little away from Kai and the others

 

Sitting next to Aya, who was a bit upset because of Kai’s blunder earlier, was Nagi.

 

“Hey, Aya-san! Aya-san!”

 

Nagi called out to Aya and tugged her hand.

 

“Wha… what? Nagi-chan. What’s up?”

 

Aya and Nagi are close.

Nagi feels a sense of gratitude towards Aya who saved her life and took good care of her during her hospital stay.

She sees Aya as an older sister figure.

So, Nagi is quite attached to Aya.

 

And as for Aya, she likes Nagi.

For her, Nagi is the sister of the person she loves, and she has eyes similar to Kai’s.

 

That alone was more than enough reason for Aya to like Nagi.

But even considering that, there’s no doubt that Aya also likes Nagi because of her adorable and kind personality.

 

Just as she fell for Kai because of his character, she finds Nagi, who has a similar character, attractive.

To Aya, Nagi feels like a little sister, and she would be happy if that could really be the case.

 

“Could you come over here for a bit!”

 

“Eh? Okay, but what’s up?”

 

Nagi took Aya a little distance away from Ai and the others. Then, Nagi whispered into Aya’s ear.

 

“Aya-san, do you…”

 

“Hm?”

 

“…like my brother?”