After enjoying beach volleyball, we dove right into sea bathing. The beach volleyball, meant to deepen our camaraderie, surely had enhanced our bond, probably.

Now we are taking a small break, sipping drinks under a parasol.

Kai: “Tendou-san, your ‘Haja Issen’ was so powerful. You wrapped the ball in magic, don’t you? I thought magic could only be wrapped around oneself.”

Tendou: “I’ll show you a real blow tomorrow, it’s no problem if it’s against monsters. I don’t really understand the principle to it either.”

Kai: “Ha ha, I’m looking forward to it.”

Aya: “Thank you for protecting me, Kai-san. Did Ryu-san intend to kill me? I saw mama and papa for a moment there.”

Tendou: “You won’t die. Aya is increasing her defense with the artifact. The ball breaks upon hitting you and that’s the end. That’s what I was aiming for… but you stopped it well, young one. Do you have good eyes? You seemed to know exactly where it was coming.”

Kai: “Ah ha, indeed, I do have good eyes.”

As we chat, Nagi sits next to Aya.

Nagi: “Phew, I’m tired. Aya-san and big brother, why don’t you go for a swim? It’s fun, and chairman Kagetora is interesting, isn’t he?”

Tendou: “That old man is too excited. He’s the most excited one, it’s amazing he can keep up at his age.”

Kai: “Ha ha, but I like it. It’s lively and nice when the chairman is around, right?”

Tendou: “Well, yes. That old man is certainly full of energy.”

Then, Nagi nudged Aya’s elbow as if to hurry her.

Aya: “U-um, Kai-san?”

Aya stood up and came in front of me. Why is her face so red? Is it because it’s hot? She fans her face and avoids eye contact.

Aya: “I want to swim… a bit.”

Kai: “Hm? Then why don’t you go?”

Aya: “Um… um… that’s not what I mean… um…”

Kai: “What’s got you so flustered─gehuhh!? What’s wrong, my little sister!?”

Suddenly, I was punched in the side by my sister. What did I do to deserve that, my little sister?

Nagi: “Big brother, you’re in the way. Why don’t you go swimming? I want to talk with Tendou-san for a bit.”

Kai: “Huh… I’m in the way?”

Suddenly, I’m faced with my sister’s rebellious phase. Just a moment ago, she was so affectionate, and now she’s changed so quickly. And when did she get to know this wild beast? I’m worried she might get eaten.

Nagi: “Yeah, hurry up!!”

So, begrudgingly, I head to the beach with Aya. I look back several times, worried about her. But I know Tendou-san is a good person, so there should be no problem. But it’s a scene out of beauty and a beast.

Tendou: “It’s hard, having a big brother like that.”

Nagi: “Yes, but he’s the best big brother.”

Tendou: “Ha ha, I only have a sister, but it’s best when siblings get along.”

Nagi and Tendou kindly watch our backs as we leave.

…

Onlooker: “… Look at that. She’s incredibly beautiful…”

Onlooker: “Is she a model? Such beautiful black hair…”

Onlooker: “Her boyfriend has an amazing body too. Looks tasty…”

When you walk next to Aya, who stands out, you often hear voices like this. Aya, who is used to being called beautiful, walks on without a care, just like a model. Even so, she looks great in her black bikini. Honestly, it makes my heart pound a little.

Because of Reina’s destructive power though, it lost a little of its effect, but it’s still a little too stimulating for me.

Aya: “By the way, Kai-san. Would you like to remake the artifact later?”

Kai: “Oh! Yeah, I was thinking of asking you. Aya’s skill level has increased, hasn’t it? Thanks to that, it seems like the reflection rate has also increased.”

Aya: “It seems so. I can feel that I’ve become stronger. So tonight… shall we… do it again…”

Aya, with her face red, stuttering and looking down, says this in a trembling voice. I imagine what we’re going to do, and scratch my blushing cheek with my finger, nodding.

Kai: “….Umm, yeah, if Aya’s fine with it.”

Aya: “I am… ready anytime.”

Kai: “Then, can I ask you tonight?”

Aya: “Yes. If Kai-san calls me, I will go… to your room anytime.”

(Is it just me, or does this sound a bit risqué…?)

Tonight, I promise to have Aya make an artifact for me. We have plenty of A-Rank magic stones, so quantity isn’t an issue. When we get an S-Rank magic stone, I’ll ask Aya to make it first.

Kai: “It feels good, doesn’t it, the sea? The temperature is perfect.”

We head straight into the sea. The sea water is warm and feels very nice. At times like this, I suppose we are supposed to splash each other with water…

But that’s probably reserved for couples.

Suddenly, Aya and I are drenched from a huge amount of water falling from the sky. When I look at the culprit, I see the frolicking Chairman and Reina.

Chairman Kagetora: “Gahahaha! How’s that, Reina! Soaked, aren’t you!!!”

Reina: “Grandpa, it’s like a waterfall.”

To the side, the sea was throwing up water columns as if it had been bombed. The Chairman was energetically splashing water around. Or was that an attack rather than splashing?

Reina seemed to be trying to dodge the water that was falling like a waterfall for some reason.

Reina is avoiding the water with a speed that doesn’t even register to the eye.

What sort of game is that?

Aya: “Hehe, Kai, shall we do it too?”

Kai: “Do that?”

Aya: “…No, shall we just swim normally?”

Kai: “Let’s do that. Ah, let’s try to reach that island. We can easily do it with our current strength.”

I pointed to a small isolated island visible in the distance. It’s a small uninhabited island, probably about a kilometer away, but it’s easy for us now.

Aya: “Yes.”

We start swimming. We’re not in a hurry, so while we take it easy, just applying a little force propels us forward as if we were on a jet ski.

Kai: “Phew… this is the first time I’ve swam since getting stronger. It feels good.”

Aya: “Yes, me too.”

I guess this is the first time Aya has swum since her status increased. It’s only been about a month since we realized this power, so that makes sense. In that sense, our circumstances might be somewhat similar.

We finally reached the sandy beach of the uninhabited island and sat cross-legged. It’s beautiful, with pure white sands. Before we knew it, the sun began to set and the colors of twilight painted the sea red. I casually looked to the side.

Next to me, Aya was sitting with both legs together, maintaining a beautiful posture. She brushed up her wet hair with both hands, being slightly illuminated by the twilight light.

When our eyes met, she gave me a gentle smile. Her jet-black hair, a hibiscus, and a red earring sparkled in the twilight.

She was beautiful.

I knew she was as beautiful as a celebrity. But with no one else around, just the two of us on an uninhabited island, the situation was somewhat breathtaking.

Kai: “Aya…”

When I called her name, Aya looked at me. I was also looking at Aya. For some reason, we fell silent while looking at each other.

If I reached out a bit, I could touch her.

If I got a bit closer, I could kiss her.

I’m a healthy guy too. I had a feeling that something could happen in the Okinawan summer. I felt that something would change if I reached out my hand. I think Aya is cute, but I’m not quite sure if that’s the same as having feelings of affection for her.

I don’t quite understand the difference between liking someone and finding them cute.

Having never been in a successful romantic relationship, I don’t really understand the difference between admiration and affection. In that sense, there’s no doubt that I admired Reina, but I have my doubts when asked if I like her.

So, what about Aya?

We’ve only known each other for a short time, but we’ve spent a lot of intense time together.

Do I admire her? That doesn’t seem quite right.

Do I want to protect her? Yes, I do.

So, do I want to touch her? …Right now… I kind of want to touch her.

Do I want to kiss her? ……

As I was lost in thought, Aya leaned in as if she had made up her mind about something.

Supporting herself with both hands, she leaned toward me. Her chest, while not as full as Reina’s, still had a good shape and formed a valley with the push of her hands.

Aya: “Kai… I… I have something I want to tell you…”

Her cheeks were dyed a deep red, even redder than the twilight red.

Aya was getting closer to me.