Chapter 4 prepare your swimsuit!
It’s been about two weeks since my first-ever muscle pull.
As expected, after that much time, the mild injury has mostly healed. The pain’s practically gone, though the memory of that sharp sting makes me hesitate to push myself too hard. But, well, I’ve accepted that caution’s just part of the deal now.
“I’m pretty much fine, though…” I muttered.
Regular hospital visits confirmed my condition was improving, with the doctor giving me the green light. These past two weeks, I’ve been crashing at the Shinjo household, dodging all sorts of… steamy incidents, mostly of the flirty variety. I made it through final exams at school without a hitch, and now all that’s left is waiting for summer break to kick in.
And on this particular after-school day…
I’m out with Arisa-san and Aina-san, shopping for swimsuits for our upcoming beach trip!!
“…Phew,” I sighed, catching my breath.
“Wise-man-mode phew?” Aina-san teased with a grin.
“Don’t just say stuff like that, Aina-san!” I shot back.
A girl shouldn’t be tossing around phrases like that so casually! I playfully tapped her head—light enough not to hurt—and she just giggled, “Do it more!” This wasn’t how this was supposed to go…
“Come on, you two, stop messing around. Let’s go!” Arisa-san called, her tone firm but amused.
“I know, I know! Come on, Hayato-kun!” Aina-san said, grabbing my arm.
Despite her words, her pull was gentle, probably out of concern for my leg. (Still…) I already had a hunch this shopping trip wouldn’t just be about picking out my own swimsuit. But I was dying to see what kind they’d choose for themselves!
Thinking back, it felt nostalgic—way back when they’d barged into the bathroom in their swimsuits. Lately, they’d just wrap themselves in bath towels, so that memory felt oddly precious.
“What kind are you gonna wear, Hayato-kun?” Aina-san asked.
“Huh? Oh, I’ll probably just pick something simple,” I replied.
Guys’ swimsuits don’t need to be fancy, right?
“No way,” Arisa-san said. “If you’re just gonna grab something random, Aina and I will pick for you.”
“Yeah! We came here together, so let’s make it count,” Aina-san added.
“Alright… I’ll leave it to you, then,” I said, giving in.
And so, we headed to the swimsuit section. As expected for summer, the place was packed with shoppers. Even though we were in the men’s section, Arisa-san and Aina-san led me by the hands like it was no big deal.
“Alright, let’s pick something out,” Arisa-san said decisively.
“Got it~!” Aina-san chirped.
Faced with a dizzying array of patterns and styles, the two got to work, their expressions serious. I couldn’t help but smile wryly at their focus. With nothing else to do, I started browsing the options myself.
“…Hmm,” I mused.
As a guy, I didn’t care much about swimsuits. Something not embarrassing to wear would do, right? I picked up a pair of swim trunks with a blue lightning bolt pattern. “…Maybe a bit too childish?”
After a moment’s thought, I put them back.
“Hayato-kun,” Arisa-san called.
“Yeah?” I turned.
“Come here,” Aina-san said.
Looks like they’d made their choice. I felt a mix of excitement and nerves as I walked over, wondering what they’d picked. Their taste was usually spot-on, so I wasn’t too worried. But when I saw what Aina-san was holding, my jaw dropped.
“Ta-da! This one!” she announced, beaming.
“…”
She held up a pair of swim trunks so tiny they could’ve belonged to a bodybuilder. Like… the kind that’d make my, uh, package stand out way too much.
“Aina-san…?” I managed, my voice weak.
“Hehe, I think it’s perfect♪” she said, grinning.
“I agree, it’d look great on you, Hayato-kun,” Arisa-san added, her tone calm but mischievous.
Seriously…?!
Their expectant gazes met my dumbfounded expression, which probably screamed, Are you for real?! I took the swimsuit from Aina-san. The fabric was so thin!
Did they actually think this would suit me?!
I tried picturing it—me, not exactly ripped, wearing these and striking a muscleman pose. Nope, no way!
(But… they said it’d look good. I don’t want to reject their choice, and maybe—just maybe—it’d actually suit me… maybe… possibly…)
My face must’ve been cycling through a hundred expressions. Arisa-san and Aina-san burst out laughing.
“Sorry, Hayato-kun, that was a joke,” Arisa-san said, stifling her giggles.
“…Huh?” I blinked.
“Just teasing you♪ Here’s the real one,” Aina-san said, handing me another pair.
“Oh, okay,” I said, relieved.
This one was blue with white patterns, evoking a clear summer sky. It was way more stylish than my lightning bolt pick and something I could wear without hesitation. I let out a sigh of relief.
“Haha, was it that bad?” Aina-san asked, still giggling.
“Nah, I mean… if you guys thought it’d suit me, I was kinda ready to try it,” I admitted.
“Even if we were serious about that one, we’re not that cruel to make you wear it after that face you pulled,” Arisa-san said. “So relax.”
“…Thank god,” I muttered.
I was prepared, but still!
They laughed, saying I shouldn’t push myself. Apparently, my panic was more obvious than I thought.
“So, since we teased you like that, you can pick out some wild swimsuits for us too,” Aina-san said.
“Exactly,” Arisa-san added. “Whatever you want… even something scandalously sexy, we’ll make it work.”
Their words made a nearby guy shopping for swimsuits jump. The busy store meant people were close enough to overhear, and their suggestive tone and provocative words were impossible to miss. But Arisa-san and Aina-san didn’t care, their eyes locked only on me, as if no one else existed.
“I’m gonna try mine on,”
“Got it~,”
“Take your time,”
I headed to the fitting room to try on their pick. Even with my clothes on, it felt like a great fit. I was impressed.
“…Arisa-san and Aina-san nailed it,” I said, chuckling as I changed back and left the fitting room.
“It’s awesome,” I told them.
“Really?” Aina-san asked, eyes sparkling.
“Then it’s perfect,” Arisa-san said. “I’m looking forward to the beach.”
After paying, we moved on to the main event—the one that’d probably fry my nerves the most: picking their swimsuits.
“Alrighty, what’re you gonna pick for us~?” Aina-san said, practically bouncing.
“I’m excited,” Arisa-san added.
“…”
We’d arrived at the women’s swimsuit section—a sacred domain where I, a mere guy, felt like an intruder. The awkwardness was real, and I couldn’t shake the sense I was out of place.
“We’re with you, so it’s fine,” Arisa-san reassured. “No one’s gonna say anything weird.”
“Yeah, just pick what you like,” Aina-san added.
“…Alright!” I said, psyching myself up.
If I was in, I was all in! Even for beauties like them, not every swimsuit would be perfect. If my taste was awful, I could end up embarrassing them.
(…Okay, that’s overthinking it. Chill, Hayato.)
I took a deep breath, calming my nerves, and scanned the endless rows of swimsuits.
“…”
Honestly, they’d look great in anything. That’d probably make them happy to hear, but they’d asked me to choose. Saying “anything works” would be a cop-out.
“Right…” I muttered.
“So serious…” Arisa-san said, amused.
“Exciting… exciting…” Aina-san whispered, practically vibrating.
The pressure from their expectant gazes was intense!
I wasn’t the only guy picking swimsuits with his girlfriend—other couples were around, some asking store clerks for advice. But I wanted to choose myself. That’s what made it meaningful.
“This one… wow. No, this is… too skimpy!? Wait, is that just strings!?” I muttered, shocked.
Women’s swimsuits were a whole different beast. Guys’ swimsuits? You could touch them no problem. But touching women’s swimsuits felt like it’d brand me a pervert, so I stuck to eyeing the ones on display.
“Hayato-kun,” Arisa-san called.
“Yeah?” I replied.
“Relax, don’t overthink it,” Aina-san said.
“Right…” I nodded, taking another deep breath.
They were right. I just needed to pick what I thought would suit them.
I scanned the swimsuits, mentally dressing Arisa-san and Aina-san in each one.
“Not this… not that either… this one’s okay… no, wait, not quite… this one’s close… then this—!”
A spark hit me. My eyes locked onto two swimsuits side by side, my entire focus zeroing in as I pictured Arisa-san and Aina-san wearing them.
“Hayato-kun!”
“Hayato-kuuun!”
This was it!
Their black and white swimsuits from before were stunning, but for a summer beach trip, something a bit more revealing could be fun, right?
“Hayato-kun? Your nostrils are flaring,” Arisa-san teased.
“He’s thinking hard about this♪” Aina-san giggled.
I ignored them, my mind consumed by swimsuits. “I think these would be perfect,” I said, pointing.
They’d probably guessed my choice the moment I stopped in front of them.
“Lovely design… I see, this is your taste, Hayato-kun,” Arisa-san said, nodding.
“So cute! And these straps are sexy!” Aina-san added.
Yes! They liked them!
“It’s not just that I like it… I really want to see you two in these,” I admitted.
“Got it. This is the one,” Arisa-san said.
“I’m going with it too!” Aina-san agreed.
They grabbed the swimsuits and headed to the fitting rooms. I was dying to see them now, but since we were planning a beach trip for summer break, I decided to save the big reveal for then.
“Still… I never imagined we’d get to use a villa,” I said.
We’d talked about a short trip to the beach, maybe staying at a hotel or inn. But Sakuna-san’s friend, a work colleague, offered her villa. Apparently, she’s a big deal and wants to use Arisa-san and Aina-san as clothing models someday. She lent us the villa to enjoy our summer break.
“Summer break… spending it with my favorite girls at a villa… what a way to live,” I mused.
Winter and spring breaks with them were unforgettable, but I wanted this summer to be just as epic. My leg seemed fine, so I could go all out.
“…Still,” I muttered, glancing at other swimsuits while they were in the fitting rooms.
I’d picked what I thought was best, but if I was being honest with my desires… I wouldn’t mind seeing them in really spicy swimsuits.
“Like this one… damn,” I whispered, eyeing a bikini that barely covered the essentials or another with so little fabric it’d show off their entire backside. The sheer audacity of these designs was mind-blowing.
“Not that I’d want them walking around the beach like that,” I muttered. If they ever wore something that bold, I’d want it to be just for me.
Arisa-san emerged from the fitting room, followed by Aina-san.
“It fits perfectly and looks super cute,” Arisa-san said.
“Right? I can’t wait to show Hayato-kun♪” Aina-san added.
“Glad you like it. I’m excited for the reveal,” I said.
With our shopping done, we considered grabbing food but decided to head home to relax, given the bags we were carrying.
“Oh, I’m gonna hit the bathroom,” I said.
“I’ll come too,” Arisa-san said.
“See you,” Aina-san waved.
While waiting for them, I noticed a parent and child carrying a cake box. My eyes drifted to a nearby bakery counter. Cheaper than the place near the station, but the cakes looked delicious. Why not get some for everyone?
“Excuse me,” I called.
“Welcome!” a cheerful clerk responded.
“I’ll take this, this, that, and that one—four in total,” I said.
“Got it!” she replied.
I bought four different cakes and returned to our spot.
“I’m back—oh, what’s that?” Aina-san asked.
“What’s up?” Arisa-san added.
“Bought some cakes. Thought we could share,” I said.
Their faces lit up, and Aina-san tugged my arm, eager to get home and dig in.
“Such a kid,” Arisa-san teased.
“Hmph! If you say that, I’ll eat your share too!” Aina-san shot back.
“No way!” Arisa-san said, chasing after her.
I swallowed my urge to call them both kids as they bickered playfully.
▼▽
Back home, we ate the cakes with Sakuna-san. I’d picked ones based on everyone’s tastes, and they were a hit. Knowing their preferences so well felt oddly satisfying.
“Delicious,” Arisa-san said.
“So good♪” Aina-san added.
“I feel spoiled… Thank you, Hayato-kun,” Sakuna-san said.
After we finished, I spoke up. “Hey, Arisa-san, Aina-san.”
“What?” Arisa-san asked.
“What’s up?” Aina-san echoed.
“Let me pamper you today. I’m just… in that mood,” I said.
The moment the words left my mouth, they yanked me onto the sofa.
(Haha… I say this every time, but that hit them hard today.)
They grabbed my hands, diving into full-on clingy mode.
“Hey, hey,” Aina-san said.
“Yeah?” I replied.
“We do this all the time, but… today feels different?” she asked.
“…Maybe,” I said.
“Is this your way of saying thanks?” Arisa-san asked, her insight sharp as ever.
I gave a wry smile and nodded. “I know you’ll say I don’t need to, and this isn’t enough to call it thanks. But I wanted to. That’s all.”
I pulled my hands free and gently petted their heads, like soothing a pair of cats.
“…This reminds me of something,” I said.
“What?” Arisa-san asked.
“Meow~?” Aina-san teased.
“Gah…!”
That’s right—their cat cosplay! I was just thinking of petting cats, but Aina-san’s meow sent my brain straight to that memory, flooding it with images.
“Still, this is nice,” Arisa-san said.
“Yeah, maybe cuddling like this is the best,” Aina-san agreed.
“Really?” I asked.
They nodded, pulling my hands back to their chests and resting their heads on my shoulders, completely relaxed.
“…It really doesn’t hurt anymore?” Arisa-san asked, lightly touching my thigh.
“I’m good. It’s not a problem for daily life,” I said.
“Then… you’ll be going back home soon,” Aina-san said softly.
“Yeah,” I agreed. My place was elsewhere, after all. But honestly, part of me wanted to stay here forever. Having loved ones under the same roof was endlessly comforting, never lonely.
“But if you hadn’t gotten hurt, we could’ve seen more of your soccer skills,” Aina-san said.
“Yeah…” I sighed.
“You were so cool dribbling, giving it your all. The injury sucked, but that shot stole the show,” she added.
“R-Really? Well, if we’re talking about that…” I said, deflecting my embarrassment by praising their volleyball match. I poured extra passion into compliments I’d already given, and we ended up hyping each other up even more, with them clinging to me harder than before.
“Mufu~♪” Aina-san giggled.
“I’m in such a great mood today♪” Arisa-san said.
They’d dropped the cat noises but were acting more catlike, nuzzling my cheeks. It was unfairly adorable, though the softness pressing against my arms was dangerously distracting.
“Looks like fun…” a voice said.
“Huh?” I blinked.
Sakuna-san’s voice hit my ears as she stood before us, cheeks slightly puffed, watching the girls cling to me.
“Want to join, Sakuna-san?” I offered, feeling bold despite her being the dependable adult.
Her face lit up. “If you insist, I’ll take you up on that♪”
She plopped down in front of me, leaning back so her face pressed against my stomach, hugging me tightly. I was surrounded—women on my left, right, and front…!
(What an adorable family…)
Warm fuzzies? Hardly! This was intense!
(Sakuna-san’s… massive chest… right against my…)
It was bound to happen in this position, but still! I silently begged her to move, but like Arisa-san and Aina-san, she looked too content to budge. So, I endured this mix of heaven and hell.
And finally, the long-awaited summer break arrived.
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