kscans

Chapter 130 - A Test of Reason

"It's the oceaaaaaan!"

"Whoa, hold on, it's too early for that! I mean, yeah, it's the ocean, but still!"

Three days after Eric-san’s attempted kidnapping, the day of our trip had finally arrived.

We were now in the middle of July, and the temperature was undeniably that of summer. The sky was a clear, brilliant blue, and the sunlight reflecting off the water was dazzling.

For the record, our current location was the port. Sure, it was the ocean, but I'm pretty sure that's a line you're supposed to shout on a sandy beach or something.

"Goodness, Erina-kun, you're a little too excited. HA HA HA!"

"That doesn't mean much coming from the person wearing a floaty and a snorkel."

What was with this disappointing college student? And where did she even pull that floaty from? She was even wearing an aloha shirt.

"Well, I can understand why my sister and the others are so excited. I can't even remember how many years it's been since we took a family trip like this..."

"Mia-san..."

Mia-san, dressed in a blue and white shirtdress, gave a wry smile as the sea breeze tousled her blonde hair.

It was true that Aira-san and her sister had been on bad terms for years. For the two of them to be able to go on a trip together like this probably held more meaning than I could imagine.

But, that was a separate matter.

"Look, look, Paisen! You can see a huge tanker! The kind that always blows up in movies!"

"Hold on, Erina-kun. When you talk about tankers and movies, you're talking about either sharks or gunfights. So, why don't we use these fireworks to recreate a gunfight!"

"That's too dangerous, Paisen, so no!"

"You have a point! Let's just make the sound effects with our mouths, then! BAN! BAN!"

"Ninja Art: Barrier Jutsu! Invincible Barrier Jutsu!"

"Hey, that's cheating, Erina-kun! In that case, it would be rude not to draw my own weapon... Take this, Absolute Kill Beam!"

"Gwaaaah!? I'm... doooone foooor!"

"...Isn't that a little too excited?"

"Sister...!"

I pointed at the two disappointing beauties playing at an elementary school level, but Mia-san just covered her face with her hands as if she couldn't bear to watch.

You have to face reality. That's your sister and your cousin right there.

"Why are you two acting so aloof, Kyouta-kun & Mia! Come on, the deathmatch has already begun! Take up your weapons! Otherwise, only death awaits!"

"Oh, it looks like Shī-chan and the others are here. Hey, over here!"

"Eep."

In an instant, Aira-san removed her floaty and snorkel, shoved them at me, and smoothly hid behind my back.

It was a feat of agility that completely betrayed her usual lack of athleticism.

Putting the disappointing college student aside, I turned my gaze to where Erina-san was pointing.

There, I saw Busujima-san in a straw hat and white one-piece dress, pulling a rolling suitcase, and Ooyama-san in a t-shirt and shorts, a boston bag slung over her shoulder.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Thank you for inviting us today."

"Kept you waiting. Thanks for having us."

"Not at all, we just got here! I was just playing gunfight with Paisen!"

"Erina-kun... please don't mention that...!"

Aira-san pleaded from behind me in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

Having someone else find out you were goofing off when you thought it was just among friends is a special kind of painful. I get it...

"Well, that is to say... you all seem to get along so well, don't you?"

"What are you doing at your age, playing games like that...?"

"If it's fun, it's justice! It even says so in the Kojiki."

"No it doesn't, probably."

Ooyama-san, you could have been a little more definitive there. I think the person who wrote the Kojiki is about to start crying.

Although, I've heard the 'it's in the Kojiki' line so many times myself that I sometimes get confused about what's actually in it.

I remember a classmate once saying, 'Cross-dressing solves most problems. It even says so in the Kojiki.' It doesn't solve most things, but it actually was written that it was effective for things like assassinations...

"By the way, are those two..."

"Yep! That's Senpai and Paisen!"

"That's not helpful at all."

Busujima-san and the others looked my way—or more accurately, at Mia-san beside me and Aira-san behind me.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Miyoshi Mia. Erina-san calls me 'Senpai.' And this is Arisugawa Aira, or 'Paisen.' She's my older sister."

"Uh, hello..."

I stepped aside as Mia-san firmly grabbed Aira-san's arm.

With nowhere left to run, even she was forced to face them. However, her usual high energy was nowhere to be seen; she just fidgeted nervously, her eyes darting all over the place.

"It's been a while, Aira-san. And it's a pleasure to meet you, Mia-san. I'm Busujima Aika, a friend of Erina-san's. Thank you so much for inviting us today."

"'Sup. Ooyama Shizuku."

"Yes. Likewise, I'm happy to meet you both. Let's enjoy the summer together!"

"R-Right..."

Mia-san greeted them with a smile, all while keeping Aira-san, who was still trying to look away, restrained with one hand.

As expected of the younger sister. She's a natural at handling her sibling. Her grip on the reins showed no sign of rust, despite the years-long gap.

"Alright then, Baba-sama is waiting for us on the boat, so let's all get going! And then we can play in the sea!"

"Okay!"

"Sure, but let's not overdo it."

"Come on, Sister, let's go."

"I think I'll just go home..."

"Please give up. Here, I'll carry your luggage."

I picked up Aira-san's bags as well and followed behind them.

Seriously, how much stuff did this woman bring? Including the portion she'd left in Erina-san's `Item Box`, it was a considerable amount.

Fortunately, it wasn't a burden for me now, but I really wished she'd pack an amount she could carry herself.

"Aira-san, what's in all these bags?"

"Video games we can all play together, Twister, cosplay stuff, a jump rope, swimsuits..."

"I see. Leave it to me. I will take full responsibility for transporting this cargo."

These were absolutely essential items. The thought of leaving any of them behind was preposterous.

Steeling my resolve, I followed after them.

Well now. I wonder what kind of summer this will turn out to be.

*

The boat ride took about two hours, bringing us to a small island.

Most of it was covered in trees, and nestled between the forest and the sandy beach was a two-story lodge.

It seemed to be regularly maintained, looking like a private luxury inn. I heard Eric-san and his associates sometimes used it for business talks or networking, but this time, it was all ours.

By the way, the boat was piloted by a housekeeper hired by the Professor, who had already headed back to the port. I didn't know her, but she was apparently a woman of many talents.

But that wasn't important right now. What was important was something else entirely.

"A white sandy beach... a blue ocean... the blazing sun...!"

Erina-san's clear voice gradually filled with heat.

And then, with a beaming smile, she let it all out.

"It's the oceaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!"

"The o-oceaaan...!"

"Yeah."

With that, Erina-san, Busujima-san, and Ooyama-san, all in their swimsuits, jumped into the air. The jiggle was real!!

Apparently dissatisfied with their lackluster cries, Erina-san, her twintails swaying, turned back to her two friends.

"Your energy levels are way too low! You gotta be more like, super-hyped-up-tapioca-level excited!"

"I'm sorry, I was just a little embarrassed... Also, did you just use a Japanese word I don't know?"

"Isn't tapioca famous?"

"It is, but it feels a little dated... and I don't think it has anything to do with raising or lowering one's energy."

"Besides, it's a pain."

"That's so blunt, Shī-chan!"

"It's fine, whatever. Yagawa, say something to this idiot... Yagawa?"

I gently averted my eyes from Ooyama-san as she turned her sharp gaze towards me.

Being a guy, I had finished changing into my swimsuit first and was setting up the beach umbrella...

I'm so, so glad I came here...!

First, Ooyama-san. Despite her height, she had magnificent, melon-sized breasts barely contained by a red, cross-halter bikini, and the bottom was a daring low-rise.

The color of the swimsuit matched her hair, and it suited her perfectly. The cleavage peeking out from the top was incredibly deep...!

Below her surprisingly toned abs, the low-rise bottoms were cut dangerously high, a design I could only describe as magnificent. Aside from her petite stature, she was the picture of healthy sexiness.

But her small frame was by no means a negative. In fact, combined with that healthy sexiness, it created an exquisitely unbalanced appeal...!

Next was Busujima-san. In contrast to Ooyama-san, she had a slender build. Her long black hair, usually worn down, was tied up in a bun at the back of her head, giving her a completely different impression.

She was wearing an off-the-shoulder, one-piece swimsuit. Her pale, delicate shoulders, completely uncovered, were dazzling. The bust and upper arms were adorned with an abundance of white frills, while the main body of the suit was a deep navy, accentuating her fair skin.

I'm usually a man who worships at the altar of breasts, but that doesn't mean I have no interest in anything else. Busujima-san's slender body line and the beautiful legs extending from her somewhat high-cut swimsuit had me on the verge of a knockout.

But more than anything, Erina-san's swimsuit was on another level.

Twintails tied with black, frilly ribbons. So far, so good.

But matching the color of her ribbons was, of all things, a black triangle bikini...!

It was black fabric trimmed with gold, creating a stark boundary against her fair skin. Most of her chest was exposed, and it looked like any vigorous movement would cause a spill.

Her soft curves and a cleavage even deeper than Ooyama-san's were on full display. With every slight movement, they jiggled with a bounce and a quiver, and my eyes couldn't help but follow.

Her beautifully cinched waist, her faintly defined abs, and the aggressively high-cut bikini bottom. Though her legs were long and slender, her thighs had a satisfying fullness. A ribbon similar in design to the ones in her hair was tied around her right thigh.

What was this creature of pure lewdness? She wore it without a hint of self-consciousness, but if it slipped even a little, wouldn't I get a glimpse of a nipple or her maidenly sanctum? I'm just guessing here, but I bet it's a T-back from behind...!

Aira-san must have picked it out. Thank you...! Thank you so much...!

"Oi, Yagawa."

"Y-Yes!"

"It's fine to stare, but at least give us a comment or something."

Ooyama-san, who had approached me unnoticed, was grinning slyly.

Subtly holding the beach mat in front of my waist, I managed to reply.

"Uh, um, all three of you... look great...!"

"Is that all? You were silent for quite a while. That's a pretty short review."

"Now, now, Shizuku-san. You shouldn't... um... tease him like that, okay?"

Busujima-san gently chided the advancing Ooyama-san, her cheeks flushed.

Beside them, the self-proclaimed ninja of pure lewdness looked me up and down.

"Uh, um...?"

"I was going to say your swimsuit looks good too, Kyouta-chan, but I can't see it with that mat in the way. Can you move it for a sec?"

"..."

"Erina-san!?"

"Wait, wait, wait!"

Busujima-san and Ooyama-san frantically grabbed Erina-san by the arms, pulling her away from me.

Then, they began whispering to each other.

"Erina-san, that would make things really awkward the next time we see him, so...!"

"You... even I was trying to look the other way...!"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"N-No, it's just that, it's probably a physiological reaction..."

"Oi. Take a hint. Please, just take a hint. Even I can't just... p-pop... How am I supposed to explain this to a friend!"

Excuse me, ladies. I can hear you loud and clear. And my mental state is being ground into dust.

Having a group of female classmates figure out that you're having a physiological reaction is a special kind of painful, you know!?

Oh man. I kind of feel like crying.

B-But! Thanks to that, my head has cooled down a bit. I should be able to act normal now!

Just as I found that sliver of hope, a voice I'd recently grown accustomed to reached my ears.

"S-Sorry to keep you waiting...!"

Was this an angel of salvation, here to clear the air? Or a demon, here to make things even more awkward?

Mia-san had come out from the lodge.

—Yep, definitely a demon. An incubus, even.

It was a gold bikini. An honest-to-god gold bikini.

A beautiful woman with a body straight out of an erotic manga was wearing the kind of swimsuit you only see in erotic manga.

Slender shoulders, a tiny waist. A meter-class bust that made you wonder how those shoulders and waist could possibly support it. And, fitting for such a magnificent bust, an enormous ass. No, an enooormous ass.

Her limbs were slender, yet the sheer sensuality she exuded was overwhelming. Blushing to the tips of her long ears, Mia-san walked across the sand in her white sandals, clutching her left arm with her right hand.

Her massive breasts, pushed up by her right arm, squished and changed shape. What was that? Some kind of strangely soft, giant watermelon?

Combined with a low-rise bikini bottom on par with Ooyama-san's, her appearance was such that one had to wonder if it should be censored.

"Ah, Yagawa-san is rapidly spreading the mat and sitting down in a crouch!"

"Damn, it's fully pitched, huh!"

"He's sitting down, though?"

Please, stop giving a play-by-play. And Erina-san, please stay just the way you are.

The super-lewd, self-proclaimed ninja's super-lewd cousin was trembling slightly, her face beet red.

In sync with her, the Magnificent Breasts—no, the Humongous Breasts—quivered slightly. What a powerful sight. A veritable theme park of mammaries.

What am I even saying? Well, I'm not saying it out loud. If my inner thoughts were broadcast, it would be social suicide for sure.

"Th-This is because... my sister absolutely insisted...!"

"Whoa. You really wore it, Mia. You're quite the exhibitionist!"

"Sister!?"

The disappointing college student, who had followed her out, nonchalantly pulled the rug out from under her.

Incidentally, she herself was wearing a baggy white t-shirt over her swimsuit, thoroughly concealing everything but her shapely legs.

Pure evil...!

Wait a minute. What she's holding is...

"Wait, Sister!? You're drinking in broad daylight, in front of students!?"

"Ha ha ha. This, my dear, was a necessity."

Saying that, Aira-san walked over to me. She fluidly opened the cooler box on the mat and pulled out a can of beer.

Well, to be precise...

"Uh, Mia-san. It says 'Non-alcoholic' on this."

"Stop it, Kyouta-kun! Don't you dare break my self-hypnosis! I'll puke if I'm not drunk! You want me to become a Merlion!? This place is about to become Singapore!! You hear me!?"

"Why am I the one being threatened...?"

That aside, Aira-san's bare legs were so close, and I couldn't calm down. This woman had long legs, too... Her thighs were plump, but her limbs were well-proportioned. A balanced physique, you could say.

Really, her looks alone were perfect. If she weren't chugging a non-alcoholic beer with such gusto, I might have even been captivated.

"Once again, Ā-chan-kun! Shī-chan-kun! A pleasure to be with you!"

"Ah, yes."

"Your cousin... I thought it before, but she's really something else."

"Yep! She's a fun Paisen!"

"Sister..."

Even when everyone but one person was recoiling, her drunkard's mentality remained unshaken.

But this was her, completely sober... Isn't she going to be tormented by the memory of this later?

"This is alcohol, this is alcohol...! Ugh, Baba-sama! My self-suggestion is wearing off! I require a Stro-Ze▢!"

"You need to learn to speak normally without that crutch. Besides, alcohol doesn't even affect your system anymore, does it?"

Last to emerge from the lodge was Professor Arisugawa.

She wore a green, sports-bra-like bikini top with matching green bikini bottoms. It suited her overall slender figure well, and her legs, the most beautiful of anyone here, were dazzling.

Uncharacteristically, the Professor was blushing slightly, twirling a strand of hair with her finger.

"More importantly... I left the swimsuit selection entirely to Aira, but... isn't this a bit flashy for someone my age to be wearing?"

"You say that, Baba-sama, but if I'd left it to you, you would have chosen one of those full-body striped numbers, wouldn't you? Having a relative wear a swimsuit you only see in gag manga would be embarrassing, you know."

"But isn't wearing a bikini when you're over seventy even more embarrassing?"

"What's the big deal? You look like you're in your twenties. Alright, everyone who thinks it looks good on her, raise your hand!"

"I do!"

At Aira-san's call, everyone except the Professor raised their hands.

Um, Erina-san. If you raise your hand that energetically, your pretty armpits are on full display, and the momentum makes your chest bounce. Most importantly, the side-boob is becoming a serious distraction...!

"See, the majority agrees. Japan is a democracy, so you'll have to comply, Baba-sama."

"Hah... honestly."

"Professor Arisugawa."

"Yes? What is it?"

Busujima-san approached the Professor, who was sighing in exasperation.

She wore a truly beautiful smile. It was the kind of joy you'd see on someone who, after arriving in a land full of aliens, had finally met another person from Earth.

"I'm so glad you're here...!"

"...Is that so?"

Busujima-san clasped her hands tightly as she gazed at the Professor's chest. The two of them were... yeah.

Professor Arisugawa, who gave a vague smile, didn't seem to mind. I was just glad that Busujima-san seemed to have found a comrade.

"Alright! Now that everyone's here, let's play! How about beach volleyball? Or a long-distance swim?"

"Wait, Erina. You plan on exercising in that outfit...!?"

"Of course! Senpai, Paisen, you guys play too! I brought enough water guns for everyone!"

"Wha-!? I-If I move around too much, um, the strings might...! I want to go change right now, so please, let's do it after that...!"

"I'll pass on the exercise. I'm going to relax under the parasol."

"Professor! A wise person such as yourself must know something about the possibility of turning the horizon into a mountain...! Please, bestow upon me your wisdom... the wisdom of you, who has those breast-demons for granddaughters...!"

"That's outside my field of expertise. My granddaughters grew up on their own."

"Kyouta-chan, Kyouta-chan!"

Erina-san ran up to me, placing her hands on her knees and leaning forward to look at me.

Her emerald eyes sparkled with a brilliance that rivaled the sea.

"What should we play!? It's just us here, so we can do anything!"

Right in front of my eyes, a massive pair of breasts, squeezed from both sides by her arms, emphasizing their cleavage.

I think I must have smiled quietly. Though my face was probably beet red.

"Please, just think of me as a seashell on the beach and leave me be..."

"Whyyy!?"

My unique skill, `Sage's Nucleus`.

Despite possessing it, I had failed to attain the heart of a sage.

This summer, my reason is facing its greatest trial...!!

Social death or survival! It's truly dead or alive!!