บท 44: Good Times Never Lasts
"By the way, the loser gets ordered by the winner!" Kiana declared with a smirk.
EH!?
And so the volleyball match commenced, with Mei and Kiana on one side, and Bronya and I on the other.
"Let's do this!" I exclaimed as I served the ball, sending it flying over the net.
Mei reacted swiftly, skillfully returning the ball with a precise hit.
Kiana followed up with a powerful spike, aiming to catch us off guard, but Bronya intercepted it flawlessly, showcasing her remarkable agility.
"Nice one, Bronya!"
Bronya simply gave me a thumbs up in response, her expression as stoic as ever.
As we continued to play, I couldn't help but notice Bronya's incredible flexibility. However, something seemed off... Was she moving in sync with her Project Bunny?
"Hey, that's cheating! Bronya used her Project Bunny!" Kiana protested.
Oh, she got caught.
Bronya remained impassive. "No, it's not cheating," she replied calmly.
Before the argument could escalate further, we were interrupted by the arrival of Principal Theresa and Major Himeko.
"Playing without us, are you?" Theresa remarked with a playful smile.
As I first caught sight of Himeko's swimsuit, my eyes widened in surprise. Those are... quite substantial! However, my attention quickly shifted to Principal Theresa, and I couldn't help but sigh in disappointment. "Small," I murmured under my breath.
Theresa's expression immediately hardened as she shot me a glare. "Excuse me? I feel like you're insulting me," she retorted sharply.
"Ah, no, that's not what I meant at all! I was just thinking that you two look really beautiful in your swimsuits," I said, flashing them both a grin in an attempt to defuse the tension.
Himeko let out a resigned sigh. "Well, Shin is a boy too," she remarked with a small smile directed at me. "Anyway, can we join you four?"
"Of course!"
"Here I go!" I served the ball, sending it soaring through the air.
Mei sprang into action, her movements swift and calculated as she exchanged a nod with Kiana, their silent communication speaking volumes.
Theresa watched closely, her posture poised and ready for the incoming volley.
Suddenly, Theresa leaped into the air and spiked the ball towards the net, catching us off guard. But to my surprise, Himeko immediately dove down to catch it, and Bronya swiftly intercepted it, sending the ball back over the net with a powerful spike.
"Bronya is using her Project: Bunny!" Theresa exclaimed.
"I'm not..."
Himeko interjected with a chuckle, "Haha~ Well, Bronya is more of an introvert, after all."
"Major Himeko... Your words sting," Bronya said sulking down.
"Sorry about that," Himeko replied apologetically.
"Bronya-onee-chan!"
As we regrouped, another figure suddenly appeared, running towards us, with two others following closely behind.
"Wendy?" Bronya turned to face Wendy, who enveloped her in a tight hug. "Wendy... Your embrace is a little... tight."
I couldn't help but notice Wendy's swimsuit, finding it both cute and alluring at the same time.
"Ara? Master Shin seems to be having impure thoughts," Rita remarked as she approached us, accompanied by Fu Hua.
"Good afternoon, everyone," Fu Hua greeted.
"I'd gladly accept," Rita replied with a smile of her own.
"Then count me in too," Fu Hua added.
"I'll be staying under the umbrella then..." Bronya announced as she made her way towards the shaded area.
"I'll join you," I chimed in, feeling the need to take a break from the intensity of the game.
"Eh? Master Shin is going away?" Rita exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, I think I've had enough excitement for now," I chuckled, finding solace in the idea of relaxation.
"Are you sure, Shin?" Kiana's disappointment was evident in her voice.
"Yeah, I just want to unwind a bit," I reassured her with a smile, settling down comfortably under the umbrella.
"Then..." Rita's sudden embrace caught me off guard as she whispered in my ear, "How about if we win, I'll do anything you want me to do."
My heart skipped a beat at her words, and I felt a surge of determination. "Let's do this," I replied confidently, meeting her gaze with resolve.
"Uwah... I wonder what Rita said to Shin, It must be really lewd..." Kiana remarked, casting a curious glance in our direction.
"Fufu~ Let's continue the round then," Mei suggested, eager to resume the game.
Meanwhile, Bronya and Wendy engaged in conversation under the umbrella, enjoying the serene atmosphere of the beach.
After the game concluded, I let out a contented sigh, feeling the fatigue settle in. "Phew... That was tiring," I remarked as I stretched my limbs, making my way back to where Bronya and Wendy were relaxing under the umbrella.
"Hello, Shin!" Wendy greeted me with a bright smile as I approached.
"Hey, Wendy."
Wendy struck a pose, her swimsuit accentuating her figure.
Was she trying to catch my attention?
Clearing my throat, I decided to compliment her. "You look really pretty in your swimsuit, Wendy."
"Really?!" Wendy's eyes lit up with delight at my words.
"Yeah, definitely."
"Hehe~ I'm glad," Wendy giggled, a blush creeping onto her cheeks as she basked in the praise.
"Shin," Himeko's voice interrupted my relaxation as she grabbed my arm from behind, pulling me away from where Bronya and Wendy were lounging.
"Major Himeko, what's going on?"
"Don't be so cold, Shin. Just come with me," Himeko insisted, tugging me along.
As she led me to a spot under the umbrella, she suddenly laid down on the beach mat. Before I could react, she began undoing her bra.
"Major Himeko!?"
"Quit fussing and help me put sunscreen on my back," she ordered with a mischievous grin.
"But Major Himeko, you should have done this earlier."
"But I wanted to join in with the others and have some fun. Can't I pretend to be young too?" Himeko pouted, trying to appeal to my sympathy.
"You just wanted to find a boyfriend, didn't you? Playing with 'youngins' won't work," I accused, trying to lighten the tension.
"Shut up, Shin. Just help me."
I sighed, realizing arguing with her was futile. I grabbed the sunscreen beside her and applied some to my hand. "You know, shouldn't Fu Hua or Miss Rita help you? Or Kiana and Mei-senpai?"
"Fu Hua and Rita went for a stroll, and Kiana and Mei are busy with lunch preparations," Himeko explained.
"Ah, that makes sense," I nodded, beginning to rub the sunscreen onto Himeko's back. However, I was taken aback by the unexpected sound of her moan.
"Ahhn~" she let out a soft noise, catching me off guard.
"Hey! Cut it out!" I protested, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks.
"It's cold, okay?"
"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
"Purpose? I don't know what you're talking about," she replied innocently, though I could sense the smirk in her voice.
"Tch."
After applying sunscreen to her back, I stepped back and sat down next to Himeko, feeling relieved. "Phew... There," I muttered.
"Just the back? Won't you go lower?" Himeko teased with a mischievous grin.
"I'll seriously shut that mouth of yours," I replied, rolling my eyes at her antics.
"Fufu~ I'm just kidding, of course," Himeko chuckled as she adjusted her bra. "By the way, I heard a rumor that all the valkyries at St. Freya have a crush on you. Aren't you enjoying your youth more?"
"What are you talking about? It's not a rumor; it's actually the truth!"
"Oh? Well, I feel bad for Bronya and Kiana now."
"Bronya and Kiana?"
"Oh~ Nothing~" Himeko replied with a mysterious smile. "You know... You should enjoy your youth more."
"What's this all of a sudden?"
"Hahaha~ Well, good times never last, so you should enjoy your youth before everything bad happens."
"I'll take note of that."
"You better," she said, giving me a playful nudge.
"But you know, Major Himeko... I think you should value your life more than me."
"Eh? Why?"
"Haha~ Because from now on," I stood up in front of her, grinning confidently, "I want you to witness our squad become the strongest valkyries!"
Himeko's eyes widened with surprise, but then she smiled. "Yeah... I'll make sure to witness it..."
"You better! I don't want to hear news of you suddenly dying," I joked, though there was a hint of seriousness in my tone.
"Oh, please~ I'm stronger than everyone here at St. Freya. I won't die just like that."
"I know, I know," I replied with a chuckle.
"Shin! Major Himeko! The food is ready!" Mei's voice called out from a distance.
"Anyway, shall we go now?" I asked, extending a hand to help Himeko up.
"Yeah, I can't wait to eat Mei's cooking," Himeko said, standing up with a smile.
As we reached the spot where Mei was waiting with the food along with everyone, the enticing aroma wafted through the air, making my mouth water.
"Wow, this looks amazing!" I exclaimed as I eyed the spread of food laid out before us.
"Thank you, Shin," Mei replied with a smile.
"I helped too, you know!" Kiana interjected proudly.
"Yeah, as my taste tester," Mei teased, earning a playful glare from Kiana.
"Hm? What's this, Mei-senpai?" I inquired, pointing to a dish on the table.
"That's Nacho Baked Potato," Mei explained, gesturing to the dish.
"Mei-senpai, Bronya has successfully delivered the two different dips to the required nav point," Bronya reported with her usual efficiency.
"I also got some beers as per requested!" Wendy chimed in, holding up a couple of bottles.
"Ohh! Beer!" Himeko exclaimed, immediately gravitating towards Wendy. "Give me~"
Drunkard as always.
"Thank you, Wendy, Bronya," Mei said appreciatively.
With that, we all dug into the delicious spread, the sound of crunching filling the air as we enjoyed our meal together.
As the sun began its descent, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky, I made my way back to the cottage to check my belongings.
Hours later, I rejoined the group, noticing the absence of Rita and Wendy.
"Huh? Where are Rita and Wendy?"
"Rita mentioned she had to return for Wendy's daily check-up. We're still researching the Herrscher core inside her," Himeko explained.
"I see..."
Observing the group, I noticed they had changed into different attire, just as I had.
"Shin, care for some iced tea?" Bronya offered, extending a glass towards me.
"Thank you, Bronya," I replied gratefully, accepting the drink.
As I sipped the refreshing beverage, I couldn't help but admire the beauty of the sunset, accompanied by the soothing sounds of waves and seagulls.
"Haahhh... Another day draws to a close," Himeko remarked, gazing up at the sky. She then turned to the group with a smile. "Let's raise a toast, everyone!"
With nods of agreement, the group raised their glasses in unison.
Mesmerized by the tranquil scene before me, I couldn't help but smile as I looked at my friends. - Kiana, Mei, Bronya, Fu Hua, Himeko, and Theresa.
Let's survive till the end... For all that is beautiful in the world.
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