"Want to go to the sea?"
The one who had asked those words all of a sudden was Shizuku. "By the sea, you mean the beach?"
Modern TV phone systems, as a standard, can take up to 10 calls simultaneously. As Miyuki used that system to talk with Shizuku and Honoka and engage in idle chatter, Shizuku gave a brief affirmative 'yes'. That answer was a bit short, but even so it seemed to ring a bell with her friend since primary school, Honoka.
"Ah, could you mean?"
"Yes, that."
But for Miyuki, who had only known them for around four months, this conversation was altogether on a different level.
"Could you mean...... what?"
At that, both Honoka and Shizuku realized that they had left Miyuki behind, albeit too late. They shared a glance. That being said, on Miyuki's display she could only see them looking aside. Honoka was then the first to direct her eyes back to Miyuki.
"Well you see, Shizuku's family has a resort in Ogasawara."
"Eh? Shizuku, your family owns a private beach?"
"Yeah......"
At Miyuki's question. Shizuku answered briefly again, although this time with a slightly embarrassed expression.
Recently, having a villa in the uninhabited island of Ogasawara had become fashionable among the rich, though this had been reproached by ignorant critics misunderstanding intellectual expression as 'arrogantly willful destruction of nature."
These uninhabited islands, where the resorts are, were mostly once populated islands, but had been abandoned due to the rough conditions. As these villas were zero emission (energy sources came from sunlight, so if you include energetics they weren't truly zero emission but still), they were not destructive to nature but rather unashamed valid uses of land. Of course, Miyuki wasn't blaming Shizuku('s family) for anything. It was just that even among those households considered wealthy, only a handful possessed villas with their own private beach. That was probably something Shizuku also understood, but even in the case of unjustified criticism she would probably retain a manner of general common sense and feel a subconscious degree of guilt.
"My father said to 'please invite your friends'. It seems he really wants to meet Miyuki and Tatsuya-san."
At Shizuku's words calibrated to change the mood (this being again something the one who had not known them very long didn't catch), Honoka mumbled something.
"So your father will be there as well this year......"
Her expression seemed to be recalling something, most likely memories of a previous vacation she had been on with Shizuku's father. Perhaps at the very villa they were talking about.
"Don't worry. He'll only be around for a short while. It seems he has a pile of work, and he'll probably just be able to spare a few short hours."
Honoka's somewhat apprehensive face softened in relief at Shizuku's words. Miyuki felt curiosity at just what could have happened, but she didn't lose sight of priorities.
"I don't mind, but...... what time?"
"It hasn't been decided yet. We had been thinking whenever it's convenient for Tatsuya-san."
At Miyuki's expression saying 'I need to ask Onii-sama', Shizuku understood perfectly well her answer.
◊ ◊ ◊
"......is what we were talking about."
Tatsuya heard of the matter during breakfast the next morning.
At first Tatsuya had considered asking 'did you guys talk about that all the way until midnight?', but of course what came out of his mouth was different altogether.
"The only ones attending will be Shizuku, Honoka, and ourselves?"
"Shizuku said she also wants to invite Erika, Mizuki, Saijou-kun, and Yoshida- kun."
At that Miyuki hesitated slightly,
"But they're not as familiar with them as us, so they wondered if we could be the ones to invite them."
She probably didn't want to say anything which would bring inconvenience to her brother. Of course, Miyuki didn't intend to make Tatsuya do anything and was going to contact them herself, but.
"I got it. Then, I'll contact Leo and Mikihiko. For dates, let's see......"
Conversely, Tatsuya also didn't want to impose on his sister, resulting in a pre- established harmony.
Taking a sip of coffee, Tatsuya went over the schedule in his head.
"......I'm free next week Friday to Sunday. Every other day is pretty busy."
Summer break for magic high schools runs until the end of August. (For most science and literary high schools it's mid August, while for most PE and arts high schools it's mid September.)
Tatsuya's summer break last year and the year before last had been mostly taken up by training with the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion.
(In addition to that last year had been studying — namely, tutoring Miyuki.)
This year the first half had been taken up by the Nine Schools Competition, so things were extra tight. Developments involving the soon to be released next month 'dedicated magic flight device' were also in motion.
This year as well, there was no 'break' in his summer break.
"So that's next Friday to Sunday, three days and two nights. I'll contact Shizuku."
Which was why Miyuki was so fired up about not missing this opportunity. To her it was a little disappointing that she wouldn't be spending time alone with just her brother, but giving him time to refresh took priority over any of her own desires.
◊ ◊ ◊
It seemed Shizuku really had been leaving her plans open for Tatsuya, as she immediately nodded upon receiving Miyuki's call. Honoka was contacted by Shizuku, Erika and Mizuki by Miyuki, Leo and Mikihiko by Tatsuya, and whether the fact that everyone was free was a coincidence or not Tatsuya took with a grain of salt.
And on the day of travel he had looked on in blank amazement. He had been forced to accompany the ladies out shopping, a very attention grabbing event in the swimsuit section of a large department store; Tatsuya later relegated this memory to a distant drawer in the depths of his mind and welded it shut, hence there was no recollection of that particular event here.
For some reason, the specified meeting place was not the airport but the Hayama marina.
"Wooow...... that sure is a nice boat."
This time (unlike during the Nine Schools Competition) Erika's short pants weren't out of place, so she looked up at the gleaming white hull even as she showed off her sleek shapely legs, her eyes shining.
"Doesn't Erika's family have a cruiser as well?"
As Shizuku questioned her with a slightly embarrassed face (Tatsuya had become quite adept at reading her expressions), Erika shook her head with a wry smile.
"We do have a ship, but it can't really be called a 'cruiser'......
Heck, I don't want to call it that.
They normally turn the stabilizer off too, so it's the worst ride ever."
"...... don't tell me, for training?"
"Yep."
"You guys really are quite thorough......"
Next to Miyuki's murmur and amazed expression, Mizuki was at a loss as to what kind of face to make, so she just smiled ambiguously.
On the other hand,
"A Fleming propulsion system is it...... there aren't any air ducts, so the power doesn't come from gas turbines. Is it powered by photocatalytic hydrogen plants and fuel cells?"
Engrossed as he was in the boyish(?) interest of mechanics, Tatsuya muttered to himself as he observed the propulsion in detail.
"There're also hydrogen storage tanks onboard just in case."
An unexpected answer came. (It wasn't that the answer itself was unexpected, but rather the fact that an answer came at all.) Looking up, the 'captain' of the ship was there.
With a Greek hat pulled low over his face and dressed in a jacket with decorative buttons, he was politely munching on a pipe.
He simply lacked that stout look slightly.
Obesity as a lifestyle disease had been eradicated 20 years earlier thanks to drug treatment, but if cosplaying a captain a bit more girth is desirable.
As Tatsuya thought so with a puzzled face, the 'captain' extended a handshake.
By the way, the pipe he held in his left hand really was a classic pipe. —If you looked closely enough, you'd see it was empty.
"You're Shiba Tatsuya-kun, aren't you? I am Kitayama Ushio, Shizuku's father."
He wasn't quite able to contain his confusion at this franker-than-expected personality, but Tatsuya had far more social experience than most high school students. Rather than succumbing to embarrassment, he returned the greeting flawlessly.
"It's good to meet you, I am Shiba Tatsuya. I have heard much about you. Along with my sister, we are pleased to make your acquaintance."
"It's good to meet you too."
Taking Shizuku's father's proffered hand, Tatsuya intended to squeeze lightly so as to not violate etiquette, but Ushio heartily grabbed Tatsuya's hand.
His grip was unexpectedly firm. Still, compared to Kazama and Yanagi, his hands were more accustomed to desk work. What caught Tatsuya was not the force of his hand but the power in the gaze he directed at him. Those hard-bitten eyes appraised you without making you feel uncomfortable, took the lead, strove with similar luminaries; the eyes of a leader.
"......not just a smart-ass good only for his brains. Not just a techie with superficial excellent techniques either. Appearance truly seems superbly dependable."
His murmur would normally be inaudible. As even Tatsuya had to consciously concentrate, that volume of voice was more than quiet enough for consideration. But even if it had been uttered in a normal volume, Tatsuya would not have considered it discourteous. Kitayama Ushio possessed the majesty to honestly appraise the value of the one in front of him.
—But.
"Yes, it seems Shizuku's eyes weren't mistaken. While my daughter, she really does have it together."
At this sudden doting parent remark, Tatsuya ostensibly kept his expression neutral while sighing "so this is the great 'Kitayama Ushio' huh......
" in his mind.
When he had said that he had heard of him earlier, that had not been mere politeness.
It's now normal to use a business name rather than your real name in the management of a company to protect your privacy. His own father does not use his name of 'Shiba Tatsurou' but rather the name 'Shiibara Tatsurou'* in his capacity as head of development at FLT. (Shiibara Tatsurou: 椎原辰郎 as opposed to 司波龍郎 )
He had only heard from Shizuku that her father managed a business in passing, but after being told his business name, he had been quite surprised that he was such a bigshot.
He had married late (marrying a magician had involved numerous issues and although those were overcome, it had taken years) so he really should have been over 50 or so, but this frank, or rather excessively light air, didn't seem to make him any more than 40.
"—Miyuki!"
Giving notice with a glance, Tatsuya called his sister over.
Miyuki came over at a trot, immediately assessed the situation, and bowed gracefully to Shizuku's father.
"Pleased to meet you, I am Shiba Miyuki. Thank you so much for inviting us over."
"Thank you for your kind words, milady. I am Kitayama Ushio. Such a lovely greeting from such a beautiful maiden is an unhoped honor both for me and my ship."
At his placing his hand on his chest and giving a deep bow, Miyuki also with a playful smile curtsied in the Western manner.
Being faced with a beauty of Miyuki's stature and bearing, it couldn't be helped that even Ushio's jaw slackened a bit.
"Ah, father. I don't think you said any such thing when you met me?"
"Dad, it's undignified so please close your mouth."
However, there was no way that would be tolerated. At Ushio's hapless appearance, a sudden barrage of words flew from two more ladies who came up.
"No no, it's not like I was opening my mouth or anything......"
If he had only been up against his true daughter, he might have been able to make something up, but also being faced with Honoka who he had loved as another daughter since primary school, even this talented businessman floundered. (Incidentally the reason Honoka had been so apprehensive at hearing that Ushio was coming might be due to him seeing her as his daughter, every time they met he had passed not inconsiderable amounts of pocket money on to her.)
Gesturing wildly at Erika and the others who were approaching from a distance, he was obviously trying to distract the others from the topic at hand.
"—Ooh! You must be new friends of my daughter as well? Welcome. Please enjoy yourselves.
Unfortunately I have to go now, but please feel free to relax as if it were your own home."
It was probably out of his depth dealing with his daughter unlike his business partners. His unrest could be discerned from his disjointed words.
Watching him rush into a large car with indecent haste and lifting his Greek hat in regret as he sped off, Tatsuya muttered 'I think he had at least wanted to sail with his daughter......' in a voice no one could hear.
◊ ◊ ◊
It was around 900 km to the island archipelago where the villa was located.
Tatsuya didn't quite understand what the fun of sailing rather than flying was (it's not unusual now to privately own VTOL propeller aircraft, and in fact that would be cheaper than a Fleming propelled cruiser), and upon asking Leo and Erika, he was simply told something like 'this is the most charming way to travel'. He almost inadvertently retorted 'the point of the trip is swimming, not traveling', but had settled for muttering 'these two really are a perfect pair' under his breath.
Well, everyone had come along, and no one should be seasick. Taking into account the travel time, they had gathered at 6 am early in the morning. In order to leave as quickly as possible, Tatsuya got on the ship.
The deck was even larger than it appeared from outside. There wasn't a pool or theater or any such extravagant things (this was a 'cruiser' not a 'luxury liner' after all), but even if eight people got out deck chairs and hung up fishing rods, there would still be plenty of space to spare.
—However, since the entire deck was covered by a transparent dome streamlined for air resistance, it would be impossible to actually hang out any lines.
"But, when cruising at low speeds the sides are opened."
The one who explained that was the helmsman, as well as the one who had taken care of their belongings, the omni-housekeeper Ms. Kurosawa.
From her appearance...... rather than housekeeper, it felt there should be a more appropriate word. She didn't seem any older than her mid-twenties at most.
Though that being said she didn't give off a soft image, as she seemed more the type to come accompanied by the 'snap' SFX; still on the open sea under the blazing sun in mid summer, however much excess rays the dome could be said to cut out, Tatsuya had to wonder if she wasn't hot in that dress. Or maybe that was just him.
Firmly wrapped up in a long sleeved summer jacket as he was, he probably wasn't quite qualified to be thinking such things.
The ship's design placed the wheelhouse at the bow, the cabins beneath, and the transparent dome extending from the top of the wheelhouse all the way to the back half which was the deck.
After confirming all seven passengers were aboard, Kurosawa proceeded straight to the wheelhouse, and soon the ship had left the coast.
◊ ◊ ◊
The weather was calm throughout, and although there were some rough patches, thanks to the stabilizers and motion absorption systems no one on- board suffered motion sickness. At length, the ship eventually made it to the villa at Nakodojima island.
The atolls around the island had been devastated by feral goats in the latter half of the last century. After that, efforts to restore an artificial reef were unsuccessful. Later, villas were built, and the red clay that had been dredged up onto the coast were used via private funds to create a pier and sandy beach. This was what the 'intellectuals' had been decrying as 'destruction of nature'.
However, at the time the islands had been inhabited, there had been no destruction and it had been the people who had cleared out the feral goats as well. Did the destruction of nature occur because there were people, or did it occur only after they left?
He had been lost in such idle thoughts, but coming back to reality and in the face of the fact that he too had come to play at that very same sandy pier, he had to admit he was in no position to critique.
As could be inferred from his monologue, they had already arrived at the beach. The sand was white and the sun dazzling.
But the beach was even more dazzling than that. "Tatsuya-kun~, wanna swim?~"
"Onii-sama~, the water's cool and very nice.~"
As Erika and Miyuki called out from the beach, Tatsuya, under the shade of a parasol positioned into the beach, shook his hands with a vague smile.
—Too dazzling.
What was dazzling, by the way, were the swimsuit clad girls frolicking around on the beach.
The first to catch one's eyes would probably be Erika's flashy colored one- piece. It was a simple design with no frills which brought out and enhanced her slender proportions.
Next to her, waving her hands was Miyuki in a floral-print one-piece. Her femininity increased with each passing day, and the bold pattern served to emphasize her vibrant fairy-like charm.
The surprise was Mizuki. While her polka-dot patterned separate swimsuit wasn't as revealing as a bikini, the deep cut at the chest area showed off her ample assets, and it was impossible to link her to her usual docile image.
Perhaps because of her narrow shoulders and hips, the slender curve of her waist resulted in a particular attractiveness.
Likewise in a separate swimsuit, Honoka had a pareo wrapped around one shoulder giving off an asymmetric style of mature air. If not simply considering size, but curves, this was probably the best proportioned one out of them all.
On the other hand, Shizuku was in a girlish swimsuit laden with frills. Even so, however, she continued to wear her grown-up detached expression, the two combining to create a perverted mysterious charm.
Staring at this sight made Tatsuya feel peculiarly uncomfortable deep inside, and he shifted his gaze.
To the side, flashy waves of water rose.
Leo and Mikihiko were having a (swimming) competition.
As Tatsuya watched, Leo seemed to be right in his element, while Mikihiko was desperately trying to catch his stride. ......For some inexplicable reason it made him recall a sense of intimacy.
Looking further into the distance, towards the horizon, he gradually let his consciousness drift away.
For a while, he immersed himself in solitude. Then suddenly, he felt the presence of people.
Glancing at the bodies around him — Tatsuya complimented himself for managing not to utter a sound.
Five people were bent over looking at his face.
This would have been problematic in a normal situation, never mind in swimsuits.
"Tatsuya-san, thinking?"
Shizuku asked as she bent over him from the front at the waist, her hands on her lap. Looking from this angle, it appeared that Shizuku's body wasn't as childlike as he had imagined. Of course, that wasn't something he said aloud. Likewise, staring was obviously out of the question.
"Onii-sama, we finally came all this way to the sea, so won't you come swim?"
"That's right. Just camping under the parasol like this all day would be a waste."
With Miyuki on the left and Honoka on the right, surrounding him in a similar posture to Shizuku, there was no escape for his eyes wherever he looked.
Behind Shizuku, innocently waiting for his reply was Mizuki, and next to her was Erika wearing that evil grin of hers. Leaving things like this would be very bad. With no clear reason why, Tatsuya severely felt so.
"Fair enough, I guess I will."
Getting to his feet and brushing sand off his trunks, he casually removed himself from the line of sight of those five charming figures. While keeping his eyes firmly down, he took off his yacht parka.
As the parka hit the sand, the mood visibly changed. Oh crap, Tatsuya thought, but it was already too late.
"Tatsuya-kun, those are......"
Erika couldn't hide the tension in her voice.
What those were soon became clear. Not just Tatsuya, but Mizuki, Honoka, and Shizuku all readily realized just what Erika had been so nervously surprised about. The eyes of those maidens were glued to 'those' on his body.
Underneath the parka hid a body forged of steel. The thickness of the muscle wasn't anything surprising. It didn't even quite approach the volume of an adult's body. But even whilst boyish, the chest and abdominal muscles were heavily toned and firm, almost like a Renaissance sculpture.
There was one feature there that sculptures lacked however — criss-crossing all over the skin were innumerable scars.
Many were cuts.
Just as many were punctures.
There were some minor burn marks in places.
Oddly enough there was no trace of fractures, but even accounting for that it was not a body raised in a usual way.
Mere normal training could never do this.
Nor could simply training until your blood ran.
Only actually being cut, stabbed, and burned, until blood flowed as if under torture, or perhaps the training itself was torture; could produce such a body. Precisely because Erika understood, she didn't scream out loud.
"Tatsuya-kun... you, just what..."
"Sorry, it's not something pleasant to look at."
Returning an irrelevant answer to that unspoken question, Tatsuya averted his eyes from Erika and stretched out for his just discarded parka.
But his hand couldn't reach it. That which he should have dropped in the sand a moment ago, was now firmly held tight against Miyuki's chest as she knelt at his feet.
Although his sister, he would not allow his hand to go near a lady's chest, so his left arm ended up wandering aimlessly through the air. Fortunately, there was no need to worry about retracting it. Because the moment he rose, his left arm was enveloped by Miyuki's right arm.
"Wah!"
The one who had raised her voice in surprise was Mizuki. In close contact, Miyuki's chest was pressed against Tatsuya's arm with only a thin swimsuit between them. At that however, Miyuki showed not a hint of embarrassment.
"Onii-sama, it's fine."
Miyuki's face was faintly red, but it came not from any shame at clinging to him half-naked.
"I know. That every one of these scars, is proof of the pain Onii-sama went through to become stronger than anyone."
But rather from looking deep into his eyes at such close range. "So, I don't think Onii-sama's body is anything to be ashamed of."
At Miyuki's words, Tatsuya's expression softened slightly. Then, he felt the impact of something soft pressing on his right arm.
Erika gave a low whistle. It wasn't in ridicule, but rather in praise.
He was pretty sure he already knew who it was, but nonetheless he turned his head to verify the presence wrapped around his right arm.
As expected, it was Honoka. Almost as if competing with Miyuki, she hugged Tatsuya's arm tight with both hands. Unlike Miyuki, she was wearing a separate swimsuit, so Tatsuya's arm was touching her soft skin directly. Whether because of that, Honoka's face was three times as red as Miyuki's.
"I, I don't mind either!"
Despite fumbling at the start, she began to talk rapidly after that. Probably as a matter of course, an act which would be natural for lovers being acted upon on someone of the opposite sex, while in a swimsuit, was far too bold. It would be even weirder if she wasn't this nervous.
Although speaking of weird, what was weirder was Honoka's actions.
For a teenage girl, no, even a woman rich in life experience, the scars engraved all over Tatsuya's body should be something hard to face. If there were only a few small ones there might not be any problems, but those scars would normally be associated with events of terror.
Tatsuya could only suppose that removing his parka in front of those girls despite knowing that was a stupid moment of carelessness, perhaps caused by the blazing tropical sun, he thought bitterly.
That aside Erika's reaction, while rare, was nonetheless understandable. And as far as he was concerned he had long ago given up trying to classify Miyuki's words and actions with anything that could be considered as 'normal'. But what was behind Honoka's actions was a mystery to him. It was almost as if—
"It's almost like... being caught between your sister and your girlfriend isn't it?"
"Hey, shh! You can't say that Mizuki. Things had finally gotten interesting and all."
Mizuki's words were likely not desultory, but rather simply her honest thoughts. Tatsuya understood that perfectly well, but he nonetheless wholeheartedly agreed with Erika's words 'you can't say that'. The second part however he couldn't agree with at all.
But in between the first and second half of that sentence, Erika's voice notably changed. Her reservation disappeared. Mizuki's voice was the same as usual throughout.
With that evil grin Erika backed away slightly from Tatsuya, who was futilely trying to deal with Honoka still wrapped firmly around his arm (he had long since stopped caring about Miyuki).
"Uh, sorry Tatsuya-kun. I showed a strange attitude."
"No, I don't mind. So Erika, please don't mind anything either."
"Even if you tell me not to... ah, that's right!"
I've just thought of something good, her expression said, as that smile lit up her face once more.
"I will properly show my atonement as well."
As she said so she hooked the thumb of her right hand under the shoulder strap of her swimsuit and with a wink, lifted it about the width of a finger.
Next to Erika, Mizuki stiffened.
With Honoka still rapidly chattering away without lifting her head, and Miyuki looking up at him with that perfect smile, Tatsuya turned to alternatively look at the two girls still clinging to his arm.
"Let's go swim."
With the two of them still firmly attached to his arms, Tatsuya began to awkwardly proceed towards the beach.
Erika puffed out her cheeks, while Mizuki smiled vacantly lost in her own world.
Passing those two and catching up to Tatsuya's crowd, Shizuku nodded and simply said 'well done' to the back of the girl on the right.
◊ ◊ ◊
A brilliant blue sky spread out overhead before Tatsuya. Floating on his back in the calm sea (only his almost submerged face rose over the surface of the water), the only sensation was the lapping of the waves.
Just a while earlier a water fight had ensued, with what could be called 'jetstreams' flying everywhere (of course as if by magic, it was decided the enemy was Tatsuya); however, five girls on one guy was too much of a mental strain even for him. If Leo and Mikihiko had been around he might have been able to hang on a little longer, but the two of them must have been engaged in some serious long distance swimming as they were no longer in sight. When he had said 'I'll be off for a bit' and turned his back to those five, Miyuki's face seemed to be filled with frustration, but as expected she understood his discomfort well.
Now the ladies were playing on a boat. The location was a beach close to where Tatsuya was drifting. Keeping a distance so as not to disturb him but within eye-shot seemed to be a compromise Miyuki, then the rest of the girls, had settled upon.
The happy voices of the girls carried over on the breeze to where he lay. Most of it was not conversation but simply senseless shrieking, yet without even looking by analyzing the pushions they were emitting he could grasp what they were likely to be doing. Honoka and Shizuku were on the boat, Miyuki and Erika in the water around the sides, and Mizuki should be sitting about under a parasol on the beach.
While being rocked by those gentle waves, Tatsuya remembered something. Honoka had said she wasn't a very good swimmer. Though she was in a boat it wasn't particularly big, nor was it particularly stable, and he wondered if it was alright for her to come so far out.
That ominous premonition turned out to be right on the money. Whether the power of language or a flag as it's designated by various people, the idea was that unfortunate possibilities if put into words would transcend theory into reality. That doesn't simply apply to words uttered from the mouth, but thoughts formed in the mind as well.
A scream suddenly cut through the calm summer air. Tatsuya perceived the capsizing event as information faster than the eye could see, and immediately rose onto the surface of the water and began sprinting full throttle towards the boat. It was a movement technique he would normally never use if others were around to see, but it sure was a heck of a lot faster than swimming.
Running up next to the capsized boat, Tatsuya in one step had continuously been Flash Casting a surface tension amplification magic to achieve an effect like a 'water spider'.
Tatsuya dived feet-first into the water. Following Miyuki's gestures who had dived in earlier, Tatsuya hooked his hand around Honoka's waist. In an understandable state of panic, Honoka was wildly flailing her limbs, kicking away even as Tatsuya brought her up to the surface of the water.
Above him, Erika had pushed Shizuku back onto the boat. Either Erika or Shizuku had righted the overturned craft. Tatsuya decided to think about just how they had managed that later, and took Honoka towards the boat.
Ever since making it back onto the surface of the water she had calmed somewhat, but she was still in a relatively agitated state. Desperately and unreasonably resisting being led to the boat, she kept pleading 'please wait a bit!' and 'I beg you!'. However, just by being in the hot water of that summer sea would sap her depleted strength further. Because of her weakened state, it was necessary to have her rest inside the boat. Tatsuya reluctantly shook his head, and forcibly lifted Honoka's body into the vessel. The momentum propelled half of her body inside, and before she could rise she was restrained by Shizuku. Seeing her up close from the front, Tatsuya suddenly realized why she had been so reluctant.
The swimsuit Honoka had been wearing had probably been designed with fashion foremost in mind, and swimming practicality after.
Her swimsuit was missing the top.
Tatsuya shut his eyes tightly, and wordlessly allowed the gravity from his lift to carry him back down beneath the waves.
A fresh scream rent the peaceful air, as Honoka crouched down and covered her chest with both hands.
◊ ◊ ◊
"Hic, hic, sniff..."
"Uh, uhmm, is there something... Honoka-san, are you alright...?"
Upon reaching the beach she had broken down and began crying in earnest, and in confusion Mizuki who didn't know what had happened was trying to comfort her. The other three — Shizuku, Erika and Miyuki stood around the two in abject embarrassment.
"Hic... that's why, hic... I told him... sniff, to waaait..."
Of course, the one who felt the most awkward was Tatsuya. Truth be told, he would have wanted nothing more than to run away.
However, this wasn't something he could just hide from. "That, well... Tatsuya-kun was just trying to help..."
Erika's words naturally had no effect. Miyuki wasn't able to find words for either party, not even Tatsuya.
"Honoka, I uh... I'm sorry."
Tatsuya himself had had no malicious intent, and although he held no accountability in that regard, he couldn't just keep an indifferent face. Thinking so Tatsuya bowed low, as Shizuku whispered something in Honoka's ear.
"Honoka, you know that Tatsuya-san isn't to blame." A quiet voice only Honoka could hear.
"He gave you plenty of time to fix your clothing after."
Despite the small volume, and despite the numerous contradictions, Shizuku's words seemed to have a calming effect.
"This wasn't exactly according to plan, but..."
However, it also seemed something suspicious had gotten mixed into those comforting words.
"This is a good chance."
That line was somewhat conspiratorial.
Shizuku had a few more inspirational words with her, then Honoka finally looked up.
"Tatsuya-san... are you really sorry?"
"I am being perfectly sincere. I truly am very sorry." As Tatsuya bowed again, Honoka muttered "Then..."
"...just for today, listen to everything I say."
"Come again?"
At those totally unexpected words, confusion settled on Tatsuya's face. Honoka didn't fit the image of someone who would say something like that at all. Not just Tatsuya, but Miyuki and Erika wore similar expressions.
"If you do, I'll forgive you. Is that ok...?" Tatsuya and Miyuki exchanged glances.
Miyuki's crooked smile seemed to suggest 'it can't be helped'. "...If that's what you want."
Although she had said 'whatever she says', he knew she wasn't a girl who would make malicious requests like in the 'King's game' that was popular several decades ago. As he nodded yes, Honoka happily cried 'it's a promise!' with a broad smile.
◊ ◊ ◊
By the time Leo returned from his looo-o-ong (both in distance and duration) swim, he was just in time for tea on the balcony.
Cold drinks and colorful fruits were arrayed all over the table.
The acting waiter Kurosawa didn't wear a costume underneath her apron, but a light, mini one-piece. Her shoulders were bare, and her slender limbs peeked out from behind the apron that was larger than the dress itself. The sheer sex appeal it exuded would have instantly attracted the eyes of any teenage male, but today there were four more powerful swimsuits alongside her.
Taking a step back and looking maturely, two were beauties and two had already surpassed the level of the word beauty. For Leo, however, who distinctly felt 'food before romance' before these four swimsuit clad forms, not even Kurosawa's 'adult appeal' was a match for him.
But that didn't mean he was insensitive. Recognizing those four swimsuits, Leo remarked 'oh?' as he looked around.
"Where are... Tatsuya and Mitsui?"
"They're in, the boat, way over there."
The answer came not from the table, but from behind.
Tired all over and dripping seawater, Mikihiko breathlessly answered as he pointed.
Tatsuya and Honoka were heading out to sea in a retro rowboat. "...What the heck's going on?"
"Stuff happened. Yeah, stuff."
At Leo's question, Erika answered toothily.
Rather than curt, that expression was almost a sulk, and as she turned away, Leo, rather than being offended had his curiosity piqued further.
Seeing Mikihiko watching the scene with interest, he also immediately looked over to sea.
Wearing a straw hat, Tatsuya's expression was hidden under its shade and indiscernible.
Honoka held a parasol and had her back turned to them, so her expression likewise couldn't be seen.
Even so as the small boat receded from the shore, Mikihiko could feel the exceedingly peaceful air they gave.
"...That's quite the nice atmosphere isn't it?"
"You two, hey,"
You morons, she left unsaid.
Even as Erika freaked out, a cold air cut through the room from the opposite seat.
Snap snap snap... Mikihiko could hear these ominous sounds coming from the girl sitting next to him, reminiscent of deepest winter.
"Mikihiko-kun, won't you have a chilled orange?"
Talking affably, Miyuki laughed as she passed a far too cold orange to Mikihiko.
With perfect timing, Kurosawa passed him a spoon. Mechanically, Mikihiko took the sorbet spoon from her.
Miyuki had another piece of fruit in her hands. Once again, that snap snap snap... sound could be heard, and immediately she was holding a raw mango sorbet. Removing her frozen gaze from the fruit she had been staring at, she offered it to the person across from her with another bright smile. "Saijou-kun, won't you have one too?"
"Ah... thanks..."
Leo decided that answer would be for the best.
Miyuki directed her gaze back at the mountain of fruit before her, but perhaps losing interest, glumly looked away.
"Shizuku, I'm sorry, but I feel a bit tired. Could I rest somewhere for a while please?"
"It's fine, don't worry. Kurosawa-san?"
"Of course. Miyuki-ojousama, right this way." Following Kurosawa, Miyuki slid away into the villa.
Compared to Mizuki's cringing expression, Shizuku's signature poker-face was a marked contrast.
◊ ◊ ◊
Dinner was a barbecue.
Eight people gathered harmoniously around the console, with Miyuki perhaps calming down after resting going back and forth between the table and the barbecue.
Before going off to incessantly pester Tatsuya, Honoka happily chatted away with Erika and Shizuku.
Perhaps because of the trauma incurred during teatime, Mizuki sat away from Miyuki and the others, engaging in conversation with Mikihiko.
Leo was wolfing food down with gusto. Kurosawa was almost exclusively serving him.
Of course the groupings weren't exclusive, with Honoka joining Miyuki's group sometimes, and Tatsuya getting into a foodfight with Leo.
But somehow — somehow compared to usual, there was an awkward air floating in between them.
◊ ◊ ◊
It was the calm before the storm.
It's impossible to be sure of what will happen, but something definitely was going to happen — the one who broke that position and raised the curtain, was someone unexpected.
As soon as the card game the five girls had been playing ended in Mizuki's defeat, Shizuku asked Miyuki "Will you come with me for a bit?"
"...Sure."
Her confusion lasted only for a second.
Almost immediately, Miyuki was smiling again.
"...Um, are you guys going for a walk? I'll come too."
"You can't Mizuki. You have to go through the punishment game."
As Mizuki rose to follow after Miyuki, Erika grabbed her by the shirt and pulled her back down.
"Ehhh!? I didn't hear anything about that!"
"The loser obviously has to go through a punishment game. Anyway with that being said, you two take care."
Whether reading the air or not Erika subtly bound Mizuki, and pretending not to notice the tensions between them she waved Miyuki and Shizuku off.
The ones who sensed the tense atmosphere weren't just the ladies. After finishing dinner, Leo grabbed the pudding and took off, probably realizing the situation and Mikihiko, who was unable to concentrate on his game of chess, shot side glances at the girls.
"Checkmate. 10 more moves."
"Ehh, already!?"
Cried out at Tatsuya's ruthless sentence.
◊ ◊ ◊
Leaving the villa, they turned left onto the beach.
Shizuku walked on in silence, and Miyuki followed in silence.
They proceeded in that way and when the lights of the villa could no longer be seen, Shizuku turned around.
Her normally expressionless face was tense.
Miyuki simply smiled, but that expression was an archaic smile from which no emotions could be read.
"Sorry for making you accompany me all this way."
"It's fine. Is there something you wanted to talk about?"
Even at Miyuki's prompting however, she couldn't bring herself to immediately cut to the chase.
After counting 10 rounds of waves washing gently over the shore, Shizuku opened her mouth.
"I want to know."
"About what?"
"Just how does Miyuki feel about Tatsuya-san?"
At Shizuku's question without any covering or roundabout approach, without any explanation or reason of intent,
"I love him."
Miyuki answered in a single word with absolute calm. "...Is that, as a man?"
Rather, the one who seemed upset was Shizuku. She keeping her cool was probably just another aspect of her personality.
"No."
Miyuki's answer came without the slightest hesitation. Her expression was serene.
"I love and respect Onii-sama more than anyone. But, that's not as a woman. These feelings I have for my brother are not romantic love. There could never be such a love between him and I."
Meeting Shizuku's gaze,
"I'm curious to know, why would you ask such a question of me?" She gave a sly grin.
"It's fine. I have no intention to interfere with Honoka whatsoever. ...Just so you know, I will feel really jealous though?
So rest assured, although I guess that's going to be difficult."
As Miyuki gave a light laugh, Shizuku's expression seemed to be nearing tears. "...Why."
"Why what?"
"Why...do you try to detach yourself like that? I mean, when it's so evident that you love Tatsuya-san so much."
Miyuki took a step towards Shizuku.
Shizuku visibly stiffened, but, she didn't flinch.
Miyuki walked past her in that way, until they were back to back.
"...It's difficult to explain the relationship between us siblings to someone else. There are too many speculations intertwined. But the feelings I have towards Onii-sama are not so simple as that."
"...Are you really siblings?" As Shizuku turned around,
"You've asked a pretty well worn question." Miyuki answered with her back still turned. "...I'm sorry."
"No, I'm not blaming you or anything." Shaking her head, Miyuki's smile was carefree.
"Very well... since you have a friend who really is trying her hardest."
"I... also think of you as my friend."
"I know. Which is why you're so conflicted right? You're doing your best not to hurt either of us."
At Miyuki's gentle gaze, Shizuku abashedly looked away.
"As I was saying... Onii-sama and I are true siblings. Or at least that's what it says on the records, and DNA tests have always confirmed that relation."
"But..."
"I know what you want to say."
As Shizuku stammered, Miyuki nodded understandingly.
"These feelings I have for Onii-sama, even I know it transcends the realm of normal sibling bonds."
Shizuku fell silent in embarrassment.
"You know... in truth, I died three years ago."
"Huh?"
In light of this confession, not even she could suppress her voice.
"Or maybe it's better to say I should have died? But at that time, I truly could feel my life fading from my body, so I suppose 'I really did die' isn't that inaccurate either."
As Miyuki spoke her smile was so fleeting, and the line 'I really did die' delivered with such conviction that Shizuku couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine.
"It's because of Onii-sama that I can stand before you like this. Being able to cry, to laugh, to speak with you right here and now, is all thanks to him. I owe my life to him, and all I have and all I am belong to him alone."
"That's..."
The question 'what does that mean?' remained unspoken, and no answer to it came.
"The feelings I have for Onii-sama are not romantic love."
The answer she gave instead referred to the second question 'as a man?', and the conviction in her voice was no less than before.
"Romantic love, means you want something from that person doesn't it?"
Even if she could have conversely asked Miyuki 'isn't love wanting that person to be yours?', Shizuku didn't reply. She believed it wasn't suitable, and besides,
"But, there is nothing I want from Onii-sama. Because I have already received me myself from him."
She instinctively understood Miyuki wasn't searching for an answer.
"I don't desire anything more from him. I won't even ask him to accept my feelings. In the end... I guess, love (The word she uses here is the catch-all word for love 愛する, as opposed to specifically romantic love 恋愛. Similar comparison may be philia (kindred love) and eros (passionate love)) is the only word I could use to describe it."
"...I got it."
At Miyuki's confession, Shizuku could do nothing but raise the white flag. "Miyuki, you really are the real deal."
"I think it's a somewhat warped way of looking at things myself."
As Shizuku just shook her head, Miyuki closed one eye and gave a mischievous smile.
◊ ◊ ◊
Soon after Shizuku and Miyuki left, Honoka went to check herself in a mirror. When she left the room, she said she was 'going to pick flowers'.
While she looked herself over, she ran through the words Shizuku had said. 'I'll take Miyuki outside, so you invite Tatsuya in the meanwhile'.
She had immediately known what she meant. Shizuku understood Honoka's feelings perfectly well without needing to consult her. Truthfully speaking, the capsizing incident earlier had also been something 'orchestrated' by Shizuku in an attempt to bring Honoka and Tatsuya together. She had informed him earlier that Honoka was not a good swimmer, and her plan had been that Tatsuya would save her then Honoka could use that as a pretext to approach and thank him. In case Tatsuya didn't make it in time, she also had a followup plan prepared. What had eventuated was a complete accident, but as a result Honoka had been able to monopolize Tatsuya for the day, so even as Shizuku felt guilty she was also rather happy.
Now, Shizuku had set the stage for Honoka's confession. Apprehensively, Honoka applied a light covering of pale rouge. Touching up her hair and rechecking her attire, Honoka muttered 'alright!' as she psyched herself up. According to plan she was to lure Tatsuya away while Miyuki wasn't here, and Honoka proceeded back in to the living room.
She wasn't even aware that her feet were trembling slightly.
◊ ◊ ◊
Walking next to Tatsuya and stealing a glance at his face every now and then, Honoka was troubled as to when she should start talking.
So far everything was going as envisioned. When she had asked him 'would you come outside with me for a bit?' he had immediately replied yes, which puzzled her somewhat.
In a way, the far too smooth start had shaken her slightly. Tatsuya was silent.
Out from the villa they had turned right, and as if to shelter Honoka from the waves Tatsuya had walked on the sea side throughout.
Somehow, it felt to Honoka as if he had already guessed her intentions and was avoiding reaching the conclusion.
A growing sense of crisis welled up within her that if she didn't act herself, nothing would be resolved.
"Tatsuya-san."
After opening and closing her mouth countless times Honoka finally managed to let out a strained voice, and Tatsuya stopped and turned around.
By now the lights of the villa were out of view.
Other words which were even now being exchanged that same night were lost to the sound of surf and never reached them.
Under the endless starlit sky, accompanied only by the murmur of the waves, Honoka stood looking at Tatsuya face to face.
However, she couldn't proceed. Even as he encouraged her with his eyes, Honoka could only glance aside and start chattering.
"I..."
At times she would look up, meeting his gaze as if trying to say something, then with a strained expression stammer something out; this process was repeated numerous times.
"Yes, what is it?"
Tatsuya encouraged her in a softer tone than usual, with softer words than usual. Perhaps encouraged more by his voice than his words,
"I... uhm, I... I like you!"
These words that Honoka finally managed to squeeze out, after all her hesitation, may have even managed to penetrate through to the other side of the darkness.
But Honoka didn't think about that at all.
Right now, to her, the two of them were the only ones in the whole world. "—So how does Tatsuya-san feel about me?"
Unable to look him in the eyes Honoka squeezed her eyes tightly shut, yet an answer didn't come.
"...Did I cause you trouble?"
Gingerly opening her eyes Honoka asked in a tearful voice, but Tatsuya simply shook his head with a smile.
"Not at all. I had a feeling you might say something like this. Though I only realized around afternoon today."
As they looked at each other, Honoka felt she could sense a deep indescribable sadness in his eyes.
Preparing herself for the sorrow that was sure to come, Honoka squeezed her hands tightly. But Tatsuya's response, for better or for worse, was something unexpected entirely.
"...You know, Honoka, I'm actually a human missing part of his soul."
"...eh?"
"When I was a child, I was involved in a magic accident of sorts... some of my mental functions were erased."
Honoka's face paled visibly. Her pallor was evident even in the dark night.
Her eyes were open wide, and only a 'no way...' leaked out as she covered her mouth with her hands.
"At that time, I guess, I lost all of what you could call feelings of love. They weren't sealed, so they can't be released. They weren't broken, so they can't be fixed. That which is lost, cannot be recovered."
Tatsuya spoke casually as if it were someone else's affair.
"I can't feel love. I can like someone, but I could never fall in love with them. In a way, only the knowledge remains. Searching my mind, I can tell a part is missing."
As Honoka covered her mouth, she didn't utter anything like 'that's a lie' or 'I don't believe it'. She was literally shocked speechless. Only Tatsuya's profession rang though her mind.
"This may be an underhanded way of speaking, but, I do like you. However, that's only as a friend. No matter how hard you try, I will never be able to think of you as a special woman. That will definitely be something painful for you — something that will hurt you."
Saying so, a powerless smile drifted across his face. "Which is why I cannot answer your feelings." Tatsuya fell silent.
Honoka likewise.
Only the sound of breaking waves filled the dark night. As the tide gradually crept up the shore, and at length, finally reached their feet, Honoka raised her head.
"Please don't be mad... you know, I had thought, Tatsuya-san liked Miyuki. Not as a sister, but as a woman."
"...That'd be a misunderstanding."
"Yes, it seems so. Tatsuya-san is smart, so... if you were lying, you'd definitely be able to come up with something more credible. I've never heard of a magic capable of erasing partial features of the mind, yet even so, I believe you. Still, that being said, it also means you'll never be able to love any other girl right?"
Somewhat puzzled at this unexpected turn of events, Tatsuya answered 'well, yeah...' with a nod.
"...If so, then it's fine."
"?"
"From now on always, Tatsuya-san will never have a lover right? If so, for me to like you, wouldn't turn into an illicit love right?"
"That's... true, I suppose."
"Then there's no problem. From now on as well, I'll continue to like you! Um, until I can like someone else that is!"
Her declaration was bright. "...I don't mind."
Tatsuya nodded with a wry smile.
He wasn't so dull as to not understand why Honoka had purposely added 'until she likes someone else'.
◊ ◊ ◊
The sun aggressively asserted itself the next day as well. The temperature was in excess of 30°C from the morning. In that sweaty weather, upon the sandy beach—
A fierce scorching battle was being waged.
"Onii-sama, my back. Won't you help me with this sunscreen?"
"Tatsuya-san, want some juice?"
Or,
"Shizuku is lending us her jetski. Want a ride?"
"Apparently there's a nice dive spot just over there, want to go?"
And so on, while the others around felt the oppressively heated atmosphere. "Miyuki, you really were holding back yesterday, huh..."
"Honoka-san, it seems a great weight has been lifted from you, huh..." As Erika and Mizuki looked on in amazement,
"..."
Shizuku's face was troubled,
"Well, it seems he really has it tough." Leo's face was filled with compassion,
"...Yoshida-kun, what's the matter?"
"Eh, no, it's nothing." and Mikihiko was — no, well, for the sake of his honour it'd be best not to say.
Anyway as their friends each had their own separate thoughts as they gazed their way, Tatsuya alternated between Miyuki and Honoka's requests, sighing at every turn.
When jet skiing, he rode tandem with Miyuki in the passenger seat (afterwards was Honoka).
Truth be told, Honoka was actually a fairly competent swimmer — yesterday she had panicked for a different reason — as he went with her via motorboat to the dive spot (Miyuki also came along).
After applying sunscreen (or rather reapplying), he had food pushed into his mouth one after the other, like a goose being fed for foie gras ('ahhn's accompanied and all).
Being caught in this pressure hotter than the Ogasawara air mass (love pressure?), Tatsuya who was being constantly buffeted around in this burning atmosphere...
More than yesterday, more than ever, looked forward to being able to relax again.
"Want to go to the sea?"
The one who had asked those words all of a sudden was Shizuku. "By the sea, you mean the beach?"
Modern TV phone systems, as a standard, can take up to 10 calls simultaneously. As Miyuki used that system to talk with Shizuku and Honoka and engage in idle chatter, Shizuku gave a brief affirmative 'yes'. That answer was a bit short, but even so it seemed to ring a bell with her friend since primary school, Honoka.
"Ah, could you mean?"
"Yes, that."
But for Miyuki, who had only known them for around four months, this conversation was altogether on a different level.
"Could you mean...... what?"
At that, both Honoka and Shizuku realized that they had left Miyuki behind, albeit too late. They shared a glance. That being said, on Miyuki's display she could only see them looking aside. Honoka was then the first to direct her eyes back to Miyuki.
"Well you see, Shizuku's family has a resort in Ogasawara."
"Eh? Shizuku, your family owns a private beach?"
"Yeah......"
At Miyuki's question. Shizuku answered briefly again, although this time with a slightly embarrassed expression.
Recently, having a villa in the uninhabited island of Ogasawara had become fashionable among the rich, though this had been reproached by ignorant critics misunderstanding intellectual expression as 'arrogantly willful destruction of nature."
These uninhabited islands, where the resorts are, were mostly once populated islands, but had been abandoned due to the rough conditions. As these villas were zero emission (energy sources came from sunlight, so if you include energetics they weren't truly zero emission but still), they were not destructive to nature but rather unashamed valid uses of land. Of course, Miyuki wasn't blaming Shizuku('s family) for anything. It was just that even among those households considered wealthy, only a handful possessed villas with their own private beach. That was probably something Shizuku also understood, but even in the case of unjustified criticism she would probably retain a manner of general common sense and feel a subconscious degree of guilt.
"My father said to 'please invite your friends'. It seems he really wants to meet Miyuki and Tatsuya-san."
At Shizuku's words calibrated to change the mood (this being again something the one who had not known them very long didn't catch), Honoka mumbled something.
"So your father will be there as well this year......"
Her expression seemed to be recalling something, most likely memories of a previous vacation she had been on with Shizuku's father. Perhaps at the very villa they were talking about.
"Don't worry. He'll only be around for a short while. It seems he has a pile of work, and he'll probably just be able to spare a few short hours."
Honoka's somewhat apprehensive face softened in relief at Shizuku's words. Miyuki felt curiosity at just what could have happened, but she didn't lose sight of priorities.
"I don't mind, but...... what time?"
"It hasn't been decided yet. We had been thinking whenever it's convenient for Tatsuya-san."
At Miyuki's expression saying 'I need to ask Onii-sama', Shizuku understood perfectly well her answer.
◊ ◊ ◊
"......is what we were talking about."
Tatsuya heard of the matter during breakfast the next morning.
At first Tatsuya had considered asking 'did you guys talk about that all the way until midnight?', but of course what came out of his mouth was different altogether.
"The only ones attending will be Shizuku, Honoka, and ourselves?"
"Shizuku said she also wants to invite Erika, Mizuki, Saijou-kun, and Yoshida- kun."
At that Miyuki hesitated slightly,
"But they're not as familiar with them as us, so they wondered if we could be the ones to invite them."
She probably didn't want to say anything which would bring inconvenience to her brother. Of course, Miyuki didn't intend to make Tatsuya do anything and was going to contact them herself, but.
"I got it. Then, I'll contact Leo and Mikihiko. For dates, let's see......"
Conversely, Tatsuya also didn't want to impose on his sister, resulting in a pre- established harmony.
Taking a sip of coffee, Tatsuya went over the schedule in his head.
"......I'm free next week Friday to Sunday. Every other day is pretty busy."
Summer break for magic high schools runs until the end of August. (For most science and literary high schools it's mid August, while for most PE and arts high schools it's mid September.)
Tatsuya's summer break last year and the year before last had been mostly taken up by training with the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion.
(In addition to that last year had been studying — namely, tutoring Miyuki.)
This year the first half had been taken up by the Nine Schools Competition, so things were extra tight. Developments involving the soon to be released next month 'dedicated magic flight device' were also in motion.
This year as well, there was no 'break' in his summer break.
"So that's next Friday to Sunday, three days and two nights. I'll contact Shizuku."
Which was why Miyuki was so fired up about not missing this opportunity. To her it was a little disappointing that she wouldn't be spending time alone with just her brother, but giving him time to refresh took priority over any of her own desires.
◊ ◊ ◊
It seemed Shizuku really had been leaving her plans open for Tatsuya, as she immediately nodded upon receiving Miyuki's call. Honoka was contacted by Shizuku, Erika and Mizuki by Miyuki, Leo and Mikihiko by Tatsuya, and whether the fact that everyone was free was a coincidence or not Tatsuya took with a grain of salt.
And on the day of travel he had looked on in blank amazement. He had been forced to accompany the ladies out shopping, a very attention grabbing event in the swimsuit section of a large department store; Tatsuya later relegated this memory to a distant drawer in the depths of his mind and welded it shut, hence there was no recollection of that particular event here.
For some reason, the specified meeting place was not the airport but the Hayama marina.
"Wooow...... that sure is a nice boat."
This time (unlike during the Nine Schools Competition) Erika's short pants weren't out of place, so she looked up at the gleaming white hull even as she showed off her sleek shapely legs, her eyes shining.
"Doesn't Erika's family have a cruiser as well?"
As Shizuku questioned her with a slightly embarrassed face (Tatsuya had become quite adept at reading her expressions), Erika shook her head with a wry smile.
"We do have a ship, but it can't really be called a 'cruiser'......
Heck, I don't want to call it that.
They normally turn the stabilizer off too, so it's the worst ride ever."
"...... don't tell me, for training?"
"Yep."
"You guys really are quite thorough......"
Next to Miyuki's murmur and amazed expression, Mizuki was at a loss as to what kind of face to make, so she just smiled ambiguously.
On the other hand,
"A Fleming propulsion system is it...... there aren't any air ducts, so the power doesn't come from gas turbines. Is it powered by photocatalytic hydrogen plants and fuel cells?"
Engrossed as he was in the boyish(?) interest of mechanics, Tatsuya muttered to himself as he observed the propulsion in detail.
"There're also hydrogen storage tanks onboard just in case."
An unexpected answer came. (It wasn't that the answer itself was unexpected, but rather the fact that an answer came at all.) Looking up, the 'captain' of the ship was there.
With a Greek hat pulled low over his face and dressed in a jacket with decorative buttons, he was politely munching on a pipe.
He simply lacked that stout look slightly.
Obesity as a lifestyle disease had been eradicated 20 years earlier thanks to drug treatment, but if cosplaying a captain a bit more girth is desirable.
As Tatsuya thought so with a puzzled face, the 'captain' extended a handshake.
By the way, the pipe he held in his left hand really was a classic pipe. —If you looked closely enough, you'd see it was empty.
"You're Shiba Tatsuya-kun, aren't you? I am Kitayama Ushio, Shizuku's father."
He wasn't quite able to contain his confusion at this franker-than-expected personality, but Tatsuya had far more social experience than most high school students. Rather than succumbing to embarrassment, he returned the greeting flawlessly.
"It's good to meet you, I am Shiba Tatsuya. I have heard much about you. Along with my sister, we are pleased to make your acquaintance."
"It's good to meet you too."
Taking Shizuku's father's proffered hand, Tatsuya intended to squeeze lightly so as to not violate etiquette, but Ushio heartily grabbed Tatsuya's hand.
His grip was unexpectedly firm. Still, compared to Kazama and Yanagi, his hands were more accustomed to desk work. What caught Tatsuya was not the force of his hand but the power in the gaze he directed at him. Those hard-bitten eyes appraised you without making you feel uncomfortable, took the lead, strove with similar luminaries; the eyes of a leader.
"......not just a smart-ass good only for his brains. Not just a techie with superficial excellent techniques either. Appearance truly seems superbly dependable."
His murmur would normally be inaudible. As even Tatsuya had to consciously concentrate, that volume of voice was more than quiet enough for consideration. But even if it had been uttered in a normal volume, Tatsuya would not have considered it discourteous. Kitayama Ushio possessed the majesty to honestly appraise the value of the one in front of him.
—But.
"Yes, it seems Shizuku's eyes weren't mistaken. While my daughter, she really does have it together."
At this sudden doting parent remark, Tatsuya ostensibly kept his expression neutral while sighing "so this is the great 'Kitayama Ushio' huh......
" in his mind.
When he had said that he had heard of him earlier, that had not been mere politeness.
It's now normal to use a business name rather than your real name in the management of a company to protect your privacy. His own father does not use his name of 'Shiba Tatsurou' but rather the name 'Shiibara Tatsurou'* in his capacity as head of development at FLT. (Shiibara Tatsurou: 椎原辰郎 as opposed to 司波龍郎 )
He had only heard from Shizuku that her father managed a business in passing, but after being told his business name, he had been quite surprised that he was such a bigshot.
He had married late (marrying a magician had involved numerous issues and although those were overcome, it had taken years) so he really should have been over 50 or so, but this frank, or rather excessively light air, didn't seem to make him any more than 40.
"—Miyuki!"
Giving notice with a glance, Tatsuya called his sister over.
Miyuki came over at a trot, immediately assessed the situation, and bowed gracefully to Shizuku's father.
"Pleased to meet you, I am Shiba Miyuki. Thank you so much for inviting us over."
"Thank you for your kind words, milady. I am Kitayama Ushio. Such a lovely greeting from such a beautiful maiden is an unhoped honor both for me and my ship."
At his placing his hand on his chest and giving a deep bow, Miyuki also with a playful smile curtsied in the Western manner.
Being faced with a beauty of Miyuki's stature and bearing, it couldn't be helped that even Ushio's jaw slackened a bit.
"Ah, father. I don't think you said any such thing when you met me?"
"Dad, it's undignified so please close your mouth."
However, there was no way that would be tolerated. At Ushio's hapless appearance, a sudden barrage of words flew from two more ladies who came up.
"No no, it's not like I was opening my mouth or anything......"
If he had only been up against his true daughter, he might have been able to make something up, but also being faced with Honoka who he had loved as another daughter since primary school, even this talented businessman floundered. (Incidentally the reason Honoka had been so apprehensive at hearing that Ushio was coming might be due to him seeing her as his daughter, every time they met he had passed not inconsiderable amounts of pocket money on to her.)
Gesturing wildly at Erika and the others who were approaching from a distance, he was obviously trying to distract the others from the topic at hand.
"—Ooh! You must be new friends of my daughter as well? Welcome. Please enjoy yourselves.
Unfortunately I have to go now, but please feel free to relax as if it were your own home."
It was probably out of his depth dealing with his daughter unlike his business partners. His unrest could be discerned from his disjointed words.
Watching him rush into a large car with indecent haste and lifting his Greek hat in regret as he sped off, Tatsuya muttered 'I think he had at least wanted to sail with his daughter......' in a voice no one could hear.
◊ ◊ ◊
It was around 900 km to the island archipelago where the villa was located.
Tatsuya didn't quite understand what the fun of sailing rather than flying was (it's not unusual now to privately own VTOL propeller aircraft, and in fact that would be cheaper than a Fleming propelled cruiser), and upon asking Leo and Erika, he was simply told something like 'this is the most charming way to travel'. He almost inadvertently retorted 'the point of the trip is swimming, not traveling', but had settled for muttering 'these two really are a perfect pair' under his breath.
Well, everyone had come along, and no one should be seasick. Taking into account the travel time, they had gathered at 6 am early in the morning. In order to leave as quickly as possible, Tatsuya got on the ship.
The deck was even larger than it appeared from outside. There wasn't a pool or theater or any such extravagant things (this was a 'cruiser' not a 'luxury liner' after all), but even if eight people got out deck chairs and hung up fishing rods, there would still be plenty of space to spare.
—However, since the entire deck was covered by a transparent dome streamlined for air resistance, it would be impossible to actually hang out any lines.
"But, when cruising at low speeds the sides are opened."
The one who explained that was the helmsman, as well as the one who had taken care of their belongings, the omni-housekeeper Ms. Kurosawa.
From her appearance...... rather than housekeeper, it felt there should be a more appropriate word. She didn't seem any older than her mid-twenties at most.
Though that being said she didn't give off a soft image, as she seemed more the type to come accompanied by the 'snap' SFX; still on the open sea under the blazing sun in mid summer, however much excess rays the dome could be said to cut out, Tatsuya had to wonder if she wasn't hot in that dress. Or maybe that was just him.
Firmly wrapped up in a long sleeved summer jacket as he was, he probably wasn't quite qualified to be thinking such things.
The ship's design placed the wheelhouse at the bow, the cabins beneath, and the transparent dome extending from the top of the wheelhouse all the way to the back half which was the deck.
After confirming all seven passengers were aboard, Kurosawa proceeded straight to the wheelhouse, and soon the ship had left the coast.
◊ ◊ ◊
The weather was calm throughout, and although there were some rough patches, thanks to the stabilizers and motion absorption systems no one on- board suffered motion sickness. At length, the ship eventually made it to the villa at Nakodojima island.
The atolls around the island had been devastated by feral goats in the latter half of the last century. After that, efforts to restore an artificial reef were unsuccessful. Later, villas were built, and the red clay that had been dredged up onto the coast were used via private funds to create a pier and sandy beach. This was what the 'intellectuals' had been decrying as 'destruction of nature'.
However, at the time the islands had been inhabited, there had been no destruction and it had been the people who had cleared out the feral goats as well. Did the destruction of nature occur because there were people, or did it occur only after they left?
He had been lost in such idle thoughts, but coming back to reality and in the face of the fact that he too had come to play at that very same sandy pier, he had to admit he was in no position to critique.
As could be inferred from his monologue, they had already arrived at the beach. The sand was white and the sun dazzling.
But the beach was even more dazzling than that. "Tatsuya-kun~, wanna swim?~"
"Onii-sama~, the water's cool and very nice.~"
As Erika and Miyuki called out from the beach, Tatsuya, under the shade of a parasol positioned into the beach, shook his hands with a vague smile.
—Too dazzling.
What was dazzling, by the way, were the swimsuit clad girls frolicking around on the beach.
The first to catch one's eyes would probably be Erika's flashy colored one- piece. It was a simple design with no frills which brought out and enhanced her slender proportions.
Next to her, waving her hands was Miyuki in a floral-print one-piece. Her femininity increased with each passing day, and the bold pattern served to emphasize her vibrant fairy-like charm.
The surprise was Mizuki. While her polka-dot patterned separate swimsuit wasn't as revealing as a bikini, the deep cut at the chest area showed off her ample assets, and it was impossible to link her to her usual docile image.
Perhaps because of her narrow shoulders and hips, the slender curve of her waist resulted in a particular attractiveness.
Likewise in a separate swimsuit, Honoka had a pareo wrapped around one shoulder giving off an asymmetric style of mature air. If not simply considering size, but curves, this was probably the best proportioned one out of them all.
On the other hand, Shizuku was in a girlish swimsuit laden with frills. Even so, however, she continued to wear her grown-up detached expression, the two combining to create a perverted mysterious charm.
Staring at this sight made Tatsuya feel peculiarly uncomfortable deep inside, and he shifted his gaze.
To the side, flashy waves of water rose.
Leo and Mikihiko were having a (swimming) competition.
As Tatsuya watched, Leo seemed to be right in his element, while Mikihiko was desperately trying to catch his stride. ......For some inexplicable reason it made him recall a sense of intimacy.
Looking further into the distance, towards the horizon, he gradually let his consciousness drift away.
For a while, he immersed himself in solitude. Then suddenly, he felt the presence of people.
Glancing at the bodies around him — Tatsuya complimented himself for managing not to utter a sound.
Five people were bent over looking at his face.
This would have been problematic in a normal situation, never mind in swimsuits.
"Tatsuya-san, thinking?"
Shizuku asked as she bent over him from the front at the waist, her hands on her lap. Looking from this angle, it appeared that Shizuku's body wasn't as childlike as he had imagined. Of course, that wasn't something he said aloud. Likewise, staring was obviously out of the question.
"Onii-sama, we finally came all this way to the sea, so won't you come swim?"
"That's right. Just camping under the parasol like this all day would be a waste."
With Miyuki on the left and Honoka on the right, surrounding him in a similar posture to Shizuku, there was no escape for his eyes wherever he looked.
Behind Shizuku, innocently waiting for his reply was Mizuki, and next to her was Erika wearing that evil grin of hers. Leaving things like this would be very bad. With no clear reason why, Tatsuya severely felt so.
"Fair enough, I guess I will."
Getting to his feet and brushing sand off his trunks, he casually removed himself from the line of sight of those five charming figures. While keeping his eyes firmly down, he took off his yacht parka.
As the parka hit the sand, the mood visibly changed. Oh crap, Tatsuya thought, but it was already too late.
"Tatsuya-kun, those are......"
Erika couldn't hide the tension in her voice.
What those were soon became clear. Not just Tatsuya, but Mizuki, Honoka, and Shizuku all readily realized just what Erika had been so nervously surprised about. The eyes of those maidens were glued to 'those' on his body.
Underneath the parka hid a body forged of steel. The thickness of the muscle wasn't anything surprising. It didn't even quite approach the volume of an adult's body. But even whilst boyish, the chest and abdominal muscles were heavily toned and firm, almost like a Renaissance sculpture.
There was one feature there that sculptures lacked however — criss-crossing all over the skin were innumerable scars.
Many were cuts.
Just as many were punctures.
There were some minor burn marks in places.
Oddly enough there was no trace of fractures, but even accounting for that it was not a body raised in a usual way.
Mere normal training could never do this.
Nor could simply training until your blood ran.
Only actually being cut, stabbed, and burned, until blood flowed as if under torture, or perhaps the training itself was torture; could produce such a body. Precisely because Erika understood, she didn't scream out loud.
"Tatsuya-kun... you, just what..."
"Sorry, it's not something pleasant to look at."
Returning an irrelevant answer to that unspoken question, Tatsuya averted his eyes from Erika and stretched out for his just discarded parka.
But his hand couldn't reach it. That which he should have dropped in the sand a moment ago, was now firmly held tight against Miyuki's chest as she knelt at his feet.
Although his sister, he would not allow his hand to go near a lady's chest, so his left arm ended up wandering aimlessly through the air. Fortunately, there was no need to worry about retracting it. Because the moment he rose, his left arm was enveloped by Miyuki's right arm.
"Wah!"
The one who had raised her voice in surprise was Mizuki. In close contact, Miyuki's chest was pressed against Tatsuya's arm with only a thin swimsuit between them. At that however, Miyuki showed not a hint of embarrassment.
"Onii-sama, it's fine."
Miyuki's face was faintly red, but it came not from any shame at clinging to him half-naked.
"I know. That every one of these scars, is proof of the pain Onii-sama went through to become stronger than anyone."
But rather from looking deep into his eyes at such close range. "So, I don't think Onii-sama's body is anything to be ashamed of."
At Miyuki's words, Tatsuya's expression softened slightly. Then, he felt the impact of something soft pressing on his right arm.
Erika gave a low whistle. It wasn't in ridicule, but rather in praise.
He was pretty sure he already knew who it was, but nonetheless he turned his head to verify the presence wrapped around his right arm.
As expected, it was Honoka. Almost as if competing with Miyuki, she hugged Tatsuya's arm tight with both hands. Unlike Miyuki, she was wearing a separate swimsuit, so Tatsuya's arm was touching her soft skin directly. Whether because of that, Honoka's face was three times as red as Miyuki's.
"I, I don't mind either!"
Despite fumbling at the start, she began to talk rapidly after that. Probably as a matter of course, an act which would be natural for lovers being acted upon on someone of the opposite sex, while in a swimsuit, was far too bold. It would be even weirder if she wasn't this nervous.
Although speaking of weird, what was weirder was Honoka's actions.
For a teenage girl, no, even a woman rich in life experience, the scars engraved all over Tatsuya's body should be something hard to face. If there were only a few small ones there might not be any problems, but those scars would normally be associated with events of terror.
Tatsuya could only suppose that removing his parka in front of those girls despite knowing that was a stupid moment of carelessness, perhaps caused by the blazing tropical sun, he thought bitterly.
That aside Erika's reaction, while rare, was nonetheless understandable. And as far as he was concerned he had long ago given up trying to classify Miyuki's words and actions with anything that could be considered as 'normal'. But what was behind Honoka's actions was a mystery to him. It was almost as if—
"It's almost like... being caught between your sister and your girlfriend isn't it?"
"Hey, shh! You can't say that Mizuki. Things had finally gotten interesting and all."
Mizuki's words were likely not desultory, but rather simply her honest thoughts. Tatsuya understood that perfectly well, but he nonetheless wholeheartedly agreed with Erika's words 'you can't say that'. The second part however he couldn't agree with at all.
But in between the first and second half of that sentence, Erika's voice notably changed. Her reservation disappeared. Mizuki's voice was the same as usual throughout.
With that evil grin Erika backed away slightly from Tatsuya, who was futilely trying to deal with Honoka still wrapped firmly around his arm (he had long since stopped caring about Miyuki).
"Uh, sorry Tatsuya-kun. I showed a strange attitude."
"No, I don't mind. So Erika, please don't mind anything either."
"Even if you tell me not to... ah, that's right!"
I've just thought of something good, her expression said, as that smile lit up her face once more.
"I will properly show my atonement as well."
As she said so she hooked the thumb of her right hand under the shoulder strap of her swimsuit and with a wink, lifted it about the width of a finger.
Next to Erika, Mizuki stiffened.
With Honoka still rapidly chattering away without lifting her head, and Miyuki looking up at him with that perfect smile, Tatsuya turned to alternatively look at the two girls still clinging to his arm.
"Let's go swim."
With the two of them still firmly attached to his arms, Tatsuya began to awkwardly proceed towards the beach.
Erika puffed out her cheeks, while Mizuki smiled vacantly lost in her own world.
Passing those two and catching up to Tatsuya's crowd, Shizuku nodded and simply said 'well done' to the back of the girl on the right.
◊ ◊ ◊
A brilliant blue sky spread out overhead before Tatsuya. Floating on his back in the calm sea (only his almost submerged face rose over the surface of the water), the only sensation was the lapping of the waves.
Just a while earlier a water fight had ensued, with what could be called 'jetstreams' flying everywhere (of course as if by magic, it was decided the enemy was Tatsuya); however, five girls on one guy was too much of a mental strain even for him. If Leo and Mikihiko had been around he might have been able to hang on a little longer, but the two of them must have been engaged in some serious long distance swimming as they were no longer in sight. When he had said 'I'll be off for a bit' and turned his back to those five, Miyuki's face seemed to be filled with frustration, but as expected she understood his discomfort well.
Now the ladies were playing on a boat. The location was a beach close to where Tatsuya was drifting. Keeping a distance so as not to disturb him but within eye-shot seemed to be a compromise Miyuki, then the rest of the girls, had settled upon.
The happy voices of the girls carried over on the breeze to where he lay. Most of it was not conversation but simply senseless shrieking, yet without even looking by analyzing the pushions they were emitting he could grasp what they were likely to be doing. Honoka and Shizuku were on the boat, Miyuki and Erika in the water around the sides, and Mizuki should be sitting about under a parasol on the beach.
While being rocked by those gentle waves, Tatsuya remembered something. Honoka had said she wasn't a very good swimmer. Though she was in a boat it wasn't particularly big, nor was it particularly stable, and he wondered if it was alright for her to come so far out.
That ominous premonition turned out to be right on the money. Whether the power of language or a flag as it's designated by various people, the idea was that unfortunate possibilities if put into words would transcend theory into reality. That doesn't simply apply to words uttered from the mouth, but thoughts formed in the mind as well.
A scream suddenly cut through the calm summer air. Tatsuya perceived the capsizing event as information faster than the eye could see, and immediately rose onto the surface of the water and began sprinting full throttle towards the boat. It was a movement technique he would normally never use if others were around to see, but it sure was a heck of a lot faster than swimming.
Running up next to the capsized boat, Tatsuya in one step had continuously been Flash Casting a surface tension amplification magic to achieve an effect like a 'water spider'.
Tatsuya dived feet-first into the water. Following Miyuki's gestures who had dived in earlier, Tatsuya hooked his hand around Honoka's waist. In an understandable state of panic, Honoka was wildly flailing her limbs, kicking away even as Tatsuya brought her up to the surface of the water.
Above him, Erika had pushed Shizuku back onto the boat. Either Erika or Shizuku had righted the overturned craft. Tatsuya decided to think about just how they had managed that later, and took Honoka towards the boat.
Ever since making it back onto the surface of the water she had calmed somewhat, but she was still in a relatively agitated state. Desperately and unreasonably resisting being led to the boat, she kept pleading 'please wait a bit!' and 'I beg you!'. However, just by being in the hot water of that summer sea would sap her depleted strength further. Because of her weakened state, it was necessary to have her rest inside the boat. Tatsuya reluctantly shook his head, and forcibly lifted Honoka's body into the vessel. The momentum propelled half of her body inside, and before she could rise she was restrained by Shizuku. Seeing her up close from the front, Tatsuya suddenly realized why she had been so reluctant.
The swimsuit Honoka had been wearing had probably been designed with fashion foremost in mind, and swimming practicality after.
Her swimsuit was missing the top.
Tatsuya shut his eyes tightly, and wordlessly allowed the gravity from his lift to carry him back down beneath the waves.
A fresh scream rent the peaceful air, as Honoka crouched down and covered her chest with both hands.
◊ ◊ ◊
"Hic, hic, sniff..."
"Uh, uhmm, is there something... Honoka-san, are you alright...?"
Upon reaching the beach she had broken down and began crying in earnest, and in confusion Mizuki who didn't know what had happened was trying to comfort her. The other three — Shizuku, Erika and Miyuki stood around the two in abject embarrassment.
"Hic... that's why, hic... I told him... sniff, to waaait..."
Of course, the one who felt the most awkward was Tatsuya. Truth be told, he would have wanted nothing more than to run away.
However, this wasn't something he could just hide from. "That, well... Tatsuya-kun was just trying to help..."
Erika's words naturally had no effect. Miyuki wasn't able to find words for either party, not even Tatsuya.
"Honoka, I uh... I'm sorry."
Tatsuya himself had had no malicious intent, and although he held no accountability in that regard, he couldn't just keep an indifferent face. Thinking so Tatsuya bowed low, as Shizuku whispered something in Honoka's ear.
"Honoka, you know that Tatsuya-san isn't to blame." A quiet voice only Honoka could hear.
"He gave you plenty of time to fix your clothing after."
Despite the small volume, and despite the numerous contradictions, Shizuku's words seemed to have a calming effect.
"This wasn't exactly according to plan, but..."
However, it also seemed something suspicious had gotten mixed into those comforting words.
"This is a good chance."
That line was somewhat conspiratorial.
Shizuku had a few more inspirational words with her, then Honoka finally looked up.
"Tatsuya-san... are you really sorry?"
"I am being perfectly sincere. I truly am very sorry." As Tatsuya bowed again, Honoka muttered "Then..."
"...just for today, listen to everything I say."
"Come again?"
At those totally unexpected words, confusion settled on Tatsuya's face. Honoka didn't fit the image of someone who would say something like that at all. Not just Tatsuya, but Miyuki and Erika wore similar expressions.
"If you do, I'll forgive you. Is that ok...?" Tatsuya and Miyuki exchanged glances.
Miyuki's crooked smile seemed to suggest 'it can't be helped'. "...If that's what you want."
Although she had said 'whatever she says', he knew she wasn't a girl who would make malicious requests like in the 'King's game' that was popular several decades ago. As he nodded yes, Honoka happily cried 'it's a promise!' with a broad smile.
◊ ◊ ◊
By the time Leo returned from his looo-o-ong (both in distance and duration) swim, he was just in time for tea on the balcony.
Cold drinks and colorful fruits were arrayed all over the table.
The acting waiter Kurosawa didn't wear a costume underneath her apron, but a light, mini one-piece. Her shoulders were bare, and her slender limbs peeked out from behind the apron that was larger than the dress itself. The sheer sex appeal it exuded would have instantly attracted the eyes of any teenage male, but today there were four more powerful swimsuits alongside her.
Taking a step back and looking maturely, two were beauties and two had already surpassed the level of the word beauty. For Leo, however, who distinctly felt 'food before romance' before these four swimsuit clad forms, not even Kurosawa's 'adult appeal' was a match for him.
But that didn't mean he was insensitive. Recognizing those four swimsuits, Leo remarked 'oh?' as he looked around.
"Where are... Tatsuya and Mitsui?"
"They're in, the boat, way over there."
The answer came not from the table, but from behind.
Tired all over and dripping seawater, Mikihiko breathlessly answered as he pointed.
Tatsuya and Honoka were heading out to sea in a retro rowboat. "...What the heck's going on?"
"Stuff happened. Yeah, stuff."
At Leo's question, Erika answered toothily.
Rather than curt, that expression was almost a sulk, and as she turned away, Leo, rather than being offended had his curiosity piqued further.
Seeing Mikihiko watching the scene with interest, he also immediately looked over to sea.
Wearing a straw hat, Tatsuya's expression was hidden under its shade and indiscernible.
Honoka held a parasol and had her back turned to them, so her expression likewise couldn't be seen.
Even so as the small boat receded from the shore, Mikihiko could feel the exceedingly peaceful air they gave.
"...That's quite the nice atmosphere isn't it?"
"You two, hey,"
You morons, she left unsaid.
Even as Erika freaked out, a cold air cut through the room from the opposite seat.
Snap snap snap... Mikihiko could hear these ominous sounds coming from the girl sitting next to him, reminiscent of deepest winter.
"Mikihiko-kun, won't you have a chilled orange?"
Talking affably, Miyuki laughed as she passed a far too cold orange to Mikihiko.
With perfect timing, Kurosawa passed him a spoon. Mechanically, Mikihiko took the sorbet spoon from her.
Miyuki had another piece of fruit in her hands. Once again, that snap snap snap... sound could be heard, and immediately she was holding a raw mango sorbet. Removing her frozen gaze from the fruit she had been staring at, she offered it to the person across from her with another bright smile. "Saijou-kun, won't you have one too?"
"Ah... thanks..."
Leo decided that answer would be for the best.
Miyuki directed her gaze back at the mountain of fruit before her, but perhaps losing interest, glumly looked away.
"Shizuku, I'm sorry, but I feel a bit tired. Could I rest somewhere for a while please?"
"It's fine, don't worry. Kurosawa-san?"
"Of course. Miyuki-ojousama, right this way." Following Kurosawa, Miyuki slid away into the villa.
Compared to Mizuki's cringing expression, Shizuku's signature poker-face was a marked contrast.
◊ ◊ ◊
Dinner was a barbecue.
Eight people gathered harmoniously around the console, with Miyuki perhaps calming down after resting going back and forth between the table and the barbecue.
Before going off to incessantly pester Tatsuya, Honoka happily chatted away with Erika and Shizuku.
Perhaps because of the trauma incurred during teatime, Mizuki sat away from Miyuki and the others, engaging in conversation with Mikihiko.
Leo was wolfing food down with gusto. Kurosawa was almost exclusively serving him.
Of course the groupings weren't exclusive, with Honoka joining Miyuki's group sometimes, and Tatsuya getting into a foodfight with Leo.
But somehow — somehow compared to usual, there was an awkward air floating in between them.
◊ ◊ ◊
It was the calm before the storm.
It's impossible to be sure of what will happen, but something definitely was going to happen — the one who broke that position and raised the curtain, was someone unexpected.
As soon as the card game the five girls had been playing ended in Mizuki's defeat, Shizuku asked Miyuki "Will you come with me for a bit?"
"...Sure."
Her confusion lasted only for a second.
Almost immediately, Miyuki was smiling again.
"...Um, are you guys going for a walk? I'll come too."
"You can't Mizuki. You have to go through the punishment game."
As Mizuki rose to follow after Miyuki, Erika grabbed her by the shirt and pulled her back down.
"Ehhh!? I didn't hear anything about that!"
"The loser obviously has to go through a punishment game. Anyway with that being said, you two take care."
Whether reading the air or not Erika subtly bound Mizuki, and pretending not to notice the tensions between them she waved Miyuki and Shizuku off.
The ones who sensed the tense atmosphere weren't just the ladies. After finishing dinner, Leo grabbed the pudding and took off, probably realizing the situation and Mikihiko, who was unable to concentrate on his game of chess, shot side glances at the girls.
"Checkmate. 10 more moves."
"Ehh, already!?"
Cried out at Tatsuya's ruthless sentence.
◊ ◊ ◊
Leaving the villa, they turned left onto the beach.
Shizuku walked on in silence, and Miyuki followed in silence.
They proceeded in that way and when the lights of the villa could no longer be seen, Shizuku turned around.
Her normally expressionless face was tense.
Miyuki simply smiled, but that expression was an archaic smile from which no emotions could be read.
"Sorry for making you accompany me all this way."
"It's fine. Is there something you wanted to talk about?"
Even at Miyuki's prompting however, she couldn't bring herself to immediately cut to the chase.
After counting 10 rounds of waves washing gently over the shore, Shizuku opened her mouth.
"I want to know."
"About what?"
"Just how does Miyuki feel about Tatsuya-san?"
At Shizuku's question without any covering or roundabout approach, without any explanation or reason of intent,
"I love him."
Miyuki answered in a single word with absolute calm. "...Is that, as a man?"
Rather, the one who seemed upset was Shizuku. She keeping her cool was probably just another aspect of her personality.
"No."
Miyuki's answer came without the slightest hesitation. Her expression was serene.
"I love and respect Onii-sama more than anyone. But, that's not as a woman. These feelings I have for my brother are not romantic love. There could never be such a love between him and I."
Meeting Shizuku's gaze,
"I'm curious to know, why would you ask such a question of me?" She gave a sly grin.
"It's fine. I have no intention to interfere with Honoka whatsoever. ...Just so you know, I will feel really jealous though?
So rest assured, although I guess that's going to be difficult."
As Miyuki gave a light laugh, Shizuku's expression seemed to be nearing tears. "...Why."
"Why what?"
"Why...do you try to detach yourself like that? I mean, when it's so evident that you love Tatsuya-san so much."
Miyuki took a step towards Shizuku.
Shizuku visibly stiffened, but, she didn't flinch.
Miyuki walked past her in that way, until they were back to back.
"...It's difficult to explain the relationship between us siblings to someone else. There are too many speculations intertwined. But the feelings I have towards Onii-sama are not so simple as that."
"...Are you really siblings?" As Shizuku turned around,
"You've asked a pretty well worn question." Miyuki answered with her back still turned. "...I'm sorry."
"No, I'm not blaming you or anything." Shaking her head, Miyuki's smile was carefree.
"Very well... since you have a friend who really is trying her hardest."
"I... also think of you as my friend."
"I know. Which is why you're so conflicted right? You're doing your best not to hurt either of us."
At Miyuki's gentle gaze, Shizuku abashedly looked away.
"As I was saying... Onii-sama and I are true siblings. Or at least that's what it says on the records, and DNA tests have always confirmed that relation."
"But..."
"I know what you want to say."
As Shizuku stammered, Miyuki nodded understandingly.
"These feelings I have for Onii-sama, even I know it transcends the realm of normal sibling bonds."
Shizuku fell silent in embarrassment.
"You know... in truth, I died three years ago."
"Huh?"
In light of this confession, not even she could suppress her voice.
"Or maybe it's better to say I should have died? But at that time, I truly could feel my life fading from my body, so I suppose 'I really did die' isn't that inaccurate either."
As Miyuki spoke her smile was so fleeting, and the line 'I really did die' delivered with such conviction that Shizuku couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine.
"It's because of Onii-sama that I can stand before you like this. Being able to cry, to laugh, to speak with you right here and now, is all thanks to him. I owe my life to him, and all I have and all I am belong to him alone."
"That's..."
The question 'what does that mean?' remained unspoken, and no answer to it came.
"The feelings I have for Onii-sama are not romantic love."
The answer she gave instead referred to the second question 'as a man?', and the conviction in her voice was no less than before.
"Romantic love, means you want something from that person doesn't it?"
Even if she could have conversely asked Miyuki 'isn't love wanting that person to be yours?', Shizuku didn't reply. She believed it wasn't suitable, and besides,
"But, there is nothing I want from Onii-sama. Because I have already received me myself from him."
She instinctively understood Miyuki wasn't searching for an answer.
"I don't desire anything more from him. I won't even ask him to accept my feelings. In the end... I guess, love (The word she uses here is the catch-all word for love 愛する, as opposed to specifically romantic love 恋愛. Similar comparison may be philia (kindred love) and eros (passionate love)) is the only word I could use to describe it."
"...I got it."
At Miyuki's confession, Shizuku could do nothing but raise the white flag. "Miyuki, you really are the real deal."
"I think it's a somewhat warped way of looking at things myself."
As Shizuku just shook her head, Miyuki closed one eye and gave a mischievous smile.
◊ ◊ ◊
Soon after Shizuku and Miyuki left, Honoka went to check herself in a mirror. When she left the room, she said she was 'going to pick flowers'.
While she looked herself over, she ran through the words Shizuku had said. 'I'll take Miyuki outside, so you invite Tatsuya in the meanwhile'.
She had immediately known what she meant. Shizuku understood Honoka's feelings perfectly well without needing to consult her. Truthfully speaking, the capsizing incident earlier had also been something 'orchestrated' by Shizuku in an attempt to bring Honoka and Tatsuya together. She had informed him earlier that Honoka was not a good swimmer, and her plan had been that Tatsuya would save her then Honoka could use that as a pretext to approach and thank him. In case Tatsuya didn't make it in time, she also had a followup plan prepared. What had eventuated was a complete accident, but as a result Honoka had been able to monopolize Tatsuya for the day, so even as Shizuku felt guilty she was also rather happy.
Now, Shizuku had set the stage for Honoka's confession. Apprehensively, Honoka applied a light covering of pale rouge. Touching up her hair and rechecking her attire, Honoka muttered 'alright!' as she psyched herself up. According to plan she was to lure Tatsuya away while Miyuki wasn't here, and Honoka proceeded back in to the living room.
She wasn't even aware that her feet were trembling slightly.
◊ ◊ ◊
Walking next to Tatsuya and stealing a glance at his face every now and then, Honoka was troubled as to when she should start talking.
So far everything was going as envisioned. When she had asked him 'would you come outside with me for a bit?' he had immediately replied yes, which puzzled her somewhat.
In a way, the far too smooth start had shaken her slightly. Tatsuya was silent.
Out from the villa they had turned right, and as if to shelter Honoka from the waves Tatsuya had walked on the sea side throughout.
Somehow, it felt to Honoka as if he had already guessed her intentions and was avoiding reaching the conclusion.
A growing sense of crisis welled up within her that if she didn't act herself, nothing would be resolved.
"Tatsuya-san."
After opening and closing her mouth countless times Honoka finally managed to let out a strained voice, and Tatsuya stopped and turned around.
By now the lights of the villa were out of view.
Other words which were even now being exchanged that same night were lost to the sound of surf and never reached them.
Under the endless starlit sky, accompanied only by the murmur of the waves, Honoka stood looking at Tatsuya face to face.
However, she couldn't proceed. Even as he encouraged her with his eyes, Honoka could only glance aside and start chattering.
"I..."
At times she would look up, meeting his gaze as if trying to say something, then with a strained expression stammer something out; this process was repeated numerous times.
"Yes, what is it?"
Tatsuya encouraged her in a softer tone than usual, with softer words than usual. Perhaps encouraged more by his voice than his words,
"I... uhm, I... I like you!"
These words that Honoka finally managed to squeeze out, after all her hesitation, may have even managed to penetrate through to the other side of the darkness.
But Honoka didn't think about that at all.
Right now, to her, the two of them were the only ones in the whole world. "—So how does Tatsuya-san feel about me?"
Unable to look him in the eyes Honoka squeezed her eyes tightly shut, yet an answer didn't come.
"...Did I cause you trouble?"
Gingerly opening her eyes Honoka asked in a tearful voice, but Tatsuya simply shook his head with a smile.
"Not at all. I had a feeling you might say something like this. Though I only realized around afternoon today."
As they looked at each other, Honoka felt she could sense a deep indescribable sadness in his eyes.
Preparing herself for the sorrow that was sure to come, Honoka squeezed her hands tightly. But Tatsuya's response, for better or for worse, was something unexpected entirely.
"...You know, Honoka, I'm actually a human missing part of his soul."
"...eh?"
"When I was a child, I was involved in a magic accident of sorts... some of my mental functions were erased."
Honoka's face paled visibly. Her pallor was evident even in the dark night.
Her eyes were open wide, and only a 'no way...' leaked out as she covered her mouth with her hands.
"At that time, I guess, I lost all of what you could call feelings of love. They weren't sealed, so they can't be released. They weren't broken, so they can't be fixed. That which is lost, cannot be recovered."
Tatsuya spoke casually as if it were someone else's affair.
"I can't feel love. I can like someone, but I could never fall in love with them. In a way, only the knowledge remains. Searching my mind, I can tell a part is missing."
As Honoka covered her mouth, she didn't utter anything like 'that's a lie' or 'I don't believe it'. She was literally shocked speechless. Only Tatsuya's profession rang though her mind.
"This may be an underhanded way of speaking, but, I do like you. However, that's only as a friend. No matter how hard you try, I will never be able to think of you as a special woman. That will definitely be something painful for you — something that will hurt you."
Saying so, a powerless smile drifted across his face. "Which is why I cannot answer your feelings." Tatsuya fell silent.
Honoka likewise.
Only the sound of breaking waves filled the dark night. As the tide gradually crept up the shore, and at length, finally reached their feet, Honoka raised her head.
"Please don't be mad... you know, I had thought, Tatsuya-san liked Miyuki. Not as a sister, but as a woman."
"...That'd be a misunderstanding."
"Yes, it seems so. Tatsuya-san is smart, so... if you were lying, you'd definitely be able to come up with something more credible. I've never heard of a magic capable of erasing partial features of the mind, yet even so, I believe you. Still, that being said, it also means you'll never be able to love any other girl right?"
Somewhat puzzled at this unexpected turn of events, Tatsuya answered 'well, yeah...' with a nod.
"...If so, then it's fine."
"?"
"From now on always, Tatsuya-san will never have a lover right? If so, for me to like you, wouldn't turn into an illicit love right?"
"That's... true, I suppose."
"Then there's no problem. From now on as well, I'll continue to like you! Um, until I can like someone else that is!"
Her declaration was bright. "...I don't mind."
Tatsuya nodded with a wry smile.
He wasn't so dull as to not understand why Honoka had purposely added 'until she likes someone else'.
◊ ◊ ◊
The sun aggressively asserted itself the next day as well. The temperature was in excess of 30°C from the morning. In that sweaty weather, upon the sandy beach—
A fierce scorching battle was being waged.
"Onii-sama, my back. Won't you help me with this sunscreen?"
"Tatsuya-san, want some juice?"
Or,
"Shizuku is lending us her jetski. Want a ride?"
"Apparently there's a nice dive spot just over there, want to go?"
And so on, while the others around felt the oppressively heated atmosphere. "Miyuki, you really were holding back yesterday, huh..."
"Honoka-san, it seems a great weight has been lifted from you, huh..." As Erika and Mizuki looked on in amazement,
"..."
Shizuku's face was troubled,
"Well, it seems he really has it tough." Leo's face was filled with compassion,
"...Yoshida-kun, what's the matter?"
"Eh, no, it's nothing." and Mikihiko was — no, well, for the sake of his honour it'd be best not to say.
Anyway as their friends each had their own separate thoughts as they gazed their way, Tatsuya alternated between Miyuki and Honoka's requests, sighing at every turn.
When jet skiing, he rode tandem with Miyuki in the passenger seat (afterwards was Honoka).
Truth be told, Honoka was actually a fairly competent swimmer — yesterday she had panicked for a different reason — as he went with her via motorboat to the dive spot (Miyuki also came along).
After applying sunscreen (or rather reapplying), he had food pushed into his mouth one after the other, like a goose being fed for foie gras ('ahhn's accompanied and all).
Being caught in this pressure hotter than the Ogasawara air mass (love pressure?), Tatsuya who was being constantly buffeted around in this burning atmosphere...
More than yesterday, more than ever, looked forward to being able to relax again.
