Chapter 6: Sun, Sand, and Study?!

The bright summer sun glared over the coastline as Yuuto Kanda adjusted his glasses and muttered, “Why… why do I always get dragged into these things?”

He was standing on the sandy shore, surrounded by parasols, sizzling food stalls, and the sound of waves crashing. Beside him, Akari Shinozuka, Rika Hanabira, and Mizuki Onodera were unpacking their beach bags—each in their own way.

Akari, naturally, was already bouncing in excitement. “Yuuto-kun! Isn’t this amazing?! Sun, sea, and snacks! We deserve this break after all that studying!”

Rika scowled, holding up a stack of notebooks. “Speak for yourself. I brought revision materials. The environment might be inefficient, but the change of scenery could enhance concentration.”

Mizuki nervously tugged at the hem of her swimsuit cover-up. “U-Um… maybe we should relax a little, Rika-chan…”

Yuuto looked like his soul had left his body. Relax? How can I relax when all three of them are in swimsuits?!

Akari wore a sporty two-piece that matched her fiery energy, Rika’s black bikini was minimal yet strangely elegant, and Mizuki’s pale blue frilled swimsuit was so cute it could melt hearts.

Yuuto turned his gaze to the sea, face burning crimson. “J-Just… focus, Yuuto… you’re here to supervise, not stare…”

Akari, noticing his embarrassment, smirked mischievously. “Yuuto-kun! Are you embarrassed? Don’t tell me you’ve never seen a swimsuit before~!”

He nearly tripped over his towel. “I-I-I have! I mean—n-not like that—”

Mizuki squeaked softly, covering her chest. “Y-Yuuto-kun! D-Don’t look this way!”

Rika sighed. “Honestly. The level of immaturity here is astounding. We came here to study literature and relax, not reenact a low-quality harem anime.”

Akari pouted. “Aw, c’mon, Rika-chan! It’s summer! You can’t just sit under a parasol reading textbooks!”

“I can and I will,” Rika replied flatly, flipping open her book.

Yuuto sat down beside her, trying to steady his heart rate. “At least one of us is calm…”

Rika glanced sideways at him, her expression unreadable. “You say that, but your pulse is clearly elevated.”

“W-What?! How can you tell?!”

“Your ears are red,” she said simply, turning another page.

Akari splashed water at them from the shore. “Hey! You two lovebirds! Come swim!”

“L-Lovebirds?!” Yuuto choked, waving his arms.

Rika’s cheeks flushed instantly. “Do not group me with him, idiot athlete!”

Akari laughed. “You’re blushing, Rika-chan~!”

Meanwhile, Mizuki timidly stepped into the water, clutching her inflatable ring. “U-Um… Yuuto-kun… it’s really warm! You should try it…”

Yuuto hesitated, glancing at the trio. “I… guess a quick swim won’t hurt.”

The moment he stepped into the shallow water, Akari leapt onto his back with a splash. “Piggyback ride!”

“Akari-san! Wait—no—!” Yuuto lost his balance and tumbled forward, dragging both of them under.

They resurfaced, sputtering, as Rika groaned from the shore. “Idiots… both of them.”

Mizuki rushed over to help, tripping slightly in the waves and falling right into Yuuto’s arms. Their faces were only inches apart as droplets of seawater sparkled between them.

Yuuto froze. Mizuki’s wide eyes reflected the sun, and her lips parted slightly.

“Y-Yuuto-kun…” she whispered.

His heart skipped a beat—then Akari splashed both of them with a huge wave. “Lovebirds part two! Caught in 4K!”

“Akari-san!!!” Yuuto coughed, wiping his face.

Rika sighed again but looked away quickly, her own cheeks faintly red. “Utter fools…” she murmured, though her voice was softer than usual.

After the chaos settled, the group gathered under a parasol. Akari was munching on shaved ice, Mizuki was quietly drying her hair, and Rika was still attempting to read, though she kept sneaking glances at Yuuto.

He leaned back on the towel, exhausted but oddly content. “You know… I never thought tutoring would lead to… this.”

Akari grinned. “You mean fun?”

“More like… survival training,” Yuuto muttered.

Mizuki giggled softly. “But… it’s nice. Being together like this.”

Rika adjusted her glasses, glancing out toward the ocean. “Perhaps… though it’s inefficient, I admit… it’s not entirely unpleasant.”

Yuuto blinked. “Wait—did Rika just say she’s having fun?”

“Don’t misunderstand,” she snapped, blushing. “I merely mean the sunlight has… beneficial health effects.”

Akari smirked. “Sure, sure~ just admit you’re enjoying it, Rika-chan!”

As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in gold and pink, Yuuto looked around at the three girls laughing and arguing, and felt something stir in his chest—a mix of warmth and panic.

These girls were geniuses, disasters, and his biggest headache. But in that moment, surrounded by the sound of waves and laughter, Yuuto Kanda realized something terrifying… and wonderful.

He was falling for them.

All three of them.