The day of the trip had finally arrived.
The group consisted of 15 members, primarily from Kirie's class, but also including boys and girls from other classes. Over 20 people had initially been asked, but the final count settled at this number.
While it wasn't a perfect 50/50 split, there were 8 boys and 7 girls.
The mixed-gender nature of the trip was kept secret from their families, with the hostel booking two rooms each for the boys and girls separately.
They'd coordinated their stories, but there was still a chance information might leak. Still, once the trip began, they'd have their chance. Even if their families found out after they returned, it would probably just result in a scolding... It was a rather lax plan.
I'm not really fond of this kind of thing...
Kirie felt uneasy and guilty the whole time, both when leaving home and now as she headed toward the station.
When she arrived at the station, several people were already gathered. Her classmate, Aikawa Moe, noticed her and waved.
"Morning, Kiri-chan! I'm so glad you actually came!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, you kept refusing for so long. I'm just glad you made it!"
Moe playfully threw her arms around Kirie's shoulders. Her bob-cut hair framed gentle, slightly downcast eyes. Though not particularly striking, she was a classmate with a friendly demeanor and many friends, both boys and girls.
A moment later, Kazuki and Aika arrived together. Their synchronized appearance immediately drew teasing and playful ribbing from their classmates.
Kazuki protested with a "Hey, cut it out," but his smug grin betrayed his true feelings. He seemed oblivious to Kirie's gaze.
However, Kirie met Aika's eyes.
(...)
They exchanged subtle nods. Kirie felt a twinge of guilt for having Aika keep their recent encounter a secret, while Aika still seemed visibly uncomfortable.
Kirie no longer felt the same revulsion she once did toward Aika.
Of course, seeing the two of them together still stirred certain thoughts.
But then—
"Good morning."
The familiar voice made Kirie startle and sit up straight.
"Hey, Ryosuke."
"You're late."
His friends chimed in one after another.
Kirie glanced sideways, carefully not letting Moe beside her notice, and stole a look at him.
He was wearing a black cap today. Long limbs. A profile that seemed more mature than his classmates'. A smile in response to his friends' jokes.
Meeting him again in front of her friends like this felt bittersweet.
After all, he was already Kirie's boyfriend, a secret she was determined to keep from her friends, even though they had been together—
"..."
Her face flushed crimson with a heat different from the summer's, and she could feel it burning.
Just a short time ago—
Before summer vacation, he was just another classmate. Not only that, he was even the type of guy she used to dislike.
"Kiri-chan?"
"Hmm, no! It's nothing."
"Really?"
And so, Kirie and the others' trip began.
Their destination: the sea.
*****
Crossing the prefectural border, the journey took about two hours, including transfers.
Upon arrival, they first checked into their lodging.
Their reserved accommodation was a traditional Japanese inn.
Located in a small grove of trees, somewhat removed from the beach, it was a place students could hardly afford.
This being Kirie's first solo student trip, she felt nervous just standing behind her friends in line at the counter.
Realizing that this was a more upscale establishment than the tourist hotels or the lovers' hotel she'd shared with Ryosuke—though she blushed quietly at the thought—she quietly flushed again.
After stowing their luggage, they headed straight for the beach, even before lunch.
*****
"Wow, Kiri-chan, your swimsuit is adorable!" Moe exclaimed brightly, drawing attention in the changing room.
It was an off-the-shoulder bikini, the one she'd picked out with Ryosuke.
I was a little self-conscious about being mistaken for someone who had just gone shopping for a vacation, but it seemed the other girls were in a similar boat.
Even Aika, with her refined and reserved demeanor, was wearing a cute frilly bikini.
I still wasn't quite used to the skimpy bathing suits, but...
Maybe this was the right choice after all.
I felt a small pang of gratitude toward Ryosuke.
We left the changing room and walked to the meeting spot for the boys.
As expected, it was crowded, but the beach was much larger than it looked online, so the crowds weren't overwhelming.
In this environment, a group of girls in bathing suits didn't stand out particularly.
Still, I could feel the gazes of passing men.
Kirie's swimsuit accentuated her figure, and her beauty—more striking than she realized—made her hard to miss.
And Aika's bathing suit also drew attention.
Unlike Kirie, who radiates vivacity, Kirizaki is a beauty who seems reluctant to expose her skin, like a sheltered young lady from a wealthy family.
Since Kirie and the others are causing a commotion in their group, no one has approached us yet. But if it were just the two of us walking, sharp-eyed men would have made their move long ago.
"Sorry we're late!"
"Hey, you're here!"
We meet up with a group of guys near the beach hut.
What's this? Everyone's so casual about it...
Even encountering each other in swimsuits, neither the boys nor the girls show any embarrassment. Kirie, on the other hand, blushes under the boys' gazes, unable to act naturally.
Then...
"Kirizaki... you look great in that."
"Huh?"
The comment catches me off guard.
It's Ryosuke.
He's keeping our relationship hidden, as promised, but his blatant remark still makes me bristle—while simultaneously making my heart race. Standing so close to him in front of our friends, both of us exposing so much skin...
"...Ugh! Don't stare so much, you pervert! It's sexual harassment!"
Kirie adopted a prickly attitude, half-serious and half-put-on, but even that was defused with a faint smile.
"Come on, Shito-kun, that's enough. Kiri-chan is a delicate creature, you know."
Moe stepped in front of Ryosuke, though she was also smiling.
"Haha, really? Well, I guess I have to treat her with care, then."
"Exactly! Hey, Kiri-chan?"
"...I... I don't care! It doesn't matter!"
Kirie felt restless and irritable in this awkward position.
*****
After that, Kirie and the others borrowed umbrellas and staked out spots on the beach. They inflated their balls and played beach volleyball, blew up their floaties, and dove into the sea.
They ate yakisoba at the beachside snack bar and bought shaved ice.
At first, Kirie hadn't been keen on this group trip, but as time passed, she found herself enjoying it naturally.
Gradually, the fifteen-member group began to split up and act as they pleased.
"Aika, let's go over there."
Kirie hadn't been paying attention, but Kazuki's voice reached her ears.
He walked off to the opposite side of the beach, holding his girlfriend's hand.
"..."
She didn't feel jealous.
But she did feel a pang of envy.
If I revealed my relationship with Ryosuke, could I walk like that with him too?
Moe invited Kirie to go swimming, and they ventured out until the water was so deep their feet barely touched the bottom. Kirie slipped through the hole in a floating ring and floated on her back, while Moe balanced her chin on the ring and drifted lazily.
"Phew, this is so nice, Kiri-chan. Glad you came, right?"
"Yeah, I guess. Though it's brutally hot."
"Heh heh. You're such a grump."
Kirie smiled back at her relaxed friend.
They spent some time drifting lazily in the water when Moe suddenly shouted:
"Alright, break's over! I'm going for a swim now, see you later!"
"Hey, Moe?"
Kirie was stunned as Moe suddenly swam away with surprising vigor. Then, she felt a tug on her float from behind.
"You're alone, Nee-san? Want me to show you around? Don't worry, I'm not a bad guy."
"... You're a bad guy, alright," Kirie replied without turning around.
"Wait, you knew?"
"Of course."
She turned around.
It was Ryosuke, holding onto her float.
"You panicked because you thought I was hitting on you?"
"No. I would've just chased you off anyway."
"Kirie? Do you think you could handle it?"
Kirie secretly felt her heart flutter at being called by her name for the first time that day, but she kept her composure as she replied.
"I wouldn't follow someone like Ryo-kun, so I'm fine."
"Haha. But it was a little close there for a moment."
"Huh?"
"Over there—"
Following the direction indicated by Ryosuke's chin, Kirie saw a pair of tanned men avert their gazes, twisting their faces in bored expressions as they walked away.
"They were targeting Kirie and the others."
"Huh...?"
"Aikawa is safe too."
Turning toward the beach, Kirie saw another classmate standing protectively beside Moe. He had a gentle personality and a demeanor somewhat reminiscent of Moe's.
Apparently, he and Ryosuke had been signaling to Moe with hand gestures, instructing her to escape.
Moe evacuated her classmates while Ryosuke approached Kirie from a different direction.
The pick-up artists, bewildered by this sudden maneuver, missed their chance to latch onto their prey.
Ryosuke was likely the one who thought quickly on his feet.
Since Moe was particularly close with that classmate, their long-distance communication seemed to go smoothly.
"Those two seem well-suited."
"...I feel less like I was saved and more like I just got caught by another creep."
"What's that supposed to mean? You're overreacting."
Despite his teasing tone, Ryosuke chuckled as if amused.
"Ah, were you lonely? Sorry, I abandoned you."
"T-That's ridiculous! Are you an idiot?!"
I raised my voice in protest, but...
Kirie quickly changed her mind and, braving the teasing she knew was coming, spoke honestly:
"...Th-thank you. I'm just a little relieved that you came, Ryo-kun."
"You're welcome," Ryosuke replied, his tone surprisingly devoid of mockery.
He leaned forward where Moe had been sitting earlier, looking straight into Kirie's eyes.
"As a thank-you, I'd love a kiss."
"Wh-what?! Here?!"
Though there were plenty of people around, it seemed their traveling companions had gone to the distant beach or beach huts, leaving Kirie and Ryosuke alone without anyone to witness their exchange.
He must have known this too...
"Y-you're joking, right?"
"Mm. I'm serious."
"...!"
Just moments ago, she'd been casually hanging out with a friend she could relax around.
I thought I'd just keep things formal with Ryosuke today, since we couldn't be alone.
But this sudden turn of events...
The sunlight glinting on the water and the buoyant sensation of the sea amplified Kirie's exhilaration.
"...At least... at least close your eyes."
"No."
"Idiot...!"
Instead, Kirie squeezed her eyes shut and leaned in closer.
Their lips brushed against each other.
Once, twice.
Her face burning with embarrassment, Kirie said,
"Ugh... You're still keeping your eyes open, aren't you...?"
"No, Kirie, you're just too cute."
"..."
The beachgoers around them weren't watching.
Well, maybe some were glancing over the corner of their eyes, but no one bothered to interfere in what looked like a couple's private moment. Everyone was in a relaxed, tolerant mood.
"Kirie, let's do it again."
"...Mmm... okay."
She whispered her agreement, and this time they kissed for a bolder, longer moment.
"Ah...nngh...mmph..."
"Kirie, your legs."
"Huh?"
"...You're entwining them around mine, aren't you?"
"?!?!"
Floating in the sea, Ryosuke's right leg had unconsciously drawn Kirie's both legs closer.
"B-but Ryo-kun, you're the one...!"
"Isn't it obvious? It's Kirie, right?"
Ryosuke, still wearing that faint smirk, leaned his head closer to Kirie's ear.
"...Getting excited?"
"I'm not—!"
"You won't let go of my leg."
"B-but...!"
Even after being pointed out, she couldn't stop touching him.
"This is bad. Everyone's watching."
"Y-yaah—! Ah?!"
Instead of pulling back, Ryosuke actually thrust his leg deeper. Their inner thighs rubbed together in the water. His hard thigh pressed against her lower abdomen.
"Ngh... No, no..."
This voice... It couldn't be heard by strangers. She desperately bit it back, but small gasps still escaped. The shimmering surface sounds and the laughter of swimmers at least provided some cover.
"I never meant for this to happen today..."
"Me neither. Seeing Kirie in her swimsuit was already enough, and now this..."
"Ah! N-no...!"
"You really looked stunning in that swimsuit. You're incredibly cute. No wonder other guys were drawn to you."
"Ngh... Ugh...! N-no...! Stop tickling me...! Don't move my leg...!"
Kirie was aware that it wasn't Ryosuke's leg moving. It was her own lower body.
She was pinching Ryosuke's thigh between her legs, shamelessly grinding her hips against him, trying to intensify the pleasure.
"It's okay, Kirie. You can feel good."
"B-but...!"
"Turn around."
"Huh? Nmmph!"
Another brief kiss.
This time, it was he who took the initiative, a forceful kiss that could only be described as a plundering.
(I can't believe he's doing this... Ah, it feels so good... My mind's going blank...)
Her flushed, embarrassed face contrasted sharply with her actions underwater, where her hips writhed lasciviously, desperate to satisfy her desires.
The sea's buoyancy, which limited her movements compared to land, was maddening. Even the floatation ring was an annoyance. Without these—
(I could let Ryo-kun hold me tight...! Mmm, no, wait...! Now he's...! No, yes, that's good—! Oh, I'm going to—! I'm gonna come!!)
A jolt of electricity shot down her spine.
With so many people around. With strangers so close.
"Ugh... Ahh... Nngh...!!?"
Oh god, I'm coming...! Here, during our trip with everyone...!
This lewd behavior would never be tolerated by the usual Kirie.
Apparently, I'm just as uninhibited as she is.
"Haa... Ah... Hnn... Hnnn...!"
Even now, I can't untangle my legs. They cling together, almost pleadingly, as if begging.
"...Kirie. We still have time," Ryosuke whispers in my ear.
His words are an invitation to further decadence.
"Let's go somewhere private."