Chapter 103: The Arrival of Summer Vacation
"But something seems to be missing," Yumiko remarked, her discerning eye catching an anomaly.
In a decisive move, Yumiko reached out and removed Hina's glasses, unveiling a hidden facet of her beauty.
"Hey, Yumiko, what's going on?" Hina exclaimed, surprised by the abrupt removal of her glasses.
"I've actually noticed for a while that you're exceptionally pretty, Hincchan. Why pretend to look less attractive with those glasses?" Yumiko questioned.
"Yeah, I had no idea you were this beautiful, Hincchan," Yui chimed in, equally astonished by Hina's revealed face, which appeared even more delicate than her own.
Every girl aspired to showcase their best features, so deliberately downplaying their beauty was a puzzling choice.
Hearing their comments, Hina fell into a brief silence, considering her response.
"If there's something you'd rather not discuss, you don't have to," Yumiko offered understandingly as she handed Hina back her glasses.
Yumiko had always been considerate when it came to her friends.
Accepting her glasses and placing them back on, Hina smiled and confided, "Actually, there's nothing I can't talk about."
"Yumiko, you know I'm a fujoshi. It's not a hobby that typically attracts guys."
"So, to avoid unnecessary complications, I just wear glasses," she explained matter-of-factly, as though it were a minor concern. Whether this accounted for the entirety of her reasoning remained uncertain.
"I'm sure you'll find a boyfriend who appreciates you just as you are, Hincchan," Yumiko reassured her, offering support and understanding.
Seemingly satisfied with Hina's explanation, Yumiko didn't press further. "Yeah, Hina, you'll definitely find someone," Yui chimed in, echoing Yumiko's sentiment.
Hina responded with a nonchalant shrug. "Who knows about these things," she replied to her friends' encouraging words.
"Alright, now that we've made our swimsuit choices, let's go settle the bill," Yumiko suggested.
"Sure," Yui and Hina agreed in unison.
The three of them returned to the fitting rooms, changed back into their regular clothes, and completed the purchase. As they exited the swimsuit store, they encountered another girl from Sobu High School, dressed in their uniform and sporting alluring black stockings – it was Utaha Kasumigaoka.
Although they didn't have a personal connection, they exchanged polite nods due to their shared high school.
As they passed by Utaha, Yui hesitated and remarked, "The girl we just saw must be Utaha Kasumigaoka, one of the famous second-year students."
Yui had heard numerous rumors about the "Unattainable Flower of the Second Year."
"With her exquisite face and those captivating legs, it must be her. I didn't expect her to be shopping for a swimsuit as well," Yumiko added, nodding in agreement.
"Alright, let's steer clear of that topic. So, where shall we venture next?" Yumiko redirected the conversation.
It was only a bit past four o'clock, so they had no intention of heading home just yet.
"How about indulging in some cake? I've heard there's a new pastry shop near the station with an array of delightful flavors," Hina suggested.
"Cake sounds splendid!" Yui couldn't resist the allure of cake, given her affection for sweets.
However, a mischievous grin crept onto Hina's face as she continued, "But, Yui, we're going to the beach soon, so you might want to keep an eye on your figure."
Yumiko, catching on to Hina's teasing, joined in with a sly smile. "Indeed, Yui, it might be wise to skip the cake."
"Remember, cake is often seen as the nemesis of a woman's physique."
"No, please!" Yui let out a desperate cry, as if struck by lightning, her complexion paling. For someone who had an unwavering love for sweets, the prospect of watching Yumiko and Hina enjoy cake while she abstained was sheer torment.
"It's inevitable, Yui, as we're heading to the beach soon. So, you'll have to be mindful of your figure," Yumiko remarked with an affectionate smile.
"But... but, Yumiko, and Hincchan, you're also going to the beach!" Yui made a final attempt at negotiation.
However, Hina sealed off her escape route with a playful assertion. "We don't have to catch Hikigaya-kun's eye, so indulging a bit won't hurt."
With no other recourse, Yui's expression turned forlorn. She extended her index finger and thumb to demonstrate a minuscule margin of compromise. "Well... I'll just have a tiny bit, truly, just a smidgen," she reluctantly conceded.
Observing Yui's concession, Yumiko and Hina exchanged knowing glances and shared a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha, no worries, Yui, but remember, it really must be just a minuscule bit," Yumiko teased.
Amid their laughter, the trio made their way towards the cake shop.
---
In the classroom, Shizuka calmly conveyed some guidelines for the summer break, including the reopening date and various requirements. She then proceeded to announce the list of students who hadn't passed their exams and would need to attend supplementary classes.
The students whose names had been called slumped over their desks, wearing expressions that seemed to convey, "Who am I?" "Where am I?" and "What am I supposed to do?"
"Alright, that's all. I hope you all have an enjoyable summer vacation."
"Yay!!!" The students cheered with excitement as Shizuka concluded her announcements, signaling the beginning of a joyous summer break.
After the class ended.
"Hachiman, see you after the summer break," Zaimokuza approached to bid farewell while Hachiman was still in the process of packing up.
Not only Zaimokuza, but even Saika Totsuka came over with a gentle parting message.
"Hachiman, catch you later after the summer."
"Yeah, see you soon, Saika." Hachiman nodded at both of them once he had finished packing.
However, as he exited the classroom, he spotted Shizuka standing in the hallway, her arms crossed, appearing as though she were waiting for someone.
As soon as she noticed him in the hallway, Shizuka waved for him to approach.
"Come over here, Hachiman, I have something to discuss with you."
Hachiman hesitated briefly but then made the decision to approach her.
"I heard you're planning to spend your summer vacation at the beach," Shizuka inquired.
Hachiman couldn't help but wonder how she had access to such up-to-date information. He pondered how she could be so well-informed.
Seeming to anticipate his unspoken question, Shizuka pressed on. "Don't bother asking how I found out. Just confirm whether it's true or not."
She retrieved a cigarette from her pocket.
However, before she could ignite it, Hachiman reached out and snatched it from her grasp.
"What are you doing?" Shizuka stared at him in astonishment, taken aback by this unexpected gesture of familiarity.
"No smoking on school grounds," Hachiman remarked casually as he discarded the cigarette into a nearby trash can. He continued in an equally casual tone, "You are a lady, after all. Quitting smoking might improve your chances of finding a boyfriend."
Shizuka was left momentarily speechless.
As Shizuka seemed on the verge of losing her temper, Hachiman added in his composed manner, "And you might want to work on your temper. It's rather short."
"Mind your own business, you little brat," she retorted, fixing him with a glare before returning the cigarette to her pocket.
In all honesty, she had to admit that what he said held some truth.
"You haven't answered my question yet," Shizuka reminded him.
"Yeah, I'm planning to go to the beach during summer vacation."
"And you're going with a group of girls?"
"That's correct."
Hachiman regarded her with curiosity, wondering just how she seemed to know everything.
"I'm going too. It's far too perilous to leave you alone amidst all those girls," Shizuka declared, waving her hand as though it were an established fact.
Hachiman couldn't help but react to her words internally, wondering what kind of impression she had of him. "What do you mean, 'too dangerous to leave me alone with all those girls'?"
Nevertheless, since she had made the decision to join, Hachiman didn't object. In fact, having a driver to assist them, especially given their underage status, was rather convenient.
"Alright, now that you're coming along, let me have your phone number. I'll send you a text when it's time to depart," Hachiman said, retrieving his phone.
Shizuka provided her number, and as Hachiman stored it, she added, "Although you needn't be the one to inform me. Komachi will take care of that."
Ah, so it was Komachi who had revealed their plans. Hachiman noted mentally that he would have a talk with his sister when he got home.
Hachiman found it somewhat amusing that Komachi had been the one to betray their secret intentions.
"Alright, no problem. I'll be on my way then."
With her goal accomplished, Shizuka waved him off in a somewhat nonchalant manner.
"Okay, okay, you're the one in charge with your prominent assets," Hachiman remarked playfully, unperturbed by her indifference, before bidding her farewell and departing.
Summer vacation arrived quietly, bringing no significant changes to the city. However, as the weather transitioned into full summer, the cacophonous chorus of cicadas grew increasingly audible.
...
In the blink of an eye, it was the third day of their summer vacation.
Today marked the day they had scheduled a cooking competition with Erina.
Just past 9 AM, the doorbell chimed at Hachiman's residence.
Upon opening the door, he was greeted by the sight of a lively Hisako. "Good morning, Mister Hikigiya."
"Good morning, Miss Arato," Hachiman replied, offering a friendly smile.
Since it was summer break, Hisako was dressed casually. She sported a light blue T-shirt on her upper body, her pink shoulder-length hair neatly arranged. Below, she wore a matching pair of jeans that accentuated her pert derrière and graceful thighs. On her feet, she donned sandals that revealed ten dainty, pink-painted toes.
She appeared less formal than her usual self, radiating a vibrant energy.
"Mister Hikigiya, the car is ready. Shall we depart?"
"Yes, just give me a moment to speak with my sister," Hachiman replied, stepping back into his home.
A short while later, he emerged once more. "Alright, let's go, Miss Arato."
"Okay."
Hisako nodded, and the two of them climbed into the waiting black sedan parked outside the house, setting off toward their culinary showdown.