"Woohoo! The ocean’s finally here!"
After checking into their hotel and finishing the mandatory assembly, the first day of the school trip transitioned into general recreation.
While officially labeled "general recreation," the only real requirement was that everyone remain on the beach near the hotel; how they spent their time was entirely up to them.
A few eccentric students used the opportunity to double-check their itineraries for the free-roaming period starting the next day, but for the most part, play was the only thing on anyone's mind.
Thus, as if to blow off the stifling boredom of the day-long boat journey, the students of Luminous Academy dashed out under the clear, sunny sky. They split into groups, eager to enjoy everything the seaside had to offer.
"Fee, you don’t have to stay with me. You can go play with Yugo if you want. We’re finally at the beach, after all..."
"It’s okay. I, uh... I can’t actually swim. So playing in the water with my brother is out of the question."
"Oh? What’s that I hear, Fee? You don’t need to be a swimmer to have a good time with me, do you?"
"Huh? B-Brother?"
"Come on! Let’s build a massive sandcastle with Yui!"
Yugo, who had joined them ahead of the others, called out to the two with a grin. Fee returned the smile, seeing his older brother beaming with a bucket and shovel in hand. Nearby, Ryuga, who was currently acting as the luggage guard, called out to his younger sister.
"Don't wander too far. It's crowded, and it'll be a nightmare to find you if we get separated."
"I know, I know! Honestly, Brother, you worry too much!"
Yui gave her brother a somewhat exasperated look but nodded nonetheless.
Just as she, Fee, and Yugo began their work in the sand as instructed, Marcos made his appearance.
"The ocean is a fine sight. The boat trip wasn't half bad, but being cooped up in those cramped quarters left my body feeling terribly stiff."
"You say that, but you look a bit worn out. Are you alright?"
"It is merely the lingering fatigue of the voyage. A bit of sun will have me back to my best in no time," Marcos replied to Ryuga before beginning a series of warm-up stretches.
While his rather flashy Golden Pants certainly drew the eye, the group as a whole was attracting far more attention from the other beachgoers than just the swimwear.
"Wow, they’re actually really hot, aren't they?"
"Yeah... so dreamy!"
A group of girls stole glances at Yugo and his friends, whispering and nodding to one another in agreement.
To them, Yugo and his companions appeared to be an exceptionally high-tier collection of young men.
Yugo, frolicking happily as he played with the children, looked every bit the caring, dependable older brother despite his naturally menacing face. To the students who knew him only by his bad reputation, the sheer contrast of his personality provided a shock far greater than they could have imagined.
Meanwhile, Ryuga, keeping a watchful eye on the younger ones from beneath the shade of a parasol, looked like an intellectual, strikingly handsome youth from a foreign land. The fact that he refused to part with the katana at his side only added to his aura, giving him the air of a noble samurai. His profile, a perfect blend of dignity and beauty, was enough to make even another man’s heart skip a beat.
And then there was Marcos. In his Golden Pants, he was an undeniably attractive man—provided he kept his mouth shut. He shamelessly showed off a magnificent physique honed through relentless daily training, and the scars across his skin looked less like injuries and more like badges of honor.
All three of them possessed exceptionally well-trained bodies—lean, powerful, and sharply defined. It was a sight that was genuinely pleasing to the eye.
On top of that, they were three distinct flavors of heartthrobs: the "bad boy" type, the classic handsome youth, and the (seemingly) refined noble. This trio of attractive men, catering to every possible preference, drew a concentrated barrage of gazes fueled by a wide range of emotions.
Dammit! Just looking at them makes me feel like a loser!
As expected of Master. Even without clothes, his muscles are perfectly defined. I have to reach that level!
Good heavens, what a man!
"...I feel like we're being watched. Is it just me?"
Jealousy, envy, and everything in between—a multitude of feelings were packed into the stares directed at Yugo and the others.
The girls who had never interacted with them before were starting to realize the sheer quality of the "material" they were working with. Their overall impression of the boys was skyrocketing.
Since they were at the beach during a school trip, the atmosphere was thick with a sense of liberation. Several girls began contemplating bold moves, wondering if they should take this chance to strike up a conversation and perhaps get closer to them.
However... "they" would never allow such a thing.
For the girls who had staked everything on preparing for this very day, the idea of some random newcomer interfering was an absolute outrage.
Of course, they didn't voice these thoughts. They would let their actions do the talking and silence the competition.
In the heat of the Island of Everlasting Summer, a fierce contest was about to begin... and naturally, it was she who fired the opening shot.
"Hey! Yugo!"
"Huh? Oh...!"
Yugo looked up at the sound of the cheerful voice. As he turned toward it, he let out a soft groan.
A girl was running toward him, sporting a radiant smile that perfectly complemented the summer sea. It was Melt. Her pink hair and large chest bounced with every step as she waved her hand.
As she reached the frozen Yugo, she beamed.
"Hehe! Well? What do you think? Does this swimsuit suit me?"
"Y-Yeah. It looks good on you. I think."
"Really? Oh, thank goodness! It was worth all that time I spent agonizing over it!"
Melt smiled happily, though a hint of playfulness—perhaps even a touch of mischief—crept into her expression as she closed the distance between them.
Bringing her face close to the flustered Yugo, she kept her teasing yet earnest smile fixed on him as she spoke.
"Since I picked this swimsuit out just for you, Yugo, you’re allowed to look as much as you want. Consider it a special service, just for today!"