Hikaru was left home to sleep, as per the events from last night.

  The same semi-warm air was present. Nature was blooming. Flowers were everywhere. Just like a scenario depicted in a story.

  The 4 girls walk in front, while I stay a little behind.

  How did I end up in this situation again?

  Kaguya falls back and comes near me.

  “What happened, Kaito? You look down in the dumps.”

  “I mean, everyone would be nervous if 4 of his girl best friends would go swimsuit shopping with them. Am I not right?”

  “Well…I guess. Leaving that aside, I want you to recommend me one!”

  I blank for a second.

  “Sorry, what?”

  “You heard me!”

  “Um…a swimsuit?”

  “Of course!”

  Coming with your friends to get swimsuits is one thing, but picking one for someone? It’s almost as if you tell them : “I love the look of this on you!”

  She pouts too.

  “Okay…don’t tell the others.”

  “Yaay! Thank you, Kaito!”

  “No worries…”

  We arrive at the clothes store, which had an impressive number of swimsuits available. The girls look all amazed while I’m a bit flustered from what I’m about to witness…

  “Girls, I’m going to pick up some trunks for Hikaru and me. I will be back shortly.”

  “Okay. We’ll look around for a while.”

  For us it was almost irrelevant. I just go to the men’s section and look around for a little while.

  Hmm…we’re going somewhere tropical, so…I’m getting this one with palms for him, and I’m getting one with a palm by the sunset. Matchy, like the bros we are.

  I pick the two swim shorts and turn back. Behind me was Kaguya.

  “Nice taste! Are those going to be it?”

  “Hey, it’s creepy to sneak up on someone. Let alone when they’re picking swim shorts. I expected more from you, giving the always cool and laid back vibes.”

  “Well, I told you to pick my swimsuit. Right?”

  “I guess…”

  “Then let’s go!”

  She grabs my hand and takes me to their section. None of the other 3 were in sight.

  “You know…if any of the three girls see us, we’re in big trouble, right?”

  “They won’t find out! They’re on the other side of the store.”

  “Okay…”, *nods*, “let’s see…what section should we look at?”

  “D-cups!”

  Just as I predicted a few months ago.

  “Uh…there’s 2 that seem nice. The blue one, made of a two piece set, and the green one that’s covering more of your…chest.”

  “And, which one do you like more?”

  It’s like you’re asking me : “In which one can I attract you better?”!! It’s a hard call! Especially after I slept at her house that time…could she maybe want to catch my attention? I guess I will just pick a random one for now…

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “Let’s go with the green and blue one. I like it more.”

  “If that’s what you like better, I’m all for it! Let’s go try it.”

  We go to the dressing room.

  “No peeking! Okay?”

  “Never intended to do that.”

  “Or maybe do you…?”

  “No.”

  What am I witnessing just now?

  She closes the curtain. She starts talking to herself.

  “Haha…a swimsuit picked by Kaito! I’m so happy!”

  But it doesn’t last long. I see the 3 girls approaching us.

  “Oh no…this is bad.”

  Kaguya saw this shot and pulled me inside of the changing room.

  “Come here!”

  “W-WHA-“

  “Shhhh!”

  She was all dressed up in the swimsuit. I can’t say it was not insanely attractive.

  Kaguya starts whispering, while being all red.

  “So…what do you think?”

  “It looks…great. It really suits you!”

  She blushed even harder.

  “Thank…you. (I’m so happy!)”

  The room was cramped. Very cramped.

  The other girls enter the cabin next to us.

  “Mai, Mizuki, where do you think the other two went?”

  “Well…Kaguya is not particularly interested in picking out swimsuits so she most likely got the first one she found.”

  Kaguya pouted.

  “And Kaito?”

  “He’s probably with her at the exit.”

  “I guess…let’s finish it up quickly and show them.”

  And just like that, I fall over Kaguya.

  As cool as I tried to be, I couldn’t contain it anymore.

  Both of us were burning red. I found my face sitting right on top of her swimsuit.

  Was this heaven or hell? I couldn’t tell. I take a look at her and her’s face is as bright as a star.

  “Keep quiet, Kaguya! Or we’re dead!”

  “Kaito, wha-!”

  The girls heard the whispers.

  “What’s going on there?”

  They see a leg outside the room, coming from under the curtain. They pull it.

  “Hey, what’s going o-“

  Kaguya was sitting directly on top of me.

  It was a moment of pure silence.

  “Kaito….” said Akane, almost ready to kill me.

  We both struggle to say our words while the three were looking at us.

  Now, we’re on our knees. Both of us.

  “We’re sorry!”

  “Kaito…I’m killing you. What did you do to my friend…”

  “Wait, Akane! It’s a misunderstanding! I asked him to pick out a swimsuit for me…and when I heard you were coming I pulled him inside to not get found out.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Sorry, again! It’s all my fault. I just wanted someone else to pick my outfit since we were all going to the beach…”

  “I guess we can let it slide for now…”

  I was still as red as a tomato.

  “I will go to pay…and I’m going home after.”

  Mai got in my way.

  “No, you’re not. We still need accessories!”

  What did I just witness?! Since when did Kaguya become the type to do secret stuff with a friend from her group…especially this. And pulling him inside the cabin! There’s no mistake…she wanted to impress him. So she also loves him in some way…oh no.

  I look all tired.

  “Come on…”

  “No buts! Or we’re having you go through another punishment like when Kaguya found out we live together!”

  “Okay…”

  “Now, pick swimsuits for all of us.”

  “Not again! I’m off!”

  I sprint towards the cashier and pay fast for our swim shorts. I waited for the girls at the exit.

  What…happened to me. A girl wanting a boy to pick out her swimsuit…isn’t that like a couple’s thing? So that pretty much confirms my suspicions from when I slept at her house. She…likes me?

  The girls got their swimsuits and come next to me. Akane, sharp as always, noticed me thinking and smiling a bit.

  “What are you thinking about, perv?”

  “Hey. I’m not a perv. She pulled me inside the cabin.”

  “Hmmph!”

  Kaguya shows me her purchase.

  “Look, it’s the one you chose!”

  “Great…”

  “Look at ours too, Kaito!”

  “They’re nice…”

  “Let’s hit the accessories shop!”

  We go inside and buy floaties, swimming goggles, and snorkeling gear.

  We finish quickly. Kaguya and I were still visibly shaken by the earlier scene.

  “We’re done! Let’s call it a day and prepare ourself for tomorrow! We’re leaving in 2 days!”

  “Mai, you’re so excited…”

  “Of course I am, Mizuki! It’s our first beach trip in this formation. And we’re all alone! It’s going to be super fun!”

  Kaguya and I fall back from the group again.

  “Kaguya, I’m…”

  “It’s okay! It was not your fault. I just acted out of instinct. After all, I don’t mind if it’s yo-“

  Akane intervened.

  “You two! What are you plotting?”

  “Nothing…haha.”

  “Let’s talk about it later, okay?”

  “Sure.”

  The sun sets and I walk Kaguya to her house. The rest of the group got home.

  “Thank you for walking me here. And…I’m so-so-sorry

  for the earlier scene!”

  “It’s okay. Don’t stress it out.”

  She let out a sigh of relief.

  “In that case, good night!”

  “Good night.”

  As I head home I keep replaying the scene in my head.

  What was that…come on. She likes me…

  I arrive back home and everyone was talking about the trip. Hikaru was still sleeping.

  “I can’t wait for the trip!”

  “Me neither! I look forward to it!”

  Akane paused for a second.

  “Me…too!”

  (Kaito will see me in a swimsuit…we went together to the pool when we were younger, and to the beach too, but…it’s different now. He could finally see me as a…love interest.)

  “Girls, I’m going to sleep. Too much happened today.”

  “Okay, Mr. Peeky.”

  “Hey, don’t call me that, Mai.”

  “Good night!”

  “Good night.”

  I drop into bed next to Hikaru, pull the blanket over my head, and close my eyes. But the moment from earlier keeps replaying in my mind.

  She…likes me.

  I put my hand over my eyes, trying to force myself asleep. It doesn’t work.

  And in the girls' room, things weren’t any better.

  Mai and Mizuki whisper in the dark.

  “Do you think…he likes Kaguya after what happened?”

  “We can’t rule it out…”

  Heavy silence.

  “So there’s a fourth one in the fight…”

  In the other room, Akane was not even pretending to be asleep. The scene kept replaying in her head over and over again.

  “She’s getting advantage over me…oh no. What should I do…”

  Kaguya, out of all the people, somehow already fell asleep, hugging her pillow while smiling.

  “Kaito…”

  And just like that, none of us rest that night. Except for Hikaru, of course.