The laughter from the club was still echoing in my head when I walked out of the building.
I waved one last time.
"See you tomorrow."
"Bye, Aika-senpai!" Rika shouted, waving both arms so hard she nearly lost her balance.
Yuuna simply raised her hand in farewell.
Mei gave me a quiet smile.
"Rest well, Aika-san."
I started walking toward the school exit with a strange feeling of lightness.
The festival was over.
The play too.
And for some reason…
I still felt like I was floating.
I didn't know if it was the adrenaline.
The kiss.
Or the fact that I still couldn't believe everything had gone so well.
Just as I was about to take out my phone to check the time, a blue window appeared in front of me.
[Congratulations.]
[First theatrical performance completed successfully.]
"Ah…"
You sure took your time…
The windows started multiplying.
[Acting Affinity Lv.3 → Lv.4]
[Stage Presence Lv.3 → Lv.4]
I couldn't help smiling.
It had been worth it.
Then a third window appeared.
"New Skill Unlocked"
"Kissing Technique Lv.1"
…
…
I stared at it for several seconds.
Blinked.
Read it again.
Then looked up at the sky.
"…"
Are you kidding me?
"You're giving it to me NOW?!"
I threw both arms up in indignation.
Complete silence.
As always, the system elegantly ignored my protests.
I huffed.
"You really are insufferable…"
Although…
If I thought about it…
A small laugh slipped from my lips.
"…I suppose the suffering was worth it."
I got home and barely had the door closed before I let myself slide down the wall.
I felt relieved that everything was over.
But relaxing and I are like water and oil.
Completely incompatible.
So another window appeared immediately.
[New Mission Available]
[Stream tonight.]
[Reward: ¥50,000]
My smile vanished.
"…"
No.
No.
No.
Forget it.
I'm exhausted today.
I'm going to take a bath, sleep for twelve hours, and you can go to hell with your money.
Understood?
[Penalty for non-compliance: ¥200,000]
…
…
…
Good evening everyone! Thanks for joining me tonight ♥
…
…
…
The next morning…
The moment I crossed through the school's main gate, I felt something was different.
"Ah, it's Shimizu-san!"
I turned instinctively.
Two girls from another class were greeting me enthusiastically.
"Good morning!"
"G-good morning…"
"The play was incredible!"
"I cried so much at the end!"
"Huh?"
Another student walked past us.
"Haruto was my favorite character!"
"I wish I could watch the play again."
"I-I…"
I smiled awkwardly.
"I-I'm glad you liked it…"
I kept walking.
Five steps.
"Shimizu-san!"
Two more students raised their hands.
"Great work yesterday!"
"You were amazing!"
"Thank you…!"
…What was going on?
I'd barely been inside school for a few minutes and more people had talked to me than in an entire month.
It was strange.
Very strange.
I couldn't say I disliked it.
Just…
I didn't know how to react.
Is this what being… popular feels like?
No.
That can't be right. Someone invisible like me… popular?
Even though the idea excited me a little, I was embarrassed to admit it.
So I pretended otherwise.
Classes ended before I could get used to that new reality.
When I arrived at the drama club, I found everyone gathered in a small circle.
"What's going on?"
Rika was the first to turn around.
Her eyes were shining like she'd won the lottery.
"Aika-senpai!!"
She ran toward me.
"We're going to a pool party!!"
…
I blinked.
"…What?"
"A pool!"
"A huge pool!"
"With slides!"
"And food!"
"And we're spending the whole weekend there!"
"…"
I looked at her for a few seconds.
"What are you talking about? Isn't it… a little cold for a pool?"
"It's an indoor pool."
Mei's calm voice answered from behind her.
"It's heated, so there won't be any problem."
"Ah…"
That made considerably more sense.
"But… why?"
Harada held up a folder.
"It's the official celebration for the play's success."
"That sounds like an excuse to have another one…"
Harada laughed. "Maybe it is, but we could all use a bit of a break, don't you think?"
"It'll be so much fun!" Rika added, bouncing on her heels.
I couldn't help smiling.
The idea sounded good.
Although…
I frowned slightly.
"I'm not sure if I should…"
I made some extra money last night, but…
"Don't worry about anything."
Mei smiled with her usual calm.
"I already have tickets for everyone, so you won't need to spend anything."
I stared at her.
"Really?"
"Yes."
She said it so naturally she didn't even seem aware of how much she'd just put my mind at ease.
"So… are you coming?"
I looked around at everyone.
Harada was already reviewing the itinerary.
Yuuna was leaning against the wall, watching us with a slight smile.
Arima raised a thumb from the back of the room.
It was… a new experience.
I'd never gone to a pool with a group of friends.
Let alone spent a whole weekend somewhere.
The idea scared me a little.
But also…
Excited me a little.
I smiled.
"Alright."
"I'll come."
"YESSSS!!"
Rika threw both fists into the air like we'd just won a championship.
And for some reason…
Her enthusiasm ended up being contagious.
…
Saturday came much faster than I expected.
Before I knew it I was standing in front of the station with a small backpack over my shoulder and comfortable clothes for the trip.
Around me the drama club members were starting to gather.
Rika spotted me first.
"Aika-senpai!"
She ran toward me waving both arms.
"Good morning!"
"G-good morning…"
"We're going on vacation today!"
"It's just a weekend…"
"But vacation sounds so much better!"
I couldn't argue with that logic.
One by one Harada, Yuuna, Arima and the rest of the group arrived.
Mei appeared a few minutes later.
…
The trip passed with conversations, laughter, and Rika's almost childlike excitement.
Arima spent nearly the whole journey trying to sleep.
Harada ended up acting as the group's improvised coordinator.
Yuuna sat quietly listening to music by the window.
And I…
Just enjoyed watching the scenery pass by.
It was the first time… I'd traveled with friends.
It was strange.
And quite pleasant.
When we finally got off the bus, I went completely still.
"…"
No.
That wasn't a hotel.
It was practically a small resort.
An enormous glass building reflected the autumn sky.
Perfectly manicured gardens.
Fountains.
Terraces.
Pools visible even from the entrance through the large windows.
Everything gave off an absurdly elegant atmosphere.
"…"
"…"
"This…" I murmured. "Are we sure we didn't get the wrong place?"
Arima slowly lifted his head.
"I was going to ask exactly the same thing."
Rika was already taking photos.
"IT'S HUGE!!"
"This looks like a five-star place…"
Harada studied the facade for several seconds.
"I don't think I've ever walked into somewhere like this."
Even Yuuna raised an eyebrow with mild surprise.
Everyone looked at Mei.
She smiled with slight discomfort.
"We're in the right place."
Arima looked at her suspiciously.
"How did you get us into somewhere like this? It must cost a fortune…"
Mei played with a strand of hair.
"Well…"
She was quiet for a few seconds.
"My family… owns it."
…
Silence.
Rika's mouth dropped open so wide it looked unhinged.
Harada let the folder he was carrying fall from under his arm.
Arima took about five seconds to process it.
"…"
"Excuse me?"
Mei tilted her head slightly.
"My father is the owner."
"So… I just asked permission to invite the club members."
Another silence.
Then everyone spoke at once.
"WHAT?!"
"YOU'RE RICH?!"
"WHY DID YOU NEVER SAY ANYTHING?!"
"THAT EXPLAINS SO MUCH!!"
Mei started waving her hands.
"I-It's not a big deal!"
"I just wanted us all to be able to celebrate together!"
Arima pressed a hand to his forehead.
Rika, naturally, was already hugging Mei.
"THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR INVITING US!!"
"I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!"
"I PROMISE TO ENJOY EVERY SINGLE SECOND!!"
Mei let out a small laugh.
"That was exactly what I wanted."
"For everyone to have a good time."
I was surprised too, but I'd already suspected something like this since she took me to that restaurant the day we went shopping.
Though… I didn't think it would be this much… I thought, looking at the building.
…
…
After checking in, a staff member led us to our rooms.
The group was split up.
The girls would share one large room.
The boys another on the same floor.
We'd barely put our bags on the beds when Rika was already pulling out her swimsuit.
"LET'S GO!!"
"LET'S GO!!"
"LET'S GO!!"
Yuuna sighed.
"Five minutes."
"You won't die from waiting five minutes."
"…"
"Well…"
"Maybe I will."
Rika was already heading into the changing area.
Mei let out a small laugh.
I calmly opened my backpack.
Took out the towel.
The toiletry bag.
Pajamas.
A brush.
A water bottle.
A book.
…
…
…
I blinked.
Checked again.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
No.
No.
No.
My swimsuit wasn't there.
I felt the blood slowly draining from my face.
It can't be.
I packed it.
I'm completely sure I packed it.
Then…
I remembered.
I'd left it out to dry after washing it.
On the chair.
In my apartment.
I slowly closed the backpack.
I'm a disaster.
Yuuna was the first to notice.
"What's wrong?"
I looked up with a defeated expression.
"I forgot… my swimsuit."
Rika let out a dramatic cry.
"EEEEHHHH?!"
"That's terrible luck!"
I pressed a hand to my forehead.
"I could cry."
Mei took a small step forward.
"I-It's okay."
"I brought two."
I looked at her like an angel had just descended from heaven.
"Really?"
She nodded.
"You can use the other one."
I felt an overwhelming urge to cry with happiness.
"Mei…"
"You're a saint."
She flushed.
"D-Don't exaggerate…"
I took the swimsuit in both hands.
"I owe you one."
I went quickly into the changing area.
A minute later…
I frowned.
…
Why won't this go up?
I pulled a little harder.
Nothing.
Another try.
It went up.
But…
Way too tight.
I looked in the mirror.
…
…
…
"No."
This cannot leave this room.
From the other side of the curtain I heard Rika's voice.
"Aika-senpai?"
"Are you done?"
I didn't answer.
"Aika?"
Still silent.
Yuuna spoke next.
"What's going on?"
I took a deep breath.
"I think…"
"…we have a problem."
"What kind of problem?"
I breathed in.
Counted to three.
And walked out.
The silence was immediate.
I crossed my arms out of pure reflex.
"Why is this swimsuit so small?"
The top barely covered my nipples. The fabric was stretched so tight they were clearly outlined through it. The bottoms had ridden up between my cheeks, pulled so tight they left my hips and most of my rear completely exposed.
I covered myself a little more with my arms.
"This is… embarrassing…"
Mei's eyes went wide.
Her face turned completely red.
"I-I'm sorry!"
"I didn't think…!"
She looked down at my chest and immediately looked back up, but her eyes drifted back a second later.
"I-I didn't think that…!"
Yuuna let out a small laugh.
"It was fairly predictable."
She looked at Mei calmly.
"After all…"
"Your measurements aren't exactly the same as Aika's."
Mei covered her face.
"K-Kanzaki-san!"
Rika puffed out her cheeks.
She looked at Mei.
Then at me.
And finally looked down at her own chest.
"…"
"Life is so unfair…"