By the pool of the mountaintop mansion.
Kashu and the others were enjoying a rare moment of relaxation. They unanimously decided to suspend special training for the day and fully enjoy the pleasures of summer and barbecue.
Stella, however, was acting suspiciously. She crept up behind Kashu, who was focused on skewering meat, her right hand hesitating over the zipper of her tracksuit jacket.
To pick out today's ultimate swimsuit, she had unprecedentedly gone to seek advice from the washboard she usually disliked the most.
According to her, this swimsuit was irresistible!
As long as Stella boldly showed it off, it would mean a complete victory for their side!
Stella took two deep breaths and quickly scanned her surroundings.
Touka Toudou and Kanata Toutokubara were laughing as they played water volleyball in the pool.
The Kurogane siblings, meanwhile, were—as always—putting on their familiar chase scene: he ran, she pursued, and he couldn't escape even with wings.
Good! No one is paying attention over here!
The princess secretly encouraged herself, yanked open her tracksuit zipper, and reached out to lightly pat Kashu on the back.
"I-I'll help too!"
"Sure, you just need to... Hm!?"
Kashu had been about to turn around and explain the steps, but his voice abruptly cut off halfway through.
He looked at Stella with a helpless, amused expression, momentarily at a loss for how to comment.
Stella hugged her arms and timidly took two steps back, her eyes filled with uncertainty and alarm.
"Need to do what? W-Why are you looking at me like that?"
What was going on!?
This wasn't what the washboard had said!
Why hadn't she seen admiration in Kashu's eyes? Why was there only bewilderment and confusion?
Kashu smacked his lips, turned back to continue skewering meat, and teased her casually.
"Actually, if