The Holiday Begins

The midsummer sun poured down without restraint onto the surface of the school pool, shattering into rippling flecks of silver light.

Splashes rose one after another, carrying the boisterous laughter and chatter of teenagers as they spread through the air.

Quite a few students had come to the pool area for the open day. Some splashed each other playfully in the shallow end, the droplets landing on the tiles by the pool and leaving dark wet patches behind.

Several first-year girls leaned against the poolside and chatted, occasionally reaching out to flick water at one another. The sounds of chasing and play mixed with the soft murmur of flowing water, filling the entire outdoor venue.

Some students gathered beneath the sunshades. Some lounged on deck chairs and chatted, while others waded in the pool, trailing their fingertips across the surface and breaking apart the dancing sunlight.

Every now and then, someone dove beneath the water, then burst through the surface with a splash, shaking their dripping hair as droplets rolled from their tips onto their shoulders and the poolside.

A breeze swept past, carrying the damp, cool scent unique to pool water and easing the oppressive midsummer heat.

Laughter, splashing, and scattered shouts from afar intertwined.

Hoshinomiya stood at the edge of the sand, his gaze slowly sweeping over the lively scene.

He occasionally glanced behind him, clearly waiting for someone.

On the beach volleyball court a few steps away, a pink-and-gold-haired girl was fooling around with her classmates.

She looked up and happened to spot the purple-haired boy nearby. Immediately, she stopped what she was doing and waved in his direction.

Her full chest swayed lightly with the broad movement.

"Hoshinomiya-kun~ Want to come play with us?"

The sight left the boys nearby staring dumbly, with drool nearly slipping from the corners of their mouths.

"No, I'm waiting for someone."

Hoshinomiya Rinyu merely glanced over before withdrawing his gaze and answering the girl calmly.

"Okay, but Hoshinomiya-kun, you changed your hair color. You look even... even more handsome."

Ichinose Honami was not discouraged by his refusal and still wore a bright smile. Instead, his handsome appearance brought a faint blush to her cheeks.

Before they could exchange more than a few words, a rustling sound came from behind them.

"Eh~? This student is... Hoshinomiya-kun?" Sakayanagi Arisu sounded somewhat puzzled, not knowing when the boy before her had changed his hair to such a color.

She wore a dark blue one-piece swimsuit beneath a light sun-protection cover-up, her cane lightly held in her palm as she approached at an unhurried pace.

Her eyes, fixed on the purple-haired boy's back, held surprise and curiosity.

Hearing the familiar voice behind him, Hoshinomiya Rinyu slowly turned around. Sunlight fell across his newly violet hair, washing it in a soft hue.

A faint smile rested at the corner of his lips as he calmly met Sakayanagi's gaze.

"I just changed my hair color for the holiday. Did I scare you, Classmate Sakayanagi?"

Sakayanagi Arisu was surprised at first, but quickly composed herself. Her signature sly smile gradually curved across her lips, and her pale violet eyes, glinting with amusement, settled on his violet hair.

"What an unexpected color. Come to think of it, did Hoshinomiya-kun change his hair color specifically to match mine?"

She leaned forward slightly, tapping her cane lightly against the ground, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.

"Of course~ From a distance, don't we look surprisingly well-matched standing together like this~?"

At that, the purple-haired boy's eyes curved slightly, and one brow lifted.

"My~ You really are quite straightforward, Hoshinomiya-kun. Still, you truly are well-hidden. You're better than I expected."

Sakayanagi Arisu smiled slyly. Rather than taking up his remark, she looked him over again from head to toe.

Her gaze slowly traveled over the boy. His unbuttoned floral shirt hung loosely from his shoulders, making his figure appear lean and upright, yet beneath the fabric lay firm, well-defined muscle.

Sunlight fell on his violet hair, casting it with a soft, pale sheen.

He spread his arms as if inviting her to take whatever she wished. He did not avoid her appraising gaze, instead meeting Sakayanagi's pale violet eyes openly, a faint smile rising on his lips.

"I'm rather surprised to receive such an evaluation from Classmate Sakayanagi. He's yours, so look all you want, QAQ."

The two smiled at one another, immersed in the ambiguous atmosphere.

Boisterous sounds rose and fell from the pool in the distance.

The students of Class D gathered in small groups. Some had stepped into the shallow end to splash around, while others leaned against poolside deck chairs to cool off and chat.

Kushida Kikyo was surrounded by several classmates, her face carrying her usual warm, radiant smile as she easily responded to the topics around her.

Several of them played around and splashed one another, giving the male students nearby quite a feast for the eyes.

Horikita Suzune sat alone beneath a parasol. Wearing a white bikini that highlighted her slender, well-proportioned figure, she watched Ike, Sudo, and the others with a somewhat stern expression, not joining in their antics.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was some distance away from her, wearing only a pair of shorts.

His muscular physique drew quite a few glances, though they quickly looked away again.

At the moment, he watched everyone with a blank expression.

Ike Kanji, meanwhile, had abandoned his usual lively demeanor and seemed extremely anxious.

He cautiously looked around, occasionally gesturing to Sudo Ken beside him, which made Sudo feel somewhat uneasy as well.

Ike Kanji lowered his head and repeatedly looked toward the women's changing room. While using gestures to confirm the lookout positions with Sudo, he turned to quietly speak with Yamauchi Haruki on the other side.

"The remote-control car is ready. As long as we send it into the ventilation shaft, we can film inside."

Yamauchi's expression was tense, his unease obvious as he lowered his voice. "Hey, Ike, I still think this is too risky. If we get caught, all of us will be expelled immediately."

Ike Kanji merely waved a hand, his eyes filled with a desperate stubbornness. "Relax, the plan is thorough. As long as we keep up the cover, no one will find out."

Sudo stood silently beside them, his brows tightly furrowed. Though he had agreed to take part in the plan, unease also hung over his heart.

A window on one of the upper floors opened, and Doctor Tonomura was waving a white flag.

At the sight, Yamauchi ran while shouting, "Ah! My stomach hurts so much! I need to go to the bathroom~"

Ike and Sudo were somewhat embarrassed, the corners of their eyes twitching.

The Class B students were also stunned by the scene.

"Hoshinomiya-kun, the students of Class D really are interesting."

Sakayanagi slightly turned her head, her pale violet eyes following Yamauchi's panicked retreating figure. A faint, amused smile curved her lips, and though her voice was gentle, it carried the insight of someone who saw through everything.

"Where do you think he's going?"

Sakayanagi tilted her head slightly, her gaze still locked onto Yamauchi's hurriedly fleeing back. Her smile deepened, and her tone was light, as though she were merely making casual conversation, yet her words concealed a piercing speculation.

"Is he really just going to the bathroom?"