Chapter 94: Choosing a swimsuit

It was the third day of summer vacation.

I was already perfectly adapted to the NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) lifestyle. Basking in the summer sun filtering through the window, waving my report card around and declaring,

“I’m an honor student!”, while sprawled out under the air conditioner, reading web novels, and munching on dried squid… It was pure bliss.

“Hehehe, this novel is so good~ The heroine is totally my type.”

I popped another piece of dried squid into my mouth, chewing contentedly, when…

My phone buzzed with a notification.
‘Huh?’

I checked the screen. It was a LINE chat group with the Trinity.

Mizuki: Rina-tan~! Let’s go swimsuit shopping this weekend!
Aya: Yes, since we’re going to the beach.
Mizuki: Let’s get matching ones!

I stared blankly at the screen, the reality of the situation sinking in.

‘Swimsuits…?’

“Oh… Right, swimsuits…!”

My heart sank as I remembered something I’d momentarily forgotten.

Oh… I’ve gained weight recently, haven’t I? I can feel a little belly forming…
And then, the mortifying memory of the school swimsuit incident resurfaced.

The happy feeling I’d had while reading web novels vanished, replaced by a wave of dread.

‘Ugh… Swimsuits? Swimsuits…!’

I lifted my shirt slightly in front of the mirror. There it was, a small roll of belly fat.
Of course, I’d have to be prepared for my friends to tease me mercilessly if I complained about it… But it was noticeable enough that it would show in a swimsuit.

Should I have eaten less fried chicken and dried squid…?
But then I realized that wasn’t the real problem.

Mizuki and Aya both had perfect figures and great style, so they’d look good in any swimsuit.
Especially Aya, who was as slender as a model, and Mizuki, with her energetic, healthy image, were both the type who looked amazing in swimsuits…

“Ugh… I’m going to look so bad in comparison…”
Already consumed by worry, I started writhing on the floor.

‘I can’t refuse, can I…?’

But since we’d already agreed on the beach trip, I couldn’t exactly not wear a swimsuit.
I looked down at my pajamas with a mournful gaze.

“Why… Why did we choose the beach…!”

It was too late for regrets.
I sighed deeply and collapsed onto my bed.

I… need to exercise, right?

From that day until the day of our shopping trip, I rode my bike.
It was summer, so the sun was intense, and even pedaling a short distance made me sweat, but I couldn’t just ignore my growing belly!
I absolutely could not show up in front of my friends with a protruding belly while trying on swimsuits.

Thankfully, after cycling every day, the slight bulge around my stomach disappeared.
I was reminded once again that exercise never lies.

And finally, the day of our shopping trip arrived. I rode my bike to the meeting place.

Arriving near the department store, I parked and locked my bike, wiping away the sweat with a handkerchief.
After waiting for a while, I saw Mizuki and Aya approaching, chatting amiably.

But Mizuki… Mizuki…!

She’d dyed her hair bright pink and was wearing glasses!
In the novel, Mizuki was often described as a “vibrant girl with bright pink hair,” but in reality, probably due to school rules, she had ordinary brown hair.
But to think she’d dye it pink as soon as summer vacation started…!

Honestly, I was a little surprised, but it suited her surprisingly well.
It perfectly matched her bright and cheerful personality.

“M-Mizuki… Your hair!?”
“Hehe, surprised, right? Isn’t pink cute? I’ve always wanted to try it!”
“Yeah, yeah! It’s super cute!”

Mizuki beamed and flipped her long hair at my compliment. She seemed pleased with my reaction.
Then, her gaze shifted to my bike.

“Oh, Rina-tan, you came by bike?”
“Yeah! It’s good exercise.”

Mizuki glanced at me and grinned mischievously.

“Oh~ Is that so? That’s why Rina’s forehead is covered in sweat~! Your bangs are all stuck together, how cute~”
“Eek, really?”

Flustered, I quickly reached for my handkerchief to wipe the sweat off my forehead, but Aya, with a quiet smile, offered me hers instead.

“Here, Rina. Use this.”
“T-Thanks, Aya…”

As I shyly accepted the handkerchief, Aya smiled gently and said,
“Rina, it’s good to see you exercising. You look healthy.”
“Y-Yeah… Thanks.”
I lowered my head, feeling embarrassed. Aya, as always, watched me with her elegant smile.
Aya… If you keep staring at me like that, I might melt.

Smiling brightly, we entered the department store.

“Let’s see~ The swimsuit section seems to be on the second floor.”

We could see swimsuit displays on both the first and second floors through the windows.

We entered a store with a reasonable price range, and I was immediately greeted by a vast array of swimsuits.

“Wow… There are so many swimsuits.”

Seeing my awestruck expression, Mizuki chuckled and linked arms with me.

“Rina-tan should definitely go for something cute and lovely! How about a lacy one-piece?”
“…?”

Mizuki pointed to a one-piece swimsuit. It was a princess-style swimsuit with lots of lace and frills.
But… it felt too childish for me! That was Kurosawa Rina’s opinion, anyway.
She could wear generic clothes just fine, but a frilly, lacy one-piece swimsuit was a no-go…

As I hesitated, Mizuki seemed to think I was embarrassed.
“Aha~ Rina-tan, are you shy again?”
“No, no! It’s just a little… awkward!”
Mizuki giggled at my reaction, finding it cute.

Then Aya, who had been quietly observing, chimed in.

“Rina, I think you’d look good in something brighter, like pastels. That’s the impression I got when I saw you at the pool.”

“R-Really?”
Now that Aya mentioned it, maybe she was right…?
Aya picked up a lacy one-piece swimsuit and held it out to me. I grinned and held it up against myself. The size seemed right.

“Aya, what are you going to buy?”
“Hmm~ I’m still thinking.”
“Aya, you would look good in something goddess-like. How about this one?”

This time, I chose a swimsuit for Aya.
It was a two-piece with a lacy top and a lacy skirt, and the long white ribbons gave it a fairy-like feel.

Aya looked around before picking it up, her face slightly flushed.

“Hehehe~ Aya-ring in a swimsuit like that? Aren’t you getting too influenced by Rina-tan~?”
“N-No…! I’m only going to dip my feet in the water anyway.”

“I’ll take this one!”
Mizuki chose a light pink two-piece with an active and lively feel. Pink hair with a pink two-piece… It made me wonder where the ladylike demeanor she usually displayed at school had gone.

“Okay, let’s all try these on and see if they fit.”
“Okay.”

Aya and Mizuki disappeared into empty changing rooms.

Ah…! There wasn’t going to be one of those awkward “trying on swimsuits in front of your friends” events so common in romantic comedies!

I went into an empty changing room, quickly checked the size, and came out. Mizuki had already finished paying and was holding a shopping bag.

“Rina, did it fit?”
“Yeah, it’s perfect.”
“But why is your face so red? Don’t tell me you were having some weird fantasies in there?”
“N-No, I wasn’t!”

I quickly turned away, but Mizuki giggled as if she’d already seen through me.
Looking at her, I couldn’t help but imagine us all wearing the swimsuits we’d chosen.

Us, having fun on the beach under the summer sun.
Me, walking along the sandy shore in my purple swimsuit, when suddenly, Aya approaches, her long silver hair swaying in the breeze.
Aya’s beautiful smile sparkling in the sunlight… and her slender waist and navel peeking out from her two-piece…
‘Hehehe…’

“Rina, want to come into the water?”

And Mizuki would be splashing around excitedly, calling out to us.

“Rina-tan~! Aya-ring~! Come on in, it’s so refreshing!”
The dazzling sunlight, the azure sea, and the two of them, shining brightly…

“…Ah?!”

I snapped back to reality, realizing I was standing in the middle of the department store, lost in my daydream, still holding the shopping bag.

I knew my face was flushed without even needing to look in a mirror.
“Rina, are you okay?”
“Y-Yeah! It’s nothing!”
I quickly shook my head at Aya’s concerned gaze.

“Since we’re done here, let’s buy some light hoodies or something to wear over our swimsuits. The sea breeze can get chilly.”

“That’s right, Mizuki. Those are useful. The one I had before doesn’t fit anymore.”

We quickly bought some summer hoodies from a nearby store. They had fresh designs, perfect for the beach.

Even after we left the department store, the fantasy I’d had wouldn’t leave my mind. The image of the summer beach, a place we hadn’t even been to yet, was vividly playing out in my head.
‘My heart is already pounding… ’

For some reason, I was getting really excited.