Choosing a Swimsuit (1)

What is the easiest way for a game company selling otaku games to rake in money? There may be various opinions, but the simplest and most formulaic method is undoubtedly stripping female characters.

Exposing areas like the navel, thighs, and underarms is already basic of the basics.

More daringly, revealing the lower chest, sideboob, or even risky areas near the groin is how otaku game companies pull in cash-at least, that was common knowledge in the Korea I lived in.

Of course, stripping female characters can sometimes backfire, so mindlessly exposing them without context isn’t an option. It’s always crucial to strike the right balance-opening otakus’ wallets while avoiding backlash from the majority of players.

And among the methods of stripping characters, the now most common formula is the “swimsuit.”

Every summer season, it’s practically a given for games to roll out swimsuit costume events or limited-time swimsuit gachas. Even in non-gacha games, like the somewhat substantial academy-style otaku eroge 『Luminor Academy』, swimsuit costumes are a given.

There’s even an in-game event called “Marine Biology Exploration Class” explicitly designed to let players freely admire swimsuits.

‘And this semester, not just me and Ethan, but the entire Hero Party enrolled in the “Marine Biology Exploration Class.”‘

In other words, preparing swimsuits is a must for us girls if we want to attend the Marine Biology Exploration Class.

Unless we plan to sweat buckets in thick maid uniforms or school uniforms and then buy bland, uninspiring swimsuits sold near the beach, we had to prepare before the class started.

…And if possible, a swimsuit that would look somewhat attractive to Ethan.

‘If I have to wear a swimsuit anyway, it’s not too strange to hope Ethan would compliment me and say I look pretty, right?’

Of course, there was a high chance the other guys in the Hero Party would also see my swimsuit, so I couldn’t just pick something overly revealing. That would violate my maidenly vow not to show my bare body to any man other than Ethan.

I needed to choose a swimsuit with just the right balance-not too risqué but still eye-catching enough for Ethan. So today, I planned to tour the academy’s shopping district with a slightly different group than usual.

First, Ethan was obviously excluded since the swimsuit was meant to be shown to him. And since showing my swimsuit to other men before Ethan would also violate my maidenly principles, Gyeotmwa Josyegigot was naturally out too.

That left me with the female connections I had, and among them, the ones I could call on short notice were limited to about two people.

…And among them, the only girl taking the same Marine Biology Exploration Class as me was just one.

“We’re going swimsuit shopping today, Agnes-yang.”

“Swimsuit?”

“Yes. The Marine Biology Exploration Class starts in a week, so we need to prepare swimsuits, right? It’s better to get opinions on how they look from each other rather than choosing alone.”

“…Couldn’t you just pick one with that Blackwood idiot? Why drag me along?”

“What are you saying, Agnes-yang? How does it make sense to shop for a swimsuit meant for Ethan-nim with Ethan-nim? These things are usually prepared separately by the girl to surprise the guy later.”

“I swear, I’ll never understand your logic.”

Agnes stared at me with a baffled expression, even though I was just stating the standard heroine logic. Maybe she couldn’t relate because it was about me and Ethan, so I adjusted my explanation to fit her perspective.

“For example, Agnes-yang wouldn’t buy underwear with Prince Antonio, right? It’s similar to that.”

“…Why bring him up all of a sudden? And I just wear whatever the Elizabeth family sends me, so I don’t really care about underwear.”

“……What?”

“Underwear isn’t meant to be shown off anyway. Don’t tell me you buy lingerie just to show Blackwood?”

“Isn’t that obvious? Though in my case, I don’t buy them-I make them myself with lace embroidery….”

“Right, I get it. You two are already a hopelessly obsessed couple.”

“…….”

Wait, wasn’t Agnes and Antonio’s relationship going well?

Given Agnes’ personality, they probably hadn’t slept together yet, but I thought she’d at least fluster a little when his name came up.

I deliberately mentioned him, yet Agnes showed no reaction at all. If anything, I was the one left bewildered.

“Well, since we’re here, I’ll humor you and help pick out your underwear.”

“It’s swimsuits, Agnes-yang, not underwear.”

“Same difference. They cover the same areas anyway.”

“And we’re not just picking mine-we’re choosing yours too. That’s the whole point of today.”

“…Mine too?”

Did she really think we’d only shop for mine and call it a day?

Tilting her head slightly, Agnes pointed at herself, and I nodded in confirmation.

“Did you plan to attend the Marine Biology Exploration Class naked? Even if Agnes-yang’s body isn’t exactly the type to stir men’s lust, that’s still too shameless, don’t you think?”

“Who said anything about going naked?! Who do you take me for, some pervert like-wait, what? What do you mean ‘not the type to stir men’s lust’?”

“But think about it. How many men in the world would feel lust just from seeing Agnes-yang’s body?

Below the neck, your chest is smaller than a protruding nose, and your butt is smaller than the back of your head. The only men who’d feel lust looking at your naked body are the ones with dangerously twisted fetishes….”

-SQUEEZE!

“AAAH!”

Mid-sentence, Agnes suddenly reached out and grabbed my chest.

She squeezed with all her might, clearly irritated, forcing a pained groan out of me.

“Y-you…! Just because you have big boobs, you think you can say whatever you want?!”

“W-wait, Agnes-yang…! That hurts! You wouldn’t know since no one’s ever grabbed yours, but…!”

“DIE, YOU DAMN FAT LUMPS…!!”

“O-okay! I’m sorry! I was wrong, alright…?!”

Agnes looked ready to tear my chest off if I didn’t apologize, so I had no choice but to yield.

…Honestly, I didn’t get why she was so mad when I was just stating objective facts.

-THUD!

“Haa, haa, haa….”

“Oww… That hurt, Agnes-yang….”

“Good! It was supposed to!”

“A-anyway, my point is, Agnes-yang’s body is too plain from a male perspective. That’s why you need a really pretty swimsuit to make sure people can’t ignore you.”

“……?”

Agnes tilted her head, clearly not understanding, so I figured I needed to properly explain the significance of a woman’s swimsuit to her.

“First, swimsuits are form-fitting by nature, right?”

“……Yeah.”

“They’ll inevitably expose Agnes-yang’s underdeveloped figure, which you usually hide under thick uniforms and skirts….”

-SQUEEZE.

“…Let me rephrase. They’ll expose your still-developing figure, making swimsuits a critical weakness for you. So instead of revealing your body, you should focus on concealing it….”

-SQUEEZE!

“AAAH! Why again?! I rephrased it!”

“You should’ve just shut up! ‘Underdeveloped’?! ‘Still-developing’?! Lilith, are you deliberately provoking me?!”

“Stop squeezing my chest already! We’re not getting anywhere like this!”

“You’re the one pissing me off!”

Every word out of my mouth seemed to fuel Agnes’ anger, making her lash out at me.

I thought Agnes had mellowed a bit compared to her original personality, but this fiery hysterical streak must be incurable.