But just as they were about to leave!
Four figures appeared nearby!
"Huh? Another club's here?"
"Those guys look kinda familiar…"
"Isn't that the voice actress? The big-star idol!"
Shiro faintly caught their chatter, and then one figure strode straight toward Maya.
"Well, well, fancy meeting a Song Festival star here."
"Uh, hi…"
Maya, awkward with strangers, was used to fans but sensed this guy wasn't one—just someone who recognized her.
She shot Shiro a pleading look. Time for a hero to step up!
(???)
Shiro's lip twitched as he recognized the figure. The world was *too* small.
He didn't just know this guy—they had beef…
And the guy hitting on Maya was none other than!
Our poor Tinker bell Club President Kudo~
Kudo only now noticed someone beside the star. He'd just meant to glance casually.
But seeing Shiro, his face twisted in rage.
"You filthy—"
*BAM!!!*
Before Kudo could finish, Shiro saw a yellow flash streak past.
No more Kudo—just another human-shaped crater in the sand.
"…"
Shiro stayed silent, his eye twitching. This scene felt oddly familiar.
Hero Kohei strikes again!!!
"Stay away, you villain!"
Same move, same title. This time, Shiro felt a thrill hearing it!
Maybe it was the joy of knowing he wasn't the only victim…
Σ(っ °Д °;)っ
"What the hell, Kohei, what are you doing?!"
Iori couldn't sit still, rushing to stop Kohei from chaining more attacks.
"Look at the mess you made! What if he's just some random guy?! And weren't you just lying down?!"
Kohei had been gushing nosebleeds moments ago—how was he suddenly a war god?
"Hmph, my bio-radar detected danger to Maya sama, so I activated protection mode!"
Kohei tilted his head proudly. As the knight guarding the princess, this was his duty!
*Clap clap clap!!!*
Duke Shiro applauded, his eyes full of admiration for the knight.
Though, hadn't the knight's nickname for the princess changed again?
"Based on my common sense, this guy's like Shiro—after Maya sama's beauty!"
"…"
Shiro glanced at Maya. "How many names do you have?"
"Maya sama's from the fans~"
Maya smiled, clearly pleased and fond of her fanbase.
"What kind of common sense is that? Not everyone's a scumbag like Shiro!"
Iori rejected Kohei's logic. It didn't hold up!
As a normal person, hitting on a lone celebrity was perfectly reasonable.
"Calm down, Kitahara. Take a good look at who that is."
Shiro stopped Iori, urging him to check the fallen figure.
"Hm?"
Iori squinted. The unlucky guy seemed *slightly* familiar.
No!
*Very* familiar!
"Tinker bell Club's President Kudo?!"
After a moment, Iori identified him by his tanned skin and curly hair!
He bowed solemnly to Kohei, apologizing. "Sorry, Kohei, your common sense is spot-on!"
"Your common sense is completely broken!!!"
Kudo roared, scrambling to his feet. Looking around, he realized…
Aside from the voice actress, everyone else was someone he knew!
"My god! My once-in-a-lifetime island trip!"
Realizing the situation, Kudo collapsed to his knees. This trip was doomed!
"That's *my* line."
Shiro was exasperated. Seeing this jerk ruined his day.
Though, his good mood had probably vanished when Maya recognized him…
"Hey, Shiro!"
"Kudo!"
At that moment, the rest of both groups arrived.
Tokita and Kotobuki came looking for Shiro's group, worried they'd been gone too long.
As for Kudo's friends…
They'd spotted the handsome Shiro from afar and came over!
Kudo's group had four people, including him.
The Tennis Club's vice president, unable to convince two girls, had reluctantly tagged along.
His face turned green the moment he saw Shiro—he'd been pranked by him too!
…
"So… why are *you* here?!"
Calmer now, Kudo's face twisted as he spoke. He knew the island wasn't exclusive to their club, but why *this* unlucky encounter?!
"That's my question."
╮( ??ω?? )╭
Shiro spread his hands innocently. "You're the one who came to us."
"…"
Kudo recalled he'd approached to hit on the star.
His gaze shifted, and he saw Maya had already hidden behind Shiro.
And she wasn't alone—there were other girls behind him.
Why did the other two look so familiar?
Almost like the companions *he* brought.
Kudo rubbed his eyes and glanced back.
Yup, just the lone vice president stood there. The two girls were gone.
No, not gone…
They were with the enemy!!!
Kudo gaped as Shiro chatted with his two female companions. In no time, they were practically buddies?!
"Hey~ I'm Nazumi~ Wanna hang out with me~?"
Short-haired Nazumi leaned excitedly on Shiro's shoulder, mesmerized by his handsome face. His looks outshone Kudo's group by a mile, giving off a puppy-like charm.
*Slurp~* She loved this type!
"I'm Yuki~ Wanna sneak behind the rocks for some fun~?"
Wavy-haired Yuki, not to be outdone, pressed against Shiro's chest, her fingers tracing his muscles, inching dangerously close to *little brother*. (Busujima's two besties)
!!!
As a normal guy hugged by two cute bikini-clad girls, Shiro was in bliss.
Of course, as a seasoned flirt, he saw through them instantly—they were after his looks!
Carnivorous predators!
*Slurp~* Good thing he was too~
"Of course, no problem! I'm Shiro—just call me Shiro-kun~ Let's head to the beach over there. I brought some amazing sunscreen. I'll help you apply it later~"
Shiro effortlessly draped his arms around the two girls. He'd dealt with this plenty in Tokyo.
Just some carnivorous girls? Totally normal~ Adults taking what they need~
"Oh, you're so bad~"
"Then you've gotta put it on me first~"
The girls playfully swatted his chest, their tones coy but not the least bit displeased.
In fact, they seemed excited.
!
Seeing their reactions, Shiro knew he was golden! A 1v2 show tonight was locked in!
It'd been a while since he'd had this kind of fun—he was a bit thrilled~
But Shiro forgot one thing.
He wasn't here alone.
As he turned with the girls, he was met with a scene.
Azusa-nee gave him a weird look and a thumbs-up. Iori clutched a spiked club, his face monsterous looking ready to tear him apart.
Chisa? She stared at him the same way she did Iori. As for Nanaka-nee… her smile made Shiro fear she'd pull a knife next.
But the scariest was Maya…
Her gentle smile was like a wife happily greeting her husband.
If only it weren't for the black aura of resentment behind her!!!
That grudge could spawn an urban legend!!!
Σ(っ °Д °;)っ
In that instant, Shiro realized what a *stupid* thing he'd done.
He'd just had a heartfelt confession with Maya, then turned around to flirt with two girls for a sunscreen session behind the rocks?!
Putting himself in her shoes, Shiro felt he was doomed.
For his own survival, he had to act!
He spun to Kudo, dead serious. "You guys short on people?!"
(′｀;)?
Kudo blinked, confused. He didn't know what was up, but why did Shiro's face look so grim?
"We're *not* short! Now give us our friends back!"
Kudo gritted his teeth. He was already down a girl, and these two he'd barely convinced to come were now stolen by this jerk!
Sure, nothing had happened yet, but this scene made him feel a *tiny* bit cuckolded.
No, Kudo's island trip was all about *hunting*—closing the gap with girls fast.
But now… it wasn't looking good~
"No, no, you *must* be short, right? *Definitely* short!"
Shiro's voice grew panicked as the resentment behind him thickened.
His hands, once around the girls' waists, had slipped away, but it didn't help!
Nazumi and Yuki clung to his arms, their boobs squished against him, practically changing shape!
"Shiro-kun? What's wrong? Let's go over there. I wanna feel your muscles~"
"Shiro-kun's lips must be so soft~"
*Gulp…*
"Stop… don't say that…"
Shiro swallowed hard. The resentment behind him was intensifying!
After some thought, he gritted his teeth. It was time to choose!
No, not a choice—just fixing his mistake!
He resolutely pulled his hands from their embrace. If he apologized sincerely, explaining it was just sleepwalking, Maya would forgive him, right?
But dreams are sweet, and reality is cruel~
His forceful tug created a *wave* of jiggling on the beach—two, to be exact~
"Eek~ Shiro-kun, so naughty~"
"Too eager, Shiro-kun~"
*BOOM!*
The girls' coy voices sounded like an executioner's horn to Shiro.
Maya's resentment materialized. Silent until now, she finally spoke.
"Knight Kohei, can I ask a favor…? I… I don't want a dangerous scumbag like him near me… Can you help?"
Maya kept her head down, her expression hidden, but her crimson eyes promised Shiro an unforgettable experience.
"Here!"
Knight Kohei, titan faced grinning wickedly, pulled a spiked club from behind. He'd been itching to do this.
"I'll help too, Kohei!"
Iori joined in, consumed by jealousy's demon!
Σ(っ °Д °;)っ
"Kohei… Kitahara! We're brothers! You wouldn't turn that dangerous thing on your brother!
Oh crap!
AHHH!!!
At least not the face!
AAAAAAHHH!!!"
Σ_(???」∠)
Shiro… deceased~
*THUD!*
Shiro's soulless body was unceremoniously dumped on the sand.
After dealing with the heretic, Iori turned to Kudo, not far off.
"You're still here? You're next!"
{{(°△°; "}}!
"We didn't do anything!"
"Yeah, we're victims!"
Seeing Shiro's fate, Kudo's fear of the club's brutality spiked.
They beat their own so hard—what would they do to him? Turn his head into a pig's?
He and the vice president waved their hands, pointing to Nazumi and Yuki, inspecting Shiro's "corpse." "Our friends are still here."
After this, Kudo knew leaving now would make the island trip dull.
He proposed, "How about we call a truce? Let's all hang out!"
He said this, but his eyes kept darting to Azusa and the other girls, clearly eyeing their high-quality beauties.
"Absolutely not!"
Iori shot it down. There was nothing fun about these guys.
"Then I'll ask Tokita?"
Kudo smirked, pointing to Tokita and Kotobuki, busy resuscitating Shiro.
He knew their personalities—they rarely refused inter-club activities.
"Tch!"
Iori scowled, knowing the seniors' kind nature would likely agree.
"What're you two yapping about?"
Kohei popped up out of nowhere.
"Oh, this guy wants to hang with us."
"I just wanna chill with the girls…"
Kudo didn't hide it. They were acquaintances; everyone knew the deal.
"Hm?"
Kohei's eyes grew dangerous.
Then, his vibe shifted, and he nodded. "Nothing wrong with that."
"Huh?"
Iori was stunned. "For real? Even with Maya-san…?"
"No problem. I was just looking for watermelons for the watermelon-smashing game!"
*Whoosh!*
Kohei's aura turned demonic, transforming from a delicate boy into a hellish ghoul, stick ready for watermelon-smashing.
"Oh~ What a coincidence~"
Iori grinned wickedly too. Smashing watermelons counted as hanging out, right?
"What kind of coincidence is *that*?!"
Kudo roared. They'd clearly decided to target him!
"Quit yapping! Watermelons don't talk!"
"Be grateful and embrace your watermelon role!"
Shou and Kohei forcibly prepped Kudo.
Soon, a proper watermelon stood before them.
But…
After donning the watermelon headgear, their energy seemed to drain.
Like adults hyped for a game, only to be deflated by a passing kid's disdainful glance.
All passion fizzled out.
"Guess… this is kinda pointless."
"True."
"And cleaning blood's a hassle."
The trio fell silent again.