The Heroines All Regretted It

[Megumi, want to go on a trip together sometime soon?]

[I've slimmed down quite a bit again lately.]

It was mid-August, less than two weeks before school resumed. Yoru's travel voucher was about to expire. If he didn't use it, it'd go to waste.

After all, it was a luxurious three-day, two-night trip for two.

You'd be an idiot to let that kind of deal go to waste.

After sending the message, Yoru got out of bed and headed to the shower.

[Where are we going?]

Megumi replied quickly. She must've been up early.

[I won a three-day, two-night luxury travel package in Kanagawa…]

[It's with a small tour group. Want to come?]

[Photo of the travel voucher]

Yoru attached a picture of the voucher.

Megumi didn't reply immediately.

Maybe she was thinking it over or asking her parents.

After washing up, Yoru went to the kitchen to make breakfast.

As usual, he filled San-san's bowl with kibble and water, grabbed his gym bag, and headed out.

The park was familiar. The scenery hadn't changed. It was around the same time as always.

2,000 meters.

He was feeling good today. Yoru almost managed to grit his teeth and run the whole distance in one go.

Back in late March, right before the spring trip, he had been a 300-pound fatty.

Just walking a bit faster had left him gasping, breathless.

Now, he could push through a 2,000-meter run.

After a short rest, Yoru was slightly surprised he didn't run into Fujiwara Chika or Pes.

Taking a sip of water, Yoru opened his breakfast box.

A large slice of salmon, lightly seared with black pepper, and a full box of vegetable salad.

Just then, Pes came trotting from afar, pulling Chika along. The moment she spotted Yoru, she perked up in excitement.

"Pes…"

"I'm your owner, not Kitaka—I mean, not him, okay?"

"You might as well go live with him…"

Panting, Chika loosened Pes leash and grumbled at the dog.

"Woof woof~"

Pes seemed to understand and turned back with a pitiful whimper.

You're human, I'm a dog.

Why should I go on morning runs or skip breakfast?

You take me out for a walk in the morning, but don't feed me properly—isn't that just plain bullying?

Unfortunately, Chika couldn't understand dog language.

As Yoru lifted a piece of salmon with his chopsticks, his head tilted back and hair parted, revealing his nearly flawless features.

Then came Pes bark.

His eating was interrupted, and he looked over.

Woof woof—

Woof—

Pes broke free from Chika's leash and dashed over to Yoru, flopping around wildly at his feet.

"Pes, not again…"

Chika caught up a few seconds later, panting, and smiled apologetically at Yoru.

"I'm used to it by now. We run into each other every few days."

Yoru put down his chopsticks and bowl, lifted his long hair, and tied it behind his ears to keep it out of his face.

'Did he… get even more handsome?'

Chika's breath stalled for a second. She found herself stealing another glance at Yoru and sat beside him.

Yoru was still slightly chubby, and the fat on his face changed day by day.

Look at him again a week later, and you'd notice the difference—he was naturally getting more handsome.

Low body fat, around 10%, boosts facial attractiveness by at least 20%.

And Yoru was still cutting fat and slimming down.

"Morning. School's starting soon."

Yoru took another bite of salmon and tossed a piece to Pes.

"There's still half a month. You've slimmed down so much—people at school are going to be shocked. Not to mention…"

Chika smiled softly as she admired Yoru's stunning profile—then suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

"Not to mention what?"

Yoru turned to her and met her gaze.

(⊙o⊙)

"…"

"N-Nothing… it's nothing… ahaha…"

Chika's heartbeat stumbled. She forced a laugh, trying to cover up.

No way could she say something like "You're so ridiculously handsome" out loud.

She wasn't that bold.

"Oh? Want to try some?"

Yoru raised the box of salmon toward her.

The salmon had been lightly seared in olive oil with a touch of black pepper—its aroma drifted temptingly through the air.

"This…"

Chika looked down, unsure whether to accept or decline.

Pes was practically drooling.

Thinking she didn't want to dirty her hands, Yoru reversed his chopsticks and picked up a piece, offering it to her.

All she had to do was open her mouth.

The delicious-smelling salmon approached, and Chika tilted her head slightly and opened her mouth, ready to be fed.

Yoru hesitated for a second, then gently placed the salmon into her soft pink lips.

"It's so good~"

She took a bite and nodded repeatedly with satisfaction as she swallowed the salmon.

The delicious flavor still lingered in her mouth—and that's when it hit her.

'Wait, this is…!'

Her hand clenched the edge of the bench. She turned her head away, blushing hard at Yoru's profile.

'That was way too intimate!'

'Ahhhhhh—!!'

Though silent on the surface, her mind was screaming. Chika's adorable face turned faintly pink.

Woof~

Pes got another piece of salmon and jumped with excitement, giving Chika another little shock.

A few minutes later…

Still flustered, Chika found an excuse to leave with Pes.

"See you."

Yoru's hair had already fallen back down.

"Bye… hehe…"

Chika managed a strained smile. Since Yoru's face was covered, she felt more at ease.

After saying goodbye, she briskly tugged the reluctant Pes away.

Only when Yoru had turned into a tiny dot in the distance did she finally exhale and glance back.

"He's way too good-looking… and kind of cute, too. That scared me…"

The pink-haired girl patted her chest, her face full of disbelief.

Yoru still hadn't really considered just how much more handsome he'd become, nor did he notice anything strange about Chika.

After all, once his hair came down, his looks were sealed again.

After finishing the salmon, Yoru wolfed down the salad seasoned with black pepper and salt, then headed home.

He didn't weigh himself after the workout.

The closer he got to his goal, the harder it was to drop pounds. In short bursts of time, his weight wouldn't change much.

While showering, he received confirmation from Megumi. She agreed to the trip, and the departure date was set.

After putting away his phone, Yoru looked at himself in the mirror and twisted his hips a bit.

…

A few days later, it was August 21st.

Ten days left before the second semester at Shuchiin Academy began.

That afternoon, Yoru—as usual—wore his baseball cap and headed to Angel's café.

Today was the last day of his job there.

The café was already running smoothly. Only a few decorative touches and minor details were left.

Ding ding ding—

The clear sound of a bell echoed at the door.

"Good afternoon, Yoru-kun."

Yuigahama Yae seemed to have been waiting for him. She stood by the bookshelf and looked back with a gentle smile.

"Goo… good afternoon, Manager Yuigahama."

Yoru gave a small nod.

"You remembered what I said, right? You didn't eat lunch?"

Yae stepped forward a few steps.

"I didn't. I skipped lunch today…"

Yoru replied.

"Good. Come try my cooking."

This was Yoru's last day working there, and Yae wanted to have a proper meal with him.

So she'd told him earlier not to eat lunch today.

"Yuigahama-san's not coming?"

Yoru asked as he stepped inside.

"It's usually just the two of us, right?"

Yae walked toward the bar, then stopped and looked back.

Yoru flinched and took a step back.

"Hehe~"

"What are you afraid of, Yoru-kun? I'm not going to eat you."

"Or is it awkward and uncomfortable spending time with your classmate's mom?"

She chuckled softly.

"I guess you could say that!"

Yoru nodded like a bobblehead.

"Then just think of me as your boss."

Yae said, then circled behind the bar and pulled out a large tray from the warming cabinet.

The tray held several small dishes—beautifully presented and full of flavor.

"Come on, let's eat."

"Thank you for all your hard work."

Yae said plainly.

She simply wanted to thank Yoru with a meal.

Besides, it was her café—basically her home.

Since Yoru was her daughter's classmate and clubmate, as the host and an elder, she wanted to treat him properly.

"Alright…"

Yoru nodded politely, albeit a bit stiffly.

Yae placed the food at a four-person booth and waved him over.

Yoru had no choice but to sit opposite her.

Facing each other, he sniffed lightly. The delicious aroma wafted into his nose.

"I don't know if you'll like it, but Yui does. I made it according to her taste."

She handed out bowls, chopsticks, and spoons. The rice was already served.

"Thank you, Manager."

Yoru accepted them with both hands. Then he removed his cap. His long hair fell down—it would get in the way while eating.

"Oh, wait a moment, Yoru-kun."

Yae suddenly remembered something and stood up, walking toward the break room.

Yoru looked puzzled. A few seconds later, she returned with a black hair tie.

"Yoru-kun, are you planning to grow your hair long?"

She handed him the hair tie and sat back down.

"Not exactly. I'm thinking of getting it cut before school starts…"

Yoru shook his head and tried to tie up his hair messily with the band.

"Hmm?"

Ever since the day she accidentally sat down on Yoru's stomach, Yae had realized the boy hiding under long hair and a slightly chubby frame was actually incredibly handsome.

And now, after only a short time, he looked even better.

Previously, she'd thought his looks were on par with the male leads in the romance or school dramas she liked to watch.

Now, though—he completely surpassed them.

'He's really so handsome… I wonder if Yui would like him?'

Her gaze lingered on Yoru's face as she silently thought of her daughter.

As a woman who'd already had a child, she was experienced enough not to act like a flustered young girl even while shocked or impressed.

"This is good."

Yoru tied his hair up and tasted a bite of food.

"Then let's eat."

Yae let out a small breath and smiled warmly as she picked up her chopsticks.

To be honest, the food tasted great.

It was just a little on the bland side—probably because Yae was mindful that Yoru was dieting.

After lunch, Yoru wiped his mouth with a napkin.

Koharu sat across from him, not cleaning up the dishes yet, tilting her head slightly with her chin propped up.

Her smooth, fair arm lay across the table. Her full chest pressed slightly against her arm, creating a noticeable curve.

Yoru didn't dare look at her directly.

"I also baked a cake and made some coffee. Yoru-kun, why don't you try them too?"

Seeing Yoru finish with the napkin, Yae gave him no chance to speak before heading to the bar and bringing over a tray.

"Ah~"

'Yuigahama-san's mom really takes good care of people…'

Yoru thought to himself as he looked toward the bar.

He didn't know that, after divorcing her status-conscious husband, Yae had to raise Yui alone, making sure to care for every aspect of her life.

"It's a sponge chiffon cake. If the coffee's too bitter, you can add sugar."

Yae carefully set down Yoru's portion in front of him.

A small, fruit-topped, cream-free cake. A cup of black coffee. A bowl of chopped fruit.

"Thank you."

Yoru reached out politely.

When he grabbed the coffee, his hand accidentally brushed against Yae's warm and gentle one.

The moment their hands touched, they pulled away.

Yoru felt a tingle shoot through him, both uncomfortable and a little excited.

Yae didn't seem to mind at all. Smiling, she took a sip of her coffee.

They slowly enjoyed the dessert together.

From a mother's perspective, Yae casually asked Yoru a few questions about school and life.

The coffee was refilled twice as they chatted. Finally, she set her cup down.

'Yoru-kun is surprisingly pure and handsome—so charming. If he ever starred in an idol or romance drama…'

She was in a great mood, the smile on her lips never fading.

"Oh right, Yoru-kun, could I ask one last favor?"

Something had just come to mind.

"Sure?"

Yoru stood up.

"Don't move, it'll just take a second. Please wait."

When it came to business, Yae was decisive and efficient.

Yoru sat back down on the sofa and waited a moment.

Yae came back holding an apron with the café's logo and name on it.

As expected—it was a uniform.

"Please wear this and let me take a few promo photos?"

She had a small idea.

Yoru was young, attractive, and charming. He'd look great on flyers or social media ads for the café.

Wouldn't young girls come flocking just to see a good-looking guy?

"Sure, no problem."

Yoru reached for the apron.

"No rush. I want to help fix your hair first."

Yae smiled and raised the apron higher.

"Oh, I'll do it myself."

Yoru reached up to his hair.

"Do you know how?"

Yae gave him a playful look and pursed her tempting lips.

"I'll help!"

She said firmly, in a tone that allowed no refusal.

Yoru froze, unsure of what to do.

"Come on, Yoru-kun. Auntie will make you look very handsome~"

Yae walked over with a bright smile and stood behind him.

"Then… okay."

Yoru nodded stiffly, sitting upright, more proper than proper.

He wasn't like this at all back when he ruthlessly put that proud rich girl Eriri in her place.

"Relax, don't be scared, and stay still."

Her gentle scent slipped into his nose and slowly crept into his brain.

Those delicate, pale hands reached into his hair.

His black hair spread like a waterfall.

Yae's eyes were filled with tenderness and a hint of playfulness. Yoru's reaction was so shy it was almost cute.

From behind, she could tell how tense he was—his shoulders were trembling slightly.

'Back then, Yoru-kun thought I was Yui's sister…'

Her fingers carefully combed his hair down, clawing softly through it.

Thinking of that made her chuckle quietly, her expression utterly beautiful.

Tangled strands were gently brushed apart.

Her touch was so gentle that Yoru slowly began to relax, though he still didn't dare turn around.

He knew that if he leaned his head back just a little, he'd fall straight into a sea of softness.

Yui's figure was already impressive among girls her age.

But behind him stood Yui's mature mother. There was no comparison.

"Your hair's in great condition."

Yae quickly focused again. Her fingers slid to his hairline, brushing it back.

The strands around his ears were revealed, and his now-reddened ears betrayed his embarrassment.

"Huh?"

Yae's eyes lit up like she'd discovered a new continent. Her gaze fixed intensely on his ears.

Yoru felt like his ears were on fire.

'No way…'

'He's actually blushing?'

Yae's mouth opened slightly in surprise.

Could it be?

Was Yoru-kun developing feelings for her?

But she was so much older—old enough to be his mother.

She was literally the mother of his classmate…

"Ehehe…"

Yae thought about it, but she wasn't angry. On the contrary, she felt a strange mix of joy and shyness.

She didn't take it too seriously—it was just a passing thought.

Her hands kept moving. She gathered Yoru's hair at the back, layering it and pinning up the extra strands with black clips.

Then she twisted the rest into a bun at the base of his skull.

"Is it done?"

Yoru felt his scalp being tugged and could tell his hair was tied up.

"The back's done. Now the front."

Yae moved to Yoru's side and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

Guiding him, she turned his body to face her.

Yae was a bit taller than Yui. Yoru was seated on the booth.

That meant his line of sight was exactly level with Yae's chest—and it was close.

Panicking, Yoru quickly shut his eyes, his adrenaline spiking.

Yae, acting completely calm, looked down at him with a soft smile.

She gently reached toward his bangs and separated a few strands of hair on either side.

The dragon-beard bangs—one long, one short—were absolutely perfect.

At that moment, Yae felt her heart stir with springlike emotion.

Yoru had always been handsome, but with just a little styling, his charm now felt completely unleashed.

She stared at him, eyes wide, before biting her lip slightly, feeling a bit ashamed of herself.

'Yoru-kun is young enough to call me 'mom'...'

She muttered in mock reproach, stepping back and letting go.

"Is it... done?"

Yoru opened his eyes and rolled his sore neck, using the brief moment to steady himself.

The lingering scent of her perfume was making him dizzy with confusion.

He didn't even dare look at Yae directly.

"All done~"

Yae stepped back again, resting her chin in her hand as she studied Yoru's face thoughtfully.

Yoru turned and picked up the apron, slipping it on.

'No matter how you look at him, he's unbelievably handsome~'

'Mmm...'

Yae hummed softly as she stepped forward, reaching out with both hands.

Yoru, completely unprepared, suddenly had Yae's warm hands cradle his head.

"Huh?"

The next second, he heard her soft voice by his ear.

"Don't move. I'm just adjusting the back a bit."

As she spoke, her hands gently pushed Yoru's head downward.

With his head leaning forward, their distance narrowed.

Her full chest was right in front of his eyes—close enough for his breath to graze it.

Even though this had happened once before, Yoru was still incredibly pure at heart. His body froze, not daring to breathe, eyes wide open.

Then—

Yae pushed down a little more, completely unaware of anything inappropriate.

It was almost touching his face.

Yoru was so tense that he shut his eyes tightly.

Just a centimeter—no, a few millimeters more and they would've touched.

Yae finished adjusting, stepped back, and looked at her handiwork with satisfaction.

'Manager Yuigahama must really see me as a kid…'

'Phew...'

Yoru blinked rapidly, staring at the floor and taking deep breaths.

He wasn't wrong—though he wasn't completely right either.

The main reason for the treatment he received was because he was too handsome. Even a mature woman who had already given birth to a daughter almost couldn't resist his charm.

The rest had to do with his personality, background, and reactions...

But none of that really mattered.

When he used to be a greasy, overweight slob, women found him disgusting and avoided him.

Now that he'd transformed, women found him irresistible.

A clear double standard.

"Perfect!"

Yae made a playful peace sign and took out her phone.

"What should I do?"

Yoru cooperatively stood up.

"Like this…"

"And like that…"

"Relax your expression a little. Look more melancholic…"

Yae gave him directions while continuously tapping the shutter button.

Click click click–––

Dozens of photos were taken, filling her gallery.

"Perfect."

Yae clenched her fist in satisfaction and gave Yoru a look of encouragement.

"Phew, that was exhausting."

Yoru flopped into his seat, feeling more drained than after running 2000 meters.

"Hehehe~"

Yae glanced at him and started flipping through her recent trophies.

Yoru holding a coffee tray, bowing slightly, bangs fluttering, a professional smile on his face.

Yoru at an angle, pretending to tidy a messy table…

…

…

Yoru with one hand on the back of the sofa, legs slightly apart, eyes relaxed, smiling naturally.

He gave off a strange aura—at first glance, bright and sunny, but on closer inspection, there was a cold aloofness, making him seem both hard to approach and warmly gentle at the same time…

"Mm!"

Yae stopped at this photo and stared at it for two seconds. It felt like time slowed around her. She gasped softly.

In that photo, Yoru's charm surged forth, easily piercing through the mature lady's supposedly solid defenses. Her face flushed red in an instant.

Her plump, fair thighs instinctively pressed tightly together, even trembling a little.

Her toes curled. Her delicate feet tensed and lifted slightly off the floor…

She felt itchy all over…

It was like…

She'd lost...

She'd lost all composure…

How embarrassing…

Just moments ago, she was feeling superior for not being one of those shallow girls who freeze at the sight of a handsome guy...

Meanwhile, Yoru poured himself another cup of coffee and took big gulps, completely unaware of Yae's abnormal state.

…

That afternoon, after his shift ended—

Yoru received his wages and a discount card for 20% off, then left Angel Café.

"He finally left…"

Yae finally understood that odd feeling Yoru must have had being around her. She watched him walk away slowly.

"There's a bit more than expected."

On the way to the station, Yoru opened the envelope containing his pay.

"kyūryō" meant salary.

He reached the end of the shopping street, caught a ride, and headed home.

Not to his apartment—but his family home.

About thirty minutes later, he arrived just in time for dinner.

In August, Tokyo didn't get dark until 7 PM.

His sudden return startled both his parents.

"Did you tell him about the medical check I wanted you to trick him into?"

While Yoru was in the restroom, his mom asked quietly.

"I told him. He just hasn't gone yet."

His dad gave a troubled smile. Still, seeing their son slim down was a great thing.

Long hair, and once lifted, he was a total heartthrob.

"Push him again."

His mom whispered.

Soon, Yoru came into the kitchen, tossed his baseball cap aside, tied up his hair casually with the black hair tie Yae had given him, and started eating.

Neither parent was shocked—only joyful.

His dad, when young, had looked somewhat like this. There was some resemblance.

They knew their son wouldn't look the same to outsiders.

At this point, Yoru still wasn't slim enough.

He was still slightly chubby, with a higher-than-average body fat percentage.

But his looks already matched—or even surpassed—his dad's prime.

And this was with his hair tied up messily, wearing loose, sloppy clothes.

Kitakami Megumi (his mom) stared boldly at her son's features.

He had perfectly inherited both her and her husband's best traits, while discarding the flaws.

"Hah!"

Megumi picked up a bite of food and glanced subtly at her husband.

She used to be just like Kasumigaoka Utaha—aloof and indifferent toward men.

But the first time she met Yoru's father, her heart had raced... and she was swept away.

So maybe… a tendency to gain weight could be inherited?

…

There was exactly one week left before the start of school.

That morning, Yoru woke up early.

He took a deep breath and stepped onto the scale.

The numbers flickered rapidly before settling on: 153.

For his height, 130 was the baseline for standard weight.

"I still have a week. I should be able to drop a few more pounds. That'll do."

He exhaled and stepped off the scale, hands on his hips, a bit dissatisfied.

He'd originally wanted to reach his goal weight by himself.

He'd give himself another one or two months to train up a good body with defined muscles.

By then, he'd be a brand-new person next year.

At this stage, it would take at least a month, maybe longer, to get rid of the remaining stubborn fat.

The further he progressed, the harder it got.

Yoru put away the scale and headed to the shower.

He wasn't going for a morning run today. After washing up and having breakfast, it'd be time to leave.

Two days earlier in the afternoon—

Megumi Kato had come to find Yoru so they could go to the travel agency together and redeem their tickets.

The group tour was scheduled for today, meeting up with the guide at Shinjuku Central Station.

He had temporarily left Sanzo with his mother.

"By the way, hasn't Gabriel come back yet?"

Yoru was starting to miss Gabriel a little.

After breakfast, he picked up the backpack he had prepared and left for Shinjuku.

An hour later—

Yoru arrived at the plaza in front of the station, looking around for the tour guide and Megumi.

He pulled his cap low to hide his hair, leaving only his eyes exposed.

Gathering time was 9:30, with departure at exactly 10:00.

It was now 8:50.

The guide should be arriving early.

A few minutes later, the guide sent a location message in the group chat.

Yoru took his time walking over.

He saw a middle-aged male guide standing beside a few tourists—both locals and foreigners.

He stepped forward, confirmed his details, and silently waited to the side.

A few more minutes passed.

Megumi showed up, dressed lightly, wearing sneakers and carrying a small backpack.

"Yoru-kun, morning."

Yoru greeted her.

"Ah, morning."

Megumi smiled lightly and pulled out a sandwich from her bag, waving it a little. "Want one? I bought extra."

"I already ate."

Yoru got along easily with Megumi, so he declined directly.

Worried it might hurt the friendship?

Not at all.

"Then I'll have it."

Megumi stood next to him, nibbling on the sandwich while occasionally sneaking glances at Yoru.

The first time she saw him recently, she was so shocked she couldn't sleep that night.

Back then, Yoru was chubby, with features almost buried in fat.

Now, after slimming down, it was a total transformation.

Handsome… and charming…

To explain—some people are simply good-looking. Others might have average features but such an outstanding aura or shine to them that they become charming.

Having charm is just as powerful as being handsome.

Yoru had both.

Just one glance and you couldn't stop looking at his face.

You never got tired of it—in fact, the more you looked, the more you liked it. He was even kind of adorable.

When a girl says you're handsome, you might actually be handsome.

When she says you're cute, you probably aren't actually cute—it just means she likes you.

"School's starting soon…"

Megumi hadn't taken her eyes off her best friend's face once.

She was happy for Yoru, but also a bit torn and a little envious.

'Yoru-kun's so good-looking now, he'll definitely be super popular at school.'

'If he…'

Yoru was her only real close friend.

Now that he was handsome, she was sure tons of girls would flock around him… and she'd get left out.

Sigh…

At 10:00 sharp—

The tour group, led by the guide, was fully assembled.

Including the guide himself, there were nine people.

They entered the station together. The agency had booked train tickets to Kanagawa Prefecture.

Kanagawa was a popular tourist destination, directly bordering Tokyo.

Very close.

If you lived on the border, you could literally have one foot in Tokyo and one foot in Kanagawa.

First stop was Yokohama.

Once they arrived, a shuttle from the agency picked them up and took them to their hotel—a four-star stay for one night.

After enjoying the complimentary lunch buffet and resting a bit, the group left at 2:00 PM with the guide on the shuttle for sightseeing.

Anyone not interested could stay back at the hotel.

Yokohama's Chinatown was the largest in all of Japan and even Asia.

As they arrived, Yoru walked alongside Megumi, following behind the guide.

A wave of familiarity and warmth hit him instantly.

They strolled for over an hour.

Yoru pulled Megumi over to take a few pictures together and try some street food.

Then they got on the shuttle again for the next destination—

Yokohama Minato Mirai 21.

Nogeyama Zoo.

That night, the shuttle drove across Yokohama Bay Bridge to end the day.

The next morning—

After breakfast, they left for Yokosuka City at 9:00.

They visited a now-famous art museum. Lunch was free time.

In the afternoon, they toured the Yokosuka naval port to see American warships.

The rest of the day was for personal plans. Tomorrow was the last day.

Evening, back at the hotel room—

Megumi wore a loose short-sleeved shirt. The small table in the room was filled with American-style food.

Because there was a U.S. military base here, lots of American families lived in the area.

Many Americans opened restaurants, and Megumi had gone out to buy from one of them.

Inside the bathroom—

The sound of Yoru showering suddenly stopped.

He rustled into a wide, white bathrobe and started drying his hair with a hairdryer, studying his reflection.

"Still not there. A few spots still look chubby… I'll have to cut body fat further…"

"Do I look good like this?"

He looked at his face in the mirror. He couldn't say for sure, but he thought it looked decent—clean and fair-skinned.

At least not ugly.

He'd heard that if you stare at yourself in the mirror long enough, your eyes and brain start to trick you—automatically beautifying your image in your own mind.

So Yoru never fully trusted what he saw.

Maybe he really didn't know how lucky he was.

But he didn't need to.

As long as others saw the face, that was enough.

After drying his hair, Yoru remembered he needed to eat. He tied his hair up, opened the door, and stepped out.

"So handsome…"

Megumi had been watching him all day and hadn't built any resistance at all.

Any more, and she might actually fall for Yoru.

The third day—

The shuttle left early.

Destination: Kamakura, Kanagawa's most famous sightseeing spot.

Here they'd find Shichirigahama Beach—one of the filming sites for Slam Dunk.

The Great Buddha of Kamakura, Enoshima!

Yoru sat next to Megumi and gave her the window seat.

"Up ahead is Shichirigahama—it's where Slam Dunk was filmed…"

"Everyone, look to the left. Driver, could you slow down a bit…"

"No need to rush… the shuttle will stop nearby…"

The guide reassured everyone.

The shuttle slowly climbed the slope.

Late August, with perfect clear skies—it was the perfect day to view the sea.

The deep blue water looked almost poetic.

Yoru pressed his lips together. Not bad.

Most people who came to Kanagawa were here for this exact spot.

Megumi, her expression as calm as always, slightly parted her lips.

About ten minutes later—

The minibus stopped nearby.

Yoru and Megumi took a detour, came down from a slope, and noticed a school just a stone's throw away.

At the bottom of the gentle slope, dozens of tourists crowded under the scorching sun, holding up their phones and snapping photos like crazy.

They took a break at noon.

In the afternoon, they visited the Great Buddha of Kamakura and strolled around Enoshima.

The tour group had wrapped up and was getting ready to return.

Megumi apparently hadn't had enough and asked Yoru if they could stay another day to visit the beach.

Yoru wasn't in any hurry, so they picked a well-known beach nearby and booked two separate rooms.

Megumi went to rest—too hot under the sun. They'd head out to the beach around sunset.

Even during the trip, Yoru hadn't slacked off from training. Since he couldn't run, he did push-ups and hill sprints to stay disciplined.

Around five o'clock—

The sun had started to ease.

Megumi changed into a modest swimsuit, applied sunscreen, and appeared before Yoru.

"I didn't bring a swimsuit…"

Yoru finally realized—he'd never been a fan of swimming anyway.

"It wouldn't feel complete coming to the beach without going in at least once."

Megumi smiled faintly.

They arrived together at the beach.

Golden fine sand, crystal-clear waters, small waves.

Not a speck of trash in sight. Lifeguards stood atop lookout towers.

Only problem was—everyone else was smart enough to avoid the midday sun too.

So now, it was quite crowded.

Megumi started stretching, warming up before going into the water.

Yoru didn't feel like swimming. He sat on the beach with his knees pulled up, silently watching.

Now and then, he'd respond to Megumi from the water, chatting casually.

There was plenty to enjoy on the beach too.

About ten minutes later, Megumi finished swimming and came ashore, dripping wet.

Yoru stepped forward and handed her a towel.

"Sorry to make you just watch me swim…"

Megumi gently wiped the seawater off her pale skin, offering a faint smile of apology.

The smile quickly faded, her calm expression returning.

"Want to go get something to drink?"

Yoru waved his hand casually. "Doesn't matter."

Megumi nodded slightly, and the two walked toward a beachside restaurant.

"Why do I feel like someone's been staring at me?"

Standing outside the restaurant, Yoru looked back suspiciously and touched his face.

Megumi got a soda. Yoru opted for an ice-cold electrolyte drink. They stepped outside and found a spot to sit.

"What a coincidence—Kitakami-kun, is that you?"

Vignette, wearing a normal-style swimsuit, walked up and greeted him.

She was a demon and had recognized Yoru by his aura.

"Vignette?"

Yoru was the surprised one. He hadn't seen her in ages and was shocked she could still recognize him.

"It's me! You've lost so much weight…"

Vignette looked him up and down.

Honestly, Yoru-kun looked really good after slimming down.

So this was what humans meant when they talked about charm?

In the demon realm, strength was beauty.

Looks came second.

"Thanks."

Yoru could already guess that in a few days, the entire school would be buzzing about how he'd slimmed down.

That would be perfect.

Riding the wave of popularity would help clarify that the whole thing about him stealing Kasumigaoka Utaha's panties and stockings had been a misunderstanding.

It's easy to spread rumors, but clearing your name is the real challenge.

"And this is?"

Vignette sat beside Yoru and glanced toward Megumi.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Megumi Kato, a second-year."

Megumi seemed to notice that Vignette wasn't particularly close to Yoru—just acquaintances.

"I'm Vignette. Nice to meet you, Kato-senpai."

Vignette smiled kindly, impossible to dislike.

Because of Gabriel, Vignette had never called Yoru "senpai" from the start, and it just stayed that way.

Before the three could chat more—

Satania came racing in from afar, hugging a massive watermelon like it weighed nothing.

"Vignette! I've been looking everywhere for you!"

Satania wore a conservative black swimsuit, a helpless expression on her face as she stood in front of Yoru but stared at Vignette.

"Sorry… Satania…"

Vignette forced a smile and motioned to the two beside her.

"Who's this?"

"Huh? Yoru?!"

Satania turned her head, froze, then jumped up in surprise.

The watermelon in her hands was tossed into the air.

Despite her small frame, she possessed ridiculous strength—the watermelon soared several meters high.

Yoru and Megumi instinctively looked up, exclaiming in surprise.

"Uh-oh."

Realizing what she'd done, Satania ignored Yoru and leapt to catch the falling watermelon.

The heavy, dark-green watermelon came crashing down—

Satania caught it effortlessly, causing both Yoru and Megumi to stare, dumbfounded.

"Satania was just born with insane strength. Her athletic ability is unusually good, too."

Vignette tried to explain for her, so the two wouldn't be too shocked.

After she spoke, she tilted her head in surprise.

She could've sworn Satania didn't know Yoru… What was going on?

Yoru and Megumi quickly accepted the reality.

Tossing a big watermelon, even if a bit high, wasn't that absurd.

Plenty of athletic girls their age could probably pull it off.

Megumi looked at Yoru, then glanced back at Satania.

"Phew…"

Satania let out a breath and plopped down on the beach, openly staring at Yoru's face.

No one found it strange.

After a moment—

She finally spoke and introduced herself to Megumi.

"Hey, let's play watermelon splitting!"

Satania slapped the watermelon and looked at Yoru.

'Hehehehe…'

'This is the perfect chance to get closer to Yoru…'

"Sure, I'm in."

Bored anyway, Yoru raised his hand and agreed.

Since he said yes, Megumi naturally didn't object.

Satania picked up the watermelon and found a shady spot.

During that time, Yoru continued to attract glances. He finally understood why.

Walking around with three cute, energetic girls—of course people were going to look.

"You go first. Cover your eyes."

Satania handed Yoru a thick wooden stick about the size of a forearm.

Vignette and Megumi helped tie a blindfold over Yoru's eyes.

"Hehehe…"

Satania looked at blindfolded Yoru with a mischievous grin.

"Gabriel's friend… time for a little prank. It's just a game anyway…"

"He has no idea I secretly moved the watermelon…"

When the game started, Yoru opened his eyes briefly, then shut them again.

Stick in hand, relying on memory, he walked straight forward trying to hit the watermelon.

Satania gave a silent "shh" gesture, lifted the watermelon, and snuck it away.

Vignette and Megumi were briefly stunned but chose not to say anything.

There had been studies abroad—once blindfolded, humans couldn't walk in a perfectly straight line.

Even the best outcome would only keep you straight for a few meters before veering off course.

Yoru was no exception.

But he tried his best to stay balanced and feel his way forward.

"The watermelon's over here, right here."

Satania stood to Yoru's left, hugging the watermelon and shouting loudly.

Yoru heard the voice, tried to sense the direction it came from, and walked toward the right.

After a few steps, he cautiously swung the stick toward the ground.

The sand scattered with a dull thud.

"Not here?"

"Satania's trying to give me a hint."

Yoru adjusted his direction again—this time, he was actually facing Satania.

"That's right, right here."

Satania grinned mischievously, showing her little sharp canine teeth.

Vignette and Megumi simply watched quietly without saying a word.

Suddenly, Yoru stepped forward in a big stride.

He was trying to make sure he was walking in a straight line—and it worked.

There was still some distance between him and Satania holding the watermelon.

"Yes, yes! The watermelon is right in front of you."

Satania seemed extremely pleased, nodding repeatedly.

Instead of backing away, she actually brought the watermelon closer to Yoru, standing right beside him, making silly faces.

If Yoru could see, he'd probably find her more adorable than mocking.

Satania had a petite figure, but unlike Eriri who was just skinny, her body had a soft fullness to it—especially her hips.

Actually, her whole body was plump and soft.

Yoru swung again, striking in front of him, but still missing the watermelon.

"Nope, a little more forward."

Satania's voice came from just inches away.

Yoru's ears twitched as he tried to pinpoint the direction and followed the instruction, stepping forward again.

It's hard for someone with their eyes covered to accurately judge where a voice is coming from.

Unless it's really loud, sound direction is unreliable.

He waved the stick a few more times like a headless fly, still not finding the target.

"Here!"

"Left!"

Satania stood on Yoru's front-left side, holding back laughter as she gave directions.

Because of that one line, Yoru immediately lifted the stick and swung down hard.

But left and right are reversed when you're blindfolded.

Satania's left side was actually Yoru's right side.

Besides, everyone knew that during a watermelon-smashing game, it's dangerous to stand too close to the fruit when someone is blindfolded and holding a stick.

No one would dare do what Satania was doing—hugging the watermelon and shouting from right next to him.

Wham—

The stick came down.

Yoru hadn't used full force, but it wasn't light either—it slammed right into Satania's head before she could react.

"Ah!"

Satania's grin froze. She dropped the watermelon, crouched down, and clutched her head in pain.

Yoru sensed something was wrong and quickly removed his blindfold.

Vignette and Megumi rushed over to check on Satania.

"What terrible luck…"

Satania teared up from the pain.

"Satania, I hit you?"

Yoru was stunned.

"Are you okay?" Vignette asked with concern.

"It just hurts!"

Satania plopped down on the sand.

"You deserved it."

Vignette looked at Yoru in exasperation and explained what had happened.

Satania wasn't seriously hurt—after all, she was a demon.

But she was injured.

Naturally, the rest of the event was canceled, and everyone returned to the hotel.

Turned out, they were all staying at the same one.

Satania, who brought it on herself, now had a big bump on her head. Yoru felt at least a little guilty and decided to stay with her for a bit.

That night, no one went out.

The four of them stayed in the hotel's theater room and watched a movie together.

The next day at noon, they returned to Tokyo.

On the way back, Yoru received a message from his dad reminding him about his health check-up.

School would start in three days, and the check-up was scheduled for the afternoon of the day after tomorrow.

"Summer break's over, and I still haven't finished slimming down…"

With the end of summer break and school beginning again, Yoru pinched his own cheek.