Volume 13 Chapter 287 Shirogane Aqua, The Blunder of a Close Friend
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Aboard the wooden plank-turned-King Aqua Ship, Kohina-senpai and I found ourselves adrift mere minutes after departure.
I hoped someone would come to our rescue, but unfortunately, my teammates Inko-san and RamenHagetoru-san had just gone to sleep, and Mommy Mikuni was still peacefully snoring away.
So, until Mommy Mikuni woke up, Kohina-senpai and I suddenly decided to continue the radio broadcast.
”I’ll go find someone who can talk,” I said.
”Okay, got it,” she replied.
Thrown into this impromptu radio continuation over the open sea, I scanned the names of logged-in members displayed on the voice communication app, each team having their own room prepared for the tournament.
Hmm… who would be good?
Shintaro’s face flickered in my mind—how had he been since we last spoke?
I checked the list again: Shintaro was logged out, but Awashima-san was online.
Alright! Deciding to call Awashima-san, I logged into Shintaro’s team room.
”Hello~” I greeted.
”A-Aqua-kun!?” Awashima-san and Yu-chan sounded surprised to hear me.
Looks like everyone except Shintaro was here.
”Oh dear, Aqua-kun, what’s wrong? Did things get tough with just you and Kohina Yukari?” Mutsumiya Seijuu-san teased.
”Heh, yeah, something like that,” I said with a grin.
Suddenly, a notification sounded—someone logged into the chat.
”Who’s having trouble being with whom?” a voice chimed from the chat.
”Eeek!” I almost logged out but remembered my original purpose and held back.
”Oh my, it’s been a while. I heard you had a scandal yesterday—is that true?”
”Huh? I’ve been on fire the whole time; I wouldn’t even know when that happened!” came the sharp reply.
Wow, what a comeback.
There’s no way I could respond like that.
[Always on fire, don’t even know when it’s happening lol]
[This guy’s totally done for lol]
[She’s the one adding fuel to the fire]
[Kohina Yukari, Hagetoru, Morikawa’s scandal circle]
[↑Add Tashinami-chan too, the big winner]
[She doesn’t mean to start fires; others just keep burning her]
[↑In that sense, we’re partly to blame]
[True]
Speaking of circles, actress Mutsumiya Seijuu-san was known as the empress of the actor community—an honorific earned from her long-standing, top-tier career.
She was also famous as a playgirl, having had many rumored romances with men.
In contrast to Kohina-senpai, who often fought with male actors, these two surprisingly got along well.
”By the way, I heard you had a big moment this morning?”
”Hmph! What are you talking about? I’m always active; I don’t know what you mean,” Kohina-senpai snapped suddenly.
Huh? What’s up with Kohina-senpai?
Her sharpness seemed dulled, or maybe it was just my imagination.
I glanced at the comment section.
[Wooo!]
[Ah, busy busy]
[Alright, time to clean my desk]
[Hey, you guys!]
[Suddenly everyone’s acting suspicious, lol]
[Aqua-kun, nothing happened]
[Right]
[Are you all crazy? lol]
[Nothing happened, really]
[Aqua-kun, let’s think about boobs instead?]
[Yeah, yeah, the older sister’s a J-cup, but what’s your favorite cup size, Aqua-kun?]
J-cup!? Is that the “J” of JAPAN!?
The moment I saw that power word, everything else I was thinking just flew out of my head.
”We, the Four Heavenly Kings of Japanese Actresses, won’t lose, you know.”
”What’s that supposed to mean? I don’t know about any of that!”
I looked into the camera and casually whistled as if pretending ignorance.
”Oh, you don’t know? The empress, Mutsumiya Seijuu. The vixen, Yozan Tomoe. The leopardess, Towa no Towa. And, of course, Great Kaiju Senpai, Kohina Yukari—the four of them make up that group.”
”Wait just a minute! Great Kaiju Senpai…? You definitely made that up, right!? Aqua!!”
That’s impossible!
Realizing Kohina-senpai was looking at me, I quickly averted my gaze from the camera.
[Aqua-kun, way too obvious…]
[Great Kaiju Senpai LMAO]
[She’s going to get mad now!]
[Aqua-tan, come up with a cooler name!]
[Great Kaiju Senpai sounds lame]
[Everyone else is a ‘female something’ but she’s the odd one out lol]
[Maybe she really is a loner!]
[Kohina Yukari’s alone even here? I should be nice]
[↑In a few minutes: Nah, nevermind]
Honestly, when the Seibaku Newspaper folks asked me for a big name to match the empress, vixen, and leopardess, the only thing I could come up with on the spot was Great Kaiju Senpai!
I almost said Great Kaiju Yukari-gon, but managed to hold back and settle on just “senpai,” so I think I deserve some credit.
”Hmph, not bad coming from you!”
Huh? That reaction wasn’t what I expected. Widening my eyes, I looked back into the camera.
”After all, compared to the empress of humans and the vixen or leopardess of animals, Great Kaiju sounds stronger. And best of all, you have the one and only incomparable senpai backing you up! It’s the perfect name for someone as big as me!”
”That’s right, Kohina-senpai! No, Great Kaiju Senpai!! I think you need a name this big. Look—it’s five characters long, not just two!”
I knew I was pushing it.
But as a guy, I had to go along with this big misunderstanding wave created by the enormous Great Kaiju Senpai, Kohina Yukari!
”Exactly! The longer the name, the stronger it sounds! So that means I’m the top of this gang! After all, I’m the senpai!” she said proudly.
”Definitely!” I replied with a grin.
Power. Even sucking up is power. Just force it through with momentum and somehow it works.
I thought again today how glad I was to be part of the Power Religion.
[Successful people really don’t have ordinary senses, huh?]
[Counting characters—really?]
[Competing by name length is so delightfully childish.]
[↑ Nowadays, elementary kids are actually pretty smart.]
[Fran-chan and Haa-chan are elementary schoolers, but they don’t compete over name length.]
[Could you please stop dissing elementary schoolers?]
[Mutsumiya Seijuu is laughing hard lol]
[I really like these two’s dynamic.]
[↑ I get it.]
Speaking of which, Japan’s Four Heavenly Kings of Actresses don’t include Mommy Mikuni and Reira-san because they’ve shifted their activities overseas, mainly in the States, so they’re excluded.
…Wait, setting that aside, what did I come here for again?
”What the heck are you talking about! Didn’t you come here to listen to Mayuzumi-kun’s story too?” Kohina scolded, crossing her arms.
”Oh, right,” I said, remembering my original purpose and cleared my throat lightly.
”Awashima-san, how’s my best friend? If you have any complaints, you can tell me secretly. I’ll subtly have your back,” I offered.
”That’s not true… I don’t have complaints,” she said, but her hesitant tone told a different story.
I could sense it — my girl-sense was tingling.
”Even if it’s not complaints, maybe there’s something bothering you?” I pressed gently.
”Ah…” she hesitated.
See? Bingo. That reaction means she definitely has something on her mind.
”Well… it’s not exactly bothering me, but the other day, when I was watching a drama with Shintaro-kun, there was a kissing scene…” Awashima trailed off.
”A kissing scene?” I repeated, eyes widening.
I got it. So Shintaro suddenly kissed her out of nowhere, surprising her.
I totally understand. And for little Yu-chan, maybe it was a bit too soon.
”When I kept glancing at Shintaro-kun, he asked if I needed to use the bathroom and suggested we pause the show…” she explained.
I buried my head in my hands, feeling sorry for Awashima-san.
Shintaro, you don’t even get it better than Yu-chan!
”Heh, that figures. By the way, Aqua-kun, what do you do in times like that?”
”Well, if it looks like a scene is about to turn steamy, I put my arm around Kanon’s shoulder next to me to make her aware.”
Usually, Kanon notices at this point and starts to get all flustered.
”When the kissing scene begins, I keep looking at Kanon, making it obvious. Then I wait for her to look back and give her a quick peck—that’s the standard move. If it feels right, I follow up with a longer kiss!”
Usually, girls like Kanon allow a second kiss.
And if the drama or movie is boring, or if we’re watching in our room, it usually leads to moving to the bed and having s*x.
[Ahhh…]
[It’s gotta be Aqua-sama.]
[Someone clip this and post it to sensei’s feed.]
[↑ Sensei’s the one being kissed, so no harm done here.]
[Actually, please post it to Kanon-sama’s feed.]
[↑ She’s awake, so that might hurt.]
[Awashima-san’s face is bright red. Mutsumiya-san is loving it.]
[Kohina Yukari’s giving a slightly suspicious glare.]
[Girls-only chat, but I’m trying this next time!]
[↑ Me too!!]
[I’m a guy, but this is educational!]
[↑ Woooooo!]
After s*x, it’s a full set when Kanon tearfully calls me “Aqua, you idiot.”
The whole flow is so perfect, and honestly, if I end up going for a second round, it’s Kanon’s fault more than mine.
”Also, the other day at the park, there was a public restroom right next to us for ‘squeezing out,’ and after two hours of nervousness, I was told, ‘See you later…’”
Shintarooooo! That’s supposed to be a place for the two of you! I yelled in my head.
The other day, I was sheltering from the rain with Ayana and got so turned on we ended up having s*x there.
Of course, the Seibaku Newspaper caught photos of us coming out, and it was front page news the next day!!
”When we were shopping together, we took a shortcut down a narrow street lined with love hotels. I got all excited, but he just passed by without incident. Guess I was expecting too much,” Awashima confessed.
”No way, that’s not true. Even I get excited walking with a girl,” I said.
One time, I happened to be with Lisa, Uruha, and Kokona. We ended up ‘testing’ about five love hotels, doing a 4P hotel crawl.
It was amazing. The hotel manager who brought room service cried, saying, “You’re my first guests ever.”
Maybe I’ll bring everyone again sometime.
”And, when hecame to my room, he folded my underwear that I’d forgotten to put away after drying… Since I started dating Shintaro-kun, I’ve been wearing carefully chosen lingerie every day, but maybe I’m not attractive enough? Or worse, maybe he hates me because I’m a perverted, sloppy woman.”
…Wait, Shintaro, you’re dating her, right?
Awashima-san seems to doubt it herself, the question marks hanging over her words.
I’m starting to doubt it too.
”Alright, alright, you’re struggling too, huh,” said Chigiri-oneesan, comforting her.
”Cheer up,” Yu-chan and Mutsumiya-san also tried to soothe her teary eyes.
It looked like the distance between these three had closed a bit.
Shintaro, did you plan all this?
No way.
I stepped in gently to support my best friend.
”Awashima-san, that’s not true. Just the other day, Shintaro and I spent almost an hour talking about your butt.”
”What!?” she gasped.
No exaggeration—it’s true.
Maybe slightly embellished, but all for my friend’s sake!
Kohina-senpai was glaring at me, so I turned away with my whole body to avoid her controlling gaze.
”So, Awashima-san, next time you go on a date with him, how about wearing skinny jeans or a tight skirt that shows off your curves?”
”I thought he liked girly clothes, so I wore fluffy skirts and dresses, but maybe that’s not what he wants…”
Phew. I’m proud of that advice.
I wiped the sweat off my forehead with my arm, deliberately.
[Got it, got it.]
[Very helpful!!]
[Mayuzumi-kun loves Awashima-san’s butt.]
[Mayushin-kun’s fans are gonna boost skinny jeans and tight skirts from tomorrow.]
[Fuji Department Store-aneki: The salespeople at each branch must be shaking, especially at Shinjuku Store.]
[↑ They’re shaking right now.]
[Fuji Department Store-aneki is glad to have transferred to Shirogane Kingdom Store lol.]
[Aqua-kun, are you okay? Won’t Mayuzumi-kun be mad at you later?]
[↑ Mayuzumi-kun would probably thank you. He fully supports Aqua-kun more than us.]
[↑ True.]
From the stream, Awashima-san’s expression doesn’t look bad.
The problem is Shintaro. I’ll have to talk to him properly later.
”Also, Shintaro is just shy. So even if something happens, don’t think you’re being hated.”
”Is… is that so?”
I nod firmly.
Shintaro isn’t the kind of guy to hate someone.
He’s my precious, thoughtful, kind-hearted best friend—my pride.
”You’re not just making this up again, are you?”
Kohina-senpai… Why do you sound so intense even over the game?
Please don’t stick so close behind the character I’m controlling.
Huh? You say it’s because the platform is small, so it’s inevitable? Well, that’s fair enough…
”Alright then, I’ll prove I’m not lying. Just wait a moment.”
I hurriedly call Toa.
”Toa, are you awake?”
”Mmm… What is it, Aqua?”
Looks like he might still be asleep.
I apologize softly to Toa.
[Here comes sleepy Toa-chan!!]
[That sleepy voice really helps!!]
[Sleepy Toa-chan is so cute!!]
[His voice is a bit low and sexy…]
[Sorry. I’m starting to get nervous.]
[I’m off to pick some flowers!]
[Huh? Is that the sound of his breathing?]
[Whoa—!]
[Good night, Toa-chan!]
Hey, Toa, don’t fall asleep yet!
For the sake of our best friend, hang in there a bit more!!
”Hey, Toa. Shintaro is kind of a tsundere, right?”
”Tsundere? Who… you mean me, Aqua?”
Oh, no, not you.
”Aqua’s not tsundere. He’s just normally pervy. At school, he often hits on Sugita-sensei, Kanon-san, and Tsukimachi-san.”
That’s right, exactly! Wait, that just makes me sound like a straight-up pervy guy!
Well, okay, that’s basically true, but as a best friend, I wish you’d sugarcoat it a little.
”…Or did I just get caught being tsundere?”
”Huh?”
The mood just shifted.
I press the phone tighter to my ear and catch my breath.
”Because, I… the other day…”
T-the other day…?
…
…
…?
Toa?
Everyone’s waiting for you to continue.
Look at my comment section—usually it scrolls fast, but now it’s completely frozen.
”Zzz…”
And there he goes to sleep!
I want to say something witty, but I don’t want to wake Toa, so I hold back.
”Ah… Onii, sleeping here! Huh? Is that a phone?”
Hmm? Is that Subaru-tan’s voice?
I hear clattering sounds on the other side.
”Hello, is this Aqua-sama?”
”Yes, that’s me.”
”Sorry, my Onii seems to have fallen asleep halfway through.”
”No worries. Please tell Toa I’m sorry for waking him during the tournament.”
Wait, wasn’t Subaru-tan also in this tournament?
Maybe she was on a break?
”Sorry for bothering you when you’re busy, Subaru-chan. By the way, which team are you on?”
”Oh, I woke up a little while ago. I’m with Lapis on Ayana-senpai’s team!”
What? Ayana’s team?
Nice. I want to be there too.
”Alright, then if I betray Kohina’s team, I’ll join you. Let’s play a lot together later.”
”Y-yeah… but, is it really okay to say ‘betray’ like that?”
It’s fine, it’s fine! I’ll cover for it smoothly later.
Just then, I hear heavy footsteps approaching.
That unmistakable thud-thud—Great Kaiju Senpai!!
”Hey, you! What do you mean betray?!”
”I-I was just joking! Kohina-senpai, please calm down for now.”
I try to soothe Great Kaiju Senpai’s stomping feet.
But it’s an easy failure.
”Fine. I’ve decided. I’ll sleep here to make sure you don’t betray us. Wake me if anyone comes to help.”
”W-wait! Kohina-senpai, if you sleep behind me in this shot, you’re going to be on camera.”
”Then you just move the camera. And I expect you know better than to leave the team while I’m asleep, right?”
”I-I said it’s fine.”
I manage to lay Kohina-senpai down and shift the camera away from her.
”This person really doesn’t get caught in scandals, does she? Aqua-kun, if you ever have trouble, feel free to ask me.”
”Ah, thank you very much.”
Mutsumiya-san’s kindness almost makes me want to betray them for real.
Still, I’m the only one who can take care of her in this world.
And since she’s been looking out for me, I owe her that much at least.
Just as I say that, Kohina-senpai throws a blanket over my head.
Seriously! What a handful!
”Hey, Kohina-senpai, you just threw my blanket off again.”
I put the blanket back on and return to the game.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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