System: [New Mission: Organize A Beach Outing To Increase Group Unity] Reward: Random SSR Swimsuit Card, +1 Bond (All Harem Members), Bonus Gacha Spin Penalty: Sunburn In The Shape Of A Banana (Don't Ask)]
Me: "Can't we just go to the library for once?"
System: [No. Beach episode is mandatory in all ecchi-comedy timelines.]
So here we were. A rented beach house, a cooler full of soda, and enough sunscreen to drown a small elephant. I looked around at the chaos unfolding and realized this was my life now.
Cynthia was already arguing with the vendor over the price of a popsicle. Luna had claimed a beach chair and was reading a psychology book titled "Why Men Are Useless (But Cute)." Nari had built a sandcastle… with working trapdoors. Akira? He'd somehow convinced a group of old ladies to join him in beach yoga.
Meanwhile, I was trying to inflate a giant unicorn floatie without passing out.
"Alright!" I clapped my hands. "Let's play beach volleyball. It's wholesome. Team building. No chaos."
Ten seconds later, the ball hit me in the face, bounced off Akira's head, and landed in Luna's drink.
She stared at me.
"I regret everything," I said.
[Mini-Game Activated: Find The Lost Bikini Top] Reward: +1 Perception, Rare Bonding Moment Penalty: Slap – Guaranteed]
I didn't even want to ask how it was lost.
"I swear I just turned around for a second," Cynthia muttered, arms crossed and hiding behind a towel.
I turned away respectfully. "No worries! I'll just dig through the sand and—"
SLAP!
"Wrong direction!" she yelled.
Later, while grilling food on the portable BBQ, the system struck again.
**[New Side Mission: Accidental Romantic Moment Under Fireworks] Timer: 10 Minutes Until Fireworks Launch]
I glanced at the horizon. It was sunset. I was elbow-deep in charcoal and panic.
I needed a plan. Fast.
"Hey Luna," I called. "Wanna help me light the fireworks?"
She raised a brow. "Is this a setup for a romantic event?"
"No! Definitely not! Just good ol' patriotic explosions."
"Fine. But if you try anything, I'm kicking you into the ocean."
Noted.
The fireworks lit up the sky. Everyone ooh'd and aah'd. The moment was actually… peaceful.
Then the system popped up.
[Bonus Objective Triggered: Accidental Fall Onto Love Interest] Executing in 3… 2… 1…]
The sand beneath my feet shifted. I fell sideways. Into Luna.
She froze. I froze. The entire world froze.
"You're lucky it's fireworks," she muttered, cheeks flushed.
Then she kicked me into the ocean.
Back at the beach house, soaked and sandy, I checked the system rewards.
**[Mission Complete! Rewards Applied:]
SSR Swimsuit Card (Cynthia – Ice Queen Variant)
+1 Bond (All Harem Members)
Bonus Gacha Spin: You Pulled "Sunscreen Mastery Lv1"]
Akira: "You've been blessed by the anime gods."
Me: "Can I be cursed instead?"