Parameter Supremacy: The Man Who Seizes a Harem Through Sheer Effort. - Chapter 72.

Episode 72: Let’s Go to the Beach.

The door clicked open.

I had woken up before five again this morning and completed about an hour of training.

Today was the last day of August. Tomorrow the new semester would begin, and it was the day I had promised to go to the beach with Shiina, Moe, and Matsuri-chan.

The time was 6 AM.

I didn’t have much time to spare, but I took a shower and spent a little extra time on my appearance. Even when I had been staying at Moe’s house, I had always made sure to devote proper time to grooming. Doing it in the washroom felt embarrassing back then, so I had bought a small mirror for the desk. The habit had stayed with me even after returning home. Now I could check my face anytime, just like a girl. It was surprisingly convenient.

After finishing my preparations, it was almost time to meet Shiina. I packed my swimsuit, towel, and beach sandals into my bag and left the house.

When I checked my phone, a message from Shiina was waiting.

Shiina: Good morning. Heading out now♪

Sagara Ryuuji: I just left too.

***

As I approached our usual meeting spot in front of the supermarket, I spotted Shiina from a distance. She was wearing a white T-shirt and short pants, with her hair tied up high, giving her a more energetic impression than usual.

“Good morning!”

“Hey, morning.”

The moment she saw me, Shiina came running over like an excited puppy. I lightly stroked her head as we exchanged greetings. It was a little warm for skinship during summer, but her warmth made even the heat feel worthwhile.

“I’m so excited for the beach!”

“Yeah. It’s my first time going to the sea with girls, so I’m kind of nervous.”

“Fufu, Moe and I put a lot of effort into choosing our swimsuits, so look forward to it♪”

“Yeah. Please go easy on me.”

We held hands as we walked toward the station. Even though we lived in a town close to the ocean, showing off swimsuits locally felt embarrassing, so we had decided on a beach in a slightly more distant town. It was also less crowded than our local area, which they had clearly taken into consideration.

The two of us walked side by side. Even though it was the final day of August, there was no sign of the heat letting up. Just walking made sweat bead on our skin. We stuck to the shade as much as possible until we finally reached the station.

Once inside the station building, we both relaxed our shoulders under the cool breeze of the air conditioning. We bought juice at the convenience store and took a breather. That was when we heard it.

“Good mooorning~!”

A cheerful voice rang out from afar. Even without an introduction, I knew exactly who it belonged to—Tsukishiro Matsuri. Matsuri-chan. She was wearing a short crop top that showed her navel, hot pants, and a blue baseball cap.

Beside her stood Moe in a white one-piece dress and a straw hat.

“Good morning.”

I never imagined the day would come when I—the guy who was supposed to be a background character—would be heading to the beach with three heroines. And one of them was my girlfriend. It was a development I could never have predicted back when I first enrolled.

Originally, Satou Minato should have been in my position, enjoying this youth. It was harsh for him, but there was no point dwelling on it at this stage. With that thought, I welcomed the two girls.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning to both of you.”

Shiina and I returned their greetings.

“I can finally go to the beach! I’ve been looking forward to this for so long!”

Matsuri-chan was as energetic as ever today. Moe watched her with a gentle, smiling expression.

“Alright, let’s go! If we miss this train, we’ll have to wait quite a while.”

At Shiina’s signal, the four of us headed down to the platform. The train arrived at just the right time, and we all boarded. The moment we stepped into the air-conditioned car, everyone let out a relieved sigh.

“Haa~~~ Paradise…”

Matsuri-chan leaned her entire weight against the seat and gazed up at the ceiling. Moe sat with her hands neatly folded on her lap, watching the scenery flow past.

“Moe-cchi, are you excited for the beach?”

“Yeah. It’s been a while since I last went… Maybe since elementary school.”

“For real? Then today’s going to be super high tension for you!”

“I’m not that much of a kid…”

Moe turned her reddening face away while Matsuri grinned teasingly at her. I wasn’t the only one who found Moe’s reactions adorable.

Shiina gazed out the window, lightly pinching the sleeve of my shirt with her fingertips.

“Hey.”

“Hm?”

“Summer break ends after today.”

“Yeah. I hope we can make some good last memories.”

“There were things I wanted to do during summer break…”

She narrowed her eyes with clear regret and leaned against me a little. There was no need to ask what she meant by “things.”

As the train passed more stations, the car gradually filled with people and noise.

“Still, it’s so hot even in the morning.”

Matsuri-chan fanned her face with a hand towel as she spoke.

“It’ll be even hotter by the time we reach the beach. The forecast said it would exceed 37 degrees today.”

“For real? I’m gonna melt~!”

“You won’t melt.”

Moe gently retorted, and Shiina let out a small laugh.

“But we need to be careful with sunburn. You’ll regret it later if you’re not.”

“Shii-chan burns easily, right? Did you put on sunscreen properly?”

“I did for my face, arms, and legs. As for the rest… yeah. Ryuuji, can you help me apply it when we get there?”

“Eh? Me?”

“Of course! You’re my boyfriend, so it’s only natural!”

Shiina puffed out her chest proudly, and I couldn’t help but smile wryly.

While the girls continued their lively chatter, the scenery outside gradually shifted from city streets to greenery, and glimpses of the ocean began to appear. The train slowed down and arrived at the seaside station.

The moment we stepped onto the platform, the humid air and the scent of the sea enveloped us completely.

“…It smells like the ocean.”

Moe’s voice was filled with excitement.

“This is getting me pumped up!”

Matsuri-chan stretched both arms wide and raised her voice.

I adjusted the bag on my shoulder and looked at Shiina.

“Shall we go?”

“Yeah!”

We stopped at the convenience store in front of the station to buy light snacks and extra drinks, then walked down a gentle slope toward the beach.

The sea breeze blew past, making Shiina’s ponytail sway softly. The sight was strangely picturesque.

“Look, you can see it!”

Matsuri-chan pointed ahead. Everyone turned their gaze in that direction.

A vast blue horizon stretched into the distance, sparkling against the sandy shore. Since it was still morning, the beach wasn’t overly crowded, but the lively summer atmosphere carried on the wind.

As we descended the stairs, fine sand clung to the soles of our shoes. The salty air and sunlight grew even stronger.

“Wow, it’s so beautiful.”

Moe murmured softly.

“It really feels like summer.”

“Uuu~ This is the best!”

“I put a lot of effort into choosing my swimsuit too! I wanted Ryuuji-kun to see—”

“Matsuri-chan!? Wait, what are you trying to say!?”

Moe turned bright red and started lightly hitting Matsuri-chan, while Shiina laughed and spread out the leisure sheet. Once we had set our belongings on the sand, Matsuri clapped her hands.

“Alright! Let’s get changed first!”

“Yeah… The changing rooms are over there, right?”

Moe pointed toward the wooden changing area behind the beach house. It was separated for men and women, with fabric curtains at the entrances fluttering in the wind.

“Then we’ll go this way.”

“Yeah. See you later.”

I watched the three girls walk off, then headed alone toward the men’s changing room.