Even though I said we'd take turns, everyone was so enthusiastic that they all rushed to play the role of the one being taught to swim.
However, it seemed they had a bit of a misunderstanding about the definition of "pretend not to know how to swim"… surely it didn't mean pretending to be drowning!?
Especially Tsurugi, her acting was so convincing that even I, knowing the truth, couldn't help but wonder if we rolled a critical failure.
Not to mention the delinquents watching this scene from far away.
The outcome went without saying.
"So," I held up my camera in photo mode, curiosity in my voice, "what exactly is the reason you're so persistently attacking like this?"
"Huh?" A purple-haired delinquent, tanned from the sun, glared at me. "What, what do you think you're doing?"
"Just an interview."
I asked sincerely.
After all, though she might not realize it herself, she and her companions had already helped us complete half a task—
Photos of them buried in sand after being thrown served as [sand baths], and photos of them floating in the water after being thrown counted as [learning to swim], saving us quite a bit of effort.
SAUCE
By the results, I thought we could legitimately call this a "fight first, get to know each other later" scenario, giving them some presence in the interview footage.
Even if only one side seemed to get beaten.
The delinquent stared in disbelief. "Are you serious!? I'm still mad right now! Do you want to die!?"
With Tsurugi nearby, I spoke with concern. "It's okay. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Hey, are you really clueless or just messing with me!? You think you can do whatever you want just because you've got a slightly handsome face!?"
I asked, "Slightly?"
The delinquent fell silent for a moment. "…Fine, very handsome! But that still doesn't give you the right…"
I interrupted again. "Just the face?"
"…Damn it."
The purple-haired delinquent's sun-kissed face flushed red, and she muttered under her breath, apparently unwilling to argue further.
She sighed and then began to complain. "Seriously, what is this all about? I'm not saying we weren't wrong… but there has to be a limit, right? What is this, some kind of fishing operation?"
"Uh, well, that's probably just a misunderstanding," I said cautiously. "After all, you were the ones who suddenly attacked first."
The delinquent looked aggrieved. "Huh? Don't give me that! Who in their right mind struggles in waist-deep water for no reason? This is obviously meant to lure us in! It really feels intentional!"
I thought for a moment and tried to console her. "It's fine. Learn from it, and next time don't take advantage of someone."
That, at least, counts as guiding someone toward virtue.
"Ah… alright, enough rambling." The delinquent scratched her head. "I know the main point is 'why we attacked'… how should I put it…"
She hesitated, stammering, "It's just… at that moment… I really thought 'This time we can win'… that's what I felt."
On the surface, Hifumi's honest, simple face made her seem easy to deceive, and she was often targeted by delinquents elsewhere.
But to think they could defeat Tsurugi… that's just absurd.
I started to suspect it was more plausible that these delinquent girls were coveting my body, trying to attract my attention by showing off their strength.
At that moment, as if seeking affirmation, the delinquent asked me, "R-right? Every time we get completely beaten. Losing is as normal as eating or drinking… Even if it's just once… just once… we want to win… that's why we…"
Her voice choked, and then she completely lost control, crying loudly. I had no choice but to stop the interview.
Good thing I had a handkerchief and tissues with me, or it would have been difficult.
Though I didn't get a satisfying answer, before parting, they voluntarily asked to exchange Momotalk contacts, which was at least a small gain.
…That said, I hope I wasn't just being set up for a sting operation.
Geez, isn't the sun bright today?
With that thought, I returned to the base of the newly built "sandcastle" ...
SAUCE
Having fought together several times, knowing that I had helped choose their swimsuits, and discovering that their personalities were unexpectedly compatible, plus both being skilled snipers…
All these factors naturally led Azusa and Mashiro to develop a mutual admiration. After repelling the attacking delinquent girls, they chatted happily, and somehow ended up talking about the previously destroyed sandcastle.
Both agreed that having a proper base would make victory much easier. Then, sharing construction experience, they immediately decided to build a new sandcastle with superior defensive capabilities...
Using sand and a binding material mixed with water to form mortar, and inserting steel reinforcements…
Since sand was involved and it was built for defensive purposes, it was, without a doubt, still a sandcastle.
Anyway, since Azusa and Mashiro said it in unison, I accepted it as truth.
With these two as the core, Tsurugi with her superhuman strength and Hifumi with her excellent driving skills assisting, the bunker took shape in less than half a morning.
"So magnificent."
I couldn't help but admire it.
"Sensei, you came at the right time." Azusa approached. "We were just about to begin the next task."
"Mm." I nodded with a smile. "Have you decided what it will be?"
Hifumi suggested, "It's almost noon, and everyone's a bit hungry, right? Why don't we go to the beach house? Nothing special—just a comfortable, full meal."
Azusa agreed. "Indeed. Fighting off delinquents and building sandcastles consumes a lot of energy. To handle any traps in the remaining tasks, we need to replenish our strength. By the way, I've trained to maintain eighty percent combat effectiveness for three days without food."
"Impressive as always, Azusa. I usually just skip one or two meals during training, but even if I'm dizzy from hunger, my sniping accuracy doesn't drop much."
"Mashiro is impressive too."
"Oh, it's mutual."
The two started praising each other… but hey, can we at least eat properly first!?
"Ah wah wah, it's not like that," Hifumi, occasionally half-reasonable, corrected them. "One of the pleasures of coming to the beach is enjoying all kinds of food. Actually, I researched beforehand, and there's a famous shop nearby with a really good reputation."
She looked around, then pointed.
"There it is!"