TL: Mass Release since it's my birthday~ (Awhile back, but I got busy with Vacation+Graduation) Thank you for everything. Dunno when I'll stop translating but I do hope you guys can enjoy it. Comments will be much appreciated.
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Originally, I thought Hifumi would need a bit more convincing, but she blinked in surprise.
"I didn't expect them to agree so quickly…" she murmured.
Meanwhile, the real source of intimidation, Tsurugi, silently turned and walked away, her efforts and glory hidden.
Just like her true personality, hidden beneath that bizarre and intimidating exterior was a Tsurugi that was reserved and subtle.
I couldn't help but admire her more and more.
"Thank you!" Hifumi, unaware of the full situation, politely expressed her gratitude. "You're really good people!"
The delinquent girls exchanged glances: "D-Don't say those useless nice words! We just wanted to win, that's all! We weren't trying to be friends with you!"
…Honestly, a little tsundere pride at this moment is kind of gross.
"Ahahaha… I see," Hifumi laughed it off, not taking it too seriously, and with excitement said, "Well then, let's start the game!"
With full cooperation from both sides, the field was quickly set up, and the girls were ready to begin in earnest.
I stood on the sidelines with my camera, ready to capture all the exciting moments.
Both sides were partly going through the motions to complete the task, yet both were motivated.
One side aimed to enjoy the game to the fullest, the other wanted to claim victory even in a game, to wipe away past humiliation.
By coincidence, the emotions of both sides reached a subtle harmony.
I had considered offering some kind of prize to boost enthusiasm, but noticing this natural balance, I chose not to. Afraid of disturbing the perfectly set atmosphere.
Blowing the whistle I bought alongside the volleyball from the convenience store, I officially signaled the start of the match.
We began by deciding with rock-paper-scissors that the "Justice Task Force & Make-Up Club Beach Vacation Squad" would serve first.
At first, I thought it was a normal start.
Until I noticed Hifumi quietly handing the volleyball to Tsurugi...
Was she seeking revenge for the delinquent girls' earlier bluster? Of course, Faust-sama wouldn't miss a chance for a subtle revenge using someone else's effort!
Meanwhile, the "self-proclaimed masterless Beach Guardian Delinquent Squad" hadn't realized the danger approaching.
Thanks to Serina's ability, even across a dozen meters, I could hear their whispered conversation.
"Tch," one complained, "How did we, delinquents who could once quiet crying children, fall to this level…"
"Eh… whatever, it's just volleyball. Not hard. Let's just play along a little. Besides… if we win, it's still a small victory, right?"
"That's true… okay, let's just... AH! The ball's coming—"
I turned off my ability in time, tilted my head, and covered my ear facing the volleyball court.
The next moment, an explosion-like roar shattered the surroundings.
"Ugh—!?"
Sand flew into the air as screams of pain and shocked cries echoed:
"W-what's happening!? Is this an air raid!?"
"N-no…" the delinquent girl who had just vowed to take things seriously stammered, frozen stiff, "It's… just the volleyball… coming our way…"
Honestly, I should have expected this. Considering Tsurugi's absurd physical abilities, this was entirely within her capacity.
Should I go over and tell her to tone it down a bit?
While I hesitated, Hifumi looked at the scene. A volleyball strike comparable to a cannon blast, and the delinquents struggling to stand and blinked in surprise.
Yet, after collecting herself, she nodded knowingly and softly called over:
"Tsurugi, I'm counting on you for the next serve too!"
"Hehehehe—!"
The Justice Task Force President lifted the corners of her mouth, her eyes filled with seriousness and excitement.
…Hifumi really is a terrifying kid. Deliberately or not.
Seeing that Tsurugi was thoroughly enjoying herself, I decided not to interfere with their fun.
Besides, it had basically turned from beach volleyball into beach dodgeball anyway, still a ball game. I was sure the delinquent girls wouldn't mind.
Better to focus on Kivotos physics.
This volleyba—er, dodgeball had survived Tsurugi's impact completely intact, achieving such results without damage.
Truly worth noting.
The explosion-like strikes echoed continuously, accompanied by screams and manic laughter.
"Lies! You're all liars! You said we'd have a chance to win!? Ughhhh!"
"We've been tricked again! This isn't volleyball at all!" a familiar purple-haired delinquent trembled, "It's clearly just one-sided violence!"
She panicked and scanned around, realizing few of her companions remained standing, and shouted for support: "Oppose the violence… ugh!"
But before she could finish, a volleyball came flying at her like a cannonball, knocking her down as well.
I looked up at the sky, marveling internally at this spectacular contest.
Tsurugi's serves continued until all the delinquent girls were down.
I also took many commemorative photos, smoothly checking off another item on the list.
After the beach volleyball match ended, Hifumi reviewed the photos taken so far and realized:
"Huh, looking back now, the delinquents appeared in almost every task. Except for the watermelon game."
I recalled how the girls handled the watermelon, couldn't help but hesitate.
If we treated the mobs as the "watermelon," then they effectively participated in every activity.
Hifumi breathed a sigh of relief, her expression content: "Great! When we were first attacked, and later when they caused us so much trouble, we thought they were unreasonably hard to deal with. But actually, they're surprisingly easy to get along with. Hehe~ Does this count as making new friends?"
I glanced at our "new friends," scattered or lying across the volleyball court, feeling a lump in my throat.
This is really one way to treat friends.
But who asked them to mess with Faust?
This was already the result of showing restraint.
And Hifumi's idea of "communication," surely she didn't mean it in the way that just happened…
"Sensei," Hifumi said cheerfully, her honest face beaming, "With this, there's only one task left on Hasumi-san's list! Wonderful!"
Once we complete this final task, this contradictory day of both busyness and leisure should finally come to an end.
Fireworks.