Volume 1 Chapter 24 Base Class Z, The Power Of Determined Unity
"I, like you..."
A warm breath brushed against my neck. Ran's lips moved closer with her eyes closed, searching for mine.
"Hey, Mobu."
A voice interrupted from the side.
"Most of the food is ready. How about now? The promised moment."
Haa...
It felt like the perfect moment.
In the original game, a confession like this didn't happen until the school arc, just before the final boss battle in the rookie adventurer arc. Even then, there was no kiss — that came much later. But here, it was happening early. This was proof that the romance flags in the game were shifting. Maybe they were adapting the R18 version's story, which was more advanced in its harem development. In that version, a kiss event this late wouldn't make sense, so the developers likely rearranged the order.
I should have died, but I survived. Maybe because I interfered with this world, the timeline was starting to shift, grinding into a new path. And yet, you're in my way... No, putting that aside, just give me back my first kiss — from this life or the last.
I exhaled, feeling relief.
"Well, it's a promise. Guess it can't be helped."
"Then shall we start the party?"
"I've been waiting!"
Applause broke out.
"Alright, first up — Ran's on stage, as promised."
"I dreamed about this yesterday."
"Mom, I'm so glad to be alive."
"Nfufu."
Some guys even let out weird sighs.
"Ran, do your best!"
"Sure! Mobu, watch too!"
Ran stood and took the sandy stage in front of everyone. She quickly removed her black robe, revealing the infamous swimsuit — the one that made all the boys drool — straight from the purchasing department's mannequin display.
"Whoa!"
The Z members rushed forward.
"Hey, don't get too close! The promise was two meters."
"I know! I got pushed!"
"Come on, switch places fast!"
It turned into a lively chaos.
No wonder — Ran wore a light blue dress covered with large floral patterns. The design was a bit childish, with frills on the chest and waist, but somehow the neckline was daringly low. And Ran herself was stunning — like a perfect, life-sized version of the classic ideal figure.
"Kyaaa! I'm so glad to be alive!"
"You just said that."
"I want a magical camera!"
"Those are rare in the kingdom — they're artifacts, after all."
"My eyes are drying out."
"What's wrong?"
"I'm trying not to blink so I can keep this moment longer."
"Idiot."
I understood the feeling. If you're not excited about this, you're not human. Honestly, I joined this long-distance swimming contest thinking, *Who would ignore the swimsuit event in the game?* Plus, Ran's long, curly blonde hair looked amazing against her pure white skin.
Some tried sneaky low-angle shots from the beach, but they were quickly pulled away, standing at the edge with watery eyes — too late to hide what they'd seen.
A little over the top? Maybe. But showing Ran right after swimming far out was impossible. This way, everyone could at least appreciate her — not just her body, but her spirit.
"First, Ran. I'll sing the village folk song. Haaah──"
Her clear voice started the song.
"Hey, Ran, Ran, Ran, yes yes."
The girl who looked like a true idol began belting a lively folk song, making her classmates laugh.
“If I ask the little bird up high about mushrooms, oh, I’m a honeybird, ask the eagle. Hey-ho, hey-ho, here we go!”
“Heave-ho, heave-ho—heave-ho, heave-ho!”
Everyone hummed along, catching the rhythm. Ran danced happily, her swimsuit top bouncing as she moved, sweat sparkling on her skin. The energy was incredible.
“If I ask the little squirrel in the snow about acorns, I’m a mother, and I want acorns. Hey-ho, hey-ho, here we go!”
“Heave-ho, heave-ho—heave-ho, heave-ho!”
Laughter filled the air as Ran finished her performance.
"Next, me. I'll do an impression of the teacher!"
Someone stood up and headed to the center, suddenly collapsing onto the sand. Wearing a white swimming cap, it was a joke about baldness.
"Who woke me up? Mobu, was it you?"
He looked around, face up.
"I don't know what's going on, but I got voted down anyway."
Everyone burst out laughing.
"Well, I'll get back to work. Goodnight..."
Two or three dragged the "teacher" away, still lying down.
"Next, third. I'll do a magic trick — with real magic!"
The party carried on, full of fun.
On the beach, the Z members were joined by the chefs cleaning up the empty catering, administrative staff monitoring the event's start, and a rescue boat supporting us. Our homeroom teacher, lowest rank among the Z, kept his distance. The old man who'd been talking with the principal had already left — probably on the boat, waiting at the small island finish line.
"Well, time to swim."
"I've been waiting!"
The party was starting to drag on after about an hour. Everyone stood up at my words and began stretching.
Notes:
• Ran - Female. An orphan and a close friend of Mobu. She has a gentle appearance. Ran is kind and trusting, often relying on Mobu for guidance. She survives the demon attack by hiding in the secret base with Mobu.
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