Swimsuit Festival Begins!

Cool watermelon and shaved ice...

A quiet inn where everyone has gone out...

Even a heat-protection spell cast by Lueira...

All preparations to beat the summer heat are complete.

But... what is this empty feeling?

What on earth is missing that's making me feel so unsatisfied...?

I-I think... I might know...

Whoa! Karishara... when did you get in here?!

Um... S-Since you were humming that weird song and making shaved ice...?

So you've been here from the start!

I-I'm sorry... I missed... the timing to speak up...

So... what brings you here today?

Y-You just said it... right...?

That you prepared hard... but something still feels missing...

S-So... to have the perfect summer...

I brought... a great idea.

What is it?

W-We'll...

make our own swimsuit event!

A swimsuit event... No way, could it be...!

Y-Yes... The one that always appears in anime... around episode 7...

The beach event... between the protagonist and the heroines...!

W-Without that... it's not a real summer...!

Ngh... I strongly agree, but...!

This summer is too cool for anyone to wear swimsuits...!

D-Don't worry... I have... a way...

H-Haah...!

Cough...! This heat, could it be...!

Yes... I-If I set my mind to it... changing the weather is... a piece of cake...

So, Ethan... please take... our friends to the beach...

I-I can't believe that was an option... Incredible...!

Karishara... you really are the Dragon Lord...!

H-Heheh... It's nothing...

B-But... that was a compliment, right?

Of course! From today on, the person I admire most... is none other than you, Karishara!

Just wait a bit!

I'll bring everyone I can find!

Actually... even if they're busy, I'll drag them here!

W-Wait a minute...!

In exchange for changing the weather... I-I have a favor to ask.

Of course I'll do it!

Just say the word!

I-I'd like you... to bring me a swimsuit...

I want to experience... all kinds of... events on the beach too...

But I don't... have a swimsuit yet...

So... I need to make one, but... I don't have any r-reference material...

Do you really need to make it yourself?

......

M-My body... isn't beautiful...

I-I'm chubby in a lot of places... so standard sizes don't fit...

A-Anyway...! If people gather at the beach... a lot of merchants... should come too...

P-Please... I'm counting on you...

Don't worry. Even if it costs my life... I will bring one back.

Let's enjoy the perfect summer... together!

Yes... thank you. I-I'll be looking forward to it...

Y-You're all out of bikinis...?

Well... the weather was really nice this summer, right?

So I purposefully didn't stock very many... but then the weather suddenly turned so hot!

If I'd known, I would've prepared some extras... It's such a shame.

So... there are absolutely no swimsuits left at all?

Yes... I'm sorry, but there's no way to get any more this summer.

......

I-I'll be looking forward to it...

......!

No, there's still a way.

Really?! Please tell me too!

Merry. Sell me the swimsuit you're wearing.

......

Huh?

I'll pay double... no, triple the market price!

I don't care how much it costs... Sell me your swimsuit!

......

Kyah! Everyone, run!!!

A pervert... A pervert has appeared!!!

No!!! I just really need a swimsuit!

Huff... huff... You're persistent.

No matter how much you pay... I'm not selling my swimsuit...!

Why on earth not? You're a merchant.

A merchant's greatest virtue is maximizing profit!

Ugh... B-But still...

I don't want my swimsuit... being used for weird things!

What...?

This swimsuit... isn't for you to wear, Swordbringer...

So... there can only be one reason you want it!

No! You've got it all wrong!

My intentions are completely pure, I just need a swimsuit!

I'll explain everything, so just listen to me...

You've gotten quite devious since I last saw you, Ethan.

Trying to snatch a young girl's swimsuit... That's a big no-no.

Dian...?!

Now, I'll take care of things here, so you run along.

Th-Thank you! I'll never forget your kindness!

W-Wait! Merry! Listen to me before you go!!!

Heh, that's not like you. Aren't you a bit too old... to be acting purely on lust?

I keep telling you, I just really need a swimsuit...!

Hmm... is that so?

Then should I lend you mine?

...! I-I'd appreciate that.

Are you really okay with that?

Well, I can always buy another swimsuit later.

But on one condition.

...What is it?

For the time being, you must... serve me faithfully as your master.

For the time being...? Until when?

Hmm... Until summer ends?

That's an absurd contract!

Even actual slaves would cry over a contract this unfair!

But... there's no other way to get a swimsuit right now, is there?

After all, the thirsty one must dig the well.

Ngh...!

I'll have to pass, sorry. I'll find someone else to cooperate.

Oh, what a shame. I thought you were prepared to do whatever it takes...

I guess it wasn't that important after all?

Forget it. How could anyone sign such a sketchy contract?!

Anyway... I'm not interested in an old lady's swimsuit!

......

...Old lady?

Oops...! My true feelings slipped out...!

Heh, you've certainly grown, Ethan...

Then I guess I should show you what I'm truly capable of.

What's with that suspicious dance...?

It's a signal flare.

Where young girls gather... uninvited guests always appear.

Guards will be here shortly to deal with you.

Along with monsters, of course.

Ngh...!

Heheh... You're going to regret... rejecting my offer.

Ethan, please stop this...!

Bedivere...?

Dian told me everything.

She said you were trying to... snatch swimsuits from innocent people, Ethan.

No, that's not it, Bedivere...

I was going to pay a fair price!

Dian blew the rumors out of proportion!

......

It's just as Dian said.

You're... not acting like yourself, Ethan.

The Ethan I knew... properly admits his mistakes,

and always shows us a better path.

I don't know what happened to you...

But before you stray too far down the wrong path... I'll stop you myself!

Ngh...!

Since it's come to this...

Tactical retreat!!!

......! Ethan! You can't run away! It's not too late yet!!!

...! E-Ethan...! Are you okay...?

Wh-What... on earth happened...?

A lot... has happened.

I kept wondering if I should just give up.

But... I couldn't stop.

Because for our unforgettable summer... we absolutely need this!

...! Our promise... you didn't forget...

Of course not. I can't enjoy the event all by myself.

I went through a lot of trouble to get this... so it has to work out!

Yes... P-Please wait just a little bit...

I'll be right back... after I make it...

Ky-Kyah!!!

...! Karishara!!!

......!

K-Karishara... that look...

I-I'm sorry...! I wanted to check the size, so... I tried it on, but...

There's... so much less fabric than I expected... It surprised me...!

W-Where did you get... a swimsuit like this...?

For the sake of my honor... I cannot say.

A-Anyway, thank you...

Thanks to this... I-I know exactly what to do about the size.

......

Um... I-I need to take it off now, so...

Could you turn around... for a second?

Hmm... Is there really a need to make a new one?

That swimsuit looks great on you as it is.

......! W-What are you talking about...!

F-Flattery won't get you anything...!

I mean it.

I saw quite a few swimsuits while looking around, but...

the one it looks best on... is you, Karishara.

Hngh...! B-But... my chest feels tight...

and it's... r-really tight in a lot of other places...

Things that shouldn't be showing... keep peeking out...!

That's exactly why it's great!!!

A swimsuit so devastating... it feels like it'll push our age rating up a notch!

Anyone can see you're the star of this episode, Karishara! Have some confidence!

......

Th-Thank you...

But I can't... walk around the beach looking like this...

So I think... I'll have to m-make a new one...

Bummer...

I-Instead... just like today...

when it's just the two of us... I'll think about it... Heheh.