Before Matsuoka Miu could explain anything, Akira saw Shouko quickly run over, her ears red with embarrassment.

Out of the corner of his eye, he also noticed Yuzuru Nishimiya peeking from the half-closed door Shouko had left open, confused by the scene.

At that moment, Akira thought: We're just two lolis short of summoning a full-blown lolicon disaster.

Only after Miu repeatedly explained that it was a slip of the tongue did Shouko finally forgive her, albeit reluctantly.

"What's going on? Standing by the door this long without coming in?" Miyamura Shizuka's voice rang behind Akira.

"Nothing, Mom. Breakfast's ready?" Akira turned around.

"Good morning, Auntie!" ×4

"Good morning. Come on in and play. Don't block the doorway," Shizuka smiled, nudging Akira aside to let the girls in.

Akira quietly returned to the dining room to continue eating breakfast while the others came in. Sakuragi Matsuri looked slightly nervous—this was her first time visiting Akira's home, unlike the others.

Once everyone entered, Shizuka closed the door. Watching the girls padding in with their white socks on the hallway floor, she asked kindly:

"Did you all eat breakfast? Do you want anything?"

Everyone shook their heads politely. Except for Shouko, the other three girls followed Shizuka into the living room to watch TV and greeted Miyamura Daiki, who was lounging on the couch.

"Did you eat, Shouko?" Akira asked as she entered the dining room.

Without replying, Shouko sat down beside him, opened her mouth slightly, and tilted her head.

"Ah~"

Akira smiled, picked up a sandwich from the tray, and fed her a bite. The two quietly shared their breakfast like it was something they had always done.

Later that Morning: Futaba Water Park

"We're here, we're here!" Shizuka held Shouko's hand as the group arrived at Futaba Water Park, with Miu, Chika, and Matsuri following, and Akira and Daiki walking behind.

Akira looked up at the giant entrance. The rainbow-colored arch shimmered in the sun, topped by two dolphin sculptures balancing a rotating water sphere. Water curtain walls cascaded down both sides, hinting at the blue slides and pools inside.

Shizuka clapped her hands. "Alright, everyone focus. Let's go in now before the lines get too long."

Daiki and Shizuka led the group to the ticket booth. A staff member smiled, asking, "Hello! What kind of tickets would you like?"

After a brief discussion, Daiki purchased eight full-day passes.

"We can buy our own tickets," Miu, Chika, and Matsuri protested politely.

Shizuka waved them off. "Today's on us. Just have fun."

They received colorful waterproof wristbands and instructions on locker use and safety rules. Everyone headed toward the changing rooms.

A few minutes later, the group emerged in their swimsuits. Clothes secured in lockers, they gathered outside.

Akira glanced at the girls' swimsuits—Miu and Chika wore ones similar in style to Shouko's. Matsuri wore a school-type one-piece, modest and simple.

His own and Daiki's outfits were black swim shirts and shorts—fully Mom-approved.

"Should we split up or stay together?" Miu asked.

Shizuka considered it. "Let's split. You kids go enjoy yourselves. There are staff at every station, and when you're tired, call me from the locker area."

And so, the groups divided:

Akira and Shouko

Shizuka and Daiki

Miu, Chika, and Matsuri

"See you later, Uncle and Auntie!" Miu waved as she led her friends off to the slides.

"Wait—Mom, your phone's waterproof?" Akira asked, surprised.

"Hehe, no. It's your Dad's old flip phone. I dug it out yesterday just for this." Shizuka poked his forehead.

"Flip phones are built like tanks. I knew I'd need something waterproof."

"No wonder…"

"Anyway, go enjoy yourselves." With that, she and Daiki walked off toward the adult area.

As they strolled, Daiki asked, "Is it really okay not to watch them?"

Shizuka waved it off. "If we weren't here, they'd still come. There are lifeguards and cameras everywhere. The scary rides require height checks, and they're not allowed near deep water. They're not kids anymore."

Daiki nodded, finally convinced.

"We've got our own fun to catch up on," she added, smirking. "And I still want pictures of Akira and Shouko later."

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