From the moment I stood there in nothing but a swimsuit, holding a sign like some sentient advertisement board, I knew this had to be the strangest day of my school life.

The crowd grew thicker with every passing minute. Laughter, whispers, curious eyes, girls pointing—and none of them had a clue what water polo even was. Not that it mattered.

They weren't here for the sport.

They were here for me.

Lisa Shiraishi noticed too, though she played it cool. But I could tell from the subtle upturn of her lips and that calculating gleam behind her glasses: this was exactly what she planned.

A beauty trap, huh? But instead of a sultry girl luring in hapless victims, it was me—a guy—with a board and toned abs.

Not how I pictured high school club recruitment.

"Ahem... dear students," Shiraishi-senpai called out, her voice confident but graceful. "If you're interested, please sign up for the water polo club to learn more. Ginjo-san will also join training from time to time to support everyone."

Wait, what now?

I turned to glance at her. The way she smoothly tossed out that last part like it was a done deal made me do a double take.

She pulled out a stack of application forms like a magician unveiling her final trick.

Girls flocked to her like pigeons to breadcrumbs.

"I want one!"

"Me too!"

"Give me a form!"

Before long, the application forms were gone. Shiraishi's delicate hands barely kept up with the demand.

I just stood there in swim trunks, skin slightly glistening under the warm sun, watching the insanity unfold.

By the end of the recruitment session, thirty or so forms had been filled.

Thirty!

Last year, this club hadn't even gotten a single applicant.

This year, it was standing room only.

I knew I was good-looking, but... damn. That system reward better be double for this.

"Thank you for your hard work, Ginjo-san," Lisa said softly, the tone of her voice breaking from her usual cool detachment. Her glasses glinted as her eyes briefly met mine. There was a flicker of warmth there... maybe it was acknowledgment.

I opened my system panel.

[Assistance Mission Complete: Help Lisa Shiraishi recruit new members to the club.]

[Reward: 40,000 yen]

[Target: Lisa Shiraishi Favorability +5 → Reward: 5,000 yen]

[Current Favorability: 70]

Whew.

Balance restored.

But then something tugged at me.

"Uh, Senpai, what was that bit about me helping with training?" I asked, arms crossed. "I don't remember agreeing to that."

Lisa's cool facade cracked for the first time today. She looked… sheepish?

"That… that was in the moment," she muttered, looking down. "The girls seemed so interested, so I may have… used you a little."

Used me a little? That was a lot.

"But I'm truly grateful. If you have any requests, I'll do my best to fulfill them."

Now that was dangerous.

I glanced at her: long, snow-pale legs; that crisp uniform stretched taut around her curves; the faint pink flush on her cheeks as she tried to look away.

Her glasses shifted slightly as she nervously adjusted them.

My brain short-circuited for a full three seconds.

"Ginjo-san?"

She tilted her head.

"Ahem. No request for now," I said quickly. "I've got to head to work. I'll wash the swimsuit and return it later."

"No need," she replied. "I'll take care of it."

And like that, I was out.

——

It was just past 5 p.m. Streets had gone quiet. There was no rush hour or any heavy crowds. Students were at club activities, adults still shackled to their desks.

Perfect moment of peace.

I walked under the fading gold of spring sunlight, letting the breeze kiss my skin as cherry blossoms rustled above.

By the time I reached the convenience store, Kana Kobayakawa was behind the counter.

"Kana? Ahem, Manager Kobayakawa?" I asked. "What are you doing up front? Where's Morikawa?"

Kana smiled, brushing a stray bang behind her ear.

"She had to leave early. Something urgent came up," she said. "You're just in time. Go change, Sousuke-kun."

I nodded and slipped into the back.

Despite everything, it was always easy with Kana. Like... home.

When I came back out, Kana had stepped away from the register and was helping organize the shelves.

We worked quietly together, shoulders occasionally brushing, neither of us saying anything for a while.

Then...

"Grrrrrrgle."

My stomach betrayed me.

Kana turned, startled.

"Are you hungry?"

I sheepishly clutched my stomach. "A bit. Skipped lunch and all that water polo chaos..."

"You should've said something." She smiled, and the warmth in that smile could melt glaciers. "I've got donuts in the back."

Did she say… donuts?

A strange glint sparked in my eyes. A sugar-crazed beast awakened within me. I had become... Gingami, the Sugar Knight.

Kana returned with a lacy white bag, pulling out a neatly wrapped donut.

I devoured it like a starving anime protagonist.

Sweet. Soft. Perfectly glazed.

Kana giggled.

"You look so happy."

"I am."

She offered me another. I accepted with reverence, like it was a sacred offering.

And for a moment, as the sun slanted through the glass and caught her profile in golden hue, I saw her watching me—not just looking, but watching, eyes soft and distant.

Maybe... this wasn't just about donuts.

Maybe she was starting to depend on me.

That little hug from a few nights ago...

The heat of her hands, the curve of her waist, the way she whispered my name...

Kana Kobayakawa might be just another part-time manager on the surface.

But there was a woman underneath, one who remembered everything.

Even late at night... when the store was closed... when no one was watching.