The azure sea, but a lonely, fulfilled life.

"I can understand that very well."

Kohei said that the feeling of enjoying time alone, buying favorite snacks that he hadn't eaten in a long time, lying on the back of a soft swivel chair, turning on his computer, and finding that the anime he was watching had a new episode, was an unprecedentedly wonderful experience.

"Now that you explain it this way, I suddenly understand it."

Iori stroked her chin, her fantasy beginning: a dark room, a bright screen, exciting and exhilarating action scenes, and sheets of pure white paper falling down. Hmm~ it was truly enjoyable.

"He's definitely misunderstood again."

Chisa looked at Iori, who was inexplicably grinning, and sighed helplessly. Ever since he came here, this guy has been going further and further astray. She didn't know if it was his true nature or if there was some kind of magic here.

So far, she's a normal person and no one has seen her.

Thinking of this, she squinted at someone who was holding a cup of coffee with obvious delight.

This is almost beyond saving too.

"Speaking of which, Iori, what exactly is it that you want to talk about at noon?"

The crimson glow of the setting sun, like autumn leaves, fell on the shoulders of the four. Qian Sha, walking at the front, moved forward with slow, steady steps, while the other three were doing similar relaxation exercises, either holding their heads in their hands or rubbing their necks, their steps loose.

"Isn't the school holding that event recently? The Izu Spring Festival."

"Oh, I have heard of it."

To boost students' enthusiasm for the new semester, an event similar to a school festival was launched, allowing outsiders to visit and potentially make money.

"So, what happened?" Hachiman asked.

“There’s an event at the Izu Spring Festival called the Club Men’s Election.”

"What? A beauty pageant?"

Do universities still do this kind of thing?

“It’s a similar type, a way of embodying masculinity.” Iori pondered, then smiled with relief. “So, congratulations, Hachiman, you’ve been selected.”

"what?"

Hachiman pointed to himself.

Do you think my eyes are good enough to be in a competition?

"nonono."

Iori extended her index finger and shook it, then solemnly patted his shoulder.

"The event not only selects beauties, but also clowns, and you're perfect for that."

Upon hearing this, Hachiman slapped his hand away and looked at the two people on the other side who had been silent but whose shoulders were visibly trembling. The dead fish-like aura in their eyes became even more pronounced.

He looked at Iori and smiled knowingly.

"I'm really looking forward to your performance on stage."

"Pfft, sorry."

Chisa couldn't help but laugh out loud. She hadn't found the scene that morning particularly funny, but the two of them calmly pulling at each other now gave off a slightly crazy vibe, which was quite amusing.

"Look, you have a real talent for making people laugh, so this role is perfect for you!"

"No, no, no, your charm alone is enough to impress people, far surpassing my ability to sway them with just words. Therefore, you are the one everyone wants and the wise choice!"

"Oh, strategist, you are mistaken."

"General, do not be modest."

Both of them concealed their inner thoughts of why you don't just die right now beneath smiles; an invisible game of chess had already unfolded before them.

"I ate your two horses, so you have no horses left."

With a shrewd and strategic mind, Hachiman stroked his long beard, certain that victory was already in his grasp.

"I ate both of your cannons, so you'll have to squat to use the toilet from now on."

Iori waved her feather fan and chuckled; it was still too early to say who would emerge victorious.

Their faces gradually contorted as they glared at each other until they entered 'Grand Blue,' where Nanaka greeted everyone.

"You're back. Dinner is ready. Wash your hands and get ready to eat."

"Oh!" x3

"What are we having for dinner tonight, Nanaka-nee?"

Iori quickly rinsed her hands and shook off the water, asking...

Nanaka smiled, her gentle demeanor tinged with a touch of playfulness.

"It's seafood stir-fried noodles."

Bang!

Chisa stared wide-eyed, unable to understand how the other person could trip over their own feet and fall on flat ground.

"what happened to you?"

"It's nothing, I was just a little excited."

Hachiman lay face down on the ground, muttering to himself.

"Eh~" Chisa looked at him with a teasing look. "So you like fried noodles that much? No problem, I'll make you extra later."

"Being a picky eater is a bad habit."

"I'm just losing weight, that's all."

Hachiman raised his face and looked at the curvaceous girl.

"Could it be that there's a women's beauty pageant at the Izu Festival?"

Yes, there is.

"You want to participate?" Hachiman stood up and looked at Chisa suspiciously. She didn't seem like the type to like being in the spotlight.

"How could that be?" Qian Sha shrugged and smiled; she didn't need that little bit of bonus.

"Oh~" Hachiman raised his arm upon hearing this. "Nanaka-senpai, Chisa said she's hungry and wants to eat lots of yakisoba!"

"what?"

"Oh dear, is Chisa hungry? It's okay, I made a lot tonight, so eat plenty, hehe (o˙▽˙o)"

Nanaka stood there gently as always, yet she exuded a strong sense of oppression over the two of them.

“He was just kidding, sister, I’m not hungry.”

"Really, Chisa, don't be so shy."

"It was really just a joke!"

After Chisa anxiously went to Nanaka to explain, Hachiman sighed, and then was pulled away by a force. He looked at Iori and Kohei, who were holding their breath, and felt even more helpless.

"what happened?"

"We're best friends, aren't we?"

"Don't state your opinion in a question; I'm offering a counter-argument."

"Anyway, please help us."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Iori and Kohei exchanged a glance and spoke in unison.

"Help us convince Chisa to participate in the women's beauty pageant!"

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Coming Storm

"I see. As long as Chisa participates in the women's beauty pageant, you don't need to participate in the men's competition."

Inside the meeting room on the first floor of the store, Hachiman was processing the information the two men had brought. He now fully understood that these two were seeking his help with the mindset of "better to die than see me suffer."

"But there's still one thing I don't understand. I can understand Iori refusing, after all, he's playing a comedic role. But why did you, Kohei, refuse? This is a great opportunity for you to create Crystal Palace!"

Hachiman looked at Kohei, his gaze settling on his face. This guy, when still, was a handsome man with an exotic air. Even when he was dressed in anime loli-style clothing, girls would often come to chat with him.

Given this setup, why would they be afraid of male beauty pageants?

"Women in the real world are all fake; only women in the two-dimensional world are what my heart truly yearns for."

Kohei Imamura, with an air of righteous indignation, placed his hand on his chest and made a statement typical of an otaku, only to be brought back to reality by a single sentence from Iori.

"He is afraid of society."

"what?"

Hachiman exclaimed in confusion, "Ah? This guy who can openly display hobbies that might be disliked by others, and who might be half-naked at any time, you're telling me he's socially awkward?"

Social terrorist, huh?

"Don't stare at me like that."

Under his direct gaze, Kohei turned his head away, and then a hint of horror flashed in Hachiman's eyes.

This guy actually got shy.

"I rely on!"

Upon seeing this, Hachiman instinctively put his hands behind his back, moved his body back two meters, and swallowed hard. This was terrifying.

"Well, that's how it is, so we need your help."

Iori silently approached him, his expression one of nausea, his voice choked with sobs as he pleaded.

"If neither of you can handle it, what can I do?"

Hachiman refused; he didn't want to get involved in this mess.

"No, with you here, we have nearly an 80% chance of getting Chisa to participate."

"Oh~"

Hachiman's eyes darkened, and his voice became hoarse.

"So what was the original probability?"

"Seventy-five percent."

"I'm going upstairs to sleep."

Hachiman waved his hand, got up, and walked towards the door.

"Wait, strategist!"

Two heavy, strong hands gripped his shoulders. When he turned around, he saw two grief-stricken faces.

"We're best friends! As the saying goes, it takes three preserved eggs to find one Zhuge Liang, let alone Qian Sha, who is Zhang Chunhua!"

"Is this really about the Three Kingdoms? I don't understand a word of it!"

Where did Zhang Chunhua come from?!

Hachiman reluctantly sat down again.

"I said, with me included, the probability is only five percent. Is it really necessary?"

He looked at the two of them and complained.

"Of course it's necessary. Since ancient times, a trio has been a powerful and well-balanced combination, invincible in battle!"

After saying this, Iori struck a pose on the spot, with his hands on his hips, legs crossed, looking up into the distance with a smug look in his eyes.

Having watched countless anime series, Kohei's DNA seemed to come alive at this moment. He quickly stood up and moved to Iori's left, crossing his right arm over his chest and raising his left arm to his ear, revealing a tired and world-weary look in his eyes.

They all looked at Hachiman, their eyes filled with hope.

"I haven't seen this anime, sorry."

"You're lying! You know that's a pose from an anime!"

"...Let's discuss how to get Chisa to participate in the women's beauty pageant."

"You agree?"

Upon hearing this, both of them looked at Hachiman excitedly. This strong expression of emotion made him feel a little strange. Did these two really just think that more people meant more chances of winning? Could it be that they had some other dirty tricks they didn't want to say outright, or that they wanted to drag him into the mess so that if Chisa investigated later, they could share the burden less?