"You two get today off!" Merlin smiled.

"...what?" I asked, confused.

"I said you two get today off. You've made multiple mana veins, so you two need to take a break before we move on to the next step." Merlin explained.

"Seriously?" I questioned. "Can't we just move on to the next step?"

"Nope!" Smirked Merlin, popping the p. "Besides, someone seems excited~"

"What?" I asked, looking behind me to see what Merlin was looking at.

Behind me stood Erica, very happy.

"Oh shi-"

"Come on Ken!" Erica interrupted me, grabbing my arm and pulling me back down the tower.

As we rushed down the steps, I wondered why Merlin didn't just tell us this yesterday so we didn't have to walk up all of these stairs.

Erica pulled me out of the tower to the surprise of the other girls who were outside and about to start training for the day.

"That was quick." Iris commented.

"We get the day off!" Erica cheered.

"Yes! Finally!" Yui screamed in joy, rushing into her tent.

"I see. We better get prepared then." Irene nodded.

"Uh...prepared for what?" I questioned.

"A vicious battle." Bianca emotionlessly stated. "Volleyball."

"What?"

Don't tell me this is the cliche beach fan service episode...

Bianca walked over and entered the same tent as Yui. It was only a couple minutes before a piercing scream came from the tent.

"Oh my god why are they so huge?!" Yui screamed.

"You get ready too Ken!" Lily suddenly said.

"I didn't bring any-" I started to say before I was cut off when a pair of swim shorts was shoved into my face.

Pulling them down, I saw that Irene was the one who gave me them. I looked at the tag of the shorts before sighing.

"Why did you know my size?" I asked.

"I have a very good source for information." Irene stated.

Lily blushed.

"Of course." I sighed. "But no one gets to go into my tent while I'm changing. Got it?"

I menacingly pointed at them, except for Yui and Bianca who were still in their tent. They nodded in acceptance, but I didn't really believe it.

I got into my tent, zipping it up and making sure to keep a good eye on it while I changed. Luckily no one did actually attempt to come inside.

Exiting my tent, I saw that the girls had somehow set up a volleyball net despite the fact that I don't ever remember anyone bringing one.

All of them were in swimsuits, so I avoided looking at them. It wasn't easy however...

"Ken. You're on my team." Irene stated, dragging me over. Apparently I'm playing with them.

Our team consisted of Me, Irene, Bianca, and Erica. The other team had Iris, Amber, Lily, and Yui. Amber grabbed the volleyball, stepping back and serving it.

Bianca hit the volleyball in the air, setting up Irene for a spike. Lily dove down, hitting the volleyball back into the air. It went over the net, making Erica do a set over the net.

Iris hit the ball through the air. It flew over the net, heading towards me. I barely hit it over the net, sending it straight to Yui.

Yui hit it up, setting Amber up for a spike. She slammed it into the ground on our side, getting them a point.

The volleyball match continued on for a while and it was able to distract me from their swimsuits. We ended up losing 20 - 17.

However, swimsuits and yanderes create a dangerous combo. Especially in this situation right now.

"Ken! Which one of our swimsuits is the best?!" Demanded Erica.

They were all standing in front of me, showing their swimsuit clad figures. It left a lot to imagination, and that was dangerous.

Irene had a yellow and black striped top and bottom. Iris wore a frilly yellow one-piece swimsuit. Lily wore a black one-piece while Erica wore a blue top and bottom with yellow accents.

Bianca wore a plain white top and bottom while Amber wore a red top and bottom with flames colored in orange. Yui had a frilly pink one-piece which exposed her skin in the back.

All of them stated expectantly at me. One wrong move and I might end up sleeping on the couch. In the hospital.

"Isn't it obvious?" I stated. "Mine." I gestured down to my black shorts with red trim.

"That's not an option!" Yui protested.

"I got his, so that means I won." Irene stated.

"That's not how the contest works!" Yui argued.

"It is now." Irene stated.

"You tyrant!" Yui cried out.

"I agree with Yui! How dare you?!" Lily stated, pointing at Irene.

The argument lasted for a little while, before they finally, and reluctantly came to the decision that Irene won.

"So, why was this so important?" I asked them.

"Give me a moment." Irene stated, walking off to the tents. She entered the tent, before coming back with something in her hands.

A present.

She handed it to me to my surprise.

"What...is this?" I asked.

"Your present. Happy Birthday." Irene replied, a slight smile on her face.

My birthday...?

That's right, my birthday is now January 15th. I'm not used to it being now. Nor am I used to getting something.

Kira and I always celebrated our birthdays, but we never really got each other presents. We just didn't have the money to spare. I always felt terrible that I couldn't get my sister anything except a handmade card.

I unwrapped the present, opening the box to find a picture in a picture frame of all of the girls wearing their swimsuits in a group photo.

I felt a tear run down my cheek.

"Thank...you." I slowly replied.

"We love you!" They said, squeezing me tight in a large group hug.

Maybe I'm lucky.

"Now seriously, who looks best in their swimsuit!" They asked, a dark aura surrounding them.

Yeah, I'm not.

"No! Stop it! NO!"

A little bit later and I had finally gotten away from them. I hid in the forest, sighing as I leaned against a tree.

Yanderes will be yanderes, attempting to tie you up and force you to tell them who you think was the most beautiful. I think they were getting ready to torture me for information.

But honestly, all of them were beautiful. It was tough to keep my eyes off of them. They're beauties. Crazy beauties.

My phone suddenly rung, causing me to slowly take it out. Are they trying to track me...?

I sighed in relief as I saw it was from the Principal.

"Hey." I said as I took the call.

"Hey Ken." Principal greeted. "Everything is okay so far, correct?"

"Yeah." I replied.

"How long are you guys going to be training?" She asked.

I remembered what Merlin had told us. Apparently there was going to be a rift that would appear and take the island in a month. It was all she could see of the future at the moment since apparently my presence is blurring her Clairvoyance when she looks into the future.

"A month. It'll be over at the end of January." I stated.

"Alright." Principal replied. "Remember, call me for any reason."

"Got it." I said.

"Alright. Also, your parents sent you a birthday card. I'll give it to you once you get back." She stated.

"Okay. Thanks." I replied.

"No problem. And Happy Birthday." Principal said, hanging up.

I sighed, placing my phone back into my pocket. Having so many people celebrate my birthday...

I guess I really am lucky.

"Ken~?" A dark voice crept through the forest.

As lucky as I can be. Shit.