One of the easiest ways for companies that make otaku-targeted games to make money is, of course, by undressing their female characters. Showing off navels, thighs, and armpits is standard fare. But sometimes, they take it a step further, exposing sideboob, underboob, or even risky areas around the groin. At least in the Korea I grew up in, this was common knowledge.

Of course, stripping down female characters can sometimes backfire, so they couldn’t just randomly undress them. The key was always to strike the right balance, making the otaku open their wallets without pushing away most of the player base.

And the most standard approach to undressing characters? Swimsuits. Every summer, games roll out swimsuit costume events or limited swimsuit gacha. Even in Luminor Academy, a full-fledged otaku adult game with an academy setting, there’s a swimsuit costume, along with the entire “Marine Biology Exploration” event just to showcase the swimsuits.

‘And this semester, Ethan and I, along with the whole Hero Party, are taking Marine Biology Exploration.’

In other words, swimsuit shopping was mandatory. Rather than sweating under a thick maid outfit or school uniform and settling for an uninspired, plain swimsuit from a beachside shop, it was better to pick one beforehand. Ideally, one that would catch Ethan’s eye.

‘If I have to wear a swimsuit anyway, it’s only natural to hope Ethan would compliment it.’

Of course, there was a good chance that other guys in the Hero Party would see me in my swimsuit too, so picking a racy one was out of the question. It would go against my personal code to show my bare body to anyone but Ethan. Therefore, I had to choose a swimsuit that was enticing but not too revealing—a balance that required careful planning. That’s why I was heading to the Academy shopping district today, with a slightly unusual companion lineup.

Since the swimsuit was for Ethan, he wouldn’t come along. And no other guys should see it first either, so the rest of the Hero Party’s men were automatically excluded.

I had to call upon one of my female connections who wouldn’t mind coming along. I could only think of two who would be willing to come if I asked.

And among them, there was only one other girl who was taking Marine Biology Exploration with me.

“We’re going to look at swimsuits today, Lady Agnes.”

“Swimsuits?”

“Yes. The Marine Biology class starts in a week, so we should pick out swimsuits. I think it’s better to have someone else’s opinion rather than choosing one alone.”

“You should just go with that idiot Blackwood. Why bother dragging me along?”

“What are you talking about, Lady Agnes? It wouldn’t make sense for me to buy a swimsuit with Master Ethan when it’s supposed to be a surprise. It’s more impactful if a woman prepares these things separately to surprise the man later.”

“I really can’t understand what you’re saying half the time.”

Though I was just explaining the basics of being a heroine, Agnes looked at me with a bewildered expression, as if I had said something truly incomprehensible. So, I provided an example she might find easier to relate to.

“It’s like when you go underwear shopping. You wouldn’t go with Prince Antonio, would you? It’s the same idea.”

“Why bring him up? And I don’t really care about underwear—I just wear what the Elizabeth family sends.”

“...What?”

“Underwear isn’t something you show off. Are you saying you specifically buy underwear to show Blackwood?”

“Of course! Though, in my case, I weave the lace myself rather than buy it….”

“Right, you two really are a lost cause of a couple.”

“……”

What? Isn’t she and Antonio doing well?

With Agnes’s personality, I didn’t expect they’d have taken it to that level, but I thought mentioning his name might at least fluster her a little. Yet Agnes didn’t react at all, which caught me off guard.

“Well, since we’re here, I guess I could help you pick out underwear.”

“Not underwear, swimsuits, Lady Agnes.”

“Same difference. You’re still covering the same parts.”

“And we’re picking out your swimsuit too, Lady Agnes. That’s why I asked you to join me today.”

“...Mine too?”

Did she think we were only picking out my swimsuit and parting ways? Tilting her head in slight confusion, Agnes pointed to herself, and I nodded.

“What, were you planning to attend Marine Biology class naked? While your body may not exactly tempt men’s lust, that would still be embarrassing.”

“Who said I’d be naked? Don’t lump me in with perverts like you. Wait, what was that about tempting men?”

“Well, look at it this way. How many men do you think would get turned on just from looking at your body? With a chest smaller than your nose and hips flatter than the back of your head, I imagine only men with rather particular fetishes would….”

-Squeeze!

“Gaaah!”

In the middle of my words, Agnes suddenly reached out and grabbed my chest. She squeezed hard with all her strength, and I couldn’t help but let out a pained groan.

“Who cares if you’ve got a big chest!?”

“W-Wait, Lady Agnes! It hurts! You wouldn’t know, but it really hurts when you grab it like that!”

“Die, you shamelessly buxom trollop!”

“Alright! I’m sorry! I’m really sorry!”

If I didn’t apologize quickly, she seemed ready to rip my chest right off. ...Honestly, I wasn’t sure why she was so angry when I was just stating the facts.

-Thud!

“Huff, huff, huff….”

“Augh... Lady Agnes, that really hurt…”

“That’s what I was going for!”

“What I meant is, your body is so boring by men’s standards that, by wearing a nice swimsuit, you could prevent people from underestimating you.”

“……?”

Seeing Agnes tilt her head as if she couldn’t understand a word I was saying, I decided it was time to explain the significance of a woman’s swimsuit.

“You see, a swimsuit is a form-fitting garment, right?”

“...Yeah.”

“So, with your underdeveloped body, which is usually hidden under thick uniforms and skirts, it’s almost like a weakness.”

-Slide.

“Or rather, with your... slight physique, a swimsuit could expose you. So it would be best for you to pick one that conceals more rather than...”

-Squeeze!

“Aaah! Why again? I just corrected myself!”

“Not correcting would have been better! Slight?! Underdeveloped?! Are you just looking for a fight?!”

“Please, stop grabbing me! We’ll never get anywhere!”

“You’re the one who keeps pissing me off!”

Every word out of my mouth seemed to fuel Agnes’s temper as she lashed out in frustration.

I had thought that, compared to her original character, she had mellowed out a bit, but this fiery temper appeared to be an unchangeable trait.