I was Thrown into an Unfamiliar Manga

Second-year Summer Break.
With just a week left before it officially began, the atmosphere at Ichijo Academy was already giddy with anticipation.

The final exams—practically the last obstacle before summer vacation—had ended completely, and the preliminary scoring was done too, so everyone had already begun to relax.
Of course, anyone who had failed even a single subject would still have to attend remedial classes during the break, but such idiots were rare at Ichijo Academy.
After all, Ichijo Academy was a prestigious private school known for its steep academic gradient—it wasn’t the kind of place where someone who had given up on studying could just waltz in.

And now, I and the other members of Group D—who had grown close during Forest School—were all gathered, trying to decide where we should go during summer vacation.
“Going to the beach is great and all, but which one should we go to?”
“How about somewhere nearby? If it’s too far, we’ll be exhausted just from the travel.”

“If we take the Shinkansen, it’ll be quick. Honestly, it’s way faster than going by car.”
“If we’re planning to stay overnight rather than just a day trip, we should probably avoid peak season. The lodging costs will be crazy.”
“Oh! Now that I think about it, my dad owns a villa in Okinawa.”

“Isn’t Okinawa the kind of place you need a plane to get to…?”
But as the saying goes, too many cooks spoil the broth. With everyone throwing out opinions, the discussion went on for almost thirty minutes—and we still hadn’t decided on a destination.
That’s when Rika, sitting beside me, turned and asked,

“Ryu-chan, where would you like to go?”
“Huh? I’m fine with anywhere. But if we’re picking, somewhere we can afford with a student budget would be nice, right?”
I had a decent amount of savings from helping out with chores at home, but it wasn’t like I could spend recklessly.

Ayase probably felt ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ the same way.
Ichijo Academy might be known as a rich kids’ school, but not every student was rich.
At that point, Sakamoto—who had been quietly listening—raised his hand and spoke.

“I agree with Kim-kun. My parents are overseas on business, so an expensive trip is tough for me.”
Yaguchi, sitting next to him, timidly raised his hand as well.
“Then what about Onjuku Beach in Chiba? My relatives run a guesthouse there. I think we could rent rooms pretty cheap.”
“That sounds good! Chiba’s close to Tokyo, too.”

“There’s also a zoo and an amusement park nearby, so even if we don’t spend the whole time swimming, there’s still plenty to do.”
“…I might even be able to reunite with Kumamon, who I was forced to part with so tragically.”
What had just moments ago been a chaotic free-for-all suddenly snapped into focus thanks to Yaguchi’s suggestion.

Ayase, who had taken on the role of meeting coordinator, pushed up her glasses.
“So we’re settled on Onjuku Beach for summer vacation?”
She glanced around at the group.

Including Karen, who had naturally joined even though she was from another class, there were seven of us total. No one raised an objection.
“Then it’s decided. Now let’s figure out how much money to collect from everyone.”
And just like that, our summer destination was set.

***
That same moment, in Brooklyn, New York.
The finals of the God of Fist—known as GOF in the West and God of Fist Tournament (권신대회) in the East—were underway.

‘God Of Fist’
First held in 1999, roughly 18 years ago, it was an open-weight martial arts tournament that took place once every three years—now marking its 7th event, with a respectable legacy.
Its official sponsor was the Russian megacorporation Easter Egg Company, whose leader, Ivan Vladimirovich Romanov, had been the champion of the first three tournaments. He was hailed as the strongest martial artist in the world.

And now—
A new legend was being born in Brooklyn Stadium.
“Ah! Amazing! He’s strong—Michael of the USA can’t even fight back against Mei Ling’s seamless combo!”

“Have we ever seen a female fighter this strong? Mei Ling of China is absolutely dominating!”
Facing a massive man without retreating even a single step—her aggressive aura was overwhelming.
Her body, refined through endless training, gleamed with a brilliant, near-divine beauty.

Having mastered a thoroughly modern reinterpretation of Bajiquan, she finished the match with a final punch straight into Michael’s chest.
BOOM!!
The sound was like a giant tree crashing to the ground—as Michael of the USA collapsed backward.

Three years after the 6th GOF in Berlin, the winner of the 7th GOF was Li Mei Ling of China.
WAAAAAAAH!!
The crowd roared at the unprecedented result—the first female champion in GOF’s 18-year history.

As the unconscious Michael was carried out on a stretcher, the waiting announcer climbed up to begin the winner’s interview.
“Li Mei Ling, you’ve become the ultimate champion of GOF after an intense battle—how do you feel right now?”
Gripping the microphone, she spoke in a still-breathless voice.

“I dedicate this honor to my master and my father back home. Without their teachings, I never would have made it this far.”
It was a clichéd response—but no one found fault with it.
She had just proven herself one of the strongest martial artists on Earth—without a doubt.

The announcer nodded and asked another question.
“You’ve achieved victory in GOF, a dream for martial artists worldwide. What’s your next goal?”
Li Mei Ling paused for a breath, then answered.

“There are two martial artists my master never managed to defeat in his lifetime. The infamous ‘Destruction God’ Ivan and ‘Black Yasha’ Fuma Kotaro.”
But then—
“As they say, the student surpasses the master. I will go to Japan to prove that I’ve surpassed mine.”

“Japan? Who’s there?”
With a mysterious smile, Mei Ling replied.
“That’s a secret.”

That day, newspapers featuring Li Mei Ling’s victory interview sold like wildfire.
Curiosity spread among martial arts enthusiasts.
Who was the opponent that Li Mei Ling—acknowledged as the strongest of her generation—wanted to fight?

Those unfamiliar with the full picture assumed she meant to challenge the legendary Destruction God or Black Yasha.
But those who knew the real story immediately realized—she meant the ‘Diamond Yasha’.
A high schooler who had defeated the modern-era’s strongest, Thunder Emperor Ivan, and made a name for himself even among heavyweight monsters…

Now set to face Li Mei Ling, the strongest female martial artist—
Even calling it a dream match didn’t feel like an exaggeration.
The world’s eyes turned to the Far East.

***
That same moment, in Ichijo Academy’s Student Council Room.
“Milady, the villa preparations are complete.”

“Now all that’s left is to lure Kim Yu-seong into a lonely summer vacation.”
Upon receiving the report from her two attendants, Saionji Kumiko covered her smile with her open fan.
“Fufu. The plan is perfect.”

It was the secret scheme she had been preparing ever since hosting the first official Kim Yu-seong Countermeasure Committee last month.
Project S.U.V. was finally ready to launch.
“A trip to our family villa on a remote island, and then—due to ‘stormy weather’ all boats are cancelled. A secluded 4-day, 3-night vacation with just the two of them? Shinji’s plans are… unexpectedly devious.”

“Thank you for the praise, milady.”
“By the way, milady, I’ve received 15 swimsuit designs from the famous designer. If you choose one, I’ll have the final piece ready before departure.”
“You’ve done well, Minami. Thanks to your efforts, I feel like I might actually pull it off this summer.”

As Saionji Kumiko spoke, she gently pressed her hand over her left chest.
The affection she had held since the day Kim Yu-seong saved her—a full year ago—was finally ready to be expressed.
Just as Shinji had said last time, she probably only had about six months left.

Even if they started dating now, the actual time they’d have to be together would be short.
Even so, Saionji Kumiko didn’t want to lie to her heart.
It was none other than Kim Yu-seong—the boy she loved—who had opened the cage she’d been trapped in.

‘Just a little longer. I’ll confess properly—brilliantly.’
Determined, Kumiko looked through the swimsuit options Minami had prepared—and was shocked.
Every single one showed a scandalous amount of skin.

“A-Aren’t there any rash guards?”
Minami gave her a dead-serious look.
“Didn’t you want to appeal to Kim Yu-seong, milady?”

“Urgh.”
Called out so bluntly, Kumiko reluctantly decided—since they’d be on a private beach anyway—maybe she could be a little bold.