Keiichi takes Belldandy along with him on the Motor Club's summer vacation, but both they and Sayoko make it difficult for the two of them to spend time together.
Summary[]
At the beginning of summer vacation, the Motor Club heads to Katagai Beach for a four-day training session. Keiichi is looking forward to spending some quality time alone with Belldandy, but the group is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Sayoko and her Art Club, much to his dismay. Tamiya claims the Art Club members wanted to use the Auto Club as their subject matter, having agreed to it due to the fact that a cooperative effort between the two groups would mean more girls to hang out with. Sayoko tells him not to be so mean while wrapping her arms around Keiichi's neck, making him blush. She claims that they only wish to capture the glistening sweat of summer in their art. Belldandy becomes concerned that the System Force will activate and prepares to raise a force field, but her concern only grows when nothing happens.
As the NIT students enter the guest house where they will be staying, Sayoko expresses her dissatisfaction with the lackluster accommodations, while Keiichi is unsurprised. He and Belldandy then excuse themselves in order to make some phone calls, after which she contacts Heaven for some answers. Belldandy's call is answered by her older sister Urd, who is already aware that the System Force is down, but uncertain when they will be able to fix it. Urd mentions that they have no need to worry, since it is only a backup system, and doesn't directly affect them, before hanging up with a mischievous chuckle. Keiichi sadly asks if she has to go back now that the System Force is gone, but Belldandy explains that it is only a supporting factor that doesn't affect her, and will not return unless he no longer needs her. Sayoko grabs Keiichi away, saying they should go swimming in their free time, leaving Belldandy to consider the situation more deeply.
Sayoko and Keiichi head down to the beach in their swimsuits, the former attracting a lot of attention due to her beauty, while he hopes that Belldandy catches up soon. She claims not to have seen any swimwear in Belldandy's luggage and is about to proclaim herself the victor, when the Goddess joins them wearing only a cloth. The attention immediately gravitates towards Belldandy as men start speaking to her in different languages, some of them trampling Keiichi in order to reach her. He calls out to her, eliciting a surprised reaction as she realizes she was standing on top of him the entire time. She embraces him, much his enjoyment, and the jealousy of several male bystanders. Sayoko criticizes the fact that she stepped on him without realizing it, calling her unfit to be his girlfriend, and causing Belldandy to apologize and run off in shame. While she wonders if the statement was a little harsh, she sees the absence of he Goddess as the perfect chance to steal Keiichi's heart, only then realizing that she herself was also standing on his back.
Later that night, Keiichi is shown in his room lamenting the fact that Belldandy was crying, noting that she didn't even show up for dinner. He decides to find her and clear up the misunderstanding, but Otaki hands him the guidebook for their trip, which states clearly that male students cannot visit the girls after a certain time. Keichi tries to convince him to look the other way, but the guys force him to go on a 100 kilometer buggy tour with them. They ride all night across the sand dunes, turning up in an exhausted state the next day. Keiichi plans to talk to Belldandy again, only to discover that they have planned another trip. He begins to dread she will return home without him if he can't clear things up, but his attempts to speak to her at dinner fail due to the antics of his Auto Club friends, who then drag him upstairs to spend all night drinking.
The next morning Sayoko schemes to invite Keiichi on a walk when he gets back, but she notices Belldandy wandering the halls alone and follows her out of curiosity. The Goddess then casts a spell on a piece of paper, but Sayoko sees nothing on it and assume it is just a blank sheet and steals it. That night while walking with Keiichi, she hands him the blank sheet of paper, but Keiichi can see Belldandy's writing on it, and heads off to the place she told him about on the note. When he reaches the designated meeting place, Belldandy tackles him in a loving embrace, causing them both to fall into the water. She expresses joy that he still wants her to remain with him, and they agree to be together forever. They then go swimming together to make up for lost time.
Upon returning to the guest house, Keiichi falls ill due to his wounds worsening after exposure to the sea water. Sayoko tells him it was a bad idea to go swimming with injuries, while Belldandy swiftly apologizes for it.
Quick Reference[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Although she is not yet named, this chapter introduces Belldandy's older sister, Urd.