Harem Survival System: Stranded On An Island With Beautiful Women

A gasp tore from Nina's lips as the cold water splattered across her skin, soaking through her shirt.

Her reaction was instant.

Eyes wide. Shoulders stiff. Cheeks — bright red.

For a second, she didn't move.

Lucas had never seen Nina look so completely caught off guard before.

And it was absolutely priceless.

He grinned. "You looked like you needed that."

Her silence stretched for a beat longer.

Then —

"Oh, you're dead."

Lucas barely had time to react before she dropped her own dumbbell, ran toward the shore and shot a powerful splash of water crashed into his chest, drenching him.

He stumbled back, coughing out a laugh. "Okay, okay — "

But she wasn't done.

The second splash was stronger, hitting him square in the face.

Lucas raised his hands in surrender, half-laughing, half-gasping for air. "Alright, alright — I get it, you win!"

Nina stood over him, smirking now, her arms crossed over her damp chest. "Damn right."

Lucas ran a hand through his wet hair, flicking some excess water off. "You're really quick to take revenge, huh?"

Nina huffed, rolling her shoulders as the ocean breeze chilled her now-soaked skin.

"Don't dish it out if you can't take it, Lucas."

Lucas let out a low whistle. "Noted."

For a moment, they just stood there — her, still slightly flushed, arms crossed, pretending she wasn't affected — and him, watching her with a newfound curiosity.

He took a look at her status and damn, it seemed like this girl needed someone to give her attention – stats were soaring high, well all except Lust though.

"Well," he said, stretching his arms behind his head, "since I'm already soaked, I might as well go for a swim."

Nina raised a brow. "You swim?"

Lucas smirked. "You doubt me?"

She shrugged. "Let's just say I don't see you as the type."

Lucas gave her a mock-offended look. "Wow. That hurts, Nina."

She rolled her eyes. "Just go, idiot."

Lucas chuckled before stepping into the water. "You joining me?"

Nina hesitated.

For just a moment.

Then, with a small sigh, she shook her head. "Not today."

Lucas tilted his head. "You sure? You might actually have fun."

She smirked. "I think I had enough fun watching you get drenched."

Lucas barked out a laugh. "Fair enough."

He turned toward the sea, diving into the waves, letting the cool water rush over him.

When he surfaced, he saw Nina still standing by the shore, watching him.

Lucas drifted through the water, letting the cool waves wash away the lingering heat from their workout.

His muscles relaxed, his body weightless as he floated. The ocean was peaceful — not too rough, not too still, just the right kind of movement to make him feel at ease.

Then, Nina's voice cut through the quiet.

"You do know you're soaking your only set of clothes, right?"

Lucas blinked, pausing mid-stroke. He turned toward her, standing at the water's edge, her arms folded across her chest.

A slow grin crept onto his face. "Huh."

Nina raised an eyebrow.

Lucas tilted his head, pretending to think. "...Didn't consider that."

Her expression twisted into something between amusement and disbelief. "You absolute dumbass."

Lucas chuckled, running a hand through his dripping hair. "Hey, in my defense, I was too busy having fun."

Nina let out a breath, shaking her head. "You're impossible."

Lucas smirked. "And yet, you're still standing there watching me."

For a second, she didn't respond.

Then, to his surprise, she laughed.

Not a sarcastic scoff or a huff — an actual, genuine laugh.

It was short, almost like she hadn't meant for it to escape, but it was there.

Lucas felt a strange satisfaction at the sound.

She shifted her weight, brushing some loose strands of hair from her face. "Well, I was watching because I figured I should tell you before you regret it."

Lucas grinned. "Oh? Concerned for me, are we?"

Nina rolled her eyes. "More like I don't want to hear you complaining later."

Lucas barked out a laugh, stretching his arms as he floated on his back. "Noted."

Nina smirked. "Good."

Then, without another word, she suddenly took off running.

Lucas barely had time to react before she leapt into the water, diving in with a clean, practiced motion.

A massive splash followed.

Water surged up, crashing over Lucas's face, sending him sputtering.

Coughing, he wiped his eyes, only to hear Nina's laughter as she surfaced a few feet away.

Lucas groaned. "Alright, I see how it is."

Nina grinned, flipping her wet hair back. "Oh, what? Can dish it out but can't take it?"

Lucas smirked, shaking the water off his face. "You're starting to enjoy messing with me, huh?"

She shrugged. "It's refreshing."

Lucas chuckled. "I'll take that as a compliment."

The water rippled between them as they floated, the air between them surprisingly light.

It was different from their usual banter. Less tense, less guarded.

More... comfortable.

Lucas treaded water, watching her from the corner of his eye.

Nina looked different in the water.

Maybe it was the way the droplets clung to her dark, purple-black hair, making it shimmer beneath the afternoon sun.

Or maybe it was the way the ocean's surface reflected against her sharpened features, her usually fierce expression softened by the playful curve of her lips.

Lucas had never really seen her relax before.

It was... interesting.

She caught him staring. "What?"

Lucas shrugged. "Just realizing something."

She raised a brow. "And that is?"

"You're actually kinda fun."

Nina blinked.

Then, she snorted. "Wow. That almost sounded like an actual compliment."

Lucas grinned. "Who says it wasn't?"

Nina narrowed her eyes. "I don't trust you."

Lucas held a hand over his heart. "That hurts, Nina."

She rolled her eyes but didn't look away this time.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke.

The sound of the waves surrounded them, rhythmic and steady, filling the space between their breaths.

Lucas broke the silence first. "So, why train alone?"

Nina blinked at the sudden shift in topic.

He gestured toward the shore. "You always go off on your own. Not a fan of group workouts?"

Nina exhaled, floating on her back. "Not really. Most people don't take training seriously."

Lucas smirked. "And you do?"

"Of course," she said without hesitation. "We're stranded on an island, Lucas. Who knows what could happen? It'd be stupid not to be prepared."

Lucas hummed. "You always like being in control, huh?"

Nina frowned slightly, her expression unreadable.

For a moment, he thought she wouldn't answer.

Then, in a quieter voice, she said, "Control keeps you alive."

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Lucas tilted his head.

That answer sounded... personal.

But before he could pry, she suddenly dove under the water again, swimming farther out.

Lucas watched her go, his curiosity piqued.

He wasn't sure why, but something about Nina was different from the other girls he'd talked to so far.

She wasn't easily flustered like Mia, nor was she openly flirtatious like some of the others.

She was... guarded.

But the more time he spent around her, the more he noticed the cracks in her walls.

And Lucas?

He loved a good challenge.