V4: Chapter 32: The Sky, the Sea, and the Pink Princess?

Chapter 32: The Sky, the Sea, and the Pink Princess?

On a sandy beach bathed in the scorching sun, we're engaging in a sophisticated game: blindfolded play...

Who is this unparalleled beauty with a heart wider than the sea and purer than the sand?...

That's right, it's me!

Well, actually, I'm not trying to do anything shady; we're just enjoying a watermelon smashing game. But nobody plays watermelon smashing these days, do they? I prepared one just in case. Though, somehow the watermelon was already there.

"Hmm, could you move forward a little more?" (Lux)

"Shizuku, you can listen to what I say, right? First, turn 30 degrees to the left where you are." (Chloe)

"Shizuku-sama! A little more, a little more to the right! Walk towards me like that... yes, hug me tight... watch out!?" (Amane)

Everyone was giving their own instructions, which confused me, and just as I raised my wooden sword with all my might following the last instruction, I was stopped.

I hadn't intended to bring it down because I could faintly sense someone's presence, but I could tell that Amane-chan absolutely did not want me to play watermelon smashing.

"Shizuku, this is the same as combat. Feel the presence of the watermelon..." (Chinatsu)

"I see, grasp the space... I can definitely see it ahead, a chilled watermelon...!" (Shizuku)

"Is that what watermelon smashing game like?" (Lux)

By closing my eyes, I could strongly feel the surrounding space and the forces acting upon it. I felt the weight of four people around me, and separately, a spherical object larger than my head.

This... this is a watermelon.

I placed my foot firmly on the ground, took a step, and swung my wooden sword down. A moment later, I heard a "snap"—the sound of the watermelon being cut in two.

If I was wrong, it would be a huge problem, but judging from the reactions of those around me, it must be.

"Why are you acting so inhumanly even though you haven't transformed???" (Chloe)

"Actually, my body has been feeling much better since the day I became a magical girl..." (Shizuku)

"You're beyond extraordinary." (Chloe)

Thanks to the clean split, there was still plenty of edible part left... Isn't that enough?

I was only seeking the ideal defeat, so why have I been blessed with such talents?

As I crunched and ate the watermelon... it was quite sweet. I realized it was unusually sweet for a watermelon. It must have been an expensive watermelon; at the very least, it wasn't the kind you'd use for a watermelon-breaking game.

After finishing my watermelon, I headed out to sea, glancing at Amane-chan who was playing in the sand. Chinatsu-chan seemed to be talking to Lux under a parasol. They looked like they were having a serious conversation, but her willingness to connect with others is wonderful. It's safe to say she's definitely moving forward.

Meanwhile, I headed out to sea and floated on an inflatable inner tube. It's not that I can't swim, nor do I dislike swimming. I just like spending time like this, leisurely.

However, going too far out to sea is dangerous. Not because I might be swept away and unable to return, but because of the danger of predators. In an island nation like Japan, there are no predators on land.

However, that's not the case with predators that appear in the sea. In the ocean, far from human habitation, the threat of predators still lies dormant.

However, such occurrences are rare, and even if they do appear, it's not a problem. So I was enjoying myself, letting the waves gently rock me. It seems I wasn't the only one thinking that way...

"Hey there, Chloe-chan? Are you feeling chilly too?"

"I don't really know what 'chilly' means... but I just wanted to relax."

It's true, things have been hectic lately, with all the commotion and getting involved in incidents. A second Demon King appeared after I went missing, the New Star Magical Girl Association was formed over how to handle my disappearance, and extremists, seeing my absence as a weakening factor, made a big move.

.....

Wait, could it be that it's all my fault...?

This isn't a good topic to discuss, let's think of something else.

"By the way, have you decided on a present for me?" (Chloe)

"Yeah, I was struggling to decide because you probably could buy almost anything..."

"Oh, so I can look forward to it?"

"Of course, you can rest assured."　

I was planning to give it to her as early as today, though it's still kind of unfinished. Speaking of presents, that reminds me, there was something I wanted to ask Chloe.

"There's a C.T logo on the back of the choker you give me... what manufacturer is that? I've never heard of it."

"Of course not, it's a brand I founded."

"...Huh?"

"My father entrusted me with several businesses. They're still officially under my father's name, but since it's my brand, it's C.T for Chloe Tachibana—simple enough, right?"

I thought the quality was surprisingly good, but then this unexpected turn of events occurred. I never imagined she'd give me an accessory with her own initials on it... my gift isn't heavy enough to compete with something like that.

Perhaps sensing my feelings, she smiled and continued.

"It's not about the money or the time spent. The most important thing about a gift is the thought behind it."

"That lessen the pressure a little, but..."

Even so, it's still something to wonder about.

That said, even if I give her an expensive gift, she's likely to already have something expensive... I think I'll stick to my original plan.

I was splashing my feet on the water, spacing out, when a splash of water came flying towards me.

Looking where it came from, I saw Chloe, grinning at me with a look that said, "My prank has succeeded!"

Thinking how unusual that was, I made a water gun with my hand and squirted toward her.

"Hey, aiming for my face isn't fair!"

"Hehehe, you're the one who started it!"

"Hey, you...! Stop being so quick...!"

If I kept my distance, a water gun would be easy to dodge. This typical student-like playful bickering... ended when the heated Chloe tried to make a water gun out of her Ice Mirror.

Don't bring something like that out!

When I returned to the beach, there was quite a crowd. Curious, I went to take a look…　

"Oh, Shizuku-nee-san! Look, it's my masterpiece!"

"Ah, no. I could see it from partway through, but… what is this?"　

Building something in the sand is fine.

I fully expected her to make a statue of me, but it seems she has some common sense after all.

However, it was so elaborately made, it looked like something she might enter in some kind of competition. And above all, what she had built there was…　

"Whose house is this?"

"My ideal house, for the future!"

"...?"

"Of course, I made a room for Shizuku-nee-san too, you know?"　

No, that can't be right.

Keeping that thought in the back of my throat, I took another good look at the sand sculpture. It certainly looked like the layout of a typical house. I have absolutely no idea how or why it was made so elaborately.

Well, everyone enjoys the sea in their own way. I saw Chinatsu-chan coming towards me with her camera, so I made a peace sign in front of the sand house.

I hope we have some memorable moments that we can make into an album when we get home.

★

For lunch, we ordered yakisoba and grilled squid, as is typical for a beachside restaurant. I don't know why, but yakisoba tastes so good when you eat it at the beach or at a festival.

A little while after that lunch, I was relaxing under a parasol, sipping fruit juice, when the conversation I had with Lux before she applied the oil started replaying in my mind.

That is, what distinguishes a swimsuit from underwear?

It's not about the amount of skin exposed, is it? There are bikinis that show more skin than underwear.

Is it embarrassing to show skin, or is it embarrassing to have your underwear seen...? No, it's definitely the skin. You shouldn't feel embarrassed if someone sees the fabric you're wearing.

So why is it okay for swimsuits to be okay but underwear isn't? Is it really just the name and intended use that separates them? If so, isn't it incredibly embarrassing to be walking around in a swimsuit like this?

Thinking about that, I suddenly became very conscious of the stares around me. 　

"Huh... why?"　

Are they seeing me in my underwear? Should I hide myself?

Thinking that, I clasped my hands in front of my body to cover myself, but the embarrassment only increased... why?!

I know my thoughts are jumping around too much, but once the switch is flipped, there's no stopping it, no stopping it.　

I wrapped a towel around myself and slowly sat up again. I'm calmer than before, but why do I feel like I'm doing something so wrong?

I don't know, but my heart is beating uncontrollably.

"You're being thorough, aren't you?"

"Chinatsu-chan...!?"　

Whether it's fortunate or unfortunate that she, who understands the situation best, has come over... is it because of the summer heat, or the tension and excitement...? My head feels like it's boiling. My thoughts are all jumbled up, why is it like this...?

"Hmm, let's see... take off your towel?"

"W-what, you know what you're saying, right...?"

"Of course, right?"

I took off my towel as instructed, revealing my swimsuit... My face was burning with embarrassment, and being stared at so intently was driving me crazy.

"Yeah, it suits you really well. You look cute, Shizuku?"

"I'm happy, I'm really happy, but...?"

I couldn't help but be bothered by the stares of the people around us, and I desperately hoped no one would come... but reality is cruel.

A green-haired girl walked towards us, her face shining brightly... and then she walked towards us with a slightly displeased look on her face. 

"What are you doing, Shizuku-nee-san... and... Chinatsu?"

"Perfect timing. Shizuku wants to hear your thoughts on the swimsuit."

"W-what did you say...!?"

A slender finger was placed over my lips, and I couldn't say anything more. I asked her not to look, so why would she deliberately do something that would attract attention...!

"It's incredibly cute... like a summer fairy has landed on the beach...!" (Amane)

"It really suits you, and you have great fashion sense... amazing." (Chinatsu)

"Oh, thank you?"

What is this? What kind of special game is this? Shame and self-affirmation are swelling up inside me.

"You belly button is cute, isn't it?" (Amane)

"Those thighs are so captivating... I didn't realize true art was so close..." (Chinatsu)

"That's not really a comment on the swimsuit anymore, is it...?"

The most embarrassing thing is being complimented despite feeling embarrassed... and the fact that I'm not entirely displeased, and that they're seeing it.

"You seem to be doing something interesting, don't you?" (Chloe)

"Oh my, is this a fashion show?" (Lux)

Before I knew it, they were all there. At this point, there was nowhere to escape. Their gazes were all focused on my body. It was good that I didn't have to worry about the eyes around me anymore, but... the situation was getting worse.

My heart was beating faster and faster, and I couldn't think straight.

"You look absolutely lovely, your pretty face really shines through, doesn't it?" (Lux)

"Your skin is so beautiful it's almost annoying..." (Chloe)

"Wha... who said you could touch me...!?"

Being pinched on the side was a different kind of embarrassment. As if unaware of this, she continued to pinch my cheeks.

"Hehe, thanks to human culture, I got to see something really nice today, didn't I?" (Lux)

My self-esteem was built up, only to be shattered by shame.

This kind of humiliating game continued until Chinatsu suggested we buy shaved ice.

The timing of the stop was truly, truly perfect.