Chapter 128: Dive Into the Sea

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Translator: Soafp

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The view from the train window gradually began to change. The buildings thinned out, and with each passing minute, more and more people boarded the train, filling the carriage with the lively bustle of summer.

“Whoa, mountains! Summer mountains have so many shades of green, you never get tired of looking at them.”

“Yeah, mountains. And once we pass through that tunnel, you'll see it.”

Sora pressed her face against the window as Ginji checked the time on his phone.

Before long, the train entered a tunnel that lasted only a few seconds—but when it emerged, the previously mountainous scenery opened up dramatically.

“The ocean, Ginji! Look!”

From the gently curving tracks, the sea came into view, with a coastal town stretching alongside it.

Framing the scene with her fingers like a camera, Sora peeked through and burned the view into her memory.

“What are you doing?”

When Ginji asked, Sora turned back to him, pointing the finger frame at him so that he was in the center of it. From behind the little square, her hazel eyes looked right at him.

“There's so much I want to draw now, I don't even know where to start.”

“That's a good thing, isn't it? Show me what you're seeing, Sora.”

Would that be okay…? If she ended up drawing the person she was looking at through this little finger-made canvas, then maybe—just maybe—her feelings would come through with it. That thought made her nervous. But still…

“Yeah… I'll show you.”

Just imagining how Ginji might look at that moment made Sora smile.

When they arrived at their destination, they joined the crowd of beach-goers and transferred to a bus. Ten minutes later, they arrived. This beach, near a roadside station, had become a popular spot in recent years. With more changing rooms and lockers installed, it had become a convenient and comfortable place to visit. There were a lot of people, but not to the point of feeling overcrowded. Many families had set up beach tents for shade.

“We're here!”

“Alright, let's go change.”

“Oh! I'm already wearing my swimsuit underneath. I even put on sunscreen. All I have to do is strip down and toss my stuff in a locker!”

Sora puffed out her chest proudly.

“Well prepared, huh? I've got my swim trunks on under here too.”

Naturally, Ginji was already suited up beneath his clothes. The roadside station was a bit crowded, but they were lucky—some lockers were still available. After getting wristbands with locker keys at the reception, the two split up to use the changing rooms.

Ginji changed first and waited in front of the lockers after renting a float ring for Sora. Before long, she came running toward him, dragging her bag—and looking close to tears.

“Ginji, thank goodness…”

“What's wrong?”

“I felt like everyone was staring at me… I'm just glad I found you quickly.”

She gave a relieved, almost crumpled smile—only for Ginji's eyes to widen slightly as he looked at her.

“…Well, I mean… no wonder everyone's staring.”

“Huh?”

Sora tilted her head curiously at Ginji. She was wearing a white flared top bikini with a yellow skirt and a light rash guard. Though modestly cut, her chest was clearly defined, and her pale, delicate figure was on full display. Her soft, almost fragile aura made people want to protect her, and her obliviousness to her own appeal only amplified that effect. She was drawing attention from everyone around—men and women alike.

It was Ginji's second time seeing her in a swimsuit, but its impact hadn't diminished at all. Her outfit was both adorable and slightly alluring, and Ginji felt cracks forming in his mental resolve.

“Uh… well…”

Ginji Momoi, a man's man—couldn't bring himself to look at her. Meanwhile, Sora, now calmed by seeing Ginji again, froze mid-step, her mouth slightly open, captivated by what she now saw.

“…Muscles…”

The word fell from her lips like drool. She'd had an idea of his physique from his summer clothes, but the reality surpassed her imagination. Ginji's body was that of a well-trained man, with particularly well-sculpted shoulders and back muscles. His usually intimidating face combined with that build created a kind of rugged charm.

Faced with Ginji's swimsuit-clad form, Sora's rational mind short-circuited. Compelled, she began poking and patting his abs.

“H-Hey! What are you doing?!”

Sora leaned in, unintentionally revealing a significant amount of cleavage, which made Ginji turn his face away in a panic as she continued touching him.

“Just wait, I'm almost done…”

Still out of it, Sora earned herself a flick to the forehead.

“…It tickles. Come on, let's put our stuff in the locker.”

“Ah—what was I even doing…”

Sora, regaining her senses.

“What are you doing in public, seriously…”

“It's your muscles' fault! You hide them well under clothes.”

“…Yeah, well… same to you.”

“You think so?”

Ginji still couldn't bring himself to look directly at her, while Sora had eyes only for him.

After stowing their things in a locker, they headed down to the beach. It was around 10:30 a.m.—the peak of beachgoer activity.

Standing on the sand, the salty sea breeze washed over them, carrying the summer heat.

“Wow… amazing. Cream-colored sand, blue sea… It's my first time at this beach, but it's so beautiful.”

“Bit of a hidden gem, really. The waves are gentle too—perfect beach weather.”

As Ginji admired the ocean, Sora suddenly clung to his arm. The soft sensation of her skin through the thin fabric was unlike anything he'd felt before—and rendered him completely defenseless. She pulled him toward the water.

“W-Whoa! Sora?!”

“Come on, Ginji, let's go already!”

Without hesitation, the two of them—float ring and all—leapt into the sea.