Saturday morning in Lumina Square was outrageously sunny.
Lin You pressed her face against the window, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds outside while humming an off-key beach song.
"Dad! Get up! You promised we'd go to the beach today!"
Lin Shuo answered from the bedroom, "It's only six... We agreed to meet at ten."
"We need to get ready ahead of time!"
Lin You charged into the room and yanked off his blanket. "Swim trunks! Towels! Sunscreen! And packed lunches! Yuzuha said she'd make lunch to bring along. We can't show up empty-handed!"
Eyes closed, Lin Shuo tried to snatch his blanket back.
But Lin You had already run off with it in her arms.
"..." Resigned, Lin Shuo sat up and rubbed between his brows.
Ever since Lin You arrived, his days of sleeping in had come to a definitive end.
"Dad, which swim trunks are you wearing? I'll pick for you!" Lin You opened the wardrobe and rummaged through it. "Black? Blue? Or... Huh, these board shorts are so tacky!"
"Whatever."
"You can't say whatever! This is your first beach date with Mom!"
"It's not a date." Lin Shuo got out of bed. "It's a group outing. Yuzuha invited Manato, Alice, and the others."
"But Manato said yesterday he couldn't get time off work, Alice has a family tea party, Lucia has to 'keep vigil' tonight, and Idhila's rushing to meet a deadline-" Lin You counted on her fingers. "So really, it's just the three of us-you, me, and Mom!"
Lin Shuo paused.
It seemed... he'd been set up.
"Dad, how about these?"
Lin You pulled out a pair of dark blue swim trunks with white wave patterns. "They go great with your new shirt!"
"...Whatever."
"Then that's a yes!"
Lin You stuffed the trunks into the backpack she had prepared long ago. "I'll make lunch! Dad, go wash up!"
"You can cook?"
"Mom taught me how to make simple rice balls in the future!" Lin You puffed out her chest. "They might not taste as good as Mom's, but they'll definitely be edible!"
Watching his daughter skip toward the kitchen, Lin Shuo's lips curved without him realizing it.
Maybe... having life this lively once in a while wasn't so bad.
At nine thirty that morning, the three of them-or, more precisely, two people and one Tailed Beast-met at Lumina Square Station.
Yuzuha was already waiting there.
The moment he saw her, Lin Shuo felt his breath catch.
The girl hadn't tied her hair in a ponytail today. Her long red hair hung loose over her shoulders, its ends slightly curled. She was wearing... a swimsuit?
No, to be precise, she wore a light-colored sun-protection cardigan over her swimsuit, but it was unbuttoned, leaving the swimsuit's design clearly visible.
It was a one-piece, predominantly bright red with white detailing. Its cut resembled the "school swimsuits" worn in school swimming lessons, but the material was clearly different-slightly sheer and fitted to her curves.
There were intricate, flesh-hugging leg straps at the waist, with faint shadows of creases visible where her thighs met her body. A small tanuki motif was printed on the front, with little yellow ducks decorating the sides.
What stood out most was... Yuzuha's figure.
It was impossible to tell when she wore her usual loose uniforms and sailor outfits, but now, wrapped in her swimsuit, the contours of her bust were clearly visible-not particularly exaggerated, but certainly enough to qualify as "well-endowed," creating a subtle contrast with her still-youthful face.
In that instant, Lin Shuo's brain performed a complex series of calculations:
First reaction: She looks good.
Second reaction: Wait, Yuzuha's only eighteen.
Third reaction: But she's legally an adult.
Fourth reaction: What am I thinking?
Fifth reaction: ...Damn it, she really is exactly my type.
He remembered playing a certain game in the world called "Earth" before he transmigrated, and how he had spent money without hesitation on Yuzuha's swimsuit skin. Even then, he had thought the design was a perfect blend of cute and sexy.
And now, the real-life version stood right before him.
The impact was a little overwhelming.
"Lin Shuo? Your face is so red."
Yuzuha tilted her head, a mischievous gleam in her green eyes. "Don't tell me... you're staring because you're stunned?"
Lin Shuo immediately turned his face away. "...It's the sun."
"But it's only nine thirty. The sun isn't even that strong yet~"
"Uncle's just shy!" Lin You chimed in. "Yuzuha, you look suuuper pretty today!"
"Thank you, Little You~" Yuzuha crouched and pinched Lin You's cheek. "You're adorable too! Is this swimsuit new?"
Lin You wore a pink two-piece swimsuit beneath a white sun-protection jacket, with a straw hat on her head.
"Yep! Uncle bought it for me yesterday!"
Yuzuha looked up at Lin Shuo, her smile deepening. "You have good taste, Lin Shuo~"
Lin Shuo said, "...The train's here."
The suspended train to Dreamweave Resort traveled along the coast.
Outside the window lay the azure sea and golden beaches, sunlight scattering across the water like fragments of diamonds.
There weren't many passengers in the carriage, and most were tourists heading out on vacation.
Lin You leaned against the window, excitedly pointing at the scenery outside. "Uncle, look! Seagulls! And sailboats!"
"Mm." Lin Shuo sat in the aisle seat, doing his best not to look toward Yuzuha.
But Yuzuha was sitting right beside him.
The hem of her sun-protection cardigan swayed with the train, occasionally brushing his arm.
It carried a faint citrus scent-the scent of her usual shampoo.
"Lin Shuo."
Yuzuha suddenly spoke, her voice soft. "Have you... been to the beach before?"
"I've been to a Hollow-corrupted coastal area on a mission," Lin Shuo answered honestly. "But that doesn't count."
"Then this is your first proper beach trip!" Yuzuha smiled. "Make sure you enjoy it~"
She took some sunscreen out of her small bag. "Oh, right, Little You, let me put some sunscreen on you-children have delicate skin. It burns easily."
"Okay!"
Lin You obediently sat still.
Yuzuha squeezed out some milky-white sunscreen and carefully spread it over Lin You's arms, cheeks, and neck.
Her movements were gentle, her green eyes focused.
Watching her, Lin Shuo suddenly remembered something Li Baorong had said: "Yuzuha's looked after her younger siblings since she was little. She's especially good at caring for people."
It was true.
That kind of natural gentleness wasn't an act.
"You need some too, Lin Shuo."
Yuzuha suddenly turned and offered him the sunscreen. "You might look like you can handle the sun, but UV rays are bad for your skin."
"...I'll do it myself."
"You can't reach your back, can you?" Yuzuha blinked. "Want me to help?"
Lin Shuo froze.
Looking at his stiff expression, Yuzuha burst into a giggle. "Just kidding~ But you really should watch out for the sun. I don't want to see you roasted as black as charcoal."
She took a bottle of spray sunscreen from her bag. "Use this. It's easier."
Lin Shuo accepted it. "...Thanks."
The spray was indeed convenient, but he still turned away as much as possible and sprayed his arms a few times.
As Yuzuha watched his awkward movements, the smile never left her lips.
The train arrived.
Dreamweave Resort's platform had a distinctive design, with a shell-shaped roof and fine sand-textured tiles that imitated a beach.
As they left the station, the sea breeze greeted them with its salty, humid scent and the laughter of tourists.
"Wow!" Lin You spread her arms and spun in place. "The beach is so big! There are so many people!"
Indeed, although it was still morning, quite a few tourists were already on the beach.
Beach umbrellas dotted the sand like colorful mushrooms. Children built sandcastles, couples strolled hand in hand, and farther away, people played beach volleyball.
"Let's get changed in the changing rooms first." Yuzuha pointed toward the facilities in the distance. "Then we'll head to the umbrella we reserved-I asked Teresa to save us the best spot."
Teresa ran the resort and was also a friend Yuzuha had met on Inter-Knot.
In the changing room, Lin Shuo put on his swim trunks and looked in the mirror.
Dark blue with white waves-not flashy, but not too tacky either.
He hesitated, then applied another layer of spray sunscreen.
When he left the changing room, Yuzuha and Lin You were already waiting outside.
Yuzuha had taken off her sun-protection cardigan, revealing her entire swimsuit ensemble in the sunlight.
The red swimsuit was dazzlingly vivid in the sun, its white detailing tracing her curves.
The leg straps at her waist made her thighs look longer, while the tanuki and duck motifs added a playful touch.
She wore beach sandals with "oxygen" printed on the soles, and a thin silver anklet around her ankle.
"Over here, Lin Shuo~" Yuzuha waved.
Lin Shuo walked over, trying to keep his gaze within safe bounds-mainly on her face or the sea, anywhere but the parts covered by her swimsuit.
But Yuzuha seemed to notice his stiffness and only acted more at ease.
"Our umbrella's over there!" She took Lin You's hand and, with her other hand, quite naturally... linked her arm through Lin Shuo's.
Lin Shuo stiffened.
"Come on, come on~" Yuzuha pulled him forward, her bright smile more dazzling than the sunlight.
Lin Shuo could feel the sensation against his arm-the swimsuit fabric was so thin that he could feel the warmth of the skin beneath it.
There was also the scent of sunscreen mingled with citrus on Yuzuha.
He took a deep breath and told himself, Calm down. This is just normal contact between friends.
But his heartbeat refused to obey.
Their reserved umbrella really was in a great spot, in a quieter corner of the beach with an open view of the sea.
Beneath it were lounge chairs, a small table, and a little cooler.
"Teresa said she prepared drinks for us." Yuzuha opened the cooler and took out a few bottles of chilled juice. "What would you like, Lin Shuo? Orange juice? Grape juice?"
"...Water's fine."
"Here~"
Yuzuha handed him a bottle of mineral water, then opened a bottle of grape juice for herself and took small sips.
Lin You was already running eagerly toward the sea. "Uncle! Yuzuha! I'm going to play in the water!"
"Be careful! Don't go into deep water!" Yuzuha called.
"Got it!"
Little Shukaku also crawled out of the pet backpack and followed Lin You on short little legs-it seemed to love the beach, leaving a trail of small footprints in the sand.
Now, only the two of them remained beneath the umbrella.
The sea breeze blew past, carrying the sound of waves and distant tourists' laughter.
The atmosphere was... a little delicate.
Yuzuha sat down on a lounge chair, stretched out her legs, and wiggled her toes in the sand.
"This feels so nice..."
She narrowed her eyes like a cat basking in the sun.
Lin Shuo sat in the lounge chair beside hers, opened his mineral water, and took a sip.
The cold water flowed down his throat, easing the heat inside him a little.
"Lin Shuo."
Yuzuha suddenly spoke, her eyes still closed. "You know, I used to be a little afraid of the sea."
"Why?"
"Because... I drifted here from the sea."
Yuzuha said softly, "When Dad found me on the beach, I was soaked through and couldn't remember anything. All I knew was that I'd come from the sea."
She opened her eyes and looked out at the water. "For a long time, seeing the sea would give me nightmares.
"In my dreams, I sank through dark water and couldn't reach the surface no matter what I did... Later, Dad brought me to play at the beach, over and over. Gradually, I stopped being afraid."
Lin Shuo looked at her. "You're very strong."
"It wasn't strength."
Yuzuha shook her head. "Dad gave me courage. He said the sea wasn't scary. What was scary was the fear inside you. As long as someone was with you, you could overcome anything."
She turned her head, her green eyes meeting Lin Shuo's. "So now I really love the sea. Because it let me meet Dad, my younger siblings, everyone at the Spook Shack..."
She paused, her voice softening. "And you, Lin Shuo."
Lin Shuo tightened his grip on the water bottle.
The plastic gave a faint creak.
"...I'm just a ramen vendor."
"You're more than that." Yuzuha sat up and looked at him seriously. "You stand in front of me when I'm in danger, come help pack orders at the shop, take care of Little You, and listen to me talk about all this boring stuff... None of those are things 'just a ramen vendor' would do."
She smiled.
Lin Shuo turned his face away. "...You talk too much."
But his ears had turned red.
Yuzuha's smile grew even brighter, and she lay back down. "Ah~ The weather's so nice today~"
The two sat quietly for a while.
Lin You and Little Shukaku ran back from the sea, both soaking wet.
"Uncle! Yuzuha! I saw someone riding a surfboard! So cool!"
"Want to try, Little You?" Yuzuha asked.
"Yes! But... I don't know how."
"I'll teach you~"
Yuzuha stood up. "Want to join us, Lin Shuo?"
Lin Shuo had meant to refuse, but when he saw the anticipation in Lin You's eyes, he nodded instead. "...Sure."
The surfboard rental stand was in the beach service area.
The attendant was a Bangboo-a tiny mechanical body with rabbit ears, making "En-na, en-na" sounds.
Yuzuha communicated with it easily and rented two beginner surfboards.
"Have you ever surfed before, Lin Shuo?"
"No."
"Then be careful. It's really easy to fall your first time."
Yuzuha carried a surfboard toward the shore. "But the seawater's soft, so falling won't hurt~"
She waded into the shallows, set the surfboard on the water, and lay down on it with practiced ease.
Soaked in seawater, her red swimsuit darkened, clinging to her body and outlining its curves more clearly.
Lin Shuo immediately looked away.
"Uncle! Hurry up!" Lin You couldn't wait any longer.
Lin Shuo sighed and carried his surfboard into the sea.
The seawater was slightly cool, washing away the summer heat.
Yuzuha taught patiently-how to lie on the board, how to balance, and how to pick the right moment to stand.
Lin Shuo learned quickly and managed to stand on his third attempt.
Though he only lasted three seconds before falling into the water.
"That's amazing!"
Yuzuha clapped. "You're learning so fast, Lin Shuo!"
Lin Shuo stood up in the water and wiped his face.
Seawater dripped from his black hair, trailing over his chest and abs-years of training and Half-Ethereal Transformation modifications had kept him in excellent shape, his muscles well-defined without being exaggerated.
Yuzuha's gaze lingered on him for two seconds before she quickly looked away.
Her face was a little red.
"I-I'll give it a try too!"
She lay down on her surfboard and tried to stand.
But perhaps because she was distracted, she failed on her first attempt and plunged into the water.
"Yuzuha!" Lin You cried out.
Lin Shuo immediately swam over.
Yuzuha surfaced and coughed twice, her wet red hair plastered to her face.
"Are you okay?" Lin Shuo asked.
"Y-yes..."
Yuzuha wiped her face, her green eyes shifting evasively. "It's just... a little embarrassing."
Seeing her in such a rare state of disarray, Lin Shuo's lips curved slightly. "Keep your balance steady and stay focused."
"Mm..."
For the rest of the time, the three took turns surfing.
Lin You learned the fastest-children had a low center of gravity and plenty of courage, and she wasn't afraid of falling.
Yuzuha gradually found her rhythm again and could stand steadily on the board while riding it for a stretch.
Lin Shuo began attempting simple turns.
Sunshine, seawater, laughter.
It had been a long time since he had felt so... relaxed.
At noon, the three returned to their beach umbrella.
Yuzuha opened her lunchbox-it contained the rice balls, fried chicken pieces, and vegetable salad she had made that morning.
Lin You also proudly brought out the rice balls she had made-their shapes were a little uneven, but she had put a lot of care into them.
"Uncle, try mine!"
Lin Shuo picked one up and took a bite.
The rice was a little hard, and the pickled plum filling in the middle was too sour.
But he still said, "It's good."
Lin You's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Yes."
Yuzuha tried one too. "Mm... it has a very distinctive flavor!"
"Hehe~"
The three sat beneath the beach umbrella eating lunch, sharing their food and drinks.
Little Shukaku got a little fried chicken too-the sight of it holding the chicken in its two little paws and gnawing on it utterly charmed the children passing by.
After lunch, Yuzuha suggested a walk.
"There's a little rocky reef behind the resort. The scenery's lovely, and there aren't many people."
"Okay!" Lin You immediately agreed.
Lin Shuo had no objections either.
The three walked slowly along the coastline.
Lin You and Little Shukaku ran ahead, collecting shells and chasing seagulls.
Lin Shuo and Yuzuha walked side by side behind them.
The sea breeze lifted Yuzuha's red hair, strands occasionally brushing Lin Shuo's arm.
"Lin Shuo."
Yuzuha suddenly spoke. "What were you... like as a child?"
Lin Shuo was silent for a few seconds. "...There's not much to tell."
"I want to hear it." Yuzuha turned, looking earnestly at him with her green eyes. "I want to know everything about you, Lin Shuo."
The words were so direct that Lin Shuo froze for a moment.
Yuzuha seemed to realize what she had said too, and her face flushed slightly, but she didn't look away.
"...I was a test subject," Lin Shuo finally said, his voice calm. "My parents were researchers, obsessed with studying Ethereals and Ether. They experimented on volunteers. Later, when there weren't enough volunteers, they used me."
Yuzuha stopped walking.
Lin Shuo continued ahead, his tone as flat as though he were talking about someone else. "Every day, they injected me with all kinds of drugs, tested my Ether compatibility, and recorded the data. Sometimes I underwent Half-Ethereal Transformation to test my combat abilities. Later, I escaped, gave my parents' research data to the Defense Force, and was taken in by the Obsidian Camp."
He paused. "After that, my parents died in the fall of the Old Capital. Not long afterward, I left the military and opened a ramen stall. That's all."
He was done.
Simple, cruel, and without any embellishment.
Yuzuha stood where she was, the sea breeze blowing through her hair and the hem of her swimsuit.
After a long while, she jogged to catch up and stepped in front of Lin Shuo.
"Lin Shuo."
"Yes?"
"Thank you for telling me." Yuzuha's eyes were a little red, but her smile was warm. "I'll... tell you something too."
She took a deep breath. "When I was little, I was a test subject too. In a Helios laboratory, code name ES-07. They used orphans like us to research techniques for refining Heliobus... Many died. I was the only one who survived."
Lin Shuo wasn't particularly surprised. After all, he had learned about Yuzuha's past through the game's story in his previous life.
"Later, Mr. Lionel saved me-Alice's father. He got me out of the laboratory, but he was killed. I drifted along a drainage pipe, and Dad found me."
Yuzuha's voice was very soft. "So, Lin Shuo, we're... actually very alike."
She raised her head, Lin Shuo's face reflected in her green eyes. "We've both been through darkness, we've both been saved by someone, and we both want to protect the people who matter to us... And we're both trying hard to live peaceful lives."
Lin Shuo looked at her and said nothing for a long time.
Seagulls cried overhead, and waves beat against the rocks.
Lin You and Little Shukaku's laughter drifted over from the distance.
"Yuzuha," Lin Shuo said.
"Yes?"
"You're..." He paused. "Braver than I am."
"Huh?"
"You're willing to let others see your wounds." Lin Shuo looked out at the sea. "I'm not."
"That's because you haven't met someone you can open your heart to yet, Lin Shuo."
Yuzuha said softly, "Or... you have, but you're afraid to get close."
Lin Shuo's fingers tightened slightly.
Yuzuha walked to his side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him, looking out at the same sea.
She reached out, her fingertips lightly touching Lin Shuo's arm-just a very gentle touch, withdrawn almost immediately.
[System notification: Key event "Candor by the Sea" completed. The host has opened his heart to Ukinami Yuzuha for the first time. Ukinami Yuzuha's affection has increased significantly. Main quest "Win Ukinami Yuzuha's Heart" current progress: 15.3%. Reward: Ōtsutsuki Fragment (partial) distributed. Detected: host's psychological trauma alleviation +12%.]
Amid the sound of the waves, the progress bar took a great leap forward.
And a certain man standing on the beach felt, for the first time...
That being touched by sunlight wasn't so bad, really.
It was even a little nice.
In the distance, Lin You hugged a large seashell, secretly watching the scene with her Two-Tomoe Sharingan, her grin stretching from ear to ear.
"Hehe... There's hope, there's hope~"
"Puchi!" Little Shukaku expressed its agreement.
(PS: All I can say is that working until late last night wasn't in vain. At least I'll be much more productive at work this morning... As for catching up on sleep, I'll deal with that this afternoon... Dear readers, why not leave a comment and a request for more updates before you go?)