The two snuggled together and gazed at the sea for a long while.
The sun shone directly down, warming my skin and making even the sea breeze feel cozy.
Varesa leaned back in the wicker chair, initially quiet, but after a while, she stirred slightly and reached out to loosen the collar of her outer garment.
"It's hot," she said softly.
Bai You opened her eyes. "Hmm?"
"It's so hot today." Varesa gazed out the porthole at the deep blue sea.
A glimmer of light slowly appeared in her blue eyes. "Look at this water, isn't it beautiful?"
She turned her head to look at Bai You, her eyes bright.
"I want to go for a swim."
She said, "Sitting on the boat for so long makes me lazy. Shall we go together?"
Bai You's heart skipped a beat.
She didn't react at first, but then a thought quickly raced through her mind—
swim?
Wouldn't that be a great opportunity!
She was worried about not finding a reason to get rid of Varesa and go talk to Odette and the others privately.
She had already secured the funding from Pantalone, but she hadn't yet presented the plan to them.
We need to quickly find a venue, a song list, and assign tasks, and get them involved to discuss everything.
If Varesa goes into the water and can't get back up for a while, that would give her a free moment.
Bai You was quickly calculating in her mind, but she didn't show it on her face. Instead, she showed a slightly troubled expression.
"Swimming..." she drawled.
"What's wrong?" Varesa, looking at her.
"I don't really feel like moving right now."
Bai You rubbed her stomach and found a ready excuse, "Besides, I'm a little hungry and want to go get something to eat first."
As she spoke, she leaned over and kissed Varesa lightly and quickly on the cheek.
Then he put his arm around hers and said softly:
"Go swim first, don't worry about me. I'll go to the kitchen, find something to eat, and then I'll come back to see you."
Varesa was startled by the kiss.
She looked at Bai You, the little girl, with a beaming smile.
Nothing seemed amiss, but a strange feeling stirred within her.
I can't quite put my finger on it, but something feels off.
"Aren't you coming along?" she asked again.
"No, no." Bai You waved her hand and stood up from the rattan chair.
"Go on, the water looks so nice. I'll come after I've eaten."
As she spoke, she backed away, waved to Varesa, turned, and walked briskly into the cabin.
Varesa sat there, watching her retreating figure disappear at the top of the stairs, remaining motionless for a long time.
The Star Raft slowed down in a calm sea, almost drifting.
Varesa walked to the side of the ship.
She leaned on the railing and looked down. The seawater was very clear, and she could see streaks of light shimmering faintly underwater.
She descended the gangway, step by step.
The seawater washed over my ankles and calves, cool and refreshing—indescribably comfortable in this hot weather.
When the water reached her waist, she braced herself with her hands, leaped forward, and with a flick of her tail, nimbly slid in, splashing a small spray of water.
She stretched out her body in the water and swam away.
The seawater supported her as she paddled, one stroke after another, swimming steadily and quickly, her blue hair spreading out in the water.
After swimming a short distance, she turned over and lay on her back on the water, looking up at the sky, which was very blue with a few wisps of white clouds.
All around, there was only the sound of water.
She floated slowly, her head tilted back, and as she floated, the events of earlier came to mind again.
The Bai You didn't come down.
Varesa opened her eyes, looked at the clouds in the sky, and frowned slightly.
She suddenly realized that this seemed to be... the first time Bai You had ever rejected her.
In the past, whatever she mentioned, this little girl would always agree.
She comes when called. Varesa has never been turned down by her before.
But today, she mysteriously disappeared for quite a while in the morning. When she came back, her face was flushed. When asked, she only said that she was bored on the ship.
Now, when she was asked to go into the water together, she made up an excuse that she was "hungry" and declined.
Once or twice, on its own, it's nothing.
They can be strung together in one place...
Varesa slowly squinted her eyes in the water.
She's a person who has met countless audiences and seen through the motives of so many people; she can see right through them.
That little girl, all her scheming and tricks are like transparent to her.
What is she secretly up to?
Varesa thought about it, first with some doubt, then couldn't help but chuckle softly in the water.
She didn't intend to expose it.
This little girl's eyes couldn't hide anything; she was carrying that secret with a heavy weight, both nervous and excited.
Even when rejecting someone, he would kiss her first, as if afraid of upsetting her.
Thinking this way, Varesa's doubts transformed into something sweet and soft.
Inside the cabin, Bai You had no idea that her little scheme had already been guessed by someone.
She boarded the boat without making a sound, tiptoeing around and looking around.
In the afternoon, everyone was relaxing. On the second-floor corridor, she first saw Odette—
She was sitting quietly by an open window, lost in thought, with a book spread out on her lap.
" Odette." Bai You walked over and lowered her voice.
Odette looked up, saw it was her, and smiled:
"What's wrong? Why are you acting so suspiciously?"
"Come with me." Bai You reached out and pulled her along. "It's important. Do me a favor and call Columbina and Sandrone as well."
Seeing her serious expression, Odette didn't ask any further questions, nodded, got up, and followed her.
Columbina was easy to find; she was occupying the chaise lounge on the observation deck, lying there.
An empty plate lay beside her. Bai You walked over and gently nudged her arm.
"Hmm..." Columbina stirred, lifted her hat, and looked sleepy.
What's wrong?
"Something good has happened," Bai You said. "Get up and come with me."
"Good news?" Columbina perked up at the mention of it and sat up abruptly. "What good news? New bread to eat?"
"Bigger than a loaf of bread." Bai You kept it a secret for a moment, "You'll see when you get here."
Finally, there's Sandrone.
In her makeshift workroom, the door was ajar, and a soft tinkling sound could be heard from inside.
Bai You knocked on the door, pushed it open a crack, and saw her sitting at the table, on which were spread mechanical parts, and several small robot puppets standing in the corner.
" Sandrone, are you busy?"
"Busy," Sandrone said without looking up, a small screwdriver in his hand, tightening something. "Get to the point."
"Can I borrow your time? I have something important to discuss," Bai You said. " Columbina and Odette are both here."
Sandrone then raised her head, looked at her suspiciously, and then at Odette and the peeking Columbina behind her.
She put down what she was holding, snorted, and stood up.
"Alright, I'd like to see what you lot are up to, all mysterious and secretive."
The four people entered an empty cabin and closed the door.
Bai You was still not reassured, so she had Sandrone call for a small doll to stand guard outside the door, and call out when it saw Varesa return.
As Sandrone complied, he muttered, "Is it really necessary? It's like we're doing something wrong."
"As for..." Bai You stood at the table, took a deep breath, and looked at the three of them.
"Listen to me before you finish speaking, and you must keep it a secret for me."
"Especially, we mustn't let Varesa know."
The three of them found places to sit down and all looked at her.
Bai You composed herself and spoke.
"I want to put on a concert for Varesa."