There is a small group of rocks on the beach, behind which a natural bay is formed, which cannot be seen from the shore.
Odette pulled a large checkered cloth from the basket and spread it on the leeward side of the rock.
The five people placed the bag on the cloth.
"Let's change your clothes," said Varesa. "There's a small hollow behind the reef; that will cover you."
Odette was the first to get up, grabbing her white swimsuit and heading behind the rocks.
Sandrone stood there, glancing at Columbina. Columbina smiled at her, then picked up her light blue coat and walked away.
The sound of someone changing clothes came from behind the rocks.
Sandrone stood there for two seconds.
She glanced down at the brown dress in her hand.
Then she turned around and walked to the other side of the reef.
Behind the rocks.
Varesa took Bai You's hand and walked into another hollow.
The hollow was just big enough for two people to stand in. There were rocks overhead, and you couldn't see anything outside except for the sound of the waves crashing in.
Bai You stood there.
Clutching that pink swimsuit.
It didn't move.
"What's wrong?" Varesa asked.
"I'll change it myself."
"Let me tie that strap on your back for you," Varesa said. "Your arms are too short to reach it."
Bai You's ears have been red all day. Now they're starting to turn red again.
"... You turn around."
"Okay."
Varesa turned around, but not completely.
I heard rustling sounds behind me, the sound of fabric rubbing together.
Bai You's breathing was a little faster than usual.
Varesa thought for a moment and decided not to tease her anymore, without turning around.
"Okay..." Bai You's voice was very soft.
Varesa turned around.
Bai You stood there.
She was wearing a light pink swimsuit with thin straps tied behind her neck.
Her collarbone was exposed, with a simple halter top and layers of sheer fabric draped down to her knees.
Bai You's back was turned to her.
There was a thin ribbon at the back of her neck, tied into a small bow.
But the bow was loose, and one of the straps was hanging down.
"I really can't tie it myself," Bai You's voice was muffled.
Varesa walked up behind her.
She didn't say anything.
She reached out and picked up the loose strap.
When her fingers touched the back of Bai You's neck, Bai You hissed.
"It itches."
"Don't move."
Varesa moved very gently; she wrapped the ribbon around again and tied it into a neat bow at the back of Bai You's neck.
Her fingers occasionally brushed against the skin of the Bai You —warm and soft.
It's all tied.
She didn't back away immediately.
Her chin rested on Bai You's shoulder.
"Are you done yet?" Bai You's voice trembled.
"Okay."
Varesa's breath brushed against her ear.
Bai You's shoulders were trembling slightly.
Varesa smiled.
She reached out, brushed Bai You's loose hair aside, and kissed the back of her neck.
It's very light.
·--Wo, Varesa --"
"Hmm?"
"Columbina and the others are still outside--"
"They can't hear me," Varesa's voice was muffled, "And the waves are huge."
Bai You was speechless.
Her hands hung at her sides, gripping the hem of her swimsuit tightly.
Varesa straightened up.
"Turn around so I can see."
Bai You slowly turned around.
The setting sun shone down on her from behind.
Her face was flushed red, her eyes were watery, and her lips were pursed.
The pink swimsuit she wore made her skin look like jade.
Varesa looked at her.
I looked at it for a long time.
"It looks good," she said.
"I say it every day."
"It looks good every day."
Bai You was speechless.
She looked down at her toes.
Varesa reached out and tucked a strand of hair that was hanging down her chest behind her ear.
"Let's go," she said, and went out.
Outside the reef.
Odette had changed. She was wearing her white swimsuit and twirled around on the beach.
Varesa followed Bai You out.
She had changed herself—into a blue swimsuit with a thin outer garment over it—and her gaze remained fixed on Bai You.
Columbina emerged from the other side of the reef.
She was wearing that light blue swimsuit. The sea breeze blew her long hair, which flowed behind her.
She stood there, seemingly blending into the sea.
Sandrone was the last to appear.
She was wearing that brown dress, simple and neat, without any unnecessary embellishments.
She stood beside the rocks, her expression still cold.
But her gaze—
It has always been with Columbina.
The five people walked to the front of the beach.
The sea was right in front of them.
It wasn't dark yet.
The sun was sinking. The entire sea seemed to be on fire—burning from the horizon all the way to their feet.
Gold, orange, red—it looked like pieces of gold broken into pieces, shimmering on the water's surface.
Bai You stood there.
Motionless.
Her bare feet sank into the warm sand.
She took a step forward.
The seawater rose up, covering her feet.
She hissed – it was cold.
She just stood there, letting the seawater lap against her calves.
The sea breeze lifted the hem of her pink swimsuit, causing it to flutter gently in the evening air.
The setting sun shone on her face.
The sunlight made her cheeks rosy.
Varesa walked over to her.
"Are you cold?"
Bai You shook her head.
She turned to look at Varesa.
In the setting sun, her eyes shone incredibly bright.
"It's fun here," she said.
Varesa smiled.
She reached out and took Bai You's hand.
"Then stay a little longer," she said.
On the beach, Odette pulled a large pile of snacks—still warm—from a basket and placed them in the middle of a cloth. She also set out several glasses of juice.
"Come, come—" she said, patting her checkered cloth, "Sit here and watch the sunset!"
Columbina sat down on the cloth.
She just kept looking at the sea.
Watching the sun slowly sink below the horizon.
Sandrone sat down next to her, a person's distance away.
It was a little closer than usual.
She didn't say anything.
She just kept looking at the sea.
But Varesa noticed that Sandrone's gaze would drift across the sea every now and then and land on Columbina's face.
Wait a second.
It drifted back to the sea.
Bai You didn't sit down.
She was still sitting by the water.
Varesa walked over and hugged her from behind.
Rest your chin on her shoulder.
The two of them just sat there.
Look at the sun.
The sun sank very slowly.
First half of his face darkened, then most of it.
Finally, only one edge remained—a thin, golden-red edge—attached to the horizon.
Bai You smiled, placing her hand over the one that Varesa had wrapped around her waist.
It's been apprehended.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky suddenly changed from golden red to pale purple.
It wasn't the kind of dark that's scary. It was gentle, like someone had draped a purple veil over the sky.
The light on the sea surface slowly faded.
But it wasn't dark yet.
In the blue-purple sky, one or two stars have already lit up.
"So beautiful. "Odette lay on the checkered cloth, her hands behind her head.
"I've never seen such a beautiful sunset."
Columbina smiled.
I hummed a couple of lines casually.
Soft.
Falling into the sound of the waves.
Bai You leaned against Varesa's chest.
Varesa had her arm around her.
"... Little Bai You."
"Hmm?"
Varesa's voice was soft, "It's so good to have you."
Varesa bent down and kissed the top of her head.
"What if I were to leave one day?" Bai You asked softly.
"No matter how far away, I will find you. You are mine, and I cannot lose you."
On the sea, the last glimmer of light is fading.
The sky was purple.
The sea is blue.
The wind is warm.
She belongs to her.