Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Summer Sea (feat. Cheon I-ryeong's Camera)
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Indeed, you shouldn't make promises lightly.
I reaffirmed that truth once more as I gazed out the car window at the road where the distant sea came into view.
"Feels great to be out, right? No need to worry about prying eyes since it's just us."
Cheon I-ryeong, brimming with excitement, twisted her torso nearly 180 degrees from the front seat, flashing a huge grin. Lee Jae-hoon, who was driving, let out a sigh at the sight.
"Please stay seated. You're distracting the driver."
"Being so picky over this much... Anyway, Iroha, you look so cute in that outfit!"
"Ugh... It feels really uncomfortable..."
"It suits you perfectly, Lady Iroha."
Seol A-yun, sitting beside me, joined in the compliments, but this dress still felt oddly exposing somehow. And the frills... The outfit clearly reflected someone's tastes, fluttering in the breeze from the open window.
'Cheon I-ryeong aside, why is Seol A-yun like this?'
Glancing at her, Seol A-yun seemed pleased with her victory in the seat tussle with Cheon I-ryeong before we left, her body swaying slightly. It was more Lee Jae-hoon's mediation than a true win, though.
She had the sharp look of a no-nonsense career woman, but surprisingly, she seemed to love having fun. Then again, it made sense—she'd worn some pretty daring outfits back in her days as an Etrina in the US.
"Here we are! No one else around, so relax and have fun!"
"Why is the beach empty except for us?"
"Because I rented it out?"
...?
Isn't a beach public property?
"By the Minister's discretion, we temporarily borrowed a restricted access zone near the nearby military base."
"Whoa! Abuse of power!"
"It's more like a negotiated closure. It'd be problematic if people like us showed up at a public beach anyway."
I half-listened to Lee Jae-hoon's explanatory words and leaned back against the seat, feeling a bit relieved. I'd been worried that Cheon I-ryeong's vibrant beach attire and my distinctive appearance might draw unwanted attention.
This look was embarrassing enough already—if crowds gathered, I might just use Camouflage and vanish.
"We're here. Everyone out."
"Wow!"
"Oh... It's beautiful."
"Untouched by people, so it's so natural."
The white sand gleamed under the sunlight, contrasting with the blue sea. No sign of humans anywhere, just the vast beach echoing softly with the sound of waves.
"Iroha, wear this. Can't have you burning before we set up the parasol."
She'd come fully prepared, pulling a straw hat from the trunk and handing it to me. Lee Jae-hoon hauled out what looked like a tent bag. But my skin was pretty tough anyway.
I often wandered the garden at home with Dali, basking in the moonlight, but my pale skin never burned. Was it the TS effect keeping my makeup-free skin so glossy?
"Look here. Gotta capture that pretty look in photos."
Laughter bubbled up at Cheon I-ryeong plopping the hat on my head and excitedly pulling out her camera. Regardless of gender, it felt nice hearing that I looked pretty.
"Whoa... Just leaking this to the press would end the game right there."
"This is impressive, for sure."
"She could wreck the entertainment industry."
Curiosity piqued by the three huddled around the DSLR camera exclaiming in awe, I peeked at the screen showing my photo—and let out an involuntary gasp.
A shot of me smiling naturally amid Cheon I-ryeong's fussing.
It looked utterly harmless to the world, but perhaps that very innocence made the destructive cuteness all the more lethal.
"You're not thinking of sending that anywhere, are you? We should delete it."
"Do I look crazy enough to share this? It's for my eyes only, just mine. Ahh, don't take the camera!"
"Send it to me via email as well."
"Alright, enough. Let's head out before the sun drops."
We strolled along the beach, bickering over the camera. When I tickled Cheon I-ryeong's side as she stretched her arm high to protect it, she burst into giggles and tossed it to Seol A-yun, who caught it mid-air with telekinesis.
"Abuse of powers!"
"No one's around to see."
"Ahaha, stop, stop!"
Cheon I-ryeong fled after getting tickled in retaliation, and we chased her across the sand. Laughter mingled with the crashing waves, soaking the beach.
"Alright, time to really play? You wore swimsuits under, right?"
"E-even so, isn't there a changing room or something? It's way too open here!"
"Psh, it's just swimsuits. And no one's here. Hurry and change."
Was Lee Jae-hoon invisible? Still, even if it was a swimsuit, undressing felt weird!
"Don't worry. Do this, and no one'll see."
As I blocked Cheon I-ryeong from unzipping the back of my dress, Seol A-yun lifted several beach towels with telekinesis, forming a makeshift changing booth.
It blocked the view somewhat, so I felt a little safer...
"...Not coming out?"
"We need to change too."
"C-can't we take turns—"
"Why waste time? Let's change!"
Cheon I-ryeong whipped off her shirt, leaving me stunned and whipping my head away. Then Seol A-yun casually removed hers too.
Calm down, it's just swimsuits. Yeah, no big deal.
I steadied myself and turned back.
Cheon I-ryeong's modest white one-piece was a relief, but Seol A-yun...
"...Hic."
A glossy black string bikini barely covered her with its skimpy fabric.
"Wow, up close like this, A-yun's got some real assets."
"Cheon I-ryeong's overflowing with confidence too."
Ah... Seol A-yun had shown off bold outfits as an Etrina in the US...
I knew they were S-rank in more ways than one, but seeing it this close up close was devastating. Even as a woman now, my heart was still a man's—felt like I was committing a crime.
"Hm? Why the blank stare? Need help?"
"N-no, I, I can do it myself!"
I stammered in panic, tongue twisting.
Still, better me undressing than being undressed. Cautiously slipping the straps off my shoulders, the dress—which didn't cling much—dropped to the sand with a soft thud.
"This... looks good."
"Right? Told you I picked well. It suits you perfectly, Iroha."
"Still, this is a bit..."
It felt the same trying it on at home, but now facing the reality of wearing it out, my vision darkened.
The frills made it cute, but it was still a bikini. I regretted not buying a rash guard on the way—Cheon I-ryeong had vetoed it fiercely.
Whoosh—
The beach towels blocking us fell away, and dazzling sunlight bathed the three of us. Lee Jae-hoon, sitting nearby inflating a tube, widened his eyes.
"It suits you well, Lady Iroha."
"Th-thanks."
His compliment made it even more embarrassing, but as I recalled it was just a swimsuit and stepped toward the parasol shade—
"Eek?"
"Where do you think you're going? Sunscreen first."
Cheon I-ryeong grabbed me and dragged me back.
I probably didn't need it... but I slathered on the huge glob she'd squeezed into my hand, rubbing it over my exposed arms, legs, and back.
How to do my back? I wondered, only for Cheon I-ryeong and Seol A-yun to approach.
"I'll get your back."
"Let me do it."
A hint of madness in their eyes—I backed away shaking my head, but got caught and surrendered my back anyway. Four hands descended on my one back, applying the lotion.
'Ugh, this feels so weird!'
First time with this kind of contact—it tickled yet felt soft, my face burning red.
After the sunscreen frenzy, I finally broke free and headed to the sea, following the sound of waves. We'd come to the beach, so time to wet my feet first.
Standing barefoot where the waves rolled in, seawater soon lapped at my ankles before receding. The sand slipping between my toes was surprisingly fun.
"Iroha! Look over here!"
Cheon I-ryeong called as I played with the waves, grinning mischievously. Glancing back, the camera shutter clicked.
Ugh, another photo... Gotta delete that camera data when I get a chance. Oblivious to my scheme, Cheon I-ryeong admired the shot before grabbing a tube and bounding toward me.
"Iroha, need a tube?"
"No, I'm good. I can swim."
Body might've changed, but I knew how—no big deal. Lighter now, it'd be easier. I wasn't a kid; tubes hurt my pride.
"Ah, that's the Guild Master's."
Lee Jae-hoon, now in light swim trunks, approached with a chuckle. The tube was Cheon I-ryeong's?
I eyed her puzzled, and she grinned sheepishly, slipping it around her waist.
"I can't swim... Ahaha."
Ah, beer bottle body, huh?
Laughter escaped at Cheon I-ryeong gathering her red hair atop her head, flaunting its vibrancy in the sun, tube and all.
"Hey, don't laugh! What can I do if I can't?"
"N-not laughing, heh, promise. Shall we go in?"
Suppressing giggles, I took another step forward—only for Seol A-yun to pass by first, carrying something.
"Nice waves here."
With that, she flopped onto a surfboard and paddled out swiftly. Cheon I-ryeong watched enviously.
"Then let's head in too."
I grabbed Cheon I-ryeong's hand and plunged toward the sea. Sunlight trapped in splashing droplets sparkled. Before we knew it, we were splashing and laughing wildly—
"(｡・▿・｡)"
Dali had somehow emerged and was floating in the sea.
"...Sea otter?"
Cheon I-ryeong's eyes widened hugely.
# Cheon I-ryeong's Camera