Surfing (1)
A few years back, surfing started booming again all across the nation's beaches. With gates and monsters becoming less of a threat, the travel and leisure industries flourished once more. Riding that wave, surf schools offering rentals and lessons sprang back to life.
I'd worked summer gigs at Park Uncle's shop every year, so naturally I'd picked up surfing myself—good enough to give basic lessons by now.
My first surf of the year.
Lost in that thought, I surrendered to the wave and picked up speed.
Whoosh!
The wave crashed, shoving my board forward. I pushed up with my upper body, drew my legs in, and stood tall. The familiar instinct for balance surged up through my legs like electricity, tickling my brain.
Yeah, that's the thrill.
I glided across the wave's face smooth as a drifting plank, sharp as a shark's fin hunting prey. Matching the wave's speed on its crest was always so refreshing. Like a dolphin at play, I twisted the board freely until the swell finally died out.
[Ooooh! So cool!]
Just before the wave settled, I looped back to Aqua on the last of its momentum. She clapped her hands furiously.
[Amazing, my spirit master! Totally amazing!]
"Thanks." I grinned and stroked her back.
Aqua sat perched on a kid-sized surfboard.
"Alright, your turn now?"
[Finally!]
We sliced into the pool's deeper end using Aqua's spirit power to part the waves.
"This spot looks good." I planted my feet, and Aqua flattened herself on the board just like I'd taught her. She clung like a remora, and I couldn't help a little chuckle.
Grabbing the tail of her board, I said, "Aqua, one more time: no spirit power during surfing—except to get back here."
[Don't worry!]
"Good. Here we go!"
Teaching beginners was simple. Hold their board steady, then shove hard as the right wave approached. After that, it was up to them. They'd have to stand before the speed faded, keeping balance.
"Incoming!"
I timed the push perfectly.
"Now! Stand up!"
[Up!]
Aqua popped up effortlessly—no wobble, no teetering. A perfect rise. She rode straight out, then whipped back using her spirit power to control the water.
[Did you see that!]
She stood tall on her kid board, hands on hips, bursting with pride.
I gave her a pitying smile and corrected her. "Aqua... you used spirit power to stand."
[Huh?]
Her eyes went wide.
[Did I?]
"Yeah. Wanna try again?"
[Got it!]
We pushed her board several more times, but she used spirit power every single one.
[Hmm...]
Back again, she stared at her hands like they were the problem. Her tiny fingers twitched.
Aqua had lived her whole life as a water spirit. Water was her body, her limbs. Controlling it was as natural as us breathing.
Especially with the board right on the water—instinct would kick in the second balance slipped.
Like flailing our arms when we trip.
[It's not working like I thought...]
Her voice drooped. I patted her back.
Mulsuja said this part's the toughest in training.
She knew a surfer spirit master whose undine took weeks to consciously stop using power. But we didn't have weeks.
Can't skip this training, though.
Surfing harnessed the sea and waves—no moves fought the power. It was about riding them, not conquering.
Master surfing, and she'll turn Niagara's power against him—like aikido or jiu-jitsu using an opponent's strength.
[Hmm...]
Aqua's lip puffed out, eyes downcast in that disappointed look she got when she let herself down. My heart ached for her.
But as a human, I couldn't advise on holding back spirit power.
"Wanna take a break?"
Sometimes rest was best. She reached up with both hands. I scooped her in, rubbing her slumped shoulders gently.
* * *
Stepping out for a breather, we found a lavish spread laid out—a full-on catering buffet.
"...?"
[...]
We stared, speechless. Jang Gilsan, the culprit, shrugged casually.
"Eat."
"...It's midnight."
"Midnight snack."
"...Thanks. Looks delicious."
No sense wasting it. I dug in.
"This is a ton of food, though—mind if I call the staff to share?"
"Do what you want."
I rounded up the employees stuck late for our training. Jeong Ri-on and Mulsuja had guided us here for tomorrow's session before heading out.
"We're good—getting overtime pay."
"Too much for us alone. Join in."
"Whoa... thanks."
Ten staffers, Gilsan, me, Aqua, and Mandu tucked into the late-night feast. Mandu was the most excited. The huge pool was too risky for play, so he'd stayed with Gilsan. Bored no more, he demolished the bowl I filled, chirping happily.
"That little guy's packing it away."
"How's it all fit in there?"
Awkward at first, but Mandu and Aqua loosened everyone up. We chatted easily.
"Seen undines here at work, but this one's different from the others."
[Of course! I'm the supreme spirit Aqua!]
Aqua perked up a bit.
"So cute."
"Saw her surfing? Adorable overload."
Aqua's charm knew no bounds. The staff were instant fans.
"Photo with Aqua!"
That sparked an idea.
Once she improves, film us surfing with a waterproof camera?
Pro surfers mounted them on board noses for YouTube vids.
...Waterproofing.
It hit me.
Coat Aqua with Spirit Shop waterproofing agent?
A recent memory surfaced. I'd slathered old camera with it to film at the beach, then asked Aqua to drain rainwater inside—
Aged sap from Spirit Realm waterproof trees.
Wind spirits use it often when swimming.
Price: 10 coins
—but she couldn't.
"Sorry. My spirit power just won't reach inside."
The agent blocked spirit control.
"Aqua!"
She glanced over mid-soda.
[What's up?]
"Let's use waterproofing agent."
[On what?]
"You."
She tilted her head.
"Remember the camera? You couldn't control the water after I coated it."
Her face lit up, grin spreading wide.
[Ooh! Let's try!]
She set down her drink and jumped up.
* * *
I sat her on my lap and rubbed the agent all over.
She giggled softly.
[Heehee! Tickles!]
Her body bounced away from my hands.
"Hahaha, hold still."
I hugged her tight and tickled harder with my fingers.
[Ahahaha!]
Focusing on her soles, she writhed and laughed in my arms.
[Hey!]
She smeared her coated hands all over me wildly. Her jiggly, water-balloon texture had me cracking up too.
"Ahahaha!"
Ticklish and fun. We went through four bottles before calling truce.
[Huff... huff...]
Exhausted from her assault, she sprawled starfish-style on the float. Coated head to toe, even hair tips glossy.
"Ahaha..."
I flopped beside her, spent from laughing.
After a breather, I scooped her up by the armpits, meeting her eyes.
"Aqua, if you slip into the water, don't panic—just stay calm. I'll save you."
[Huh?]
"Panicking in water causes accidents. In emergencies, me or the lifeguards got you. Got it?"
[...Huh?]
She blinked, confused why I'd say that.
"We don't know how the coating'll work. And you're tiny—extra careful."
[Even coated, I'm a water spirit!]
"Couldn't drain that camera water, though?"
[I went easy then!]
Cheeks puffed in offense, she kicked to be put down. I set her on the ground; she bolted for her board without a backward glance.
Pouting, huh? I chuckled softly.
Better safe than sorry.
I strolled after her. Short legs made catching up easy.
She snatched the board, hoisted it overhead, and charged the waves—still mad.
And got swept up.
[Gurgleblub?!]
The wave carried her right to me. She bumped my leg to stop, then popped up—goggles from some daytime straggler perched on her stunned face.
"Ahahaha!"
That dopey look cracked me up loud.
Spirit Shop stuff never failed.