Miss Heir wasn't very kind to me.

Chapter 103: 34. "Private the Seto Inland Sea with Love (3)"

During the break after lunch, Masumi lay on the beach chair and burped.

After finishing his own portion of fried noodles and rice, he was only about 70% full, so he helped Kurokawa eat the rest, but it seemed that he had overestimated himself.

"Ah~ I'm so full."

The one who spoke for him was Miss Mami, who was also leaning on a beach chair.

The delicate and soft figure blends perfectly with the structure of the lounge chair. The posture is also irregular. The side-lying posture is not straight at all. The curve of the shoulders and chest extends downward, sinking at a steep and full angle, followed by plump and slender hips and legs.

She finally gave up on herself and not only ate her own share, but also Qian Ai's share.

Haiyue was squatting on the beach not far ahead, digging clams and crabs with a small shovel.

"Wow! That's exaggerated." Mami was stunned when she saw the plastic bucket full of harvest.

"Xiao Haiyue is really good at digging clams, just like me catching crabs in the river."

The corners of his lips curled up: "Looks like we can have a snack tonight!"

"You're grilling such a small crab?" Masumi sighed.

"That's true." Mami nodded. "How about deep-frying it?"

"..."

"Mamaru-san! Mami-san! Kaitsuki! Let's eat watermelon together!"

Qian Ai walked over with a watermelon in her arms.

Kurokawa Mio and Rinone followed her on her left and right, the former holding a baseball bat in her hand.

"Is this about playing baseball?"

"It's time to hit the watermelon, Masumi-kun."

Finally, we reached the classic seaside scene in the animation. Miss Mami became more energetic and changed to a more comfortable position on the beach chair.

"Masumi-kun, help me turn the beach chair around. I want to lie down and watch the watermelon fight."

"So complicated."

"Please, please, I'm too full to move now."

At least find an excuse for your laziness.

"I see."

Masumi stood up with a sigh and struggled to help her turn the recliner.

"OK! Then I'll leave the watermelon beating to you, Masumi-kun." Asami smiled sweetly.

Kurokawa Mio also stepped forward and handed the baseball bat to him, "Here, Masumi."

"Why me?"

"Because Masumi-san is the only boy here." Qian Ai said with a smile.

"Well, as expected, experiencing watermelon-hitting in person like this is completely different from the fun of watching animation." Mami's eyelashes trembled, she blinked and said with a smile.

"It's like the difference between watching someone play baseball and playing it yourself, right?"

So just play baseball, and you're still watching others.

Masumi stood on the beach, holding the club tightly in both hands.

After covering my eyes with a cloth, my other senses seemed to become extra sharp, and I could hear the girls' instructions very clearly.

Kurokawa: "Masumi, come on!"

Qian Ai: "A little more to the left, no, a little more to the right."

Haiyue: "Watermelon..."

Asami: "Up, down, left, right, left, right, BABA!"

Rinyin: "Sister Mami, don't give me orders."

Feeling that he was almost in the right position, Masumi took a deep breath and raised the bat high above his head.

Then, like a kendo athlete swinging his sword to strike the face, he chopped it down straight—

pat!

The melon flesh was smashed into pieces by the baseball bat, revealing the bright red and delicate flesh.

"That's alright, Masumi-san! I'll clear the level with one life."

"Masumi is amazing."

"Eat watermelon! Eat watermelon!"

The Ueki watermelons produced in Kumamoto Prefecture that I bought from the supermarket are very big. Although they are not particularly sweet, they are very juicy when you take a bite, which is quite satisfying.

After eating the watermelon, Rinyin carefully packed the rind and other garbage in a plastic bag.

Kurokawa Mio dragged two surfboards and walked in front of Masumi.

"It's time to teach me how to surf, Masumi."

"Where did you find the surfboard?"

"Go back to the beach we rented before."

"I see." Masumi nodded. No wonder he was wearing a long-sleeved jacket.

It’s just that the size is a bit too big and doesn’t fit well, even partially covering her fair and slender thighs.

Wait, the color seems familiar.

"Isn't this my shirt?"

"I've been noticed." Kurokawa Mio smiled. "After all, we're going to a public beach, and I don't want anyone to see me in this swimsuit."

"do you mind?"

Masumi shook his head slightly: "Then let's go surfing."

"Hey, I want to learn surfing from Masumi-san too."

Qianai moved closer as she spoke until Kurokawa Mio handed a beach volleyball to her.

"This is?"

"Beach volleyball, the four of you can play two-on-two." She made all the arrangements.

Qian Ai puffed out her cheeks like a squirrel and hugged the volleyball in her arms.

"Mio."

"What's wrong?" Kurokawa Mio looked at the calm black-haired girl with a smile.

Linyin's soft lips moved, but in the end she didn't say anything.

"That's it, have fun everyone."

Kurokawa Mio pulled Masumi's arm: "Let's go, Masumi."

"Ah."

Holding their surfboards, the two stopped under the shade of a coconut tree, stretched their limbs, and did some essential warm-up exercises.

"I'll teach you the basic moves first," Masumi said.

The so-called basic movements of surfing are to practice catching waves and standing up on the beach first.

Kurokawa Mio learned quickly and mastered everything in no time.

“It feels very understandable.”

Masumi nodded: "In that case, let's go into the sea and give it a try."

"You use this bigger longboard."

“Does the size of the board make any difference?”

"Small boards are faster and more maneuverable, but harder to control. Long boards have greater buoyancy and are more suitable for beginners."

"Hey, Masumi really does know a lot."

"It's just basic common sense." Masumi shook his head. "Besides, I haven't surfed in a long time."

The last time I went surfing was about a year ago in Enoshima.

At that time, in order to celebrate the band's acceptance of the CM song, the four members of the original band came to the beach to train together.

At that time, he naively thought that the band's career would continue to improve.

Whether it was his high spirits or his insistence on exercising to maintain sufficient physical strength for performances, his attitude towards life was completely different from who he is now.

After returning to Kobe, whether it was making coffee, insisting on morning jogging, or writing novels, it was just to fill my life with busy time.

Just like the heiress in the store, if you don't do this, you will doubt your own life, and once you have doubts, you give weakness an opportunity to exploit loopholes.

It's just that Kamiyo did this so that he could move forward smoothly, while I...

"What are you thinking about?" Kurokawa Mio asked him.

"Nothing." Masumi broke away from his memories and returned to reality.

"Let me help you tie the anklet."

As he said this, he squatted down on the beach, held her snow-white, slender ankles, and helped Kurokawa tie the ankle ropes.

The latter stood still obediently, his eyes slightly narrowed, and seemed to enjoy the delicate touch of Masumi's fingertips rubbing against his skin.

After confirming that everything was ready, Masumi stood still and said, "Okay, let's go."

The two immediately found a place with mild waves and pushed their surfboards into the water.

Kurokawa Mio started confidently, but——

"It's completely different from the shore..."

She muttered to herself, staggering on the surfboard, struggling to catch the waves, looking a little embarrassed.

The waves may seem gentle, but they are not.

After finally catching it, just when I was about to stand up, I was always knocked down by the next wave.

After falling off the surfboard into the sea again, Masumi quickly reached out and hugged her.

"Are you okay?"

"Ah."

Kurokawa Mio nodded quietly, but she didn't immediately put her hands flat on the surfboard as she did before. Instead, she hugged Masumi tightly like a cute koala, refusing to let go.

"what happened?"

"I feel a little depressed."

The competitive spirit that was aroused in her was constantly and ruthlessly frustrated by the waves, causing her to frown in dissatisfaction.

The sun-protective long-sleeved jacket on her body was soaked by the sea water, revealing the aqua blue swimsuit underneath, highlighting her dolphin-like smooth and tight body curves.

"Don't be impatient." Masumi thought for a moment and said, "You can try to feel the rhythm of the waves, um... just like feeling the beat of music."

"Hey, that sounds a bit idealistic."

"Really? Sorry, I said something meaningless."

"Ah! I don't mean to deny Masumi." Kurokawa Mio shook her head in panic, and a bright smile appeared on her lips.

"I just think this is very Masumi's style."

"My style?"

Masumi was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Try again."

"Well, but..."

"what happened?"

"I have no strength left." Kurokawa Mio said weakly.

"so."

Surfing requires paddling for a long time, which requires a certain amount of strength and physical strength. Although it is in the white wave area, Kurokawa's physical fitness is not outstanding.

"Then let's go back?"

"Hey, but I haven't had enough of my precious time alone with Masumi..."

She bit her lower lip lightly and looked at me with pleading eyes: "Rest, just rest for a while."

"Ok."

Masumi nodded, took a look at her fair and delicate skin, and said, "Let's change positions."

"Eh?"

Kurokawa didn't understand why, but he still leaned slightly sideways in Masumi's arms and hunched his shoulders.

In this way, all the summer sunshine falls on Masumi, and the swimsuit beauty with honey-golden hair hides in the shade created for her by Masumi.

"Are you afraid I'll get sunburned?"

"After all, the sun is quite scorching today." Masumi said calmly.

"Oh my, Masumi is so considerate."

Kurokawa Mio smiled brightly, hugging him tightly amidst the waves. Her body temperature grew even hotter under the sun, and even through the fabric, he could still clearly feel Kurokawa's scorching body temperature, his fiery breath, and his trembling softness.

It’s as if these things originally belonged to me.

"..."

After the intermission, Kurokawa Mio tried a few more times. Although she still failed, she seemed to enjoy it.

Before I knew it, the sky had turned crimson, and the sunset dyed the sea the color of orange jam.

"It's getting late, let's go back." He whispered to Kurokawa.

"Ah."

Kurokawa Mio responded, tilting her head slightly, and her long honey-gold hair, like the twilight, also sparkled in the setting sun.

"Thank you, Masumi. I'm very happy today."

Her voice was so sweet and gentle that it seemed as if the sunset was moved by it.

Masumi nodded slightly and said nothing.

Back at the beach, the four girls had already finished their beach volleyball game.

Although I didn't ask about the result, looking at the happy expressions of Mami and Chiai, the winner must be obvious.

Rin and Haiyue from the loser group are building a sand castle.

Masumi glanced over casually, and the next moment his gaze was fixed on her.

"Himeji Castle?"

Himeji City in Hyogo Prefecture is a national treasure and the most famous castle in the island nation.

The eaves are winding, and the shape is like a dream castle with an egret spreading its wings to fly. It was perfectly restored with sand in the hands of the two women.

“Yes…I made it…”

Seeing Masumi coming back, Haiyue stood up leisurely and walked in front of him, looking like a child asking for praise.

"Well, that's great."

He is generous with his praise.

A quiet smile played on the jellyfish girl's lips.

I feel like I've been coaxed a little too much.

"Brother Masumi, your shoulders and back are a little red. Have you applied sunscreen?" Qian Ai asked.

"I did, but after playing with it all day and soaking it in water, it's no longer useful."

"Really? Be careful of sunburn." The girl with emerald eyes frowned slightly.

"It should be fine."

"I didn't expect Masumi-kun to have such a wild time." Asami said teasingly, "Are you a beach party type?"

"Not really."

"Eh--"

Asami was about to chase him with a smile on her face, but Rin stood up and said:
"It's almost dinner time."

Mami's attention was immediately drawn away.

"Yay! Barbecue party!"

Chiai and Mami both waved their hands and cheered.

In order to prepare for this barbecue party, Rinin specially bought high-quality domestic beef. The quality of the marinated beef was beyond words, and the taste was excellent. Masumi ate with relish, his mouth full of oil.

Because it was dark and they were wearing coats, the girls no longer cared about their figures and enjoyed the barbecue comfortably.

After dinner, everyone started playing with the fireworks they had bought.

The white smoke from the tip of the fairy wand dissipated in the summer night, and the smell of burning gunpowder and the fragrance of the sea tide entangled together.

"Blacker than black, darker than darkness..."

Mami covered her single eye with her palm and muttered, "Put my true red golden light here!"

"Burn all the phenomena of heaven and earth to ashes—"

"Explosion!"

In her other hand, she held several fireworks sticks, the beams of light were colorful and bright as if they could dispel the night.

"Sister Mami, this is dangerous!"

"Don't worry, Xiao Qian'ai, I am the great mage of the Crimson Demon Clan."

"You're talking nonsense again, playing with fireworks sticks one by one."

"Ah! Haiyue, you can't throw butterfly cannons everywhere."

"Mio, please run over and take care of her. Even though there's no one else around, it would be bad if you got hurt."

"Really? Why is Xiao Qianai acting like an old nanny? All she does is nag and complain."

"Who do you think did this, Mami-san?"

The sound of fireworks exploding could be heard, and laughter and cheers could be heard one after another.

Masumi also lit a firework stick and walked over to Rin, who was sitting quietly on the beach.

"I haven't played with fireworks sticks like this in a long time."

"Don't you want to play?" Masumi asked.

At the same time, point the opening of the bag containing the fireworks at her.

"Thank you."

After hesitating for a moment, Rin took out a sparkler from the bag. Instead of using a lighter, she reached forward to the front end of the firework stick that Masumi was holding.

Shila-

Fireworks were lit.

The girl's neat outline was shrouded in shadows created by the light.

But his expression didn't look very happy.

The slightly illuminated purple eyes were calm.

"What's wrong? You don't look very interested."

It's fine during the day.

Lin Yin shook her head silently.

After the fireworks had burned for a while, she spoke softly, "Nothing, I just... don't like fireworks very much."

"Or rather, I don't really like the period around Obon."

"Obon Festival? Why?" Masumi was puzzled.

"..."

"My birthday is on August 8th, which often falls on the same day as the Obon Festival."

As if her thoughts were falling into memory, Rin said softly:
"Back in Gunma, at this time every year, my parents would take me to the summer festival. We would sit on the lawn in the viewing area and enjoy the fireworks display."

"Later, my mother was often hospitalized due to health reasons. Even when she returned home, she rarely went out. However, my father would still buy fireworks sticks and let us play with them in the yard."

"only……"

She didn't say anything else, but Masumi had already guessed what she was going to say next.

"I'm sorry for bringing up bad memories for you."

Masumi inwardly regretted handing her the firework stick, causing her to recall sad memories.

But Linyin slowly shook her head, opened her lips slightly, and denied it.

"No, I don't want to affect everyone's happy mood because of myself." She didn't want to do such a selfish thing.

"Besides... I find that I don't hate playing with fireworks with you guys like this."

"Maybe it's not that I hate fireworks, it's that I hate summer itself."

"It's just because when I pick it up, it reminds me of the reality that I can only have memories of the past and can't create new memories."

Her voice dissolved inch by inch into the summer night air with a faint smell of burning gunpowder.

"New memories... huh?" Masumi muttered to himself.

"Yeah, it's new memories with my family."

Rin said lightly, with her usual cold expression on her face, and it seemed a bit lonely - Masumi felt this way.

The firework stick in my hand went out.

Rinne and Masumi's gaze fell on their respective extinguished firework sticks.

"Give me another one," she whispered.

Perhaps it was this sentence that pushed Masumi.

He took out a brand new sparkler from his fireworks bag and handed it to Rin.

With his other hand, he tightly grasped the one he had extinguished, and squeezed out his determination from his vocal cords:
"...New memories, why not try to create some?"

"Ok?"

Linyin tilted her head slightly to express her confusion.

"I remember you said before that you and everyone in Fanxing feel a bit like family, right?"

Masumi spoke in one breath, as if he would lose the courage to continue speaking if he slowed down.

"That is……"

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her cherry lips opened and closed several times, as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself.

Then I heard Masumi continue, "Fireworks Festival."

"Fireworks festival?"

"If it's from Kobe Port, it ended last Saturday..."

"There are other areas," Masumi interrupted her. "Osaka, Kyoto, Uji, the island nation has no shortage of festivals and fireworks in the summer."

"Just think of it as a way to relax, how about that?"

After he finished speaking, he closed his lips and waited quietly for the girl's answer.

But what I got was an answer that seemed a little irrelevant.

"Because fireworks have a season, I worry about losing them. I like things that last forever, but no one or anything will last forever."

"Is this so?"

Masumi shrugged his shoulders and lowered his eyelashes quietly.

"but……"

Turn around.

The words, which were so light and unlike her usual voice, were still sonorous and powerful, came out of Rin's mouth:
"Today on the beach, for some reason, I suddenly had this inexplicable thought: I want to be able to spend moments like this with these five people all the time in the future."

So, this is her answer -

"I'm not good at hiding my feelings, so I want to try to follow this feeling and find the answer."

After giving such an ambiguous reply, Linyin lightly lit the firework stick in her hand and walked towards the other girls.

Behind her, Masumi stared at her straight back, then raised the corners of his mouth in relaxation.

He threw the extinguished firework stick in his hand into the bucket, then lit a new one and walked towards the five people.

"Masumi-kun, come here quickly, there's a huge firework here, come and give me a hand."

Mami waved the fairy wand in her hand.

"I know. Put out the one in your hand first."

"Eh? No! Watch out!"

Masumi dodged quickly.

"Uoooh~ As expected of a hero, you dodged my explosion magic so easily."

"Masumi, is it okay?" Kurokawa Mio said panickedly.

Qian Ai puffed up her face and said dissatisfiedly: "Sister Mami, this is very dangerous!"

"It's okay... I will help Masumi... get revenge..."

"Wait, Haiyue, don't throw the butterfly cannon at Mami-san."

The gunpowder crackled, and the light flashed past her and disappeared. Mami screamed and ran away.

Linyin pressed her temples and sighed in frustration.

"..."

Waves, beaches, palm trees, lighting fireworks under the soft evening stars, and indulging in the dream of never-ending summer.
-
[Volume 3: Addicted to Summer: End]

(End of this chapter)