The next morning, the five of them went out to buy swimsuits and sandals after a delicious breakfast, then returned to their lodging. There, they quickly changed into their swimsuits before heading to the beach.
“Beach tiiime!”
The beautiful azure water sparkled under the bright sunlight, and the people on the beach enjoyed their time playing in the fine, sugar-like sand and the warm water. It was relatively early, but the beach was bursting with life. The curved shoreline went on almost as far as the eye could see, so there was enough space for everyone—including the girls—to enjoy the wonderful weather and the expansive sea to their hearts’ content.
“Wow, it’s super busy!”
“This is so exciting, m’kay?!”
The gentle breeze carried their cheerful voices toward the horizon. Myuke and Bram could barely contain their excitement.
“I wanna pay!”
Seeing all the families having the time of their lives, Marie set off through the warm sand, leaving tiny footprints behind.
“I wanna play too!” Anima exclaimed, and took her hand.
The water may have been shallow, but even the tiniest of waves had the potential to swallow up a child of Marie’s age. He wanted to stay by her side the whole time to avoid any possibility of something terrible happening.
“Yaaay! I pay, Daddy!”
Marie hopped into the air like a bunny, making the frills on her adorable swimsuit flutter.
“This weather is just awesome!”
“It’s a perfect day for the beach, m’kay?!”
The two girls were in perfect sync. They had only gotten more excited after changing into their swimsuits.
“I can’t wait, m’kay?” Bram took her sandals off and set off barefoot through the sand before leaping high into the air. “It’s pretty hot! But it’s really soft! It feels great, m’kay?!”
“Oh wow, you’re right! The sand is so soft here!”
“Me too! No sooes!”
“Here, Marie; let me hold on to your sandals.”
“Thanks, Daddy! Ah, wooow! Sooo soff!”
The girls kept running around, playfully chasing each other. They seemed to love the area they were in, so Anima opened up a blanket and set it down on the sand. Right as he finished laying it out, the girls crashed onto and rolled around on it.
“Be careful, girls,” Luina warned with a gentle smile. “Don’t tire yourselves out before you get into the water.”
Anima also wanted to flash a gentle smile, but all he could muster was an awkward smirk. He was completely entranced by Luina’s bikini. Her voluptuous breasts lasciviously peeked out from beneath it, and it left her shapely thighs completely bare. Not even the young women frolicking around them could get Anima to pry his eyes away from his wife.
Get it together, Anima!
He shook his head. No matter how wonderful the sight before him was, he had to keep a close eye on his daughters. With his determination steeled, he sat down next to Luina, yet that steel slowly rusted and crumbled. As he stole a glance to the side, his eyes met Luina’s, and she immediately averted her gaze.
“Are you okay, Luina?” he asked, curious about her uncharacteristic action. “Your cheeks are surprisingly red.”
“Ah, I-I’m okay...”
“Ooh, I know what’s going on! You totally think Daddy’s hot!”
Myuke seemed to have hit the nail on the head, as Luina’s cheeks got even redder at the suggestion.
“Yeah, your body’s sick! You’re like a man of steel, m’kay?”
“Daddy stong!”
“You bet I am! I’ll protect you girls from any harm. Of course, I’ll protect you too, Luina.”
“I know you will. I’m happy to have married such a reliable man.”
“Say, can we go swimming soon?”
“Let’s go, m’kay?!”
“All right, let’s get in the water!”
They hopped up from the blanket, set their sandals down, and rushed into the water.
“Hyahn, cold! But I likeses it!” Marie exclaimed while splashing around in the water with her tiny feet. Myuke and Bram were enjoying the water as well, but being so close to the shore was a bit underwhelming for them.
“Can we go in deeper?”
“Of course, but be careful. Stay above the water.”
“We’ll be fine. I’ll be with her, m’kay?”
“Hah, like I’d ever need your help! I swim like a mermaid!”
“Oh, really? Then let’s put that to the test, m’kay?”
“Don’t cry when I show you up!”
Sparks flew between them, but there was no trace of animosity in their words; they were both happy to have found a worthy rival. The pair went waist-deep into the water, where they started swimming. Anima stayed in the shallower water, playing with Marie and Luina while watching over them from the corner of his eye.
“Cooold! Spash me s’more!”
“There! Gotcha!”
“Hyahaha! Saldy!”
Marie wrapped her hands around her stomach and laughed. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time at the beach. Letting her make the most of her first time in the sea, they kept playing until Anima’s hands started to prune.
“Ha-chow!” Marie sneezed. Her lips were starting to turn blue as well.
“She must be cold. Should we take a break?”
“Yeah, let’s do that. Marie, do you want to roll around on the blanket with me?”
“Uh-huh! You know, you know, I’m super good at rollin’! Look, Daddy! Look! Vwoom, vwoom!”
Marie started rolling around in the sand, which, in the end, warmed her body up. Curiously, despite how proud she was of her rolling skills, she stopped almost as quickly as she started. She stood up and scanned the area in desperation.
“What are you looking for?”
“I wanna roll with Myukey ’n’ Brum...”
She was getting bored of playing by herself, so Anima pointed toward their blanket, where Myuke and Bram were playing in the sand.