Chapter 198: If You’re at the Beach, You Have to Play in the Water!

Ṛea&d; ｏṅ Ｋ​á&t;Re&a;ｄ&i;n​gСａｆe​

Thanks to the surprise attack by Chae-yoon unnie and Yuna, I ended up looking like a drowned rat. But after that, I was able to enjoy playing in the water normally with the other members.

We formed teams and had water fights, watched the swimming contest between Jia unnie and Ra-hee unnie, and even played beach volleyball at the makeshift court set up by the caretaker.

Honestly, everything else was fine, but beach volleyball was practically a balance-breaking event. That’s because whichever team had Ra-hee unnie won every time. Sure, height played a role, but it was mostly because Ra-hee unnie was just that good.

I almost thought she was a professional volleyball player.

Seeing her jump and then spike the ball filled me with chills.

“Alright, now everyone can relax and play! Those who want to rest, go ahead.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

After running around for a while, we all scattered following the CEO’s orders. Those like Chae-yoon unnie, who had been splashing around nonstop, headed for the sunbeds or parasols, while latecomers stayed in the water, enjoying the ocean in their own way.

As for me…

Splash— Splash—

“Huh? Unnie, like this?”

“Yeah, that’s right. You’re picking it up faster than I thought!”

I was learning how to swim from Ra-hee unnie.

Truthfully, many of our members are good swimmers. Jia unnie, in particular, swims so well she could pass for a mermaid.

But there’s a reason Ra-hee unnie ended up as my personal instructor—she’s an elite who’s been taking swimming lessons since she was a kid. She downplays it, but given that she’s even won competitions, I doubt it’s an exaggeration.

“Hehe, I guess it’s because you’re such a good teacher, unnie.”

“Hah, how is our Da-jeong so good with words? Makes me want to take you home and raise you.”

“Mmph! U-Unnie…! I can’t breathe…!”

She pulled me in by the hands, trapping my face against her chest and shaking me violently. Between the scorching sun and the suffocation, I nearly ascended to the heavens right then and there.

“Want to try swimming on your own this time, Da-jeong? I’ll watch from the side.”

“C-Can I really do it?”

She let go of my head and encouraged me, but honestly, I wasn’t confident yet. Considering how clumsy I’d been even while holding her hand, it made sense.

“Yeah, as long as you don’t tense up too much. I saw you splashing around earlier—you’re not bad.”

“Ugh… O-Okay, I’ll try.”

But thanks to Ra-hee unnie’s encouragement, I figured I might as well give it a shot.

“I’ll just hold you at the start, then let go. Ready to go straight?”

“Yes, unnie.”

With her help, I floated in the water, relaxing my body and moving my legs from the thighs. I made sure not to exhale too much when my face dipped underwater—just enough.

“Da-jeong, I’m letting go now.”

At her signal, she released me. The support was gone, but my body stayed afloat. Keeping the earlier sensations in mind, I kept moving my arms and legs.

“Pfft— Pfft—”

Ugh, I swallowed a little water… But it’s fine, I can still do this. Just a little further.

Splash— Splash—

“Oh? Our youngest is getting pretty good!”

“Right? She picked it up faster than expected.”

When I briefly surfaced, I heard Chae-yoon unnie’s voice. Encouraged, I pushed myself a little harder. As I neared my limit, I resurfaced without hesitation.

“Hah… Hah… So, unnie, how was it?”

“You did great! Just a little more practice, and you’ll be swimming on your own in no time.”

“Wow…!”

I wasn’t sure if Ra-hee unnie was just being nice or if I’d actually improved that much, but the hopeful news made me throw my arms up in triumph.

Hehe.

I was scared of the water at first, but maybe I’m getting used to it.

Guess humans really are adaptable creatures.

“Da-jeong! Da-jeong! Race me to that spot over there!”

Just as I was feeling proud of my progress, Yuna came splashing over from a distance, raising her hand challengingly.

For the record, Yuna is the weakest swimmer in Blue LUV—well, excluding me, since I’d never swum before. But now that I had some ability, she must’ve wanted to test herself against me.

“Sure! Let’s settle who’s the worst swimmer in Blue LUV.”

“W-Worst?!”

I was about to decline, thinking I still wasn’t ready to face Yuna, but Chae-yoon unnie swooped in with a sharp taunt.

No way I can back down after hearing that!

I’m a VTuber with an Axolotl RP, after all!

For the pride of all axolotls, I’ll win this!!!!

“Since Da-jeong just learned today, I’ll hold her hand at the start. That fair?”

“Hmph, fine! I’ll accept the handicap!”

To balance things, Ra-hee unnie agreed to give me a slight head start. Yuna, already acting smug like she’d won, crossed her arms and pouted—adorably, I might add.

But a match is a match.

Sorry, Yuna.

I won’t hold back.

 

My bold declaration ended in utter humiliation.

No matter how much of a beginner I was, Yuna, who’d been to the ocean multiple times, was simply out of my league. For someone visiting the beach for the first time today, it was hopeless. I even choked on seawater midway—total disaster.

So embarrassing.

At least I didn’t say that out loud.

If I had, I’d never be able to face her again.

Exhausted from that one race, I reluctantly climbed onto the float I’d been avoiding and now drifted lazily on the water. Ra-hee unnie, still on lifeguard duty, stayed by my side.

“Pfft. Da-jeong, still sulking over the loss?”

“N-No…!”

Half-asleep, I stared blankly at the sea when Ra-hee unnie misread my drowsy expression and burst out laughing.

Ugh, that’s not it…!

I’m just sleepy!

“Da-jeong, why are you rubbing your eyes? Does it sting?”

“Ah, no, it’s not that…”

Rubbing my eyes absentmindedly, I shook my head but kept nodding off.

“Playing in the water is more exhausting than I thought.”

My whole body feels sluggish. Even after staying up until dawn for streams, I’ve rarely felt this sleepy.

Plus, the warm sunlight makes me so drowsy… The sound of waves lapping in my ears is as calming as white noise… I can’t keep my eyes open.

I shouldn’t fall asleep now. It’ll trouble Ra-hee unnie. But I’m just so tired…

Sorry, unnie.

Just a little, just a tiny nap.

I’ll wake up before dinner…

***************

Ra-hee sensed it at some point—Da-jeong’s voice had gone quiet.

Wondering if she was still sulking over her loss, Ra-hee straightened her bent back.

Since they’d stayed in shallow water for safety, Ra-hee’s tall frame meant she was looking down at Da-jeong on the float. When the sight of their adorable teammate came into view, a smile unconsciously spread across her lips.

“…Guess she was tired.”

It was true. At some point, Da-jeong had dozed off completely.

Muttering softly to herself, Ra-hee glanced toward the parasols, then waved discreetly at So-eun, who was sitting on a sunbed.

Come here for a sec.

No matter how light Da-jeong was, carrying her alone in this state would be tough.

“Ra-hee, what’s up?”

“Da-jeong fell asleep. I think we should carry her back—mind helping?”

“I’ll carry her. You’ve been looking after her all this time; you must be tired.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Ra-hee had planned to carry Da-jeong herself, but So-eun’s offer made sense.

“…She’s unbelievably light.”

After gently pushing the float ashore, So-eun bent down to let Da-jeong onto her back. A quiet murmur—somewhere between awe and concern—escaped her.

Even for a woman, this was too light. Though So-eun was stronger than most, Da-jeong’s weight felt almost unreal.

“Huh? Da-jeong’s asleep?”

As they headed toward the sunbeds, Kang Ha-neul stood up, eyes wide. The sight of Da-jeong snoozing on So-eun’s back finally registered.

“Yeah. First time swimming must’ve worn her out.”

“Makes sense. Let’s all head back while she’s asleep—we’ve played enough anyway.”

“Probably for the best.”

Nodding, Ha-neul strode off to gather the others: a sprawled-out retriever, a napping rabbit, and their caretaker.

“We’ll go ahead, Ra-hee. Need to lay Da-jeong down.”

“Okay.”

Leaving the rest to catch up, the two decided to settle Da-jeong and rest themselves. With dinner approaching, they could start prepping too.

“Mrrnyaa…”

“Pffft.”

Mid-step, Da-jeong nibbled her own hair and let out a kitten-like sound. Ra-hee grinned.

How is something this adorable even real?

But she couldn’t leave it be. Reaching over, she tucked the stray hair away—prompting a drowsy mumble from Da-jeong:

“Ra-hee unnie… th’nkyou…”

Though it was babyish sleep-talk, both heard it clearly. So-eun, carrying her, was spared the full impact, but Ra-hee, witnessing it up close, nearly combusted from sheer affection.

“…So-eun unnie. What if we just… took Da-jeong home with us?”

“Hold it together, Ra-hee.”

A light chop from So-eun shut her down. Sighing, Ra-hee contented herself with smoothing Da-jeong’s hair.

Maybe—just maybe—those words were what Da-jeong had wanted to say since this trip was planned.

Smiling, Ra-hee let herself imagine it.

……………………………….