My date with Shiro-san began, and the scene suddenly shifted to the sea.
I know—I can’t quite make sense of what I’m saying either. But since it’s the truth, I suppose there’s no helping it.
"......It’s the sea."
"Yes. It is the sea."
"......But, isn’t it impossible to swim here?"
"Swim? ......Ah, I see."
The place Shiro-san had brought us to was indeed the sea, but it wasn’t a beach with white sand perfect for a dip; it was the top of a sheer, jagged cliff.
Since she said she wanted to go to the sea, I had assumed she meant swimming, but it seemed it was just a passing thought. Shiro-san stared at me again. She was likely peering into my memories again; after a long silence, she nodded as if she had come to some sort of conclusion.
Then, Shiro-san gave her finger a light flick. The earth groaned and shook... and the sheer cliff transformed into a sandy beach. Wha—!?
"This should no longer be a problem."
"No, I think there are a lot of problems with this..."
"I will put it back later, so it is fine."
"That’s not the issue!?"
To rewrite the very earth in an instant... this woman is a total cheat. The legendary figures I’ve met so far were starting to look normal compared to her overwhelming power.
As I stood there, stunned by the sight of the newly formed white sands, Shiro-san turned toward me and waved her finger. Suddenly, my clothes were replaced by a pair of swim trunks. I’ve decided to stop being surprised by her. Seriously. Anything is possible with her.
Once I got over the shock of my own sudden change in wardrobe, I looked toward Shiro-san and—
"…!"
I was lost for words.
Shiro-san’s outfit had also changed into a swimsuit before I knew it. She wore a white, frilled bikini with a blue-patterned pareo, and even a straw hat sat perched atop her head. Her skin, an ethereal, artistic beauty usually hidden by her ritual robes, was now exposed. Her ample chest was on full display, and she possessed a divine radiance that made it look as if she were wearing a halo.
"Now, we can go for a swim."
"Eh? A-Ah, yes, y-y-yeah, I guess so!?"
"What is the matter?"
"Ah, no!? It’s nothing..."
Being spoken to so suddenly made me incredibly nervous. I could hardly tell her that she was so beautiful I’d been completely captivated.
"In that case, I should say... thank you?"
"......Please stop reading my mind."
This is incredibly embarrassing. What kind of humiliation play is this? To have every single thought transmitted to her... thinking about it again, it's mortifying. Well, it is Shiro-san, so I suppose it’s unavoidable.
As my face burned red for multiple reasons, Shiro-san ignored my plight and conjured a parasol and a plastic sheet out of thin air. Then, she turned back to me, her face as expressionless as ever.
"Shall we swim, then?"
"Ah, yes. Sure."
"Before that..."
"Huh? Wha—!?"
Shiro-san flicked her finger again. Suddenly, various fish and a giant sea serpent several meters long floated up out of the water before vanishing entirely.
"I had them relocate, but only for the duration of our swim."
"......To where?"
"Another sea that I just created."
"......I-I see......"
I’d literally just told myself I’d stop being surprised, but I take it back. I was definitely surprised. Well, look on the bright side, Kaito. The danger has been removed. That’s how I chose to think about it.
Pulling myself together, I decided to join Shiro-san in the water. I didn’t know which sea this was, but the water was warm and felt wonderful.
Wait, come to think of it, Shiro-san’s hair reaches past her knees. Wouldn't that get in the way while swimming?
"Shiro-san—!"
"What is it?"
"N-No, it’s nothing..."
When I looked at her, her shimmering silver-white hair was soaked, gaining a wet luster that sparkled under the sunlight. She was just standing in the water, yet the sight was as beautiful as a fine painting. Her appearance is just plain unfair; every little thing she does looks like a masterpiece.
Her long hair fanned out through the water, but Shiro-san didn't seem to mind. And so, we simply drifted together for a while. Shiro-san remained expressionless, but the corners of her mouth were turned up just a fraction, so she seemed to be enjoying herself.
"By the way, Kaito-san?"
"Yes?"
"Is it necessary to perform a... wardrobe malfunction? An act where the breasts are exposed?"
"She’s saying something outrageous again! Please don't pull weird things out of my memories!"
I mean, people do call that a "classic" beach trope, but it’s not something you announce beforehand!
"......You absolutely must not."
"You must not, Shallow Vernal-sama! Something so indecent is out of the question!"
"......Why are you here, Chronoa-san?"
"......I searched every sea in the world... Honestly, the fatigue is catching up to me..."
Chronoa-san had appeared out of nowhere, standing atop the surface of the water as she spoke to Shiro-san in a panic. It seemed that after Shiro-san vanished with her declaration of going to the sea, Chronoa-san had scoured the entire planet looking for us. If I looked closely, her forehead was beaded with sweat and her shoulders were heaving.
However, um, this is very hard to say... but please don’t stand on top of the water right in front of me while I’m submerged. That... I can almost see everything.
While I struggled with where to look, Shiro-san spoke in her usual monotone.
"This is perfect timing. God of Space-Time, it is nearly lunch, and there is something I require."
"Hah! Anything!"
"I want a 'Beach House'."
"......Huh? Er, I apologize for my ignorance, Shallow Vernal-sama. But what kind of cuisine is this 'Beach House'?"
"It is not food. It is a Beach House."
"......I... see......"
She’s making impossible demands again! I mean, sure, a Beach House is a staple of a trip to the sea, but this is another world! Even Chronoa-san thinks it’s a dish! This is basically power harassment at this point. I felt like I had to help her out, but how do I explain a Beach House?
"Um, Chronoa-san. A Beach House is... well, in my world, it’s a small dining hall on the beach."
"I-I see... Then, Shallow Vernal-sama, what does this dining hall look like?"
"It looks like a Beach House."
"......Miyama, I beg you. Help me."
"Ah, right."
Chronoa-san is too pitiful! Shiro-san doesn't read between the lines at all, so the concept wasn't getting across whatsoever. Let’s see... it would be best if I could just show her what I was thinking. Oh, wait.
"Shiro-san, can you transmit the memory of a Beach House from my head to Chronoa-san?"
"It is possible."
"Then please do that."
"Understood."
As Shiro-san nodded, Chronoa-san’s expression shifted to one of surprise. My memories had likely been transferred. After a brief silence, she turned to Shiro-san and knelt on one knee. It was a bit of a surreal sight—kneeling on the surface of the water to bow to Shiro-san, who was chest-deep in the sea.
"I understand now. I shall prepare something that will surely satisfy you, Shallow Vernal-sama."
"I am counting on you."
"Hah! By the way, Miyama..."
"Eh? Ah, yes?"
"It may not be my place to say this... but not going outside much since your childhood is not something to be praised. It is bad for your health."
"......Ah, yes."
"Don't transmit unnecessary memories! Chronoa-san is looking at me like a teacher worried about a shut-in!"
I nodded, feeling incredibly awkward under her pitying gaze. Then, as Chronoa-san prepared to leave to set up the Beach House, Shiro-san spoke up.
"Wait, God of Space-Time."
"Hah! Yes! What is it?"
"That clothing is unacceptable."
"Pardon? My clothes?"
"Yes. You must wear a swimsuit at the sea."
"......Huh? Wha—!?"
With a flick of Shiro-san’s finger, Chronoa-san’s usual long-sleeved ritual robes—which showed no skin at all—transformed into a sporty swimsuit that highlighted her slender frame. Chronoa-san’s waist is tiny! She really looks like a model...
"Sh-Sh-Shallow Vernal-sama!? Wh-Wh-What is the meaning of this!?"
"At the sea, one wears a swimsuit."
"B-But!? I... I am not suited for feminine, revealing clothes..."
Chronoa-san panicked, desperately trying to cover herself with her hands, her face turning a deep shade of crimson. But the Natural Goddess didn't care at all; she simply looked back at me.
"What do you think, Kaito-san?"
"Heh? Ah, um..."
"M-Miyama, you tell her! This look does not suit me at all..."
"No, Chronoa-san, you're tall and slender, and I think that swimsuit looks great on you. You're very beautiful."
"Wha—!? M-Miyama!? Even you... are you mocking me too!? How indecent!!"
Wait, is Chronoa-san just not used to being treated like a woman? She was clearly flustered, looking more embarrassed than I ever could have imagined.
"Now, go and prepare."
"B-But, this outfit..."
"Go and prepare."
"......I... I understand. At once."
Accepting Shiro-san’s flat command, Chronoa-san slumped her shoulders in defeat and left, her face still bright red. Yeah, the power dynamic here is crystal clear. Poor Chronoa-san.
Dear Mother, Father—Even at the sea, Shiro-san is a natural-born cheat, and she immediately started making impossible demands of Chronoa-san as soon as she showed up. Seriously—Chronoa-san is a pitiful soul.