Chapter 739: Rei Ao's Invitation! Let's go to Beach!
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Friday night descended like a sheet of soft black velvet, quietly muffling the city's clamor.
Every light in Rei Ao's living‑room was on. Warm yellow beams outlined the motes of dust drifting in the air and illuminated the distinctive figures of several young women.
Nodoka Toyohama (Mai Sakurajima) wore a simple white sundress; her long hair spilled loosely over her shoulders as her fingertips idly traced the edge of the sofa. Her eyes bore their usual languor—tinged with a faint, almost imperceptible anticipation.
"Sora, Ilia, Emilia, Tohru," she called, her voice as clear as spring water. "Let's go. It's time to buy swimsuits."
At the other end of the sofa, Emilia's red hair gleamed vividly under the lamp. Tilting her head, she blinked her blue eyes in bafflement.
"Swimsuits? I already have one."
"Sora and the others don't," Emilia added. "And I want a new one too!"
Beside her, Tohru all but quivered with excitement; the dragon horns half‑hidden in her hair and the tail swishing behind her betrayed exactly what the word swimsuit conjured in her mind. She was determined to buy something even more alluring—something that would seize Rei Ao's attention at a glance.
Sora merely rocked her head nonchalantly. "Anything's fine with me."
Ilia, ever elegant, pinched a bit of her skirt between two fingers, eyes evaluative—as though calculating what design would make her stand out most on the shore.
This tableau was caught by Mai Sakurajima (still in Nodoka Toyohama's body) as she emerged from the kitchen with a glass of juice. She blinked in puzzlement.
"What are you all up to? Shopping for swimsuits… Don't tell me you're going swimming?"
Not being in the chat group, she knew nothing of the plan.
Mai raised her gaze and offered a gentle smile.
"More or less. Rei Ao invited us to the beach this weekend. How about joining us, Nodoka?"
Toyohama froze for a beat before her eyes lit up.
"A beach trip? That sounds fun!"
She nodded vigorously, with scarcely a moment's hesitation. "I'm in, absolutely! I've been dying for a break!"
Her delight was like a child who had just been given candy. Under her mother's strict regimen she spent every day in training, with no time at all to relax.
…
At the same time, an odd tension permeated the neighboring apartment shared by Gabriel and Raphiel. Vignette and Satania were there too, the four of them gathered around the coffee table.
They had been playing a board game, yet an invisible pressure seemed to pulsate through the room.
Gabriel sat stiffly upright, though her fingers on the game controller were rigid. When Rei Ao stepped inside, she stole a glance, heart lurching, cheeks flushing crimson. The scene from that night replayed unbidden in her mind; a lingering heat in her body left her restless.
Ugh… why does my body betray me the instant I see him… she fumed inwardly—yet she could not stop sneaking peeks at him.
Vignette, spotting Rei Ao, bowed her head in panic, twisting her skirt until even her ears were scarlet. The eavesdropping incident was still vivid in her memory.
Only Raphiel remained outwardly composed, sipping tea as she spoke with feigned casualness.
"Rei Ao‑kun, what brings you here?"
He sat down beside Gabriel as naturally as if it were his own home, swept his gaze around, and smiled.
"I'm here to invite you all on a beach trip this weekend."
"A beach trip?" Satania perked up at once. "Master, I'm going! I'm going!"
Gabriel wrinkled her nose and refocused on the game screen.
"What's so great about the beach… I'd rather just keep gaming."
Yet even as she muttered, her body inched subtly closer to him.
Rei Ao's mouth curled into a mischievous grin. When the others weren't looking, he reached out and gave Gabriel's soft little butt a quick squeeze.
"!!!"
Gabriel jolted so hard she nearly flung her controller. Mortified and furious, she glared at him, cheeks the color of ripe apples, and hissed under her breath: "W‑What are you doing?!"
"Nothing," he shrugged innocently, "I just thought you looked adorable playing games and couldn't resist teasing you."
She frantically pressed his hand down, eyes wide with alarm. "Cut it out—there are others here!"
Drawing a deep breath—and feeling Raphiel's curious gaze—she blurted, face burning, "Forget the game… I‑I'll go to the beach too!"
Only then did Rei Ao retract his hand, satisfied. Raphiel and Vignette found her sudden change of heart strange but offered no objections and agreed as well.
…
The weekend arrived right on schedule: bright sunshine, a gentle breeze.
Rei Ao's house was already packed with a crowd of teenage girls and young women. They clustered in small groups, chatting in low voices; the air fairly crackled with youthful energy, making the place feel much more cramped than usual.
Sora and Ilia stood together, deep in discussion—some kind of strategy, by the look of it.
Mabel, Alicia, and Sumika Fujimiya had gravitated toward one another by chance; Alicia's face shone with excitement, never having been to the seaside before.
Kobayashi and Shin hung back to one side.
Kanna, curious as ever, surveyed everyone like an inquisitive chick, while her companion Michiru soaked in the atmosphere—So many people!
Rizu Ogata pushed her glasses up; Fumino Furuhashi fussed nervously with her clothes, and Mafuyu Kirisu stood beside them, holding both girls' hands with gentle eyes.
Ai Sakurajima eyed her daughter Mai (currently occupied by Nodoka) up and down, making the latter squirm under the scrutiny. Ai already knew the truth, though Nodoka was still trying hard to act. Mai herself found the whole situation amusing and had no intention of exposing it.
Meanwhile, Futaba and Rio were deep in earnest debate about the most scientific approach to sun‑protection.
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