In the sea, touch seemed even sharper.
Shichen looked at the delicate face right in front of him and couldn't help but smile.
Momo had her eyes shut, brows knit, looking like she was struggling as she tried to draw oxygen from him.
So full of life—and a Princess of Deviluke on top of that—someone who didn't know better might really think she was suffocating.
But free perks shouldn't go to waste; since Momo was acting oxygen-deprived, he naturally played along.
He parted his lips and breathed air into her.
As soon as Momo got oxygen, like drought meeting sweet rain, the strain in her face melted. She hugged him tighter and kept "breathing."
For a moment even Shichen wasn't sure whether she'd truly run out of air.
Just in case, he gathered her up and blinked them both to the surface.
Out of the water, the soft warmth of her skin was extra vivid; beaded droplets made it slick under his palm.
One arm cinched at her waist, the other patting her back, he broke the kiss.
Momo still clung to him, unwilling to let go.
"Momo, easy—we're above water now," Shichen reminded her.
"Eh?" She blinked, glanced around blankly, then froze.
"You okay? Were you short of breath just now?" he asked.
"Huh? Right—yes! I ran out of air—I almost died! Haa… haa…" Momo started gulping down breaths.
He could distinctly feel the soft rise and fall against his chest.
"Tell me earlier next time. I thought you could stay under forever."
"I can, but I leaked a lot midway…" she mumbled.
"All the more reason to say something. What if something happened? We can always pop up for air." His tone sharpened.
Whether or not she'd truly run out, he needed her to understand the risk.
"Sorry…"
"I'm not mad. I just really don't want anything to happen to you, okay?" He ruffled her hair and softened his voice.
"Brother-in-law… I understand!" Momo looked up and nodded hard.
"Good girl… So? Still coming with me?"
"Yes. I'm fine now."
"Then let's keep going."
"Um, about just now…" Momo bit her lip, eyes flicking to him.
"About what?"
"N-nothing!" She shook her head quickly and pasted on a smile.
"You're a mystery. Come on." He gathered her up and slipped back beneath the surface.
This time he didn't let go—he turned her around and held her from behind, towing her along.
Momo didn't resist at all, just lay quietly in his arms, soaking in the broad heat of him at her back.
He couldn't see it, but her mouth had already curled up of its own accord.
She had been a little low on air—but she'd still had plenty in reserve. Her physiology wasn't comparable to people on this planet.
It was just such a perfect chance. She'd recently learned a bit of local "first aid"—mouth-to-mouth!
You don't let an opening like that pass. She'd jumped on it.
Looked like she'd pulled it off—brother-in-law hadn't suspected a thing!
She felt a twinge of guilt for using his concern, but for her goal, any means would do.
He was her brother-in-law—so of course he was hers.
At first she'd only been curious about him, but the steamy tangle of her sister's life with him—and her own accidental plunge into that world—had left last night's shock lodged under her skin.
And anyway, big sis didn't mind.
Brother-in-law was amazing!
Momo lingered on that "mouth-to-mouth"—just lips touching, and yet so unbelievable.
She'd felt an electric jolt she'd never known—a shiver that rattled her soul.
So intoxicating. Addictive.
And there were deeper kinds of kisses, she'd read… She didn't even dare imagine how intense they'd be.
But she couldn't wait.
Shichen hugged her and had no idea what was running through her head. Thanks to the cool water, he didn't notice the heat in her skin either.
As for that "rescue," he didn't think much of it. He wasn't some pure, fluttery youth.
But Momo's figure was genuinely nice. Holding her from behind, he could feel the smooth plane of her back, the pert curve behind, the flat of her belly.
Just two thin pieces of swimwear—most of their skin touched. Enough to stir the blood.
Good thing he had plenty of self-control.
He hadn't figured out exactly what his little sister-in-law was plotting, and instead of guessing, he might as well catch more lobsters.
Tonight they could eat their fill.
He'd sampled countless delicacies in countless worlds, but seafood… less often.
For the sake of a seafood feast, he practically swept the nearby waters clean before guiding Momo back ashore.
On the beach, Lala was nowhere in sight. Everyone else remained as before.
Golden Darkness drifted in a ring, letting the tide rock her.
Frieren and Yui lay on loungers with drinks, basking.
Nana was still in the tent.
"Whoa! Shichen—how did you catch so many lobsters?"
The moment they returned, Yui came to meet them, only to freeze at the sight: a teeming heap of little blue lobsters—enough to trigger trypophobia. Their chittering was loud, too.
"Couldn't find crabs nearby—so shrimp it is," Shichen said with a shrug.
"Still, you didn't have to catch this many…"
"It's fine. What we can't finish we'll grill tonight. Two days of lobster freedom."
"This is just…" Yui muttered.
"So these are the little blue lobsters? Are they good?" Frieren hopped off her lounger—food always got her interest.
"Guaranteed delicious. You'll be singing my praises," Shichen said, swiping her drink for a long gulp and handing the empty cup back.
Frieren looked at the cup, lips pursed.
"What? I only drank a little." He scrubbed her silver hair till it stood in tousled waves.
"That was really good… I didn't have enough…" she grumbled.
Just spring water with lemon—but perfectly her taste. Then again, his "spring water" was no ordinary spring water.
"There's more. I'll make you another, okay?"
"I want it now."
"Can't win with you." He mixed her another, earning a rare, contented smile.
"Brother-in-law, you really spoil Frieren," Momo observed, watching the easy rhythm between them. Their rapport felt even closer than his with Lala.
"This one only knows how to bully me," Frieren sulked.
"He bullies you because he likes you."
"I don't like being bullied."
"Must be nice…" Momo murmured.
"Momo? What was that?" Yui glanced over.
"Nothing," Momo said with a bright little smile.
"Mm…"
"Momo's probably tired. Rest a bit. Lobsters don't need cleaning—straight to the grill later," Shichen said.
"You're going to barbecue them?" Yui asked.
"The best ingredients often only need the simplest touch," he replied, smiling.
"I've never had them… but if you say so."
"Go lie down. Momo, you too. I'm going to check on Nana."
"Will that be okay?" Momo asked, concerned.
"It's my mess. I should fix it. Can't leave her to stew alone." He patted Momo's damp hair.
"Brother-in-law is the best," she smiled.
"If I were, I wouldn't have made her cry."
"You'll be fine."
"Hope so." He nodded and headed for the tent.
At the flap, he listened a moment—no sound at all.
"Nana?"
"Eek—! Wh-what do you want?" came her tense voice from inside.
"Can we talk?" he asked.
"Talk? Wh-what is there to talk about?"
"I want to apologize."
"Apologize?" Surprise colored her tone.
"I'm coming in."
"Eh?"
He didn't give her time to object. He slipped inside and, as a precaution against eavesdropping, spun up a sound-proofing barrier.
It was a simple tent, more a little sitting room: rug in the middle, low sofas around.
He hadn't had time to reshape the interior.
Nana wasn't on a sofa; she sat on the carpet, leaning on one. She still wore the same swimsuit. Under the tent's bright light, her skin gleamed milk-white.
"Wh-why did you come in…" She tightened up when she saw him, shifting her hips backward as if to retreat.
"It's not convenient to talk outside," Shichen said, walking toward her.