I was hammering away under the scorching sun, each strike echoing in the summer air. My shirt clung to me like plastic wrap, soaked through with sweat. The rays baked my skin until it turned red, but I didn't stop. Not even once.
That's what summer holidays were for, right?
"Hey, Sasaki! Why are you still working in this heat?" Ai's voice rang out as she approached, fanning herself dramatically.
I wiped my forehead and turned toward her. "I'm fine. Why aren't you staying inside where it's cool?"
Truth was, the heat didn't bother me anymore—not since my body could literally turn into ice. Still, hard labor was hard labor. Ice powers or not, I still sweat like any other guy hauling lumber around.
"I'm bored," Ai sighed, dragging her feet like a kid denied candy.
"Get a job," I said dryly.
"NOO! I'm on vacation, remember? My manager said I could have some free time before my first tour next month."
Fair enough. Ai's rise to fame had been explosive. Six months in and she was already famous.
"I mean, we could go somewhere," she offered. "This dorm connects to other worlds, doesn't it? Why not explore?"
I paused. Tempting. "That does sound nice. I've been stuck doing repairs nonstop… but jumping to another world could be risky."
"Why?"
"Because you're weak."
Her eyes narrowed instantly. "That's rude! You're seriously underestimating me, Sasaki."
I grinned. "Oh yeah? What's your superpower again?"
With a mock twirl and a cheeky grin, she stuck her tongue out and threw up peace signs. "I'm cute! Tehe~"
Exactly the problem.
"You wouldn't last five minutes in Midgard. Someone would probably kidnap you."
She pouted, crossing her arms. "Then let's just go somewhere in your world. No paparazzi to chase me down. How about… the beach?" Her eyes sparkled like she just got a five-star gacha pull. "Yeah! A beach! Hehe~ I love this dormitory!"
"The beach, huh…" I wiped my brow again. "What about Okinawa?"
"YES! LET'S GO!" she practically exploded with joy. Then paused, glancing down and poking her chest. "Hm… They got bigger again."
"Oi—don't do that while I'm standing right here!"
She giggled. "Oops, my bad. Think of it as a service. Besides, aren't you at the age where you might start lusting over me?"
"Very funny."
I flopped down onto the grass and poured myself a glass of tea. A flick of my finger, and I froze a few ice cubes mid-air. Perks of being part-Aokiji, I guess.
Then it hit me.
"Wait… crap."
If I really had Devil Fruit powers… that meant I couldn't swim.
"Hm?" Ai blinked at me. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I muttered.
She circled around me, eyes squinted in suspicion. "Liar. I'm really good at spotting lies."
"How?"
"Because I'm a great liar myself. Now come on! We need to go swimsuit shopping!"
---
And just like that, I was dragged into town with Ai. After a short train ride and a bit of walking, we reached her go-to department store.
"I'm surprised you know this area better than I do," I said.
She beamed. "Told you. Shopping in my world is a nightmare. Hats, masks, sunglasses—the whole getup. Still doesn't work. People always recognize me. So yeah, your world is paradise."
I glanced around. People were still staring—at her, obviously—but a few of them were glancing at me too. Probably wondering who the lucky guy was.
"You've got a point," I muttered.
She smirked. "They're looking at you, too, you know. Tall, good build, face like a shoujo manga protagonist. You're totally my type. And since my standards are elite, that means everyone else agrees. Lucky me. If you weren't here, I'd be swarmed by sweaty guys trying to talk to me."
"Yeah, but I'm not a dog. And you're not Makima."
"Makima? Who?"
"...Forget it."
We finally made it inside, and Ai made a beeline for the fashion section. I stopped at the entrance.
"Should I just wait somewhere?"
She turned around like I just insulted her whole lineage. "What are you talking about? You're coming in. How else am I supposed to know if it looks good on me?"
"That's why I shouldn't come. A gentleman doesn't intrude on a lady's sacred shopping ritual."
"People will just think I dragged my boyfriend in. Come on."
"...Damn idol," I muttered, following her in.
The staff didn't even blink. With our looks, we probably fit the couple aesthetic too well.
After what felt like two thousand years of color coordination and swimsuit debate, she finally chose a handful and disappeared into the fitting room.
"Wait here," she called out.
"Don't push your luck, Ai."
"Haha~ Just joking. I'll show you. Don't worry." She smirked, then added, "You could at least look a little more excited."
"Excited for what?"
"Ugh. You're hopeless." She yanked the curtain shut. "Jerk."
I chuckled—until I felt it. That creeping sensation. Not haki. Not Observation. Just pure bad luck creeping up behind me.
"Wh-what are you doing here?" a familiar voice said.
I turned.
Miyuki.
Eyes wide. Expression locked.
In my arms: swimsuits.
"I can explain this," I said.
Her tone was ice. "Pervert."
And she stormed into a changing stall.
Then Ai pulled the curtain open. "Tada~ What do you think? Does it suit me?"
My mouth opened. Nothing came out.
"It looks good on you," I managed.
"For real? Okay! I'll show you the next one!"
She ducked back in, humming.
I let out a breath—only to find Miyuki stepping out of her stall now, eyeing me.
"I'm waiting for someone," I said, nodding toward Ai's curtain.
Her face softened slightly. "Oh… You're with Hoshino-san? I see. Sorry for assuming."
"No harm done."
"Tada~ again!" Ai stepped out in something… much more revealing. Her face lit up when she saw Miyuki. "Ahaha… Hey, Miyuki-chan! What do you think?"
Miyuki froze. "I-It's very bold, Hoshino-san… You're showing a lot of skin."
"Too much?"
"What do you think, Sasaki?"
I felt Miyuki's glare like a blade to my throat.
"It's… good. But we are going to a public beach."
"Fair point. Alright, the other one it is!"
She vanished back inside.
Miyuki cleared her throat. "So… Okinawa, huh?"
"Yeah. Thought a beach trip would be nice."
"My family's heading there too. Maybe we could meet up?"
I tilted my head. "Wouldn't that bother them?"
She hesitated. "You're right… I'll have to ask."
I heard the faintest hint of disappointment.
"I heard that!" Ai popped out, fully dressed. "Then let's coordinate! Right, Miyuki-chan?"
"That sounds perfect!" Miyuki beamed.
Ai put her hands on her hips, triumphant. "Hoho~ I'm a genius."
We ended the day at a café. The three of us chatted over drinks, planning the trip. Eventually, Miyuki checked her watch.
"I've got to go. Sorry."
"No worries," Ai said warmly, taking her hand. "We'll keep in touch."
"Definitely."
After she left, Ai turned to me with a sly grin.
"She's cute. What do you think of her?"
I sipped my tea. "A good friend."
"Boooring."
I didn't answer. My eyes drifted to someone across the street.
"Hey, what are you looking at?" she asked.
"A guy."
She stared. "...Don't tell me you're—"
"I'm not."
"Don't be shy. You can tell me if you like men."
I groaned. "I like tall women with big tits and a great ass. Got it?"
She blinked, then burst into laughter. "That's basically me! Hahaha~ I didn't think you were the pervy type."
She loved saying random stuff like that. Honestly, sometimes I didn't know if she was joking or testing me. Either way, beach trip preparations; done.