Halochassis

Chapter 51 - Beach Bikinis

When the two girls had finally changed into their summer outfits, they stepped out into the warm afternoon sunlight and made their way toward the white sand beach. The soft breeze carried the salty scent of the sea, while the rhythmic crash of waves echoed across the shoreline. Fine grains of sand shifted beneath their sandals with every step, and the brilliant blue sky stretched endlessly above them, dotted with only a few wisps of cloud. The cheerful atmosphere contrasted sharply with the tension that had lingered over them earlier, making the beach feel almost like a different world.

From a distance, they spotted Shin already waiting by the shore. He had removed his shirt and was dressed only in a pair of dark summer shorts, his attention completely focused on constructing an elaborate sandcastle near the water's edge. His hands worked carefully as he packed damp sand into small towers, occasionally glancing at the incoming waves to make sure they wouldn't wash away his creation. Hearing familiar footsteps, he looked up just as Lireina enthusiastically called out his name.

"Shin!"

Lireina raised her hand high and waved with a radiant smile that seemed to brighten the already sunny afternoon. The joy on her face looked effortless, as though nothing in the world could trouble her. Watching her from the side, Croft couldn't help but marvel at how naturally Lireina could put on such a brilliant expression despite the fear and emotional strain she had quietly carried. It was a strength Croft admired, even if she knew that smile hid emotions no one else could easily see.

"Lena."

A warm smile spread across Shin's face, and a faint blush crept onto his cheeks the moment he saw his girlfriend approaching. The sight of her seemed enough to erase every distraction from his mind.

Instead of walking directly to him, Lireina suddenly slipped an arm around Croft and pulled her close until their shoulders—and unintentionally, their chests—pressed together. Wearing a playful grin, she tilted her head toward Shin.

"What do you think of our swimsuits, Shin?" she asked with a teasing wink.

Shin's eyes naturally settled on Lireina first. She wore a white bikini accented with delicate blue stripes and tiny ribbon decorations that gave it an elegant yet playful appearance. A matching white-and-blue sunhat shaded her face from the afternoon sun, while another blue ribbon tied together the tips of her long blonde hair, causing it to sway gently with the ocean breeze. Her porcelain skin seemed to glow beneath the sunlight, and the graceful curves of her figure were impossible to ignore. For a brief moment, Shin found himself captivated, silently reminding himself to keep his thoughts in check.

His gaze then shifted toward Croft.

Unlike Lireina's bright and feminine outfit, Croft's swimsuit reflected her own unique personality. She wore a camouflage-patterned one-piece beneath a light beige jacket, an unusual combination that somehow suited her perfectly. The practical design contrasted with the colorful swimsuits worn by the other beachgoers, making her stand out in a subtle but memorable way. Rather than emphasizing glamour, it complemented her petite frame and quiet demeanor, giving her a simple yet endearing appearance.

"That's a unique swimsuit, Croft," Shin remarked with genuine curiosity. "I don't think I've ever seen someone wear camouflage at the beach before."

Realizing how his words might sound, he quickly rubbed the back of his neck and smiled awkwardly.

"Don't get me wrong," he added. "It actually looks really cute."

"See?" Lireina chimed in with another mischievous wink. "I told her you'd think so."

"T-Thank you," Croft replied softly, feeling warmth creep into her cheeks. She folded her arms across herself out of habit and looked away for a moment. "Though... I'd appreciate it if you didn't stare at me for too long."

"I-I'm sorry," Shin apologized immediately.

Embarrassed, he redirected his attention to Lireina instead.

"And you, Grandma Lena..." he teased with an innocent grin. "You look as sexy and ravishing as ever."

Lireina's smile instantly became dangerously sweet. She slowly clenched both fists, the veins on her forehead almost visible as she stared directly at him.

"I'll ravish you," she said in a calm but threatening tone, "if you call me 'Grandma' one more time."

Shin's confident expression vanished in an instant.

"J-Just kidding!" he blurted, raising both hands in surrender. "Seriously, though—you look amazing. That swimsuit really suits you. It highlights your figure, and... your skin looks beautiful under the sunlight."

The tension disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

"Great!" Lireina exclaimed happily, clapping her hands together. "Now let's stop talking and enjoy the sea!"

Without waiting for another response, she released Croft and dashed toward the sparkling ocean like an excited child seeing the beach for the first time. Her laughter rang through the salty air as she splashed into the shallow water, sending tiny sprays of seawater into the sunlight where they glittered like scattered crystals.

Shin and Croft remained behind for a brief moment.

Shin glanced quietly at Croft, unsure of what to say. The silence between them felt heavier than the humid summer air. They had never been especially close, and every time he looked at her, guilt weighed heavily on his conscience. Unknown to everyone else, he carried the burden of being responsible for her father's death. The secret lodged itself deep in his chest like an immovable stone, making even the simplest conversation feel impossible.

Unable to bear the awkwardness, Shin forced himself to look away.

His eyes found Lireina laughing in the waves, carefree and full of life.

"Heeey! Wait for me!" he shouted before breaking into a run across the sand, his footprints quickly disappearing behind him as he chased after her.

Croft watched the pair with a tired sigh before shaking her head.

"Jeez... these lovebirds," she muttered, pressing a hand against her forehead in exasperation despite the faint smile tugging at her lips.

Taking her time, she walked toward the shoreline after them. The golden sand felt pleasantly warm beneath her bare feet until the cool seawater finally reached her ankles. Gentle waves rolled in one after another, washing over her feet before retreating back into the endless blue horizon, carrying with them the soothing scent of salt and the peaceful rhythm of the sea.

Although dwarves were not known for their love of the sea, Croft had never quite fit the mold expected of her race. Being only half-dwarf, she had always felt like she stood somewhere between two worlds. Her mother, a kind-hearted human woman, had passed away five years ago after a long battle with illness, leaving Croft with memories that were as bittersweet as they were precious. Perhaps it was because of that human heritage, or perhaps it was simply because she had always preferred solitude over tradition, but the ocean had become one of the few places where she truly felt at peace. While other dwarves often avoided the shoreline, Croft found comfort in the endless rhythm of the tides and the vast horizon stretching beyond sight.

She slowly stepped farther into the gentle surf, allowing the cool seawater to wash over her feet and ankles before settling around her calves. The refreshing chill contrasted pleasantly with the warmth of the afternoon sun. The salty breeze brushed against her cheeks, carrying the cries of distant seagulls and the soothing roar of waves rolling onto the shore. Lowering herself into the shallow water, she sat quietly and hugged her knees, watching Shin and Lireina laugh together like carefree children. They chased one another through the surf, splashing water with exaggerated enthusiasm, shrieking and laughing each time one landed a successful hit.

Croft couldn't help shaking her head.

"Honestly... they're acting like complete idiots."

Yet despite her criticism, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Their happiness was strangely contagious, even from a distance.

Without any warning whatsoever, Lireina suddenly turned toward her.

With an impish grin spreading across her face, the elf scooped up a handful of seawater and sent it flying directly at Croft.

"Ah!"

Croft flinched as the cool splash struck her face, droplets running down her cheeks and soaking strands of her hair. She blinked repeatedly, wiping the saltwater from her eyes while Lireina burst into carefree laughter.

"Come here, Croft!" Lireina called, waving enthusiastically from farther out in the water. "It's shallow enough over here!"

Croft let out an exaggerated groan, pretending to be annoyed.

"You really have the maturity of a child..."

Still, she slowly rose to her feet and trudged toward the pair. The seabed remained comfortably shallow, with the water rising only to her waist. Gentle waves lapped against her swimsuit while the soft sand shifted beneath her feet with every careful step. It wasn't nearly deep enough to make her uncomfortable, so she reluctantly joined them.

As she approached, she caught the middle of Shin and Lireina's conversation.

"So, Lena," Shin began, brushing wet hair away from his forehead, "you came from the island of the elves, right?"

"Yep." Lireina nodded proudly. "Yggdra."

She turned dramatically toward the endless ocean and pointed toward the eastern horizon where sea and sky merged into a single line of blue.

"It's over there!"

Croft sighed almost immediately.

"That's the Eastern Ocean," she corrected with a strained smile. "There isn't an island in that direction."

"Oh..."

Lireina stared thoughtfully for a second before confidently pointing somewhere else.

"Then maybe it's over there!"

This time, she pointed north.

Croft pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Yggdra is south, Lena."

For a brief moment, silence hung in the air.

Then Lireina threw her head back and laughed.

"Ahaha! You caught me!"

She scratched the back of her head with a sheepish grin.

"Honestly... I have no idea where it is anymore. Welp, it's been ten years, after all."

Shin blinked in surprise.

"It's been ten years since you last visited Yggdra Island?"

"Yeah." Lireina tilted her head innocently. "Why?"

She answered so casually that it almost sounded insignificant.

"I only make sure to visit once every fifty years."

The words escaped her lips before she paused, realizing what she had just admitted.

"Oh my..." she muttered with an embarrassed laugh. "I'm talking about my age again, aren't I?"

Shin and Croft exchanged awkward glances before forcing polite smiles.

Neither of them knew how to respond to someone who treated half a century as casually as another person would talk about a weekend trip.

As the conversation drifted into silence, another thought quietly surfaced in Croft's mind.

She had been searching for answers regarding the mysterious scholar who had accompanied Zerova on the day Croft had last tracked her. Every trail she had followed eventually disappeared into the slums, and no witness could provide a clear description beyond the man's profession. Shin had spent considerable time moving around the city as a scholar, and perhaps—just perhaps—he knew something that could point her toward the Iron Bandits' headquarters.

She decided it was worth asking.

"By the way, Shin..."

Her tone became noticeably more serious.

"Would you mind if I asked you something? It's related to my work."

Lireina immediately puffed out her cheeks in protest.

"Jeez, Croft! Work again?"

"It's only one question, Lena," Croft replied patiently.

Lireina folded her arms but eventually sighed.

"Fine..."

Shin nodded.

"Go ahead."

Croft met his eyes.

"Have you ever known a scholar who frequently visited the slums?"

The moment the question left her mouth, Shin froze.

His heartbeat pounded loudly in his ears.

Tiny beads of sweat formed along his temples despite the cool seawater surrounding him.

His mind immediately raced toward every secret mission he had carried out while disguised as an ordinary scholar. He had ventured into the slums countless times under that identity, carefully hiding every trace that could connect him to the Iron Bandits. He had always believed he had covered his tracks well.

Calm down...

He silently steadied his breathing.

She only asked about a scholar who frequented the slums. She doesn't have evidence. If she did, she wouldn't be asking like this.

He forced himself to maintain a relaxed expression.

Even if someone claimed they saw me... I can explain it away. I already have an alibi.

After taking a quiet breath, Shin answered with practiced confidence.

"Of course I know one."

He gave a small shrug.

"It's me."

Croft blinked.

"I usually buy liquor from the black market," Shin explained. "They're much cheaper there, so I pick up bottles as gifts every now and then."

"Oh..." Croft slowly nodded. "I see."

The explanation sounded perfectly reasonable.

She knew Shin was telling the truth—at least part of it. The black market did sell imported liquor at prices far below those of legitimate merchants, and plenty of respectable citizens secretly bought expensive gifts there despite the obvious risks.

Still...

Something lingered at the back of her mind.

She couldn't identify exactly what it was, but his answer felt almost too prepared, as though he had rehearsed it long before anyone ever asked the question.

Croft said nothing.

Instead, she quietly watched Shin's face as another gentle wave rolled past them, the cool seawater masking the growing tension beneath the cheerful sounds of the beach.