13 - Precisely because it's fun, that I’m playing seriously (Patreon)

RAW

After being stunned for a while by the frightening attack power of real life Hiuri, I go into the sea.
Partly because the sunlight is quite strong, the coolness of the sea is pleasant. I’m glad I had applied sunscreen to my face because the sunlight is being reflected by the surface of the sea.

As expected, there are no events where boys and girls apply sunscreen to each other, or else we would have to set an age restriction.

“What's wrong, Kazuki? you're spacing out.”
“Ah, no. It's nothing.”

The boys and the girls basically play separately. There are some groups among them where both genders are mingling and playing together, but as expected there are many who refrain from wearing swimsuits because it’s embarrassing.
Actually, I want to play with Hiuri too but... I don't have the courage to talk to her unless she starts talking to me.

“It looks like we’re going to get sunburnt when we go home.”
“I properly put on sunscreen. You didn’t put it on, Tadashi?”
“I did, but we get sunburnt when we get sunburnt.”

Is that how it is? I don't go outside much in summer so I don't know.
My range of activities for the summer after this will probably be inside my house, so even if I get sunburnt, it won't affect me that much. Maybe it's going to be reflected in my body in the dream.

If I see a tanned Hiuri in the dream where no one is watching, I feel like I can't resist having an affair. I might need a lot of mental strength.

“Oh, looks like it's about time... you guys, it's time.”

While we were playing, Tadashi called out to everyone around us. Apparently it’s about time for the first event.

We get out of the water and gather on the sand.
What Tadashi brings out is a large beach ball. Moreover, there are many identical ones lying around Tadashi. If I remember correctly, these are the things we bought when I went shopping with Hiuri.

“Now I'm going to ask you to run away with this beach ball. There are ten balls here, so ten people will run. And then the chasing party will be 20 people, they will catch these 10 people. The time limit is 10 minutes.”

Apparently it’s a simple game of tag.
The prizes are ice creams that were put in a cooler box, and if the running party manages to run away, each member of the running party will receive two. And if the chasing party catches them, each member of the running party will receive one.

The running party can get a great return if they can escape, but running away for ten minutes while holding a ball of this size seems tough. Apparently they can run away anywhere, whether it's the beach or the sea, but I think they're at a disadvantage.
Since they can use the beach ball like a kickboard, they would be faster if they could swim, but it seems like it would be difficult to overcome the difference in numbers.

“Then, first, the running party, anyone who wants it, come up!”

That was what I thought, but surprisingly many people are running for the running party. Not just boys, but it seems several girls will also participate in the running party.
Hiuri is among them. That makes me feel motivated...

“Oh, it seems like just the candidates have already filled in the numbers. Then, the running party should start running, and then—!”

Ten people holding beach balls scatter in different directions.
We're going to chase after them... but if we don't plan our strategy properly, there's a chance that they’ll manage to run away.

“Ready... Start!”

We start running. It seems Tadashi is also participating as a chasing party.

I'm not proud of it, but I don't have that much stamina. I probably won’t win If I compete with a boy on running on the sand. Even if my opponent had the handicap of carrying a beach ball, I feel like I wouldn't be able to catch them.

In other words, my target is people swimming in the sea.
To be honest, I feel somewhat uncomfortable chasing girls, so I aim for boys that look like I could catch them, and start swimming.

“Geh! Why are so many people coming here?”

It seems like the person I’m aiming for is also the same person other people are aiming for. It's not a first come, first served system, so having multiple people chasing after the same person can, oddly enough, be called a bad situation for the running party.

The boy I was aiming for was caught in less than a minute.
Even the boy who has been caught becomes more enthusiastic about cheering for the other running party, perhaps because they can get ice cream if they manage to escape.

However, such cheering is sadly not enough, as more and more people are getting caught.

“The only ones left are Sakura-san and Motoyasu!”

Tadashi shouts and chases after the remaining two.
According to the timer, there is one minute left. It'll be a close call, but I wonder if we can catch them.

I'm aiming for Kanda Motoyasu, a boy from the same class. Hiuri is being chased by the girls as if surrounding her.
Although Kanda-kun is on the soccer team, he is also a fast swimmer. He seems to be accelerating by skillfully using the beach ball.

“Hiuri-chan caught—!”

I heard a voice from a short distance away. It looks like Hiuri has been caught.
I have some feelings of wanting Hiuri to run away, but at the same time, I also know that I shouldn’t say something like that in a competitive situation, so I seriously chase after Kanda-kun.

“Just a bit... more...”

Just as I am about to reach him, a wave comes and pushes me away.
Catching him is hopeless...

“Motoyasu, caught—!”
“Nuaaa!”

Somehow, before we know it, Tadashi has circled around and cut in from the direction Kanda-kun was heading.
Kanda-kun was caught and the game was set. It was a close game with only 10 seconds remaining, the match ended with a win for the chasing party.

...

Apparently, the ice cream will be handed out at lunch.
All the participants were exhausted as they ran and swam quite seriously. Similarly, I am one of those people, and we take a break until lunch.

“Man, we won thanks to Kazuki cornering Motoyasu. Thank you.”
“Haha... he’d have escaped if it wasn't for Tadashi. Thank you to you too."

Tadashi and I are under the parasol, praising each other on our effort.

“What kind of ice cream is it?”
“Nn? It's the stick kind sold in family packs for cheap. But, well, it's perfect for this heat.”

Even though I'm resting in the shade, the air is so hot that I can't help but sweat.
Some people are resting by sitting in the shallow part of the sea. Then another person approaches them and they start splashing water on each other... those guys will be exhausted later on.

“Is there an event after noon?”
“Hell yeah! This is the one you can't miss at least.”

So saying, Tadashi points to the watermelon in the cooler box. Well, I knew it would be watermelon splitting.

After resting for a while longer, it’s time to eat.
We all eat lunch at the same time, but each person prepares their own food. As expected, I couldn't ask my parents to make a bento for me when I would be going out to play, so I bought a bento from a convenience store on the way here. I properly put an ice pack in it, so it should be fine.

It's a simple fried chicken bento, but it's good enough.
Tadashi has gone to another group of boys, so I am eating my lunch alone, and then a shadow approaches...

“Kazuki, you sure swim fast!”

It's Kanda-kun.
Did you think it was Hiuri? Unfortunately, Hiuri is eating with a group of girls a little further away.

Kanda-kun, on the other hand, seems to be walking around with an onigiri in his hand.

“Not really. My body hurts from working too hard.”
“Still. Maybe it's because you talk to Tadashi all the time, your combination was perfect!”

I'm sorry that you’re moved by that, but it was just a coincidence that Tadashi was there.

“Aren't you going to eat with the others?” (Kanda)
“No, I'm not good at talking to people...”
“Is that so? You're actually talking to me though... ah, crap, if you’ll excuse me.”

For some reason, Kanda-kun suddenly returned to the group of boys.
He seemed to be concerned about what was behind me... but when I turned around, Hiuri was there.

“Nakano-kun, next to you, excuse me.”
“Eh? Ah, yeah.”

This no-nonsense attitude is very Hiuri-like.

“...You’re reluctant with Kanda-kun, even though you’re okay with me.”
“Eh, Aah... well, you know.”

I’m used to having Hiuri next to me from the dream. Besides, what I am not good at is talking to unrelated people, and I have no problem talking with Hiuri, whom I am sure I am talking to more than Tadashi at this stage.

“Sakura-san, what about your food?”
“I already ate it.”

Hiuri is a small eater in real life. It seems to be the result of being careful about maintaining her body and health.
It seems eating whatever she wants and as much as she wants in the dream is a way to release stress that she can't do in real life.

“...Um, why did you come to me?”
“Ara, is that no good?”
“I don’t really mind...”

Isn’t she kind of close? Is it unconscious?

“Ice cream, you want it?”
“Nakano-kun won that one, right? It wouldn't be fair if I got it.”

Since I am still eating my lunch, I can’t continue the conversation.
Despite that, Hiuri shows no signs of going anywhere. The girls watching from a distance also move toward the sea after a while.

“...You can take it slow, you know. I'm sorry if I made you rush.”
“No, it’s not like that. I was just a little surprised.”

Silence flows between me and Hiuri. I don't really dislike this silence.

Dream Hiuri is whiny and spoiled, but she doesn't mistake her sense of distance. Real life Hiuri is also the same, she doesn't try to get too close to me, and waits for me to finish eating my bento.

And then, when I finish eating my bento, Hiuri stands up.

“This is a good chance after all, let’s just play like this.”
“Eh!?”

As soon as I put away my bento, Hiuri takes me into the sea.

――――

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