章 56: Chapter 56 – Taking you for a ride
After letting Ibuki continue to enjoy flying with the water jet pack for a while, Yukio decides to land after about twenty minutes. He finds the jet pack experience somewhat limited and dizzying, as it only allows for flight within a certain range and doesn't offer much variety in movement. Besides, having played with it several times before, it isn't as novel for him anymore, and he also wants to give other C class students a chance to try it out.
Upon landing, to his surprise, Shiina approaches him first. "Shiina, do you want to play?" he asks, knowing that she is not the type to enjoy thrilling rides like roller coasters or drop towers, hence his curiosity about her interest.
Shiina glances at Yukio and then at the water jet pack, her expression a mix of interest and hesitation. True to Yukio's assumption, she is not fond of thrill-seeking rides. But she seems to want to join Yukio, leading to her dilemma. She tries to articulate her thoughts but struggles to express herself.
"Do you want to try something else?" Yukio inferred from her gaze that she wasn't keen on the jetpack. Handing over the equipment to a waiting classmate, he escorted Shiina to a quieter area.
Looking at the beach, Yukio remarked, "Our special exam budget was tight, so we could only afford three entertainment options. Besides the jetpack, what would you like to try, Shiina?"
The third option, aside from the jetpack and jet ski, was a large, transparent inflatable ball that could be entered and used for collisions or simply floating on the sea, securely tethered to prevent drifting.
Shiina's face brightens at the mention of other options, and she immediately points to the jet ski. Actually, she's not particularly eager to play any of the activities. Unlike Ibuki, who is energetic, Shiina prefers tranquility. In her view, instead of engaging in water sports, it's more relaxing and enjoyable to lie under a parasol, sipping a drink, and reading a book.
However, everything changes when Yukio is involved. With his company, even activities she usually doesn't care for seem exciting. Without him, even her favorite pastime, reading, loses some of its appeal.
That's why Shiina came over. Since the sea balloon is not something they can enjoy together, she opts for the jet ski: "I'd like to try that one, but I don't know how to operate it…"
"Alright, I'll take you for a ride." Yukio said as he led Shiina to the jet skis. Shiina, bubbling with excitement, followed closely behind, her steps light and joyful.
Reaching the beach, they found Ishizaki just returning on a jet ski, exhilarated: "That was awesome! Full throttle is the way to go! Hahaha!" His laughter filled the air.
Upon seeing Yukio, Ishizaki eagerly handed over the jet ski: "Yukio-san, your turn!" His eagerness to please was evident.
The rest of Class C had no objections. Yukio, their respected leader and top student who had helped many through their finals, was well-regarded.
Shiina was a bit shy, but Yukio reassured her, "I'll just take Shiina for a quick spin. We won't be long."
Ishizaki protested playfully, "Yukio-san, feel free to ride as long as you like, even until it runs out of fuel! Without you, we'd be struggling to survive on that deserted island right now, not having fun like this."
The others in Class C echoed his sentiment, knowing well what Yukio had done for them.
Yukio, not wanting to prolong the pleasantries, got into the driver's seat and checked the fuel gauge. Satisfied, he beckoned Shiina, "Shiina, come on."
Eagerly, Shiina ran across the sand and through the shallow water to the jet ski. She quickly climbed on behind Yukio and put on a life jacket designated for the passenger.
"Hold on tight, so you don't fall off," Yukio instructed, pointing to his waist. Shiina nodded, her cheeks flushing as she nervously grasped the corners of her life jacket.
Seeing her hesitation, Yukio removed his life jacket and stored it in the jet ski's compartment: "You'd better hold on to me directly. Holding the jacket like that, you really might fall off, and swallowing seawater isn't pleasant."
But his words went unanswered as Shiina was captivated by his physique. Yukio, lean and well-proportioned under his clothes, had a back that was both strong and well-defined without being overly muscular, causing Shiina's cheeks to redden even more.
"Shiina?" It was only after Yukio called her name again that Shiina snapped out of her daze. She quickly turned her head away, too embarrassed to keep staring at Yukio's back. Unconsciously, she wrapped her arms around him, ready for their ride.
Just as Yukio started the jetski, Shiina realized that holding on tightly was not a joke. The undulating waves of the sea were unlike any road condition, making the ride unpredictable and exciting. She clung closer to Yukio, even resting her cheek against his back, which immediately made her face flush with warmth.
In Yukio's minimal swimming attire, the direct contact with Shiina was even more pronounced. Shiina could feel the heat from his body and the clean, sun-like scent that seemed to emanate from him. She could even hear the strong, steady beating of his heart, each thump resonating deeply within her, sending her cheeks into a blaze of warmth as if steam was gently rising from her forehead.
Yukio, on the other hand, was unfazed. He was surprised by Shiina's closeness but drove the jetski gently to accommodate her, maintaining a perfect cruising speed. The jetski cut through the waves, spraying a fine mist around them. The droplets of water, illuminated by the sun, created a spectrum of colors, mostly landing on Yukio but also lightly sprinkling Shiina.
The cool splash was a welcome relief for Shiina, whose face was feeling the heat. The excitement of speeding through the waves, the openness of the sea, even the usually quiet Shiina couldn't help but be affected. She gathered her courage and exclaimed, "Yukio, this is so much fun!"
On the open sea, without the worry of traffic, Yukio turned around with a laugh, ready to respond, but was momentarily taken aback. The sight of Shiina laughing carefreely, her eyes brimming with joy like the sea in summer, clear and serene, was something exceptionally rare and captivating.
***
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