章節 102: Adventures in a Vibrant Island (1)

Yasushi waited in his boardshorts and tank top, sandals grounding him in the warm sand. Sunglasses shielded his eyes from the glaring sun, watching the waves roll in and early morning beachgoers meander. Tourists drifted by, caught up in their own rhythms, a hum of different languages and laughter.

In the distance, a murmur spread through a small crowd. Mouths hung open, eyes wide, their collective gaze locking onto something behind him. Yasushi turned, curiosity pulling him around.

Jingliu and Yinhaie emerged from the changing room. Jingliu's bikini, blue and white, reflected the simplicity of the clear sky and gentle waves. Yinhaie wore a three-piece white bikini with a sheer cover around her waist, a straw hat perched on her head, a small basket dangling from her arm. Their smiles were bright, but Yinhaie's eyes lingered on his chest, a hint of surprise flickering.

"Is something wrong?" Yasushi's voice cut through the gentle crash of the waves.

Yinhaie's cheeks flushed. "N-no, it's nothing," she stammered, a nervous chuckle escaping. "It's just… I don't remember you being this fit."

Yasushi cocked an eyebrow and stared at Yinhaie, letting the silence hang between them for a moment before shrugging. "Is that so? Well, I've always been like this," he said, the corners of his mouth quirking up slightly. He turned to Jingliu, his eyes softening. "You look amazing," he added, his voice warmer, and he leaned in to plant a quick kiss on her lips.

Jingliu's cheeks turned a shade pinker, but her smile widened. "Thank you," she murmured, her fingers intertwining with his, the gesture gentle but firm.

Yasushi glanced around, taking in the beach scene, the ebb and flow of the crowd. "What should we do? We can stay here for a few hours, maybe until lunch, then head to Diamond Head State Monument, or we could have lunch up there instead," he suggested, his mind already mapping out the day's possibilities.

The crowds around them began to thin, the initial buzz dying down now that Jingliu and Yinhaie were clearly with him. A few people shot envious looks his way, but Yasushi paid them no mind.

Jingliu followed his gaze out to the ocean, the waves rolling in with a rhythmic persistence. "How about surfing? Yinhaie did mention wanting to learn, although I'm a bit nervous about the sharks," she said, her eyes scanning the horizon, a mix of excitement and apprehension in her voice.

"It should be fine," Yasushi said, shading his eyes with his hand as he scanned the horizon. "The locals should be aware of shark activity, since they've been living here all their lives. I trust them on that. It's still a risk, but I'm up for whatever." He turned back to Jingliu and Yinhaie, shrugging off the thought of danger.

After a bit more discussion, they agreed to give it a shot and started making their way to a nearby surf school. Yinhaie pulled out her phone, her fingers deftly navigating through different options as they walked.

"It's pretty pricey," she said, frowning at the screen. "A private lesson for the three of us runs between 240 to 280 dollars for an hour. How do you both feel about that?"

Though money wasn't a real concern for any of them, Yasushi couldn't help but cough into his fist at the amount. "Th-that much? I didn't realize surfing was so expensive. Jesus..." He glanced at Jingliu, raising an eyebrow.

Jingliu chuckled softly, squeezing his hand. "It's a tourist area, after all. Everything's overpriced here. But it could be a fun experience, something different," she said, her eyes twinkling with the promise of adventure.

Yinhaie nodded, still looking at her phone. "I think it's worth it. When else will we get a chance like this?" She looked up, meeting their eyes. "So, are we in?"

Yasushi took a deep breath, the sea breeze filling his lungs. "Yeah, let's do it. It's not every day we get to surf in Hawaii," he said, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation.

The trio continued on, the anticipation building with each step. The scent of saltwater grew stronger, mingling with the distant laughter of children and the rhythmic sound of waves crashing on the shore.

+-+

Yasushi sat on his surfboard, bobbing gently in the water, eyes following Yinhaie and Jingliu as they rode the small waves with ease. The sun cast a golden hue over Waikiki Beach, and the lesson had ended, leaving them to enjoy their newfound skills. Yasushi had taken longer to grasp the basics, managing to stand up on his board after at least eight tries, while Jingliu and Yinhaie had picked it up after just two or three attempts.

As the last wave disappeared, both women swam towards him, their faces lit up with wide smiles.

"I don't regret that price tag," Jingliu said, her excitement palpable as she floated beside Yasushi, her laughter mingling with the sound of the surf.

"Yes. They were very professional and great at teaching," Yinhaie added, her voice thoughtful. "I suppose surfing depends on various factors — body type, physical health, and more. I was surprised you had some trouble at the start," she giggled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Yasushi chuckled, shaking his head. "I never claimed to be perfect at everything. I didn't pick up on everything right away, you know? Swimming was a struggle when I was younger too," he said, a smile playing at his lips.

Jingliu reached out, touching his arm lightly. "Well, you did great today. And it's not about how quickly you learn, but the fact that you kept at it."

Yinhaie nodded in agreement, her expression warm. "Exactly. And now we can all say we've surfed in Hawaii. That's something."

Yasushi looked out over the water, the waves glittering under the afternoon sun. He felt a sense of satisfaction, not just from learning to surf, but from sharing the experience with these two women. It wasn't about perfection; it was about persistence and the joy of the moment.

"Let's surf a bit more before lunch," Yasushi said, glancing at the sun climbing higher in the sky. "It's going to get crowded soon with the shops and restaurants filling up." Jingliu and Yinhaie nodded in agreement.

They paddled back out together, the winter of Japan feeling worlds away. Here, it felt like summer, though they had heard this was a more "winter-like" season for Hawaii, which had confused them. The warmth on their skin and the salt in the air made everything feel timeless and disorienting.

They waited, bobbing in the gentle rhythm of the sea. When a swell began to rise, they paddled with determination. Yasushi found his balance, riding the wave as it lifted him. He caught glimpses of fish darting beneath the surface and other surfers moving with practiced ease.

The wave carried him, the rush of water beneath his board, until it finally crashed and dissipated. Yasushi glided to a stop, sitting on his board, looking back for Jingliu and Yinhaie. The two women emerged from the water, their faces bright with exhilaration, their laughter carried by the wind.

"Are the indoor beaches in Ginsukimura like this? How's the surfing there?" Jingliu asked, her voice tinged with excitement.

Yasushi smiled, the sun casting a warm glow on his face. "There are places dedicated to surfing if you want the experience. They have designated areas for surfers and calmer waters for regular beachgoers. So, there's something for everyone. And if you're wondering about ones near us, yes, there are two. We can check them out on a free weekend sometime."

"Yes, please," Jingliu responded, paddling closer and planting a kiss on his cheek.

When they looked over at Yinhaie, they saw two guys chatting her up. Yinhaie was naturally friendly, engaging with everyone, but it was clear she felt uncomfortable in this situation.

Yasushi and Jingliu exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. Yasushi paddled over to Yinhaie, gently taking her hand. "Let's go," he said, his tone firm but kind, surprising the two guys.

Before they could protest, Yinhaie went along, apologizing to the men who grumbled and glared at Yasushi. They paddled away together, the tension dissolving into the rhythmic rise and fall of the waves.

Jingliu caught up with them, her presence a comforting anchor. "Everything okay?" she asked Yinhaie.

Yinhaie nodded, her expression softening. "Yes, thank you. I didn't know how to get away."

"You could have just rejected them," Jingliu pointed out, her voice calm but with an edge of curiosity.

Yinhaie shook her head, strands of wet hair sticking to her face. "We're in a new country. Rejecting them outright might put us on the locals' bad side. We still have a week here, and causing trouble now would be unwise. I'll come up with excuses from now on. Sorry for troubling you two," she said, bowing slightly.

"It's really fine. You do so much for us. This is nothing. If you need help, just ask, okay?" Yasushi reassured her, his hand reaching out to give hers a gentle squeeze before releasing it.

Yinhaie gave him a troubled smile but nodded. "Okay, thank you, Yasushi. And thank you, Lady Jingliu."

They stayed in the water a bit longer, the gentle waves lapping around them. Eventually, they made their way to a quieter part of the shore. Yinhaie had packed a lunch in the basket she had brought earlier. They spread out a cloth and settled down, the scent of fresh food mixing with the salty sea breeze.