“Eh? Is it okay for us to stay the night?”
Once Riran had calmed down, Neika, who had entered the room, made that suggestion.
“Yeah. It's already evening, so if you're going to head back, it's better to just stay the night.”
“Auu... I'm sorry, it's all my fault.”
“It's not Rira's fault at all. Even a dejected Rira is cute.”
Neika jumped onto Riran, who was slumped on the bed.
Wait, Riran is in her swimsuit right now, so various things are shaking and about to spill out. Like her chest, or her breasts, or her bust, or her boobies.
“Akito-kun, your eyes are lewd.”
“The boy is a closet pervert, after all.”
“Shut up, you two.”
I'm a boy, so it can't be helped...
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I looked away, and Ryūya tapped my shoulder.
“Akito, a moment.”
“Hmm? Sure.”
I followed Ryūya out into the hallway.
He checked that no one was around and then spoke in a lowered voice.
“Actually, Nei asked professional divers to search for it during the night. The reason she's letting us stay is to buy time until it's found.”
“Wait, for real...?”
“Yeah. But don't tell Kuonji. If you do, she'll just get depressed again, thinking it's her fault.”
True. Knowing Riran, she'd feel guilty about taking up so many people's time.
It's best to stay quiet about this.
“Understood. Thanks.”
“Tell Nei thanks later. She's actually really worried about it.”
“Yeah. I know.”
When I returned to the room with Ryūya, everyone was waiting with their things.
“Akito, we're all going to the bath now.”
“Hmm? Oh, your bodies must be cold, so take your time and warm up.”
“...Don't peek, okay?”
“As if I would!”
That kind of thing happens all the time in light novels and manga, but in reality, it's a serious crime.
If it were just Riran it might be one thing, but with three high school girls and one college girl, it's completely out. At best suspension. At worst, immediate expulsion.
I don't want to throw my life away by taking such a risk.
“Wimp.”
“Call it self-preservation.”
“Muscle-head.”
“The muscles have nothing to do with this!”
Sticking her tongue out, Neika and the others headed for the bathroom.
Well, she seems to have cheered up. That's good.
“So, Akito. Are we going?”
“Going where?”
“Come on, don't be a spoilsport.”
“I don't want to live a life where people point fingers at me for following a bad vibe. You'll get killed by Neika too, Ryūya.”
“It's fine. Nei is lenient about that sort of thing.”
Come to think of it, Neika did enjoy gal games and eroge.
She does like a bit of mischief, but...
“If you peek at the bath while Riran is there... you know what happens, right?”
“Eh, Akito? Your face is scary...”
“You understand, right?”
“Umm, well...”
“YOU. UN-DER-STAND. RIGHT?”
“I'm sorry.”
Very good.
Honestly. Ryūya should think a bit more before he speaks.
“Huh? Akito, where are you going?”
“The sea. I'm going to search a bit more.”
“I think you should stop for today. You're exhausted too.”
“But I can't just sit still. Ryūya, stay here and wait for Riran and the others to get back.”
“...Fine then.”
Ryūya shrugged as if to say 'you're hopeless' and sat on the sofa.
Leaving Ryūya behind, I climbed down from the balcony to the beach.
That said, it's already twilight. I can't search too far... but I have a feeling it might be further offshore.
“────!”
“Hmm?”
What was that? A cry from over by the rocks...?
A dog? A cat? It sounds like a cry I'm not familiar with.
A high-pitched voice repeating in a steady rhythm.
It's a bit creepy... maybe I should call an adult... No, let's check what's there first.
I climbed the rocks a bit and peeked toward the source of the sound.
“Kyuui, kyuui.”
“A-A dolphin!?”
And isn't this a bottlenose dolphin!? Why is it in a place like this...?
I don't know if it was washed away, but a bottlenose dolphin was stranded near the shallows.
It seemed unable to move and quite weakened.
At this size, maybe I can push it back into the sea by myself...?
Anyway, let's try.
“Don't worry, I'll save you now.”
“Kyuui...”
“Alright... Hmph!”
Guh, it's heavier than I imagined...!
But... it's moving bit by bit...!
Using my legs dug into the sand as an axis, I applied more force.
Then, the dolphin itself began to wriggle its body slightly, gradually heading toward the sea...
Finally, I managed to push it until its whole body was submerged in the water.
“Kyuui, kyuui.”
“Oh, I'm glad you seem to have cheered up.”
I never thought I'd be rescuing a dolphin in a place like this.
I heard bottlenose dolphins live around East Izu, but I never expected to actually meet one.
The dolphin seemed happy to have been saved and wouldn't leave my side.
It's attached to me like a dog. It's kind of cute.
“There, there. Don't come up on land again.”
“Kyuuiiii!”
With one high-pitched cry, the bottlenose dolphin swam out toward the sea.
Come to think of it, I've heard that dolphins repay the favors of those who save them...
“I hope you can find Riran's earring.”
...Just kidding.
Now then, I should go search too.
After a light warm-up, I dove into the sea to look for the earring.