The capable angel raised a pair of tiny swim trunks above his head, as thrilled as a baboon.
"Yeah! We're going to the beach, Apurupai!"
Croissant was lounging on the dressing room bench, sipping juice.
"Aneng, why do you always appear first in every extra chapter?"
"No idea. Maybe it's because I never show up in the main story."
"If that's the reason, I haven't shown up either."
"Me neither. +1."
"I've been absent too. +10086."
The locker room was packed with angry little faces, staring at Aneng. Arms crossed, the capable angel looked smug.
"Hmph, maybe that's what they call charisma."
"No, no. Haven't you heard that real heroes show up last? Think about it. You're always first, but you're just comic relief."
The angel's expression froze.
"I am. Dragon. Tao."
Texas, now in a black bikini, sat down on the bench with a toothpick in her mouth.
"It's peak season in logistics. Why are we being dragged out to Siesta City?"
"Because the boss said he's performing at the Fire Blue Heart Music Festival. If we don't show up to support him, our bonuses get docked."
"That's absurd."
Sorachan handed out glow sticks she'd prepped in advance.
"Come on, Texas. Stop thinking about work. We haven't had a proper vacation in forever. Let's just relax."
Croissant hoisted a surfboard over her head.
"Exactly! Paid leave, baby. Just have fun. Is everyone changed? GOGOGO!"
And just like that, everyone in swimsuits stormed out of the locker room, sprinting toward the sea.
Only the capable angel was left behind, squatting in the corner, his halo dim.
"I'm a bit player. I'm a bit player. I'm a bit player..."
"Pfft!"
Amiya plunged a giant flag into the sand and waved her hand proudly.
"I declare this beach under Rhode Island control! Anyone spotting the Reunion Movement—bury them alive."
—Thundering applause.
Yoren stood on the beach, dazed. ACE, Turtle, and Ifrit stood beside him.
"Why am I suddenly at the beach?"
A familiar voice chimed in behind him.
"Because this is a side story. Anything that would never happen can happen here."
Yoren turned and lit up the moment he saw the figure.
"Zhang Yuan!"
"Haha! It's me. You're still alive, huh?"
Zhang Yuan was wearing swim trunks and a little duck floatie. Yoren started to hug him, then gave up—the duck's beak was in the way.
Seeing Zhang Yuan perked Yoren right up.
"Why are you here?"
"Well, the Fire Blue Heart event launched. I spent 648 trying to get Black Nova, but didn't get her. Couldn't take it, so I came in person."
"Wait, what's Fire Blue Heart?"
"Not who, what. It's a new event. Right, you time-traveled before this dropped, so makes sense you missed it."
Everyone had changed into their swimsuits and arrived at the beach.
Hemer walked gingerly in slippers, holding Saria's hand. Saria sighed.
"Hemer, you don't have to walk so carefully. The sand doesn't bite."
"But what if I step on a crab? Its mom would be heartbroken."
A voice called out.
Ifrit jumped and waved in the distance.
"Hemer! Saria! I'm here!"
"Baby!"
Hemer's slippers flew off as he dashed over. He hugged Ifrit tight, rubbing their cheeks together.
"Zai'er, are you okay? Did that Yoren kid feed you well?"
"He did! It was fun—thrilling and exciting."
Hemer wiped his tears.
"Good, good. While I'm not around, you've got to take care of yourself."
"I will, Hemer. When can we meet again?"
"I'm not sure yet. Maybe after you've settled in Victoria."
Gumi, munching on a crushed ice snack, looked puzzled.
"Wait—what are you two even talking about? Aren't we already meeting now?"
Hemer turned, still hugging Ifrit, and looked at her like she was clueless.
"Seeing each other here doesn't mean we've really met. This is just a side story. Didn't you study?"
"???"
Saria stepped behind Hemer.
"Stop crying. Everyone's watching."
"Oops, sorry. I got too emotional seeing Ifrit. Need to calm down."
Saria lifted Hemer's chin.
"Best way to calm down? Tongue kiss."
She dragged Hemer toward the quiet reefs.
Gumi, still holding her snack, turned to Ifrit.
"What are your parents doing over there?"
"No clue. Maybe playing snake. What's that you're eating?"
"Wangwang crushed ice. Six flavors."
"Where'd you get it?"
Just then, a business card appeared before Ifrit. A young man in a suit stood before him.
"Hello miss, I'm Xiang Rilou, general manager of Wangzai Corp's Terra branch. Feel free to ask about our crushed ice."
From afar, Yoren sprinted over.
"You again?! You're always showing up!"
Xiang Rilou grinned professionally.
"Thanks to your promotions, my sales skyrocketed. Now I'm a general manager. To thank you, all your snacks on this trip are free. Shared prosperity, right?"
"Shameless product placement..."
Zhang Yuan looked between Yoren and Xiang.
"You two know each other?"
"Yeah, he pops in every other chapter."
"Funny enough, he helped me time travel this round. Said he had experience. Now my face hurts."
"You'll get used to it."
Yin Hui and Jiao Feng strolled over in tropical shorts.
"Hey allies, we made it!"
Seeing everyone had arrived, Amiya clapped her hands.
"Alright everyone, quiet down. Let's go over today's schedule."
"What schedule? Just play."
"Exactly."
Amiya's ears twitched in annoyance.
"No! Even fun needs structure. That's what good leadership means."
"Alright, alright. Get to it."
"From now till evening, everyone's free to sunbathe, swim, build sandcastles, whatever. Then some of us will go hunt for ingredients for the BBQ party."
Migru looked up from her sandcastle.
"Why scavenge? Can't we have Keluciel order them?"
"We could, but isn't it cooler to catch your own food by the beach? It'll taste better."
"True."
Amiya nodded.
"Alright, who can cook?"
Ifrit and Gumi raised their hands.
"I'm a BBQ expert."
"I'm a certified chef."
Kakufeng scratched his chin.
"I can help if needed."
Mousse chimed in.
"I made a cake already."
"Great! Ifrit, you're on the grill. Gumi, handle the salad. Kakufeng, hot dishes. Mousse, you've got dessert."
"Mao Mentai!"
"Now, who's leading the ingredient hunt? Fair warning—it won't be easy. The local produce is... aggressive."
Yoren raised his hand.
"I'll lead. I'm supposed to be the one changing history, right?"
"Alright. Pick your team. Be back before sundown."
There was still time before the hunt. The group scattered to enjoy the sea.
Franka and Razer relaxed under an umbrella, sipping juice.
"Franka, it's been ages since we chilled like this. We should do it more."
"Obviously."
Lappland walked around with two juices.
"Anyone seen a tall girl with a dark scowl?"
"Texas?"
"Yeah."
"She and Penguin Logistics went to Fire Blue Heart's live performance."
"Thanks."
Zhang Yuan plopped onto the sand and spilled his bag. Snacks rained down.
"I brought goodies from our world—meat waffles, spicy strips, Lay's, pickled mustard, lemon tea, and a jar of Laoganma."
Yoren picked up the Laoganma.
"What's this for?"
"Lu Xun once said: happiness requires an old godmother."
Thud!
A volleyball smacked Zhang Yuan in the face. Snowsant waved.
"Big Windmill! Beach volleyball! Let's go!"
"You guys play. I'll rest for now—got a food quest later."
"It's not fun without more players."
Before Snowsant could finish, a group in strange clothes approached. A blond boy at the front smirked.
"Then let us be your opponents."
There were seven of them. People gathered around, curious.
"Who are you?"
"Travelers from another world. We challenge Rhode Island—not in battle, but in beach volleyball."
The blond boy waved his hand.
"I'm Nan Lai. That's Jelly, Watermelon, Strawberry, Seraph, Kurama G3N9, and Purple Sun."
"Wait—why does one of you have a serial number?"
"The devil knows."
Everyone agreed, and the match began.
Whistle!
Turtle slammed the ball across. Watermelon returned. Migru hit it back. Kurama responded. Gumi volleyed. Purple Sun spiked.
Yoren yawned.
"So slow."
Ifrit stood up, crab-walking arrogantly to the net.
"Let me show them hell."
The volleyball flew high. Ifrit jumped.
"Hell Ball—loaded!"
BOOM!
The ball blazed through the air and nailed Jelly in the face.
Jelly—out!
Yoren and Zhang Yuan sat up.
"Now it's getting good."
Nan Lai shouted, rallying his team.
"Hold steady! Kurama, defend right!"
BOOM!
Kurama—out!
"Purple Sun, plug the gap!"
BOOM!
Purple Sun—out!
Yoren sipped his lemon tea and looked at Xiang Rilou.
"You want in?"
"Haha, no thanks. I only spectate, never participate."
A bubble of snot exploded on Ifrit's face. She opened her eyes dazedly, and what she saw through the deck and guardrail was the boundless sea.
"Where am I?"
Yoren's voice came from the side.
"Hey, you finally woke up, we are on the way to Victoria."
"oh."
Sitting up, Ifrit looked at Xia Feng, who was wrapped in gauze, and blinked.
"Hey, I seemed to have had a dream just now."
"Huh? What dream?"
"Nothing..."
Ifrit stared deeply at the sea, as if looking for a beach in some dream.
"Hey, Yoren, if we have a chance in the future, let's go to the beach and have a BBQ party together."