268 Beach Volleyball (1/2)

I watched as Zevin ran back and wade into the water before I continued on with my own business. Zevin had helped set up the shade umbrella for me, so there really wasn't much left for me to do except move the beach chair into the shade. After doing that, I am pretty much finished for the day.

I sat on the chair, leaning all the way back until I was pretty much laying down comfortably. Then, I gazed in the direction of the horizon, taking in the blue of the sky and of the ocean. In the distance, I could see a white cruise ship sailing as it left the port, probably carrying many passengers as they excitedly went on with their vacation. I turned my head slightly to the right and saw the pier and the Ferris wheel. That is where the fireworks festival will be held, so they are probably busy adding in the finishing touches for tonight's festival right now.

I closed my eyes as I leaned my head back and relaxed. There is no need for me to do anything other than lay here comfortably in the shade as I enjoy the ambiance noise of the beach and the cool ocean breeze. There is no need for me to touch the waters and no need for me to swim. Perfect.

I heard the faint sound of footsteps on the sand followed by what appeared to be cloth being flung open next to me. So, I opened my eyes to investigate, and what I saw was Emilia and Mura laying down a large towel on the beach floor next to my seat.

”You're the only one who brought a shade umbrella,” Mura explained as she smiled and looked at me. ”And we don't want to get sun-burnt.”

”Um...” I looked at her in a defeated manner.

”You're not gonna let your two beautiful teachers stay in the sun and have their beautiful skin be damaged by the sun's harmful rays, are you?” Mura teasingly looked at me in a begging manner.

”I didn't say you couldn't?” I sighed and shook my head.

”Thanks, Alevian,” Mura grinned happily as she acquired my consent.

What they are doing...well...it's not really much bother to me. I've already slept in the same bed as the two of them, so this slight intrusion isn't much compared to what I experienced last night. Besides, it's not like they are the type of people to be loud and inconsiderate, so I can still catch up on sleep in piece.

I did drift off to the lullaby of the ocean. Although the sun was hot, in the shade, it was rather alright and tolerable. In addition, the salty, ocean breeze would always cool me down if it became too unbearable. Combine that with the fact that I was already somewhat sleepy from a lack of sleep, that just made the formula for a great nap.

After possibly dozing off for a few minutes, I was woken by soft whispers calling out my name. I slowly opened my eyes little by little to the underside of the umbrella. Then, I lazily moved my gaze in search of who it was that was calling my voice until I found the culprits. Standing there while dressed in their bikinis, Irina, Luna, and Muria were leaning forwards, ducking their head under the umbrella as they looked at my face. Behind them stood Erith and Alvelyn.

”Are you just going to sleep the entire day?” Luna smiled as she saw me open my eyes. ”You're drooling a little.”

”Huh?” I brought a hand to my mouth and felt that there were, in fact, some saliva clinging to the skin on my chin which I quickly wiped off.

”Come on,” Irina said, reaching a hand towards my arm and rested it there. ”We came all the way to the ocean, don't just sleep all day.”

”I'm a bit tired,” I said, closing my eyes and yawning.

”But you didn't do anything yesterday!” I heard Zaksus shouted from wherever he was at, which is probably not that far from where I am.

”I did play in that basketball game,” I answered.

”Come on,” Luna said. ”We're gonna be playing some volleyball.”

”You don't technically need me, right?” I complained.

I glanced in Alvelyn's direction, hoping that she will help me out. However, she avoided my gaze in response, maybe trying to pay me back for not helping her when she was being taught how to swim.

”Fine,” I said, sighing as I am pulled off of the beach chair by Luna and Irina.

I followed them over to the beach volleyball courts nearby where my beach chair was, leaving Mura and Emilia to watch the bags as they willingly stayed behind to let us do our thing. To be honest, I'm quite jealous of them right now.

”What're the teams?” Zaksus asked. ”We got ten here, so five on each team?”

”How about Alevian, Loyd, Noah, Irina, and Muria against the rest of us?” Luna suggested.