"So the manager knows how to praise people too, haha, I'm not as excellent as you say."
Patting Hoshino Sora's shoulder, she burst out laughing. The usually serious manager was actually buttering her up now. Was he afraid that what happened this morning would lead to retaliation?
"I'm just speaking the truth. Among the people I've met, your beauty is second to none, a true beautiful girl. I've always thought so."
"Eh?"
Hearing Hoshino Sora's voice, which didn't sound like he was joking, Kitagawa Marin, who was still laughing, widened her eyes, her mouth slightly open, and her laughter stopped. Her ears visibly turned red, and the clear sound of her heartbeat echoed in her ears.
It was such an ordinary compliment, so why was she so happy? It was so hot. Wait, her face must be very red now, how embarrassing, but also so happy.
When she was in junior high, many people praised her beauty, and there were many private discussions, but at that time, her heart had no ripples, and she even forgot about it after turning her head.
But now, Hoshino Sora's direct compliment made her heart pound. Was it because the contrast with his usual demeanor was too great? Or was she happy to be praised by someone impressive?
Or was it...
Thinking of her somewhat abnormal self recently, a possibility emerged in Kitagawa Marin's mind.
Impossible, impossible. He's the manager, after all! Although he's young, rich, strong, handsome, has an interesting personality, is the best chef in the world, and is also very good to her...
Oh no, how could there be such a perfect man?
"What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and follow, don't get lost."
Just as Kitagawa was lost in thought, Hoshino Sora noticed no one was beside him and turned back. He then grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward, quickening their pace.
This guy, didn't he know someone was waiting for them? Everyone was waiting for them to set up their base before they could go play.
But those older sisters playing beach volleyball nearby were really something! Their figures were all better than the last, truly a feast for the eyes!
Bouncy, bouncy, making it hard to know which 'ball' to stare at.
"Pervert."
"What do you know? This is called a man's true nature?"
Because she had the idea of love, Kitagawa paid extra attention to Hoshino Sora on the rest of the journey, and then she found that his gaze was always fixed on the beach volleyball in the distance.
She originally thought he was interested in beach volleyball, but upon closer inspection, she realized he was only interested in their 'balls'. Sure enough, his praise for her was only about her appearance?
Although it was natural, why did she feel a little bit of disappointment?
While she was thinking, Hoshino Sora had already borrowed beach equipment: a huge parasol, two chairs, and various useful items like a volleyball, buckets, and shovels.
"You just take these lighter ones. I'll take these two chairs and the parasol. Let's go beachcombing together later, and then we'll make a seafood feast with the ingredients we find."
His face filled with intense excitement, Hoshino Sora spoke endlessly. Because he had never seen the sea since childhood, nor had he enjoyed the fun of beachcombing, he was very much looking forward to it.
In his previous life, he could only watch through video websites, but now he was finally there in person. He wanted to see if cat eye snails could really spray that much water? How much salt it took to lure out razor clams, and how stranded octopuses tasted. Just thinking about it was interesting.
"Beachcombing?"
"It's when the tide recedes, some marine creatures are left on the beach, and then we can catch them by various methods and cook them into delicious food. Freshly caught seafood is absolutely fresh."
Hearing a completely new term, Kitagawa tilted her head, looking a bit confused. Hoshino Sora, seeing her interest, immediately explained, his voice filled with uncontrollable excitement.
"So we can have a seafood feast tonight?"
"Why is your head only filled with food? But it still depends on luck and skill. If you're unlucky, then forget about it."
Hoshino Sora said jokingly. As they spoke, the two had already arrived at their initial spot. They set down the chairs, opened the parasol they were carrying, and placed it in the center. Yaxiang Lixiang and Yuigahama, seeing the two return, also gathered around.
"What are you talking about? You look so happy."
"We're talking about beachcombing. We brought five buckets. Later, let's compete to see who catches the most seafood. Of course, if you don't want to catch anything, you can go play by yourselves, but it's best to go in pairs; it's easy to get lost alone."
While opening the parasol in his hand, Hoshino Sora said with a beaming smile. There were many joys to be had at the beach.
Swimming was just the most common form of entertainment. He preferred catching seafood on the shore during the day and cooking it at night. Besides that, some people chose to build sand sculptures, go sea fishing, play beach volleyball, dive, or surf. Some rich guys chose to enjoy the sea breeze on yachts. Different people had different ways of enjoying themselves.
"Beachcombing, that means trying to catch those seafood hiding in the sand, right?"
"Bingo. Compared to the senior who's a year older, Yuigahama's knowledge base is more extensive."
"I feel like you're insulting me."
After setting up the parasol, Hoshino Sora snapped his fingers happily, praising Yuigahama while teasing Kitagawa. As he spoke, ignoring her cute eye roll, he went to the buckets they had set down and checked the tools.
Shovels, salt spray guns, and special hooks for catching razor clams—all the equipment was ready, nice!
"Then I'll set off first. Let's meet here at noon. If you encounter a pervert harassing you, just shout loudly. But with so many people around, it probably won't come to that, but still, be careful."
After saying these words, Hoshino Sora impatiently rushed to the edge of the sea. At this time, there were many people swimming in the shallows, but most of them had swimming rings for safety.
"Ya Xiang, let's compete to see who can build the highest sandcastle."
"If we compete, the winner gets to hug Sora to sleep tonight!"
"Okay, the other person can't disturb us."
Rika patted the sand, which had already formed a small dune, and said confidently. Ya Xiang, seeing this, also didn't hold back and responded with full battle intent.
"That sounds interesting, count me in too."
"Then I'll go find the shop owner and go beachcombing together."
Looking at the few people who had each taken a corner to play in the sand, Yuigahama hesitated for a moment but still spoke, then stepped forward, grabbed a bucket, and ran in the direction Hoshino Sora had left.
"Hmm?"
He arrived at an area with relatively fewer people, close to the inn where he was staying. The tide had just receded not long ago, so the probability of finding fresh seafood was high.
As he searched, Hoshino Sora suddenly noticed a few people sitting on a higher reef in the distance. They held fishing rods and had water tanks beside them, likely people who came for sea fishing.
If it were just that, it wouldn't have attracted Hoshino Sora, but the key was the leader of these guys—that red set of hair was particularly striking. Upon closer inspection...
Goodness, the second seat of the Totsuki Ten Elite actually came here. Speaking of which, this is already the third Elite Ten member he has encountered, isn't this encounter rate a bit too high?
The profile exposed during fishing, and the blood-red hair blown by the morning breeze—such a scene was quite beautiful under the morning sun.
Because his physical fitness had been strengthened to a certain extent, Hoshino Sora's eyesight also returned to its peak, allowing him to clearly see things in the distance.
Having recognized the person, Hoshino Sora did not go up to greet them. Instead, he turned his head and went to a different spot; he currently had no intention of getting involved with them.
"Shop owner, wait for me! Phew, so tired, why are you walking so fast? I almost couldn't catch up to you even when running, phew…"
Hearing movement from behind him, Hoshino Sora turned around and saw Yui Yuigahama running over with a small bucket, still panting heavily when she finally reached him.
She dropped the bucket, bent over, supported her legs, her chest rising and falling rhythmically. Hoshino Sora couldn't take his eyes off her and could only sigh inwardly at how unwary girls are nowadays.
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