Women's Shopping Takes Forever

Mornings by the sea come early.

With nothing to block it, the sunlight is dazzling.

Azu was the first to wake. She was brimming with energy.

She stretched wide to shake off the last traces of drowsiness, and her oversized nightwear slipped, baring her right shoulder.

Her skin was fair and healthy.

She didn't think much of it and climbed out of bed, smoothing out her blanket.

She considered folding it but decided to leave it as it was.

Glancing at the other three beds, all three were still fast asleep.

First, she pulled the blanket off Alexia, who had the worst time waking up.

Just before the blanket came free, Alexia grabbed Azu's hand in her sleep and tried to stop her.

Azu paid no mind and yanked the blanket away entirely. Alexia curled up, hugging her knees.

Perhaps it had been hot while sleeping, as her lower half was in just her underwear.

It would have been quite stimulating for any man to see.

"It's morning already. Please wake up."

After several shakes, a groan-like reply came back.

Once she got to this point, she'd be awake before long.

Heading over to Elza, Azu found her sleeping in a pristine posture.

So still she could have been mistaken for dead, her blanket without a single wrinkle.

Her ample chest rose and fell gently with each breath.

Azu looked down at her own chest.

It was fine—she was still developing, still growing.

Making that excuse to no one in particular, she tapped Elza on the shoulder.

The response was immediate.

"Mm, good morning, Azu-chan."

"Good morning. Please get changed soon."

Elza sat up from under the blanket—her upper body was bare.

For a priestess, she had a rather uninhibited streak.

Azu pulled the blanket back up to cover her.

Last was Yohane.

Just remembering the day she'd whispered in his ear turned her face bright red, but she composed herself.

As Azu's shadow fell over him, Yohane rolled over and tried to pull the blanket higher, as if resenting the lost sunlight.

She thought about letting him sleep if he wanted to, but she also wanted to explore together if possible.

Steeling her heart, Azu grabbed Yohane's shoulder.

She was promptly dragged into the bed.

The suddenness of it made Azu freeze, eyes squeezed shut.

But nothing happened no matter how long she waited, and when she slowly opened her eyes, Yohane's sleeping face was right in front of her.

It seemed he'd just wanted a body pillow.

Azu had happened to come along at the perfect moment, and he'd pulled her in.

Blissfully unaware of Azu's turmoil, he slept soundly.

She let out a long breath to ease the tension.

He wasn't the type to try anything this early in the morning anyway.

Still, she closed her eyes, thinking maybe she could stay like this just a little longer.

That moment of peace was cut short by Elza, now changed.

"Come on, you need to get dressed too, Azu-chan."

Azu was pried loose with tremendous force and ejected from Yohane's bed.

"I know, so… please let go of me."

"Should I have left you two alone a bit longer?"

"I'm going to get changed!"

Azu shouted her reply at the teasing Elza and returned to her own bed.

Her change of clothes was already folded beside the bed, so she dressed and got ready.

She'd heard the sun was harsh at the beach, so she chose a short-sleeved shirt and trousers.

She also put on the straw hat she'd bought beforehand.

"Oh, how cute!"

Elza's voice rang through the room.

"It suits you. You'd be adorable anywhere."

It sounded like something a man would say when taking a woman out.

"Thank you. Does it really look that good?"

"I'm sure Master will compliment you too."

"You're all so noisy…"

Alexia, now fully awake from their voices, dragged herself up.

She began getting dressed.

She wasn't in her battle dress, naturally.

Changed into a white one-piece dress, Alexia looked every bit the sheltered noblewoman.

Not that she had any such intention.

"It's reasonably easy to move in. Though it does show my figure a bit too much, perhaps."

"It looks great on you, so don't worry."

"… Can't you at least take off the vestments at a time like this?"

Alexia directed the question at Elza, who was fully clad in her priestly garb.

The red and white vestments Elza currently wore were less stifling than her jet-black habit, but they hardly looked cool.

"Fine, fine."

Elza removed her vestments and changed into casual clothes.

She pulled out something breezy.

In a blue shirt and a white skirt that fell below the knee, Elza was frankly beautiful.

The impression was completely different from her usual priestly attire.

"With a foundation that good, it all comes together nicely."

"Oh? Was that a compliment? That was a compliment, right?"

"Ugh, one little compliment and this is what happens."

Alexia held Elza at bay with both hands as she leaned in.

In the middle of all that, Yohane finally woke up.

Once everyone was changed and ready, they left their non-essential belongings at the inn. Breakfast was a fruit salad from a street stall.

It was loaded with tropical fruit and easy to eat.

"Delicious. So refreshing."

"Yeah. Perfect for waking up."

The price was reasonable, and eating it while watching the sea made the vacation feel real.

"Let's walk around, take in the sights, and pick up some swimsuits."

"The breeze is nice. The smell doesn't bother me anymore."

Just as Azu said, a pleasant wind tempered the sun's heat.

It made you imagine how refreshing a dip in the ocean would be.

They strolled along the still-quiet beach, took in the scenic views, and eventually made their way to a shop marked Beach House.

It appeared to be a seaside tool shop and eatery combined.

Despite the early hour, the shop was open, and tourists could be seen eating at the outdoor tables.

The swimsuit section was easy to find.

The prices weren't too steep either.

"Pick whatever you like."

Yohane chose his own swimsuit without much deliberation, then bought a drink and sat down.

He knew full well that women's shopping takes a long time.

Azu and the others immediately began picking up swimsuits and browsing.