Winter Swim

-----Yui's POV

After what felt like an eternity, Kaede finally came downstairs. But in her arms was Mell, seeming to be asleep. I guess that talk really sucked the life out of Mell if she just passed out shortly after like that.

Kaede: "Sorry if I took too long."

Yui: "You're fine. I was just wondering if you'd like to come with us to the beach?"

Kaede: "Mmm, sure. Is everyone else going?

Masked Supervisor: "Yes, so I'll be coming as well. Also is Mell okay?"

Kaede: "Yes, she's just a little exhausted. Something was stressing her out last night which is what we talked about. I can take her like this."

Masked Supervisor: "Very well."

Cute mom mode, Kaede. Mell isn't like a toddler as she's quite tall herself, so it's pretty cute seeing Kaede just easily carry Mell as if she weighed nothing.

Fleur: "Uhm, Kaede?"

Just then, Fleur looked towards Kaede with curious eyes, but Kaede locked eyes with her as Fleur immediately stopped what she was trying to say.

Kaede: "I can feed you guys when we get back, okay?"

Fleur: "M-mhmm."

I'm curious to what that was all about as it didn't really seem like it was just about blood, but with how Kaede just acted there, I can tell that whatever it is, she doesn't want anyone to find out.

Ona: "Okay! So are we going?"

At Ona's words, we all got up and proceeded to leave the house, heading straight over to the beach. I would try and invite Luna, but with Fleur still struggling with being around humans, I guess that can wait. Also from the last time we dipped our toes in the water, I doubt she'd be keen to swim, especially since today seems to be one of the more colder days, even I don't want to swim and instead just watch Undine and Ona. I'm still curious if their legs will just suddenly change when entering the water, but I guess we'll wait and see.

Not long later, we arrive at the beach as we all took off our shoes and socks. Again, the sand was quite warm in comparison to the wind so it did help offset this cold day somewhat. Undine and Ona wasted no time as they bolted straight to the water as the rest of us just sat down on the sand, trying to warm up our bodies in anyway we can. Kaede is still carrying the sleeping Mell in her arms as she plops Mell down to rest up against her chest.

Yui: "There's no monsters in the waters, right?"

Kaede: "None that I can sense."

Feeling relieved, I watch as the both Undine and Ona come to a halt just before the water as they let the waves come to them instead. We're not too far away from them so I managed to catch the two of them look at one another with huge smiles on the faces before they both dash out into the water.

Yui: "Huh, I would've thought a mermaid's legs would morph into a mermaid tail."

Kaede: "Hehe, I thought the same thing."

Masked Supervisor: "They can control it, but I doubt both Undine and Ona know how to."

Actually, hold on a moment. They said that they'd only come out here if this "Neri" person would join us. Looking at everyone here, the only person I don't know the name of is this masked person. So I take it that this is Neri? I won't call them that though since it does seem to be a secret.

Yui: "Is it because they were born on land and have never got a chance to swim before?"

Neri: "Precisely. Instead of them being born with that ability, they'll have to learn it."

I guess that makes another layer as to why the queen has not let them swim as they please, but then shouldn't the queen have raised them to be able to swim at a young age? Then again, I guess being a queen is busy so maybe there just wasn't a time or place for it. If that's the case then I'm happy to have been the one to give them that opportunity.

Both Undine and Ona remained in the shallow areas as they both splashed water onto one another with bright smiles on their faces. Their laughter made the beach quite charming as I found myself smiling at the two of them. I'm almost tempted to join in with them.

Yui: "Ah~ Screw it. I'm going to join in. You coming?"

Kaede: "I'll stay back here with Mell."

I could tell from the displeased look on her face that she does want to join in, but I guess her mother instinct has kicked in and wants to stay with Mell.

Yui: "Okay, then what about Sicily and Lillian?"

Sicily: "It's freezing."

Lillian: "Yeah..."

Yui: "But look at the two of them. Those two are enjoying themselves, don't be such a wuss."

I actually wanted to maybe bond with Sicily and Lillian a little as we've never really done anything together. And while waiting for a response, I quickly grab hold of Sicily's arm while she was busy looking at her sister.

Yui: "Come one."

Sicily: "Hah~"

Lillian: "Fine."

Sicily: "Sis?"

Lillian: "We haven't had a swim together since we were little. It might be cold, but if Yui's going out then why not."

Sicily: "Okay~ But let go of my arm please."

Yui: "Yes!"

I let go of her hand as excitement build up in my body. I would ask Fleur and Faye to join as well, but considering their situation, maybe it'd be better to just stick with Sicily and Lillian. But just then, Sicily and Lillian both began to undress, stripping off all their clothes.

Yui: "W-wait!"

Sicily: "Huh?"

Lillian: "What's wrong? We're getting ready to swim."

Oh! Right... I forgot that elves have an odd sense of swimming. I recall when we visited that lake that elves tend to undress before they swim. And seeing it before my own eyes makes me remember how important swimwear is. I swear I'll find a way to make them!

Yui: "R-right...

I choose to look away while they undress and choose to just rush out and join Undine and Ona instead. I'm not about to wait for those two nudists. Sure swimming with these clothes on is a bit awkward, but I'd much prefer clothes over nothing. But I guess each have their own advantages.

Reaching the water, I'm hit with the intense cold of the ocean as it almost makes me stop in my tracks, but after seeing how far Undine and Ona are, I grit my teeth before continuing, the water now slowly reaching up my legs as I try and think happy, warm, summer thoughts. And after sometime of running through the water, I finally reach Undine and Ona as the water had now reached my waist, petrifying me after I finally reached my destination.

Ona: "Ellen! I was wondering if you'd join."

Yui: "Y-y-yeah."

Yeah... Thinking summer thoughts didn't help at all. Just the coldness alone is making my voice stutter like crazy.

Undine: "Pfft, hahaha. Is it that cold?"

Yui: "O-of course!"

Ona: "Just do this-"

She quickly submerged herself in the water before popping back out next to her sister, grappling onto her in the process. I guess she's saying to just rip the band aid off in a sense and just submit myself to the full brunt of the cold. I guess I can try...

I take a moment to mentally prepared myself, timing my breathing while the waves splash up against my chest, reminding me of the coldness once again. But after a few more moments, I hold my breath before completely going under the water. It felt like I was in a freezer as my body quickly felt like a popsicle, causing me to quickly spring myself out of the water just as fast as I went in.

Yui: "Ffffffff!~"

Ona: "Perfect!"

Undine: "Don't tease her, haha."

Even though it was unbearably cold, it actually did help as after a few more moments, the parts of my body that's still in the water have started to get accustomed to the cold water. Suddenly, Sicily and Lillian both came out from the surface of the water out of nowhere, joining us. I didn't even notice they had arrived, but I guess I was more focused on combating the cold.

Sicily: "It's not too bad."

Lillian: "Yeah. It's quite refreshing."

Thank god that most of their body was under water, but their chests were still visible to all of us.

Undine: "You swim without any clothes?"

Sicily: "Mhmm!"

Undine: "Interesting."

I felt nervous at the thought of Undine and Ona both stripping in the water, but thankfully that doesn't seem to be the case. I do understand where Sicily and Lillian are coming from now though. Even when we're out in the water like this, I can still feel my clothes are somewhat restricting my movements, and that'll only get worse when I exit the water. I should've prepared and brought a spare set of clothes, or at least a towel...