A month before the vacation, Jun, who had already arranged a 5-day handover to Zhen, secretly visited Remi's room at midnight. Leaving a note at Remi's bedside, he stood guard by the door as the guardian, who had been watching nearby, knocked and sought permission.
"Lady Remi, the clan master would like to have a brief conversation."
"Hmm? Jun? What's up? Come in."
Jun entered through the door opened by the guardian. In the spacious room, amidst scattered tools and an incomprehensible set of measuring instruments, Remi tinkered with a mechanical device, inserting wires into the cluttered mess. Without turning around, Remi spoke,
"Just a moment, almost done. Sit tight; it'll be quick."
Jun pulled a nearby chair and sat down. About a minute later, after wiping off the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve and tightening something with a wrench, Remi turned to face Jun and spoke.
"Phew, it's done."
"What's that?"
Smirking at Jun's question, Remi tapped the machine with a wrench while explaining.
"It's the jetpack engine I used. It was lightweight and all, but the noise was too loud. So, I made some improvements. I think I'll need it often in the future."
"Didn't using that make you a star on L-Tube?"
At that moment, Remi momentarily closed her mouth. After a brief internal deliberation, she came to a conclusion.
"...Being an L-Tube star is less embarrassing than teddy bear pajamas."
Considering she could just hide from both if she really didn't like them However, observing that Remi, too, found it subtly beneficial to get along with people. Jun thought about this while wearing a paternal smile.
"What's with that weird expression? Anyway, why did you want to see me?"
Upon hearing Remi's words, Jun's face turned serious.
"Well, about that... it's just that..."
Remi, initially concerned that something serious had happened, became annoyed as Jun continued to be evasive.
"Hey, what's with this weird behavior? You used to say whatever was on your mind so straightforwardly."
"...You do know we're going on vacation together, the three of us, right?"
"Huh? Of course I know. Are you taking me for a fool? What are you trying to say?"
Failing to grasp Jun's intentions, Remi asked again, and finally, Jun brought up the main topic that had been lingering in his mind.
"...I'm going to propose to Eda during this vacation."
Remi's annoyance vanished from her face at those words, replaced by a stiff expression.
"...Really? Why are you telling me this?"
"Well, you're family to me. I thought I should tell you first. Also, there's something I want you to help me on it."
"What?"
"I've thought a lot about how to propose. How to create an unforgettable memory for Eda. I came up with an idea, but to execute it, I need to install some machinery in advance. I want your help with that. I can't trust anyone else but you to handle it."
Remi, still with a firm expression, asked Jun.
"You trust me?"
"Of course."
"..."
Remi closed her eyes and organized her thoughts. During the journey to find her master in Thousand Peaks, Remi had clashed with Jun on various occasions. The first impression was not favorable, and she didn't like an outsider stepping into the life that Eda and Red had built. Most importantly, she felt that Jun was taking away her most precious person in the world—her sister.
However, in the end, Remi had to acknowledge him. As a colleague, a trustworthy person, and as a companion in her sister's life. When Eda decided to go with Jun to the East Ocean, Remi didn't oppose for those reasons.
With a wry smile, Remi bumped fists with Jun and brought up an old memory.
"Hey, Jun. Remember when we first met? You were arguing with Capybara in the market."
"Hmm? Of course I remember. And, I wasn't arguing; I was trying to warn you and Eda about that scammer."
"Oh, right. That's it. Ah, that brings back memories. Remember when it was just you and Eddie at the 'Melody of Starsong' performance?"
"Back then, I wanted to take you with us, but the crowd was too overwhelming, time was running out, and it seemed like you had other things to attend to..."
"Hehe, no need for excuses. And there was that incident with the United Mining battleship, right?"
As Remi reminisced about their old adventures, Jun, too, momentarily forgot everything else and immersed himself in the nostalgia. After a while of laughter and exchanged stories, Remi brought the conversation to a conclusion.
"...Anyway, that's the story. Jun, a lot has happened between us, and there have been some not-so-great events, but... now I know. You're a good person. Eddie will be happy by your side. I'll help. What do we need to do?"
/
In the early morning at the Red Chamber, the atmosphere was filled with the sparkle of the rising sun, Taiyang. Despite the early hour, there were only a few people around the Red Chamber's runway, as Zhen had temporarily restricted access for safety. The entrance of the Red Chamber opened, and Jun, carrying a large crossbag, shook hands with Zhen. Behind Jun were Eda and Remi, while behind Zhen, a few members of the Lee Clan were present.
"Well then, I'll be off. Take care during the five days I'm not around," Jun said.
"Don't worry and have a good rest. We'll handle everything perfectly in your absence. And..." Zhen whispered to Jun, low enough for Eda not to hear.
"When you go this time, make sure to firmly capture Lady Eda. If you delay any further, people might start talking about her being past the age for marriage."
"…Sure, don't worry. Remi has agreed to help. See you when I get back."
After this short exchange, Zhen returned to the clan members, and everyone gathered bid farewell.
"Wishing you a relaxing and enjoyable time!"
With the clan members' warm farewell, the Red Chamber soared into the space of the East Ocean.
/
"Red Chamber has too many outdated components."
While waiting at the entrance of the interstellar space gate in the East Ocean, Remi, who was standing on the bridge of the Red Chamber, asserted. There was a gaze that clearly expressed dissatisfaction.
"Didn't we all know that from the old days?"
Eda, sitting at the Lumen Reso-Scanner, raised her head and asked. During their adventures in Thousand Peaks, Remi occasionally expressed dissatisfaction with the outdated operating system and components of the Red Chamber, which lagged at least three generations behind the latest ships.
"Yes, that's true. But what I'm saying now is not just that. Over the past four years in university, I've learned a lot, and there were things I didn't grasp before. I can't believe we roamed the United Mining territory with this system. After this vacation, I'll have to seriously upgrade it."
"Sounds good. If you need anything, just let me know."
Jun, who was sitting, raised his head and said to Remi. Remi nodded and then checked the display in front of her before speaking.
"I need to modify it to the extent that even if we play advertisements exposing the truth about them within the United Mining territory of Thousand Peaks, we won't get caught."
"Speaking of that, how is Benzel these days? Externally, it seems like his influence is expanding."
In response to Jun's question, Remi replied.
"Benzel? Well, it looks like he is building his own power within his family. After Bones joined Benzel, it seemed even more so. If there's someone who doesn't listen, he says if he provide troops to Bones, he'll take care of it."
Hearing Remi's words, Eda mumbled.
"Hmm, Bones and Benzel? I never thought those two would join forces."
"Bones and I exchange messages occasionally, and it seems like Bones is quite satisfied. He finds Benzel's actions refreshing because he doesn't act like the United Mining top brass. He's considering staying even after his five-year term is over."
Jun explained to Eda, and of course, the words from Bones to him were not just about that. There were also nagging remarks like when he would get married. Even though they only exchanged emails without meeting in person, Bones could see Jun's actions very clearly, making him very frustrated.
"Oh, really? I'd like to see those people next time."
"We'll have the chance. It's our turn, let's enter the gate."
/
Ignis nor Taiyang, yet like them, a sun bestowed its grace of light and warmth upon all life in the stellar system from the high skies.
Eda, Jun, and Remi were standing on the sand. As the seawater gently touched their bare feet, it occasionally made a sound, and the sea surface sparkled with a beautiful blue color. The sky was clear and wonderfully spread out, and the sunlight warmly enveloped their faces.
On the beach, small pebbles, soft sand, and various types of seashells were scattered. The waves made a gentle sound, and the sea breeze left a rustling noise. When small waves gently approached, footprints were left on the sand. The clean and sparkling sand, washed by the waves, glittered in the sunlight, turning the beach into an infinitely peaceful resting place.
"Wow, what is all this? I had no idea such a place existed!"
Eda's eyes sparkled. It seemed as if she couldn't have imagined coming to such a place.
"Oh..."
Remi was the same. Her face showed admiration as if seeing the breathtaking scenery of nature for the first time. Jun, adjusting his crossbag, explained from the side.
"The name of this beach is 'Haewoon.' I don't really know the origin. In the universal standard time, it's a place with good weather for 8 months in a year. Our clan acquired it a few months ago, and since not all facilities are ready, the beach isn't officially open. Thanks to that, besides the three of us, no one else is here.
So, you can enjoy yourself without worrying about others. Most things you might need are stocked at the resort over there. If it's not enough, you can go to the city to get more. For meals and cleaning, people will come by for a short while, but if you want to handle it among ourselves, you can tell them not to come."
He pointed to a five-story building located far down the beach, harmonizing with nature. Its white exterior sparkled in the sunlight, and windows and balconies protruded.
"...This is the first time I've been impressed by your handling of things, Jun," Remi said, expressing admiration with a thumb-up.
"Our rooms are all on the first floor, one person per room. If you want to go somewhere else, just let me know. Let's go. My shoulders ache."
Jun led the way towards the resort beyond the beach, with Eda and Remi following behind. The salt-infused sea breeze gently tousled Eda's hair.
/
Jun quickly changed into his swim trunks and sat at the bar near the resort entrance, sipping on lemonade. Since there was no one around, grabbing a drink from the fridge was an easy solution. With sunglasses perched on his head, he wore gray swim trunks with a red pattern. That was his entire outfit. While Jun enjoyed some moments of solitude, the other two women took a bit longer to get ready.
"Is this how I'm supposed to wear it…? It should be, right?"
A slightly uncomfortable voice echoed from the room area. When Jun turned his gaze, he saw Remi coming out with an awkward expression, wearing a pink one-piece swimsuit with a ribbon tied at the back of her neck.
"Remi, it suits you well."
When Jun complimented her, Remi looked around and asked, "Huh? Why is there only you? Hasn't Eddie come yet?"
"Eda is still getting ready. It might take a bit. Would you like something to drink while we wait? There are plenty of refreshing drinks behind here."
"Wonderful."
When Jun pointed to the bar behind him, Remi, with a slightly flushed face, turned to head that way. It seemed she was a bit thirsty. Jun chuckled lightly and took another sip of his lemonade. A short while later, footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Jun waved his hand and called out to Eda, but stopped abruptly.
"Eda! He...re..."
"Remi... Did you buy this? Was there only this...?"
Jun's trailing words blurred, and Eda, with a slightly slurred voice, searched for Remi.
Eda wore a straw hat and a white skirt bikini, covering from her shoulders to just above her navel, with the top fixed at the back of her neck with a ribbon, like Remi. The bottom was a short white skirt, tied with a ribbon on the left side of her waist, making it look like the skirt was supported by the knot. Perhaps because of this, the left thigh was more exposed than the right.
However, what caught Jun's attention more than her clothing was Eda wrapping her arms around herself, hunching her body, and lowering her head as she walked, doing her best to cover up. With each step, her straw hat wobbled, revealing her bright red face, indicating how embarrassed she was in this revealing attire.
Eda had never worn such clothing before in her entire life. From the Witching Tower to being adopted by the Reds, meeting Jun in Thousand Peaks, and journeying with him to the East Ocean. In her life, clothes had always been things to cover every part except her hands and above neck, excluding underwear, of course. In any case, she knew about these types of clothes in theory, but she had never imagined being in a situation where she would have to wear such revealing attire and be with the opposite sex. As evidence, she couldn't even look Jun in the eye right now.
Remi, too, had no experience with such exposure until a few years ago. However, she had learned to swim in college, giving her some experience with swimsuits. Remi's outfit was less revealing than Eda's, and more importantly, Remi didn't see Jun as a romantic interest at all, so she had no issue with the situation.
Jun, too, felt something bubbling up from his heart. When he decided to visit the beach together with Eda, he hadn't paid much attention to her attire. No, he hadn't even thought about it. Neither he nor Eda had a personality inclined towards dressing up. However, now seeing Eda, who usually didn't care much about clothes, beautifully dressed in an outfit revealing a level of exposure he hadn't seen before, and seeing her visibly embarrassed because of it, Jun's heart began to flutter.
And then Jun thought. Come to think of it, Eda doesn't seem to have aged a day in terms of appearance since the first day they met. Despite spending quite some time together, she still looks exactly the same as when they first met.
"Uh... Eda?"
"Yeah...?"
Eda stopped about ten paces in front of Jun, who gathered the courage to speak first.
"That... suits you well."
"Thanks..."
Despite using the same words as he did with Remi, the process and outcome were markedly different. Jun couldn't find any more words, turning his head and closing his mouth, while Eda, overwhelmed with embarrassment, didn't know what to do next.
At that moment, Remi, having found what she was looking for, walked out from behind the bar.
"Hey, Professor Pepper, right? It's my favorite. There are plenty here... What are you guys doing?"
With an air of awkwardness, Remi looked at the two standing awkwardly while twisting their body. She tilted her head quizzically upon seeing them. Looking at her, Eda turned her head with effort and asked.
"Remi... Did you order this...? Isn't it too revealing...?"
"Hmm? Swimwear is supposed to be like that. Besides, compared to the others, it's pretty well-covered. And since you came all the way here, might as well dress nicely; Jun would like that..."
"Remi, seriously!"
Eda rushed towards Remi, wrapping her with all her might.
"Eddie! Eddie! It hurts! Timeout! Timeout!"
Watching Remi in pain, Jun chuckled subtly. Thanks to Remi, the awkwardness seemed to dissipate a bit.