Guardian of Azure: (Best Izanami voice) They will come, when they will come.

BigBoys: Something more than time and a half, I'd say.

Guest: These two will get more stuff, promise.

Sam: A sub who acts like a dom? Sounds like you want an overly needy receptive Nu during sexy time, which is just... Nu.

Dog: "Woof" right back at you.

Updating this shouldn't take too long. I already have another chapter in its final draft. This year I want to be more productive, which has been smooth on every aspect EXCEPT posting my finished drafts. Next chapter has already been booked to be a KaguraXLitchi one, so keep a look out for that story some time during the end of the month. Convergence should also be receiving a much needed update after being confined to edit hell. Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 20: Three Days Too Long

Beneath the relentless Hawaiian sun, the senior class reveled in their last high school escapade. This year's graduating seniors had certainly struck gold, a stark contrast to the lackluster event of the prior year. Laughter and excitement filled the air as students dispersed across the sandy beach. Some lounged beneath vibrant umbrellas, soaking in the warmth as waves whispered their secrets. Even the teachers surrendered to the relaxed atmosphere, freed from the confines of the classroom and finding equal delight in the break. Frisbees floated on the breeze, and the spirited cries of students diving into the ocean mingled with the rhythm of the waves.

Amid this sun-soaked tableau, Rachel strolled elegantly along the shoreline, her every step radiating self-assuredness. She adorned herself in a two-piece swimsuit— a halter-style design in a deep, captivating black that provided a striking contrast against her alabaster complexion. Delicate lace adorned the edges and she completed the ensemble by wrapping herself in a matching black sarong which gracefully danced with the breeze, a captivating spectacle.

Curious glances came her way, but Rachel paid them no heed. A kernel of irritation simmered beneath her composed facade. Her days off had been meticulously reserved for catching up on reading within the comforts of an air-conditioned room. Yet, an unforeseen summons to substitute for an absent colleague had banished her to Waikiki Beach. Seeking refuge, she strategically positioned herself under an umbrella, perched on a lounge chair that allowed her to observe the boisterous senior class while preserving her tranquility. Clutching her cherished novel, she sought sanctuary within its pages, but the peace proved short-lived.

A duo of boisterous young men, tanned and thinly cut, approached Rachel's spot under the umbrella. Their confident strides and self-assured grins were impossible to miss as they exchanged knowing glances. They leaned against the adjacent chairs, blocking her view of the ocean and effectively intruding upon her personal space. This was the last thing she wanted to contend with today.

"Hey there, beautiful," one of them purred, his voice dripping with a charm that was clearly rehearsed.

Rachel's crimson eyes flicked up from her book, her expression polite yet noticeably uninterested. "May I help you?"

The second young man, with a chiseled jaw and sandy blonde hair, pulled his sunglasses down and flashed her a toothy smile. "Just thought we'd introduce ourselves. My name's Yuto, and this is my bud Hideo. And you are?"

"Rachel," she replied curtly, her tone leaving no room for further pleasantries, but they did not take the hint.

Yuto leaned in a little closer, his tone bordering on intrusive. "So, Rachel, what brings you to our sunny corner of paradise? Vacation?"

"You can say that."

Hideo chimed in, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Well, Rachel, we were thinking it would be a crime to let such a beautiful lady spend her time alone. How about you join us for a game of beach volleyball?"

"I appreciate the offer, but I would prefer to enjoy my book in peace," Rachel said, her gaze flickering back down to her novel.

Hideo's smile didn't waver, ever persistent. "Come on, don't be shy. We promise we're a fun bunch."

Before Rachel could respond, a voice that held a clear annoyance cut through the conversation. "She said fuck off."

All heads turned toward the source of the voice, and Rachel's crimson eyes met the figure of Ragna, who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Yuto snickered and stepped up to him. "Who're you supposed to be, dude?"

Ragna cracked his knuckles. "Someone who's ten seconds away from making you wipe out, dude."

"Oh yeah?"

"Hey." Hideo got between them. "It's not worth fighting. Let's just leave it there."

Yuto's irritation was evident, but he nodded curtly. "Fine, have it your way." With a less than pleased glance at both of them, the duo retreated, their attempts at flirtation having been met with no results.

Ragna's attention then turned to Rachel. "Impressed you managed to resist their charm."

Rachel's lips curved into a wry smile, a mixture of amusement and gratitude in her eyes. "Oh, the charm was truly overwhelming. I was on the brink of swooning."

Ragna strode closer, leaning against her umbrella as if it were an old friend. "Just reading your day away?"

"Not solely." Rachel returned to her novel. "I am also savoring the 'Marco Polo' serenade that graces the air." Almost on cue, a pair shouting "Marco Polo" drifted into earshot, deepening the furrow between Rachel's brows.

"Maybe this'll spice things up."

"Do. Not." Rachel shot him a reproachful look as Ragna's foot threatened to coat her in sand. "May I inquire as to your purpose here? Weren't you off gallivanting with your sister and her companions?"

Ragna gestured vaguely. "Gave 'em their space. I've already thrown enough threatening looks at the guys on the beach to drive my point home. Besides, I'm pretty sure that Tsubaki chick hates my guts."

"The quintessential older brother. Or should I say obsessed?"

Ragna cringed. "Hey, don't make me sound weird. And no, that's not the only reason I'm here."

Rachel arched an eyebrow. "Enlighten me on your other motive."

Ragna's lips formed a sly smirk. "Enjoying the view."

Rachel giggled decoding his implication. "View?"

He gestured casually at her form. "Mhm. The scenery. Ain't getting better than this."

"Flattery, Ragna, shall only yield you finite results. Even you are not foolish enough to attempt anything with so many around. That is what we agreed upon." While Rachel outwardly maintained her composed demeanor, inwardly, her thoughts couldn't be anymore astray. Her eyes subtly traced the contours of his body, the sensation of it against her fingers engraved in her being. She wanted to touch him but restrained the urge. These past three days have felt like being confined to the furthest depths of Hell…

Ragna's grin broadened. "Well, how about this? Join me for a swim?"

Rachel's brow furrowed. "A swim?"

He nodded toward the sparkling water. "Yeah, the sun's blazing. A refreshing dip might do you some good."

Rachel shook her head, resolute. "No, thank you. My reading is far more enticing."

"Come on, Rabbit. The ocean's calling."

Rachel gestured toward her book dismissively. "The only thing calling me is this book's climax."

"Ya can't just hit the beach and not take a dip. It's way too hot for that."

"Really? Observe me."

Ragna's grin persisted, undeterred by Rachel's retort. "Is it because you can't swim?"

Rachel's crimson gaze sharpened, curiosity ignited. "...Where did you come across such information?"

Ragna put on his best innocent face, though the rough edges of his demeanor betrayed him. "Oh, you know, the waves were gossiping, seagulls were chirping..."

"Ragna." Rachel's eyes narrowed, a heavy edge in her voice. "When your teacher asks you a question, you are meant to answer, yes?"

"Alright, alright. I'll spill the beans. No need to give me a sunburn early." He chuckled, his eyes dancing with mirth. "If you agree to join me."

Rachel's skepticism etched lines across her forehead as she crossed her arms. "You're presenting this as if it were some elaborate conspiracy."

"That you're itching to be a part of, right? Need me to fetch you a floaty? Maybe a portal life preserver?"

Rachel's eyebrow twitched at his teasing jests, her patience wearing thin. "Someone seems to be feeling particularly audacious today. Has the heat finally gotten to you?"

He shrugged, a rough smirk gracing his lips, mischief lighting up his eyes. "Hey, I'm just extending an offer for top-tier beachside amusement."

"It's hard to believe I'm even contemplating this." Rachel hesitated for a moment, then sighed again. She was well aware that Ragna's persistence wouldn't wane; he'd undoubtedly find a way to pester her later. "Very well. I will join you for a swim. But on one condition."

"Which is?"

Rachel's unwavering gaze locked onto his, resolute. "You must reveal to me the source of your information regarding my alleged lack of swimming skills."

"Sounds good to me. And you know what? I'll even teach you how to swim."

"Teach me? You?"

Ragna nodded. "Yep. I'm gonna teach you something. Hell musta frozen over, eh?"

"Indeed. Though I must admit, the proposition does hold a certain appeal."

"Glad we got that settled. Before we hit the water, did you remember to apply sunscreen?"

Rachel's brows furrowed in skepticism, her tone cautious. "Why the sudden concern about sunscreen?"

Ragna's grin held a hint of innocence, though it was tinged with abrasiveness. "Just thought I'd be a responsible bystander, looking out for you, Rabbit."

Rachel regarded him with wary eyes. "And what prompts this newfound vigilance?"

Ragna's grin persisted, his roughness not diminished. "Well, you know, we wouldn't want you to resemble a lobster. Is it suspicious that I'm being a good boyfriend?"

"Ah, yes, of course. Just as believable that you would keep your hands well-behaved." Rachel closed her book and rose from her chair. "Now, I shall go and apply sunscreen in, my, room. Wait for me by the shore."

As Rachel retreated to her room to apply sunscreen, Ragna remained on the shore, his amused grin lingering. He watched her figure disappear, his gaze a mixture of playfulness and anticipation. By the time Rachel returned, her fair skin now protected by a thin layer of sunscreen, Ragna had already waded out into the shallows of the water. He turned to face her, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Took you long enough, Rabbit. I was starting to think you'd changed your mind."

"Let us get this over with," Rachel replied with a tone of resignation.

"Ah, don't be like that, Rabbit. Water's just here to say hello," Ragna chimed in, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Is that perhaps your idea of a motivational speech?" Rachel strode into the water, the waves lapping at her legs, shuddering at the cold.

"See? Water's not as scary as it looks." Rachel sent a harrowing glare that bordered on malicious but Ragna ignored it. "I swear it's like a rite of passage to give the ocean the stink eye. My sis and her friends did the same damn thing. Okay. Before we start swimming," Ragna's voice took on a serious tone, "gotta get you used to the water. Pretty damn cold, and I doubt you wanna dip your whole body in it right now."

With an agreeing nod, Rachel prepared to lower herself into the water as per her understanding of the situation. "I must lower my body, correct? I at least know that much—"

But before Rachel could complete her sentence, Ragna's arms swooped under her, lifting her off her feet in an unexpected move. The sound of her startled gasp was muffled as they were both plunged into the water with a triumphant splash, the icy chill of the water enveloping them up to their necks. When they resurfaced, Rachel's sputtering and wide-eyed expression indicated her shock at his impromptu action. Her composed demeanor had vanished, replaced by a look of incredulous fury. Ragna, on the other hand, was completely unapologetic.

"Consider that your crash course in water acclimatization," Ragna laughed.

Rachel's crimson eyes shot daggers at him, her cheeks flushed both from the cold and her simmering anger. "I cannot believe you just did that," she seethed, her tone frosty.

"Come on, Rabbit. You've gotta admit, that was a lot quicker." Ragna's grin was unapologetic as he proceeded into the lesson, much to Rachel ire. "First things first, Rabbit. I'm gonna show you the basics of not sinking like a rock. Just lie on your back and relax. The water's gonna do most of the work. Shouldn't have an issue with the temperature anymore."

"Very funny." Suppressing the joyful idea of drowning this imprudent boy, Rachel laid on her stomach per his instruction. She would first learn to stay afloat, allowing the waves to simply carry her along. Rachel then mimicked the demonstrated arm and leg movements. Her arms cut through the waves with purpose; her legs, however, remained somewhat stiff, and her kicks lacked the fluidity he demonstrated.

Ragna waded over, his touch reassuring as he adjusted her arm and leg movements. He nodded as she fell into a rhythm. "There you go, Rabbit. Just let yourself flow with the water. You're a natural."

"Child's play." Crimson eyes then fell into hostile slits. "But if you believe I will forget your transgression, you are gravely mistaken."

"Can't take a joke can ya?" Whatever punishment came, Ragna didn't care; that was one hundred and ten percent worth it. Ragna held his hands out. "Time for the next step then."

Rachel instinctively recoiled. "Which pertains?"

"Chill. I'm just gonna hold your arms." Ragna took her smaller hands into his. "I want you to kick your feet like you've been doin'. Don't worry, I'm not gonna guide you to Umiboza."

"I am surprised you even know who that is."

"He was mentioned in that book you told the class to read before the trip. Seriously, what kind of hell-teacher does that shit?"

Mild surprise took her. "You actually read? Who are you, and where is Ragna?"

"Shuddup. Actually, for forcing me to read before this trip, that dip in the water makes us even."

Rachel giggled at that, feeling the anger simmering from his practical joke gradually vanish. With that, Ragna pulled her arms gently. Rachel took a deep breath and submerged her face, her heartbeat quickening as her feet brushed against the water's surface, the water responding with gentle ripples. As Rachel and Ragna continued their synchronized movements in the gentle embrace of the water, Rachel couldn't help but notice that they were gradually drifting farther from the bustling crowd of students and teachers. Her brow furrowed slightly, and she finally spoke up. "Ragna, why do we seem to be venturing away from the others?" she inquired, her voice carrying a note of suspicion.

Ragna waved a dismissive hand, the water splashing around his fingers. "Eh, don't worry about it, Rabbit. Just enjoying some space, you know?"

"Enjoying some space?" Rachel echoed, her brows knitting together. "That sounds suspiciously vague."

Before Rachel could question him further, Ragna's playfulness took a new turn. With a sudden, unexpected movement, he released his hold on her arms, causing Rachel to momentarily lose her balance. Reflexively, she reached out and grabbed onto him, her fingers clutching his shoulder to prevent herself from tumbling into the water. Rachel's heart hammered in her chest, and after calming, she glared at the insolent student who nearly dropped her a second time. "Have you finally lost what little brain cells you have left?!"

"Easy. I'd never drop you. Not all the way out here, anyway."

"Sometimes I wonder if your head is just for decoration, Ragna. It certainly can't be for anything involving rational thought." Rachel's initial anger ebbed away, absorbed by the heat of his skin seeping through the thin barrier of fabric that separated them. Rachel maintained her miffed attitude however, so as to distract herself. "I believe you have had enough fun at my expense. Take me back to shore."

"Come on. We're having a good time!"

"I fail to see how being dunked into the ocean against my will constitutes a 'good time,' Ragna."

"How about this then?" Firmly grasping Rachel's ass roused a surprised yelp from her. He kneaded them and her body shuddered, his voice descending to rasp. "This more your speed?"

"Did I not say refrain from touching me here?" Rachel maintained her composure in spite of the color filling her cheeks. Though in truth she wanted his hands to remain, go into her swimsuit.

Ragna's expression shifted, mischief brimming in his eyes. "How about a change in venue then?"

Rachel gave him a hard look. "It had better be toward the shoreline."

With a grin, Ragna's arms slid around her, lifting her up effortlessly and securing her legs around his waist. "Hold on tight, Rabbit."

As he moved through the water, his stride purposeful, Rachel's focus was on Ragna's intentions. Her heart raced not just from the motion of the waves, but also from the proximity to him, her legs still wrapped around his waist. Rachel caught sight of a rock formation that seemed to rise mysteriously from the water's surface. Ragna guided them behind it, hidden from the view of the beach, the water lapping gently against the rocks. Ragna's expression shifted then, his eyes holding an intensity that raised goosebumps all over her skin. And then, without warning, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

The kiss was unexpected, the contact lingering and passionate. Rachel's initial surprise melted into a mix of astonishment and a fluttering warmth. Coming back to her senses, Rachel ripped her mouth free, her crimson eyes flashing with a mix of reprimand and bewilderment. "Ragna, what on earth do you think you're doing? This is—"

Ragna's grin didn't waver as he cut her off with another kiss. A gasp caught in Rachel's throat as his tongue thrust into her mouth with the agenda of ensuring there existed no room for argument. Ragna held her securely against the rock, grinding himself against his teacher. He knew doing something like this out in the open with the possibility of being spotted was beyond stupid, fully aware of the risks, the potential for trouble, the undeniable recklessness of his actions. They agreed acting in any romantic capacity would prove detrimental so to remain as platonic as possible until they returned home. The trip lasted for three days; Ragna figured he could last that long until they could get physical.

Boy could he have been more wrong.

The taste of her, the softness of her lips, the way she responded —albeit attempting to protest and failing— filled Ragna with an intoxicating rush that he couldn't deny. There was something undeniably invigorating about the situation: the taste of spontaneity, the thrill of testing limits. The voice which compelled him into action screamed louder, and he agreed with it.

"How the fuck can she step outside looking like that?!"

Playing with his sister and friends, Ragna spotted Rachel, her figure a striking contrast against the golden sands. For sanity sake, Ragna kept interaction with Rachel lower than usual for the past couple days. Luckily, faculty has been busy organizing students and ensuring things went smoothly. Today, all the teachers were out in the sun and he could not ignore her. Rachel's confident stride and the elegant sway of her sarong captivated him, a magnet pulling his eyes toward her like a force he couldn't resist. It was in that split second that Ragna forgot about everything else. His sister's and her friend's playful shouts, the sand beneath his feet, even the volleyball soaring through the air towards him. The rational part of Ragna's brain screamed at him to stop, to pull away and regain his composure. But the other part —the one that was driven by raw instinct and longing he had for Rachel— won out. It was a whirlwind of emotions that propelled him forward, his lips seeking hers with an intensity that he found impossible to resist.

Ragna pressed the tent in his trunks harder against her clothed folds, causing her to whine. Ragna's breath came in uneven bursts as he pulled back from the kiss, his chest heaving with a mixture of exhilaration and yearning. "Just on the first day without you and I was already going fucking mad."

"R-Ragna…!" Rachel's breath hitched as Ragna's lips left hers and began to trail a path of fiery kisses along her jawline and down to her neck she felt lonely without these past three days.

"Fuck, baby, I know you love it when I kiss you here." Ragna's raspy voice resonated in her ears as he moved to her collar, her skin tingling with every press of his mouth against her heated flesh.

This foolish boy...! Rachel's heart pounded, its rhythm echoing the chaotic storm of emotions that raged within her. She attempted to retreat onto the small land mass jutting from the rock but Ragna did not relent.

"No one's here. We're alone, just us. None of those fucking gawkers to eye you but me." Ragna groped the meaty thighs cinched around his waist, nibbling on her reddened ear. He humped her harder, as if some kind of punishment for attempting to deny him, and Rachel whimpered as he growled. "I can't last. I need to feel you, Rachel. I've never felt so fucking desperate in my life!" Ragna sat up and met Rachel in a charged gaze. Her cheeks were flushed with a rosy hue and crimson eyes were darkened with a mixture of desire and a lingering daze. Uncertainty remained among those wanting emotions, and of course it did. Being the more sensible one out of the two, engaging in this would be sheer stupidity, and despite the swirl of sensual emotions blurring her vision, Rachel still identified that very real concern. A duty of an instructor was to steer their growing students on the correct path, be that iron-clad statue of logic and reason. Rachel moved to push him and reason they should save all this for when they were back home.

Reason almost never had a place in their relationship, however.

Rachel's hand instead shot into his trunks and brandished the erection that had been pulsing against her for the past three minutes and plaguing her thoughts for the last three days. She pulled his head down and silenced the stream of moans tumbling off his lips with hers. The kiss held a starving intensity, her tongue tracing the seam of his lips before delving into the intoxicating embrace of his mouth that had been spewing lustful wants at her. Ragna met her with a fervent eagerness, their tongues tangling in a passionate embrace. Their breaths mingled, the rapid rhythm of their hearts beating like drums. Ragna bucked his hips as she thumbed his pre-cum covered head, choked moans swallowed by his teacher.

"Such desperation for my touch… A boy through and through."

"Don't give me that shit like you're some saint. I know you're soaked…" Ragna panted against her mouth and slipped his hand into her bikini bottom to confirm how positively wet she was. "Look at that, I was right." He rubbed quick circles around her clit, rousing various cries from Rachel that Ragna gladly gorged himself on. "Damn, baby, you're absolutely drenched. And I doubt this is from the sea water."

Rachel jerked his thick, leaking cock harder which momentarily speed-bumped his tongue, her hand being completely coated in musky pre-cum. They drew apart, their lips parting with a soft, almost reluctant sound. A thin strand of saliva connected them for a fleeting moment, a physical reminder of the intense exchange they had just shared. Rachel's chest rose and fell with each uneven breath, her lips slightly swollen and flushed from the merciless kiss. Ragna's own breath came in shallow gasps as he flipped Rachel onto her fours. Positioned behind her, Ragna slid his cock along the crease of her ripe bottom, enjoying the meaty flesh. He then slipped into her bikini bottom and Rachel shuddered feeling the warm thickness flush against her bare sex, pressing more into her thanks to the tight space of the fabric.

Ragna started rutting immediately, the combined constriction and heavenly sensation of her pussy threw him into a frenzy. Rachel covered her mouth so as not to run the risk of any of her moans escaping far enough to draw attention. Waves crashing against the sea bed and noisy beach-goers provided a decent cover up but Rachel wanted to leave nothing to chance. Stopping now by some grave misfortune of being spotted would most likely kill her at this point.

"You feel so fucking good, baby… I'd be throwing a fit like those stupids jocks if I couldn't have you, too." Ragna leaned forward and wrapped Rachel in his massive frame, planting hot kisses over her neck and ear. "Those fucking pussies even looking at you is more than they deserve. I should've shoved those tacky ass sunglasses right up his ass."

"Ragna… were you jealous?" Such aggression in his tone, possessiveness. Rachel never heard him sound like this before. Was it bad she found that a turn-on?

"The fuck do you think?" Ragna thrusted marginally harder then and Rachel could not contain her voice, the surprising force catching her off guard. "How the hell can you piss me so easily? Always. I can't even touch you, and those fucks think they can lay so much as a finger on you?" Another strong thrust, rolling her eyes far back. "God, you're so fucking sexy, Rachel. If it were up to me, we'd break in every inch of this place.

"Tell me..." A moan stunted her sentence, swallowing to dampen her dry throat. "What do you mean by that? What did you wish to do to me when you saw me?"

"I wanted to shove you right to the ground and stuff you, fill you with this dick you love so much." Ragna rained hot kisses all over the nape of her neck. "Fucking you in the sauna, shower, right on the patio of your room and let every single fucker on this island know you're mine. Mine! Shit, I'm coming just thinking about it."

As Ragna's words wove a vivid tapestry of clandestine adventures, Rachel's imagination ignited with exhilaration and anticipation. Rachel truly wished he had. Each word he spoke was like a spark that set her thoughts ablaze, painting a tantalizing picture of stolen moments and secret rendezvous. The thrill of the forbidden coursed through her veins, sending a shiver of excitement down her spine and right to her soaking pussy. In her mind's eye, she saw them cocooned in the heated air of the sauna, Ragna having her up against the wall, ravaging her. Splayed on the beach beneath his larger body while he rutted her like the insatiable brute he was. Looking up at the stars on her patio while Ragna thrust into her from behind without clemency. The world around Rachel seemed to blur as her imagination carried her away, her senses tingling with the intensity of the images she conjured and from the cock carrying her to a heart throbbing orgasm.

"Fuck, fuck… Baby, I'm coming…!" Ragna hooked his hands under her thighs and sat back, hoisting the petite woman up to lean against him. In that same deft motion he broke into a batch of inhumanely fast thrusts. Rachel's eyes crossed as she began rubbing quick circles around her clit feeling his length nearly penetrate her within that flurry, which ended abruptly as a rush of hot seed spurt into her bikini. Rachel gritted her teeth so as not to scream his name and alert the entire island of their location as she gushed all over his pulsing cock. Ragna humped her a few more times, teasing more gasps and yelps from her, kissing her all over her cheek and neck, before finally releasing Rachel to lay limp against him. "Sorry about the swimsuit," Ragna breathed.

"Quite alright. Swimsuits are meant to be repleacable." Rachel leaned her head back against his chest. "Criticizing you at this juncture would be foolish. We will be returning home in the morning, anyway."

"Knew you wanted that just as much I did."

"Do keep in mind where I sit." Rachel emphasized her point by gripping his wilted dick, which made him wince.

"Point… taken. So could ya not rip it off? We still got uses for it." Rachel gave him one last squeeze before relenting, not very appreciative of his choice of words.

"Now it is time to reveal where you learned of my inability to swim. I would like a word with them."

"Oh, that." Ragna completely forgot about that. "I honestly had no idea. Just said it to piss you off."

Rachel's expression fell. "...Come again?"

"Yeah. Surprised me too when you couldn't actually swim. You should've seen the look on your... Hm, Rabbit?" Ragna's head tilted as Rachel stood up.

A single word escaped her lips like an icy command, and the sweltering beach transformed into a winter wonderland. "Drown." Rachel's foot shot out with swift precision, and Ragna was sent flying into the water. The shock left him sputtering for a moment, his protests drowned out by the salty waves.

"Shit!" Ragna resurfaced from the water, coughing, his face a mixture of shock and disbelief. As he wiped the salty droplets from his eyes and went to snap at Rachel for kicking him like that, what glared down at him trickled a bead of sweat trickled down Ragna's temple. Rachel stood on the rocky outcrop, her crimson eyes fixed on him, devoid of emotion. Ragna's bravado had dissolved into thin air, replaced by a profound sense of unease. The ocean that surrounded him felt like a vast abyss, and Rachel, perched high above on that rocky outcrop, seemed like an omnipotent figure. Oh, she's pissed now.

"Take me to the shore. Now."

"Y-yeah." Ragna assisted Rachel down and back to the beach. Perhaps the other swimmers sensed the danger in Rachel as they made way for them. If she wasn't going to let this go before, Rachel certainly wasn't going too now.