Chapter 43

Our swimwear shopping was a bit rough but eventually wrapped up. Personally, I preferred rash guards because they were more comfortable, but the looks Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a gave me were anything but ordinary. Unable to ignore their stares, I compromised by finding a bikini with lace that could somewhat cover my body.

Still, a part of me felt uneasy. Maybe I should’ve just ignored Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a’s opinions and bought the rash guard… Wearing this and walking around the beach, I could already imagine men staring at me. Having once been a man myself, I knew exactly how it worked. Honestly, my figure was pretty good. Some might call it self-consciousness, but it was true. A woman with a figure like mine in a bikini at the beach? I could only imagine the attention.

Anyway, we got permission from Yoo-in-a’s parents for the beach trip, so our plans were moving along smoothly.

“Ah! It’s so hot!”

On the way to the train station, the sunlight was blindingly intense. The scorching sun above seemed determined to prove that summer had arrived, relentlessly beating down on us. Even in short sleeves and shorts, sweat was dripping everywhere. Despite the heat, Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a were sticking close to me.

Ha-yeon, who usually hated the heat and kept her distance, was unusually close this time. But the reason was clear—Yoo-in-a was here. It felt like a competition, with both of them clinging to me without an inch of space between us.

Overwhelmed by the heat, I pleaded with the kids.

“Hey… can you give me a little space? It’s so hot I can’t breathe…”

But instead of a cool breeze, I got sharp retorts. The trip hadn’t even started, and they were already at each other’s throats. Of course, having seen Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a like this before, I knew this was their version of WWE.

“Yoo-in-a should move first!”

“No, Ha-yeon should move first!”

They were glaring at each other, sparks flying. Honestly, trying to mediate felt like I’d collapse first. In the end, I gave up and decided to make a break for it.

“Fine! I’m going ahead!”

Leaving the kids behind, I started running, only to hear shouts from behind.

“Mom, where are you going?!”

“Auntie~!”

The voices were getting closer, meaning they were chasing me. In the middle of summer, with the hot air wrapping around me, I felt exhausted even before we boarded the train.

————————————————————–

“Umi da…!”

As soon as I saw the sandy beach, I couldn’t hold back my excitement and shouted. Under the clear, cloudless sky, the vast blue ocean was dazzlingly beautiful. The fine sand beneath my feet was soft and warm. Even though I wasn’t barefoot, I could almost feel the texture of the sand. Of course, it was probably just my imagination since I was wearing shoes.

At my shout, Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a paused and tilted their heads.

“Mom, what’s ‘umi’?”

“I’ve never heard that before!”

With a mischievous smile, I answered their question.

“It’s a secret!”

It was a line Japanese anime protagonists often shouted when they saw the beach. A little quirk of mine, I guess? But I didn’t explain further. My otaku tendencies were better kept hidden.

“Kids, let’s go change into our swimsuits!”

“Okay!”

I took Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a’s hands and headed to the nearby changing room. Since we were only here for the day, we hadn’t brought tents or any overnight gear. We’d left early in the morning, so we had about 6-7 hours to play at the beach.

By 5 or 6 PM, we’d head back home. So, the items we brought were relatively simple: swimsuits, clothes, towels, and the like.

I looked around for the changing room. Finding one on this vast sandy beach felt like a quest. But eventually, I spotted it.

The changing room was already crowded. I carefully lined up with the kids and went inside.

“Here’s Ha-yeon’s swimsuit… and Yoo-in-a’s swimsuit…!”

I pulled out their swimsuits from the bag. Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a excitedly took them and started changing. I glanced around. Many women were walking around in their underwear.

Early on, seeing other women’s bodies had made me blush. Honestly, how often would I see women’s naked bodies? Back then, I couldn’t even lift my head, but now it was different.

I’d grown accustomed to this body. I’d washed it thousands of times. Now, I could change into a swimsuit without much embarrassment.

Anyway, I rummaged through my bag and pulled out my swimsuit—the bikini Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a had recommended. I’d taught myself how to tie the strings online, so I wouldn’t have a repeat of the last time when the bikini top came undone. That memory still haunted me.

And back then, it happened in the fitting room, so it was manageable. But if it happened here, on this crowded beach? I didn’t even want to imagine it.

“That absolutely cannot happen.”

I tightened the strings firmly. Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a, now fully dressed in their swimsuits, turned to me with bright smiles.

“Mom, how do we look? Aren’t we pretty?”

“Yes, you’re adorable! Let’s go out and have fun!”

“Yay!”

Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a’s faces lit up with joy. I looked at them proudly. Bringing them here was definitely the right choice.

——————————————————————

“Kids! Don’t go beyond the line!”

I raised my voice to warn Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a. The beach resort had long, sturdy fences dividing certain areas. That line wasn’t just a boundary—it was the line between safety and danger. Crossing it meant the ocean was no longer a playground but a fearsome force of nature. The water depth increased sharply. I was tall enough to touch the bottom, but Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a wouldn’t be.

Of course, lifeguards were patrolling, warning people who tried to cross the fence.

But there’s always the unpredictable “what if.” Just in case, I made sure Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a were wearing life jackets.

If, by any chance, they went beyond the line, the life jackets would at least keep them afloat. The waves weren’t too strong, and the lifeguards would have enough time to respond.

“Mom, come in too!”

“Auntie~, play with us!”

Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a called out to me. Hearing their voices, I ran into the water.

“It’s cold!”

Even in the blazing summer sun, the ocean water was chilly.

“Hehe!”

Ha-yeon came close to me.

“Mom! Let’s swim and play!”

“Okay!”

Yoo-in-a joined us. We splashed around and played in the water. Coming to the beach made me feel like a kid again. Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a were kindergarteners, so it was natural for them to play like children, but I was 20 and should’ve shown some restraint.

Of course, that didn’t happen.

“Eek!”

Ha-yeon shot a water cannon at me. Hit directly, I fell backward. Since we were in the water, I wasn’t hurt, but the surprise made me burst out laughing.

“Ha-yeon, you…!”

Ha-yeon, with a mischievous grin, started running away, laughing.

“Hehehe!”

I chased after her, cutting through the water. Ha-yeon couldn’t outrun me—I was an adult, and she was just a kid.

“Mom, come here!”

“Coming~!”

Yoo-in-a didn’t stay idle either. While I was chasing Ha-yeon, she suddenly splashed water at me.

“Auntie, no slacking!”

“Ah, Yoo-in-a too!”

In the end, I was overwhelmed by the two kids’ teamwork and sank into the water. Ha-yeon and Yoo-in-a’s combined attack was more powerful than anything. Enough to take down an adult like me.