Chapter 387: Roald is Not That Naive
Chapter 387: Roald is Not That Naive
When it comes to a beach vacation, the part Roald most looks forward to is definitely not applying sunscreen.
After all, it's just asking for trouble.
But when Mila laid on the beach mat, exposing her smooth, fair back, and then turned her head to look at him, he couldn't refuse.
"Make sure to apply it evenly," Mila said.
"Of course," Roald took the small bottle from her, "Let's tie your hair up first."
Without waiting for Mila's response, Roald gathered her long hair, twisting it together, and used the small rubber band on his wrist to tie it into a ponytail.
He was getting more and more skilled at this task.
Roald pulled the long ponytail to the front, squeezed out some sunscreen, and dotted her neck with evenly spaced white dots. Then, he placed his hands on her neck and began to spread the sunscreen downward.
He repeated this process, occasionally letting his hands slip to touch where they should, all in the name of spreading the sunscreen evenly.
"Roald's technique is quite good," Elusa unexpectedly laid down next to Mila, "Do you want to help me too?"
Although he couldn't see Mila's expression, Roald could see the beach mat crumpling under her.
He promptly refused, "Mila still needs a lot of help here. Why don't you ask Natsu instead?"
"That's true," Elusa nodded, "Natsu, come and help me."
"Ugh~ What a hassle," Natsu reluctantly moved closer.
"Please, just do it like Roald is doing," Elusa said, "And later, I can help you too."
"I'm not afraid of getting tanned," Natsu watched Roald's movements for a while and started applying the sunscreen in the same way.
Roald suddenly had a bold idea—if Elusa was teaching Natsu his movements, would Natsu follow his lead if he did something interesting?
Mila turned her head towards him and wrinkled her nose, "It's best not to think about strange things."
"How do you know?"
"Hmm."
How could she know? It was because when he got distracted, the strength of his hands changed.
At this moment, Lucy was holding a bottle of sunscreen and feeling a bit embarrassed. She had originally planned to help Mila or Elusa, but what should she do now? Should she ask Gray for help?
Asking a man who might strip at any moment to help apply sunscreen was something Lucy couldn't bring herself to do! At this critical moment, Happy spoke up, "Lucy, do you need our help?"
Lucy looked at him, "Your mischievous smile is written all over your face."
"We didn't plan to play a prank."
"I don't believe you."
It was better to rely on herself than others. Lucy took out a key and said, "Open up, Virgin's Gate, Baluga!"
A flash of light passed, and the pink-haired maid appeared. But this time, she wasn't wearing her maid outfit; instead, she was dressed in a black swimsuit with white lace trim.
"Princess, are you going to train me at the beach?"
"Of course not!" Lucy questioned her attire, "Why are you wearing a swimsuit?"
"Because Brother told me that he sent you a vacation coupon," Baluga explained as she knelt in front of Lucy, "Shall we start the training now?"
"I already said it's not training, I just need your help..." Lucy suddenly realized Baluga's choice of words, "'Brother'? What's going on there?"
"Leo told me to call him that way."
"That guy..." Lucy touched her forehead, but this was the way the Star Spirits interacted, and she didn't want to get involved, "Anyway, please help me."
"Yes, Princess," Baluga responded dutifully.
Behind a coconut tree, Juvia, also in a swimsuit, squirmed anxiously, "What should I do? Gray-sama came out alone, such a great opportunity, but... Ahh, today I must..."
"You two are really troublesome. Since it's like this, Happy and I will start playing first.
"Gray greeted Happy, "First up, let's build a sandcastle!"
"Aye!"
"Watch and learn, Happy. Building a sandcastle is all about shaping the sand!"
"Aye!"
Gray's hands moved swiftly, and he crafted an impressive sandcastle.
Happy formed a small mound of sand, vaguely resembling the shape of a fish. He then spread his hands and said, "I'm bored."
"You have no patience!" Even as Elusa lay on the beach, letting Baluga apply sunscreen, Lucy couldn't help but exclaim, "It's only been a few minutes!"
Happy hung his head in disappointment. "No matter what we do, we can't build one as good as Gray's."
"You're discouraging Happy. Can't you just play along a little?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Gray looked serious. "This is a competition! A manly competition!"
"Happy is only six years old this year, right?" Lucy was perplexed. "Wait, according to cat years, six is already quite old, but Happy isn't an ordinary cat..."
Based on Happy's usual behavior, he was like a mischievous child. Coincidentally, Natsu was the same.
"Don't give up, Happy. I'll take care of this myself," Natsu said, finally managing to placate Elusa. He immediately started building his own sandcastle right across from Gray.
A sandcastle that barely deserved the name was quickly constructed.
Lucy felt Gray had won this round. "Natsu's creation is less like a sandcastle and more like a dragon's nest."
But Natsu was thrilled. "Exactly! You understand, Lucy!"
"No time to dwell on this. Let's move on to the next activity." Gray strode into the sea, splashing water onto Natsu's face with a wave of his arm. "Water fight!"
"Damn it! A sneak attack!" Natsu immediately jumped into the water to join the battle.
Happy, carrying a tiny life jacket, also ran into the sea.
Mila, with a slightly flushed face, nudged Rod. "Come on, I'll do my face, you go and play."
Rod seemed reluctant. "I'm not that childish..."
A splash of water hit Rod's face, wetting half of his hair and the front of his shirt.
How did they manage to splash water from so far away?
Natsu laughed heartily. "Hahaha! Rod's a drenched chicken now!"
Mila covered her mouth, smiling at Rod's disheveled appearance.
Rod wiped his face and gave her a smile. "I'll go handle a small matter."
"Okay~"
"Prepare to die, Natsu!" Rod dove into the water, dramatically flinging his arms, "Eagle Spread Wings!"
"He's using that move? Watch this, Fire Dragon Splash!"
"I'll join too, Water Machine Gun!"
Lucy couldn't hold back her sarcastic comment. "Even Mr. Rod has become childish... And what's the difference between their moves anyway?"
The three of them shouted and made a ruckus, but their attacks were just ordinary splashes of water—powerful enough to feel like a slap to the face.
"We... Wah!" The first victim was Happy, who, in the three-way battle, quickly became cannon fodder. Occasionally, he'd be splashed by the seawater."
After a chaotic battle, the three of them were soaked, and they temporarily called a truce to change into swim trunks.
"So mean~" Happy pouted, his expression pitiful, a hint of emotion in his eyes.
Rod summoned Worm, asking him to play with Happy.
"Huff..." Worm crouched on the beach, looking unenthusiastic.
It was too hot, and it was supposed to be a cool summer activity.
Rod took out a large bill. "How about some ice cream?"
"Hooray!" Worm immediately cheered up.
The mention of food was enough to excite the child, who had little principles when it came to eating.
Worm was now as big as a pig, but rounder, and Rod could easily ride him.
Carrying Happy to buy ice cream was no trouble at all.
Today's ice cream was on Rod's tab.
(End of Chapter)
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