"..."
March 7th blinked, the flush on her face hadn't completely faded, but the corners of her mouth were already curling up uncontrollably.
"That's more like it." She turned her face away, "However, I won't look down on you."
"Then I'll thank you in advance."
"What are you thanking me for? Wait until you actually become an idiot before you say that."
"Aren't you still thinking about the swimming pool on the Hyperion?"
"Ah! That's right! I totally forgot—wait a moment! I'm going to ask Dan Heng, Uncle Yang, and Sister Himeko!"
March 7th went off excitedly and returned just as quickly.
"Everyone isn't coming, so why don't we go play first?"
"Did you buy clothes to wear for swimming?"
"Swimwear... hiss, I actually haven't bought that." March 7th fell silent, "Don't you have women's swimsuits there?"
"You can't wear the swimsuits from Thunder."
"Who would want to wear that kind of thing!"
March 7th's expression was quite remarkable.
"Then that settles it." Aidan spread his hands, "So you have to go buy one yourself."
"Doesn't the Hyperion have any... uh, vending machines or something?"
"Well, there are some."
"Really?"
"They only sell Ai-chan merchandise." Aidan spread his hands, "Ai-chan dolls, Ai-chan postcards, and some Ai-chan laser tickets and the like."
"Then, could you..." She looked at Aidan with pleading eyes.
"Could I do what?"
"Could you conjure one up for me, just like you modified Uncle Yang's cane?"
"No, it's not Erudition today."
Aidan shook his head.
She really treated him like Doraemon.
"Then it can only be this way..."
Online shopping.
Before dinner time, March 7th's swimsuit had arrived.
"The IPC Express is really fast."
"This piece of clothing cost me more than half a month's allowance!" March 7th patted the package with a pained expression, but the pain on her face was quickly replaced by excitement, "But it's worth more than the price! This is the latest seasonal style, it's sold out across the Interstellar Network, and I managed to snag the very last one!"
"So, what style did you actually buy? It wouldn't be some strange, one-piece diving suit, would it? Or that kind of sun-protective clothing that wraps you up like a dumpling?"
"It is not!" March 7th glared at him and hugged the package tightly to her chest, as if guarding her food, "My taste is excellent! I wouldn't wear such unfashionable things. As for what style it actually is—"
She revealed a smug smile.
"It's a secret! You'll know when we get to the swimming pool later."
The Hyperion looked like a giant whale surfacing from the depths, slowly revealing its silhouette, full of technological sophistication and an imposing presence.
"Wow, no matter how many times I see it, it's always so spectacular!" March 7th leaned against the window, her eyes sparkling.
"Let's go, the Captain will take you to experience the top-tier leisure facilities of the Hyperion."
Using the Astral Express's teleportation device, the two appeared directly in the living area of the Hyperion.
"The changing room is over there." Aidan pointed to a row of small doors on the left side of the pool, "Go change. I'll adjust the water temperature and environmental mode here."
"Got it! Wait for me, no peeking!" March 7th hugged the package and scurried into the changing room.
"Who would want to peek? I'm not a pervert."
Aidan walked to the control console by the pool, his fingers tapping rapidly on the holographic screen.
"Ai-chan, adjust the water temperature and dim the ambient lighting a bit."
"Water temperature adjusting, personalized settings activated."
The lights dimmed, the cold, hard metal dome gradually became transparent, and the stars reflected on the rippling water surface. The ground around the pool also turned into a fine, soft white sandy beach, and the gentle sound of ocean waves echoed in his ears.
He found a comfortable position, leaning back on the lounge chair by the pool, and casually picked up a drink with a small umbrella from the beach table beside him, taking a sip.
"Why isn't she out yet?"
He glanced at the tightly closed door of the changing room.
Girls are always slow when changing clothes; he had at least that much common sense. But it had been nearly forty minutes—even if she were putting on a spacesuit, she should have been done by now, right?
"Click."
The door lock clicked softly, and a crack opened slowly.
A small, fair foot poked out first, toes curling restlessly as it stepped onto the sand. Immediately after, March 7th's voice, tinged with a hint of shyness, drifted out.
"Um... Aidan? Are you still there?"
"I'm here, always have been." Aidan set down his cup and sat up straight, his gaze burning as he stared at the door, "Come on out, there's no one else here, just the two of us."
"Stop rushing me! It's just... it's just that I'm not really used to this!"
A two-piece swimsuit woven with light pink and white, designed quite ingeniously. The top was a halter-style crop top, with a circle of delicate lace trim along the edges, making it look both playful and cute, while perfectly accentuating her youthful and energetic figure.
The bottom was a short, ruffled skirt style, the hem swaying gently with her movements, revealing a pair of long, straight legs.
The best part was that she had tied a semi-transparent white veil around her waist.
March 7th · Summer Limited Edition.
"How is it?"
March 7th held her hands behind her back, twisting her fingers somewhat nervously, with two spots of red flush on her cheeks.
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.
"Hey!" March 7th finally couldn't help it, placing her hands on her hips and puffing out her cheeks, "Have you seen enough yet! Give me some reaction! I finally mustered up the courage to wear this, at least say something!"
"It looks good."
March 7th followed his gaze and looked down, her face turning bright red instantly. She subconsciously raised her hands to cover her chest, eyes wide as she stared at him.
"Pervert! I knew you didn't have good intentions!"
"What, so it wasn't worn for me to see?"
"Who, who said it was worn for you to see!" March 7th retorted stubbornly, but her voice was clearly lacking confidence, "I am... I am wearing it for myself! Yes! Wearing it to put myself in a good mood!"
"Fine, fine, wearing it for yourself." Aidan didn't expose her, turning with a smile towards the pool, "Then, to celebrate Miss March 7th being in such a good mood, won't you come down for a swim?"
March 7th stood on the edge, hesitating for a moment.
"Is the water deep?"
"Not deep, about one point four meters, just above your chest." Aidan stood in the water and reached out a hand to her, "Come on, don't worry about actually drowning, I'll fish you out."
"Who needs you to fish me out! This girl knows how to swim!"
March 7th huffed, but still stepped forward cautiously.
The moment her toes touched the surface of the water, she flinched slightly, but quickly adapted to the temperature.
"Wow—it's really comfortable!"
March 7th exclaimed, the previous reserve seeming to dissipate as she entered the water. She tried paddling twice, her body floating lightly to the surface.
"And this environment..." She tilted her head back, looking at the starry sky above, "It really feels like being at the seaside."