Future Endeavors

-----Yui's POV

We've been travelling for a couple more days now, and for the most part, things have been going quite well. After I told mom the good news with Luna, she went over to Luna's caravan to see her as well. Faye also seemed to be feeling better, although not as bright as everyone else since she did just lose her sister, but at least she's showing some smiles here and there.

Seeing Fleur still laying there dead is just a constant reminder that death does exist in this world, and that could have easily been Luna as well.

Iris: "Stop right around this bend."

Driver: "Yes, milady."

And just like usual, it seemed like we'll be having another one of our breaks. It's a lot less stressful knowing that we're now far away from the border of Inasdale, but it does make me anxious as I can hear rustling in the forest, but then again, that could just be the wind.

But as we went around the bend in the dirt road, my sights were locked on what looked to be quite a large lake as less trees were now obstructing our vision. I know it's crazy to think this, but I miss water. I remember back in my past life, there was a river running past our street, and on occasions, Kaede and I would just relax at the bank of the river, staring off at our own reflections under the trees. But after being reborn in this world, I haven't seen any instance of water besides what we drink. I can only imagine what it feels like just jumping into that lake...

Soon enough, we finally come to a stop at a clearing towards the lake. Excitement continues to build up inside me before I immediately dash out of the caravan.

Natalie: "E-Ellen!"

Yui: "Hah-"

I ignore the cries of Natalie and continue running off towards the lake. The sunlight reflecting off of the surface of the still lake was so mesmerizing, making me feel like I'm a moth being drawn into a bright light, until I finally reach the edge of the lake. Looking down, the lake was completely still as the surface reflected my face perfectly, much like the mirror back home, and what I saw first was that I had a huge smile plastered on my face.

Yui: "Hahh~"

After a brief look at the water, I collapse onto my back as the grass covers my body, ticking my ears in the process. Now looking up into the sky, it was a beautiful day as there were only a few clouds along with a beautiful blue sky, almost the same color as mine and my mom's eyes.

Natalie: "Ellen. You shouldn't just run off like that."

All of a sudden, Natalie also joined the sky as she towered above me.

Yui: "Sorry. I couldn't help it."

I end up sitting up from the ground as Kaede ends up sitting beside me, along with Mell, Sicily and Lillian following suit.

Kaede: "You looked like you haven't seen water in your whole life the way you ran over here, hehe."

Yui: "I mean, that's technically correct, haha."

Natalie: "That's true. Inasdale doesn't have that much area with water."

Yui: "So you haven't seen a lake like this, Natalie?"

Natalie: "Nope. This is a first for me as well."

Sicily: "Where we lived, we had a lake similar to this. Although not as big as this."

Lillian: "Heh. I remember us playing in the lake together when we were little."

I do wonder where Sicily and Lillian are from. They're still quite mysterious in my eyes, but from how they interact so naturally with Kaede, I can only imagine that they've shared their personal lives with her. I still have no idea whether it's okay to pry or not, but with them always having a hood over them, it does give off the impression they want to be left alone.

Sicily: "Ah! Then why don't we do it again?"

Lillian: "What?"

Sicily: "Come on~ It'll be fun."

Lillian: "...You do know that's dangerous."

Sicily: "Kaede shown herself to everyone. I was thinking-"

Lillian: "That's different. Kaede already has built a solid relationship with everyone. We on the other hand are just passengers."

Sicily: "Kaede will vouch for us, right?"

Kaede: "Of course."

Sicily: "See?~"

When they say stuff like this, it only makes me all the more curious about them. "Shown themselves? Dangerous?" I can only think that they're also something similar to Kaede, regarded as a monster in the eyes of humans.

Mell: "I want to go in as well."

Kaede: "Fufu~ Maybe when we find some swimwear, then we can."

Mell: "Fine~"

Natalie: "Swimwear? I'm not sure what you mean by that."

Wait... Is the concept of swimming not a thing in this world? Mell seemed indifferent when Kaede said that, but Natalie's reaction did spark a whole new curiosity in my mind, and looking at Kaede, she also seemed to be thinking the same thing. "Swimming doesn't exist here?"

Sicily: "Pfft. What are you talking about, Kaede? You don't wear anything to swim."

Kaede: "What? Of course you do!"

Lillian: "Huh?"

Okay, maybe swimming is a thing, but the concept of clothes dedicated for swimming isn't?

Natalie: "I'm not sure... I've never tried swimming before, but I think I'd rather wear something rather than nothing."

And now all the pieces fall into place. Okay, so Sicily and Lillian come from a place where nude swimming is apparently a thing, and Natalie thinks swimming should be done while wearing clothes, but not swimwear? I'm not entirely sure if polyester is a thing in this world, but maybe I could invent swim wear in this world! Just the thought of people discovering this and it slowly becoming an everyday thing excites me. I wonder if the Yarene kingdom has many lakes, or even an ocean!!!

Iris: "What's this talk about swimming?"

Perfect!

Yui: "Mom! Do you know if the kingdom of Yarene has many lakes or rivers, maybe even an ocean?"

I'm not sure whether I'm more excited than I was before when I first ran over to this lake than I am now. The idea of swimming is easily on my bucket list now.

Iris: "The capital is located on a cliffside. So yes, Yarene is right beside an ocean. Hehe, didn't I go over this before? Yarene is the reason why we had a supply of fish in the first place."

Ah, now that she mentions it, I do recall her talking about a trade route delivering fish supplies to our household.

Yui: "Yes!!!"

Kaede: "Fufu~ Did you wanna swim in the ocean that badly?"

Yui: "Mm! But more importantly. I'm going to invent swimwear!"

Iris: "Swimwear?"

Alice: "Can't you just wear your casual clothes for it?"

Yui: "Nope!~ That'll just make it gross and heavy, not to mention it takes ages to dry."

Kaede: "Hehe. I like it."

I'm glad to see Kaede seems to be on board with this idea of mine. I'm not sure, but I do believe I've stumbled upon a goldmine! Yarene, a kingdom beside an ocean, not fully enjoying swimming? Or maybe they just see it as a hassle and have never tried it? Either way, I'm going to try and make that a reality!

Lillian: "You make it sound like this "swimwear" is waterproof or something."

Yui: "Not quite, but basically yes! It's leagues better than wearing normal clothes."

Sicily: "Mmm~ I don't know. I enjoy the free feeling of just not wearing anything. Plus I doubt something waterproof like that even exists."

She does make an excellent point. I'm only familiar with polyester being used in swimwear, so I'm unsure what the equivalent of that would be in this world. There may be some animals that might have something akin to the material, but I doubt it'll be perfectly the same. I guess for now, I'll just put a pin in that idea until I figure out a plan.

Mell: "...So, no swimming?"

Kaede: "Mmmmm"

Kaede looks to be struggling with the concept of saying no to Mell. It's cute watching her agonize over her morals like this.

Kaede: "Fine, but stay close to me, okay?"

Mell: "Yes!"

Before Kaede even caved into the pressure, I was already taking off my shoes and socks, getting ready to at least dip my toes into the lake. There's not a chance that I'm letting this chance slip, I'm not letting Kaede enjoy this without me.

Iris: "Ah! Be careful though! I didn't get much repots regarding this lake, so just be careful of any monsters lurking around."

Kaede: "I checked with mana-sense and I didn't pick up any noticeable threats."

Iris: "If that's the case, then~"

It was then that mom also decides to take off her fancy shoes before walking up beside me, heading towards the lakeside. Alice remained back along with Sicily and Lillian. Natalie soon followed with me, taking off her shoes as well before we all entered the water.

I didn't think too much as I leapt forward, jumping straight into the lake, but what I didn't expect was for the water to be ice cold, instantly freezing my body in my place, with the water only reaching my ankles... Maybe swimming in the winter might not be a good idea...