落とし穴番外：海での楽しみ方 (Part1)
### Pitfall Side Story: How to Enjoy the Beach
**Side: Yuki**
"Like this... perhaps?"
"Yes, that’s the feeling. Now, let’s keep the pressure on! Here I go. Toss it up!"
"Yes!"
At the signal, Stasia tossed the ball high above her head. Seraria jumped in sync, and at the exact moment she reached the apex of her leap, she swung her arm down with all her might for a smash.
*Wham!!*
The sound alone was enough to tell you how ferocious that strike was.
I thought, *Oh, that’s a point for sure...* but—
"Not today!"
*Thwump!*
Riel dove instantly, scooping the ball up from the sand.
"Riel! I’m setting it, so take it!"
"Leave it to me!"
While Tori skillfully kept the ball in the air, Riel popped back up to her feet and immediately transitioned into an attacking stance.
Oh, as expected of Riel and her incredible reflexes. Even on the sand, her movements didn't lose a single bit of their sharpness.
"This is... the end!"
Riel slammed the ball down with everything she had.
And, as if she were aiming for it, the ball whizzed right past the left side of Stasia, who was still a novice at beach volleyball. Targeting the beginner rather than the open court—it was clear she was playing to win.
However, as if she had anticipated exactly that, Stasia quickly adjusted her posture.
"It is... not the end yet."
*Wham!*
She successfully received the ball.
Stasia is a general who leads from the front lines and is quite skilled with a sword, so I knew her reflexes weren't bad, but to adapt to beach volleyball this quickly? My, she’s truly remarkable.
The women of this world seem to be blessed with talent across the board.
And above all else...
*Jiggle, jiggle...*
Whether large or small, their chests were swaying with every movement.
Ah, what a feast for the eyes.
Well, considering I’m being dragged along to play beach volleyball under this scorching sun, I suppose this is my fair compensation.
This is one of those moments where I’m truly glad to have so many wives.
No matter how openly I look at their bosoms, no one says a word.
Well, if I stare too intently, it might turn into a different kind of "match," so I have to be careful not to gawk.
"Still, the gap is starting to show."
Surprisingly, the former princess duo of Seraria and Stasia—who was a beginner—had been holding their own against the beastman duo of Tori and Riel, who were blessed with natural athleticism.
However, it wasn't just about raw talent; Tori and Riel had been adventurers together for a long time, so their coordination was perfectly in sync. In contrast, Seraria and Stasia were just an impromptu team, and as the beastmen exploited their gaps, the point difference began to widen.
Yes, they were trying hard. But they were losing nonetheless.
Well, Riel was taking this quite seriously, after all.
No, no, giving your all to play is a good thing.
While I was lost in those sentiments, the moment finally arrived.
"Game set. The win goes to the Tori and Riel team."
Luna, who had eagerly volunteered to be the referee, announced the result, and Tori and Riel cheered in delight.
"You two really are strong."
"Yes. We won't lose anytime soon."
"Yup. We won't be defeated!"
The smiles on their faces were dazzling. They truly looked like athletes of the sand.
Conversely, Seraria and Stasia hung their heads, looking as if they couldn't believe the outcome.
"Don't be so down, you two. You can just get your revenge next time."
"That’s true. There’s no point in dwelling on a loss."
"Indeed. Next time, we shall properly formulate a strategy before we engage."
"Yes. We’ll have a strategy meeting tonight. We’ll get our revenge tomorrow."
"Understood."
Hahaha. At least they have enough reason not to demand a rematch this very second.
Now that things had settled down, I turned my gaze toward the ocean...
"Enora, are you okay?"
"Are you sinking?"
"I am not sinking! I’ve learned how to swim, thanks to Yuki’s lessons!"
"Is this really what you call swimming?"
"Hmm. You’re moving a little. And since you’re barely staying afloat, I’ll certify this as swimming."
Kagura, Mikos, Enora, Samantha, and Cleena were swimming together in the shallows, chatting happily.
The student team, then. Well, Enora is a bishop, but since she was originally a priest-in-training, I suppose treating her as a student is fine.
Regardless, they were truly enjoying the sea.
When I was young, I... no, I didn't have such modest beach outings.
The kind of beach trips I used to have were...
"Hahahaha! Ria, you’re slow!"
"Muu!! I won't lose!"
"I won't lose either!"
"Geez, was it a mistake for me to join this?"
That’s right. We were "sprinting" through the ocean like that. Swimming to an island visible in the distance was a common occurrence.
Though, in terms of positioning, I was the type like Agil, who regretted joining the competition in the first place.
And yet, I never learned my lesson no matter how many times we did it.
...I suppose I don't have much learning capacity either.
"Well, Samantha and Cleena are fine, but is it really okay for Ria and Jessica to be swimming so violently? Even if they are doppelgangers, they are pregnant, aren't they?"
That’s right—Ria, Jessica, Samantha, and Cleena were currently pregnant, and their real bodies weren't at the beach. They were using doppelgangers to enjoy the sea. Still, wasn't that a bit too much?
Watching them move so intensely made my palms sweat; even if they were different bodies, I worried it might affect their real selves.
So, I asked Rulua, who is in charge of my family's health management.
"Yes, it is perfectly fine. I understand your concern, but staying at home all the time is hard on their mental health, and they are balancing things out properly with this."
"...With that?"
"Yes. You understand, don't you, Yuki-san? In the first place, if everyone used their full power, they wouldn't even need to swim like that."
"No, no, that *is* their full power. It's the real deal."
They were in complete combat mode.
However, Rulua’s point was valid. It’s not like something would happen just from swimming.
"So, what will you do, my husband? Will you soak up the sun with us?"
"If you like, you could even nap with me?"
"No, I’ll decline both of those offers."
"What a shame. I had the oil all ready, too."
Seraria and Kirue said that with exaggerated disappointment.
If I fell for that, I’d definitely be dragged into something else.
I’ll save that for tonight.
"Besides, didn't you two just finish playing beach volleyball, Seraria?"
"Yes. That’s why we’re taking a break. My, what were you thinking, I wonder?"
"I'm still young, after all."