Now what do I do? Do I just stay like this till they go away?
[ Probably the best thing to do. ]
Alright. I'll just stay here. I looked at my surroundings as far as my eyes could see while being burried in the sand. I watched them roam for a while. Actually this is kind of nice too. It's like watching a documentary.
I must look like an idiot right nowNut what choice do I have. I'm still weak. So much for " I've change." huh. Time passed.
The light above reflecting the sea brightened… then dimmed… then brightened again. For days, they searched the area over and over again.
But it worked, they weren't able to find me. So, I guess this is alright. Still when are they leave? I watched them move near and far from me for two days straight.
At some point, I almost started thinking they were actually harmless. Or maybe this humanoid form is just very effective.
There were close momentss. A few times, they stopped right in front of me but they just stared and walked away. My heart nearly stopped every time it happened.
But the third day. I am done, I need too get out. This is getting very uncomfortable. Sand got into places I don't even want to think about, and breathing like this is just unbearable.
On this fateful day, I finally decided to stop being buried. I moved and manage to get my whole head out, just as I was about to move my body.
A group passed by not too far from me. There were three figures, humanoid. Each of them could definitely pass as a model in the model world. No, more like Idols.
The first girl had soft green hair that flowed gently around her shoulders, strands drifting slightly with the water. Her eyes were wide and bright, a vivid green that matched the tones of her outfit.
Her clothing was made of layered seaweed and fine strands of marine fiber, wrapped naturally around her body and tied at the waist with small shells and ornaments.
The second girl stood more firmly, her stance were grounded and steady. Her long brown hair was braided loosely to one side, with small shell pieces woven into it. Her eyes were sharp, focused, and slightly narrowed, giving her a more serious and confrontational presence.
Her outfit was darker, made of layered fabric resembling dried kelp, wrapped securely and adorned with subtle coral accents.
The third girl had long, flowing dark blue hair that trailed behind her like ink in water. Her eyes were lively and expressive. Her outfit was lighter and more fluid, made of soft, drifting fabric that moved with the current, decorated with small golden shell fragments. Compared to the others, her movements felt more animated, her energy sharper and more reactive.
Their movements were relaxed, casual, like they were walking in the park even with the behemoths walking nearby. They are not predators, which is good. I let out a small breath of relief. I decided to ask them some question when one of them turned my way.
"Hey."
My body froze.
"Do you see that?"
Another one followed her gaze. Silence.
"Is that" A pause"…a face?"
My eyes widened slightly. Wait, let me go out first.
"No way."
"Why is it smiling?!"
I wasn't smiling. Was I?
"E-Excuse me?!" one of them snapped, stepping closer. "Why are you buried in the sand like that?!"
"I—this is tactical." I tried to explain, my voice muffled.
"Tactical?!"
"Are you some kind of pervert?!"
"What?! No!"
"Were you just… watching us?!"
"I wasn't watching anything!"
"Then why were you smiling?!"
"I wasn't smiling, that's just my face!"
"That makes it worse."
I felt my soul leave my body.
"I swear I was hiding!"
"In the sand?!"
"Yes?"
They stared at me like I had just committed a crime.
"That is not normal."
"I panicked, okay?!"
A long silence.
"…Pervert."
"I'M NOT—!"
Before I could finish, they turned and swam off quickly, whispering among themselves.
"This is bad."
[ Reputation decreased. ]
"Vex, don't start."
I was still lamenting my unfortunate situation when the girl with dark blue hair suddenly turned back. Then she crouched beside me.
" Why are you buried in the sand?"
I almost teared up. Finally. Someone not accusing me.
"I—I'm hiding," I said quickly. "I'm scared of those big creatures."
I tilted my head slightly, pointing with my lips toward the behemoths in the distance.
She followed my gaze, then looked back at me. Her expression changed to confusion.
She didn't speak. She just… stared and I stared back.
…
We ended up in a silent staring contest. After a while, she finally spoke.
" Are you a worm? "
I froze.
What? How did she come up with that?
[ Because you're buried? ]
" Reallly Vex. Yeah obviously." i rolled my eyes at Vex. Before I could respond.
"Are you a burrowing type?" she asked again, tilting her head slightly.
I forced a small smile. The moment I did—Smack.
My head snapped to the side.
I stared at her, stunned.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly and innocently at that.
A pause.
"You just look really ugly when you do that."
I blinked. She looked slightly uncomfortable.
"Don't do that. It scared me."
I felt something inside me break. I wanted to laugh. I really want to. But I;m also scared of getting slapped again. So I stayed completely still.
[ Blunt. ]
I ignored Vex.
" I'm not a burrowing type. I said. " I panicked when I saw them and buried myself. Now I'm stuck."
She stared at me, as if assesssing if I said the truth or not.
" Are you a criminal?"
I blinked. Why is this woman's questions always this extreme?
" I'm not."
She paused.
" Then there's no need to be scared." she said calmly. " They don't attack normal folks."
Earlier I was a pervert now normal folks… earlier I was a pervert now
Her gaze lingered on me for a few seconds.
"Okay, I have to go. Goodbye."
And just like that, she turned and left.
Fast…too fast. I stared after her "What? Just like that?" She came and left like a gust of current.
Weird woman. I started wiggling myself out of the sand. Almost free, almost there. Then I she came running back.
"You're back?"
The moment I fully got out, she stopped in front of me. Then stared at me, from head to toe.
"…What are you—"
Before I could finish, she stepped closer. She reached out, touched my arm, then my shoulder. Then she's going for something she shouldn't.
"Hey—hey! What are you doing?!"
I quickly covered myself and stepped back, putting distance between us.
Are women in this world this bold?
Then I saw her pause. She held her chin, like she's thinking deepl, and then her eyes lit up. Before I could react, she grabbed my arm and dashed forward.
"W—wait—!"
The world blurred…Is she a speed-type? I barely had time to process anything as we rushed past the area. From the corner of my eye, I saw the behemoths. They glanced at us then turned away.
…Okay. That's good.I think.
A few seconds later, we caught up to her sisters. She finally stopped still holdidng my arm.
"Sister!" she called out, slightly out of breath. "I found someone who can save us!"
I blinked…Excuse me? Save who now?