No, How Can an Atheist Become a Saintess!? – 107
EP.107 Summer and the Sea (3)
Well… okay.
We’ve already covered the weirdest part—“A nun in a bikini”—so now, let’s talk about something slightly less shocking. Like how this supposedly private beach trip for just me and Ria… somehow turned into a full-fledged group gathering.
To explain—
“So what, are you saying we should bring some other knights along?”
Yep.
That was exactly how it happened.
See, I’m a Saintess Candidate.
Here on Earth, my reputation isn’t quite as high as it is among the other races. Sure, within the Church, it seems pretty much guaranteed that I’ll inherit the title. But ironically, most of the people who’ve actually seen me in action… are all professionals. Hunters? Yeah, they like me. A lot of them owe me their lives, after all. Some soldiers? They might’ve seen me fight in a research facility once or twice. But civilians? Not so much.
I’ve never publicly taken down one of those massive monsters that invade our world. Never soared through the sky, rescuing people left and right like the other heroes. For some reason, my public contributions on Earth never quite matched the level of what I’d done elsewhere. Which, honestly? Was fine by me.
Except… there was one problem.
Within the Church? People definitely knew what I was capable of. So no matter where I went, having a Church knight order tailing me had become a given. Back in the day, as long as Ria was with me, nobody made a big deal out of it. But lately? Even that didn’t seem to be enough.
…Which, I guess, made sense.
The Dwarven Kingdom had reported everything I’d done to the Church. So of course my status had gone up.
“Yeah, well… we can’t wear a swimsuit in front of a knight order.”
“……”
Hearing Ria’s comment, for just one fleeting second, I did consider just letting the knights tag along. Just for a second. But then I saw how excited Ria was about this trip. And I didn’t have the heart to ruin it for her. So, in the end… we had to find other bodyguards. People strong enough to protect us and chill enough to not make a huge deal about us wearing swimsuits. Which led us to… Lee Si-yoon and his friends. (…Though honestly, I still have no idea how Gloria and her maid—who literally live at our Church—somehow ended up part of his group.)
“…If the Mother Superior finds out I was dressed like this in front of other men, she’s definitely going to faint.”
“She might just pass out again in her dreams… once she learns you were still wearing your veil.”
“……”
I wanted to be mad at Ria.
I really did.
But unfortunately, I couldn’t even look at her right now.
The swimsuit I picked for her did suit her perfectly…
But for someone like me—who had zero immunity to these kinds of things—
It was way too much to handle.
“Come on, don’t just stand there. Let’s go.”
Ria took my hand, pulling me along.
Usually, that wouldn’t have even made me blink.
Ria always liked dragging me around, and hand-holding was just a normal part of that.
But today…
With the way she looked in that swimsuit…
And the way her back looked as she walked ahead of me…
Yeah.
I couldn’t even lift my gaze.
*
The swimming lessons I got from Ria… were basically useless. Sure, I technically learned the basics. But it’s not like we had regular lessons every day or even set aside specific practice days each week.
And then there was the waves. I couldn’t even go into the deep end, yet the only places not affected by the waves… were way too deep for me. So in the end, I just gave up and settled for floating on an inflatable tube, riding the waves instead.
Splish.
“……”
I had been staring blankly at the sky—until that sound made me lower my head again.
One side of my tube dipped down slightly.
Not enough to flip over, but definitely enough to notice.
Splish.
Saltwater splashed against my face.
I wiped it off with my hand and turned to look at—
“…What exactly are you doing?”
Ria was hanging onto one side of the tube, grinning at me.
She had slipped her legs through the center hole and was balancing herself with her back against the inner rim, so the middle of the tube kept filling up with seawater.
And she was purposefully splashing that water at me.
“Oh, nothing~ I just got a little bored playing in the waves.”
“……”
Ria rested her elbows on the top of the tube. If she had just laid her arms flat like on a desk, I probably wouldn’t have had an issue. Most of her body would’ve been underwater, after all.
But no.
Because the tube was sinking slightly on one side, that meant she had to push down on it to keep herself steady. Which also meant… she was lifting her upper body just enough that her chest was completely above the waterline. And unfortunately, the areas not covered by her swimsuit were front and center.
“…Are you seriously just going to sit here and relax? Everyone else is over there having fun.”
She gestured toward the others.
I silently turned my gaze to where Si-yoon and his group were.
That side?
Pure, unfiltered youth.
Si-yoon, Yu-ri, and Gloria.
(Fun fact: Gloria originally had a very negative stance on swimsuits. Probably because she’s a princess—so showing that much skin in front of others made her uncomfortable.)
But when Yu-ri insisted on wearing a bikini, Gloria must’ve panicked a little and finally chose a swimsuit—though she went with a safe, modest one-piece. Which was why Si-yoon seemed even more flustered around his childhood friend, Yu-ri.
If I joined them, Ria would definitely follow. And that would mean two more heroines standing next to Si-yoon. Rather than that, it would be more helpful for the two of them if I stayed here and held at least one person back.
…..
It’s definitely not because I’m embarrassed. And it’s absolutely not because I don’t want to see Ria hanging around Si-yoon—
…..
Okay, that part’s true.
But it’s not jealousy.
Probably.
Maybe.
But Ria must’ve interpreted my expression differently.
She smirked, then leaned in closer, putting even more pressure on her arms.
“Don’t.”
I warned her.
“Hm~? And what exactly are you gonna do if I do it?”
……
Oh. Right.
What exactly am I gonna do?
I’m not stronger than her.
And, unfortunately, I’m not exactly used to dealing with girls either.
Sure, I have hugged Ria before.
I’ve even pulled her into my arms and patted her head.
But that was completely different.
Back then, the atmosphere was nothing like this.
And right now?
Neither of us was flustered in the slightest.
More importantly, I wasn’t the one doing the teasing this time—she was.
“I said don’t.”
I repeated my warning, trying to sound as confident as possible.
But Ria had already made up her mind.
With a final push, she shoved the tube completely underwater on her side.
I barely had time to react.
Just a quick blub before I sank straight into the sea.
She did grab me and pull me up right away, but—
“Pwah!?”
I shot up out of the water, gasping for air.
“What the hell was that for!?”
The bitter, salty taste of seawater filled my mouth as I yelled—
Splash!
A wave rolled in from the side, hitting me square in the ribs and throwing me off balance again.
I instinctively reached out—
And my hands landed on something soft.
And smooth.
It took me all of one second to realize I had just grabbed Ria’s waist.
I immediately yanked my hands back in panic—
Only for the wave to retreat and pull a whole chunk of sand out from under my feet.
My legs wobbled, slipping on nothing but water—
Like I had just stepped onto a moving treadmill.
“Whoa there.”
Ria’s voice held a hint of amusement.
Before I could fall flat on my face, she effortlessly caught me—
By the waist.
Of course she did.
Her arm wrapped around my lower back, keeping me steady, while her other hand grabbed my flailing right hand.
It wasn’t just a casual grip, either.
This was firm.
Secure.
The kind of hold that left no room for slipping away.
“……”
I wasn’t falling anymore.
But I was being pulled in way too close.
I glared at Ria.
She only smirked back at me.
“What?” she said, all smug. “I just saved you from getting tossed around by the waves, and this is the thanks I get? That hurts, you know.”
Her face was just as red as mine.
No, seriously.
Do normal girls even allow this kind of thing!?
If we were fully clothed and hugging as a casual greeting?
Maybe.
But this…?
This was definitely not normal.
I mean, come on.
We’ve already danced together.
And, technically speaking, we are wearing matching rings.
So is that it?
Does she want me to make a bigger deal out of this?
“You’re the one who knocked me over, Ria!”
I shot back at her.
Ria just laughed.
Oh, come on.
Can she not let go already?
If we stay like this any longer, people are gonna start getting the wrong idea.
Other people.
And me too.
Finally, Ria smirked and released me.
I quickly stepped back, glaring at her again.
My heart was still hammering in my chest.
Damn it.
Judging by her grin, she was definitely enjoying how flustered I was.
How the hell do I get back at her for this?
Not like I can just turn off my embarrassment all of a sudden.