Hibiki felt a warmth spread through her chest as Rebecca waved off her compliment with a blush and a laugh. The sound of Rebecca's laughter was like a melody amidst the backdrop of the beach's lively atmosphere. Hibiki couldn't help but smile, finding herself drawn more to Rebecca's presence than to the spectacle of the fight nearby.
"Well, I think we both have our moments," Hibiki replied with a playful grin, her eyes meeting Rebecca's with genuine appreciation. She shifted slightly closer, mirroring Rebecca's relaxed posture on the sand. The salty breeze tousled her hair lightly, adding to the tranquil ambiance of their conversation.
Hibiki couldn't help but smile at Rebecca's playful comment. "Well, thank you," she replied with a soft chuckle, her tone warm and genuine. "I suppose I just enjoy making people smile." She glanced briefly at the ongoing fight nearby, noting Rebecca's lack of interest, and then focused back on her.
Hibiki's eyes widened with genuine interest as Rebecca explained the rare Meetyur Metal. She leaned in closer, captivated by the details.
"Wow, that sounds incredible! I've never heard of anything like that before," Hibiki exclaimed, her curiosity evident. When Rebecca mentioned the insulation and high-level craftsmanship, Hibiki nodded enthusiastically. "It must have taken someone with amazing skill to work with such a rare material."
As Rebecca laughed out of embarrassment when Hibiki grabbed her hand, Hibiki couldn't help but join in with a gentle, reassuring smile. She could sense Rebecca's passion for her craft and wanted to encourage it.
"That sounds like such a demanding but rewarding life," Hibiki said, her voice filled with admiration. "I can't even imagine the dedication it takes to work in a forge, but it must be amazing to see your creations come to life."
Hibiki's eyes sparkled with excitement as she continued, "Fireflies are one of my favorite things! They make everything feel so magical. It must be nice to have moments like this to enjoy the simpler beauties of life, even if they are rare."
Hibiki paused, glancing back at the fight for a few seconds before looking back at Rebecca. "You know," she began, her tone turning a bit more thoughtful, "that scarf actually has an interesting story. It was made by the apprentice of the best crafter in my village. He was working on a prototype and gave it to me to test because it wasn't good enough for sale."
She smiled, recalling the memory. "It seemed to work well enough as far as I was concerned. The insulation was top-notch, and it held up in some pretty intense situations. I guess sometimes even the things that aren't perfect can still be pretty amazing."
She squeezed Rebecca's hand gently, her expression earnest and full of admiration. "I'd love to hear more about your work and the amazing things you've crafted. It sounds like you have some incredible stories to tell."
Hibiki listened intently, her eyes reflecting empathy and understanding as Rebecca spoke. She noticed the subtle shift in Rebecca's demeanor as she took her hand back, and Hibiki's expression softened.
"That sounds really tough," Hibiki said softly, her voice full of genuine concern. "I can see how difficult it must be to balance your passion for crafting with the demands of being a shinobi. It's like having two completely different worlds to navigate."
She paused for a moment, thinking about Rebecca's perspective on weapons and their dual nature. "I think I understand what you mean about weapons being tools. It's all about the intent of the person using them, right? It must be hard to reconcile that with not liking the idea of fighting."
Hibiki's eyes sparkled with admiration as she continued, "But it sounds like you're really dedicated to your craft, even taking on something you don't enjoy just to continue learning. That's incredibly admirable. I bet your master sees a lot of potential in you."
She smiled warmly at Rebecca, trying to offer some encouragement. "And who knows? Maybe your experience as a shinobi will bring new perspectives to your work. Sometimes the most unexpected experiences can inspire the most amazing creations."
Hibiki's genuine and naive charm shone through as she added, "I'd love to see some of your work someday. I think it would be amazing to hear you talk about the joys of creation. It's clear that you're really passionate about it, and that's something truly special."
Hibiki giggled softly at Rebecca's thick accent and candid explanation. Her smile widened as she watched Rebecca adjust her bikini top, appreciating her relaxed attitude despite the chaos around them.
"This Island does seem like the perfect place for a break," Hibiki said with a cheerful nod. "Your master has good taste in vacation spots!" She glanced around at the lively beach scene, understanding Rebecca's desire for a bit more tranquility.
"I can see why you'd want to just lay out and soak up the sun," Hibiki continued, her tone light and warm. "A nice tan sounds lovely, but getting burnt to a crisp? Not so much!" She chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Hibiki looked around thoughtfully and then turned back to Rebecca. "Maybe we can find a quieter spot further down the beach... though, actually, I can't really leave while the fight is still going on," she said with a slight, apologetic smile. "But once the match is over, I'd love to find a peaceful spot to relax with you. How about we do that?"
"In the meantime, we can stay here and enjoy each other's company. Maybe we can even build a little sandcastle to pass the time!" she said her expression earnest and hopeful.
Hibiki watched the interaction with curiosity, her cheeks faintly flushed as she caught the teasing exchange between Natsuki and Rebecca. Especially that bit about their bikinis making her wonder if hers really was that small. She shifted slightly, adjusting her position in the sand to find a more comfortable spot, but her attention remained half on the conversation and half on the fight.
"You make a good point about the armor," Hibiki agreed, nodding thoughtfully. "It does seem like there's a bit of a disadvantage there. Armor can definitely affect the outcome of a fight." internally she recalled what Nao had shared with her about his bloodline's ability to bypass armor but that wasn’t exactly something she could blab about. She glanced at Rebecca briefly before returning her gaze to the ongoing match, pondering the effectiveness of different fighting strategies.
As the fight continued, Hibiki found herself appreciating the tactical aspects of combat and the intricacies of armor effectiveness, all while enjoying the lively atmosphere of the beach. She glanced at Natsuki and Rebecca, grateful for their company amidst the excitement.
Hibiki furrowed her brows slightly, considering Natsuki's words as she glanced towards the man in question. His comment struck a chord of caution within her, despite the festive atmosphere of the beach.
"Yeah, I see what you mean," Hibiki replied softly, her voice tinged with a hint of concern. She shifted her gaze back to Natsuki, her eyes reflecting a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "There's just this... aura, isn't there? Like a sense of unpredictability."
She paused, her thoughts racing as she tried to piece together why the man felt unsettling. "Maybe it's his demeanor or the way he moves," Hibiki continued, her tone thoughtful. "It's like there's more to him than meets the eye."
Hibiki glanced around discreetly, making sure not to draw attention to the man they were discussing. She trusted Natsuki's instincts and silently hoped that whatever danger he sensed wouldn't escalate into something serious.
"I think it's good to stay alert," Hibiki added softly, a hint of worry in her voice. "Especially when things feel off like this." She glanced back at Natsuki, grateful for his perceptiveness amidst the relaxed atmosphere of the beach.
Hibiki watched as Mamoru stumbled onto the beach, a mixture of sympathy and amusement crossing her face as he apologized for his sandy entrance. She couldn't help but smile warmly at his nervous grin and friendly introduction.
"Hi Mamoru, nice to meet you!" Hibiki replied cheerfully, her voice warm and welcoming. She glanced around at the group, noting their varied reactions to Mamoru's arrival, and then turned her attention back to him.
"I don't know who the armored guy is, but the other guy fighting is Nao, my boyfriend," she said with a hint of pride, feeling a little bashful about sharing the information so directly.
She shifted slightly, glancing at Mamoru to gauge his reaction before continuing. “Armored guy is quick on his feet though. It's an interesting match to watch," she remarked, her eyes briefly following the movements of the fighters as they spared on the beach.
Hibiki smiled at Mamoru, hoping he felt welcomed despite his sandy mishap. "Are you here to enjoy the beach or did you come specifically to watch the fight?" she asked, genuinely curious about his reason for joining them.
[3]