Hibiki watched as Rebecca brushed off the sand, her nonchalant demeanor contrasting with Mamoru's evident discomfort. "Well, sand in places it shouldn't be isn't fun for anyone," she chuckled softly, "If you visit, I'll be around. Always up for a trade," she replied with a friendly grin.
As Rebecca bid her farewells, Hibiki waved back. "Take care, Rebecca. Stay cool," she called out, noticing the sunburn on Rebecca's skin. Hopefully she had applied enough sunscreen to herself so that she wouldn’t end up suffering the same fate.
She glanced at Mamoru, catching his bewildered look after Rebecca's departure. "She's something, huh?" Hibiki chuckled lightly. "Looks like someone caught your eye," she teased gently, nudging Mamoru playfully. "Or maybe it's just the sand in your boots," she added with a wink, trying to lighten the mood amidst the tension of the ongoing battle.
When Mamoru mentioned his own doubts about facing such formidable opponents, Hibiki grinned, nodding in understanding. "It's alright to feel that way. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses," she reassured him, her tone encouraging. "But you've got your own tricks up your sleeve, right? That's what counts."
"Anyway, it looks like the fight's heating up. Or maybe I should say cooling down, what with all that Ice.” she observed, turning her attention back to the ongoing battle.
Hibiki observed the unfolding battle with keen interest, her eyes tracking the swift movements of Burittsu and the strategic defenses of Nao. As Burittsu gracefully evaded Nao's counterattack and acknowledged the effectiveness of Nao's defensive technique, Hibiki couldn't help but admire the skill on display.
As the tension eased slightly, Hibiki glanced around, sensing the subtle shifts in energy among the onlookers. She respected Burittsu's choice to withdraw gracefully, his demeanor under the sun betraying no hint of disappointment or frustration.
Hibiki's brow furrowed slightly as she processed Burittsu's comment. The mention of "Happy Red Hair" and her gallery of shinobi left her intrigued and somewhat puzzled. She glanced around discreetly, confirming she was indeed the only one present with red hair.
What did he mean by 'choice of shinobi in her gallery'? Hibiki wondered silently, the question mark figuratively hovering over her head. The phrase suggested something about her having options or perhaps being associated with a group of skilled individuals. It sparked her curiosity about Burittsu's perception of her and what he might know or assume about her background.
Her thoughts swirled with possibilities—was it a metaphorical reference to her connections, her abilities, or something else entirely? Hibiki made a mental note to keep an eye on Burittsu, sensing there might be more to his cryptic statement than met the eye.
Hibiki watched as Nao approached, his Byakugan still active despite the apparent conclusion of the spar with Burittsu. She couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration for his cautious nature, knowing well the unpredictability of shinobi encounters.
As Nao wrapped his arm around Hibiki's waist and surprised her with a kiss on the lips, her eyes widened momentarily in surprise. Her heart skipped a beat as warmth spread through her, and she returned the kiss softly, feeling a rush of affection for him. Pulling back slightly, she looked up at him with a gentle smile, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
"Hey," she murmured warmly, her voice soft but filled with fondness. The brief intimacy amidst their friends left her feeling a mix of happiness and a hint of shyness. "You really know how to make an entrance," she added playfully, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"This is Mamoru," she introduced, gesturing towards the newcomer. As Mamoru's name was pronounced, she couldn't resist a playful grin, mimicking Rebecca's exaggerated pronunciation with a slight twinkle in her eye. "Mam-moooo-rooo," she repeated with a light chuckle, her tone teasing but friendly.
"We were just discussing the battle—it was quite a display, wasn't it?" she asked as her gaze shifted between Natsuki and Mamoru, curious about their perspectives on the spectacle they had just witnessed.
At Nao's question about the show, she nodded, her eyes brightening with enthusiasm. "It was intense! You handled yourself really well out there," she praised, genuinely impressed by his skill and composure during the fight. "That other guy certainly made an impression, though, Do you know who is his?" she asked, her mind still processing the implications of his earlier comment about her.
Focusing on her fiance, Hibiki's expression softened. "You really had me worried for a moment there, you know," she admitted, her gaze sincere as she gently touched his arm. "But you handled it like a true shinobi. I'm proud of you," she added quietly, her admiration evident in her eyes. As they stood together with their friends, the tension from the battle gradually dissipating, Hibiki felt a sense of relief and contentment.
[5]
She just eyeballed Mamoru for a moment as she continued to brush off the sand from her body. "None-o-us are, honey. Just take it slow. Well, unless you like the taste of sand, I guess," she raised a brow and shook her head slightly. She stood up and started to pat down her legs and her rear. Thankfully, her lower half was basically covered by a modest sarong, so nothing was clearly visible, though her patting off her rear end did make it bounce a bit like jell-o. Something she'd have to wash off, a bit more in-depth, once she got back to the hotel. 
