Chapter 61: THE BEAUTY OF THE LAKE

Rustle... rustle... The sound of tent flaps being opened and closed was heard back and forth. One by one, the students of Class IX-9 entered their tents to change clothes. Laughter and whispers could be heard from inside—occasionally followed by Mira shouting, or Rin complaining about something. Ha ha ha! Mira’s laughter burst from inside the tent, followed by Rin’s grumbling.

"Don’t push, Mira!"

"Sorry! Mira didn’t mean to!"

Tap... tap... tap... Kai stood at the cooking area—a long wooden table he’d prepared near the cabin. On that table lay various food ingredients: cut chicken, carrots, potatoes, onions, and several other seasonings. Everything was neatly arranged—the result of Lydia’s work before she was called.

Lydia stood beside him, her hand cutting carrots with a sharp knife. Chop... chop... chop... The sound of the knife cutting vegetables was heard rhythmically. The carrot pieces fell onto the cutting board—thin and neat. Nearby, the peeled potatoes waited to be cut.

Kai was arranging firewood for the campfire—he wanted to grill something later, after swimming. But before he could light the fire, a voice called out to him.

"Mr. Kai!"

Tap... tap... tap... Kai turned. Ella stood near the tent, her hand already holding a towel. Behind her, the other students were also ready—they wore sandals and carried their respective towels. Mira held a pink towel, Rin with a red towel, Luna with a gray towel, and the others with their own towels.

"We’re ready," Ella said. "Can we swim now?"

Kai blinked. He looked at Lydia, who was still busy cutting vegetables. Hmm... He couldn’t leave his work. But he also couldn’t let his students swim without supervision. He didn’t want anyone drowning—not after everything they’d been through.

"Ms. Lydia," Kai called.

Lydia lifted her head. Chop... Her knife stopped. "Yes?"

"Can you accompany them to the lake? I’ll continue your work."

Lydia looked at the food ingredients she was cutting, then at Kai. "You can continue it?"

"Yes," Kai said. "I cook often."

Lydia smiled slightly. "Alright." She put down her knife. Clack... "I was making Japanese-style curry. The ingredients are almost ready. What you need to do is: cut the carrots and potatoes like this—" she showed the carrot pieces she’d already cut, "then sauté the onions until fragrant. After that, add the chicken, cook until it changes color. Then add the carrots and potatoes. Add water, then the curry seasoning. Cook until everything is tender."

Kai nodded. "Okay. I understand."

"The curry seasoning is in the small bag—the red one. I’ve already prepared it."

"Okay."

Lydia smiled. "In that case, I’ll go first."

Tap... tap... tap... Lydia walked toward the tent—she also needed to change clothes. Kai took over her position, picking up the knife and starting to cut carrots. Chop... chop... chop... The carrot pieces fell onto the cutting board—though not as neat as Lydia’s, but good enough.

At the Lake

Meanwhile, Lydia came out of the tent in her swimsuit. But no one expected what they saw.

Lydia wore a simple black one-piece swimsuit—but the cut was very beautiful. The top covered her shoulders with thin straps, and the bottom covered her hips with an elegant cut. No excessive decoration—just black fabric wrapping her body perfectly. Her long hair was loose, and she wasn’t wearing her round hat. Her face was clearly visible—and for the first time, the students could see how beautiful Lydia was without that hat.

HAAAH! Mira opened her mouth wide. "MS. LYDIA! You’re so beautiful!"

Rin stood beside her, her eyes widening. "Th-that... her swimsuit... is cool..."

Luna, who had been hiding behind Nora, peeked out. Her eyes also widened—though she didn’t say anything.

Ella, who was usually calm, also looked impressed this time. "Ms. Lydia, that swimsuit... really suits you."

Lydia smiled. "Thank you."

Iris approached with a mysterious smile. "Ms. Lydia, do you have many swimsuits like this?"

Lydia raised her eyebrows. "Why?"

"Because if you have many, maybe you could lend some to us." Iris pointed to the school swimsuit she was wearing. "We’re all wearing school swimsuits. Boring."

Lydia laughed softly. Ha ha... "As it happens... I brought several."

HAAAH! The students’ eyes immediately sparkled.

Lydia walked back to the tent, then came out again with a large bag. Rustle... She opened the bag—and inside, various swimsuits in different colors and styles lay there. There were one-piece ones, two-piece ones, tankini styles, one-piece styles with unique cuts.

"Choose whichever you like," Lydia said.

HAAAH! The students immediately crowded around Lydia, each asking for advice on which swimsuit suited them.

"Ms. Lydia, does this one suit me?" Mira asked, holding a bright pink swimsuit.

"That color suits your skin," Lydia said. "But maybe the pattern is too busy. Try this one—" she took a light purple swimsuit with a simple cut. "This one suits you better."

Mira received it with sparkling eyes. "Thanks, Ms. Lydia!"

Rin, standing beside her, held a red swimsuit. "How about me?"

Lydia observed Rin—her athletic body, her muscles formed from training. "You have an athletic body. A sporty style will suit you. Try this one—" she took a red swimsuit with a sporty cut, without excessive decoration. "This will make you look strong."

Rin smiled widely. "This is cool!"

Ella, standing calmly, received a dark blue swimsuit with a simple cut. "Thank you, Ms. Lydia."

Luna, who usually hid, dared to approach this time. "Ma’am... can I have one too?"

Lydia smiled gently. "Of course." She took a light gray swimsuit with a cut that covered more. "This suits you. The color is calm, like you."

Luna received it with trembling hands. "Th-thank you."

Nora, standing upright, received a black swimsuit with a sporty cut. "Thank you."

Iris, smiling mysteriously, received a dark green swimsuit with a slightly different cut—more elegant. "Interesting," she said.

Aria, still biting her nails, received a cream-colored swimsuit with a simple cut. "I-this... this is good, Ma’am."

Eve, already impatient, received an electric blue swimsuit with a sporty cut. "Thank you. The color contrasts."

And Fay—Fay, who almost never interacted with Lydia, suddenly grabbed Lydia’s sleeve. Grip... Her small hand gripped the fabric of Lydia’s dress tightly. She hugged her doll with the other hand.

Lydia looked down, staring at Fay. The girl didn’t say anything—but her eyes looked at Lydia with an unreadable gaze.

"Do you want a swimsuit too?" Lydia asked.

Fay nodded slightly.

Lydia smiled. She took a one-piece swimsuit—top and bottom joined together—in white with a little lace decoration at the waist. "This suits you. The style is simple, like your doll."

Fay received it with the hand still gripping Lydia’s sleeve. Slowly, she released her grip, then nodded slightly.

HAAAH... The students immediately went back into the tent—changing into their new swimsuits.

Kai Cooks

Chop... chop... chop... Kai cut the carrots and potatoes quickly. Sizzle... He sautéed the onions in the pan—the aroma started spreading in the air. Sizzle... He added the chicken, stirring until it changed color. Then carrots, potatoes, water, and curry seasoning. Sizzle... The warm, savory curry aroma started filling the air around the cabin.

"Mr. Kai!"

Tap... tap... tap... Kai turned—and immediately froze.

His students stood there. They were all wearing the swimsuits Lydia had chosen.

Mira in a simple light purple swimsuit—the color suited her tan skin. The cut wasn’t too revealing, with straps at the shoulders and a little fold at the waist.

Rin in a sporty red swimsuit—her muscles were clearly visible. The cut was like athletic wear, with white lines on the sides.

Ella in a dark blue swimsuit—looking elegant and calm. The cut was simple, with a top covering the shoulders and a bottom covering the hips.

Luna in a light gray swimsuit—the color was calm, covering more than the others. The cut was loose, with a small skirt at the bottom.

Nora in a sporty black swimsuit—looking strong and upright. The cut was sporty, with straps at the back.

Iris in a dark green swimsuit—looking mysterious and charming. The cut was a little different—with one strap at the shoulder and a little fold at the waist.

Aria in a cream swimsuit—looking plain and simple. The cut was simple, with a small skirt at the bottom.

Eve in an electric blue swimsuit—looking smart and sporty. The cut was sporty, with white lines on the sides.

Fay in a white one-piece swimsuit—looking like a little child, with her doll still hugged tightly. The cut was simple, with a little lace at the waist.

HAAAH... Kai immediately turned his face away. Hff... He couldn’t say anything.

"Mr. Kai!" Mira called, hopping lightly. "How is it? Nice, right?"

"Ehm..." Kai was still turning his face away. "N-nice."

"Look at us!" Mira pulled at Kai’s sleeve.

Kai turned slightly—just a glance. "Yes. Nice."

Iris approached with a mysterious smile. "Mr. Kai, why don’t you want to look at us? We tried to look pretty, you know."

"Iris," Kai said, his voice a little tense. "Don’t tease."

"Look at me," Rin said, crossing her arms over her chest. "My swimsuit is cool, right?"

Kai glanced again. "Yes. Cool."

Nora just stood calmly, not commenting. Luna hid behind Nora—only her head was visible. Eve sat on the bench, fiddling with her laptop—already forgetting her surroundings. Ella tried to stop Iris and Mira’s behavior.

"Iris! Mira! Don’t bother Mr. Kai!" Ella said, her voice firm.

"We’re just asking," Iris said.

Aria, standing at the edge, kept staring at Kai—but she didn’t say anything. And Fay—Fay slowly approached Kai, her hand gently holding Kai’s sleeve. She hugged her doll with the other hand.

Kai looked down, staring at Fay. The girl didn’t say anything—but her eyes looked at Kai with a calm gaze.

"Fay," Kai said, his voice gentle. "The swimsuit is nice."

Fay nodded slightly. There was a small smile on her lips.

Lydia Appears

Tap... tap... tap... In the middle of the commotion, Lydia came out of her tent. She had already put on her swimsuit—a simple black swimsuit, but beautiful. Her hair was loose, and she wasn’t wearing her round hat.

HAAAH... The students immediately crowded around Lydia.

"Ms. Lydia! Your swimsuit is so nice!"

"Ms. Lydia, your hair looks so good without the hat!"

"Ms. Lydia, you’re like a model!"

Lydia smiled, a little confused by the barrage of questions. "One at a time."

Ella, who was usually calm, also looked enthusiastic this time. "Ms. Lydia, you really are beautiful."

Lydia blinked, slightly surprised by Ella’s compliment. "Thank you, Ella."

Kai, seeing the commotion, could only smile slightly. He returned to the pan—stirring the curry he was cooking. Sizzle...

Heading to the Lake

After everything was ready, Lydia led the students toward the lake. Tap... tap... tap... Their footsteps echoed on the trail leading to the lake. Whoosh... The wind blew gently, carrying the scent of water and trees.

Kai stood at the cooking area, watching them leave. He saw them walking happily—laughing, joking, and having fun. Mira hopping, Rin walking upright, Luna walking calmly, Nora walking alertly, Iris walking with a mysterious smile, Aria walking carefully, Eve walking while carrying her laptop—though she wouldn’t open it in the water, and Fay walking at the very back, hugging her doll.

Lydia walked in front—leading them calmly.

Haaah... Kai let out a soft sigh. He smiled slightly.

"Rest," he said softly, though they couldn’t hear him. "You deserve it."

He returned to the pan—stirring the curry whose aroma was growing stronger. Sizzle... He added a little salt, then tasted it. Hmm... The taste was just right.

In the distance, the sound of Mira’s laughter was heard as she jumped into the lake. SPLASH! The sound of splashing water. Then Rin’s voice followed. SPLASH! Then other voices.

Kai smiled. He covered the pan with its lid, then sat on the wooden bench—enjoying the calm of that afternoon.

At the Lake

Splash! Splash! Splash! The sound of splashing water filled the air. Mira was already in the lake—swimming with an irregular freestyle. Ha ha ha! She laughed, splashing water at Rin who had just entered.

Rin retaliated with a bigger splash. Splash! "Mira! Don’t mess around!"

Luna sat at the edge of the lake—only her feet in the water. She wasn’t swimming. She just sat there, enjoying the cold water on her feet. Haaah... She let out a soft sigh.

Nora stood at the edge of the lake, watching everyone. She wasn’t swimming—she just stood there, making sure no one drowned.

Ella swam calmly—her strokes neat, her movements efficient. She didn’t talk much—just enjoying the water.

Iris sat on the wooden dock, her feet dangling over the water. She wasn’t swimming—she just enjoyed the view. Occasionally she raised her camera and took photos. Click!

Aria sat beside Iris—she wasn’t swimming either. She just sat there, biting her nails, and enjoying the view.

Eve had already opened her laptop on the wooden bench she’d brought. Click... click... Her fingers danced across the keyboard—though she occasionally lifted her head to look at her swimming friends.

And Fay—Fay sat at the edge of the lake, hugging her doll. She wasn’t swimming. She just sat there, staring at the water with her empty eyes. But there was a small smile on her lips.

Lydia swam calmly—her strokes beautiful, her movements graceful. Her long hair was wet—clinging to her back. She smiled seeing her students having fun.

"Ms. Lydia!" Mira called. "Come here! The water is fresh!"

Lydia smiled, then swam toward Mira.

Kai at the Cooking Area

Sizzle... Kai stirred the curry once more. The aroma was very strong—making his stomach growl. Grrr... He smiled slightly. He couldn’t wait to eat.

He covered the pan, then turned on a small flame to keep the curry warm. Click... He stood up, wiped his hands, then walked to the cabin terrace. He sat on the wooden chair—staring at the lake in the distance.

There, he could see his students having fun. Mira swimming with her freestyle, Rin swimming fast, Ella swimming calmly, Luna sitting at the lake’s edge, Nora standing watch, Iris sitting on the dock, Aria sitting beside her, Eve busy with her laptop, Fay sitting at the lake’s edge, and Lydia swimming gracefully.

Haaah... Kai let out a soft sigh. He smiled.

He never expected to reach this point—sitting on the cabin terrace, watching his students have fun, while the curry he cooked steamed behind him. He never expected to have students like them. He never expected to feel like this—feeling calm, feeling peaceful, feeling... happy.

But he also never expected to find strange footprints in the forest. He also never expected to meet the mysterious man from cabin number six.

Hmm... Kai furrowed his brow. Something was bothering his mind. Something he couldn’t explain.

He looked at the lake once more. His students were still having fun—no one noticed Kai’s restlessness.

Haaah... Kai let out a soft sigh. He decided not to think about it now. He wanted to enjoy this moment—a moment where everything felt perfect.

He stood up, then walked back to the cooking area. Tap... tap... tap... He opened the pan lid—stirring the curry once more. Sizzle... The aroma grew stronger.