Chapter 23: Waves of Change (Part 1)

The heat of Summer blanketed Mineral Town, the sun hanging high in a cloudless sky as the townsfolk bustled toward the beach. Laughter and chatter filled the air, blending with the distant crash of waves. The Swimming Festival marked the official start of the season, a time for celebration and togetherness, and the energy in the town was contagious.

Pete walked beside Elli, who carried a basket of snacks, while Stu skipped ahead, waving his towel in wide arcs like a flag. Pete adjusted the strap of the bag slung over his shoulder, trying to appear casual. Inside, he carried a change of clothes and, for the first time in a while, a swimsuit.

"You seem distracted," Elli said, glancing at him with a smile.

"Just taking it all in," Pete replied, forcing a grin. He couldn't exactly tell her the truth—that he wasn't used to this kind of excitement surrounding a beach.

"You've always loved the beach. The festival's one of the best parts of the year. Swimming races, good food, and everyone just relaxing and having fun," Elli continued brightly.

Pete nodded, though the gesture didn't come close to reflecting the tangle of thoughts beneath the surface.

The beach back in Flowerbud Village had never been like this. There, the shoreline was practical—a place for casting fishing lines, mending nets, or hosting the occasional festival. No one sprawled across blankets under the sun, and the idea of an entire village gathering in swimwear would have been unthinkable. Modesty and purpose had ruled the sands, not leisure and play.

They had their own version of a Summer celebration, though it was more of a straightforward competition than a communal holiday. As a boy, Pete remembered watching the older men wade into the water, clad in old-fashioned striped swimwear that looked decades out of place. They'd race across the ocean water, grunting and splashing like seals, the crowd cheering from the shore. The fastest swimmer won a prize—usually just supplies or a small purse of coins—and then, just like that, everyone went home. Simple. Traditional. Predictable.

Mineral Town was different.

Here, the change in energy was palpable. On the very first day of Summer, townsfolk poured onto the beach with towels slung over their shoulders and the sun glinting off their eager smiles. The air buzzed with anticipation. For days leading up to the Swimming Festival, the younger men had been boasting in the square about their training regimens, flexing in jest but clearly eager to show off the results of their hard work. The women, even the usually reserved Elli, had been whispering to one another with barely contained excitement, discussing swimsuit colors and styles as though planning a secret performance.

It wasn't just an event here—it was the event, a day for showing off, for letting go, for being seen. And Pete, standing amidst the cheerful chaos, couldn't shake the feeling that he'd stepped into a world that had rewritten the rules of Summer entirely.

Ahead of them, Stu stopped and spun around. "Pete! You're gonna race me in the water, right?"

"Uh… sure, Stu," Pete said, trying to mask his nerves with a playful smirk.

Stu grinned triumphantly and took off toward the changing room, leaving Elli and Pete walking in his wake. Pete's gaze wandered to the crowds ahead, his stomach tightening. He was about to see everyone in an entirely new light—literally. The townsfolk he was getting to know, their personalities and routines, were suddenly going to feel far more personal. It was like peeling away another layer of the lives they led.

Elli's soft voice broke through his thoughts. "You're not nervous about swimming, are you?"

"Nervous? No," Pete lied quickly. "Just… not used to seeing a beach this lively. That's all."

Elli's laughter was gentle, and she nudged him with her elbow. "Stop kidding around, the beach is always like this every year."

As they stepped onto the sand, the scene before them unfolded like a picture-perfect postcard. Brightly colored umbrellas dotted the shore, families and friends gathered in groups, and the sound of children laughing as they splashed in the waves filled the air. The breeze carried the tang of saltwater, mingling with the aroma of grilled food from a nearby stall.

Stu was already changed and running halfway to the water, kicking up sand as he ran. "Come on, slowpokes!"

Pete hesitated for just a moment, his gaze sweeping over the beach. The sight of everyone in swimsuits made his heart race with anxiety. He wasn't sure if it was the vulnerability of seeing people dressed so casually or the sudden realization that he must be a part of it too.

Elli noticed his pause and smiled, her eyes sparkling in the sunlight. "Are you feeling well? Doctor Trent is at the clinic in case of any medical emergencies, you can see him if you want."

"No, I'm fine," answered Pete. Taking a deep breath, Pete nodded. Whatever the day had in store, he was going to face it—one awkward step at a time.

Pete followed Elli to the spot where the townsfolk had set up changing tents along the beach. The cheerful chatter and crashing waves filled the air, but his focus was on steadying his nerves. They placed their bags on the sand, and Elli gave him a reassuring smile before disappearing into the women's tent with her things.

Pete lingered for a moment before ducking into the men's tent, pulling out the swimming trunks he had found in his house. As he changed, he caught sight of himself in a small mirror propped against the tent wall. The sight gave him pause.

His time on the farm had transformed him. Long hours of labor—hauling feed, tilling soil, and chopping wood—had sculpted his body into something he doesnt want people to see. His shoulders were broad, his arms strong, and his stomach flat, with faint lines hinting at defined muscles. The kind of body he might have seen on magazine covers back when he lived in the city.

Still, he couldn't shake the nagging anxiety creeping up his spine. Being bare-chested in public wasn't something he was used to, and the idea of exposing himself to everyone felt… strange. Vulnerable. For a fleeting moment, he considered throwing on a shirt over his trunks, just to keep a layer between himself and all those eyes.

But no. That might make him look even more out of place, and he didn't want anyone—especially Elli—thinking he was uncomfortable. He drew in a deep breath, rolled his shoulders back, and stepped out of the tent.

As Pete stepped out of the changing tent, the sun warming his skin as he adjusted to the brightness of the beach. But all thoughts of sunlight, sand, and sea vanished the moment he caught sight of Elli.

She stood a few feet away, smoothing the fabric of her modest one-piece swimsuit. The rich blue fabric matched the color of her everyday dress, but the way it hugged her figure was entirely new to him. It was understated, yet so effortlessly flattering that it made his heart skip a beat.

For a moment, he forgot to breathe. His face flushed as he quickly averted his gaze, only for his eyes to be drawn back to her like a magnet. "How does she always manage to look so stunning without even trying?" he thought to himself.

Elli shifted under his gaze, her own cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. She toyed with the strap of her swimsuit, avoiding eye contact. "Do you… like it?" she asked, her voice quiet, almost hesitant.

Pete's heart raced, his words catching in his throat. He nodded, managing to find his voice despite the lump forming there. "You look beautiful."

Elli finally glanced up at him, her blush deepening at his sincerity. "Thank you," she murmured, her lips curving into a shy smile.

For a brief moment, the world around them seemed to fade. The chatter of the townsfolk, the crash of the waves—all of it became background noise. It was just the two of them, sharing a fleeting yet electric moment of vulnerability.

Elli cleared her throat, breaking the spell. "Well, we should probably go claim our spot before Stu starts burying someone in the sand."

Pete chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to cool his own blush. "Yeah, good idea."

As they walked toward their blanket, Pete couldn't help but steal another glance at her. And for the first time in what felt like ages, he let himself fully enjoy the moment, pushing aside the weight of his secrets and the mystery of his new life, if only for a little while.

Pete shifted awkwardly on the beach towel, his nerves getting the best of him as Elli began to apply suntan lotion. She worked methodically, rubbing the lotion over her arms and legs, completely unaware of the inner turmoil brewing inside him.

"Should I be watching her do this?" he wondered, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye before quickly looking away. "I mean, I'm her boyfriend—at least, I'm supposed to be—so it wouldn't seem weird to anyone else. But still…"

His discomfort grew as he tried to convince himself it was fine, but no matter how hard he tried, it felt intrusive. The intimacy of the moment, coupled with his lingering unease about their relationship, made it impossible for him to relax. Desperate for a distraction, he let his gaze wander across the beach.

That's when he saw her.

Popuri was playing in the sand with Rick, while their mother Lillia laid under the parasol. Her laughter carried on the breeze as she crouched down to help him build a sandcastle. She wore a vibrant pink two-piece swimsuit that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, and her long pink hair swayed with every playful movement.

Pete felt his cheeks burn as he took in the sight. "Oh no."

Her figure caught his eye instantly, and Pete knew—without a shadow of doubt—that this was not the Popuri from Flowerbud.

The Popuri he remembered, the girl who grew up at his side and later became his wife, had always carried a little softness around her middle. She never minded much—at least, not until strangers began to comment—but her love for strawberry jam, which eventually evolved into her signature indulgence of strawberry dogs, had left its mark. She'd wear a snug brown leather corset, not out of vanity but as a quiet shield against her own self-consciousness.

But this Popuri… she was different. Taller by a few inches and slimmer in frame, she carried herself with a new kind of confidence. Gone were the sugar-heavy snacks and indulgent treats; it seemed she now lived on eggs, fresh vegetables, and whatever else kept her looking as radiant as the Summer sun. The changes had reshaped her in ways that startled him—her waist tapered neatly, her hips curved with elegant definition, and the upper part of her figure… Pete didn't dare let his eyes linger long enough to measure the differences.

She was, quite simply, impossible to ignore. And yet he tried. Oh, how he tried. He turned his head sharply to the right, pretending to study the shoreline. A cluster of townsfolk lounged nearby, sprawled on blankets and laughing, many dressed in bright swimsuits. Their chatter filled the air, but it was just noise—white noise—compared to the magnetic pull of her presence.

His head snapped back almost involuntarily, and there she was again. Popuri and Rick knelt side by side in the sand, laughing as they packed and shaped their growing castle. Her hair caught the light, her smile easy and unguarded, as if the world had never been complicated.

Pete swallowed hard, feeling that old ache again—not quite longing, not quite grief, but something tangled between the two.

"Great. Just great. There's no safe place to look," Pete thought, groaning inwardly.

He fought the urge to bury his face in his hands, knowing it would only draw attention to his plight. Instead, he stared determinedly at the waves, willing himself to focus on the gentle ebb and flow of the water.

"Are you okay?" Elli's voice broke through his thoughts, soft with concern.

Pete flinched slightly and turned to her, plastering on a sheepish smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just… uh… taking it all in, I guess."

"Pete, can you help me out?" Elli's voice was casual, but it sliced through Pete's anxious thoughts like a bell.

"Yes, of course. Anything," he answered quickly, relief washing over him at the prospect of a distraction from the overwhelming sights around him.

Elli smiled and handed him the bottle of suntan lotion. "Thanks," she said, before lying down on the blanket and reaching behind her neck to undo the string of her swimsuit's halter top. Pete froze as she let it fall away from her back, leaving her skin bare to the sun.

"Could you rub some lotion on my back?" she asked.

Pete's face turned crimson. His heart started racing so fast it felt like it might leap out of his chest. "Uh—uh…" he stammered, suddenly acutely aware of every person on the beach, as if all eyes were on him.

"This had to be something he'd done before, right? Surely, as Elli's boyfriend, this wasn't new territory." he thought to himself. But to him—the Pete who wasn't really the Pete she lived her life with—it felt like uncharted waters.

He glanced at her, lying there so calmly, completely unaware of the turmoil raging inside him. There was no way he could explain why he didn't want to do this without raising suspicion. If he hesitated, she might think something was wrong—or worse, that he didn't care about her.

With a deep sigh, Pete resigned himself to the task. He squirted a dollop of lotion into his hands, rubbing them together nervously before placing them gently on her back. Her skin was soft and warm under his fingertips, and he tried to focus on the task at hand, spreading the lotion evenly without lingering too long.

It wasn't unpleasant—far from it, in fact—but it felt wrong. Like he was stepping into a role he hadn't earned, performing an act that should have been second nature but wasn't. His hands moved with a mechanical precision, careful not to betray the storm of emotions brewing inside him.

"Thanks, Pete," Elli said softly, breaking the silence. Her voice was so calm, so trusting, that it made his chest tighten.

"Yeah, no problem," he muttered, trying to keep his tone even. He then glanced at Popuri's direction, but she was gone, Rick finishing the sand castle by himself. He let out a sigh of relief knowing that there is now a safe direction to look without attracting attention.

As he finished, he sat back quickly, hoping the flush in his cheeks wasn't too obvious. Elli tied her swimsuit back into place and sat up, giving him a warm smile. "You're the best," she said, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

Pete forced a smile, though his mind was still spinning. He looked out at the waves, hoping the ocean breeze might cool his overheated thoughts. "What am I doing?" he wondered. This wasn't just about suntan lotion. It was about her trust in him—trust he wasn't sure he deserved. And yet, here he was, pretending to be someone he wasn't, trying to play the part of her boyfriend without losing himself in the process.

Elli let out a soft sigh, fanning herself with her hand as beads of sweat glistened on her brow. "It's so hot," she murmured, glancing over at Pete. "Could you get me some water, please?"

Pete shot to his feet like a spring uncoiling, grateful for the excuse to escape, if only for a moment. "Sure thing!" he said, trying to sound casual as he started walking toward the drink stand. His strides were brisk, almost hurried, as though the beach itself might conspire to trap him in its sun-soaked chaos.

The moment he was out of earshot, he let out a shaky breath and rubbed the back of his neck. His heart was still hammering from rubbing lotion on Elli's back, and every second in her presence seemed to amplify the tension coiled in his chest. "Get it together, Pete," he muttered under his breath, scolding himself as he walked towards the drink stand.