As a group decision, they were trying a different beach than usual. One that was larger, a bit more populated, and better stocked with amenities to spend an entire day there, as opposed to the slim pickings of their usual spot. It meant a longer trip by scooter but Yosuke, who originally suggested the location, assured them that it would be worth it. And it looked like it would be, as the team first set their eyes on this new location. However, they weren't expecting there to be a fenced off entrance guarded by a belligerent lifeguard.
He was what one would expect a lifeguard to look like: tall, short-haired, skin glistening in the midday sun, and cutting a powerful figure in his tanktop and speedo, a whistle hanging from a cord wrapped around his neck. "Hold up," he said, stopping the group's advance. "Only swimsuits or proper beach attire are allowed past here."
"What?" Naoto asked. "Why?"
"A while back there were some kids who nearly drowned here, all because they were a little to close to the water and weren't prepared for a sudden tide increase. Turned out they couldn't swim. So now, no swimmers are allowed past here at all."
"Whoa, seriously?" Chie gasped. "Way to pick 'em Yosuke."
A feeling of dread began to spread through the group.
"Hey, this is news to me too!" Yosuke shot back, feeling the team's glares. "Nothing about this came up in the advertising."
"It's not something we like to talk about, for obvious reasons," the lifeguard shrugged.
"But, wait, what does that have to do with swimsuits?" Rise asked.
"Well, I personally am not proud of this, but," the lifeguard said, lowering his voice and leaning in towards the group. "We used to give everyone a swim test for entry before, but due to complaints that got revoked, but there were safety concerns, so we made this compromise. If you're wearing a swimsuit, then you should be able to know how to swim. From there, it's normal beach safety issues. It's perfect logic."
"No it isn't. That way of thinking is highly flawed," Naoto stated, shaking her head. "Take me for example: I can swim, I just don't have a swimsuit."
"Then you can't pass," said the lifeguard.
"You don't have a swimsuit, Nao-chan?" Teddie asked, surprised. "Then, do you swim bear-"
"No!" Naoto shut off Teddie before he could say what he, and undoubtedly everyone else was thinking by the looks on their faces. "I don't have one because I was not even planning on going swimming," Naoto said sternly.
"Swimsuits only past this point," the lifeguard reiterated. The group started to protest, but the lifeguard cut them off. "Sorry, kids, I don't make the rules, I just enforce them."
"That wasn't on the advertising either..." Yosuke grumbled, once again suffering the glares of the girls.
"Well, works for me!" Teddie said, springing out of his bear suit and stepping out with his human body, already dressed in swimming trunks. With a shrug, the rest of the team followed, having worn their swimsuits underneath their clothes also.
Naoto grumbled and turned away as they did so. Just how was her current attire not fit for the beach anyways? Sure it wasn't a swimsuit, but her casual short-sleeved button-up shirt, a t-shirt underneath, and a pair of shorts with sandals should be light enough to serve as a substitute without much difficulty! And yet that was considered too much. Maybe she should just strip down to her undergarments there and now and pass them off as swimwear?
Naoto considered the possibility for just a moment before shaking the foolish notion out of her head. One, she just told him that she did not have a swimsuit, and two, she was not going to humiliate herself like that just for a chance at a day at the beach.
"And after all that way... Sorry, guess that's just how it is, Naoto," Kanji said sympathetically.
Naoto looked at the worried faces of her friends, and realized that her frustration was still apparent.
"It's fine," Naoto said, regaining her composure. "There's bound to be a swimsuit shop back in the city somewhere. I'll just catch up with all of you later. Shouldn't take more than an hour."
"Wait a minute, what's that?" Yu asked, pointing at a shack behind the gate.
"That's our emergency beach shop. Sells important beach supplies, such as towels, umbrellas, sunscreen, and even swimsuits."
"Really? Then can I at least go there and buy a swimsuit to change into?" Naoto asked.
"Nope, can't enter the beach if you don't have a swimsuit."
"What?" Naoto asked, the combined frustration of her comrades echoing around her. "What possible service could such a shop serve if it is stuck behind the gate?"
"Accidents can happen at the ocean. It's better to be prepared, just in case," the lifeguard said mysteriously.
"But can't we go?" Yu asked. "There's nothing stopping us from buying a swimsuit and bringing it back, right? We're clearly wearing swimsuits after all."
"Huh..." the lifeguard considered this briefly. "Don't see why not."
"Ooo! Ooo!" Teddie jumped, cheering. "I'll do it!"
"Oh no you don't!" Chie growled, holding him back. "Who knows what crazy thing you would end up choosing?"
"But I'm the only one who knows Nao-chan's measurements, remember? You might get something too small!" Teddie grinned.
"Hey, I got to see those too, remember, Teddie?" Rise said, joining Chie in in holding him back. "You're not needed here."
Naoto flushed crimson. Why did they have to bring that up!? This was already embarrassing enough as it was. "Look, just, all of you go!" Naoto shouted at them. "I think Yukiko-senpai would appreciate your help more than I would right now!"
The struggling trio stopped to see Yukiko having gone ahead of them, floundered in surprise, and then clamored off after her towards the shop.
Naoto and the others remained where they were in silence. The guys looked nervous, and Naoto herself was feeling a little guilty, having caused all this indirectly due to her beach habits. Soon enough though, Yukiko and her group returned, proudly holding an item, presumably the swimsuit, in her hands. "We're back!" she called.
"Thank you," Naoto said, taking the suit into her hands. "I hope that wasn't too much trouble."
"Not at all, Naoto-kun," Rise said, smiling.
"Yeah," Teddie added. "When it comes to Nao-chan, no expense is too great for Yosuke's wallet."
"Wait, WHAT!?" Yosuke gasped, patting his pockets, his face paling. "Again!? When did he-? And you just let him!?"
"Hey, this was your idea, and we left our stuff outside," Chie argued. "Look, We'll pay you back when we get back, okay?"
As Yosuke and Chie began to argue, Naoto took the time to head into a changing booth and get changed. What a mess this all was... But at least they would all be able to finally get into the beach and enjoy themselves, now that she had a swimsuit; though she'd much rather spend the day in her own clothes... but it was clear that that was not going to be an option by this point.
Eager to get on with the day, Naoto had taken off everything, including her underwear, before actually regarding the swimsuit Yukiko had given her, noticing for the first time that it was-
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