The girl's realise how embarrassing the suit is and explore other options

(chapter originally by doragom333 on writing.com)

The girls' exuberance came to a sudden halt as they stared at Naoto, their faces slowly turning red as they took in the sight. Naoto, for her part turned just as red, cringing and shutting her eyes as if to escape their stares. But doing so only made their gazes feel more intense.

Chie was the first to break the silence. "I, uh... err."

Yukiko was the first to break the silence with actual words, "How is it even holding together?" she asked out loud.

"Yeah, that thing looks like it's one misstep away from being a total wardrobe malfunction," Rise added. "Can't believe this is worse than when the guys tried to cover for Kanji that one time."

"Oh, there's a thought! What if we try to pass her off as an art piece?" Yukiko suggested.

"What? No way," Naoto gasped, flinching at the suggestion.

*slip*

Unfortunately, Naoto's involuntary motion loosened the seaweed holding the improvised barely-there swimwear in place, and in less than a second the mess was flotsam in the ocean, with Naoto standing before them naked once more, creating another awkward pause among them.

"...yup. Total. Wardrobe. Malfunction." said Rise.

Naoto, out of fear of being seen by the beachgoers at large, could only just barely keep herself from crying out loud as she fell backwards into the water, wrapping her arms across herself like a straight-jacket.

"Sorry, so sorry, Naoto," Chie apologized profusely. "I'm sure there's something else I can find, just hang on!"

"Stop! Wait!" Naoto shouted before Chie could rush off. "Be smart about this dammit! Just get me a towel so I can be decent, and then we can sort out the swimwear situation from there, okay?"

"That... makes a lot more sense," Chie winced. "We'll be right back, just sit tight. C'mon!" she said, rallying the girls along as they left Naoto behind.

"Wait! Argh..." Naoto tried to call out as the others left her. "At least one of them could've stayed with me," she said as she shrunk into the water, feeling highly ****. Well, at least the worst would be over once the girls came back with some coverage.

*TWEET*

The sudden noise of a whistle blowing shook Naoto out of her thoughts. That rude lifeguard from the entrance was nearby conducting a patrol, and apparently laying down some beach law to some patrons. Her body was still blocked by the ocean in the shallows, but his path seemed to be getting closer to her location, and if he got close enough, he'd surely notice her current state as an unintentional skinny-dipper. Given his previous strict regulations on swimwear, she could not allow herself to be discovered!

Just then, she saw that the lifeguard was turned away, distracted by some people rushing into the water away from her. Now would be the only chance she had to get to a better location to remain hidden. But which way should she go?