Aspen Mountain is about 2392 feet (3777 meters) above sea level, but Roy and the girls didn't go to the summit. They were skiing at an altitude of around 2500-3000 meters.
Because the original owner of the body had skied before, combined with the residual muscle memory and his excellent physical condition, Roy quickly got the hang of skiing again. He even started teaching the two girls.
There was bound to be some physical contact during this process. It was unavoidable and definitely not Roy trying to take advantage of the situation.
Jennifer hadn't had the chance to ski before because of her family's financial situation. However, as a former cheerleader captain, she had excellent control over her body and quickly picked up skiing.
Needy, on the other hand, was a bit of a problem. To put it simply, she was a total klutz when it came to sports. Her coordination was terrible – the kind of person who could trip over their own feet while just walking.
So, learning to ski was naturally very difficult for her. No matter how Roy taught her, Needy would ski a few feet and then fall. Within ten minutes, she'd be covered in snow.
"Roy, am I just too stupid?" After falling yet again, Needy sat on the ground, feeling really discouraged.
"Of course not! Everyone has things they're not good at, just like Jennifer and I aren't great at studying. Come on, Needy, I've got an idea!"
Roy rented a large snowboard from the ski resort and then stood on it with Needy.
Jennifer was a bit surprised to see what Roy was doing. "Roy, are you planning on using the same snowboard as Needy?"
"I want to try it out. This way, Needy can also experience some of the fun of skiing."
Actually, there are snowboards specifically designed for two people, but those are usually for adults with children – the kind that are widened and lengthened so that both the adult and child can sit on them.
But those kinds of snowboards were clearly not suitable for Roy and Needy because Roy was too muscular, and they wouldn't both fit. "Needy, lean on me and don't move at all. I'll guide you."
"Okay, okay!" You could tell from her voice that Needy was still a bit nervous, her body was really stiff.
"Relax, I've got this."
"I'm trying!"
Needy's body was just too stiff. Roy knew they wouldn't succeed even before starting. Helpless, Roy had no choice but to gently blow air into Needy's ear when she wasn't looking. Needy's body instantly relaxed.
"Ah!" Then, Roy started sliding downhill with Needy's surprised yelp.
Unfortunately, after sliding only ten or so meters, their first attempt at tandem snowboarding ended in failure. The main reason was that Needy couldn't control her natural instincts and shifted Roy's center of gravity, causing them to flip over while turning.
It wasn't a big deal though. Roy used his body as a cushion for Needy, and neither of them was hurt. "Roy, Needy, are you guys okay?"
Jennifer quickly skied over to check on them. "We're fine. I've figured out a few tricks! Needy, just relax your body like you did a moment ago, and I'll take care of everything."
Needy nodded eagerly. She had felt like they were about to succeed just now, they were so close.
The two of them stood on the snowboard again, ready to go. This time, Needy didn't need Roy's help to relax and lean against him.
So, their second attempt at tandem snowboarding was a great success. Roy carried Needy for over a hundred meters without any mishaps until they stopped.
"Roy, we did it!" Needy excitedly hugged Roy. She had just truly experienced the fun of snowboarding, and it was all thanks to the big boy she was holding onto.
Soon, Jennifer skied over. "Roy, Needy, you guys actually did it!"
"Of course! Who do you think I am? I'm the boxing champion of Falls Town!" Roy flexed his biceps at Jennifer.
"Well then, how about a race? From here to that cable car station down there. Let's see who gets there first!"
"Are you sure? You versus both of us?" Jennifer sniffed.
"Hmph, even if there are two of you, you might not be able to beat me!"
"There should be a prize, right? Just a race isn't that interesting." Jennifer tilted her head and thought for a moment.
"Okay, how about this? If I win, you have to grant one wish to both me and Needy. If you win, Needy and I will each grant you one wish. How's that sound?"
This condition sounded a bit strange. Why would he have to grant a wish to both Jennifer and Needy if he lost? Roy noticed Jennifer and Needy exchanging glances secretly. These best friends weren't planning to team up against him, were they?
Well, well, these best friends really had a good understanding. Roy was pretty sure Jennifer had just come up with the idea to race him on the spot.
But Roy wasn't one to back down. "Alright, but don't come crying to me when you regret it!"
Seeing Roy's confident demeanor, Jennifer had a faint feeling that things might not go her way. But then she remembered Needy was on her side, and she felt like she had the advantage again.
"Hmph, you're the one who shouldn't regret it!" The two of them went to the starting line, and Needy started the countdown.
"3, 2, 1, go!" Jennifer started instantly, but Roy was tripped by Needy, causing him to have a bad start.
The race was only about three hundred meters long, and that disastrous start practically meant Roy had already lost. But Roy didn't give up. He suddenly scooped Needy up into his arms and whispered in her ear, "Ready to fulfill my wish?"
Roy's face was so close that Needy's face started to heat up. For a moment, she even forgot she was supposed to trip him. At that moment, Roy successfully started snowboarding.
The speed of skiing usually depends on body weight and the terrain. The area Roy and the girls were skiing in was for beginners, with a relatively gentle slope, and skis are generally faster than snowboards.
Luckily, Jennifer was also a beginner skier and had only gained an advantage thanks to Needy's sabotage. Once Roy "banned" Needy, Jennifer's lead started to disappear.
Moreover, Roy chose a much more daring route, going straight for the most dangerous path. He even launched off small slopes, spinning 360 degrees in the air. These difficult maneuvers made Needy, who had finally come to her senses, let out a series of screams.
"Woohoo!" If only they had some upbeat music like "For ya" playing right now, it would be perfect.
In the end, Roy successfully overtook Jennifer right before the finish line, but Needy in his arms was so scared she was limp and almost passed out.
"So, Jennifer? Want to try again?" Jennifer bit her lip. She knew she wouldn't win even if she got another chance. The difference in their physical abilities was just too big.
"Hmph, fine, you win! Say it, what do you want me to do?" Roy looked at Jennifer with a suggestive gaze. "I'll hold onto that wish for now. I'll tell you later."
Hearing this, Jennifer seemed to think of something, and her cheeks immediately turned red.
(End of Chapter)