The week began with tension.
Class 1-B had shifted entirely into exam mode. Gone were the hallway distractions, the idle gossip, the festival chatter. Now, only rustling papers, nervous whispers, and the sharp click of pencils filled the room. Each day, a new subject. Each morning, the same focused determination.
Saito Kagami arrived each day precisely ten minutes before the first bell. His uniform was crisp, his bag was organized, and his expression—neutral. To an outsider, he seemed unaffected. But his meticulous review schedules and precision-packed lunches hinted otherwise.
The exams came and went in rapid succession.
Monday was Japanese and History. Tuesday brought Mathematics—Saito's domain. Wednesday was Science, then English on Thursday. By Friday, the mood in the classroom was quieter than ever. The final test—Modern Civics—was all that remained.
Riko Kumijo slumped dramatically in her seat, head against her folded arms.
"I feel like my brain's been microwaved."
Saito turned slightly. "That would imply your cognitive functions are compromised by overexertion."
"Exactly," she muttered, peeking at him through her arms. "Aren't you tired?"
"I allocated my study sessions to avoid exhaustion. It's inefficient to burn out."
Mari leaned back in her chair. "You're a machine. I bet you dream in multiple-choice."
Kana, across the aisle, sighed. "One more. Then we're free."
As the final exam began, Saito moved his pen across the paper like a practiced artist. The questions were exactly what he anticipated—two short essays, three extended responses, and multiple smaller problems. By the time the bell rang, signaling the end of the week and the exams, Saito had already set his pen down.
Outside the classroom, relief burst like confetti. Students stretched, chatted, and gathered around their desks with a sense of liberation.
"We did it!" Mari grinned, throwing her arms up.
"Barely," Kana mumbled.
Riko turned to Saito, nudging him slightly with her elbow. "So, now that our brains are scrambled, how are we going to spend what's left of summer break?"
Mari perked up. "Oh! I was going to bring that up. We need to do something fun before school starts again. It's our first summer as high schoolers!"
Kana raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
"The beach," Mari declared.
Riko blinked. "That's actually a great idea."
Saito looked mildly perplexed. "You're suggesting a group trip to a coastal environment featuring intense sunlight and open water?"
Mari grinned. "Exactly."
Kana smirked. "Sounds like your nightmare."
Riko leaned forward. "Come on, Kagami. You survived the festival. You can survive the beach."
He considered it. "Given the group's enthusiasm, abstaining would likely cause imbalance in the dynamic. I'll participate."
"Attaboy!" Mari cheered.
"We'll get the group together," Riko added. "Me, you, Mari, Kana, Ryouta, and Shun. We'll figure out the details later."
Saito nodded. "Understood."
That evening, Saito returned to his quiet apartment. He organized his notes, filed away his test review materials, and was just settling in to read when his phone buzzed.
He stared at the screen.
Incoming Call: Riko Kumijo.
He hesitated. Riko had never called him before.
He answered. "Kagami speaking."
"Do you always answer your phone like that?" Riko's voice teased through the receiver.
"It's a default formal greeting."
"Well, anyway—hi. And congrats on surviving exams. You probably didn't even break a sweat."
Saito adjusted the phone against his ear. "They were within predicted parameters. Manageable."
She laughed. "Of course they were."
There was a pause. Then she added, "So… about the beach trip. We're planning to go next weekend. I figured we'd start getting things together."
"I see. I may require suitable attire. It's been several years since I last visited a beach."
"Then perfect," she said. "Let's go to the mall together. Saturday afternoon."
He paused. "Is this a group outing?"
"No, no—just us. I meant just me and you."
Saito blinked. "I... understand. That's acceptable."
"You sure?"
"Yes. I see no reason to decline."
Riko's voice softened slightly. "Cool. Let's meet at the station at noon. Don't be late."
"I won't."
Saturday arrived with clear skies and rising summer heat.
Saito arrived at the station ten minutes early, as expected. Riko arrived at exactly noon—wearing a pale blue summer dress, her hair tied in a casual ponytail. She waved as she approached.
"You weren't kidding about being punctual."
"You specified the time. It would be inconsistent to arrive late."
They boarded the train together, the conversation flowing in short bursts. Riko talked about past beach trips. Saito responded with polite interest, occasionally offering questions of his own.
Their first stop was the swimwear section.
Saito stood rigidly in front of a rack of patterned swim trunks. "These patterns are visually excessive."
Riko snorted. "You mean they're colorful?"
Eventually, they agreed on a simple navy-blue pair and a white linen shirt. Saito tested the fabric cautiously.
They wandered through other sections: towels, water bottles, a new pair of sandals.
As they walked through the mall, Riko pulled them toward a bubble tea stand. "Let's take a break."
Saito eyed the menu. "Some of these combinations defy conventional expectations."
"Just try one. I'll pick." She handed him a cup. "Trust me."
He took a sip, considered it. "Unexpectedly good."
They sat on a bench near the indoor fountain, sipping drinks and people-watching.
Riko leaned back. "It's kind of fun, isn't it?"
Saito looked around. "In a low-stimulation environment, yes. It's... relaxing."
She smiled, hiding a blush behind her drink.
Later, they browsed a bookstore. Saito disappeared into the philosophy section. Riko eventually found him comparing two volumes with meticulous focus.
"Which one's better?" she asked.
He handed her one. "This edition has cleaner translations. The other suffers from interpretative inconsistencies."
"You're scary smart."
As they walked back to the station with shopping bags in hand, the sun was setting.
The train ride was calm. They sat side by side, their reflections mirrored in the window.
Riko broke the silence. "I'm really looking forward to the trip."
Saito turned. "Because it's a beach?"
She looked at him, cheeks faintly pink. "Because… well, you're coming too."
Saito processed the comment. "That's... appreciated."
As the train rocked gently, Riko leaned slightly closer, her voice quieter.
"Thanks for today."
Saito nodded. "You're welcome. It was... enjoyable."