The sun crept gently over the rooftops as Saito Kagami double-checked the contents of his overnight bag: towel, change of clothes, toiletries, sunscreen, a book, and the new swimwear Riko helped him pick out.
Outside, cicadas chirped. The final month of summer had begun.
He arrived at the train station five minutes early. As always.
The others filtered in shortly after. Mari, bright-eyed and bouncing with energy; Kana, sipping an iced coffee; Ryouta, hands shoved in his pockets, eyes darting to Riko more often than not; Shun, adjusting the strap of his guitar case; and finally, Riko herself.
She was wearing a short white hoodie over a pale blue swimsuit, denim shorts, and a woven sunhat. She spotted Saito and grinned.
"You're early."
"You said 8:30. It's currently 8:26."
"And consistent as always," she teased.
They boarded the local line heading out of the city. The train ride was full of chatter, with Mari and Kana discussing snacks and beach games. Riko joined in, occasionally throwing a glance toward Saito, who sat by the window, quietly listening.
"I still can't believe this place has an inn deal like that," Shun said. "Two rooms for six people?"
"It's off-season pricing," Mari replied. "Weekend deals too. Girls in one room, boys in the other. It's perfect."
"I call the bed near the window," Kana announced.
"Unfair!" Riko said. "I was going to!"
"You can share it with me," Mari offered sweetly.
Saito stared out the window as the scenery shifted from suburban to rural—rolling hills, rice paddies, occasional glimpses of the ocean.
They reached the beach around noon.
The sand was soft, the water clear. Their inn was a short walk from the shoreline, nestled beside a cove. It was modest but clean, with tatami mats, sliding paper doors, and an outdoor bath.
After checking in and tossing their bags into their respective rooms, they changed into swimwear and headed to the beach.
Saito wore his plain navy swim trunks and a white t-shirt.
He laid out towels, neatly folding his shirt and placing it atop his belongings.
Riko turned toward the ocean and waved her arms. "Come on! Get in already!"
Mari, Kana, and even Shun were splashing around. Ryouta had already dived in.
Saito stood at the edge, water lapping at his feet.
"Stop overthinking it!" Mari yelled. "Just jump in!"
Saito exhaled quietly. He reached down, peeled off his shirt, and folded it.
There was a pause.
A very long pause.
Mari blinked. "Wait…"
Riko's jaw dropped. "Hold on—what."
Saito walked toward the water, unaware of the stunned stares. His frame was lean but clearly defined. His arms and shoulders were toned, his torso muscular but not bulky. A lifetime of daily training—not for show, but as habit.
Kana elbowed Mari. "He's built."
Mari whispered, "He's been hiding that under a school uniform?"
Riko turned a little pink.
Saito stepped into the waves, submerging up to his waist.
"You could've warned us," Shun muttered beside him.
"I didn't consider it relevant."
Ryouta stared, then looked away. "Tch."
The afternoon was filled with games: beach volleyball, splashing wars, building a half-buried sand throne that Ryouta unwillingly became part of. Saito participated—hesitantly at first, then with increasing engagement.
He even laughed once. Just once.
As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, they returned to the inn, changed clothes, and came back to the beach with a box of handheld fireworks.
The breeze was cooler now, brushing across their skin with the scent of salt and the whisper of waves.
They lit the first sparklers. Bright fizzles danced in the air.
Mari twirled hers like a wand. Kana tried spelling her name in the dark. Shun held three at once like a rockstar.
Riko crouched near Saito.
"You've never done this before?"
"I've seen them," he said. "But no. I never had the opportunity."
She handed him one, careful to position his fingers just right.
"Hold it away from your face. Light the end slowly. See?"
She leaned in, guiding his hand.
The sparkler hissed to life.
Saito's eyes reflected the golden light.
"It's simple, but... aesthetically pleasant," he admitted.
Riko watched him, the gentle shimmer casting shadows across his face.
"I'm always happiest when I'm with you," she said suddenly.
He turned.
She looked away, playing it off. "Not that I'm not happy other times. I just... you make things feel fun, you know?"
Saito paused. "I see."
He stood up. "I'll get us something to drink."
"Okay," Riko said, watching him walk away.
He turned a corner behind the vending machine area and stopped, leaning against the wall.
His heartbeat was faster than usual. Irregular.
He placed a hand against his chest.
"Why is this happening...?" he murmured.
He replayed her words in his mind.
"I'm always happiest when I'm with you."
He closed his eyes. His usual internal equations offered no clarity. No rational metric could quantify this sensation.
His face flushed.
"…What is this feeling?"
The fireworks continued crackling behind him, golden light dancing across the waves.