The morning sun shone brightly over the pier of Arubi Island, reflecting a golden glow on the gently swaying sea surface. The sea breeze carried a distinctive salty scent, making the atmosphere even more like a perfect summer vacation. The plane carrying the Raizen High School group had just landed, and now the students were filing down the stairs, some excited, some still sleepy.
"Okay, everyone, line up neatly over here!" Tamae-sensei shouted energetically, waving her hands to keep the students from getting lost. Next to her, Reine-sensei stood with her usual stoic expression, her clipboard in hand occasionally checking attendance.
Kaito stepped casually out of the line, a large, long bag hanging from his right hand. The bag's shape drew curious glances from several students, some wondering what he was carrying. His steady stride and confident aura made him easily recognizable even from a distance.
Tamae-sensei, upon seeing him, raised an eyebrow. "Kaito-kun, what are you carrying?" she asked, with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
Kaito paused for a moment, then turned around with a faint smile, his signature smile that often made the girls at school tremble, but somehow felt cryptic. "This?" He lifted the bag slightly to get a better look. "A surfboard. No trip to the beach without surfing is complete, Sensei."
At that, Tamae-sensei's expression softened. She nodded in understanding with a smile, though her gaze still held a hint of curiosity. "Ah, I see. I guess… something else," she said with a small chuckle.
Tonomachi, who had been walking behind Kaito, quickly caught up and positioned himself next to him. His face lit up with enthusiasm. "Seriously, Kaito? Can you surf?" he asked, his tone like a child seeing a new toy.
Kaito glanced at him briefly, then nodded slowly. "I can. Not bad," he replied, but with a hint of arrogance that couldn't be hidden.
"Not bad, he said…" Tonomachi clicked his tongue with a small laugh. "Don't tell me you're going to impress all the girls at the beach with your skills."
Kaito stared at her for a moment, then smiled faintly again. "If that happens, it's not my fault, right?" he replied casually.
Their conversation was interrupted by the boisterous voices of the other group. Tohka was busy jumping up and down while pointing toward the sea, her eyes sparkling like a child seeing the beach for the first time. Origami stood not far from her, her expression calm but occasionally glancing at Tohka with an unreadable look. Shido, in the middle of them, seemed overwhelmed trying to calm them both down.
The sea breeze picked up again, blowing the ends of Kaito's slightly messy hair back. He stared at the vast blue ocean stretching out in front of the pier, his thoughts momentarily wandering. This island was indeed beautiful, but he knew the true story—the behind-the-scenes events that would unfold, just like in the anime's "canon." The difference was, this time he was here, though he hadn't yet decided whether to intervene or simply observe.
Meanwhile, Tamae-sensei spoke again loudly, "Okay! After this, we'll head to the inn. You can rest a bit before we head to the museum. Don't let anyone get lost!"
Shouts of complaint erupted from some of the students. Finding the museum boring, Tonomachi patted Kaito on the shoulder and said meaningfully, "I can't wait to see you show off your surfing skills, bro."
Kaito simply nodded slightly, then shifted his long bag back onto his shoulder. The weight didn't bother him at all, even though it was clear that the object inside was no ordinary surfboard. Inwardly, he smiled faintly. This island might be the stage for some interesting events, but for now, he would play the role of a laid-back high school student.
The group began to move towards the inn. The sound of crashing waves in the distance mingled with the laughter of the students, while in the sky, the sun rose higher, signaling the beginning of a new adventure on Arubi Island. And amidst the crowd, Kaito continued to walk leisurely, his smile faint but meaningful—like someone who knew more than anyone around him.
The group of students began moving toward the path leading to the inn. The sound of sandals and shoes clacking against the sandy ground was punctuated by the laughter and light chatter of students eagerly anticipating the afternoon's free time.
Kaito walked in the middle of the line, his surfboard still slung casually over his right shoulder. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something that made him slow his pace slightly.
Shido and Tohka, who were supposed to be at the front of the line, instead glanced at each other before, without warning, running in opposite directions, leaving the group behind. The movement was swift, almost like a child suddenly deciding to play hide-and-seek.
Kaito paused for a moment. His gaze followed the two's retreating backs into the distance. His lips curved into a faint smile, not a casual smile, but a knowing smile that only appears when one understands more than meets the eye.
He knew exactly where this was going. "So it's their turn…" he muttered to himself.
This was one of those moments he had known since the beginning of the canon scene where Shido would encounter the spirits of the Yamai sisters, Kaguya and Yuzuru. A meeting filled with excitement and… a strange rivalry between the two spirits. Kaito had no intention of interfering, at least not yet. To him, it was part of the story that had to play out as it should.
The sun reflected off the ocean's surface, the sea breeze carried a familiar salty scent, and the faint sound of seagulls could be heard in the distance. Everything felt so calm, but Kaito knew full well that this kind of tranquility was often just a prelude to something exciting happening.
"Have fun, Shido," he thought, turning back to the group. Unhurriedly, he turned and resumed his walk, catching up with the others at a leisurely pace.
The surfboard on his shoulder swayed gently to the rhythm of his steps. Several female students walking nearby glanced at him in whispers, some wondering where Kaito had glanced, but he only responded with a brief smile.
Ahead, Tamae-sensei had already given a brief briefing on the rules of the inn. Reine-sensei walked beside him, occasionally observing the students with a flat but attentive gaze. For some reason, Reine's gaze lingered on Kaito, but she said nothing.
Kaito continued to walk leisurely, his eyes occasionally glancing at the surrounding scenery. This island was indeed beautiful, and even though he knew the story, there was something that made him want to savor this moment. He wasn't just a spectator or a secondary player—he was part of the story, and every step he took, sooner or later, would affect the course of this world.