The walk along the beach was as peaceful as ever. It was fine weather. Cozily warm but suitably chilled by the wind from the sea. Miho was incredibly shy about going out in a dress at first and kept on complaining about how weird it was to feel the breeze on her bare legs, but eventually she got used to it. She even learned to enjoy swirling around, laughing like a child.
With the cool water rhythmically touching and withdrawing from our bare feet, we walked on the edge of the land. Miho held our sandals and I held the picnic basket filled with ham and cheese sandwiches I made. Whether she was a tigress or kitten, she had to be fed.
There was this rock that we always stopped by whenever we took a walk along this path, and as per routine, we decided to take a break there. Miho climbed first, expertly, then pulled me up easily. She might have softened in the heart but her strength never faded.
