After the Sunset
The walk back from the beach was quiet.
Streetlights glowed softly along the road, and the sound of the waves slowly faded behind them.
One by one, the group split off toward their apartments and dorms.
Eventually only Akira and Mizuko were left walking together.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
When they reached the apartment, Mizuko dropped onto the sofa and stretched.
"Today was exhausting."
Akira walked into the kitchen and poured two glasses of water.
"Here."
"Thanks."
She took a sip, then suddenly looked at him.
"…Akira."
He glanced over.
"Yeah?"
She hesitated for a moment.
Then asked casually—
"Are you in love with Aiko?"
Akira nearly choked on his drink.
"…What?"
Mizuko leaned back against the couch.
"You two looked pretty close today."
Akira frowned slightly.
"It's not like that."
"Really?"
"Yes."
He looked away for a moment.
"She's just… easy to talk to."
Mizuko studied his expression.
"…I see."
Then she smiled lightly.
"Well, don't take too long to figure it out."
Akira blinked.
"…Figure out what?"
Mizuko stood up and walked toward her room.
"Good night."
Leaving Akira standing there—confused.
The Days Before the Trip
The next few days at the institute passed quickly.
Classes.
Assignments.
Café visits.
And constant teasing from the group.
One afternoon in the campus café, Ren slammed his hand on the table.
"Beach trip in three days!"
Nanami sighed.
"You've been counting every day."
"Of course!"
Rina raised her phone.
"I already planned beach photos."
Yuuto leaned back in his chair.
"I'm only going for the food."
Everyone looked at Akira.
"…Why are you all looking at me?"
Ren pointed dramatically.
"You're cooking lunch."
Akira sighed.
"…Right."
Aiko smiled.
"I'll help."
Ren gasped.
"Oh?"
Nanami smirked.
"Team cooking again?"
Aiko rolled her eyes.
"Relax."
Akira quietly looked down at his notebook.
But the small smile on his face didn't go unnoticed.
The Morning of the Trip
Saturday morning finally arrived.
The sky was bright and clear.
Akira, Aiko, and Mizuko were already standing outside their apartment building.
The road in front was quiet.
Aiko checked the time.
"They're late."
Akira shrugged.
"…Ren."
Right on cue—
A loud voice shouted from down the street.
"WE'RE HERE!"
Ren ran toward them dramatically.
Nanami followed behind him.
Yuuto walked calmly.
Rina was already filming.
"Travel vlog begins!"
Mizuko laughed softly.
"This is going to be a long day."
Train Ride
Soon the group boarded the train.
Ren immediately claimed the window seat.
"Best view!"
Nanami pushed him aside.
"You're not five years old."
Rina filmed the scenery outside.
"Look at the mountains!"
Yuuto fell asleep within ten minutes.
Meanwhile, Akira and Aiko sat next to each other.
The train rocked gently as it moved along the tracks.
Aiko looked out the window.
"This is actually nice."
Akira nodded.
"…Yeah."
She turned toward him.
"You travel a lot?"
"Not really."
"First beach trip with friends?"
Akira thought for a moment.
"…Yeah."
She smiled.
"Same."
For a second, their shoulders lightly touched as the train turned.
Neither of them moved away.
Across the aisle, Mizuko quietly watched.
Something inside her chest tightened slightly.
Arrival
After one hour and thirty minutes, the train finally stopped.
Ren jumped up immediately.
"Beach town!"
Nanami grabbed her bag.
"Let's go."
They took a local bus from the station.
Another thirty minutes later, the ocean finally came into view.
Blue water stretched across the horizon.
Rina gasped.
"This place is beautiful!"
Even Akira stopped walking for a moment.
"…Wow."
Lunch Preparation
They found a spot near the sand and set their bags down.
Akira opened the cooler bag.
"Alright."
Ren immediately sat down.
"Food time."
Akira started preparing lunch.
Meanwhile, Aiko rolled up her sleeves.
"Move."
Akira glanced at her.
"…What?"
"I'm helping."
Nanami whispered to Yuuto.
"Here we go again."
Soon the two of them were cooking side by side.
Cutting vegetables.
Preparing rice.
Cooking seafood.
Ren leaned over dramatically.
"This feels familiar."
Nanami nodded.
"Mom and dad cooking again."
Aiko threw a towel at them.
"Stop that!"
But Akira was quietly smiling.
Mizuko watched the two of them working together.
And for some reason…
It bothered her.
Beach Fun
After lunch, everyone ran toward the water.
Ren jumped straight into the waves.
"THIS IS AMAZING!"
Nanami splashed him immediately.
"Calm down!"
Rina took pictures of everything.
Yuuto built a sand castle for no reason.
Meanwhile, Aiko walked along the shoreline.
Akira followed a few steps behind.
The wind moved through her hair.
She looked back.
"You're quiet."
Akira shrugged.
"Just enjoying it."
She smiled.
"Same."
A wave suddenly rushed toward them.
Aiko slipped slightly.
Akira grabbed her arm quickly.
For a moment, they were very close.
She looked up at him.
"…Thanks."
Akira slowly let go.
"…Careful."
Behind them, Mizuko saw everything.
And that strange feeling returned again.
Night Beach
Evening slowly arrived.
The beach became quieter.
Street lights flickered on near the small shops.
The group sat together on the sand.
The ocean looked darker now, reflecting the moonlight.
Ren leaned back.
"This trip was a great idea."
Nanami nodded.
"Agreed."
Rina pointed her camera toward the waves.
"Night photos look amazing."
Eventually the group started talking among themselves.
But Akira and Aiko wandered a little closer to the water.
The waves moved softly around their feet.
Aiko looked up at the stars.
"This place feels different at night."
Akira nodded.
"…Peaceful."
She glanced at him.
"I'm glad you came."
Akira looked at her quietly.
"…Me too."
Behind them, Mizuko watched again.
And for the first time—
She realized something clearly.
She didn't like seeing them together like that.
Not at all.