The bus came to a stop, groaning as the doors hissed open.
Class 1-B spilled out in a chaotic rush, laughter and chatter mixing with the crisp sea breeze. The hot summer sun warmed their skin, and the sharp scent of saltwater filled the air.
The students scattered like a flock of birds, rushing to claim their favorite spots on the vast golden beach. Rika grabbed Hikari's hand and dragged her along, pulling her through the crowd like a whirlwind.
"C'mon, Hikari! You're not letting Ren and the guys snatch the prime spots, are you?" Rika called out, her black hair bouncing with every step.
Hikari laughed, shooting a glance over her shoulder at Yuuto, who trailed behind quietly, his hands stuffed into his pockets. "Stay close, boyfriend," she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "We might get separated in this chaos."
Yuuto grumbled under his breath, cheeks flushed beneath his bangs. "We're not even—whatever," he muttered, but followed without protest.
Ren was already nearby, joking loudly with the boys gathered near the volleyball nets. "Last one to the water buys ice cream!" he challenged, flashing a cocky grin.
Yuuto shot him a sharp look but said nothing. He wasn't in the mood for games.
The sun beat down on the sand, turning it warm and soft underfoot.
Seagulls cried overhead, their wings spread wide against the clear blue sky.
Somewhere in the distance, waves crashed rhythmically, creating a soothing soundtrack to the bustling beach.
Once they found their spot, Hikari changed into the swimsuit she'd bought with Yuuto a few days ago.
When she stepped onto the sand, a ripple of attention spread through the group. The boys whistled and glanced. The girls whispered and exchanged impressed looks.
Yuuto's heart jumped, and he immediately turned away, sitting under a parasol and burying his face in a towel. He didn't look up, didn't say a word. His fingers clenched the towel tighter as voices around him blurred into noise.
Rika noticed and gave a short snort. "Hopeless idiot," she murmured.
Then came a voice smoother than the breeze.
"Now that's what I call a beach queen."
Toma-senpai strolled over with his friends, sunglasses perched atop his head, his shirt casually unbuttoned. His gaze zeroed in on Hikari, and a sly grin spread across his face.
"You're definitely the highlight of this beach," he said.
Hikari gave a light laugh. "You flatter me, senpai."
"Mind if we hang out with you? It will be fun and I need a little help deciding on a drink," he said, holding up two cans of juice like a child unsure of his treat.
Yuuto, still under the parasol, stiffened. His eyes flicked toward them, but he quickly looked away.
"Sure," Hikari said with a shrug. She looked toward Yuuto for a moment—his back was turned.
Later, during volleyball, Toma was there again, joking with the others, standing beside Hikari. He kept stealing glances at her, lightly brushing shoulders or cracking jokes just loud enough for her to hear.
Yuuto sat on a towel near the edge of the group, watching from a distance. He didn't move when invited. Didn't speak unless spoken to. The smile he wore in the morning had vanished.
When Hikari came over to offer him a drink, Toma appeared again, flopping down beside her.
"Hikari, that sunblock you used—is that the citrus one? It smells amazing," he said with an exaggerated sniff.
She blinked at him, then turned to Yuuto, only to find he'd already walked off.
Yuuto ended up by the rocks, away from everyone. The breeze was stronger here, carrying with it the sounds of laughter and the ocean. But none of it reached him.
He stared at the water, arms folded, heart heavy.
He didn't know what exactly made it ache. The way Toma kept showing up, the way Hikari smiled through it, or maybe the helplessness he felt just sitting on the sidelines.
He didn't like feeling like this.
Ren eventually found him, dropping down beside him with a sigh. "So, you're really going full ghost mode now?"
Yuuto didn't reply.
Ren chewed his gum slowly, "You know, everyone noticed. You're quieter than usual today… and that's saying something."
Yuuto scoffed, still staring at the waves, "Maybe this is just me."
Ren sighed, not teasing anymore, "Maybe. But even you don't usually look this… sad."
A few minutes later, Rika showed up too, her arms crossed. "You gonna sulk all day or what?"
Yuuto didn't answer.
"Toma's annoying, yeah. But you're making it worse by doing nothing."
Yuuto's jaw clenched. He didn't want advice. He didn't want sympathy. He just wanted this ache to go away.
Back at the group, Toma and Hikari were gathered near a small beach stand. Toma handed her a coconut with a straw.
"I didn't know how to ask for a date, so let's just pretend this counts," he said with a wink.
Hikari blinked in surprise. "You're shameless."
"You're beautiful. It balances out," he grinned.
She smiled, but her eyes drifted again, scanning the beach. She spotted Yuuto sitting alone by the rocks, barely a speck in the distance. Her smile faded.
She took a step toward him.
"Wanna take a walk down the pier instead?" Toma asked quickly, moving in front of her.
She hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Sure."
Evening settled in, painting the sky in soft orange and pink. The air cooled. The laughter faded. Students gathered to pack up, take selfies, and capture the sunset.
Yuuto returned quietly, helping Rika fold the mat without a word.
He glanced at Hikari once, saw her laughing at something Toma whispered. His chest tightened.
She looked back just as he turned away.
The ride back was filled with sleepy chatter. Hikari sat beside Yuuto, but neither said much.
She wanted to ask if something was wrong. But something in Yuuto's distant expression told her not to.
So she sat in silence, staring out the window, while he stared at the reflection of the sea in the glass.
Neither of them knew it yet, but this quiet rift, this day of tension and tangled feelings, would be the beginning of a shift neither could ignore for long.
And under the weight of unspoken thoughts and stolen glances, the summer sun dipped below the waves, leaving only questions behind.
To be continued...