Hello everyone~
It's me, Sara Debeu—yes, the Sara.
Aka the most beautiful girl in the entire Humboldt Creek Middle School.
Big boobs? Check.
Blonde hair? Duh.
Green eyes that make boys stutter and girls jealous? You bet.
I'm what you'd call the typical main heroine, but also better. Because I'm real.
(Ha.)
Anyway~ two years ago, some weirdos in masks tried to kidnap me. Yeah. Tried.
But I guess they chickened out when they realized who my dad is—the principal of Humboldt Creek himself.
Hmph. Serves them right.
Now, two years later? It's 2009, I'm glowing up on a beach day with my friends.
I'm wearing a cute pink bikini that fits just right, and yeah, people are staring.
As they should.
With me are:
Lily Croft – the "Cool girl" of our school. Always teasing hmmps, but she's cool.
Harry Freeman – Cool guy with abs, apparently.
And… others and then
Tyler Foster.
(Ugh.)
That weirdo chuunibyou boy with messy hair, intense eyes, and a tendency to mumble about shadows and conspiracies.
He's standing five feet from us, wearing all black in the middle of the beach.
THE BEACH.
And the way he looks at me sometimes…
(As if he's trying to decode me, I don't know hmmp.)
I crossed my arms.
(Does he want me naked or something?? What a hot—wait, no—idiot! I didn't mean that!! HMPH!)
"Saraaa~"
Mary, one of my girls, called out while lounging under an umbrella.
"I'm so jealous of you! You've got an amazing figure!"
I did a humble giggle.
"Hehehe, it's nothing~"
(I said, but obviously it's everything. I'm Sara Debeu.)
I sat down on my towel, letting the sun bounce off my flawless skin, then peeked over at Tyler again.
He was whispering something.
(WHAT IS HE EVEN SAYING???)
I turned back to May and Mary and muttered,
"He's really weird."
May just smiled softly.
"He's gotten more mature, you know. And taller. Kinda cool, in a mysterious way."
(Mysterious my ass.)
I scoffed.
"hmm still weirdo."
Harry heard us and spoke. "He's our weirdo, though."
But then I looked back at him.
He was now doing slow-motion martial arts practice in the sand, completely serious.
The wind caught his shirt just right.
His expression was sharp. Focused.
...Okay.
(Ugh. That was actually kinda hot.)
No. No, no, no.
I choked on my soda.
"He's still an idiot."
Lily leaned in, smirking.
"You're blushing, Sara~"
"Am not!"
"You totally are."
"Shut up!!"
..
Tyler Foster's POV
The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the shoreline. Perfect lighting.
I stood a few steps away from the group, pretending to casually scroll through my phone.
But really…
(I was scanning for energy distortions using my OmniScript interface. The shadows never rest… even on a beach.)
I could feel their eyes on me.
Lily was definitely giggling about something. Harry, probably laughing too.
And Sara…
(Her gaze… it lingered for exactly 1.7 seconds longer than normal.)
(Does she suspect something? No… not yet. Good. Let her think I'm just the quiet one.)
I adjusted my black long-sleeve shirt. It absorbed the heat, but that was part of the discipline. Training under pressure.
Slimy stirred inside my pocket inventory dimension, content and asleep.
(Don't worry, Slimy. I'll handle the surveillance for today.)
I subtly walked closer to the water, moving in a casual rhythm. Each step was part of a silent kata—the Way of the Windless Guard.
An ancient form I invented based on anime choreography and bird movements.
I stopped just short of the tide, eyes narrowing.
(No signs of Syndicate activity. But that ripple pattern… it's irregular. Unnatural. Tidal interference? Or is someone watching?)
I whispered under my breath.
"Engage mental focus. Quiet the noise. Scan... complete."
Then I turned back to the group slowly.
Sara was watching.
Eyes like a hawk. Arms crossed.
She looked pissed. Or confused. Or both.
Probably both.
(Her aura… fiery. But behind it—conflict. Maybe she's sensing it too. The calm before the next storm.)
Lily leaned toward her and whispered something. Sara's face turned red instantly.
(Did I say something too loud earlier…?)
No. Doesn't matter. Focus.
Harry gave me a wave. I nodded back.
Keep it casual.
Keep the cover.
I walked over and sat on my towel beside them. Everyone was laughing about something.
I gave a small smile. Nothing flashy.
"Nice view today, huh."
Lily poked me in the side with a smirk.
"Look at you, saying normal things like a normal person."
I raised an eyebrow.
"What else would I say?"
Harry grinned.
"You just got that look, man. Like you're about to summon a dragon or something."
I chuckled lightly.
(They don't know how close they are to the truth.)
Sara suddenly looked at me.
"You're wearing black. On a beach."
I shrugged.
"Shade's good for reflection."
She squinted at me.
"…Weirdo."
I didn't reply. Just looked out at the ocean.
(Let them think I'm weird. As long as they're safe. That's all that matters.)
(But the Syndicate hasn't moved in two years. That can only mean one thing... something bigger is coming.)
…
3rd Person POV
The sky was dark now, stars scattered like secrets across the black canvas. The waves whispered to the shore, and the smell of toasted marshmallows danced through the salty breeze.
As bonfire cracked and popped, casting a warm orange glow over the circle of friends gathered around it. The air smelled like burnt sugar and salty waves. Somewhere off in the distance, someone was playing "Fireflies" by Owl City on a Bluetooth speaker, slightly too loud. It was 2009, after all.
Tyler Foster sat cross-legged on the sand, his black hoodie absorbing the heat of the fire as he stared into it like he was preparing to monologue about fate.
Next to him, Harry Freeman leaned against a log, chewing on a marshmallow stick. Lily Croft was poking the fire with a branch, eyes scanning for new victims for her favorite game.
Across the circle sat Sara Debeu, wrapped in a fluffy beach blanket, golden hair catching the firelight. On either side of her were her friends Mary and May—Mary with her messy ponytail and sunglasses on even at night, May with a flower crown and calm smile.
Kenji, the fast-talking prankster of the group, and Conor, the chill skater kid, sat near Harry, each holding sodas and arguing about whether Batman could beat Iron Man in a fight.
Lily slapped her stick into the sand.
"Alright, it's time. Truth or dare, losers."
"Oh god, again?" groaned Kenji.
"I love this game," May said softly, sipping her soda.
"Let's get wrecked," Conor grinned.
Lily pointed dramatically at Sara.
"Your turn. Truth or dare, beach queen?"
Sara rolled her eyes, adjusting the blanket around her bikini-clad figure.
"Ugh. Fine. Truth."
Lily grinned like a hyena.
"Who in this circle would you kiss if you had to?"
Everyone collectively went, "Oooooooohhh—"
Sara's face flushed instantly.
"W-What kinda question is that?! I—I refuse to answer—"
"C'mon, don't dodge it now," Mary teased, nudging her.
"You gotta pick someone!" Harry added.
"Yeah, rules are rules," Kenji smirked.
Sara looked at Lily.
"Then I pick you, jerk."
Lily gasped.
"Finally. I knew our moment would come."
Everyone laughed. Even Tyler smiled faintly.
But Sara's gaze flickered to him for half a second longer than it should have.
(Why didn't he react? He doesn't care, huh? Idiot.)
….
LATER…
The game dissolved into late-night laughter and s'mores, as people split off into smaller conversations. Tyler stood quietly, walking around the fire to grab a marshmallow stick.
Sara also stood, brushing sand off her towel—and in a fated moment of pure anime-level
misfortune—
Tyler turned and accidentally walked right into her. His hand shot forward—instincts from training—and accidentally landed straight on her chest.
A full second passed.
Time slowed.
The marshmallow fell.
So did his soul.
Sara froze.
So did Tyler.
Then—
"PERVERRRRRT!!"
Sara smacked his hand away, her face burning red.
"IT WAS AN ACCIDENT I SWEAR TO OMNISCRIPT!!" Tyler yelped, tripping over his own feet and falling back.
Everyone turned, chaos igniting.
"BROOOO." — Harry.
"He touched the titty!!" — Kenji, way too loud.
"I didn't mean to! I was thinking about—about phoenix stats!!" Tyler wailed.
"He was thinking about her phoenix alright." — Conor, high-fiving Kenji.
Lily collapsed laughing.
"This is the best night of my life."
Mary and May ran over to Sara.
"Are you okay??"
Sara was speechless, still holding the blanket over her chest.
"Y-You touched—You—W-WEIRDO!!!"
Tyler stood up, brushing off sand.
"I—I swear on my birds I didn't mean to—"
"YOU. SWEAR. ON. BIRDS?!" — Kenji, howling.
May looked at Sara.
"You're really red."
"N-No I'm not!"
Lily leaned in.
"You're definitely blushing."
"SHUT UP!"
..
3rd Person POV
As laughter echoed and the scent of burning marshmallows filled the night air, Tyler quietly got up from his seat near the fire. His hood was half up, the shadows hiding his face—but his steps were steady, determined.
(I must apologize. It was a mistake. But a real warrior owns up to his mistakes. No matter how embarrassing they are. No matter how… soft… they—NO, FOCUS TYLER.)
He stopped a few feet in front of her, where Sara Debeu stood, arms crossed tightly, cheeks still flushed with heat—not entirely from the bonfire.
He looked at her.
She looked back.
He spoke quietly, almost too low to be heard over the ocean waves.
"Sara."
She blinked, startled.
"Wh-What?" she stammered, suddenly acutely aware of how close he was standing.
"Come with me. Just a minute."
He motioned slightly toward a quieter patch of sand, away from the firelight.
…
Sara POV
(What. The. HELL.)
(Did this… did this pervert weirdo just pull me aside like he's about to confess something?!)
(W-What do I even do?! What do I say? I'm not ready for this!!)
My face was already warm, but now it was melting. I looked around, half-hoping someone would call me back—but everyone was busy laughing, teasing Kenji for something and having to wear Lily's pink sunglasses.
So I followed him.
But my thoughts didn't slow down.
(Calm down, Sara. He's probably just gonna say sorry or whatever. Not like it's the first time he's said something weird.)
Yet…
(Why do I keep remembering that day…)
…
Flashback: One Year Ago – Soccer Field Behind School
I was just walking near the fence, minding my own business, when the middle school soccer team kicked a ball way too hard.
It flew over the goal, across the yard, straight at my face.
I froze. I couldn't move. I just—
Then something moved faster than the wind.
A figure stepped in front of me and caught it.
One hand. Like it was nothing.
Tyler Foster, messy hair, and big shoulders
He didn't even look surprised.
He just looked back at me and said,
"Are you okay?"
That voice… calm, steady. His eyes serious.
And I didn't say anything back. Just stared like an idiot.
(Like I am now… AGAIN.)
…
Back to Present – Beach, Off to the Side
He stopped walking. We were far enough that the fire was just a warm blur behind us.
Tyler turned to me and lowered his head slightly.
"…I'm sorry."
His voice was sincere.
"About earlier. It was an accident. I would never— I respect you."
He paused.
"I should've moved better. Controlled my body better."
(Is he… is he seriously apologizing with some kind of anime monk warrior logic??)
I looked at him—really looked at him.
He wasn't joking. His expression was so honest it made something inside me stir uncomfortably.
"…You're an idiot." I muttered, hugging my arms around myself.
"I know."
We stood there for a moment. Silent. The waves crashed in the distance.
"…But thank you," I whispered, barely audible.
He blinked. "Huh?"
I turned away fast.
"Nothing! Don't get cocky!"
Then I stomped off back toward the fire, my heart going THUD THUD THUD like it was trying to break out of my ribs.
…
3rd Person POV
Tyler stood alone on the sand for a moment, watching her go.
He exhaled slowly.
(I did it. A proper apology… That wasn't so bad.)
Behind him, high above on the palm tree, Phonx the immortal phoenix fluttered its wings silently—either judging or approving. Maybe both.
To be continue