They didn’t say much as they left Vil’s Bar.

The energy of the place still pulsed behind them, music spilling out into the streets, laughter and shouting blending into the chaos of the Coastal Kingdom’s nightlife, but for Illumina, it felt distant now. Like they had stepped out of something loud and alive into something quieter, heavier.

Aiko walked near the front at first, her usual sharp energy dulled just slightly. Her eyes flicked once back toward the glowing entrance of the bar, her lips pressing together in the faintest sign of annoyance.

“…That was just getting good,” she muttered under her breath.

Ryuji glanced at her. “You got your drink,” he said. “And a fight.”

“Barely,” she replied. “That wasn’t even a warm-up.”

Tetsuo chuckled lightly. “You slapped a guy across the room. That counts.”

Aiko exhaled through her nose, crossing her arms. “Still.”

But she didn’t argue further.

Because beneath the surface, she understood.

Her gaze shifted slightly, landing on Shunjiro walking ahead of them. He wasn’t saying anything. Wasn’t looking around. Wasn’t even really present in the way he had been earlier.

And for once Aiko let it go.

“…We’ll come back,” she said after a moment, more quietly now. “Another night.”

Ryuji raised a brow. “You saying that for you or for him?”

Aiko didn’t answer.

She didn’t need to.

Yoshinori walked just behind Shunjiro, his pace steady, his eyes occasionally shifting toward him, measuring, observing. He didn’t interrupt. Didn’t try to force conversation.

But he noticed.

They all did.

By the time they reached the hotel, the contrast hit again. The noise of the streets faded behind closed doors, replaced by soft lighting, quiet voices, and the steady calm of a place meant for rest. It felt almost unnatural after everything they had just experienced.

They made their way upstairs without much discussion, the earlier excitement of the night replaced with something more grounded.

The room door opened and they stepped inside.

Shunjiro didn’t hesitate. “…I’m gonna shower,” he said, his voice even but distant.

Itsuki looked at him for a second. “…Okay.”

He didn’t say anything else.

He just grabbed a change of clothes and walked past them, the door to the bathroom closing behind him with a soft click.

Silence lingered for a moment after.

Then Tetsuo let out a small breath, rubbing the back of his neck. “…Yeah,” he muttered. “He’s not okay.”

“No,” Yoshinori said simply. “He isn’t.”

Ryuji leaned back against the wall, arms crossed. “That hit him harder than I thought it would.”

Itsuki shook her head slightly. “No,” she said softly. “It hit him exactly how I thought it would.”

That quieted them.

Aiko dropped down onto one of the beds, falling back onto it with a soft bounce, staring up at the ceiling. “…He finally got something real,” she said. “And it just made everything worse.”

Yoshinori nodded once. “Confirmation without resolution,” he said. “That tends to do that.”

Tetsuo glanced toward the bathroom door. “So what do we do?”

There was a pause.

Then Itsuki spoke. “…We don’t push him,” she said. “Not tonight.”

Ryuji exhaled. “So we just… sit around?”

“No,” Aiko said, sitting up slightly now, her tone more certain. “We do something.”

They looked at her.

She crossed her arms, thinking for a second before continuing. “He’s stuck in his head right now,” she said. “If we leave him like that, he’s just gonna go deeper.”

Yoshinori didn’t disagree. 

“So we pull him out,” Tetsuo said.

Aiko nodded. “Yeah.”

Ryuji tilted his head slightly. “…And how exactly do we do that?”

Aiko’s gaze shifted toward the window, where faint light from the city still filtered in. “…We make this trip actually feel like a trip,” she said. “Not just… chasing something.”

Itsuki’s expression softened slightly. “The beach,” she said quietly.

Aiko looked at her. “Yeah.”

Tetsuo grinned faintly. “That actually sounds nice.”

Ryuji shrugged. “Better than sitting here thinking about stuff we can’t fix tonight.”

Yoshinori crossed his arms, considering it for a moment before giving a small nod. “Morning,” he said. “We go early.”

Itsuki smiled faintly. “…He’ll like that.”

Aiko leaned back again, hands behind her head. “And if he doesn’t,” she said, “we’ll make him.”

That earned a small laugh from Tetsuo.

Meanwhile, in the bathroom, the world was different.

Water poured steadily from above, steam slowly filling the space, the sound constant, almost numbing.

Shunjiro stood beneath it, unmoving.

The water ran over his hair, down his face, across his shoulders but he didn’t react. Didn’t blink. Didn’t move.

His eyes were open.

But they weren’t seeing the room.

They were somewhere else entirely.

Takeshi.

The name echoed over and over in his mind, tangled with everything he had just learned.

He’s alive.

He’s moving.

He talks about you.

Then why?

Why won’t he come home?

Why won’t he see me?

Why does it feel like he’s getting further away?

Shunjiro’s jaw tightened slightly, but his expression didn’t change.

The image of their home surfaced in his mind faint but clear. His parents. The quiet moments. The way things used to be.

The way they were supposed to be.

“…I just want to bring you back,” he muttered under his breath, the words barely audible beneath the sound of the water.

That was it.

Not glory.

Not power.

Not recognition.

Just that.

His hands slowly clenched at his sides, water dripping from his fingers.

“If something’s stopping you…” he continued quietly, his voice steadier now, “…then I’ll find it.”

The water kept running.

Steam thickened.

But Shunjiro didn’t move.

Didn’t blink.

His thoughts kept turning.

Faster.

Sharper.

More focused.

“…And if I have to reach your level to do it…” he said, almost to himself, “…then I will.”

And as the water continued to fall around him, the noise fading into the background of his thoughts, one thing became clear in the silence of his mind, he wasn’t letting this end here.

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Morning came quietly. The Coastal Kingdom, so alive and overwhelming the night before, now felt like an entirely different world. The streets that had once been flooded with music, laughter, and bodies moving in every direction were now calm, almost peaceful. A soft ocean breeze drifted through the city, carrying the faint scent of salt and early cooking fires. Sunlight stretched gently across the stone pathways, warm but not yet intense, casting long shadows from buildings that seemed to rest after the chaos of the night.

Illumina moved through it together, their footsteps light against the quiet streets.

Only a few places were open, small cafes with doors propped wide, the low murmur of conversation spilling out as early risers sipped drinks and spoke in hushed tones. A couple of shopkeepers swept their entrances. A fisherman passed by with a net slung over his shoulder. It felt slower. Peaceful.

“…This is weird,” Ryuji said, glancing around. “Same place?”

Tetsuo stretched his arms over his head as he walked. “Feels like we got teleported somewhere else.”

Yoshinori’s eyes moved calmly across the surroundings, taking everything in. “Different time, different behavior,” he said. 

Shunjiro walked near the front, hands in his pockets, quieter than usual but not distant like the night before. There was still something on his mind, that much was obvious, but it didn’t feel as heavy.

“We should hit the beach early,” he said after a moment. “Before it gets packed.”

“Agreed,” Yoshinori replied. “Less noise. Easier to move around.”

Aiko smirked slightly. “And less competition for space.”

Ryuji glanced at her. “You planning on fighting someone for a spot?”

She shrugged. “If I have to.”

Tetsuo let out a low laugh. “You would.”

They kept moving, the quiet rhythm of the morning settling around them.

A few steps behind, Itsuki walked a little more slowly.

Her hands rested near the sides of her skirt, fingers lightly gripping the fabric as she adjusted it, then adjusted it again. Her eyes flicked subtly toward the others, then forward, then back again. There was a slight tension in her movements, something small but noticeable.

She hesitated. Then reached forward, gently tapping Aiko on the shoulder.

“…Aiko,” she said quietly.

Aiko glanced back at her. “Hm?”

Itsuki leaned in slightly. “…Can you fall back for a second?”

Aiko raised a brow, curious but didn’t question it. “Yeah.”

Up ahead, Shunjiro glanced over his shoulder. “Everything okay?”

Itsuki gave a quick nod, offering a small smile. “Yeah. You guys go ahead.”

Shunjiro studied her for a second, then nodded. “Alright.”

The boys kept walking.

Aiko slowed her pace, falling back beside Itsuki as the distance between them and the others grew just enough for a more private conversation.

She tilted her head slightly. “What’s up?”

Itsuki hesitated.

Her fingers tightened slightly against the fabric of her skirt before she spoke.

“…What are we going to do about bathing suits?”

Aiko blinked once.

Then again.

“…Oh,” she said, realization settling in almost instantly.

“I was just gonna buy one,” Aiko added casually. “There’s definitely shops down by the beach.”

Itsuki nodded slowly but she didn’t look relieved.

Aiko noticed immediately.

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied her friend’s expression. “…Wait,” she said. “You’re nervous.”

Itsuki’s gaze shifted away for a moment, her voice quieter when she answered. “…I’ve never worn something like that before.”

Aiko didn’t interrupt.

Itsuki continued, her fingers fidgeting again as she tried to explain what she was feeling.

“It’s… a lot,” she admitted. “It’s more skin than I’ve ever shown. And it’s not like armor or training clothes or anything like that, it’s just…” She trailed off slightly, searching for the right words. “…out there.”

There was a small pause.

“…I don’t know,” she finished softly.

Aiko watched her for a second.

Then her expression softened.

“Hey,” she said, her tone lighter now but grounded. “It’s not that serious.”

Itsuki glanced at her.

Aiko shrugged slightly. “It’s just clothes,” she said. “Different kind, sure but still clothes.”

Itsuki didn’t look fully convinced.

Aiko smirked faintly. “And if it helps,” she added, “half the people there are gonna be way more embarrassing than anything you wear.”

That earned a small, reluctant smile from Itsuki.

“…Still,” Itsuki said quietly.

Aiko nudged her lightly with her elbow. “Then we’ll pick something you’re comfortable in,” she said. “Not what anyone else expects.”

Itsuki looked at her. “…Really?”

“Obviously,” Aiko replied. “You think I’m gonna let you walk around feeling awkward all day?”

That… helped. A lot more than Itsuki expected.

“…Okay,” she said softly.

Aiko gave a small nod. “Good.”

She then glanced ahead toward the group. “Let’s not make them think we disappeared or something.”

Itsuki let out a small breath, then nodded.

They picked up their pace slightly, closing the gap.

Ryuji noticed them first. “Finally,” he said. “Thought you two got lost already.”

Aiko rolled her eyes. “Relax.”

Shunjiro looked between them. “Everything good?”

“Yeah,” Aiko said. “We just need to make a stop.”

Yoshinori raised a brow slightly. “For?”

Aiko gestured between herself and Itsuki. “We’re getting swimsuits.”

Tetsuo nodded immediately. “Makes sense.”

Ryuji, however, lit up instantly.

“Oh-” he started, a grin already forming.

Aiko didn’t even let him finish.

Her elbow drove straight into his chest.

“Ow!” Ryuji staggered slightly. “What was that for?!”

“Control yourself,” Aiko said flatly.

“I didn’t even say anything!”

“You were about to.”

“…That’s not fair.”

“It is.”

Tetsuo snorted under his breath. “You walked into that.”

Ryuji rubbed his chest, muttering something under his breath.

Yoshinori ignored all of it.

“Lower district,” he said, already redirecting the conversation. “Beach level will have the highest concentration of relevant shops.”

Shunjiro nodded. “Then that’s where we go.”

Aiko glanced at the boys. “You guys wait outside.”

Ryuji looked offended. “What? Why?”

Aiko gave him a look. “…Seriously?”

He paused.

“…Okay, yeah. That’s fair.”

Tetsuo laughed. “We’ll survive.”

Yoshinori gave a small nod. “We’ll stay nearby.”

Itsuki stood a little straighter now, the earlier nervousness still there but not overwhelming anymore.

By the time they reached the lower layer of the Coastal Kingdom, the world had shifted again.

The air was warmer here, touched more directly by the ocean, carrying the steady rhythm of waves rolling against the shore. The buildings were spaced wider apart, designed to let the sea breeze pass through freely, their architecture lighter, more open. Wooden walkways replaced some of the stone paths, and the sound of gulls echoed faintly overhead.

It wasn’t crowded yet.

A handful of early risers had already claimed spots along the sand, a few setting up umbrellas, others simply standing near the water’s edge, letting the tide brush against their feet. Shops along the beachfront had just begun opening, their doors wide, displays being set out to catch the incoming rush that would come later in the day.

“…Perfect timing,” Yoshinori noted quietly.

Aiko didn’t respond, her eyes were already scanning.

“There,” she said, pointing.

A small but vibrant storefront stood just ahead, its windows lined with colorful fabrics and mannequins posed in various beachwear. The sign above it swayed slightly in the breeze.

“That didn’t take long,” Tetsuo said.

“Of course it didn’t,” Aiko replied, already moving. “This place knows what it’s doing.”

They approached the shop, and as planned, the boys stopped just outside.

Ryuji leaned against the wall, glancing toward the entrance. “We really can’t come in?”

Aiko didn’t even look back. “No.”

“…Not even a little?”

“No.”

Tetsuo smirked. “Give it up.”

Yoshinori folded his arms. “We’ll be here.”

Itsuki hesitated for just a second at the entrance but Aiko didn’t give her time to overthink it.

“Come on,” she said, grabbing her wrist lightly and pulling her inside.

The moment they stepped in, the space felt… different.

Bright.

Colorful.

Rows upon rows of swimsuits lined the walls, arranged by style, color, and design. Light fabric hung neatly from racks, shifting gently with the movement of air through the shop. Mirrors were placed carefully throughout the space, reflecting everything back in a way that felt almost too revealing.

Itsuki slowed almost immediately. “…There’s so many,” she murmured.

Aiko, on the other hand, was already moving. “Good,” she said. “More options.”

She began scanning quickly, pulling out a few pieces without hesitation.

“This one-” she held up a sleek, minimal design. “-clean, simple.”

Itsuki’s eyes widened slightly. “…That’s simple?”

Aiko tilted her head. “…Yes?”

Itsuki shook her head quickly. “That’s… not simple.”

Aiko glanced down at it again, then back at Itsuki, then shrugged. “Alright. Not that one.”

She moved on, grabbing another. “And this-”

Itsuki immediately looked away. “No.”

“You didn’t even-”

“I don’t need to.”

Aiko smirked slightly. “Okay, okay.”

She continued down the line, occasionally holding things up, occasionally discarding them just as fast when she saw Itsuki’s reaction.

Each time, Itsuki’s fingers tightened slightly against her skirt, her shoulders drawing in just a little more.

“…How does anyone wear these?” she muttered.

“With confidence,” Aiko replied simply.

Itsuki didn’t answer.

Because that was exactly what she felt like she didn’t have.

Aiko paused for a moment, watching her.

Then, without a word, she shifted her approach.

Instead of the more revealing pieces, she moved toward another section, her eyes scanning more carefully now. Her movements slowed, not searching for something flashy.

Searching for something that fit.

“…Here,” she said after a moment.

She pulled out a one-piece swimsuit and held it up.

It was more modest, the design clean and balanced.

Itsuki looked at it.

“…I don’t know,” she said quietly.

Aiko studied her reaction, then nodded. “Yeah. Doesn’t feel like you.”

Itsuki blinked slightly. “…What?”

Aiko shrugged. “It’s not bad,” she said. “Just… not you.”

She set it aside. Then reached again.

This time, she pulled out a matching top and bottom set, nothing extreme, nothing overly revealing. It showed skin, yes but in a way that felt balanced. Comfortable.

Aiko held it up, glancing between it and Itsuki. “…This,” she said.

Itsuki looked at it more carefully this time.

Her expression shifted just slightly.

“…It’s not too much,” she admitted.

“And not too little,” Aiko added. “You won’t feel like you’re hiding, but you also won’t feel like you’re on display.”

Itsuki hesitated.

Aiko extended it toward her. “Try it.”

“…Okay.”

The changing room felt quieter.

Itsuki stepped inside, closing the curtain behind her, the outside world muffled almost instantly.

For a moment, she just stood there, looking down at what she held.

Then slowly, she changed.

When she finally turned toward the mirror, she froze.

The reflection stared back at her.

It was… different.

Not uncomfortable.

Just unfamiliar.

Her hand moved slightly, brushing against her arm as if confirming it was real. Her shoulders straightened just a little, then relaxed again.

“…Is this… okay?” she whispered to herself.

Her eyes lingered on her reflection.

And then her thoughts shifted.

Shunjiro.

The image came uninvited.

Would he like this?

Her chest tightened slightly.

Then came the doubt.

…He probably wouldn’t even look at me like that.

Itsuki’s gaze softened, drifting downward slightly.

He’s not… into me like that.

And even if he was-

Her fingers lightly gripped the fabric.

…This probably wouldn’t be enough anyway.

A quiet exhale left her lips.

“…What am I even thinking…” she murmured.

Still, she didn’t take it off.

Instead, after one last look in the mirror, she stepped out.

Aiko was already changed.

A clean white top and bottom, fitting her perfectly, effortless, confident, like it had always belonged on her.

She turned as soon as she heard the curtain move.

Her eyes landed on Itsuki.

And she smiled instantly.

“There it is,” she said. “That’s the one.”

Itsuki shifted slightly under her gaze. “…You think so?”

“I know so,” Aiko replied without hesitation.

Itsuki looked down at herself again. “…I don’t know yet.”

Aiko’s expression softened just a bit as she stepped closer.

She didn’t speak immediately.

She just looked.

And then she saw it.

That hesitation.

That comparison.

That quiet, unspoken thought.

Aiko tilted her head slightly, a faint smirk forming, not teasing.

“He’ll love it,” she said.

Itsuki stiffened instantly. “…He?” she repeated, too quickly.

Aiko’s smirk deepened. “Yeah,” she said casually.

Itsuki looked away. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Mm,” Aiko hummed. “You don’t?”

Itsuki crossed her arms slightly, trying to compose herself. “I just-”

But she stopped. Because she knew.

Aiko didn’t need to say his name.

Her reaction had already said everything.

Aiko stepped closer, her voice softer now. “You look great,” she said.

Itsuki hesitated. Then slowly looked back at her. “…Really?”

Aiko nodded once. “Really.”

There was no doubt in her tone. No comparison. No competition. Just reassurance. And that was enough.

Itsuki’s shoulders relaxed, just slightly. “…Okay,” she said softly.

Aiko grinned. “Good.”

She turned, grabbing her things. “Then we’re done here.”

Itsuki took one last glance at herself in the mirror.

This time she didn’t second guess it.

When the two girls stepped out from the shop, the morning light wrapped around them in a way that felt almost intentional, as if the ocean itself had decided to welcome them properly. The breeze carried the scent of salt and warmth, and the shoreline stretched wide ahead of them, slowly filling with life as more people arrived. Itsuki instinctively straightened her posture, her hands hovering near her sides for a brief moment as she adjusted to the feeling of being seen like this, of wearing something so different from what she was used to. She didn’t get more than a second to process it.

Shunjiro and Tetsuo were already sprinting. “Last one there’s slow!” Shunjiro shouted, kicking off into the sand without hesitation, his energy completely uncontained.

Tetsuo let out a loud laugh and charged after him, his heavier steps kicking up sand in wide sprays as he tried to catch up. The two of them tore across the beach like they had been waiting for this exact moment since they arrived, their earlier worries nowhere to be found as they crashed straight into the water without slowing down. Shunjiro dove forward the second it was deep enough, disappearing beneath the surface in a clean motion, while Tetsuo followed right after him with far less grace.

There was a loud splash, then another, and then a brief silence before Tetsuo’s head snapped back up above the water.

“…Wait.”

He flailed slightly, arms pushing against the surface in uneven motions as realization hit him mid-action. “Wait, I don’t know how to swim!”

Shunjiro surfaced a few feet away, brushing his wet hair back as he stared at him in disbelief. “You just dove in.”

“I thought I’d figure it out!” Tetsuo shot back, kicking awkwardly until his feet found the sand beneath him. Once he stabilized, he stood there like nothing had happened, water dripping from his shoulders. “…Alright, I’m good.”

Shunjiro just shook his head, half laughing. “You’re actually unbelievable.”

Back near the shop, Ryuji had watched the entire exchange with a mix of amusement and mild concern before finally turning his attention back toward the girls. The moment he did, his expression shifted, caught off guard for just a second before he recovered.

“…You both look really good,” he said, more straightforward than usual.

Aiko smirked immediately, clearly pleased. “Took you long enough.”

Itsuki gave a small, polite smile and nodded slightly. “Thank you.”

But even as she said it, her attention drifted past him, out toward the water. Shunjiro was laughing now, splashing Tetsuo, fully absorbed in the moment. He hadn’t even glanced back. Itsuki’s smile lingered, but softened at the edges, something quieter settling behind it.

Aiko noticed. Of course she did. She nudged Itsuki gently with her elbow. “Relax,” she murmured, her tone light but certain. “He’ll notice.”

Itsuki didn’t respond, but she didn’t look away either.

They made their way down to the sand together, the heat beneath their feet a stark contrast to the cool air coming off the ocean. The group quickly settled on a spot not too far from the shoreline. Ryuji shook out a blanket and spread it across the sand while Yoshinori positioned the umbrella with precise care, angling it just enough to block the sun without cutting off the breeze.

Aiko dropped down onto the blanket almost immediately, stretching out on her back with a satisfied exhale. “Yeah,” she said, closing her eyes as the sunlight hit her. “This is exactly what I needed.”

Ryuji glanced at her briefly before kicking off his sandals. “You’re just going to lay there?”

“I’m tanning,” she replied simply.

“…Already?”

“It’s called efficiency.”

Ryuji huffed a small laugh and turned toward the water. “Alright, I’m going in.”

“Try not to drown like Tetsuo,” Aiko called after him.

“No promises.”

He jogged off to join the others, leaving Yoshinori as the only one still dry. Without hesitation, Yoshinori sat beneath the umbrella and pulled a book from his bag, opening it as if he were anywhere else but a beach.

Aiko cracked one eye open and stared at him for a long second before pushing herself up onto her elbows. “You’re kidding.”

Yoshinori glanced at her, mildly confused. “What?”

“You’re at the beach,” she said slowly, as if explaining something obvious, “and you’re going to read a book.”

“Yes.”

“That’s your plan.”

“Yes.”

Aiko sat up fully now, staring at him like he had personally offended her. “Go in the water like a normal person.”

“I do not like salt water,” Yoshinori replied calmly, already returning his attention to the page.

Aiko blinked once, then twice, before a slow smirk spread across her face. “Would you be mad if I swapped you into the ocean?”

“Yes,” Yoshinori said immediately. “I would be annoyed.”

Aiko let out a quiet laugh. “You’re impossible.”

She shifted closer, sitting in front of him now, studying him for a moment before her tone softened just slightly. “Come on,” she said, reaching out and grabbing his arm. “Loosen up.”

“I am sufficiently-”

She cut him off by leaning in just a bit, meeting his eyes. “Will you go in the water with me?” she asked, her voice dropping into something gentler. “I’m… a little scared.”

Yoshinori stared at her for a moment, clearly unconvinced. He let out a slow breath and glanced past her. “Itsuki is right here.”

Itsuki, who had been quietly watching, shook her head slightly. “I’ll go in later,” she said softly.

That left him with no real excuse.

Yoshinori closed his book with a quiet sigh. “Fine.”

Aiko’s grin returned instantly, bright and victorious. She stood, pulling him up with her, and together they walked toward the water. As they approached, the waves rolled in gently, brushing against their feet before retreating again. Aiko slowed just enough to reach out and take his hand.

Yoshinori paused. “…What are you doing?”

“I told you,” she said, not looking at him. “I’m scared.”

He didn’t argue this time. He simply sighed and allowed himself to be pulled forward.

The water climbed from their feet to their ankles, cool and refreshing against the warmth of the morning. And just as Yoshinori began to settle into the sensation, Aiko suddenly scooped up a handful of water and splashed him.

He froze, water dripping from his sleeve.

Aiko tried to hold back her smile and failed. “What?”

“…You did that on purpose.”

“Obviously.”

She splashed him again, quicker this time, lighter, testing him. Yoshinori watched her for a second longer before finally bending slightly and returning the gesture, sending water right back at her. Aiko let out a small laugh as it hit, stepping back before splashing him again, the two of them falling into an easy rhythm that quickly turned playful.

For the first time, Yoshinori’s composure slipped just enough for a faint smile to break through.

On the shore, Itsuki sat quietly, watching it all unfold. The waves shimmered under the sunlight, the sounds of laughter carrying across the water as the rest of the group moved freely, unburdened for once. Her eyes drifted back to Shunjiro, who was still in the middle of it all, completely immersed, completely unaware but alive in a way that made something in her chest ease.

After a while, the rhythm of the water began to settle. The initial bursts of energy softened into something more relaxed, Ryuji and Tetsuo still messing around further out, Aiko and Yoshinori drifting closer to shore, their earlier splashing turning into quieter movements.

Shunjiro was the first to break away. He ran a hand through his soaked hair as he stepped out of the water, droplets trailing down his shoulders as the sunlight caught against his skin. The shift from cool ocean to warm air made him exhale lightly, rolling his shoulders as he made his way back up the sand.

Itsuki noticed him immediately. And just as quickly she looked away.

A faint blush spread across her face, her gaze snapping toward the horizon as if she had suddenly found something incredibly interesting in the distance.

Shunjiro didn’t notice. He walked up beside her and dropped down onto the sand with a soft thud, stretching his legs out in front of him. “You’re missing out,” he said, still catching his breath slightly. “It’s actually really nice.”

Itsuki kept her head turned for a second longer before slowly glancing back at him, her expression composed but only just. “…Maybe later,” she said.

Shunjiro leaned back on his hands, glancing out toward the water again. “You sure?” he asked. “It’d be kind of a waste to get all the way out here and not go in.”

Itsuki’s fingers lightly curled against her leg. “…Yeah,” she said softly.

There was a small pause.

Then she turned toward him a bit more fully, gathering just enough courage to speak again.

“…Would you go in the water with me?”

Shunjiro blinked, then smiled faintly. “Yeah,” he said easily. “That’s why I came over.”

Itsuki hesitated.

Then quieter, “…No, I mean… can you help me?”

Shunjiro’s expression shifted, not in confusion but in understanding.

Itsuki’s voice dropped just slightly. “…I don’t know if I can swim.”

There was no judgment in his reaction.

No surprise.

Just a small, easy nod.

“Of course,” he said.

Then he let out a short chuckle, glancing back toward the water. “Guess you and Tetsuo are in the same boat.”

Itsuki let out a small breath, the tension easing just a bit. “…I’ve just never been in deep water before,” she admitted. “Not like that.”

Shunjiro sat up a little straighter, turning toward her more fully now. “It’s not that bad,” he said. “Most of it’s shallow. Like… knee-high unless you go out further.”

Itsuki looked at him, listening closely.

“We don’t have to go far,” he added. “Just enough for you to get used to it.”

There was something steady in the way he said it. Not pushing. Not rushing.

Just offering.

Itsuki nodded slowly. “…Okay.”

Shunjiro stood, brushing sand from his hands before turning back to her. For a brief moment, he hesitated then extended his hand toward her.

“Come on,” he said.

Itsuki looked at it.

Then at him.

Her heart gave a small, unsteady beat but she didn’t let it show.

She placed her hand in his.

His grip was firm, steady as he pulled her gently to her feet. For a second, she had to step closer than she expected, her balance adjusting as she rose, and then they were standing side by side.

Still holding hands.

Neither of them commented on it.

“…Ready?” he asked.

Itsuki took a small breath.

“…Yeah.”

They started walking.

The sand shifted beneath their feet at first, warm and soft, but with each step closer to the shoreline, it grew cooler, firmer, dampened by the tide. The sound of the waves grew louder, the ocean stretching out endlessly in front of them.

Itsuki’s grip tightened slightly.

Shunjiro noticed but didn’t say anything.

The water reached their feet.

Cold.

Itsuki flinched just slightly. “It’s colder than I thought.”

Shunjiro laughed quietly. “You get used to it.”

They took another step.

Then another.

The water climbed slowly, brushing against their ankles, then just below their knees, the gentle push and pull of the tide shifting around them.

“It’s not pulling you in or anything,” Shunjiro said. “See?”

He moved his foot slightly, demonstrating how stable it was.

Itsuki nodded, watching carefully, then mimicking him.

“…Okay,” she said.

They stood there for a moment, letting her adjust.

The waves rolled in softly, breaking against them in small bursts of foam.

Itsuki looked down at the water, then back up.

“…This isn’t so bad,” she admitted.

Shunjiro smiled faintly. “Told you.”

She glanced at him.

Then, just for a second she smiled too.

The rest of the day passed in a quiet, effortless rhythm, the kind that didn’t need to be guided or forced. The sun warmed the sand beneath them, the ocean moved in steady, endless waves, and for once, nothing pulled at their thoughts or demanded their attention. Tetsuo and Ryuji’s laughter echoed across the water, Aiko drifted between chaos and calm, Yoshinori lingered nearby without retreating into distance, and Shunjiro, just for a while, stopped thinking about everything waiting ahead. Itsuki, no longer hesitant, moved with them, her earlier nerves fading into something lighter, something free.

For that day, they let it all go.

The questions, the pressure, the uncertainty, the distance that still stood between Shunjiro and his brother, everything that had followed them from Radiance to this place.

The ocean took it.

Or at least, it felt like it did.

And as the waves rolled in and out, carrying their laughter and their voices with it, the weight they had been holding onto didn’t disappear but it washed away just enough for them to breathe.

Just enough for them to remember what it felt like to be at peace.