First things first: we started with volleyball. We were divided into two teams. The first team consisted of me, Yuuki and Yagami and in the second team were Miko, Hajime and Natsumi. At the beginning, we were winning, but when Natsumi saw that Miko was a little sad because of the score gap, she went into overdrive. She hit the ball with much more power (I still wonder how the ball survived her shots) and her reaction time became unparalleled. It was only with difficulty that I managed to keep up with her. But I have to say that I felt sorry for Yuuki and Yagami, both of whom were hit by one of Natsumi's shots and fell to the sand. Almost ten minutes had passed and neither of them had moved an inch. Either they had fainted or they were pretending because they did not want to face Natsumi again. And I guess it was the second, because as soon as Natsumi defeated us, Yuuki and Yagami stood up and congratulated the others on their victory. We lost the game, but at least Miko was happy now.
Yuuki and Yagami had a little conflict with Hajime when he went up to them to brag about their victory. But they both defused his words and said that Natsumi had done everything. So they continued to argue.
"Alright, on to the next activity." said Miko and they all shouted, "Let us go swimming."
Yuuki, Yagami, and Hajime forgot about their argument and immediately went to a small hill made of rocks and jumped into the sea. The rest of us followed their lead after making sure it was safe.
Miko and Natsumi threw water at each other. But of course Yuuki and I had to join in. So we went after them and started throwing as much water as we could at them. Their reactions were exactly what I wanted to see. But later, they teamed up and went after me and Yuuki.
But wait. Why does this whole thing look like the beach episodes from the anime?
Well, who cares? I am having one of the best times of my life here.
Then Yagami jumped off the rocks once again and splashed us all. In general, we were throwing water at each other most of the time. Except for Yagami and Hajime, who were trying to see who could stay underwater the longest.
When we ran out of breath, we went out to relax and eat something. We had taken a basket of food with us, so we all enjoyed a sandwich.
Now we are ready for the next phase, sandcastles. We agreed to have a competition to see who could build the best sandcastle. I was with Miko, Yagami with Natsumi, and Yuuki with Hajime.
Yagami counted to three and we all started building.
We built our castles in different places on the beach so no one could see what the others were doing.
"Hey Shinji, are we going to manage to build a good castle?" asked Miko as she stuck behind me.
"Yes, definitely, do not worry. Our castle will be the best."
"Hey, lady in my head, are you there?"
"(Yes. I am here.)"
"(So, um, could you help me to build a good sand castle?)"
"(I will do as the host wishes. But I need to take control of your body.)"
"(All right, we will do that, and what should I call you?)"
"(You may choose any name you wish, host.)"
"(Hmmm, then I will call you Eyva. And stop calling me host. Just call me Shinji.)"
"(As you wish, Shinji.)"
"Hey Shinji, what are you thinking about all the time?"
"Oh, I have been thinking about what kind of castle we are going to build."
"Have you found a good idea?"
"Yes, I have. I'll take over the construction, you just have to supply me with water. We are going to need a lot."
"All right, I'll go. I have faith in you."
"Do not worry about it. I have everything under control."
I could not bear to see my beloved Miko sad because I do not know how to build a simple sand castle. So it was time to cheat a little.
"(Alright Eyva, I am ready, let us get started.)"
"(I am trying to switch places with the host. Successfully.)"
Suddenly, I was no longer able to control my body. I could only see, but not interact. I had become a spectator in my own body. Certainly, this was a frightening experience. It was like I was experiencing sleep paralysis. Not being able to move or speak is something no one wants to experience in their life.
But thankfully, after a while, I got used to it and was not scared anymore. It still felt weird, but at least I had gotten over the scary part.
I had not been paying attention to what Eyva was doing while I was trying to stay calm, and when I saw it, I was stunned.
The thing was not a sand castle at all, it was a freaking mansion.
Although it was not as big as the normal mansions, it could rival a normal house.
We could all easily fit into it. If it was not made of sand.
What the hell. She built a garden too?
What's going on here? How long have I not been paying attention?
"(You have not been paying attention for an hour and sixteen minutes.)"
Oh, I see. Now it all makes sense.
HELL THEY DO
It's impossible to build something like that in such a short time.
How come Miko did not suspect anything at all?
Did she trust me too much or was it the first time she built a sand castle?
I think I will ask her later.
"(Task completed. Returning control to Shinji.)"
And just like that, I was able to control my body again. I was so happy about it that I forgot that Miko was standing in front of me.
"Hey Shinji, what are you doing? Were you out in the sun too long?"
Of course I was. We are at the beach. What did you expect?
"Oh nothing, nothing, everything's fine."
"Alright, let us go see if the others are ready."
"Alright, let us go"
"(Thank you so much Eyva, you are a lifesaver)."
"(I am glad I could help you)."
"(And one more thing. Could you speak a little more naturally? You sound like a robot every time.)"
"(As Shinji wishes. I'll keep track of your conversations to synthesize the right tone for my voice.")
"(All right, do that. See you soon.)"
So me and Miko went off to find the others.
First, we went to Natsumi and Yagami's place.
They had built a nice sand castle. It was pretty big (for a sand castle). It was beautifully decorated with shells and small stones. If I were a judge, I would give it eight out of ten points.
After talking for a bit, the four of us went to join the others.
Yuuki and Hajime had built something that looked like a castle. I can not really say it was a castle. It looked mostly like a hill. One side was torn off.
Then the other side also collapsed. And a small wave completely destroyed the so-called sand castle.
Both Yuuki and Hajime looked in opposite directions.
Eh, I do not think they were trying very hard.
And finally, it was mine and Miko's sandcastle-mansion turn.
When Natsumi, Yagami, Hajime and Yuuki saw it, they froze. They just stared at it without being able to speak at all.
Well, Eyva certainly did a good job. She overdid it a bit. But our victory is on her account.
With a lot of effort, Miko and I managed to get the other four away from our sand castle.
We sat there for a while and played cards.
Hajime won every time, and I do not know if he did it because he cheated or because he was really good at this card game. But I am not the appropriate person to accuse anyone of cheating.
Then my phone rang. It was my mother. What did she want? I told her I would be with the others.
I moved a little away from the others and picked up the phone.
"Yes, Mom, what's wrong?"
"How are you? How's your trip?"
"I am fine and the trip is going fantastic. But I am sure you did not call me to ask me that."
"I'll get right to the point. All right. Do you remember your cousin Fuhoyo?"
"Huh? Since when have I had a cousin with that name?"
"You called her Hoyo. Not by her full name."
"Ooh, you mean your sister's daughter?"
"Yes, that one."
"Oh yeah, I remember her. I have not seen her in three years or so. What's she doing right now?"
"Well, right now she's staying with us because my sister and her husband have to take a trip out of the country for work."
"But do we have any spare rooms?"
"No, we do not. That's why she's going to stay with you."
"You mean she and I will stay in the same room?"
"Yes."
"What, a girl and a boy in the same room? Are you sure you want to do that?"
"What are you talking about? You already have a girlfriend. And she's your cousin. There's nothing to be afraid of."
"But..."
"Shh, she'll stay in your room. We are not negotiating that. I called you to tell you that she will be coming today and that you should pick her up at the station."
"Yes, fine. What time?"
"9:20."
"All right, I have to go. The others will call me."
"All right, love you."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll see you."
The others told me to go with them to watch the sunset together.
We sat on the rocks overlooking the sea.
Miko leaned against me and whispered in my ear "I love you" as the sun set. At that moment I realised how important these people that I have met are, Miko and my friends, they give me strength every time.
But in the back of my mind I kept thinking about my cousin who I would see tomorrow, and I was quite excited.