Hiroshi meets Mizuki once again at the familiar park where he lent her the book. Curiosity about her thoughts on the book he let her borrow tugs at him, so he starts the conversation.
"How did you like the book?" Hiroshi asks, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation.
Mizuki's eyes light up as she replies, "It was great! I loved the ending. The way the story wrapped up was so satisfying."
Hiroshi nods in agreement, relieved that she enjoyed the book. However, his focus soon shifts to the primary reason for their meeting. "That's good to hear," he says, then adds with a slight hesitance, "So, um, can I get my book back now?"
Mizuki, wearing a smug expression, teases him with a playful tone. "Not yet."
Hiroshi's brow furrows, and he asks, a bit puzzled, "Why? What now?"
Mizuki leans back and studies him for a moment. She can't help but notice Hiroshi's disheveled appearance, with his messy hair, a simple sweater, shorts, and sandals. Her curiosity about his lifestyle gets the better of her.
"Do you ever go outside?" she inquires, her voice laced with genuine curiosity.
Hiroshi, feeling somewhat self-conscious about his current look, admits, "Not really. I mean, I don't see much to do out here anyway."
Mizuki's eyes sparkle with enthusiasm as she leans in. "Seriously? There's plenty to do outside instead of being a shut-in."
Hiroshi raises an eyebrow, intrigued by her suggestion. "Like what would you do?"
Mizuki's face lights up as she shares her idea. "Well, how about we go explore the town a bit?"
Hiroshi is initially hesitant, but the prospect of breaking free from his usual routine and experiencing something new begins to appeal to him. He contemplates for a moment before finally relenting, "Okay, I guess I don't have much to do anyway."
As Hiroshi and Mizuki set off on their adventure, the beachside town unfolds its charm before them. They first visit a botanical garden, where they're surrounded by a riot of colors and the soothing fragrance of different flowers and plants.
Hiroshi can't help but marvel, saying, "Wow, these are all so beautiful."
Mizuki, with a smile, agrees, "Yeah, I like these purple flowers. They look so cool."
While strolling through the garden, they stumble upon a serene koi pond. To their surprise, not only koi but also turtles inhabit the pond, peacefully coexisting.
Mizuki's excitement is palpable as she exclaims, "Look, look, Hiroshi!" She pulls him closer to the pond. "Those koi are so beautiful, and the turtles are so cute."
Hiroshi, caught up in the wonder of the moment, replies with appreciation, "Yeah, it's pretty nice."
After exploring the garden, Mizuki inquires about Hiroshi's thoughts. He genuinely responds, "It was nice. I liked it a lot."
With a radiant smile, Mizuki imparts a valuable lesson, saying, "You see, that's why it's great to go outside and look around. You'll never know what you'll find."
As the sun starts to set, Hiroshi suggests that it's getting late and they should head home. However, Mizuki has one more destination in mind. She grabs his hand and leads him, not directly to the beach, but to her favorite hidden spot.
They eventually reach the edge of the beach, where a mountain looms over them. A bit flustered, Hiroshi says, "Um, you could let go of my hand now, Mizuki."
She blushes slightly but tries to hide it, releasing his hand. "Here, we're almost there. Follow me."
They explore the edge of the beach until they arrive at their destination, a hidden treasure: the tide pools. Hiroshi is amazed by the secluded beauty of the place, a spot he had never known existed despite living there his whole life. He asks Mizuki, "How were you able to find this place? It's so hidden."
With a gentle smile, Mizuki explains, "I was wandering the edge and decided to look around a bit. I ended up finding this place. It's really special here, and I love how it feels."
Mizuki leads Hiroshi closer to the pockets of water, where they observe sea creatures living among the tide pools. Hiroshi is captivated, remarking, "Wow, this is actually quite beautiful." The setting sun reflects off the beach, creating a sparkling scene.
Mizuki shares, "This is my favorite part when this happens," as she gazes at the sunset. They both sit on separate rocks, savoring the peaceful moment.
Suddenly, Hiroshi remembers the book he had forgotten about. He turns to Mizuki, and she pulls it out from behind a rock, saying, "I've had it with me the whole time. Haven't you noticed?"
Hiroshi, a bit embarrassed, admits, "No, I guess I wasn't paying attention."
They both burst into laughter, their joy contagious. They sit there for a few more minutes until Mizuki decides it's time to leave before the tide comes in. They make their way out of the hidden area and return to the main beach. As Hiroshi and Mizuki exit the tranquil hideaway of the tide pools, they return to the main beach. The setting sun casts a warm, golden glow over the sand, creating a serene atmosphere. Mizuki's heart is light, and she finds herself humming in happiness, the melodies of her joy blending harmoniously with the sounds of the gentle waves lapping at the shore.
Feeling a surge of playful spontaneity, Hiroshi decides to seize the moment. He can't resist the temptation to take Mizuki by surprise. He crouches down, scoops up a handful of seawater, and with a mischievous grin, he splashes it at her.
Mizuki's reaction is a delightful mix of surprise and laughter. Instead of getting irritated, she responds with equal playfulness. She retaliates by scooping up her own handful of seawater and, with a gleam in her eye, throws it at Hiroshi. Her laughter is infectious, and they both engage in this impromptu water fight for a few minutes.
Their playful antics leave them both drenched in seawater, their clothes clinging to their bodies. As the adrenaline from their laughter fades and fatigue sets in, they realize it's time to continue their journey back home.
Walking along the beach, they share tired smiles and contented glances. The sun has nearly disappeared below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Despite being soaked, Hiroshi and Mizuki feel a sense of camaraderie and warmth that only comes from shared experiences.
Their walk back is punctuated by occasional chuckles and reminiscing about the day's adventures. The seawater clings to their skin, and the cooling evening breeze reminds them that it's time to head home.
Hiroshi remarks, "Well, that was fun, but it sucks that we're now soaked."
Mizuki is curious about Hiroshi's idea, and he suggests they stop by a beach store. Hiroshi buys two towels, handing one to Mizuki while averting his gaze slightly. She wraps it around her shoulders, thanking him, and mentions that it's getting windy, so the towels will come in handy.
Wrapped in towels, they head back to the park where they initially met. An awkward pause hangs in the air until Hiroshi finally breaks it, saying, "Well, that was pretty fun."
Mizuki agrees, stating, "Yeah, I mean, you see there is much to do other than just staying in all the time."
Hiroshi sighs and says, "Yeah, I kinda see now," as he reflects on everything that happened throughout the day.
Mizuki suddenly remembers the book and hands it to Hiroshi. He momentarily zones out but snaps back, taking the book. He promises to read it, either today or tomorrow.
She smiles and says, "It was pretty fun today," but then mentions that she has to head back home, so her grandparents don't worry.
Hiroshi understands, and before they part ways, he musters the courage to ask, "Hey, um, w.. would you want to do it again?"
Confused, she asks, "Do what?"
He clarifies, "You know, go explore the town."
Her face lights up, and she says, "Of course. Tomorrow, I won't have time, but on Thursday, I'm free to go anywhere."
He agrees, and they set a plan to meet back at the park on Thursday. As they say their goodbyes and head home, Hiroshi can't help but smile at the exciting day he's had. After a refreshing shower and some reflection, he feels a renewed sense of excitement about life, eagerly anticipating the adventures that lie ahead. With a smile on his face, he falls asleep, looking forward to the next chapter of his newfound friendship with Mizuki and the discoveries that await them.