1 November
"Uwahh, the wind feels so nice!" Hinata exclaimed, her voice light with joy as she twirled around in her swimsuit, a wide smile on her face. Her hair, damp from a recent dip in the ocean, shimmered under the sun's rays. She looked so carefree, almost as if the stress from exams had never existed.
I chuckled softly, watching her. "Yeah, it is nice…" I replied, taking a moment to feel the cool breeze against my skin.
Turning around, I spotted my little sister, Yumi, shyly peeking out from behind the parasol. Her face was flushed, and she seemed hesitant to step out onto the sand. I shook my head, grinning.
"Come on, Yumi. Don't be embarrassed. It's just us," I called out, motioning for her to join us.
"I-I don't know about this, big bro…" Yumi mumbled, clearly nervous, though she finally stepped forward, revealing herself in a modest swimsuit that resembled a sports bra. Her cheeks were still tinted pink, but she was trying her best to hide her discomfort.
"That's a sports bra, right?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, it just feels more comfortable," she replied, her voice gaining a bit of confidence as she adjusted her stance in the sand. She looked cute, trying to act casual while obviously feeling out of place.
I let out a laugh, but not in a teasing way—more in appreciation for how far she'd come in getting out of her shell.
It had been a month since the exam results were announced. Hinata and I passed, but Shuuta…well, math wasn't his strongest suit, and he failed. He complained about it for days afterward, grumbling about the unfairness of equations and formulas.
That's when Asahina stepped in. She spent the week after the results tutoring him, helping him prepare for the remedial exam. The two of them spent hours together, pouring over textbooks, and it wasn't long before Shuuta finally passed. As soon as he got the news, we knew we had to celebrate. Hinata suggested we hit the beach, and we agreed to wait until Shuuta was done with his remedial class.
A week after his exam, when we heard the good news that he passed, we made plans for a BBQ. Now, here we were—on this sunny beach, surrounded by friends, with the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the smell of grilled meat in the air.
It wasn't just the four of us either. Aside from me, Hinata, Shuuta, and Asahina, we had Yumi with us, of course, as well as Suzune and her group of gyarus. I had also invited Kurohime-senpai, and to my surprise, Hinata was okay with it. It seemed like everyone was getting along, even if the dynamic was a little chaotic.
As the day went on, we lounged on the beach, soaking in the sun. The girls were playing around in the water, splashing each other, while Shuuta and I took charge of grilling the food. The sizzling sound of meat on the BBQ filled the air, and I flipped the skewers over, making sure everything was cooked to perfection.
"Man, I can't believe I actually passed," Shuuta said, wiping his brow. "I owe Asahina big time for that one."
I smirked. "Yeah, you do. She practically dragged you across the finish line."
He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, she did. I should probably think of a way to thank her properly…"
At that moment, Asahina ran up from the water, her wet hair dripping onto her shoulders as she waved at us. "Hey! Are the skewers ready yet? We're starving over here!"
"Almost!" I called back.
Shuuta watched her, a soft smile spreading across his face. It was strange seeing him like this—more thoughtful, less of his usual goofy self. He really cared about Asahina. Maybe this whole exam thing was a blessing in disguise.
The day stretched on, and as the sun began to set, the sky was painted in hues of orange and pink. We all gathered around the BBQ, laughing and talking as we ate. It felt good, just being here with everyone, away from the stress of school.
Hinata nudged me, her hand brushing against mine as she leaned closer. "This was a good idea," she said softly, her eyes reflecting the sunset.
"Yeah," I agreed, looking out at the horizon. "It really was."
The moment was perfect—just friends, food, and the sound of the ocean.
After the BBQ, we all decided to stay the night at a nearby beach resort. The place had a relaxed, cozy vibe, perfect for unwinding after the day's excitement.
The girls split into two groups: Hinata, Asahina, and Kurohime-senpai shared one room, while Yumi, Suzune, and the gyarus—Ikumi and Momo—took the other. Even from the hallway, I could hear the lively chatter and laughter coming from their rooms.
In the guys' room, Shuuta and I shared a space with twin beds and a small balcony that overlooked the ocean. The breeze from the sea wafted in, carrying the calming sound of waves crashing against the shore.
Shuuta flopped onto his bed with a sigh of contentment. "Man, this resort is great! I'm still stuffed from the BBQ, though."
I laughed, dropping my bag by the side of my bed. "Yeah, but you earned it. Passing that remedial exam wasn't easy, right?"
"Don't remind me," he groaned, stretching his arms out. "Asahina practically forced me through it. I should seriously think about doing something special for her."
I glanced over at the door, my thoughts drifting to what might be happening in the girls' rooms. Shuuta noticed and smirked. "You're wondering what kind of fun they're having, aren't you?"
"Maybe," I said, chuckling. "I'm just hoping they're not planning something too wild."
In Hinata, Asahina, and Kurohime-senpai's room, the atmosphere was lively. Kurohime-senpai, with her usual mischievous grin, had taken it upon herself to tease Hinata, who was sitting on the bed, her face flushed.
"You know, Hinata-chan," Kurohime-senpai began, leaning in playfully, "I saw the way you were holding hands with Yukito on the beach earlier. You're getting pretty bold, huh?"
Hinata's face turned a deep shade of red as she waved her hands defensively. "W-We weren't holding hands! We were just… walking close together, that's all!"
Asahina, sitting cross-legged on the other bed, grinned. "Oh, come on, Hinata. Don't try to deny it. You two have been getting closer lately, right?"
"W-Well, maybe…" Hinata mumbled, still flustered as she tugged on the hem of her swimsuit.
Kurohime-senpai smirked and poked Hinata's cheek teasingly. "You're adorable when you're embarrassed, you know that? I think Yukito has it easy."
"Stop teasing me, Kurohime-senpai!" Hinata pouted, though it was clear she wasn't too upset. Deep down, she was happy to have friends who could joke around with her like this.
Meanwhile, in the other room, Yumi found herself surrounded by Suzune, Ikumi, and Momo, who were all enthusiastically showing her some of their "gyaru" secrets. Fashion magazines were scattered across the floor, along with various makeup tools and hair accessories.
"Okay, Yumi-chan!" Suzune said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "First, let's work on your hair. It's just the right length for us to add some cute waves and give it more volume!"
Yumi, still a bit shy but eager to learn, nodded. "I-I've never done waves before…"
"No worries!" Momo chimed in, grabbing a curling iron. "That's why we're here! We'll teach you all the tricks of the trade."
As Ikumi started sorting through different outfits and accessories, Suzune and Momo began working on Yumi's shoulder-length hair. The gyarus were experts in their style—bold, confident, and unafraid to stand out. They made it seem effortless, but there was a certain charm in the way they carried themselves. Yumi watched them in awe, feeling like she was getting a glimpse into a whole new world.
"So, Yumi-chan," Ikumi said with a grin, "ever thought about trying out a gyaru look? You'd totally pull it off with that cute face of yours."
Yumi blushed, but she smiled. "I-I don't know… I've never thought about it before."
"Well, you're thinking about it now!" Suzune said, laughing as she finished curling one section of Yumi's hair. "Just you wait. By the time we're done, you'll be rocking a whole new vibe!"
Despite her initial shyness, Yumi couldn't help but feel excited. It was fun, learning new things and being part of the gyarus' world, even if only for a little while.
Back in our room, Shuuta was still lounging on his bed, half-asleep. I stepped out onto the balcony, letting the cool night breeze wash over me. The sound of the girls laughing from their rooms made me smile. Everyone was having fun, and that was what mattered.
As I stood on the balcony, watching the waves gently roll onto the shore, the sound of the sliding door caught my attention. I turned to see Hinata stepping out of her room, still dressed in her swimsuit, a soft smile lighting up her face.
"Yukito," she called out quietly, walking toward me.
I smiled back, stepping off the balcony to meet her. "Hey, couldn't sleep?"
She shook her head, her hair still a little damp from earlier. "Not yet. I just wanted to take a walk."
"Mind if I join you?" I asked, offering my hand.
Hinata blushed slightly but didn't hesitate to take it. Her warm hand slipped into mine, fingers lacing together. We walked down the path toward the beach, the cool night air surrounding us. The stars twinkled above, and the soft glow of the moon reflected off the ocean, creating a serene atmosphere.
The sand was cool beneath our feet as we reached the shoreline, the sound of the waves a calming backdrop to the stillness of the night. We walked side by side, holding hands in a comfortable silence for a few moments before Hinata finally spoke.
"Today was really fun, wasn't it?" she said, glancing at me with a smile. "I'm glad we got to spend time like this… with everyone."
"Yeah, it was," I agreed, squeezing her hand gently. "We've all been so busy with school and exams. I didn't realize how much I needed something like this until now."
Hinata nodded, her gaze drifting out to the sea. "I'm really happy that Shuuta passed his remedial exam, too. It felt like the perfect reason to celebrate."
I chuckled softly. "He was so nervous about it, but Asahina really helped him get through it. Those two make a good team."
"They do," Hinata said thoughtfully. "It's nice seeing them together. It reminds me of how much we've all changed since we first started high school."
I looked at her, noticing the nostalgic tone in her voice. "Yeah… we've all grown a lot."
Hinata smiled again, but there was a hint of shyness in her eyes. "Do you remember when we first met? I never would have imagined back then that we'd be here, walking on the beach together like this."
I chuckled, thinking back to our early days. "Yeah, I remember. You hated me."
Hinata laughed, nudging me lightly with her shoulder. "I didn't hate you! I was just… annoyed."
"Annoyed, huh?" I teased, grinning. "I guess I'll take that."
She laughed again, her voice soft and sweet in the quiet night. "But… I'm glad we've come this far. I don't feel annoyed anymore, not like I used to. I feel… happy."
I stopped walking for a moment, gently pulling her to face me. Her eyes met mine, and the sincerity in her gaze made my heart race.
"Me too, Hinata," I said, my voice low. "I'm really happy you're here with me."
She blushed deeply, and for a moment, we just stood there, the sound of the ocean surrounding us. Then, slowly, Hinata rested her head on my shoulder, and we continued walking, hand in hand, along the shore.
The world felt peaceful—just the two of us, the waves, and the stars above. There was no need for words, just the comfort of knowing that we had each other, and that moments like this would become cherished memories.
As we continued walking, the moonlight bathed us in a soft glow, and the sound of the waves created a gentle rhythm. I could feel the warmth radiating from Hinata as she leaned against me, her presence comforting and calming.
After a while, we found a quiet spot on the beach, away from the sounds of our friends at the resort. The sand was cool beneath our feet, and the water lapped gently at the shore. We sat down, still holding hands, and I glanced over at Hinata, who was gazing out at the horizon.
"It's beautiful here," she said softly, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight. "I never want this moment to end."
I turned to face her, noticing the way her cheeks glowed under the light. "Neither do I," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I want to remember this forever."
Hinata smiled, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "Me too. I'm really glad we're together, Yukito."
"Me too, Hinata," I said, my heart swelling with affection. I couldn't help but admire her—the way her hair fell gently around her shoulders, the soft curve of her smile, and the kindness in her eyes.
In that moment, I felt a pull, an urge to lean closer. I hesitated for a heartbeat, searching her gaze for any sign of uncertainty. Instead, I found warmth and encouragement. Slowly, I leaned in, and to my delight, Hinata met me halfway.
Our lips brushed together softly, the kiss tentative at first, but it quickly deepened as the warmth between us ignited. It felt like the world around us faded away—just Hinata and me, the ocean, and the stars above. The kiss was sweet and lingering, filled with the promise of everything we shared and everything we could become.
When we finally pulled away, both of us were breathless, a mix of laughter and shyness dancing in our eyes. Hinata blushed, her cheeks a lovely shade of pink as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"That was… nice," she said, a shy smile spreading across her face.
"Yeah," I replied, still a little dazed by the moment. "Really nice."
We sat there for a while longer, side by side, hand in hand, watching the waves crash against the shore. The kiss had changed something between us—it felt like we had crossed a threshold, stepping into a new chapter of our relationship.
Eventually, I stood up and offered her my hand. "Shall we head back? I think everyone is probably wondering where we are."
Hinata nodded, a bright smile on her face as she took my hand. Together, we walked back along the beach, the moon guiding our way, feeling lighter and more connected than ever.