"TIME FOR THE TRIP" both shouted excitedly.
We reached the beach and left the car near the beach.
The heat of the sun bore down on us as we trudged through the forest path. I could feel the sweat trickling down my back, and the chirping of birds provided a soothing background melody to our journey. Vista, walking a few paces ahead, turned to me with her usual playful grin.
"Kazuma, you look like you're about to melt," she teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
I rolled my eyes. "Thanks for the observation, Vista. Really helpful."
She laughed, a sound that never failed to lighten the mood, and pointed ahead. "We're almost there. Just a bit further, and you can cool off in the sea."
We had decided to take a break from our usual adventures and spend a day at the beach. It was a rare moment of peace in our otherwise chaotic lives, and I was looking forward to it. The idea of lounging by the sea, with no monsters or magical crises to deal with, sounded like paradise.
As we emerged from the forest, the sight that greeted us was breathtaking. The beach stretched out before us, with golden sand and crystal-clear water that sparkled under the sun. A gentle breeze carried the salty scent of the ocean, and I could hear the distant calls of seagulls.
Vista wasted no time. She dropped her bag and ran towards the water, her long hair flowing behind her like a banner. I followed at a more leisurely pace, taking in the beauty of the scene. It was hard to believe that just a few days ago, we were fighting for our lives against a group of bandits. This was a welcome change.
"Come on, Kazuma! The water's perfect!" Vista called out, already waist-deep in the sea.
I smiled and kicked off my shoes, feeling the warm sand between my toes. As I waded into the water, a sense of calm washed over me. The cool waves lapped at my legs, and I could feel the tension in my muscles easing away.
Vista swam over to me, splashing water playfully. "Race you to the rock!" she challenged, pointing to a large boulder jutting out of the water a few meters away.
"You're on," I replied, diving into the water with a competitive spirit.
We swam side by side, the water refreshing and invigorating. Vista was fast, but I managed to keep up, and we reached the rock at the same time, both of us laughing and out of breath.
"Looks like a tie," I said, leaning against the rock.
Vista nodded, her face flushed with excitement. "Yeah, but I think I could've won if I hadn't slowed down for you."
"Oh, really?"
"Really."
We spent the rest of the day exploring the beach, collecting shells and building sandcastles. It felt good to just relax and enjoy each other's company without any impending danger. Vista found a particularly beautiful shell, its surface iridescent and shimmering in the sunlight.
"Look at this one, Kazuma. Isn't it pretty?" she said, holding it up for me to see.
Let's tease her a bit.
I nodded, admiring the shell. "Yeah, it's beautiful. Just like you."
Vista blushed, and for a moment, I thought she might throw the shell at me. But instead, she smiled and tucked it into her bag. "Thanks, Kazuma."
What I thought she would get mad or something.
As the sun began to set, we sat on the beach, watching the sky turn shades of orange and pink. The sound of the waves was soothing, and I felt a deep sense of contentment. It wasn't often that we got to experience moments like this, and I wanted to savor every second.
"Kazuma," Vista said softly, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad we came here. It's nice to take a break and just… be."
I nodded, understanding exactly what she meant. "Yeah, it is. We should do this more often."
She leaned her head on my shoulder, and we watched the sun dip below the horizon together. In that moment, everything felt right. No matter what challenges lay ahead, I knew we could face them as long as we had each other.
As the stars began to appear in the night sky, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. This day at the beach had been a perfect escape from our usual adventures, and I was grateful for every moment of it.
"Come on, Kazuma. Let's head back," Vista said.
And we took the car and went back home. I can't believe that I forgot about the battle this all time.
What should I do or where should I go tomorrow. I should ask Vista. About plans tomorrow.