The bus finally arrived at the beach, and as the doors opened, the salty breeze of the ocean rushed in, carrying with it the scent of seaweed and the sound of seagulls. The students spilled out onto the sand, their cheers and laughter filling the air. Even Haruki couldn't help but smile as he breathed in deeply, feeling a rare sense of freedom.
"Alright, my pervy buddies," Haruki announced with a mischievous grin, "it's your best day yet! Every girl here is gonna be wearing a swimsuit, so get ready!" His teasing tone was met with a chorus of cheers from the boys, who were more than eager to see their classmates in beachwear. "Now, go change, you idiots! And girls, make sure you wear something flashy!"
The students scattered, excitedly heading to the changing rooms. A few of the girls exchanged knowing looks, clearly planning to make an impression. When they reemerged, the beach was a riot of color and style. Bikinis, one-pieces, swim trunks—everyone had chosen something that reflected their personality. Haruki scanned the group, nodding approvingly. "You all look amazing," he said, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "Now go have some fun! Beach volleyball, sandcastles—whatever you want!"
The students broke off into groups, some diving into a game of beach volleyball, others setting up towels or starting to build elaborate sandcastles. Haruki found a shady spot under a palm tree and sat down, watching them with a contented expression. His mind began to drift back to his own school days—days filled with loneliness, where he would sit in the corner, watching others have fun while he kept to himself.
"There used to be a girl who stayed with me," he thought, his eyes softening as he tried to remember her face. "But it's been so long... I can't even recall what she looked like."
As the memory faded, his eyes grew heavy, and he found himself dozing off. Moments later, Sakura, having changed into a modest yet attractive swimsuit, noticed him and quietly sat beside him. She hesitated for a moment before gently allowing his head to rest on her shoulder. Her face flushed a deep red, but she didn't move. Instead, she let herself relax, closing her eyes and allowing the warmth of the afternoon sun to lull her into a light sleep.
The students, noticing the scene, exchanged amused glances. Yuki, who had been watching from a distance, felt a pang of jealousy but quickly brushed it aside with a smile. "Let them have their moment," he thought, though a small part of him couldn't help but feel left out.
Haruki awoke first, his eyes fluttering open to find himself resting against Sakura. His first instinct was to panic, but as he saw the peaceful look on her face, he hesitated. For a brief moment, he simply watched her, the soft rise and fall of her breath, the way the sunlight played across her skin. But as reality set in, he quickly pulled away, his heart pounding.
"W-what are you doing?" he stammered, his face flushing with embarrassment.
Sakura opened her eyes, blinking sleepily before letting out a soft laugh. "You fell asleep on me, Sensei," she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.
Haruki pouted, crossing his arms in mock annoyance. "I did not," he muttered, though the red on his cheeks betrayed him.
Before the conversation could continue, the students playing volleyball called out to them. "Hey, lovey-doveys! Come join us—boys against girls!"
Haruki jumped at the chance to change the subject, grinning as he called back, "This old man is tough, y'know! Can a bunch of girls really beat me? Or should I be on the girls' team?" His teasing remark was met with laughter from the group, and soon they were all caught up in the game, the earlier tension forgotten.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the sand, the students gathered on a row of benches to watch the sunset. The sky was painted in hues of orange and red, the sun half-submerged in the horizon. The light danced on the surface of the ocean, creating a path of shimmering gold that seemed to lead straight to the edge of the world. The sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore was the only noise as they all sat in quiet awe of the beauty before them.
Haruki, feeling a rare moment of sentimentality, spoke up. "You know," he began, his voice softer than usual, "you won't see a sunset like this for a long time. Not just because of the view, but because you're watching it with the people you care about."
His students groaned in unison. "Ewww, Sensei, that's so corny!" one of them called out, breaking the quiet.
Haruki laughed, the sound rich and full of life. "Hey, I'm older than you guys, so it's to be expected! But seriously, it's not fun being serious all the time. Sometimes, you just have to appreciate the little things."
They all laughed together, the camaraderie among them clear as the sun finally dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky awash in twilight.
As night fell, they returned to the resort, a traditional Japanese inn with hot springs. The group split up to change into yukatas, preparing for a relaxing soak in the hot springs. Haruki led the boys into their side of the bathhouse, giving them a stern warning. "No peeking at the girls' side, got it? If I catch any of you trying, I'll make sure you regret it."
The boys groaned but nodded, knowing better than to push their luck. "But remember," Haruki added with a grin, "this is a hot spring. You're supposed to relax and enjoy it."
The hot water enveloped them, steam rising into the cool night air. Haruki leaned back against the smooth stones, closing his eyes as he let the tension melt away. Around him, the boys were splashing water and cracking jokes, the energy from the day's activities still buzzing through them.
"Hey, calm down and just relax for a bit," Haruki said, his tone half-serious. But when they continued, he gave in and joined in on the fun, splashing water back at them with a laugh. On the other side of the divider, the girls were much quieter, sitting and enjoying the warmth in peaceful silence.
"Aren't boys just ridiculous?" one of the girls remarked, shaking her head with a fond smile.
After the bath, everyone returned to their rooms to get ready for bed—or so they thought. The boys, not content with the day's mischief, decided to sneak out and visit the girls' rooms. They tiptoed through the halls, trying to avoid detection, but their luck ran out when they turned a corner and found Haruki waiting for them, arms crossed.
"And just where do you think you're going?" he asked, his voice low and threatening. The boys froze, caught red-handed. With a smirk, Haruki herded them back to their room and locked the door behind them. "Nice try, but not on my watch," he muttered, shaking his head.
After ensuring the boys were safely contained, Haruki decided to take a walk down to the beach, needing some time alone to think. The moon was high in the sky now, casting a silver glow over the sand and sea. The waves were gentle, their rhythmic ebb and flow soothing his mind.
Unbeknownst to him, Sakura had followed. She watched him from a distance, unsure of whether to approach. But when he reached the water's edge and paused, she gathered her courage and stepped forward.
"Whoever you are, go back to your room," Haruki called out, not turning around. When he got no response, he sighed and added, "Or you can come out and enjoy the sea for a little while."
Sakura hesitated for a moment before stepping into the moonlight. Haruki turned to see her, his face softening as recognition dawned. He quickly masked his emotions, though, remembering the previous day's awkwardness. He couldn't help but pout, his childish side slipping through despite his best efforts.
Sakura noticed and let out a small chuckle. "You're like a kid, Sensei," she teased, her voice gentle.
Haruki flinched slightly at her words, the memory of his old friend flashing through his mind. The one person who had always stood by him, who had once said the same thing, had disappeared from his life. His eyes grew misty, and he quickly blinked away the tears that threatened to fall.
Sakura's expression softened, and she whispered, "I love you, Sensei." Her words were barely audible, but they reached his ears, making his heart skip a beat.
Haruki's mind raced. As a teacher, he knew he had to maintain his professionalism, but Sakura's confession left him at a loss for words. He decided to play dumb, pretending not to have heard. "Y-you came here to enjoy the beach again, right? You should take in the view while you can," he stammered, his voice wavering slightly.
They stood there together, side by side, gazing out at the sea. The water was calm, reflecting the stars above as if the night sky had merged with the ocean. The gentle breeze played with their hair, and the world seemed to hold its breath for just a moment.
"They're beautiful," they both said at the same time, their voices blending in perfect harmony.