The soft sound of waves lapping against the shore fills the air as the last rays of sunlight dip below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the beach. Yuki, his heart pounding in his chest, gathers all his courage and turns to Sakura, who is standing beside him, her eyes reflecting the shimmering sea.
"I love you, Sakura," Yuki confesses, his voice trembling slightly. The words hang in the air, and for a moment, everything around them seems to pause. Sakura, caught completely off guard, freezes. Her mind races, and a swirl of emotions fills her heart. She cares deeply for Yuki, but her feelings for Haruki-sensei are undeniable. She struggles to find the right words, not wanting to hurt Yuki but knowing she cannot return his feelings.
"You're unfair, Yuki," she mumbles softly, her eyes avoiding his. She can feel his sincerity, but her heart belongs to someone else.
Yuki, sensing her hesitation, presses on, "I'm sorry, Sakura, for taking advantage of this moment… but I seriously do love you. Will you go out with me?"
Sakura takes a deep breath, her heart heavy with the truth she has to reveal. "I'm sorry, Yuki-kun," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "I love Haruki-sensei. I love him for real."
Yuki's heart sinks, but he nods, forcing a smile. "I kind of knew that," he admits, trying to keep his voice steady. "I just… I just wanted to confess. I didn't want to regret it. I wanted you to know that I seriously like you and will forever."
Sakura smiles softly, touched by his honesty. "Thank you for sharing your feelings with me, Yuki. It means a lot… But I hope we can stay friends and not let this become awkward between us. You're not even shy around me anymore!"
Yuki chuckles lightly, his usual nervousness replaced by a newfound confidence. "It's all thanks to Haruki-sensei and you," he says. "I know Uncle is a good guy. I'm rooting for you two. He can be a bit childish, you know, but that's because he cares so much about others."
Sakura feels a warmth in her heart at Yuki's words, and the two of them return to their task of catching fish. The atmosphere between them is more subdued now, the weight of the confession lingering, but there's also a sense of relief that the truth is out in the open.
As they head back to camp with their catch, the sky above them has transformed into a deep blue canvas dotted with stars. The campfire crackles warmly, and the rest of the students are singing and dancing around it, their laughter echoing into the night. However, for Yuki and Sakura, there's a heavy silence between them. Yuki quietly sits next to Haruki, laying his head on his shoulder. His eyes well up with tears, but he tries to hold them back.
Haruki, sensing his nephew's distress, gently pats his head and wraps an arm around him. "It's okay to cry," he murmurs. "You can be childish, at least with me."
At those words, Yuki finally lets go, tears streaming down his cheeks as he buries his face in Haruki's shoulder. The comfort of his uncle's embrace is all he needs at that moment, and eventually, he cries himself to sleep in Haruki's arms.
As the night wears on, the students begin to drift back to their tents. Haruki carefully carries Yuki to his tent, tucking him in with a tender smile. In his sleep, Yuki mumbles, "You're the best, Haruki-sensei… I wish I could've met you sooner."
Haruki's heart swells with affection, and he whispers back, "Come by anytime you want, Yuki."
With Yuki safely asleep, Haruki begins his nightly patrol of the campsite. He soon notices that some of the boys are missing from their tent. Suspecting trouble, he heads over to the girls' side and, as expected, catches the boys sneaking around, trying to get a glimpse of the girls.
With a stern expression, Haruki grabs them by the scruff of their necks and says, "Get back to your tents NOW, or I'll lock you in the van and send you back first thing in the morning."
The boys, terrified of Haruki's rare display of anger, quickly apologize, tears welling up in their eyes. "We're sorry, Sensei! We'll go back to our tent right away!"
They scurry off, but Haruki notices that Izumi is still missing. He sighs and heads towards the beach, knowing exactly where to find him.
At the edge of the beach, where the sand meets the shimmering sea, Izumi stands beside Mitsuha. The night sky above them is a blanket of stars, their reflections dancing on the water's surface. The scene is breathtaking, with the gentle breeze carrying the scent of the ocean and rustling their hair. Mitsuha, with her long, elegant black hair and traditional beauty, stands quietly, her presence serene and calming.
Izumi, with his medium-length black hair and bangs falling over his left eye, takes a deep breath, his heart pounding. He steals a glance at Mitsuha, her delicate features bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight. For a moment, they simply stand there, appreciating the beauty of the night and the comfort of each other's company.
"I… I love you, Mitsuha," Izumi suddenly blurts out, his voice wavering with nerves. He quickly looks away, his face flushing with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, it's so boring… But it's true, my feelings are real. I love you, Mitsuha."
Mitsuha's cheeks turn a soft shade of pink, and a gentle smile spreads across her lips. "I know," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the sound of the waves. She reaches out, her hand finding his, and Izumi's breath catches in his throat as he feels the warmth of her touch.
"I… I love you too," Mitsuha confesses, her voice soft but filled with sincerity.
Izumi's heart leaps in his chest, and he's about to shout for joy when a hand suddenly lands on his shoulder. He turns to see Haruki standing behind him, a teasing smile on his face.
"Good for you," Haruki says, "but… that's enough for tonight. You're getting locked in the van and sent back tomorrow morning."
Izumi's joy turns to panic as he pleads, "No! Please, Sensei, don't do that! I promise I'll go back to my tent right now!"
Haruki chuckles, relenting slightly. "Alright, I'll give you one chance. Go back to your tent NOW."
Izumi nods furiously and dashes off, his heart still racing from the confession and the close call. As he settles into his tent, his thoughts are a whirlwind of emotions, but above all, he feels a deep sense of happiness.
"Thank you, Mitsuha… Thank you, Sensei… for making high school better for me," Izumi murmurs in his sleep, a contented smile on his face.
Outside, Haruki continues his patrol, the night peaceful once more. He can't help but smile at Izumi's words, feeling a warmth in his chest. "That's the second time tonight," he muses to himself. "Maybe I've grown too."
As the stars continue to twinkle above and the waves gently kiss the shore, Haruki takes one last look at the serene scene before heading back to his own tent. The night has been filled with confessions, emotions, and growth, not just for the students, but for him as well.