"What's on your mind?"
"I don't think Ethan is that simple-minded," Kaba said thoughtfully.
"I think so too," Jasper chimed in quietly, joining their hushed conversation.
"Just as Sunny predicted, there's a high possibility that Ethan and his team are lying in wait for us, right? That being the case, it means Ethan's group is expecting us too," she said.
"Of course. That's why we're advancing cautiously," was the response.
"What I'm trying to say is, just as we can anticipate Ethan's actions, they can predict ours as well. If both sides have a pretty good idea of how the other moves, it's natural to try and outsmart each other. Especially Ethan."
I understood completely. If Shuhei and the others were trying to outmaneuver Sunny's team, then Ethan's next move could only be one thing...
"...!"
A rustling sound, like branches being pushed aside, reached Sunny's ears. The path they were on was dirt, so that noise couldn't possibly have come from them...!!
"Everyone! Jump to the side!"
"...!"
At Sunny's command, both of them leaped simultaneously. In the next instant, a flash of water sliced through the air where Kaba's head had just been. There was no time to spare for a quick look back. Sunny instinctively pinpointed the attacker's location based on the trajectory and returned fire.
"Whoa... that was close. Even though you shot without looking, you're spot on," came a voice that unmistakably belonged to Aoi Yuki. Sunny's aim may have missed the target, but she had successfully prevented a direct hit. Now…
"Jasper! I'm counting on you to handle Kaba-san!"
"I got it!"
In this game, it's over if the leader's balloon is popped. Jasper rushes to protect Kaba-san, anticipating an attack from anyone but Aoiyuki.
"Get ready... Aoiyuki!"
Sunny kicks off the ground and dashes forward.
Aoiyuki is currently hidden behind a tree. If she shows her face, she'll be a target for Sunny, but taking a chance by revealing herself is too risky. The plan is to distract Aoiyuki to draw her attention elsewhere...!!
"—Here goes!"
In the moment Sunny leaps out from behind the tree, she throws a stone she had picked up earlier to the opposite side. The stone strikes the trunk with a resounding thud, inevitably directing Aoiyuki's attention toward the sound.
"—Heh. Do you really think I'd fall for such a classic trick?"
But that was a miscalculation. Sunny's actions were completely anticipated by Aoiyuki.
As Sunny emerges, a straight stream of water is unleashed. The timing is impossible to evade. If Sunny is there, there's no way to dodge.
"...!?"
Aoiyuki's muffled voice echoes in surprise.
It's understandable; she shot at an empty area in the sky. Now, Sunny's role has come to an end. The rest is up to you—
"—Kaba-san!!"
"Got it!"
With a relaxed reply, Kaba-san leaped out from behind Aoiyuki-san. Normally, Aoiyuki-san would have been quick to respond to this sudden situation, but right now, she lacked the composure to counter!
"Ha!"
In one swift motion, Kaba-san accurately shot down Aoiyuki-san's balloon.
"What!?!"
"Hehe, we won this round, Aoiyuki-chan."
With a soft, playful smile, Kaba-san declared Aoiyuki-san's defeat.
"Sunny was just the decoy; I was the real target! I already knew you wouldn't fall for such a simple trap, Aoiyuki-chan."
Aoiyuki-san slumped her shoulders in disappointment. Yes, Sunny and the others had set a deceptive trap right from the start.
Sunny confidently stepped in front of Aoiyuki-san, looking straight at her as if to say, "What's going on?" and began to explain.
"Aoiyuki-san took aim at Kaba-san and immediately hid behind a tree. Sunny, wary of Shuhei-san and the others' surprise attack, had instructed Jasper to defend Kaba-san, but that was just a bluff to mislead Aoiyuki-san."
From the beginning, this plan was built entirely on lies. Hidden behind the tree, Aoiyuki-san couldn't see or break through the sturdy wall of deception.
"By saying this, Jasper would go to help Kaba-san, making Aoiyuki-san believe there would be a one-on-one showdown with Sunny. Once she figured that out, she wouldn't know which side Sunny would emerge from while hiding behind the tree. Plus, if she jumped out carelessly, a mutual elimination could occur. To avoid that, she would likely set a trap—Aoiyuki-san must have thought just that."
Even that was a trap to strengthen the wall. The lies stacked up have become facts that surpass Aoi's thinking, delivering a crushing defeat.
"That's why Sunny threw a stone. To draw Aoi's attention toward Sunny and to allow the real threat, Kaba, to flank her from behind. Then, at the moment Sunny leaps out from behind the tree, Kaba can take her down."
Heaving a sigh, Sunny smiled brightly and extended a hand to Aoi, who sat on the ground. Aoi alternated her gaze between Sunny's hand and her face before finally taking hold of Sunny's hand, as if in resignation.
Sunny pulled her up and released her hand. Aoi brushed off the dirt from her swimsuit, letting out a heavy sigh before bowing her head again.
"Sigh... I guess I lost, Sunny."
With her head down, Sunny couldn't tell what expression Aoi wore.
"I really should've known that defeating your entire team alone was impossible. Teamwork is essential. I've learned that."
Aoi lifted her face. Sunny expected to see frustration and realization of her own foolishness—but was instead surprised.
"...Huh?"
Aoi was smiling. It was the exact same expression that Sunny and her friends had sported when they felt assured of victory just moments before.
A chill coursed down my spine, causing my heart, which had been calm until then, to leap. My body, warmed from movement, felt as if it had been plunged into a freezing pool, rapidly losing its heat.
This is bad...
I gazed into the sharp eyes of a predator that had seized its prey, realizing just how perilous our situation was. But by the time I understood, it was already too late.
"That's why—" Aoi Yukki said, her twisted smile revealing no trace of concern. "—it's our victory."
In that instant, a cascade of water crashed down from above, shattering Sunny's paper balloon into pieces.
---
"Sunny, your plan wasn't bad. Too bad you faced the wrong opponents."
I leaped down from the tree where I had been hiding with Summer. We landed silently on either side of Aoi Yukki, reaching out toward Sunny, who was biting her lip in frustration, and Momiji, still in shock, while Jasper giggled softly.
"Did you really think you could beat us siblings?"
"Big mistake!"
"I'm here too!"
To the drenched trio, Summer, Aoi Yukki, and I flashed peace signs in unison. I considered striking a heroic pose like those in children's shows, but we weren't that childish. Lowering my hands, I placed them on my hips and let out a triumphant laugh along with Summer. This was the ease of the victors—our privilege.
"Wow, I didn't expect you to fall for our trap so easily! Flora, you still have a long way to go!"
With a dramatic flair, Summer removed the ridiculously shaped paper balloon and crushed it in her hand. The light pop echoed through the air, snapping Kaba out of her daze.
"W-What does this mean...?"
"It's simple, Oakley. Mizuno Rapids wasn't just a reckless solo player; they were a decoy and a guide."
"There was no need for you to go solo to take down Aoi Yuki. If there are three of you, it's safer to charge in together. That's exactly what we wanted."
"I was hoping to knock them out with the initial surprise. The main goal was to lure you to Shuhei and Summer, hiding in the tree."
"Once you defeat Mizuno Rapids, the inevitable proximity between us will prepare you for my or my brother's ambush. At that point, we can just drop water on your undefended heads from our perch. That's it."
Summer elegantly bowed, signaling the end of their performance. When she looked up, her face beamed with a smile that could rival any idol's, while Sunny stomped her feet in frustration.
"I got played! I'm so annoyed! I swear I won't lose next time!"
Sunny's anger seemed genuine. Tears glistened at the corners of her eyes as she shouted to mask her feelings. I couldn't help but think this childish side of Sunny was one of her charms, so I gently placed my hand on her head.
"Eh?"
"Here we go, whoosh whoosh whoosh!"
"Wait! What are you doing, Shuhei! Ah… the bits of the popped balloon are caught in my hair… What have you done?!"
Sunny shouted while desperately trying to untangle her suddenly messy hair. Each time her fingers ran through it, tiny scraps of paper fell away, disappearing into the wet earth as they sank in.
"Big bro is just trying to cheer you up, Flora. You should be grateful!"
"Being grateful feels so wrong right now!"
"Just accept my kindness!"
"Stop it! Please don't mess up my hair anymore!"
"Hehe. You two, Ethan and Sunny, are such good friends. Can I join in too?"
Jasper said this, but he didn't help Sunny or support me; he just smiled, watching with a look of amusement.
"…?"
At that moment, I noticed a slight movement at the corners of Jasper's mouth. With the sounds of Sunny's screaming and everyone else laughing, I couldn't hear what he said, but I could decipher one part from his lips.
"…I hope it continues?"
What was Jasper wishing for to continue? The true meaning of his words was veiled behind his smile, leaving me unable to probe further.
to be continued
The crimson sunset sank behind the mountains. Despite the heat of the day, it was now chilly enough to wish for an extra layer. I slipped on a T-shirt I had brought for warmth and sat by the river, watching Sunny and Summer still splashing around in the water.
"They sure have a lot of energy…"
I still had plenty of stamina myself. Maybe I could jump in and join them now, but somehow I just wasn't in the mood.
Each time the girls moved in the water, sparkling droplets flew in every direction. Their wet skin glistened enticingly, and the splashes caught the setting sun, radiating a mystical glow. The scene reflected in Iris was breathtaking and alluring, prompting me to reach for my phone.
"—I don't condone voyeurism."
My phone vanished from my hands. Looking up, I met Jasper's playful smile as he held my phone. But it was tough to gauge his expression in the backlight; I could only infer from his voice and faintly visible features.
"Coming from a peeping tom, that's rich."
As I shot back with the truth, Jasper's face turned sheepish, and he settled down next to me. The scent from his softly tousled hair brought a wave of nostalgia. Even though it felt familiar, I couldn't quite pinpoint what the aroma was. Yet again, the answer would escape me today.
"Ethan, do you not want to play anymore? We still have some time before sunset, it seems," Jasper said.
"That goes both ways. What about you, Jasper? Are you done?"
"I'm good. I'm tired."
As he said this, Jasper stretched his arms high, causing the cardigan he was wearing to lift and reveal his pale belly. A strange, enticing feeling washed over me, and I averted my gaze, looking up at the deepening sky.
"Okay, then I'll say I'm tired too."
"How convenient."
"Sometimes a casual approach is just right. Especially when it comes to fun."
"Hmm? That sounds surprisingly unlike you, Ethan. Isn't your motto to give it your all?"
"I don't know what you're misunderstanding, but I'm not as straightforward as you think. I know my limits and don't push beyond them."
I wouldn't say I do everything halfway, but I'm aware of what I can and cannot do. A person's capabilities are limited.
"If I can enjoy the moment and live it well enough, that's good enough for me. I don't seek anything special. There's no need to. If I'm happy now, that suffices."