Wesley flashed a confident smile, his gaze settling on Sakura as he tapped the passenger seat invitingly. "Come sit up front with me," he offered, his tone light and charming.
Before she could move, Athen scowled, grabbed her arm gently but firmly, and said, "Nope. Back seat with me."
Wesley, clearly unfazed, shrugged and gestured for Michael to take the passenger seat instead. "Suit yourself," he said with a casual grin. Turning to Jack and the twins, he added, "Sorry, I can only fit three."
Jack gave an understanding nod. "No problem. We'll catch up with you there."
Behind him, the twins groaned in unison, rolling their eyes. Alec leaned closer to his brother and muttered, "Why do we always get stuck in these situations?"
Alex smirked and whispered, "Because we're Omegas, genius."
Oblivious to their banter, Wesley waved goodbye and drove off with Michael in the front seat and Sakura and Athen settled in the back.
They cruised through the bustling streets of Los Angeles; Athen wrapped an arm protectively around Sakura's shoulders and asked, "You wouldn't choose him over me, right?"
Sakura rolled her eyes and ignored him, focusing instead on the city's chaotic energy. Wesley weaved through the notorious five-lane streets, eventually pulling into a quiet, top-floor parking space near the beach where they could avoid prying eyes.
As they stepped out, Sakura hesitated, glancing at Wesley. "Aren't ya worried about people spotting you?" she asked.
Wesley adjusted his sunglasses and smiled. "A little, but I'm careful. Don't worry, your pretty little head, darling—I can handle it."
Reassured but still cautious, Sakura joined the group as they strolled toward the streets. She glanced around at the familiar sights and asked, "Where are we goin'?"
"The swim shop downtown," Wesley replied casually, scanning the crowd. "But where are those twins and the Irishman?"
Just then, Jack and the twins emerged from a sea of well-dressed trust fund kids, grinning as if they'd planned their dramatic arrival.
"We're here!" Jack announced cheerfully.
"Great!" Wesley said, clapping his hands together. "Let's get going, then."
Together, they huffed and puffed up the hill on two feet in eighty-degree weather. The wind felt slightly less breezy to the touch. At the top, they discovered many charming restaurants and adorable art galleries. Athletic stores, high-end suits, and glamorous gowns lined the street. Determined, they marched up the long ridge until they reached a flat surface. Sunglasses-clad men and women strolled along, clutching large paper bags as they moved from one store to the next. Wesley pointed out the location of the swim shop and confidently led them there.
The swim shop displayed translucent glass doors and front glass walls, allowing passersby to glimpse its inviting interior. Inside, the pristine white walls and elegant gold molding added a touch of personality. Metal bars adorned those walls, displaying hangers upon hangers filled with swimsuits and beachwear. The shop was as spacious as a first-floor fire station, offering ample room to explore.
On the left side, male trunks hung, while floor racks highlighted outfits for men. On the right side, many options awaited women, from bikinis to one-piece suits.
Alex's jaw dropped in awe as he exclaimed, "Wow, this place is massive!"
"We're going to be here for hours," Alec said.
Athen walked past the twins, shaking his head. "Let's not."
Excitedly, the boys hustled towards the men's section, leaving Sakura to navigate the women's section alone. Though apprehensive about potential interactions, she realized the boys were just a short distance away. With cautious steps, Sakura ventured into each aisle, her head throbbing from the overwhelming selection of colored suits. She sought the comfort of her friends as her fear overtook her. The hues grew darker until she reached the section of black swimwear, avoiding the gaze of the slim brunette girls wearing tight booty shirts and crop tops. They would smile at her as if she was a young child. Sakura did not like that one bit.
They spent around an hour browsing, trying different outfits, and making selections. Sakura eagerly slipped into a small white changing room, covering the mirror with her clothes to avoid watching herself. She began trying on bathing suits, and the first one caught her eye—a black bikini top with thick gold rings at the center of her chest. The straps are also decorated with gold rings. Sakura pulled the bottom piece, held together by golden rings sewn onto the black fabric. Instantly, Sakura discovered the one she loved the most. Besides the bikini, she purchased a delicate gold chain necklace to complement her new outfit. She chose a black see-through robe that gracefully covered half her thighs as a final change.
In the hall, Sakura heard Athen calling for her, saying, "Hey, Sakura. Are you done yet?"
Michael smiled and said, "You take too long."
Wesley raised his arms in disappointment. "Don't rush her."
She withdrew from her changing room, feeling ashamed of her natural beauty. While other girls had flawless skin, she had the body of an old war veteran. She stood in front of them to reveal her body shrouded in scars. The boys stepped forward to pose, not surprised to see her so wounded. Wesley kept his mouth shut. He felt he should refrain from bringing up something that was not his business.
To break the uncomfortable silence, Athen gently smiled and revealed his black trunks patterned in bones and roses. He pointed out Michael has crimson-red trunks patterned with flames.
Sakura was surprised; she felt the soft fabric on his leg and quietly said, "That fits ya great."
Michael chuckled, "Yeah, happy penis agrees."
Wesley chuckled nervously and said, "What does that mean?"
Jack stands in Sakura's direction to display his unique black tattoo patterned white bathing suit and says, "Michael walks around like his dick is too big for his pants."
In his defense, Michael said, "Hey, I can't even wear latex superhero costumes without it flailing around. That's not my fault."
"Again, bragging," Jack said.
Sakura peeked at the twins wearing black-and-white striped trunks for the beach and quietly whispered, "You two look great."
"Yeah, we do," the twins replied, giving each other a high five for their excellent efforts.
Wearing bright blue trunks, Wesley asked, "Are you all set?"
"We're ready to go," Athen answered.
The group swiftly paid for their new products and returned to Hollywood streets. The city's iconic palm-lined streets provide a view of diverse boutiques, cafes, and theaters, and the pulse of urban energy thrums in harmony with the distant whisper of crashing waves. Celebrity-studded sidewalks witness the passage of time and fame, each star embedded in the concrete. The aroma of salty ocean air grows more potent. They walked down the final stretch, and the coastline unfurled a panorama of endless blue, meeting azure skies on a breathtaking horizon. The symphony of crashing waves serves as a melodic backdrop, harmonizing with the beachgoer's laughter and the seagulls' calls soaring above.
While anticipating the sandy shores, Sakura slipped off her shoes on the pavement before eagerly bounding onto the sand. Its texture was soft beneath her feet, but the scorching heat made walking casually impossible. She winced as the burning sand caused her pain.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group, excluding Sakura and Athen, dashed toward the ocean with childlike excitement, relishing their newfound freedom. The crashing waves embraced the shore, immersing them in the rejuvenating waters.
Athen shouldered his purchased supplies, walked toward the water, and remarked, "I'll set up close to the water for us."
Her hand intertwined with Athen's. Sakura strolled beside him on a journey that seemed to stretch for miles. She chimed in, "That's a fantastic idea."
With thoughtfulness and consideration, Athen unfurled the towels he had bought for them. Finding a cozy spot on the beach, they laid the towels side by side, settling in to soak up the sun's warm embrace.
The group reveled in the tranquility, allowing the sun's rays to wash over them. The gentle cadence of the waves and the distant laughter of fellow beachgoers created a soothing ambiance. Sakura and Athen, content with each other's presence, savored the serene moment, finding joy in the simple pleasures of nature's beauty.
The silence eventually grew too much for Athen, prompting him to inquire, "Hey, I don't want to pressure you, but I'd like to know where we stand in our relationship."
Sakura responded, "I have a lot on my mind right now, but it's not about you, I promise."
Athen reassured her, saying, "I'm not suggesting it's acceptable for you to forget your destiny or responsibilities. None of those girls chose this life, and none of them fled in fear, but you've endured more trauma than they have, so I don't blame you. Plus, there's a bright side—your royalty, missy."
Sakura pondered this and replied, "You might be right."
Suddenly, the twins approached them from a distance, wielding heavy buckets filled with cold saltwater. Athen froze in surprise as the icy water cascaded over him, exclaiming, "What the fuck?"
The twins gleefully chirped, "Bucket challenge!" as they jumped for joy in the soft sand.
Sakura wiped the water from her eyes and corrected, "The bucket challenge involves cold tap water and hundreds of ice cubes, not saltwater from the sea."
Athen playfully whined, "Don't tell them that, or this won't be the only time they do this."
Alec suggested, "Come hang out by the water. We're trying to catch crabs."
Athen declined, frowning and curling into a fetal position on his wet towel, facing away from Sakura.
Sakura comforted Athen by rubbing his back and announced, "We have a celebrity guest who wants to spend time with us. Let's go, party pooper."
With a gentle tug, she held Athen's hand, coaxing him to leave the soaked towels behind. Athen gazed into her captivating red eyes, sighed, and relented. "Alright, fine. I won't chase the crabs."
Although he agreed, Athen was doing so to please his girlfriend. A shift in the wind carried sand eastward, causing Sakura's black, wavy hair to dance wildly in the breeze. She deftly secured her hair into a bun with a tie in her pocket. Sakura's laughter rang out as she dashed towards the water, her feet sinking into the soft sand. Touched by her beauty, Athen reached for her and playfully pursued her, matching her joyful grin. "I'm coming to get you."
"No, don't tickle me, please," Sakura pleaded in cheerful panic before leaping into the ocean.
Meanwhile, Wesley captured the seaside moments nearby, snapping selfies by the waves with a big smile and puffy cheeks. He engaged in video chats with friends and family, bridging the gap between his distant location and home.
Alex and Alec beckoned to Wesley as they sprinted from the ocean's embrace, urging him to join their crab-catching escapade. Unable to resist the allure of the idea, Wesley eagerly plunged into the water ahead of them, relishing every moment of the playful pursuit, darting away from the swift-moving sea creatures. An amusing blend of excitement and panic painted his face as he felt the water's resistance, conspiring to slow him down compared to the agile crabs at his feet. Standing behind him, Jack burst into hearty laughter.
The twins made a spirited dash toward the water and executed exuberant bellyflops, briefly vanishing beneath the waves. Their once-voluminous black hair was transformed into sleek, pin-straight strands as they emerged from the water, grinning brightly. As if from thin air, Michael and Jack materialized directly behind them. They playfully rested their palms on the twins' shoulders before dunking them beneath the water's surface. Athen lifted Sakura onto his sturdy shoulders, eliciting delighted giggles from her as she felt like a queen surveying her sandy kingdom.
Sakura playfully teased, her laughter dancing on the sea breeze, "Watch out for those red crabs."
Athen couldn't help but shake his head with a knowing smile. He pressed his hand against his forehead, releasing a contented sigh, and replied to Sakura, "Those idiots are on a quest to find the blue crabs. This trip may seem dumb, but I can't deny they are having the time of their lives."
Perched high on Athen's shoulders, Sakura relished her friends' view, feeling gratitude wash over her, as she always did. She vowed never to take a single moment with them for granted.
Unexpectedly, Sakura's gaze shifted, and she noticed an alarming shift in the once-vibrant beach atmosphere. An eerie silence had replaced the joyful laughter and the playful splashes of water. Parents hurriedly shielded their children's innocent eyes to protect them from whatever disturbance lurked beneath the water's surface. The group stood there, bewildered, as their confusion deepened until they collectively turned their attention to the shoreline and the harrowing sight that unfolded before them.
At first, Sakura's eyes struggled to focus on the object floating ashore. Confusion clouded her thoughts, and she wondered if it might be a lifeless creature, perhaps a tiny shark. She and her companions watched silently.
A lifeless human body floated on the water's surface, its slow drift drawing it closer to the shore with each relentless wave. Gradually, it inched nearer until it was firmly lodged in the sand. A gasp escaped Sakura's lips as the stark realization settled in—the scene unfolding before them was a tragedy, the possible aftermath of a drowning. It was an actual human corpse, a sight she had never encountered before.