A few days later, Daiki and Haru dragged Ili out to the beach, determined to squeeze every last drop out of summer. The sky stretched out in a brilliant canvas of blue, and the ocean glittered under the golden sun. The air was filled with laughter, the scent of sunscreen, and the savory aroma of grilled seafood from nearby food stalls.
"Last one in is buying dinner!" Daiki yelled, kicking off his sandals and sprinting toward the waves, his tanned figure seeming to blur as he dashed across the sand. Ili felt a grin spread across his face.
"Oh, you're not getting away that easily!" Ili called out, taking off after him, the hot sand burning his feet and making him run faster. Haru groaned theatrically behind them, dragging his feet in mock despair.
"You guys are gonna be the death of me!" Haru complained, but a wide smile betrayed his joy. Despite his grumbling, he picked up his pace and chased them down.
The afternoon was a whirlwind of energy and laughter. They dove into the waves, racing each other to see who could reach the buoy first. Daiki was the fastest, cutting through the water like a fish, while Haru lagged behind, spluttering when a wave crashed over his head.
"Come on, Haru!" Ili shouted, floating on his back as he watched Haru struggle. "You said you wouldn't lose this time!"
Haru lifted his head, coughing and shaking the water from his hair. "I hate you both," he declared, but his smile was wide. "How are you guys so fast?!"
Daiki, already lounging at the buoy, laughed and gave them a mock salute. "It's all in the genes, my friends! Natural talent."
Ili snorted. "More like unnatural arrogance."
They spent the next hour playing volleyball on the sand. Daiki's spikes were ruthless, sending the ball flying over the net with impossible speed. Haru's dives became a source of endless amusement; he threw himself at the ball with all the grace of a flailing starfish, landing in the sand with exaggerated groans.
"Someone help me up!" Haru whined, lying flat on his back after a particularly brutal save attempt. He held out a hand, covered in sand. "I think I've discovered a new definition of suffering."
Ili bent over, still laughing, and pulled Haru to his feet. "You're the one who insists on playing," he teased.
Haru brushed the sand from his arms. "Because I'm a fool, obviously. Why am I even friends with you guys?"
Daiki grinned, tossing the volleyball up and catching it. "Because deep down, you love us," he said with a playful wink. "Admit it, Haru. You'd be lost without us."
Haru scoffed, but his smile didn't waver. "Sure, keep telling yourself that."
As the sun climbed higher, they took a break, lying on a large beach blanket under the shade of a palm tree. Ili sipped on a cold lemonade, savoring the sweet, tangy taste, while Daiki scanned the beach, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"That group of girls over there," Daiki said, nodding toward a group lounging under a large sun umbrella. "They've been glancing our way. Think it's time to make some new friends."
Haru groaned, but a small smirk played at his lips. "Here we go. Daiki's in full flirt mode," he muttered to Ili.
Ili chuckled. "How much do you want to bet he'll come back bragging about how charming he is?"
Haru's eyes lit up with amusement. "Loser buys shaved ice?"
"You're on."
Daiki stood up, brushing the sand from his board shorts. "Watch and learn, gentlemen," he announced, sauntering over to the girls with all the confidence in the world. Ili and Haru exchanged knowing grins, leaning forward to watch the scene unfold.
Daiki approached the group, flashing his most charming smile. "Hey there," he greeted, his voice smooth. "Mind if I join you for a moment? My friends and I were just wondering if you lovely ladies would be interested in joining us for a beach bonfire tonight."
The girls giggled, and Ili could see Daiki's charisma working its magic. One of the girls, a bubbly brunette named Rina, tilted her head with a smile. "A bonfire?" she echoed, intrigued. "That sounds like fun."
Daiki's grin widened. "It'll be a great time. Music, s'mores, and maybe some ghost stories if you're brave enough."
Rina laughed, her eyes sparkling. "Count us in."
Daiki jogged back to Ili and Haru, looking triumphant. "They're joining us for the bonfire later," he declared, puffing out his chest. "Told you I've got the charm."
Haru let out a mock sigh of defeat. "Fine, fine. I owe Ili shaved ice now."
Ili grinned, clapping Daiki on the back. "Nicely done, master of smooth-talking. You win this round."
The girls made their way over to introduce themselves, and the conversation was light and easy, filled with jokes and playful teasing. Rina, however, seemed distracted. Her gaze kept drifting across the beach, as if she were searching for someone.
Ili noticed and raised an eyebrow. "Everything okay?" he asked, curious.
Rina snapped out of her reverie, looking a bit flustered. "Oh, sorry," she said with a small laugh. "I just… thought I saw someone I recognized." She hesitated, then leaned in to whisper to one of her friends, her voice low but carrying just enough for Ili to catch a few words. "Is that him?" she murmured, her eyes flickering to Ili for a brief moment.
The question made his heart skip a beat, but he couldn't explain why. Something about her words tugged at the back of his mind, a whisper of something familiar yet forgotten. Before he could think too much about it, Rina turned back to the group, her smile bright, and the moment passed.
Haru elbowed Ili lightly. "You okay?" he asked. "You're looking a little spaced out."
Ili forced a smile. "Yeah, just… taking everything in," he replied, though the strange sense of familiarity lingered, a shadow he couldn't quite shake.
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long golden rays across the water. They decided to go back into the waves one more time, splashing and laughing as the day began to wind down. Ili found himself floating on his back, staring up at the endless sky.
"Can you believe summer's almost over?" Daiki called, treading water nearby. "We've gotta make the most of these days."
"Yeah," Ili murmured, feeling the pull of something unspoken. It felt as if time was slipping through his fingers, and he couldn't hold on, no matter how hard he tried. But the warmth of the sun, the laughter of his friends, and the gentle sway of the waves grounded him, pushing the strange melancholy away.
For now, at least.
As they finally waded back to shore, the air was filled with the sound of seagulls crying and the soft rustle of the sea breeze. The beach day wasn't over yet, and Ili couldn't help but feel grateful for the present, even if the past held secrets he didn't yet understand.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky melted into a breathtaking canvas of orange, pink, and deepening purple. The beach was bathed in the golden glow of twilight, and Daiki and Haru were hard at work building the bonfire. They stacked driftwood with exaggerated seriousness, Daiki narrating their progress like a sports commentator.
"And Haru goes for the crucial placement! Can he do it without toppling the whole thing?" Daiki announced, his voice loud and theatrical.
Haru, sweating from the effort, rolled his eyes. "Would you shut up and help, or do you want me to bury you in the sand?"
Ili laughed, holding back a piece of driftwood. "Come on, Haru, focus. We need this fire going before the sun completely sets."
Finally, the flames roared to life, sending sparks swirling up into the dusk. Daiki grabbed his guitar, settling onto a log and playing a medley of upbeat summer songs. The energy was infectious, and everyone gathered around, clapping and singing along. The girls Daiki had invited earlier from the beach umbrella joined in, their laughter ringing out, adding to the lively atmosphere.
"Alright, alright," Daiki called out, strumming the final chord of a song. "Requests, anyone?"
Mika, sitting next to Ili, raised a hand. "How about something more chill?" she suggested, swaying slightly to the fading energy of the song. "We need a song that matches the vibe of the stars coming out."
Daiki raised an eyebrow, then nodded in mock seriousness. "A song for the stars, huh? Fine, I'll deliver." He switched to a softer tune, the mellow chords floating through the salty breeze.
Mika leaned forward, her eyes catching the firelight. "You know," she said, lowering her voice for dramatic effect, "there's a legend about this beach." She looked around the circle, her grin mischievous. "They say if you make a wish at sunset, the ocean will carry it to someone special. It's like… sending a message to the person your heart is meant to find."
Daiki groaned, though a smile tugged at his lips. "Mika, come on. You and your endless stories."
Haru nudged Ili. "Every summer, she's got a new one," he whispered, but his eyes sparkled with amusement. "Can't have a beach bonfire without a little magic, right?"
Mika stuck her tongue out at Daiki. "Hey, what's summer without a little magic? Besides, I bet even Daiki has a wish he'd make. Probably for an unlimited supply of girls to flirt with."
The group burst into laughter, and Daiki threw his head back, pretending to be offended. "How dare you underestimate the complexity of my heart!" he declared, pressing a hand to his chest. "I wish for love as deep and endless as the sea!"
Rina, one of the girls Daiki had charmed earlier, laughed along with everyone but seemed distracted. Her gaze drifted across the beach, and when her eyes met Ili's, her expression softened, curious but hesitant. She looked as if she wanted to approach him, but something held her back.
Ili felt the corners of his mouth pull into a smile, but something about Rina's gaze made his chest feel tight. It was as if she knew something he didn't, something important. He tried to brush off the feeling, turning back to the fire.
The bonfire crackled, the flames casting long, flickering shadows across the sand. Ili sat back and reached into his pocket, his fingers closing around the smooth wooden wisteria charm he had won at the arcade. The touch of it stirred something inside him—a feeling of longing, almost as if he were searching for someone he had forgotten.
Haru noticed his faraway expression and nudged him. "Hey, you good?" Haru asked, concern mingling with his usual playful tone. "You've been zoning out all evening. Thinking about someone special, maybe?"
Ili snapped out of his thoughts and forced a laugh. "Nah, just… taking it all in," he said, gesturing to the sky, where stars had begun to sprinkle across the deep blue canvas. "It's been a while since I felt this relaxed."
Daiki, having overheard, strummed a playful chord. "Come on, Ili! Don't tell me summer's making you sentimental," he teased. "If you've got a secret wish, now's the time to spill it."
Ili rolled his eyes, but he couldn't hide the smile tugging at his lips. "If I told you, it wouldn't come true, would it?"
Mika clapped her hands together. "Ooo, mysterious! I like it," she said, leaning in. "Everyone has to make a wish now, no exceptions!"
The group went around, sharing wishes both serious and silly. Daiki wished for eternal good looks and a never-ending summer, earning groans and laughter. Haru wished to pass his upcoming exams, despite his habit of procrastinating. Rina hesitated when it was her turn, glancing at Ili before whispering her wish so quietly that only the wind carried it away.
The fire burned lower, and the conversations mellowed into comfortable murmurs. Ili found himself drawn to the waves, watching as they lapped gently at the shore. The night air was cool, carrying with it the scent of salt and the faintest hint of wisteria, or so he imagined. He couldn't shake the feeling of something unresolved, something just out of reach.
Rina had wandered closer to the water, her feet just touching the edge of the waves. She seemed deep in thought, and for a moment, Ili considered approaching her. But before he could decide, she turned, catching his eye with a gentle smile.
"Beautiful night, isn't it?" she said, her voice soft and almost wistful.
"Yeah," Ili replied, his own voice quiet. "It really is."
They stood there for a moment, the sound of the ocean filling the silence between them. Ili wanted to ask her what she had whispered for her wish, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, they simply shared the stillness of the summer night, both feeling the weight of things left unsaid.
As the bonfire wound down and the group began to pack up, laughter still lingered in the warm summer air. Daiki strummed one last playful tune on his guitar, the cheerful notes drifting into the night before fading into the rhythmic whispers of the waves. Haru and Mika worked together to gather the leftover marshmallows, teasing each other as they struggled to fit everything into Mika's oversized beach bag.
Ili stood a little apart from the others, feeling a sense of contentment mixed with that strange, lingering melancholy. The heaviness in his chest had eased, but not completely. It was as if the night held onto something unresolved, a secret that hung in the air like the scent of salt and smoke. He turned to look at the shoreline one last time, the waves washing over the sand in a gentle, unending rhythm. The mysterious girl wasn't there, but her absence felt like an unfinished chapter in a story he couldn't remember.
"Let's go, Ili!" Haru called, waving him over with a smile. His laughter still echoed in the darkness, bright and carefree.
Ili started walking toward his friends when he accidentally caught Rina's voice nearby, low and hurried. She stood a few steps away, her phone pressed to her ear. Ili hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but her words carried clearly in the quiet night.
"Yeah, you missed everything," Rina was saying, her voice soft but filled with emotion. "He was here… Ili. I swear, it felt so strange seeing him again."
"I know… yeah,'' Rina said, her voice tight with both excitement and something else—an edge of nervousness. "No, he doesn't remember… at least, not yet."
She paused, listening to the person on the other end, and Ili's curiosity sharpened into something more intense. His footsteps slowed as he strained to hear, his heart thudding in his chest.
"I think he's starting to feel it, though," Rina continued, her voice dropping to a whisper. "He kept looking around, like he was searching for something. Or someone. It's only a matter of time… I know. I know, but how much longer can we keep pretending? He deserves to know."
There was another pause, and Ili felt like he couldn't breathe. Every word she said made the pressure in his chest grow heavier, like a secret being slowly, painfully revealed.
"Yeah, okay," Rina said finally, her voice breaking just slightly. "I'll try to keep it together, but… seeing him again was harder than I thought. I'll call you tomorrow."
She ended the call with a sigh, slipping her phone into her pocket. As she turned around, she caught sight of Ili standing there, his expression a mix of confusion and shock. Her eyes widened briefly, but she quickly forced a smile, her face a mask of casual calm.
"Hey, Ili," she said, her voice trying to sound light. "You ready to go?"
Ili forced himself to nod, but his mind was racing, the pieces of her conversation echoing in his head. Who was she talking to? What didn't he remember? And what was the secret they were trying to keep from him?
"Yeah," he said, his voice sounding far away, even to himself. "Let's go."
He walked back to the group with Rina, his heart pounding and a storm of unanswered questions swirling through his mind. The laughter of his friends felt distant now, like a fading echo, and he knew that whatever truth lay hidden in the shadows, it was only a matter of time before it caught up with him.