As the day unfolded, the beach continued to buzz with activity. After spending a few hours relaxing, Aizen decided to take a little break from the group. He stood up, brushing the sand off his shorts, and glanced over at his friends. Kei and Ryuen were engrossed in a spirited game of beach volleyball, while Violet sat nearby, watching them with a soft smile on her face.
"I'm going to head to the shops for a bit," Aizen said, catching Violet's attention.
She looked up at him and nodded. "Alright. Need any company?"
Aizen shook his head, smiling gently. "Thanks, but I'll be quick. Just want to check something out."
With that, Aizen set off toward the row of shops lining the boardwalk, leaving behind the laughter and lively chatter of his friends. The boardwalk was bustling with tourists and beachgoers, but Aizen felt a sense of calm as he wandered through the small stores. He passed by stalls selling seashell jewellery, summer hats, and colourful beach towels, but one shop, in particular, caught his eye.
It was a surf shop, with a display of surfboards of various sizes and colours standing proudly out front. Aizen paused, his gaze lingering on the boards. Something about them stirred a familiar feeling within him, one that he hadn't felt in a long time.
Memories began to flood back—of the time before he had moved here, before he had met Kei, Ryuen, and Violet. Back then, he had been alone, often spending his days wandering through parks or sitting quietly by the water's edge. But there had been one thing that brought him joy, one secret hobby that he had never shared with anyone: surfing.
Surfing had been his escape, a way to feel connected to the world around him when everything else felt distant. He had taught himself, spending countless hours on the waves, perfecting his technique. But after moving and the whirlwind of adjusting to a new life, he had drifted away from it. He hadn't surfed since he arrived in this town, and he hadn't even thought about it—until now.
Aizen walked into the surf shop, the scent of wax and saltwater hitting him instantly. The shop was cozy, with surfboards lining the walls, racks of wetsuits, and shelves filled with all sorts of gear. As he browsed through the boards, he felt a surge of excitement building up inside him.
He ran his fingers along the edge of a sleek, blue board, the cool surface familiar under his touch. It was as if a part of him had been reawakened, a part that had been quietly waiting for the right moment to resurface.
"I used to surf all the time," Aizen thought, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Why did I stop?"
He picked up the board, feeling its weight in his hands, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a deep sense of happiness. Surfing had always been something special to him, something that had allowed him to feel free and alive. And now, with the waves just a short walk away, he realized he didn't want to keep it hidden anymore.
After speaking with the shop owner and making sure everything was in order, Aizen purchased the board, along with a few other essentials. As he left the shop, carrying the board under his arm, he felt lighter—like he had reconnected with a part of himself that he had almost forgotten.
As he made his way back to the beach, Aizen's thoughts were filled with anticipation. He couldn't wait to hit the waves again, to feel the rush of adrenaline as he rode the surf. He knew his friends would be surprised—they had no idea about his secret hobby—but he was ready to share it with them.
Returning to the beach, Aizen spotted Kei, Ryuen, and Violet still near their spot. Kei noticed him first, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw the surfboard.
"No way!" Kei exclaimed, running over to him with Ryuen and Violet close behind. "Aizen, you sure?"
Aizen chuckled, setting the board down on the sand. "Yeah, I used to. It's been a while, but I figured today's the perfect day to start again."
Ryuen grinned, clearly impressed. "That's awesome! Why didn't you tell us sooner?"
Aizen shrugged, a bit sheepish. "I guess I just never got around to it. But today…I don't know, I just felt like it was time."
Violet stepped forward; her eyes full of curiosity. "Are you going to surf now?"
Aizen nodded, his excitement bubbling over. "Yeah, I am. Want to watch?"
Kei and Ryuen exchanged eager looks, and even Violet seemed intrigued. "Absolutely!" Kei said, her enthusiasm contagious. "We've got to see this."
With his friends watching from the shore, Aizen carried the surfboard down to the water's edge. He took a deep breath, feeling the cool water lap at his feet, and then he waded in, the board gliding smoothly alongside him. As he paddled out, the familiar rhythm came back to him, and with each stroke, he felt more at ease.
When he reached the right spot, Aizen turned the board toward the shore, watching the waves rolling in. He waited, feeling the ocean's energy beneath him, and then, as the perfect wave approached, he pushed himself up, standing on the board with a practiced ease.
The world seemed to slow as he rode the wave, the rush of the wind in his ears, the spray of the sea on his skin. It was exhilarating, and in that moment, Aizen felt a deep sense of peace—a connection to the ocean, to the moment, and to himself.
As he reached the shore, his friends erupted into cheers, their excitement mirroring his own. Aizen couldn't help but laugh, his heart light with joy. Surfing had always been his escape, but now, it was something he could share with the people who mattered most.
Returning to the group, Aizen felt a sense of accomplishment, not just from surfing again, but from letting his friends in on a part of his life that had been hidden for so long. It was a day of new beginnings—a day that reminded him that even the things we think we've left behind can find their way back to us, bringing with them a renewed sense of happiness.