The summer heat was merciless. Even the birds flying overhead seemed to flap slower, their wings heavy in the scorching air.Luca and Makoto stood outside a small convenience store, sweat dripping down their necks as the blazing sun bore down on them.
Makoto tilted his head back, groaning dramatically.
- Ughhh… I can't stand this freaking heat, man! I hate it! Look at me, I'm soaked!
Luca smirked, tugging at the collar of his shirt as the warmth seeped into his bones.- You're not wrong. It's ridiculous right now… but hey, one more week and it's summer vacation. Got any plans?
They tossed their finished ice lolly sticks into a nearby bin and started the slow walk home.
- Plans? Pfft. If you think I'm stepping outside my room in this heat, you're sadly mistaken, my dear friend. At this rate, I'll get heat stroke, I swear.
- Try not to get sick, though. I don't think Misha will be happy about it.
- Hmph, whatever. Let's just go home. Hurry up, slowpoke.
Despite the oppressive heat, Makoto suddenly broke into a run. Luca sighed, shrugged off his jacket, and sprinted after him.
That night, the air conditioner hummed softly in Luca's room as he logged into a call with his friends.- By the way, do you guys have any summer plans? Or are you all stuck working?
Klaus's voice came through first, tinged with fatigue.
- Nero and I could always take a break if you guys come up with something. Honestly, we need it. Especially me.
Elena's voice cut in, brimming with energy.
- GUYS! Let's book a summer home!
Nero practically shouted in agreement.
- Oh hell yeah, I'm down for that! Any objections?
Jane and Astra both voiced their approval. That left only Luca.
- A summer home sounds fun. There's a place near here where you can rent some, and the beaches are really nice. If… um… if you guys want, maybe you could come over. I know it's short notice, so it's fine if you can't…
Jane replied almost instantly.
- I'll be there. I've always wanted to visit your town. If you'll accommodate us, I look forward to it.
She ended the message with a cute emoji, and Luca couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. The plan was set just in time for the semester's end.
The following week, the heatwave worsened. Poor Makoto fell victim to his own predictions and ended up bedridden with heat stroke. For the first time in a long while, Luca went to campus alone.
He dropped by Makoto's apartment before class, leaving behind some homemade food.- So you don't have to worry about cooking, okay?Makoto groaned dramatically, but Luca just laughed before heading out.
That day at school went surprisingly well. Luca even struck up conversations with classmates. They were friendly genuinely friendly. It was the first time he'd felt this accepted.
When the final bell rang, Luca checked his phone. A new message blinked on the screen.
Jane:- I may be lost… where are you? I think I'm at your campus.
His eyes darted around. And then there she was.
A girl in a large black hoodie stood a short distance away, twin tails swaying as she scanned the crowd. Their eyes met. She reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, typed something, and sent it.
Luca's phone buzzed.- I seem to have locked eyes with someone. I require assistance, please.
He laughed awkwardly and typed back: That person you locked eyes with is me.
Jane tucked away her phone and strode over, giving him a quick up-and-down look before showing her screen again.- Aha! I found you!
He chuckled and agreed, which seemed to make her beam with pride.
- Still, I didn't think I'd meet you this early. It was just a few nights ago I told you where my campus is.
She tapped on her phone again.- I was eager to meet my companion. You and I have fought many battles together, after all.
Her excitement made him laugh again but the lighthearted moment was interrupted.
- Woah, is that you, Luca?
Sakura's mocking tone hit him first. Yusuke was right behind her.
- You're not clinging to some other chick already, are you? Talk about gross.
- Look at him. Alice is gone, so now he's just clinging to some random girl to feel better about himself. And without that loudmouth friend of yours to stick up for you… why don't you just drop out, you leech?
In the past, Luca might have frozen. But this time, he didn't even look interested.
- Yusuke, Sakura, let's go. We have work to do, don't we?Shinso's voice was curt, but Sakura scoffed.
- Geez, buzzkill. I wanted to make fun of him more. Maybe next week he'll get another girl to leech off. Still gross, though. Can't believe Alice put up with him for so long.
SLAP!
Jane's palm cracked against Sakura's cheek.- You talk too much for a dirty pig, you know that? And you giant, empty-headed oaf shut the hell up before I beat the crap out of you like your "used" friend here. Apologize to him right now and get lost. HURRY!
Luca gently placed a hand on her shoulder, startling her.- AH! Why'd you do that?!
- Calm down, Jane. I appreciate it, I really do… but it's fine. I don't need an apology. It means nothing now. Come on I'll take you somewhere cooler.
- I… sure. Let's go.
As they walked away, Jane threw one last glare at Shinso.
The bell over the coffee shop door chimed.- Luca, my boy! Welcome, welcome! And you've brought a friend today? How are you, my boy?
Grandpa Aoki's warm voice carried from behind the counter.
- I'm doing great, thanks. This is my friend Jane. She and a few others are visiting for the summer. How's work been?
- As good as ever, don't you worry.
He turned to Jane.
- Nice to meet you, young lady. Thanks for being a good friend to Luca here.
Jane typed on her phone and showed him the screen.- The pleasure is mine, sir. Luca's a great friend. He's… a little bad at fighting enemies up close, but fret not- I will teach him.
-She's shy around people, so she texts more, Luca explained.
- Hoho, that's fine. Miss Jane, keep being a good friend to him and take care of yourself too, okay?
Jane smiled and spoke softly for the first time.
- Thank you, mister.
Just then, Rin returned with a bag of books, greeting a pair of elderly customers before joining them.
- Welcome, Luca. Who's your friend?
- This is Jane, the one I told you about.
- Ahh, the online battle maniac. Nice to meet you.
Jane jabbed Luca in the ribs but smiled at Rin. The three of them moved to the back room, where Luca donned an apron to help with the cooking.
- So you're all heading to the beach, huh? Sounds fun.
- Mhm. Wanna come with us, Rin?
She laughed.- Sorry, no can do. I'll be busy this summer. Next time you plan a trip, let's go together, okay?
Her warm smile made Luca blush. Jane smirked knowingly.
Hours later, as they prepared to leave, Grandpa Aoki waved them off.
- Thanks for helping, Luca. Are you sure you don't want to be paid?
- I'm fine. Spending time with you, Rin, and the customers… that's more than enough pay.
- Alright then. You two have fun over your break.
Rin stepped forward.
- Stay safe on your trip, okay? Call me if you need anything I've got my license and everything, so
Luca hugged her tightly.
- I'll miss you too. When I get back, maybe we can plan our own vacation. In the meantime, take care of yourself.
Rin's hands clenched into fists before she returned the hug.
- It's a promise.
The next day arrived.
Birdsong echoed through the warm morning air as Luca stood at the train station. Jane waved from the platform, signaling him to hurry.
He climbed the steps to see two men waiting. One was tall and broad-shouldered, his blond hair tied in a man bun, sunglasses perched on his head. The other had long black hair down his back, his build leaner but his presence just as warm.
The blond's eyes lit up.
- Whoa, is that you, Luca?! How's it going, bud?
- Uh… yeah?
- It's me, Nero! And this guy's Klaus.
Klaus gave a relaxed smile.
- Glad you could make it, man. Nice to finally meet you in person. You already met Jane yesterday.
The three of them laughed together before two women approached, balancing drinks. One wore beach shorts and a tank top, hair tied up with sunglasses on her head. The other's yellow sundress swayed in the breeze.
- What's going on here? Doing something fun?
Jane pointed to the first.- That's Elena. And she's Astra.
Astra tilted her head.
- Oh my, is this Luca?
He nodded, blushing faintly.
- Hi… nice to meet you all.
Elena handed her drink to Nero, then walked up to Luca, scanning him from head to toe before ruffling his hair.
- So you're my cute little brother, huh?
- I'm Astra. Happy to have you here, Luca.
After some catching up, Elena suddenly clapped her hands.
- Alright, guys! Let's go! Next stop summer vacation!