Inside the minibus, the girls' laughter and chatter instantly filled the air.
Tokai Teio was leaning eagerly against the window, her small hands pointing excitedly at the fields and distant mountains flashing by outside.
"Look, look! There's a flock of crows over there! Trainer, are we almost at the beach?"
Her distinctive crescent-shaped bangs swayed lightly with the gentle jolts of the vehicle. Her backpack was casually tossed at her feet, her entire being radiating a carefree, boundless energy. Out of the seven passengers excluding the driver, she was without doubt the most lively—seemingly an endless well of energy.
In contrast, Inari One was curled up against the window, letting out a huge yawn. Her head nodded forward as she dozed, as though last night's lack of sleep was still clinging to her. Who knew how late she had stayed up…
Fujimasa March, on the other hand, sat up straight, her ears slightly perked as she quietly admired the scenery. Every so often, she'd glance in Kuroha's direction, her eyes carrying a faint trace of concern that was easy to miss.
Kuroha sat in the front row, occasionally responding to the girls' small talk while also looking out the window at the passing landscape.
After about two hours, the monotonous scenery outside gradually opened up to reveal a vast coastline. The salty, damp scent of the sea filled the air, and the cries of seagulls blended with the rhythmic sound of waves, forming a vivid symphony.
Mejiro Ardan smiled from her seat.
"We're almost there. Just ahead is the ferry dock, and the island is right across the water."
Her soft yet clear voice drew everyone's attention.
Teio immediately jumped up, pressing her palms against the glass.
"Wow! The ocean! And there's a big yacht too—ah!"
Beside her, Mejiro McQueen merely tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her reaction calm. As another daughter of the Mejiro family, she had long been used to visits to the family's private island.
The minibus slowly pulled into the parking area beside the dock.
The door opened, and the girls eagerly filed out. A refreshing sea breeze swept away their travel fatigue.
Kuroha was the last to step down, taking in a deep breath of the fresh air, his gaze drifting over the shimmering, beautiful sea before them.
"In the blink of an eye, it's been four months…"
The sight brought back memories of three months ago, when he had just passed his local trainer's license exam and flown to this far eastern island nation without delay. Now, four whole months had passed.
By the time everyone was off the bus, several Mejiro family staff were already waiting at the dock. After polite bows, they began unloading the luggage.
Ardan approached Kuroha, her light-blue hair like flowing glass in the sea breeze.
"Welcome to the Mejiro family's summer paradise, Kuroha-san. I hope this training camp allows everyone to relax completely, while building strength for the days ahead."
Kuroha nodded, glancing at the graceful girl before him and her injured legs.
"You'll be joining us too, Ardan-san."
Ardan froze for a moment, her hand on her cane tightening slightly, before a genuine smile bloomed on her face.
"Yes! I believe in you, Kuroha-san."
The luggage was carried onto the luxurious yacht waiting nearby. Under Ardan's guidance, everyone boarded.
"The trip will take about an hour," Ardan explained gently. "You can enjoy the sea view from the deck, or there are snacks and drinks prepared in the cabin."
With the sound of a long, mellow horn, the yacht glided away from the dock, carving a bright white wake across the deep blue sea.
The moment they left shore, the sea breeze grew stronger, tossing hair and skirts. Fujimasa March followed at Kuroha's side, the open-air wind so different from that on land making her feel utterly comfortable. And with her trainer right beside her, a drowsy warmth crept into her heart.
If I could just lie in Trainer's arms right now and take a nap… wouldn't that be nice?
"Wow—this wind feels amazing!"
Teio dashed to the bow, stretching out her arms as if to embrace the ocean itself.
"McQueen! Come look, the boat's going so fast!"
"Teio, don't—" McQueen began, but Sakura Chiyono O appeared, fussing over them like a little adult.
"You two, be careful!"
By now, Inari One was fully awake and had wandered to Kuroha's side, eyes sparkling.
"Inari, Yuzuhara-senpai never took you to the beach before?" Kuroha teased, ruffling her small, silky head out of habit.
Inari unconsciously leaned into the touch before realizing it, her cheeks flushing pink.
"Last year's summer camp, Boss took me into the deep mountains to train. Totally not fun at all."
She had seen the ocean before—after all, in this island nation, it was impossible not to—but this was her first time taking a boat to another island.
Kuroha raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? In that case, you'll have to train twice as hard this time to match the effort I'm putting in."
"Hmph, of course!" she huffed, her voice proud. "Perseverance is the spirit of an Edo child!"
The yacht sailed steadily across the waves. On deck, the girls' energy only grew, especially Teio, who bounded about so much that McQueen was constantly chasing her. The two "elementary school" members made the trip even livelier.
Kuroha lay back on a deck chair, watching the energetic girls with a content smile.
Ardan reclined nearby, asking softly,
"Kuroha-san, would you like something to drink? There's fresh tea and juice in the cabin."
"Thanks. Tea, please."
She nodded, and a maid soon arrived with a tray bearing steaming teapots, cups, and several brightly colored iced juices.
"The tea is ready, Kuroha-san. Please enjoy."
"Thank you."
As Kuroha sipped, his gaze roamed the deck: McQueen trying to rein in an excitable Teio, Inari watching amusedly, Chiyono O leaning against the railing, Ardan sipping tea with an unfocused gaze… and beside him, Fujimasa March, who had chosen the chair nearest him, leaning slightly closer, half-asleep.
"March," he murmured with a smile, "if you're sleepy, why not come here and rest a bit?"
She hesitated, ears twitching straight up, glancing around before nodding shyly.
The next moment, a warm, delicate weight settled in his arms. She snuggled close, breathing in the "trainer's energy," and quickly drifted into a peaceful sleep.
The sun danced across the shimmering waves like golden fragments. The yacht cut through the ocean, carrying youthful voices and laughter toward the sunlit private island.
"Look! Is that the island we're going to?!" Teio's cry turned every head.
There it was—lush green hills, pure white sand like a ribbon around a sapphire bay, and a few elegant buildings peeking from the trees.
"Wow—it's even prettier than online pictures! McQueen, look at that soft white sand!"
"Teio, be careful!" McQueen sighed.
"We're nearly there," Ardan said warmly, standing with the help of a maid. "Everyone, get ready—we'll be docking soon."
The yacht slowed and eased toward the private pier. With a soft thud, it touched the dock's fenders, the engine hum fading.
"Welcome," Ardan's voice carried clearly over the deck, "to the Mejiro family's—Summer Island."
With the gangway lowered, a rush of sea breeze mixed with floral and leafy scents greeted them.
Kuroha helped Fujimasa March to her feet, and under his guidance the girls disembarked one by one, their hearts full of excitement.
They stepped onto the sunlit, ocean-kissed island, officially beginning their two-month summer training camp.
Following behind, Kuroha watched their lively figures merge into the postcard-perfect scenery, his heart filled with warm anticipation for the days to come.
(End of Chapter)
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