Saito blinked.
The memory faded.
The warehouse.
Kira.
Harold.
All of it slowly disappeared.
He found himself standing once again in Forun Village.
The streets were still busy.
People still walked between the stalls.
Nothing had changed.
Except for the expression on his face.
Kaito noticed.
"You back?"
Saito nodded.
"Yeah."
He rubbed the back of his head.
"Sorry about that."
Nobody asked what he was thinking about.
Instead, Saito smiled.
"Let's continue our journey."
The group nodded.
And began walking through the village.
Bomb stretched his arms.
"I think it'll still take a few hours to reach the main city."
Saito sighed dramatically.
"Hours..."
Rin laughed.
"Don't tell me you're tired already."
"I am."
Kaito shook his head.
"We just started."
Alya smiled quietly while following behind them.
Then Saito suddenly stopped.
The others looked at him.
Saito pointed forward.
"Remember why we're here."
Everyone blinked.
Bomb tilted his head.
"Vacation?"
Saito grinned.
A huge grin.
Then raised both fists into the air.
"BEACH!!!"
The entire street heard him.
Several villagers turned around.
Kaito immediately covered his face.
Bomb groaned.
Rin burst out laughing.
Alya looked confused.
Meanwhile Saito stood proudly.
Completely unashamed.
"Beach first."
"Everything else later."
The group sighed.
But followed anyway.
Continuing their journey toward Roma City.
After another hour of travel—
the group finally arrived.
A massive gate stood before them.
Beyond it stretched the largest settlement they had ever seen in the region.
Roma Village.
Saito stopped walking.
His eyes widened.
"Whoa..."
The others looked around as well.
The streets were crowded with travelers.
Restaurants lined nearly every road.
The smell of grilled seafood filled the air.
Souvenir stalls displayed all kinds of items.
Shell necklaces.
Decorated coral ornaments.
Fish carvings.
And countless other crafts inspired by the sea.
Everything felt lively.
Everything felt different.
Alya stared at a stall filled with colorful shells.
Bomb examined a souvenir swordfish carving.
Even Rin looked impressed.
"This place is huge."
Kaito nodded.
"Much bigger than Lorum."
Meanwhile—
Saito was looking everywhere at once.
Like a child entering a toy store.
Then his eyes landed on a large wooden sign.
ROMA BEACH →
The moment he saw it—
his face lit up.
"There it is!"
He pointed dramatically.
"We're almost there, guys!"
Bomb laughed.
"You've been talking about that beach for an entire day."
"And I'll keep talking about it."
Saito answered immediately.
Kaito looked at the setting sun.
The sky was already turning orange.
Then he crossed his arms.
"We should probably stay the night first."
Saito looked up.
The sun was indeed getting low.
After a moment—
he nodded.
"...Agreed."
Kaito blinked.
"You agreed immediately?"
"Because tomorrow means beach."
The group sighed.
Of course that was the reason.
With that settled—
the Blue Scarf crew continued deeper into Roma Village.
Searching for a place to stay before tomorrow's long-awaited trip to the beach.
The streets of Roma Village remained crowded.
Travelers moved between shops.
Restaurants were packed.
Everywhere they looked, people were enjoying their vacation.
Saito looked at the group.
"Kaito, you're with me."
Kaito nodded.
The others immediately looked relieved.
Because that meant Saito wouldn't accidentally get lost.
Saito pointed at the rest.
"You guys have fun."
"We'll meet at the nearest hotel."
Bomb nodded.
"Sounds good."
Alya followed him toward a souvenir shop.
The two immediately began looking through shell decorations and small trinkets.
Meanwhile—
Rin stopped in front of a blacksmith stall.
His eyes widened.
Displayed outside was a massive scythe.
Even bigger than his own.
Rin grinned.
"Now that's nice."
Meanwhile—
Saito and Kaito headed toward a nearby hotel.
The building looked promising.
Saito walked up to the reception desk.
"Do you have any rooms available?"
The receptionist smiled politely.
Then checked a book.
A few seconds later—
her smile became awkward.
"Sorry."
"We're full."
A minute later—
Saito and Kaito walked back outside.
Saito looked frustrated.
"Seriously?"
"Every room?"
Kaito shrugged.
"It is a tourist village."
Saito sighed.
"There are too many people."
Kaito patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry."
"We'll find one."
Saito looked around the busy streets.
Then nodded.
"...Yeah."
The two continued down the road.
Searching for another hotel before the rest of the group returned.
After leaving the first hotel—
Saito and Kaito continued searching.
Fortunately, the next one had better news.
The receptionist checked the room list.
Then smiled.
"We have three rooms available."
Saito immediately looked relieved.
"Finally."
Kaito nodded.
"Good."
Saito thought for a moment.
"One room for us."
"One for Bomb and Rin."
"And one for Alya."
Kaito nodded.
"Works for me."
A few minutes later—
the rooms were booked.
Now all they had to do was wait.
The two sat in the hotel lobby.
Watching travelers come and go.
Then—
the front door opened.
Bomb and Alya entered.
Both were carrying shopping bags.
Alya now wore a necklace made from colorful seashells.
The necklace lightly rattled as she walked.
Saito smiled.
"Looks nice."
Alya looked down at it.
Then smiled slightly.
"Bomb bought it."
Everyone looked at Bomb.
Bomb immediately crossed his arms.
"It wasn't expensive."
Kaito smirked.
"Sure."
Alya looked happy nonetheless.
Then—
the front door burst open again.
"Guys!"
Everyone turned.
Rin walked inside proudly.
Holding something enormous.
A giant red scythe.
The weapon was almost taller than him.
The blade gleamed under the lobby lights.
The entire room went silent.
Saito blinked.
Bomb blinked.
Alya blinked.
Kaito stared at the weapon.
Then slowly asked:
"Of all the things you could buy..."
He pointed at the giant scythe.
"...you bought that?"
Rin grinned proudly.
"Time to upgrade."
Kaito rubbed his forehead.
"Of course."
Saito couldn't stop laughing.
"That's actually perfect for you."
Rin rested the giant scythe on his shoulder.
Clearly pleased with his purchase.
Then Saito stood up.
"Alright."
"The rooms are ready."
He pulled out the keys.
Then handed them out.
One to Alya.
One to Bomb.
One to Rin.
One to Kaito.
And kept his own.
The group looked exhausted from the journey.
Tomorrow would be the beach.
But tonight—
they finally had a place to rest in Roma Village.
Inside their hotel room—
The evening sky painted Roma Village in shades of orange and gold.
Saito stood on the balcony.
The sea stretched endlessly beyond the village.
Waves rolled onto the shore.
The distant beach glowed beneath the setting sun.
Saito smiled.
"Nice view."
The bathroom door opened.
Kaito stepped out.
A robe rested over his shoulders.
A towel covered his wet hair.
"It is."
He walked over to the balcony.
Standing beside Saito.
The two looked toward the ocean in silence.
Then Saito glanced at him.
"There you are."
"What took you so long?"
Kaito shrugged.
"An assassin needs to take care of his body."
Saito stared at him for a moment.
Then nodded slowly.
"Sure."
"Whatever you say."
Kaito smirked.
Meanwhile—
Saito grabbed his own towel.
Then headed toward the bathroom.
"Don't fall asleep out there."
The door closed behind him.
Leaving Kaito alone on the balcony.
The evening breeze brushed past him.
The sound of the waves echoed across the shoreline.
Kaito rested his arms on the railing.
Looking toward the beach.
Toward the peaceful sea.
Then smiled quietly.
For once—
there were no battles waiting for them tomorrow.