Night fell quietly over Hoshimi.
In the small Kanzaki apartment, the TV cast a faint glow across the living room. Mio sat on the couch beside her father, two open boxes resting on the low table in front of them.
Pizza.
Not because it was a special occasion.
But because neither of them felt like cooking.
Masato picked up a slice and took a bite, glancing briefly at his daughter.
"Do you still like corn and mayo pizza?"
Mio chewed for a few seconds before answering.
"I used to… when I was a kid."
Masato let out a small breath.
"I see…"
Silence settled over the room again. Only the distant sound of a passing car filled the air.
Mio picked up her phone.
She didn't want to continue that conversation.
Masato didn't push it either. He simply kept eating, quietly.
Elsewhere in the city…
In Takase Hina's room, the bluish glow of her screen reflected off her glasses.
She was completely absorbed.
On her computer, Prince John was running—an interactive story she loved. Characters spoke as soft background music played.
Hina leaned forward.
"Ahh! I knew it! He was the traitor!"
She typed quickly.
"I'm not falling into that bad route this time!"
Her phone buzzed beside her.
She glanced at it.
A message from Aoi.
"I won't be playing today. We're waking up early tomorrow."
Hina smiled and typed back right away:
"Same here! We're going to the same beach hehe"
After a moment, she rested her chin in her hands.
"Tomorrow's going to be fun…"
In Aoi's room…
She sat on her bed, phone in hand.
Waiting.
Silence.
Then—
The sound of the front door opening echoed
from downstairs.
"Aoi, I'm home!"
Her eyes lit up.
She jumped off the bed and hurried downstairs.
"Welcome back, Mom!"
Yukiko was taking off her shoes at the entrance. She smiled when she saw her.
"I'm home."
She gently ran a hand through Aoi's hair.
"Tomorrow's the day. Let's get everything ready and leave early."
Aoi intertwined her fingers.
"Um… Mom?"
"What is it?"
"Can I invite a friend? Mio."
Yukiko smiled softly.
"Kanzaki-chan?"
Aoi nodded.
"Of course. But will her mother be okay with it?"
"I think so… she said she'd come if she could."
"Then it's settled."
Yukiko walked toward the kitchen.
"We're leaving at seven. It's about a two-hour drive."
Aoi grabbed her phone and typed quickly:
"All set for tomorrow. We're leaving at 7."
A reply came almost instantly.
A panda sticker giving a thumbs-up.
"I'll be ready."
Aoi let out a small laugh.
Then typed again:
"Are you at your house today?"
"Yeah. My dad's here too."
Aoi blinked a couple of times.
"Good night. See you tomorrow."
Then she sent one more message to Hina:
"I'm going to sleep early."
She set her phone down.
Tomorrow would be a long day.
5:45 AM
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
The alarm rang.
Aoi slowly opened her eyes.
She turned it off and sat up, still half-asleep, her body swaying slightly.
She yawned.
"Aaaah…"
A knock on the door.
"Aoi, wake up!"
"I'm up…"
Her voice came out sluggish.
She walked to the bathroom, splashed water on her face, and looked at herself in the mirror.
"Okay… let's go."
After a quick breakfast, they were already in the car.
6:55 AM.
"Almost time…" Aoi murmured, checking her phone.
A few minutes later:
"We're heading out now."
Reply:
"Okay, I'm ready."
The car stopped in front of the Kanzaki house.
Mio was already waiting outside, a small
backpack on her shoulders.
Masato stood beside her.
"See you, Mio."
"…Yeah."
Flat.
She got into the car.
"Sorry for the trouble."
Yukiko smiled warmly.
"Good morning, Kanzaki-chan."
Aoi turned around from her seat.
"How are you?"
"I'm okay… thanks for inviting me."
The car began to move.
"That was your father?" Yukiko asked gently.
"…Yes."
"And your mother?"
"She's recovering."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Aoi rested her chin on her hand.
"When was the last time we went to the beach, Mom?"
"About six years ago."
"It was cold."
"We went at the wrong time."
Mio looked out the window.
"I went five years ago… before my dad got promoted."
Yukiko nodded.
"I see."
For a moment, she looked at Mio thoughtfully… then turned her eyes back to the road.
About an hour later—
The ocean appeared on the horizon.
Blue.
Endless.
At the beach…
Aoi stepped out of the changing room first.
Wearing a light blue bikini.
Her cheeks slightly flushed.
Mio came out right after her.
"You don't need to be embarrassed."
She crossed her arms.
"You look good."
"If you say so…"
Aoi looked toward the ocean.
Then narrowed her eyes.
"Is that… Souma?"
"Yeah. That's him."
"Hiiiii, Mio! Aoi!"
"Hina?!"
Takase Hina came running toward them.
Also in a bikini.
Completely red.
Mio blinked.
"Wow."
"W-What?!"
"Who knew the nerd had a body like that?"
"S-STOP STARING!"
Aoi laughed.
"Is your family here too?"
"Yeah! Let's go to the water!"
"Wait! I haven't put sunscreen on yet!"
Mio smirked.
"Ask Souma to do your back."
POC
"Ow!"
"I barely touched you."
"Just kidding, hehe!"
The changing room door opened again.
And Yukiko stepped out.
Instantly—
Several men turned to look.
And kept looking.
Mio nudged Aoi.
"I think the real danger at the beach… is your mom."
"Shut up!"
A moment later—
A guy stumbled as he walked past them.
"HEY! YOU—FLAT—! Watch where you're going!"
Silence.
Mio's expression darkened.
"…Flat?"
She clenched her fist.
Hina and Aoi grabbed her immediately.
"Let it go!"
"Just ignore him!"
The man scoffed.
"Crazy girls…"
"WHAT?!"
A few seconds later—
Mio took a deep breath.
Then laughed.
"…Yeah. Not worth ruining the day over an idiot."
"YOU STARTED IT!"
"Hehe… my bad."
In the background…
The waves gently crashed against the shore.
And for a moment…
It felt like that day at the beach held far more
than just sun and sea.