"Wait here, I just forgot something. I'll be right back."
Hinata gave me a quick smile before dashing back into the shop, her sandals tapping softly against the wooden floor. I nodded reflexively, even though she had already vanished inside.
I was left standing alone outside the small souvenir shop. The soft sea breeze brushed past my face, carrying the faint scent of salt, coconut, and grilled fish from some distant food stall. The sun was beginning its slow descent over the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant streaks of orange and rose. In front of me, the ocean stretched endlessly, calm and glittering, as if it were quietly breathing with the Earth.
The scene was peaceful. Almost too peaceful.
I let out a small breath, trying to appreciate the moment.
But then.
"EXCUSE ME!!!"
The voice tore through the air like a sudden gust of wind. I blinked.
Footsteps. Fast. Rushing. Getting closer.
"Wha--"
Before I could even turn, something...no, someone, slammed straight into me.
"Whoa--!"
My back hit the ground, sand flying up as I landed with a dull thud. Pain jolted through my spine, and for a second, all I could see was sky and orange light, like I'd been knocked out of reality.
"Ugh… seriously…"
I rubbed my head and groaned, trying to sit up. My legs were tangled in something soft but firm. I looked down.
A girl was lying on top of me.
And not just any girl.
"Stupid! Stupid! I told you to move!"
My blood ran cold.
That voice… It couldn't be.
I looked up, and froze.
Takamura Reina.
No. Freaking. Way.
Her long dark hair was tied in a messy ponytail, loose strands clinging to her flushed cheeks. Her skin glowed beneath the golden light, and… and she was wearing a bikini. A dark red one. Sleek. Elegant. Dangerous.
And she was… practically draped over me.
My eyes widened. My brain screamed. But my body?
Paralyzed.
My hand instinctively extended to help her up, but my fingers trembled. She slapped my palm away.
"Oh, don't be so dramatic," Reina huffed, brushing sand off her thigh. "It's your fault anyway, standing around like a statue."
"You ran into me!"
"I was yelling. You didn't listen." She flicked her hair over her shoulder. "Besides…"
Her voice dipped.
"You clearly didn't mind."
She leaned closer. My breath hitched.
"W-what are you-"
"Oh?" Her lips curled into a sly smile. "You're already stammering."
Her bare shoulder brushed against my chest. I felt it... everything. The heat of her skin. The tickle of her damp hair. Her body was too close. Too real.
My brain was melting.
"I'm… not…" I muttered, cheeks burning.
She smirked again. I tried to back away, but she moved with me. Her fingers grazed the front of my shirt, playful, deliberate. My heart was hammering in my chest.
"You know…" she whispered, her breath warm against my ear, "you're kinda cute when you panic."
I clenched my fists. My face felt like it was on fire. I closed my eyes and willed myself to disappear.
"Are you always this easy to fluster?" she breathed, almost giggling. "So sensitive…"
This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening.
And then.
"I'm done. Sorry for keeping you waiting."
Hinata's voice.
My soul nearly left my body.
I shot to my feet, eyes wide, heart still pounding. Hinata was standing just a few steps away, holding a small paper bag. She blinked.
"Um… what are you doing?"
I opened my mouth.
I closed it.
I looked around.
Reina was gone.
Vanished like mist in sunlight.
"N-nothing! I was just, uh, stretching. Yeah. Had a cramp. In my back. I-haha-totally normal."
Hinata tilted her head. Her gaze dropped to my clenched fists and red face. "You look like you saw a ghost."
If only she knew.
She chuckled softly, her smile returning. "You're so weird sometimes."
I let out a nervous laugh and scratched my head. "Heh… yeah. Weird."
---
By afternoon, we arrived at the beachside hotel... a cozy, modern place with soft lighting and wooden panel interiors. Our group had reserved three separate rooms: one for Daichi-san and Sayaka-san, another for Hinata and Nami, and a small single room just for me.
The moment the room keys were handed out, Daichi's expression twisted into pure tragedy.
"No… Noooooo!" he wailed, staggering backward like he'd just been told his favorite anime got canceled. "You mean… we're separated?! Me and my precious boy?!"
I blinked. "Huh?"
Daichi dropped to his knees, holding the key to his own room like it had betrayed him. "We were just starting to bond! Two men! Brothers of fate! Torn apart by the cruelty of hotel room assignments!"
Sayaka sighed through a giggle, patting his shoulder. "Dear, you saw him this morning."
"It's not the same!" he sniffled, fake tears streaking his cheeks. "We could've stayed up talking about life… love… anime! And now I'm stuck with you again."
"Gee, thanks," Sayaka said, amused.
Hinata groaned and dragged a hand down her face. "Dad, stop… People can hear you."
He threw his arm toward me dramatically. "Don't forget me, my boy! Even if we sleep in different rooms tonight, I'll always be in your heart!"
"You're not dying," I muttered.
"I am inside," he whispered, clutching his chest. Then, with a theatrical sniff, he pointed at me again. "My dear son-in-law… my future son-in-law! This is how we're treated?! Like strangers?!"
My soul nearly left my body. "Wh -son-in-law?!"
Daichi buried his face in a towel, sobbing. "You were going to marry Hinata… I was going to walk you down the aisle with pride… and now this!"
Hinata's hands slapped against her cheeks. "WHAT?!"
Meanwhile, Nami stood in front of me, arms crossed tightly, her brows furrowed with determination. She didn't say anything at first... just stared, hard.
Finally, she jabbed a tiny finger in my direction.
"Don't do anything weird," she said with all the weight of a bodyguard guarding national treasure.
"Y-yeah. Got it."
"I mean it." Her eyes narrowed. "If you try to sneak into my sister's room…"
"I'm not going to.....!"
"I'll know."
Hinata let out a soft sigh, shoulders drooping. "Why is my entire family like this…"
I gave a helpless chuckle, raising both hands. "I'll just quietly die of embarrassment in my room, don't worry."
Daichi wiped his eyes with a towel. "We raised you well."
Sayaka giggled again. "Come on, everyone. Let's unpack before he really starts bawling."
---
Dinner came like a warm tide.
The hotel cafeteria was cozy, with dim lighting and soft music playing in the background. The buffet table was overflowing.. fresh seafood, rice dishes, grilled meats, sweet desserts. I thought Daichi-san would weep.
"My son!" he cried, grabbing my arm as if we'd been reunited after a war. "Come, eat with me! Rejoice!"
"I literally saw you ten minutes ago."
"I missed you dearly!"
Sayaka chuckled, placing a plate of karaage on my tray. "Here, try this one too. It's Hinata's favorite."
"Oh! Mom!" Hinata blushed, shooting a glare at her dad and mom.
Nami, arms crossed again, sat beside me, refusing to speak but chewing ominously loud.
"You have too many guardians," I muttered to Hinata.
She laughed softly. "I know."
---
The sun had set completely now. The air turned cooler. The tide whispered against the sand outside.
I lay in my futon, eyes open, staring at the ceiling.
But sleep didn't come.
Because I couldn't stop thinking about her.
Takamura Reina.
That collision felt unreal, like something out of a fever dream. But it wasn't. I felt her. Heard her voice. That whisper, those fingers, the scent of the ocean and faint vanilla—
Why was she here?
What was she playing at?
I sat up and ran a hand through my hair. The room was dark and still, but I felt strangely exposed, like someone had peeled off my skin and left everything raw.
I stood, grabbed my hoodie, and stepped outside for air.
The hallway was quiet. The window overlooked the beach. A few distant lights blinked along the shore. The moon cast a silver trail across the water.
And then... my phone buzzed.
One message.
-----
Unknown sender:
"You can't escape that easily."
-----
I froze.
My fingers went numb. A chill raced up my spine.
The text wasn't threatening. Not directly.
But the phrasing… the tone…
It was her. I knew it.
I glanced around, half-expecting her to step out of the shadows. But nothing moved.
Still… I felt it.
Like she was watching.
I backed away from the window and returned to the room, locking the door behind me.
My phone screen stayed lit for a few more seconds. The words stared back at me.
I shut my eyes.
My heart wouldn't stop racing.
To be continued.