The sun had barely begun its ascent when the warmth of its golden hue streamed through the glass windows of our beachside hotel room. The scent of salt lingered in the air, gently stirred by the early breeze that whispered across the shoreline just beyond our balcony.
Despite the previous day's madness. Reina's sudden text messages, Reina's unnerving confrontation. I felt surprisingly refreshed. The soft murmur of ocean waves blended with distant laughter drifting up from the beach. Another day of vacation, another round of absurdity waiting in the wings.
Breakfast was a familiar symphony: Daichisan flailing dramatically as he placed his arm around my shoulders, declaring once again with theatrical flair, "My soninlaw! Look how strong and reliable he is! Hinatachan, you chose well!"
Hinata turned scarlet. "Dad, can you please, just once, not say that!?" she halfyelled, halfwhimpered, burying her face behind her cup of orange juice.
Sayakasan stifled a giggle behind her hand, eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're being a little too enthusiastic, dear."
And Nami, arms crossed like a tiny mafia boss, narrowed her eyes at me. "You better not mess up, oniichan. One wrong move and I'm telling everyone."
"I haven't done anything!" I raised my hands in surrender.
Another round of beach fun unfolded.. splash fights, buried legs in sand, Nami ambushing me with a bucket of seawater. Hinata wore a soft smile most of the day, but every time our eyes met, her cheeks would flush and she'd quickly turn away. Something unspoken lingered between us, delicate and fragile like a sand sculpture on the shore.
Later in the afternoon, I walked toward a small beachside shop to grab some bottled water and maybe a snack. My phone buzzed once in my pocket.
Come here! I need you now!
The screen glowed with those five words. I frowned.
"Again?" I muttered.
I slid the phone back into my pocket, brushing it off. But the buzzing didn't stop. Another buzz. Then another. My shorts began to vibrate relentlessly against my thigh.
WHERE ARE YOU!
I NEED YOU NOW!
COME HERE OR ELSE!
Frustrated, I yanked out my phone and typed a blunt reply.
Who are you!? Stop bothering me!
But even as I sent it, I knew. A chill raced down my spine. There was only one person who texted like that.
I exited the shop, bottle in hand, walking briskly toward the hotel, but before I could take more than five steps, a hand gripped my wrist.
"What the.. !?"
I was yanked forward with surprising strength, dragged past the tourist crowds, down a path veiled by tall grasses and seabent palms. My sandals stumbled over uneven sand as I was pulled further and further until we arrived at a secluded cove, completely out of sight.
I yanked my arm free. "What the hell.. who are you and what do you want.. "
SLAM.
A hand struck the wall behind me, just inches from my face. My back stiffened.
"I TOLD YOU TO COME TO ME."
The voice was sharp, low, trembling with anger.
Slowly, her head rose to meet my gaze.
Takamura Reina.
I froze. Her expression was thunderous, but beneath the fury was something else.. heat, mischief, something dangerous.
"What do you want from me?" I asked, more cautious now.
Her eyes flickered, and just like that, the rage in her face melted into a sly smile.
"Oh? You're afraid of me now?" she whispered.
Her fingers, cool and slow, trailed up my chest. Her lips hovered near my ear. I felt the warmth of her breath as her body pressed ever so slightly against mine.
"You like my bikini?"
"What...?" My brain stuttered.
She giggled, low and sultry. "Yesterday, you couldn't stop staring. I thought you might faint from all the blushing. So... do you like today's one better?"
My mind scrambled to process her words. She was teasing me.. again. Infuriatingly so.
I pushed past her. "You're ridiculous," I muttered, trying to walk away.
But before I could escape, she lunged.
We tumbled onto the sand. My back hit the ground with a soft thud, and Reina was suddenly on top of me. Straddling me.
"Reina... get off!" I stammered, face burning.
She leaned in, fingers dancing over my chest again. Her voice lowered to a seductive murmur.
"Why are you trembling?" she teased.
"Because you're-you're insane!" I tried to wiggle free.
But then she shifted her weight.
Her hips settled into a place they definitely shouldn't have. My entire body jolted.
A pause.
She felt it. I felt it.
And from the look on her face, she understood exactly what had happened.
"Well, well..." Her smile deepened. "You really do like my bikini."
"Iit's not like that!" I stammered, mortified.
She rocked her hips, just a little. A small moan escaped her lips.
My eyes shut tightly. "Sstop... please..."
"Do you want me to stop?" she whispered.
"Yes! I mean... no! I mean.. yes!"
My voice cracked. My dignity shattered. My entire face felt like it was on fire.
She finally relented and climbed off. I scrambled to my feet, brushing sand off my shorts, trying desperately not to look at her—or down.
"II'm sorry! I didn't mean—that wasn't... !"
Reina just smirked and bit her lower lip, eyes flicking down.
I followed her gaze.
"Oh no."
There it was. Alive and... active.
"You really are easy to read," she whispered, almost affectionately. "I must've excited you more than I thought."
"I'M GOING BACK!" I shouted, face beet red, and bolted away.
Behind me, her laughter echoed, soft and sultry, through the rustling palms and crashing waves.