Ah, yes, summer break! Every budding freshman no matter where you visit loved this time of year.
Well, perhaps with the exception of Hayami Tsurumasa.
Every summer, he ended up getting dragged to the beach by Hamano, and he hadn't once had a fun time. He doubted this year would be an exception.
The brunette winced as Hamano playfully slapped him in the back with his free hand, clutching his surfboard with the other. He straighted his glasses and bleakly noted the cute design airbrushed onto it—penguins. He couldn't help but let a weak smile spread across his face.
Hamano gleefully took note of this and grinned, grabbing his friend's hand.
"What's with that smile? Are you finally excited for once?!" he asked.
Hayami opened his mouth to respond. "No, I-wah!"
Hamano didn't let him finish his sentence as he dashed out towards the surf, whooping and dragging the dejected, pigtailed boy along with him.
Here he was again.
Hayami was hugging his knees on a beach towel underneath an umbrella, desperately trying not to make eye contact with anyone.
It was like this every year.
As his eyes flitted from person to person, he began to remember all of the horrible things that had happened during all his summers with Hamano.
"Sand in my shoes..." he mumbled. "That incident with the crab...getting hit with a volleyball...accidentally spilling some poor kid's ice cream..."
With a start, he quickly shook his head and lightly smacked himself. He forced a determined look onto his face—he wanted to stop thinking like that.
This was really the only reason he still accepted Hamano's beach invitations. Hamano was a very positive person, and Hayami was certainly not. Therefore he figured that hanging out with Hamano would help improve that aspect of himself.
Also, Hamano was his best friend. He just couldn't bring himself to decline such a polite request.
The boy sighed and leaned back, continuing his people watching. Moping about life wouldn't improve it, he decided. His gaze lazily flitted to Hamano himself, who was paddling out on his surfboard.
Hayami's breath hitched, and he slowly raised a hand to hide his face.
Hamano had decided that they should set up their stuff somewhere close to the water, so that he didn't have to walk too far to start swimming.
At first, Hayami had wanted to object, but now that he had experienced this wonderful view, he was very glad that he hadn't.
Hamano was clearly enjoying himself, oh yes. Hayami could see that. Yet that was not the main reason why he liked looking at him so much.
A bright red blush crept onto his face as he slowly accepted the fact that he could not stop staring at Hamano's...features.
His tan skin, his soft hair, his back...and maybe that other area...that was a bit lower than his back...
Hayami let out a squeak and buried his face in his hands. He couldn't believe he was getting such indecent thoughts, especially about Hamano, of all people.
However, a small part of him was eager, in a sense. Perhaps in this way, he could make his beach visits with Hamano more...fun? Was that an appropriate word?
Taking a deep breath, Hayami slowly lifted his head to get another glimpse at his surfing buddy.
Maybe this summer break wouldn't be so bad after all.