"What's bothering you."

"Fuyuhiko?"

"It's only been three weeks. I'm just wondering what could've happened to send you falling into this rut you're in."

'I'm in a rut?' Hajime thought to himself. He took a second to search his head for an answer. His body shifted atop the warm sands of the beach as he adjusted his comfortable laying position. The sky was void of open space, beautiful white clouds were all he could see as he stared up. "I don't know, to be honest...I don't even think I'm in a rut, so to speak. I guess...I'm just hung up on everything we all went through."

"You too, eh. Well I can't tell you how to get through that. But I can tell you we're all in the same boat. Hell, Soda spends as much time as he can trying to see if he can wake the others, Sonia in the backseat while he tries. And Akane trains a thousand times more than we ever saw in the virtual world. And I...I can't get her out of my head."

Hajime sat up slowly as a calm silence surrounded the two of them. He glanced up at Fuyuhiko, whom smirked as he offered his hand. He returned the expression with a smile, taking his hand after. They now stood side by side, looking out at the tide rolling in.

"I think I'll be okay," Fuyuhiko started. "But you clearly need something to get your mind off of things."

"Sounds like you have something in mind." Hajime raised an eyebrow and turned to his friend. He wasn't desperate for an idea, but it had piqued his curiosity. Fuyuhiko smirked again, chuckling to himself as he thought about what he was about to say.

"Well I just figured...maybe, pursuing one of the girls might get your mind off of things."

"What!? T-Then the same thing could work for you!"

"Hey, don't fuck with me." he laughed at Hajimes reaction. "Even you should know there's only one girl for me."

"Ahh..."

"You're thinking about it too hard. You either go for it or not. And what is there to think about anyway? There are only two girls on this island. I'm not lookin' for a relationship, so that just leaves you and Kazuichi. Two girls, two guys."

"Kazuichi's liked Sonia for awhile now, so I guess that just leaves Akane."

"See, you're gettin' somewhere."

"W-Wait! That's not what I meant..."

"Well whatever, I won't pressure you."

"Heyyyyy! Wait for meeee!" Hajime and Fuyuhiko turned around after hearing Soda's voice behind them. Ahead, they could see Akane charging towards them with Sonia riding on her shoulders, pointing ahead as if leading a charge. On their trail was Soda, struggling to keep up. The two girls reached them far ahead of Soda, who had slowed from a run to a light jog. When he finally arrived, he looked extremely exhausted. "Owari...runs...like a demon."

"Nah, I'm pretty sure you're just out of shape." Fuyuhiko commented, earning a labored laugh from Kazuichi.

"Alright Sonia, pay up!" Akane said aloud as she did a set of stretches. Per her request, Sonia produced from her skirt pocket, a small slip of paper.

"I'm guessing that's your bargain for a ride over here?" Hajime asked.

"Indeed it is. It's a promise, for half of my dinner tonight. She insisted a great deal that that be my payment." Sonia laughed lightly as she explained, scratching her head.

"Because Hajime's cooking tonight!"Akane shouted with glee and excitement.

"I am?"

"It was my turn yesterday, so yeah, she's right." Kazuichi gave his usual toothy grin, giving a thumbs up on top of his confirmation. Hajime inwardly scoffed at the thought, not particularly fond of having cooking duty. But he took pride in how much someone like Akane who loved eating, liked his cooking.

"She likes your cooking. You've practically won her over already." Fuyuhiko leaned over and whispered into Hajime's ear. He flinched at the returning idea, bringing Kuzuryu more joy at his expense.

"Ah! I almost forgot! I finished the last one today!" Kazuichi said aloud, calling for attention. Sonia and Akane perked up at the announcement as well, explaining the sudden appearance of the three.

"You fixed the solar panels?" Hajime asked.

"The Jabberwock Hotel now has power! Now it'll be just like in the simulation! Full kitchens in the main and side buildings, and working a/c and light AND water in all of the cottages! The pool pump even works now! I never got a chance to swim in that pool, so I think I might today."

"I can cook on a stove? That's great, Kazuichi. For all your hard work, I'll yet you decide the dish tonight."

"Make the ramen you made last week! With the kitchen in working order it should be easy right?!"

"Ramen it is then." Hajime smiled, agreeing to Soda's request. At that point the five of them started to walk back to the hotel together, where they would celebrate Kazuichis recent achievement. During the dinner Hajime was sat next to Akane, and was given suggestive looks by Fuyuhiko while he sat across the table. The night the group spent together was a happy one, and it was something none of them took for granted.

"It still surprises me how similar this island is to the virtual one."

Hajime spoke to himself as he dressed himself in his sleeping attire. Everyone had adjourned for the night after dinner, and he had decided to return to his cottage and head to bed early. Before falling asleep however, he could not help but recall his conversation with Fuyuhiko from earlier that day. He was indeed in dire need of an outlet to take his mind off past tragidies, but romance seemed too far of a stretch. But the idea wasn't impossible at all. It was reasonable even.

But only the future would tell, right?