The sun was shining down brightly as the feel of summer began to set in. The weather was perfect for a beach day and that is exactly what everyone had planned. The battle to save the world had finally come to an end and they had won. Ragyo was defeated and since she was now gone there was no longer a need for the academy. Satsuki was planning a graduation ceremony for every student that attended the academy this weekend but before then everyone wanted to enjoy their time off. Since the academy and Satsuki were no longer enforcing districts based on how many stars you have everyone in the city was able to enjoy all parts of the town and luxuries that they may not have been able to before. Ryuko, Mako, and the whole family decided since the two girls would be graduating they should celebrate. They were no longer living in the slums but now were moved into a nice house with air conditioning, washer, driver, stove. All the things you need in a home and the feeling of a happy family living there. Satsuki had given them all they needed for helping out in the way. Even still didn't have much money to throw them a real party they decided a day at the beach would be the perfect place for a celebration.

So there they were. The entire Mankanshoku was down at the beach, soaking up the sun, playing in the sand, and the cool sea water. Ryuko sat on the burning sand but was not bothered by the heat resting on her bottom. She was content to sit there and watch her best friend enjoying the day, playing alongside her brother and their dog as they made a sandcastle. She looked down at her body clothed in a yellow bikini and while she felt no shame in wearing the revealing piece, she was used to wearing less, she couldn't help but feel a little sad. It had been nearly a month since the battle and she found herself missing Senketsu every time she would wear a new article of clothing. She slowly starting to accept that Senketsu was gone and all she had left were her memories but she still wished she had more time with the old uniform and could experience more happy times with it.

"Ryuko!" Mako was in front of her face in an instant, causing her to cry out in shock and fall backwards. "What are you doing just sitting there? Come on, we have to enjoy ourselves to the fullest!" she pulled at her friend's arm, bringing her fallen form to a standing one and was slowly pulling her towards the ocean.

Ryuko could only smile at her friend's enthusiastic behavior and let her pull her towards the ocean. She looked over her friend's body that wore a one piece pink bathing suit with a rabbit on her chest. Mako had a body that many high school girls would kill for but instead of showing it off she chose to cover it up in a more modest fashion that suited her taste better. She also noticed a tube wrapped around her friend's waist. "Mako, what's up with the swimming tube?" she asked, pointing at the flotation device.

Mako just grinned, suddenly goggles and a snorkel now on her face as she did her hallelujah speech. "It's because I don't know how to swim. Since our family was always so poor we could never avoid to go to the beach or pool so I never learned. But now that we are no longer in the slums I plan to beat the ocean by becoming the best swimmer out there." She finished her speech by straightening out the floatie wrapped around her waist and look at her best friend with wide hopeful eyes. "Will you please help me learn how?"

Blue eyes met brown ones and Ryuko could only smile. Even after everything that's happened Mako remained the same happy-go-lucky girl that she was when she first met her. "Of course." She would help her friend learn how to swim and do more if asked. She owed Mako everything. She and her family took her in without a second thought, gave her food and clothes despite them being so poor and welcomed her with open arms everyday she returned from school. Even when she went berserk and found out the true origins of her birth they still treated her as one of the family. She would do anything for her friend and their family. She was ready to begin her friend's first swim lesson when she was suddenly blinded by a bright purple light. Looking at the source of the light she groaned and rolled her eyes. "Not them again..." she sighed, annoyance now showing on her face.

Mako just stood still, watching her friend and wondering why she was looking so annoyed.

Aikuro was standing before them, one hand on his hip and the other pointed up towards the sky and was fully nude. He didn't even have a suit on. "I am glad to see you both enjoying these times of peace." He turned around, fully exposing himself to the two young girls making Ryuko blush and Mako gasp in shock. She had seen the man wear next to nothing but now she was seeing it all and was surprised.

"I thought for sure Sensei would be bigger." She mumbled to herself but Ryuko still heard her and started to laugh.

Aikuro felt his eye twitch but kept the grin on his face as he started to head in their direction. "While I appreciate your always honest remarks Mankanshoku, I did not come here to be judged."

Ryuko raised an eyebrow, trying hard not to look down below his waist. "Then why are you here?" she crossed her arms and waited for the man to give them his answer. She thought Nudist Beach was disbanded when they defeated Ragyo and freed the world from the Life Fibers taking over.

Aikuro grinned, cupping Ryuko's chin in one hand and leaned forward. "Isn't it obvious," he leaned in closer to whisper into her ear. "Summer romance."

Ryuko was not amused by this and proceeded to use Mako's snorkel to beat up the man for making such a joke. "Perverted old man! What have I said about making stupid jokes like that?!" she cried out, face now a blaze from her blush.

"You'll have to ignore him," Tsumugu stood next to Mako, he was just as nude as his friend was but he didn't seem to care. He stood facing forward, arms crossed and looking out at the ocean. He didn't seem to notice or care that the young girl was now looking at his naked body. "He is just trying to lighten the mood." He was hit in the face by Mako's goggles that were thrown by Ryuko.

"I don't care about this dumbass. Just put some damn clothes on!" She cried out, face heating up to the color of a tomato from both her rage and embarrassment.

Aikuro only laughed as he and his friend recover with ease from being hit. "I am glad to see you are in high spirits as always Ryuko but we did not come here to upset."

"Too late," she scoffed, crossing her arms once more and looked ready to strike him again.

"So how come you two are here?" Mako asked, confused as to why they suddenly showed up.

"Now that Nudist Beach is no longer needed all of our members have returned to their regular lives but we have one final mission to complete," Tsumugu informed them.

"You father, Isshin Matoi asked us to watch over you and to keep you and the ones you care for safe." Aikuro added in, a grin playing on his face as he looked down at the two girls. "So from this day we will act as your body guards Ryuko Matoi and Mako Mankanshoku." They stood tall and proud, showing off their well trained bodies and were glowing with a radiant purple light.

The two girls stood there, confused and unimpressed.

"No thanks." Ryuko merely waved them off. She was not interested in having body guards, not that she needed any.

"It is not up for discussion." Tsumugu refused to take no for an answer.

"We don't need body guards." Ryuko was starting to get annoyed again.

Mako nodded, "It's true. Ryuko is the strongest out there and can handle anything. Nothing can catch her by surprise!"

Aikuro chuckled, "Is that so?" he looked on head and grinned. "Then I suppose you already know what's coming next then." He pointed forward as he and Tsumugu jumped away.

Both girls grew still, wondering what he meant when suddenly a shadow loomed over them and the roar of an engine grew closer. It was getting closer to them and now they were able to see a pink Cadillac driving at them. They both gulped as realization sunk in. With speed only a skilled warrior could have Ryuko pulled Mako's arm and got them out of the way before they were hit by the car. It landed a foot away from where the two had been standing did a spin before coming to a halt.

Ryuko could only sigh. "There goes our peace." She and Mako stood back up on their feet and waited for everyone to get out.

Inside the large pink car was Satsuki and the former Elite Four. Gamagoori at the wheel with Satsuki in the passenger side while the other three were sitting in the back. In a flash the four all jumped out as Satsuki stood in the middle, all five of them wearing beach attire.

"Could you have made a more flashier entrance." Ryuko laughed, teasing her sister. Things may no longer be quite but she was glad to see her sister and friends nonetheless.

"Perhaps if you had informed us of your outing then we would not need to make such a bold entrance." Satsuki smiled back, her sunhat giving her a mature but graceful look as she stood in her light blue bikini.

"Honesty, that wasn't nice of you to go out and not tell us." Nonon Jakuzure said, wearing a two piece pink and white striped bikini with two red bows on her chest.

"They say the more the merrier so we should follow that saying and enjoy the beach together." Uzu Sanageyama said, wearing a pair of green swim trunk and grinning at the two girls.

"Lucky the tracking devices I placed on you two informed us of your plans." Hoka Inumuta said, adjusting his glasses. He wore a red hoodie and dark blue swim trunks.

The two girls blinked, turning to stare at each other. "Tracking devices?" the spun around, looking over every inch of their bodies to see where the devices could be hidden on them.

"Forget about that matter for now," Satsuki stepped forward as she pulled at Ryuko's hand and dragged her sister with her. "Let us just enjoy this beautiful day."

"But Mako-" Ryuko tried to fight, she didn't want to leave Mako all alone. Even if they were no longer enemies she didn't want to just leave her friend all alone.

"Is in very capable hands." Satsuki turned to Gamagoori, signaling him with a smile as she pulled her sister along with her down the beach. Ryuko saw the interaction between the two and instantly knew what was going on. She turned to stare back at her friend who was happily waving her off, unaware of what was really going on. "You guys are always up to something." She spoke softly, amusement in her voice.

Mako was glad to see that the two reunited sisters were getting along so well. They spent so many months fighting that she was glad to see them both enjoying themselves. After all that was what life was all about. Spending your days with the people you care about and having a blast at life. As she was waving her best friend off a shadow towered over her. She looked up to see Gamagoori staring her down, sweating and had a deep frown set on his face. He had been silent up to this point, dressed in a pair of white swim trunks, as he stood before her. His eyes seemed to go from her to the sand every so often. "Gamagoori-senpai, you came as well."

He nodded, "Even though the academy is no longer and Ragyo is gone we of the former student council will remain by Satsuki-sama's side should she ever need us."

Mako nodded, saying she understood. "That's good to hear. You really care about Satsuki-sama," she looked him over, inspecting his swim wear and was amazed that they had swimming trunks in his size. "The beach look is a good look on you." She gave him a thumbs up and grinned. She has seen him in attire like this before and he had such a big body and already tanned skin, not to mention is blonde hair. To her he looked like he practically belonged at the beach.

Gamagoori felt his heart stop and speed up at the same time. He gulped, nerves suddenly taking over his body as he finally allowed his eyes to settle on her. Instantly he felt his blood boil as he looked over her body clad in only a one piece bathing suit. It many have been a childish fashion but it fitted her so well that it made the pink fabric look ten times better. "T-Thank yo-you. I-I-I also th-think y-you look nice in your bathing suit." He was forcing the words out, trying to give her a compliment without sounding like an idiot but he was failing. He was not use to giving complaints to anyone other than Satsuki.

"Smooth." Jakuzure said, her voice laced with amusement and taunt as she stood there with her hands on her hip and a grin that could rival a hyena on her face.

"We have ourselves a real life Romeo." Sanageyama crossed his arms over his chest, an amused grin over his face but his wasn't as big as his pink-haired friend.

"It would seem all those flirting attempts are starting to pay off." Inumuta laughed, hands in the pockets of his hoodie. Now he was very glad he had set up surveillance cameras all over the beach. He and the rest of the former Devas would enjoy watching this scene later.

Gamagoori spun on his heel to yell at his friends. "Shut up. I was merely giving her a compliant. And for the last time, I was not flirting!" no matter where they were or what they were doing they always brought up that time when he rescued her and given her pieces of his own Nudist Beach uniform. He was not flirting, he was merely giving her something to wear so she didn't have to walk around naked the whole time. He was not flirting, he was being a gentleman. Even if he did see her naked chest and still dreamt about it to this day. He had not been flirting...much.

Mako suddenly became aware of his sudden change in behavior and wondered what was wrong. "Gamagoori-sempai, you look really angry. Are you upset that Satsuki-sama is taking Ryuko away with her? Are you still upset that you confession to Ryuko didn't turn out the way you wanted too?" she gasped, looking saddened for her when the thought hit her.

Gamagoori felt his body turn to stone when she brought up the confessions that was originally meant for her. He had everything planned out that day. He had the suit, flowers, and spent the previous nights staying up all hours to write out the perfect confessions. When he finally found the courage he jumped out from behind the wall he and his friends were hiding behind. Although they did have to give him a good shove to get his body moving before he did finally go out. He had been so nervous he had shut his eyes and began to bellow out his confession to Mako and handed her the flowers when he was finished.

Or so he thought.

When he finally opened his eyes he was horrified to see that he had jumped in front of Ryuko Matoi, who looked just as horrified. Mako at the time had pulled Satsuki along so they could give the two some time to sort out their feelings. Once they had left Gamagoori fell to the ground and laid there in utter defeat while his friends tried hard not to laugh as they attempted to cheer him up. They tried convincing him to make another attempted but he was so embarrassed and ashamed that he made such a foolish mistake that he fled the scene. He locked himself in his home for a week after that, too ashamed with himself to leave for messing up such an important matter.

But this time was different. With some help from Satsuki and everyone he was now bettered prepared and he made sure to keep his eyes open this time. "Mankanshoku," he yelled out, startling the poor girl and making her quiver in slight fear. "I request that you spend this day at the beach with me!" he could hear behind him his three friends try not to chuckle at his strange proposal but he did not give them another thought. His focus was solely on Mako and what she would say.

Large brown eyes looked up at his blushing face. She noticed his body was tense and tight with nerves as his hands kept clenching and unclenching. She titled her head to the side, a confused frown on her face. "But sempai, won't that make things between you and Ryuko more complicated?" she knew that her best friend did not have any feelings for the former disciplinary chairman but that did not mean something couldn't happen in the future. Ryuko had said that day that the confession was just a joke Gamagoori made but she wasn't sure how much she believed that. He had dressed up, gotten a rather large bouquet of flowers, and had an entire speech prepared. It didn't seem like a joke to her.

His body grew tense once more as his veins started to show. "I do not have feelings for Matoi!" he needed her to understand that he was not interested in her best friend but in her. Of course he realized that screaming his head off probably wasn't helping so taking in a few deep breathes he calmed himself and spoke again. "Please just forgot about that day. It was nothing more than a mistake on my part. My confession was never meant for Matoi."

"Then who was it for?" She wondered if maybe he had been planning to confess to Satsuki and had accidently said his confession to the wrong person.

He gulped, his palms sweating and his heart rate started to skyrocket. Was this it? Could he finally confess his feelings to Mako. She was the only one standing there so there would be no confusion this time around. But was he ready to say it. He gulped once more, deciding that now was not the time to tell her. "I will tell you if you spend the day with me." He spoke in a low embarrassed tone but it was loud enough that she could hear him. He wasn't sure how she would take his confession and if she did say no to him like he feared than he at least wanted to have one day with her before things between them became awkward and weird.

Silence over came them as Mako registered what he said. The silence was enough to give him a heart attack but he felt his body finally relax when he saw her smiling up at him. "Sounds good to me!" she gave him one of her radiant smiles, her cheeks a light shade of pink and happy giggles escaping her.

At that moment in time all he wanted to do was take her in his arms and hold her tight. She was so sweet and innocent and kind. He wanted to keep that smile safe. "Then shall we go on with your swimming lesson. I will teach you while making sure you remain perfectly safe in the water."

Mako looked overjoyed when she was told that she was finally going to learn how to swim. "That would be amazing!" she jumped with excitement. She was so glad that she was finally going to be able to swim. She stopped her jumping when a sudden thought crossed her mind. "But how did you know that I don't know how to swim?" she never told him that she couldn't.

Gamagoori looked shocked by the question, a bead of sweat rolling down his face. Clearing his throat he straightened himself out and crossed his arms. "As the former disciplinary chairman I am required to know everything about all the students who attended the academy. And also..." he suddenly grew serious, his larger hand moving towards her. "You are wearing a floatation device around your waist." He said, pointing at blue and white poke-a-dot tube.

Mako just laughed. "Ok!" she easily accepted his answer without any doubts or concerns. That allowed the man to sigh in relief. While the tube was indeed a dead giveaway he was not about to tell her that before coming here Inumuta gave him a file that had her entire history in it. "So what are we waiting for? Let's go!" she raised her fist, ready to jump in the ocean and conquer the art of swimming.

"Hold on a moment," suddenly Tsumugu appeared between the two, his naked body blocking them from touching. He turned towards Gamagoori and frowned. "As Mako Mankanshoku's bodyguard I cannot allow her to be left alone with someone of the opposite sex unless their intentions with her are pure. And I sincerely doubts your intentions are as pure as you are making them out to be," he grinned when he saw the bigger male begin to swear. He chuckled at the sight and stood next to Mako with his arms crossed. "Isshin Matoi asked me to protect his daughter Ryuko and those she cares about so I plan to watch over this girl, therefore your assistants is not needed. Come Mankanshoku, I will show you how to swim."

"But won't swimming in the buff be difficult." She asked, pointing to his exposed member. She imagined the fish in the ocean might mistake it for a worm and have them all biting him.

Tsumugu just scoffed at her words. "I was one of the top members of Nudist Beach. I won't be taken down so easily." He said just as he was picked up by an enraged Gamagoori and was flung across the ocean like a stone, skipping against the water as he did until he finally submerged into the water, fifty feet away from the group.

Mako looked on in awe at the distance Gamagoori threw the man while said male was busy trying to keep his temper in check. He could not believe that guy had fully exposed himself to such a young girl without any amount of shame. Even when he was stripped of his uniform he had the courtesy to wear a pair of shorts while in her presences. And how could she not be offended by the man walking around completely naked. Sure they wore next to nothing when they were fighting alongside the Nudist Beach members but still, there is a big difference between wearing revealing clothes and being fully exposed. But what really angered him was one thought. "She saw another man before me!" he felt his anger surge, his one hand balled into a fist and eyes glowing with the power and anger he was ready to release onto the world. He was an old fashion kind of guy and he believed that you should only reveal your body to the one you loved. According to the file Inumuta had on her she believed the same as him so he was pleased to know that. He had wanted them to experience each other's bodies together but now she would have another male's naked imagine in her mind when she should only have his.

He was snapped out of his angered thoughts by the sound of laughter coming from his friends.

"Jealous much." Jakuzure all but cackled out at what she witnessed.

"Someone doesn't like to share his girlfriend." Sanageyama grinned, very amused by his friend's behavior.

"It was a rather amusing sight. I'll be sure to add it to my data." Inumuta had his tablet out and was already taking pictures and adding the event to his database.

Gamagoori felt his face burn and his anger start to build up once more. "Shut up!" he quickly looked back to Mako and was pleased to see she was still staring off in the direction where he threw the man and was not paying attention to them. He had his own plan for letting her know his feelings and he didn't them messing things up. He would not have another confession ruined. Clearing his throat he straightened out and turned his focus back to the young girl who had turned her attention back on him. "Shall we go, Mankanshoku."

She nodded, "Sure." She grabbed his hand and lead him to the ocean when they would begin her lesson.

Gamagoori was practically a pile of goo when he felt her much smaller hand in his larger one. He barely paid attention to where they were going. He was too lost in how nice it felt to hold her hand in his. He didn't even care that his friends were once again laughing at him for no doubt having a dumb look on his face. To him none of that matter because now he was with the girl he loved and enjoying the day together.

The day came and went much faster than they wanted. The day at the beach had been a happy one. Everyone had enjoyed themselves, soaking up the rays from the sun, playing in the sand, and having a nice game a volleyball that turned deadly as soon as a few insults were thrown out. Mako had finally learned how to swim but it nearly drain Gamagoori of all his strength. Somehow he had forgotten that during a swim lesson one needs to hold the student in order to help them adjust to swimming in the water. He was a stuttering mess every time he had to place his hands on Mako's waists to help her. But he powered through and was pleased at the praises she had given him for teaching her. Now that the sun was setting they had all gathered round, eating a picnic that was made by Mako's mother and everyone was stuffing their faces as they devoured her mysterious croquettes. Once more Gamagoori had been given croquettes that were in the shape of Mako's head. He didn't know how it happened, or how they even knew he would be at the beach, but he didn't complain and graciously took the food. Making sure to eat it before anyone saw it. Of course everyone but Mako noticed and sent him a sneaky grin whenever they could. Once they had finished eating and the night had finally come, fireworks began to shoot off into the dark sky. They were set up by Satsuki for her friends to enjoy. So they sat there, everyone in their own little group looking up at the sky in wonder and joy as the bright explosions lit up the night.

Gamagoori and Mako were in their own group, sitting next to each other on the sand. They were no longer dressed in only their swim wear but now wore clothes more appropriate for the cool night that had come. Gamagoori wearing a black tank top with his white trunks still on, one arm was resting on his right leg that was propped up as the other was sitting atop the sand. She wore a yellow hoodie over her bathing suit, legs curled up to her chest to try and keep herself warm from the chilly air. Her eyes were as wide as dinner plates, completely absorbed at the sight before her. Gamagoori however found his attention shifting from the fireworks to her. He let his gaze drift over to the group, noticing that they were all focused on the display and the chance he had been waiting for all day had finally arrived. With great care he slowly slide himself closer to her, freezing up to wait and see if she would notice. When she didn't he moved again, closing the distance between them with great care. She finally noticed that he had moved when his arm was pressed against her. Turning her gaze away from the fireworks she looked up and saw that he was keeping his gaze on the sky, the night hiding away his blush that was burning his face.

"Y-You looked cold." He cleared his throat, trying to calm himself down so he could talk. He was not going to let himself mess this up. They were alone, watching the fireworks together. It was the perfect moment for him to confess.

She smiled up at him. "Senpai, is so kind. You can be really mean and scary but you're also really nice." She unwrapped one of her arms from her body as she ran her finger through the sand, making small circular designs. "But even when you were scary you were still very kind." She gave him one of her signature grins, smiling brightly up at him.

He felt his mind begin to shut down when he saw that smile. This is was it. He was given another chance to confess and he was not about to ruin it. With great care he placed both his hands on her shoulders, making them come face to face. He was ready. He may not be wearing a suit or have flowers but he still had his speech and he would tell her everything he had been planning to tell her that day. "Mankanshoku...I...I..." He couldn't get the words out. All he wanted to do was tell her how much he liked her but his entire declaration of love was locked in his throat. He was ruining yet another confessions and this time because he wasn't man enough to tell her how he felt.

"Senpai...?" Mako placed her hand on top of his that was resting on her shoulder. Her small soft hand touching his rough knuckles.

Her hand over his was all he needed to press forward. He thought of earlier that day when he had been allowed to hold hands with her and how wonderful it felt. He wanted to continue feeling that way. He wanted to be able to hold her hand once more. "I like you!"

A firework exploded just as he spoke. He knew he had spoken out loud, his entire body felt like it was going to collapse from the nerves of actually confessing. But he feared that the confession was lost to her ears because of the firework. Did she hear him? Would he have to tell her once more? Could he even muster up the courage to do it again?

"Gamagoori..." the look on her face told him all he needed to know. She had heard him confess. Her eyes were wide and full of shock as her pale face grew to a light shade of pink. She sat there, frozen in shock and he could feel her heart beating from through her clothes.

Now comes the part he was terrified of, waiting. He gulped, his own eyes were wide but not with shock but anticipation. He would wait as long as she needed to give him a proper answer. He didn't want to rush her or make her feel pressured to give him an answer. He wanted her to take her time and come up with a reply that she felt was best. Although there was a part of him that wanted her to hurry. It felt like his heart would jump out of his chest any moment. He had thought confessing was the hard part but in reality it was the waiting for a reply. Fear began to set in. What if she said no? Could he honestly say he would be alright with that? He would respect her wishes and accept that she did not hold the same feelings for him but there was a part of him that wanted to fight that. He wanted her to accept him and have the same feelings. He wanted to be able to spend every waking moment her had with her. He wants to take her out on dates, kiss her soft pink lips that were usually shouting about to the world and most of all he wanted her to say that she felt the same way.

"I like you too."

He sat there. He couldn't move or breathe or even function. He was as still as a statue just watching her, trying to decide if what he heard was his own mind playing tricks on him or could it possible that was he heard was real.

Mako giggled, offering him a warm loving smile. "I like you too." She told him again, placing both her hands over his and smiling up at him.

Gamagoori felt a smile of his own take control of his face. For once he did not care of his behavior and threw his arm up in the air, screaming a cry of victory into the night sky. He did not care that his friends were now looking at them, taking pictures and possibly laughing at his ridiculous behavior. He was to overjoyed to care about any of that. To him all that matter was the moment he was sharing with the girl who had made a special place in his heart and he had made one in hers.