The sun shone brightly as it made the blue water sparkle. With the cool sea breeze blowing, summer vacation finally arrived and a group of boys were standing on a beachside.
"IT'S THE SEA!" Nanora shouted.
"Yes. It is", Neko groaned.
"Don't be a spoilsport, Neko-kun", a blond boy patted his shoulder.
"I don't understand why my first week of summer vacation is spent outdoors, Kana-san."
"It's our just compensation after Sano's plan failed!" Nanora laughed.
"What plan?" Kana asked.
"Peace. I'm out. You deal with explanations."
Fujiwara Kana blinked twice as Nanora faded out of existence. He then focused on Neko who invited him to an all-expenses-paid trip to the beach as soon as summer vacation started.
It was weird for Neko to invite him since he knew that the Animal Whisperer was someone who hated going outside. But since it was rare for Neko to invite people out, he accepted the offer.
"Let's just say that Doyohito-san made some trouble for us and the school because of his poor planning", Neko explained.
"Oh dear. I'm glad you are safe", Kana said.
Who are the idiots who trespassed in this building out of school hours?
He shuddered when he remembered their principal's smiling face. In his sixteen years of living and two years of seeing Yagoo's face on stage, he never once felt that kind of fear from a smile until that night happened.
"Are you okay?" Kana asked.
"Is there ever a day when I'm okay?" Neko asked back.
"Ain't that a mood?" they heard a voice behind them.
Sanosuke was carrying some bags along with Okita and Yuna. He wasn't wearing his usual bulky headphones but instead, he was wearing a thinner and white pair.
Okita was wearing a white jacket and was carrying multiple bags. Standing beside him was Yuna who was also carrying multiple bags. Okita reasoned that it would be a great strength training to carry luggage and so, the two of them volunteered.
"I'm glad that you didn't get make-up class, kiddo", Sanosuke said.
"I somehow managed to pass", Yuna replied.
"That's good. I was worried that your hero training was making you sacrifice other things. I'm glad that you made it", Okita praised him.
"Y-Yeah…"
If Momiji didn't help him, he wouldn't have gotten the barely passing score. There was also the fact that he spent many late nights studying and doing practice questions so he managed to avoid make-up classes.
However, he couldn't do what Sanosuke said and didn't invite her out to the beach. Even though he was allowed to bring a companion for their overnight stay, he couldn't bring himself to ask Momiji to stay with a group of boys she didn't know. That's why he invited Okita instead.
"Let's just enjoy this stay! Uncle's pretty thrilled to know that I'm having a trip with my friends so he arranged everything for us", Sanosuke said.
"Until he finds out that you almost got us in a huge trouble so you're just repaying us", Nanora added.
"Trouble?" Okita asked.
"Race ya to the beach!" Sanosuke ran away.
###
The sun was shining brightly over six young men on the beachside. There were other people too in their own swimsuits and trunks which marked the beginning of summer vacation.
"So… What do people do on beaches?" Nanora asked.
"Do I look like I go to beaches?" Neko asked back.
"But I'm sure it's not what those two are doing", Kana said.
In the distance, Yuna and Okita were swimming. They were training how to move in water because it wasn't everyday when they were exposed to the ocean. However, they were already too far away and the lifeguard was keeping a close eye on them using his binoculars.
Meanwhile, Sanosuke was lying on a blanket and reading a book. The shade of the umbrella cooled him down and a soothing music played on the speaker near him. A can of orange soda was on his left side and he was humming along to the music.
"You're not going to swim?" Nanora approached him.
"I'm not a huge fan of water", Sanosuke replied.
"Is it because of your headphones?" Kana asked.
"Nah. This is the water-proof version. It's not as effective as my usual one but since the beach doesn't have much electronics compared to the city, it's bearable."
"I don't get the appeal of playing around in water like that. Fumuyoshi-san and Hako-san are understandable since it's training but the others… I just don't get it", Neko said.
"Keep staring at the girls on the beach and you're gonna creep people out", Nanora told him.
"Unfortunately, I don't have a Gift that lets me go unnoticed when I'm being a creep."
"I don't use my Gift to be a creep! I try to do the right thing even if no one is looking!"
"Uh huh. And you tried to steal a copy of our exam papers."
"And you helped me."
"Because Doyohito-san's plan was supposed to work."
"In my defense, I didn't know that Tanigo-sensei was working overtime! Who would stay at school until 11 PM?!" Sanosuke asked.
"I still don't understand how he was able to find me when I used my Gift", Nanora muttered.
"Even the animals in the school couldn't be convinced to go against him. What the hell is he?" Neko sighed.
"So what's this about stealing exam papers and Tanigo-sensei?" Kana raised his hand.
Nanora faded out of existence before leaving Sanosuke and Neko to answer Kana's question. He wasn't in the mood to remember what happened that night since that made him fear for his life despite his Gift being activated.
"Doyohito-san had a plan to steal the exam papers and it went wrong", Neko said.
"I see… Did you learn something from this, Doyohito-san?" Kana asked.
"Yeah…"
Sanosuke took a sip from his orange soda and then he closed his book. He stared at the distance while he was making an uncharacteristically serious face.
"Next time, I'll take into account any staff member who might be working overtime. There's still next semester's midterms and finals and there's also next year so I have many chances to perfect my plan", he told them.
"That's not what he was trying to say!" Neko retorted.
They saw Okita and Yuna walking towards them. Yuna was dragging his feet and panting while Okita didn't seem tired. Sanosuke thought it was amazing how the pink-haired foxman was unfazed despite swimming that much. He was also proud of Yuna since he was able to keep up with Okita.
"Swimming is harder than flying", Yuna groaned.
"Do you want to train swimming too? Saturdaze Industries have a machine that simulates the ocean. We can even have a stormy sea so you can practice rescue missions like that", Sanosuke asked.
"I guess I need to be able to use my Gift even in that kind of environment."
"That's good. A powerful Gift like yours should be able to pull it off. You just need to train yourself more. It's hard to make a Gift become stronger in a short amount of time so you should learn how to use it effectively ", Okita said.
"You said that it's 'hard' so… are you saying there's a way?" Sanosuke looked at Okita.
"... Hero schools have methods to further strengthen your Gift by learning techniques and pushing you beyond your limits."
"Is that so? That's true. There's like four years of training so you're bound to become stronger. After all, there should be no way to get instantly stronger in a single second. At least, there's no 'safe' way to become stronger."
Their conversation was cut off when they heard a stomach growl. Yuna's face became red and Sanosuke laughed. The tense atmosphere from earlier disappeared and he stood up.
"Let's have lunch then", Sanosuke told them.
"Now we're talking!" Nanora appeared beside him.
###
"That was delicious", Kana said.
Everyone had already finished eating. Empty plates were on the table and the others were drinking some sodas except for Okita who drank juice.
"Are we just going to be on the beach the whole day?" Neko asked.
"Do you just want to stay in the hotel room?" Sanosuke asked back.
"What are people supposed to do on beaches anyway?" Kana also asked.
"I have a beach volleyball here so I guess we can play that."
"There are six of us so we can have five of us go against Fumuyoshi-san", Neko said.
"Why are you ganging up on me?" Okita sighed.
"To make the playing field equal. You're too strong, Okita-senpai", Yuna told him.
"Beach volleyball can't be played with just one person on a team."
"Then we'll have to break the rules and let you touch the ball repeatedly", Kana said.
"If you do that, Fumuyoshi-san will easily beat us by setting and spiking the ball all by himself", Sanosuke snickered.
"So are we going to have someone be on his team and it'll be a four vs Okita-senpai and another person?" Yuna asked
"Let's place someone who sucks in PE to make the game equal", Neko said.
"No. You guys are doing it wrong!"
After saying those words, Nanora stood up and looked at every single person at the table.
"This is summer! We're at the beach! We're high school boys! There's only one thing we can do!" he shouted.
"Go home and study?" Kana asked.
"More like go home and laze around in our room", Neko shook his head.
"No! There are beach babes here so-"
Everyone else stood up and started walking away. Nanora clenched his fist and stood in front of them to block their way.
"Just because you guys have it nice doesn't mean you can neglect your needs", Nanora said.
"Have it nice? What are you saying?" Okita asked.
"Excuse me, Mr. Popular Dude. I don't have a fan club filled with girls AND boys so I'm sorry for having these worries."
"Don't let it get to you, Hikari-san. If the time is right, it'll come", Neko patted his shoulder.
"Acting innocent? I heard you have been pretty close with Nakiri-san after you took care of her cat. And I've seen you two interacting outside of class and you once went on a date with her."
"It's not a date. She asked me to help her choose some pet supplies and I came over to her house to check on her cat."
"Wow. Neko-kun. I didn't expect you to do that much for her", Kana said.
"It's not what you guys think. I just don't want to lose sleep thinking I left a cat to die because of an irresponsible owner."
"Now that's a mood", Sanosuke nodded.
"Let's not forget you too, Sano. You and Hoshimachi-san really have good vibes with each other. Did something happen when your headphones got broken?"
"We just talked. That's all. And if we want to play that game, aren't you friendly with Roboco-san? Your phone told me that you two have been hanging out on the rooftop after class."
"You asked my phone? That's an invasion of privacy!"
"I had to since you started pointing fingers at us. Although, I'll probably pass since if I agree, I'll be dragging Yuna who already has his heart set for someone."
"Hey! Don't throw me under the bus like that, Sano-senpai!" Yuna shouted.
"Gonna cry?"
"Yes, I'll cry about it…"
Before they could continue, they heard some whispers in front of the shop. And then, Sanosuke frowned which caused everyone to wonder what was going on. Their questions were answered when they saw a blue-haired girl smile at them and approach them.
"Hello, Sanosuke!" she greeted him.
"Yo, Suisei. What are you doing here?" he asked.
"We always have summer trips so this time, we chose this beach."
"Is that so?"
Then, Neko, Nanora, and Okita looked uncomfortable when they saw a group of girls.
"Why are you here?" Neko asked.
"Is it wrong to want to go to a beach? Jirusuke is at my relative's place", Ayame answered.
"We haven't talked much after the internship, didn't we, Fumuyoshi-san?" Kronii looked at him.
"We have no reason to", Okita replied.
"Hello, Hikari-kun", Roboco greeted Nanora.
"Glad to see you too, Roboco-san."
"Oh? Do you know them?" a woman's voice asked.
A brown-haired girl walked towards them. She looked at the boys and waved her hand.
"Aren't you guys from our school? I'm glad to encounter familiar faces here", she said.
"This is a weird coincidence", Okita replied.
"That's right! This is a weird coincidence", Suisei nodded.
"Lemme guess, Hoshimachi-senpai was the one who planned this trip, wasn't she?" Yuna asked.
"How did you know?" the brown-haired girl asked.
Everyone in the boy's group, except for Sanosuke and Kana, had the same thought. The fact that Suisei's attention was mostly focused on a certain boy only further solidified their opinions.
This is all his fault, they glared at Sanosuke.