Horimiya: Beach Trip

by blackchaos13

The Summer after graduating high school the group for fill their promise of going to the beach. A story which takes place after the anime/manga, giving closure to certain events, new loves and the endurance of present ones. Everyone is different, every love is unique and special and although stories end... Love continues on.

Horimiya:

Beach Trip

The burning sun was descending towards the horizon every moment, the bright blue sky had already changed and morphed into an angry orange. This however, matched the mood of the lone couple perched high atop a rock, their backs to each other staring out into opposite directions with their knees tucked in.

Just half an hour ago the two were happy, enjoying the time alone together. But that changed when they had finally noticed the tide coming in. Now they were surrounded by the raging waves as they battled against the rock as if trying to drag it underneath the sea, and the couple with it.

They were alone. Hidden from view of the beach, where their friends must be wondering where they were, by more rocks which came off from the nearby cliff which shielded them.

"Miyamura, this is all your fault!" The girl voiced adding a sniff and a huff, turning to the side to stare out at the open ocean, nothing but the sea, sky, and sun in her sight.

"My fault!" Miyamura yelled out slapping a hand to his bare chest framed by his loose jacket. "How can this be my fault? It's not like I have any control over the ocean Hori!"

The two scoffed and faced in opposite directions again. Although they had said mean things, both were sad, with Hori's eyes red and feeling sore. She wanted to cry, but that would do neither of them any good. Because deep down, she knows it was nobody's fault. She just couldn't stand the silence any longer and had to say something. Regretting her choice of words now.

Just an hour ago they were so happy, resting in each other's arms. And now they were like this. How quick emotions can change. One second your happy and the next so sad that you want to just leap into the sea and let it carry you away.

Hori had thought about doing just that, along with anticipation to see what Miyamura would do. Would he jump in after her? Most likely. But that could lead to both of them getting seriously hurt.

She didn't want that. She'd never want to hurt him, although. He had made her mad enough that she'd hit him, on more than just one occasion at that. And every time, they manage to make up. She knows she can be difficult.

And yet, Miyamura is always there. He's able to calm her. Make her feel like she belongs. But most of all, he makes her happy, even though he can make her angry, upset and so many other things. It is a comfort, a side that only he can see. He's seen her at her best... and at her lowest point.

Always so kind.

Her kind, sweet Miyamura.

"Miyamura?"

"Hori?"

They call the other simultaneously.

This got them both to turn around. Their eyes locked on each other's, merely inches apart. They had been so close and yet, just a second ago they had felt so far away.

Slowly their hands inched forward, feeling around the rock until finally they found the others and clasped fingers tightly, afraid that the other could be lost.

Or worst.

That they would let go.

"I'm sorry." Miyamura was the first to say.

He always did that, always the first to apologize, even though most of the time it was her.

"No, it's my fault. I'm sorry I got so upset." Hori said, tearing her gaze away.

But then she felt a gentle hand touch the side of her cheek, she turned back to see Miyamura smiling gently, and somehow, she found her own lips curling into a smile.

"It's fine." Miyamura said, caressing the side of Hori's cheek. "I'm the one who found this place and suggested that you and I come here. Although, not telling one of the others was a mistake on both our parts." Miyamura leaned back, removed his hand from the side of Hori's cheek and began rubbing the back of his head while he giggled.

That laugh somehow cleared away the stormy skies inside Hori's chest. All the anger, the worry and fear were gone now. Only love remained.

Leaning forward, Hori pursed out her lips. Taking the hint, Miyamura leaned closer also.

When they parted, they stared into each other's eyes again, happy, completely forgetting the predicament they were in. But it didn't matter.

Because they had each other, and that was all either of them needed.

Early that morning the door to the Hori household opened, Miyamura stepping inside carrying a bag and wearing shorts, a lose t-shirt and long sleeve jacket, even though it was summer.

His hair, which he had cut short a few months ago began to grow out again.

"Hello!" Miyamura called out, reframing from taking his shoes off.

Suddenly two bodies burst into the hallway. The first, a skinny man with long grey bangs covering his eyes and the second a young boy with beaming eyes.

"Miyamura!" Said the man.

"Big bro!" The kid yelled excitedly.

"Hey you guys." Miyamura greeted then with a gentle smile, patting the kid, Souta, on his head.

"Hey big Bro, you and sissy are going to the beach today, right? Tell her to let me come along too?" Souta insisted, balling up his hands and pumping himself full of excitement waiting for him.

Unfortunately, Miyamura couldn't agree.

"Sorry Souta. But we're meeting up with some old classmates who we haven't seen in a while. But I promise, before summer is over how about your sister, and I take you to the pool. You can bring your friend Yuuna. How does that sound?"

Souta turned away, downcast and looked to be on the verge of crying. Yet he took a big sniff back, managing to hold in the tears and turned back to Miyamura, forcing a grin he nodded.

"Okay." Souta replied reluctantly. Although he was a kid, he could be quite understanding at times.

"So is Kyouko up yet?" Miyamura asked.

Since starting college three months ago, he and Hori had started calling each other by their first names occasionally, especially when on the campus grounds. It not only strengthens their bond, but also demonstrated how close they were around their new classmates.

However, Miyamura thinks it's just a way for Hori to show that he belongs to her while on campus. Which he doesn't mind in the least.

"Hey Miyamura, won't you let me call you by your first name too?" Kyousuke said leaning awfully close pointing at himself with a grin. "Come on, we're close now right, best buds. You can even call me dad."

"Hell no!"

A voice came from the stairs getting all their attention as a young woman descended the steps, a frowning look on her face glaring at her old man.

"No way in hell Kyousuke." Hori spat, adding a go die under her breath as she reached the last step. She was also carrying a bag and wearing high waisted jean shorts which were so short that her pockets were sticking out, and a multi colour striped top. Her once long hair was now gone, having a little misunderstanding at the hairdresser's a few months ago, but even short, Hori was still quite attractive. And it seemed that she was starting to like her short hair. It was easier to manage, and although she did miss playing with it, during these summer months, it was cooler.

"Sorry if I'm late Izumi." Hori instantly eased up her frowning expression as soon as her eyes glanced onto Miyamura who was smiling back at her.

"Oh no, I just got here a little early is all." Miyamura said honestly.

"Well, we'll be off." Hori said patting her little brother on top of the head.

"Take care you two." Hori's mother called from the kitchen.

"You're staying overnight, so remember you two. I'm still too young for grandkids so keep it in your..."

Kyousuke was cut off by a bag slamming into his head with enough force to slam him into the wall. He collapsed, rubbing at both sides of his cheeks which had turn red and began to weep.

"Hey, what was that for?" Kyousuke pouted.

"Go crawl back into the gutter you came from and don't bother coming back." Hori glared murderously before turning around, grabbing Miyamura and heading out the door, saying goodbye only to her mother and Souta.

Even though they left a short while ago, Hori's tempter wasn't abating. It was clear what Kyousuke said really got to her.

"Uhh, that man. He's so infuriating." Hori said tightening her fingers, as if ready to go back and strangle the guy. "Like, really, we're not that stupid. Besides we're in college. We can do the hell we want, right?"

Hori shot Miyamura a glance and he couldn't help but tense up by her expression.

"Uhhh, yeah right." He agreed. No matter if it was wrong or not, he'd learnt to agree with Hori no matter what when she gets like this. Especially if it's against her old man.

Letting out a deep sigh, Hori eased up and glanced over, as if only now noticing that the two were alone. She turned to Miyamura, who was carrying both their overnight bags while Hori carried a large beach bag which was a lot lighter.

"Hey, where's Sawada? I thought the two of you were coming over together? Since you live next door to one another." Hori raised her brow.

"That was the plan. But when I went over for her she was still getting some things together and so told me to carry on and she'll meet us at the station with the others."

"Really?" Hori was surprised. "Sawada really has grown up the last three months." Hori added with a smile, although she couldn't hide the sadness behind it and maybe a little bit of loneliness.

"I think us leaving has been good for her. Plus it's not like we don't see her still. She still pops over to mine at least once a week. Trying to time it for when you come over Kyouko."

"Hehe, yeah, that sounds like her."

"if I'm honest, I was a little worried when we left. Like, she was all alone. But her new friend seems nice."

"I can't wait to meet her."

"We'll have to arrange something when we get back."

For a while, the two walked silently down the street, inching closing to each other until finally they clasped hands. When another person walked on by, the pair still blushed, feeling embarrassed but they didn't let go.

Arriving outside the station Hori left Miyamura the moment she spotted Yuki Yoshikawa, her best friend who also began charging for Hori. The two haven't seen much of each other as of late on account of getting used to college life, but they did meet up a few times last week with the other girls to plan this little trip together.

When Miyamura reached the group he began greeting the others who had already arrived along with Yoshikawa. There was Shuu Iura, a green hair energetic guy who had great taste in music. Kakeru Sengoku, the former student council president. His girlfriend, Remi Ayasaki, a petit friendly girl, if a little weird at times, who speaks in a third person, and finally, Sakura Kouno, reserving herself at the end of the group looking over a leaflet with a smile.

Just as Miyamura finish greeting the others he was pushed out the way. Or rather tackled.

"Hori!" A young girl cried out, having been the one to push Miyamura, she leapt into Hori's arms joyously. "I've missed you so much." The girl said. She was small, smaller than your average high schooler with long black hair.

This was Honoka Sawada.

Hori laughed while patting the girl on the head. She was glad to see her, although she felt rather embarrassed, clear by her expression. But Sawada was too busy snuggling into Hori's chest to notice, whether she cared or not.

A burning sensation began to form in Miyamura stomach. It was a feeling he would often get when Sawada was like this with Hori. But the burning began to cool as he could understand. He got to see Hori nearly everyday, both at college and going to each others houses, but Sawada had few chances she could interact with Hori. So, for the moment at least, Miyamura resigned himself to let Sawada have her way.

However, Hori shot him a glare, her eyes spoke volumes which only he could understand.

It was the look of exhaustion combined with how hot it was.

"That's enough Sawada!" Miyamura yelled as he tried to pull Sawada off of Hori, but for being such a small girl, she could be rather tough.

"No! Hori!" Sawada yelled back and changed to a softer tone when addressing Hori.

Iura and Yoshikawa were in stitches from laughing while the former members of the student council merely watched from the side lines, not interjecting or interfering.

After ten minutes Sawada finally let go and was put onto the naughty step by Hori herself telling her to just wait there patiently.

"Is it me, or are Tooru and Akane late?" Miyamura asked turning to Sengoku who was beside him and busy with his phone.

"I've just received a message from them. There running a little late but are on their way now, thankfully."

"Good, I can't wait to get out of this heat." Miyamura breathed out when he suddenly remembered something and turned back to Sengoku, with a rather cheery expression in which Sengoku had to ask.

"What?"

"Oh, well, your dad came by Hori's the other day."

More like kidnapped. Sengoku corrected in his head and wondered what Miyamura was leading too.

"He seemed... conflicted. Saying how you had gotten yourself a girlfriend. So you finally told him. I'm glad."

Miyamura's genuine grin made Sengoku heat up around his cheeks and he just had to turn away, trying to hide them behind his hand.

"Well, of course. I couldn't keep it hidden forever and Remi is... she's important to me." Sengoku whispered the last part, but Miyamura just about managed to catch it.

Suddenly though, Remi appeared beside Sengoku startling the two.

"Remi was getting frustrated, so Remi just went over and told him herself." Remi said clasping herself around Sengoku's arm.

It wasn't often she was so adamant, but they do say college changes a person

And to his surprise, Miyamura found Hori beside him, feeding her arm through his.

To anyone this would look like nothing more than an affectionate expression towards their partner. However, to the two young men, they knew what this really was. Their arms were actually cuffs, and this show was telling them and everyone else that they belonged to them.

Miyamura and Sengoku couldn't help but imagine themselves locked in a cage with two wild beasts, ready to kill anyone else who got close, while the two girls cheerily grinned, yet there was also an ominous presence hidden behind their grins.

"Eh finally!" Yoshikawa grumbled, getting to her feet from the nearby steps which she shared with Kouno and Iura.

The others turned in the direction she was looking at and spotted two cars heading their way. As they got closer, the group were able to make out the two drivers in each car.

Tooru Ishikawa and Akane Yanagi.

They pulled up beside the group and stepped out with wide smiles.

"Hey guys! Hope you weren't waiting long." Ishikawa said.

"Only like the whole morning!" Iura replied loud and joyously as always.

"Sorry about that." Yanagi said rubbing the back of his head. "It took us longer than we realised to fill in the forms for these rental cars."

"Well, you're here now, so I say let's get a move on." Hori said with her arms folded, smiling that they can finally begin their long-awaited trip to the beach.

"Wait!" Yoshikawa yelled out, raising her hand up as if she was back in the classroom.

This got everyone to turn their attention onto her, as she slowly stepped over to Ishikawa.

"Before we go there's um... There's something I need to tell you guys." Yoshikawa fiddled with her fingers nervously, her cheeks turning red, finding it hard to say the words.

"Were going out." Ishikawa announced nonchalant, yet his expression didn't show any of his usual charm, it was serious, he was serious.

The group fell silent.

Yoshikawa lowered her face into her hands, embarrassed that he was able to just come out and say it. Usually, she would have retorted or laughed it off. This reaction from her only made it more real.

Suddenly the group yelled out, the girls leapt to Yoshikawa congratulating her with smiles and tears. Even Kouno, who had had a crush of Ishikawa back in school looked genuinely pleased for Yoshikawa.

Meanwhile, the guys huddled around Ishikawa from all sides.

"You do anything to hurt her and your dead." They all said menacingly.

Ishikawa held himself together, trying to keep whatever it was from bursting out, whether it be fear or laughter.

"What? Are you guys trying to act like her dad?" Ishikawa said, keeping a stern face on.

"What was that punk?" Miyamura scrunched up his face to be more menacing.

"Tooru?"

This time the guys turned back to see Hori glaring back at them, specifically at Ishikawa. Instinctively the guys all moved behind Ishikawa, the focus of her sheering rage as Hori stepped over to them.

"Hey, why are you all so scared?" Ishikawa said, but he too was trying to escape but the others held him firmly in place by his arms.

"Scared? We're not scared ha ha ha." Sengoku said shivering with fright from past trauma. "We're terrified." He whispered.

Ishikawa turn to Miyamura on his left. Even he was shaking behind him.

"Now... Now Hori, I know what you might be thinking..." Ishikawa tried to placate raising his hands up defensively.

"Oh, do you now. So, Tooru, what is it that I'm thinking?" Hori asked, leaning forward ever so slightly.

Somehow, this only made her more terrifying.

Ishikawa could feel his knees shaking even though it was so hot out, which could explain why he was sweating so much.

Yet miraculously, he stood firm and looked Hori straight in the eyes which caught her off guard. He had had a huge crush of Hori back in school, for so long he kept it to himself. But now, this was different, he was different.

"I care for Yuki. Very much so." He said sternly, which held the weight of his true feelings. He had known Yoshikawa just as long as he had known Hori, yet his only regret now was that he hadn't realised how much he cared for her until now.

Ishikawa goes to a different college than Yoshikawa, meaning he hadn't been able to spend much time with her as they had before through school. This made him feel lonely, different from when he wasn't around the others. He found himself continuously thinking of her, wondering what she was doing and how she was getting on. Of course, they called and messaged each other, but that didn't have the same effect until he saw her in person.

The guys behind him were giving off googly eyes and tearing up by what he said. Some whispering how manly he was.

However, Hori folded her arms and to their surprise and immense relief, her frown eased up and became a joyous smile.

"I'm glad." Hori said, her smile almost radiating. But then she pushed out a finger towards Ishikawa. "But if you make Yuki cry, I'll hunt you down like the stray dog you are and beat you within an inch of your life. Got me?"

Ishikawa nodded his head furiously, as did the others as if she were addressing them also.

With the matter settled, Hori smiled and turned back to the girls to join them.

Once they had settled on the sudden news, the group started loading their luggage, thanking Ishikawa and Yanagi for getting their licences and taking them all, followed by another thank you to Ishikawa for managing to book them all a place at a nearby inn close to the beach. Apparently, the owner was a friend of his parents who had recommended the place to them which could accommodate a group of their size.

Then came the next hurdle.

Seat assignments.

Sawada was quick to voice that she wanted to be next to Hori and it was obvious that the couples in the group would like to be with each other too.

In the end they did the only sensible thing they could think of.

They drew straws.

Iura, luckily already had a set on hand, wanting to play the kings game once they reached the inn, but the situation called for their heroism for this moment.

They decided that the ones who picked numbers 1 through 4 would be in the first car and 5 through 8 in the second. Of course, he had 10 sticks prepared, one having a small picture of a crown instead of the number 10, but Ishikawa and Yanagi were the drivers and didn't have a choice in the matter of where they were going.

Somehow, something so trivial became so intense as Yanagi held out the sticks, covering the numbers in his palm so no one could see. He was, after all, the fairest among them.

The results were soon in, and the group resigned to their fate. Some more graceful than others as Sawada clung to Hori, disappointed by their draws.

The results worked out as such. In the first car, with Yanagi were, Sawada in the passenger seat followed by Remi, Miyamura and Kouno behind.

Meaning, in the second car with Ishikawa were Yoshikawa, Hori, Sengoku and Iura.

To Ishikawa's dismay however, Yoshikawa proclaimed that she was sitting in the back seat with Hori, leaving Sengoku to apologise as he got into the passenger seat to a depressed Ishikawa.

And so, the group set off with Yanagi leading the way to their destination.

After two and a half hours, they arrived at the beach.

Yanagi was the first to disembark after parking the car, luckily, they had found two free spaces with the beach directly ahead of them. Stretching after such a long drive he turned back in time to see Remi and Kouno getting out the back, yet Miyamura remained. Yanagi lowered himself to see Miyamura almost passed out on the back seat, his hair covered in twirls and braids.

"Akane... Help me." Miyamura reached out his hand shakily, the life almost drained from him.

"Miyamura?" Yanagi reached out, helping his friend.

Sawada was already waiting for the others as Ishikawa pulled up to an empty space two spots away. Soon as Hori stepped out, Sawada bombarded her, yet Hori's attention was on Miyamura who was just about getting out the car himself.

"What happened to him?" She asked Sawada on noticing his new hair style.

"Oh, Remi and Kouno got bored, so they played around with Miyamura on the way." Sawada replied, glancing back towards Miyamura with a smirk.

"Oh, I see." Hori was conflicted to see her boyfriend in such a state. She wanted to laugh, but at the same time felt kind of envious.

"What we all still doing around here?! Let's go!" Iura screamed taking off his jacket and top before grabbing a bunch of stuff and running towards the beach.

Everyone smiled at his energy and began grabbing things before following after their friend.

"This place looks as good as anywhere." Ishikawa said, noting the pile of stuff dumped on the sand, remnants of what Iura had carried off with him, yet he wasn't anywhere to be seen. Taking a moment to scan the land, Ishikawa caught sight of him already in the sea, splashing around joyously.

"Man, where does he get all that energy from?" Ishikawa felt exhausted just by watching Iura.

"Who knows?" Miyamura said, finally getting the last braid in his hair out.

"Either way, at least he managed to find a spot." Sengoku said looking around and seeing just how many people had turned up at the beach today. They were lucky to have found this spot big enough for all of them.

"I can't wait any longer." Hori said and began taking her short jeans and top off.

This action got the guys to look her way, but they instantly turned away, apart from Miyamura.

"Hey, stop staring." Sengoku whispered at him harshly.

"Oh, right." Miyamura said as if he had forgotten them all in that moment and turned away. Yet he could feel his cheeks getting hot and his heart fluttering. He couldn't help but glance back, peaking at Hori in her bikini.

"You girls ready?" Hori said turning to the other girls who had also changed into their swimsuits.

Remi wore a frilly pink bikini while Kouno and Sawada wore a one pieces.

"Kakeru, how does Remi look?" Remi asked walking over to Sengoku, who turned to her and shot his head in the other direction, his cheeks burning a bright red.

"You look... You look good." He muttered.

"Is that all?" Remi pushed, taking a step closer to him.

Sengoku bawled up his hands and closed his eyes for a moment before turning back to Remi all serious. "You're incredibly cute!" He told her.

Remi grinned happily, brushing one of her twin tails across her face to hide her blushing cheeks.

"Remi's happy." She said before walking away over to Kouno, where the pair started giggling.

"I think I'm going for a swim. Any of you coming?" Hori said looking out towards the vast ocean with a smile, she wanted to leap right into the sparkling blue water and get out of the heat.

"Oh, shouldn't you put some sunscreen on?" Miyamura suggested, grabbing a bottle out one of the bags he had brought.

Hori looked somewhat annoyed, not at him but she wanted to leap into the cool water straight away. But she also didn't want to get sunburnt.

"Fine." She gave in, taking the bottle from him she began plastering herself.

"Dude, what a waste." Ishikawa whispered to Miyamura who turned to him perplexed.

"What do you mean?" Miyamura asked.

"I mean... Watch this." Ishikawa reached down, grabbing a bottle he had brought and walked over to Yoshikawa. "Hey, Yuki, how about I put some sunscreen on you?" He smiled charmingly, offering to help.

However, Yoshikawa stepped back, raised her arms to her chest and stared at him as if he were a stranger. "What are you trying to do? Get away from me you creep. Hori will put some on me, won't you Hori?" Yoshikawa went over to Hori, ignoring Ishikawa's pleads.

Ishikawa returned to Miyamura's side, defeated and deflated in both body and soul by her utter rejection.

"I only wanted to help." Ishikawa mumbled.

"There, there." Yanagi said beside him. "I'm sure she's just feeling a little shy is all." He tried to reason.

"Akane, your so kind. How about I put some sunscreen on you?" Ishikawa offered; his eyes almost filled with tears.

Yanagi raised his hands up in defence as if trying to keep him away. "That's very kind of you, but I put sunscreen on before we left, so I'm good for the moment."

"Hey, so guys, we're gonna go ahead and swim now. Will you mind watching the bags?" Hori asked cheerily, in other words, she wasn't leaving them much of a choice.

"Sure thing, we'll join you later." Miyamura replied and started to remove his jacket and top.

Hori had started to walk off but then paused and turned back as she noticed Ishikawa, grabbing Miyamura's top and pulling it back down, staring intently at his body.

"Excuse me? Why are you ogling my boyfriend?" Hori asked with her hands on her hips.

Yoshikawa looked over Hori's shoulder, her expression curious and somewhat worried.

"Oh, well, it's just..." Ishikawa tried to explain but couldn't find the words as the crowd around him gathered, especially Sengoku who was right behind them also looking curious. So, Ishikawa grabbed Miyamura and pulled him close so he could whisper. "What are you doing idiot? Did you forget about your tattoo's? Sengoku's right their man."

"Well, you see. There's nothing to worry about anymore. Since we don't go to school." Miyamura giggled, breaking out of Ishikawa's close grip and proceeded to remove his top.

"Wow." Were the calls coming from all around him. Everyone looked astonished when they laid eyes on his tribal tattoo's going down the left side of his body and around his arm.

Only Hori and Ishikawa didn't seem too surprised by this as they had known and seen them before.

Sengoku inched closer, staring at them intensely, with something else on his mind other than the art. Then it finally all fitted into place inside his head and he forced out a finger.

"Ha, so that was it!" He yelled accusingly. "That's the reason you always wore jumpers and blazers, even in the scorching heat, and why you never joined in with swim class..." Then something else added into the piece of his completed jigsaw. "You had tattoo's while at school!" Sengoku had lost it and grabbed Miyamura by the shoulders shaking him violently.

"Wow, never thought Miyamura would be such a bad boy." Kouno commented.

"Yeah." Hori added smiling, pleased that he finally revealed them. Now it didn't seem so much like a secret to carry around. In truth, she kind of liked his tats and wished he would show them off more often.

"Jeez, Remi is so surprised." Remi said with her hands up to her mouth acting more shocked than she sounded.

"Huh, I thought he must have been hiding something. Like who doesn't like swim class when it's hot outside." Yoshikawa added tilting her head to the side.

"I should report you!" Sengoku went on with his rant while Miyamura leaned back in his grip from the constant shaking.

"But we're not at school anymore. Remember?" Miyamura mentioned.

Sengoku released his grip and Miyamura fell to the ground, landing on the burning sand which forced him to sit up.

"Your right. I have no power. I failed to notice something so simple. I was a failure as your student council president." Sengoku began to wallow in his self-loathing.

"Now, now, Kakeru. Remi think's you were an excellent president." Remi said tapping Sengoku on his arm comfortingly.

"Remi?" Sengoku's self loath began to turn to tears by Remi's kindness.

"Remi thinks the fault is all Miyamura's anyway. He must not have thought you were good enough friends to confide in." Remi continued, poking at the raging fire to spit it over the edge.

"Your right!" Sengoku said realising that the fault wasn't his, but was Miyamura's, for one, having the tattoo's and second for hiding them for so long.

"On no." Miyamura dug his hands into the sand and bolted off down the beach with Sengoku close behind waving and shouting for him to get back here.

"Oh, boys." Hori gently slapped her hand against her head, shaking in annoyance.

"Wow, for being the two weakest in the group, they sure can run ay?" Yoshikawa said, shielding her eyes from the sun with her hand as she watched Miyamura and Sengoku run along the beach, splashing in the sea as the waves reached them.

"I always thought it was supposed to be couples who did that kind of thing." Yanagi mentioned. "People might get the wrong idea about those two. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they managed to get a few rumours going along the beach about them." He added.

Hori and Remi turned to one another and suddenly sped off after the two guys.

"This is all your fault!" Hori yelled.

"Remi's sorry!" Remi yelled back on the verge of tears.

The others stood and watched for a while before turning to Yanagi.

"You can be quite ruthless, you know that?" Ishikawa said.

"Really?" Yanagi said looking perplexed. "I... I didn't mean anything by it."

"Oh, I'm sure it'll all work out by the end of the day." Yoshikawa said cheerily.

"Hey guys." The group turned to Iura in the ocean who they had completely forgotten about. He was waving at them as he called out. "When are you guys coming in? And where's the others going?" He pointed off down the beach in the direction of the others looking confused. "Are we moving further down the beach?" He asked.

Eventually, the others did return with Miyamura and Sengoku almost passing out once they reached the group, who had managed to get a few sunbeds and set up a large beach umbrella.

Now that the dilemma had been sorted, the group started to have some fun, with some going for a swim and others choosing to relax.

Then Yoshikawa pulled out a ball from her bag and asked if anyone wanted to play a game.

Iura, shot his hand up, already for it. Ishikawa agreed along with Hori. Remi thought it'd be fun and managed to rope in Sengoku and even Kouno surprisingly. Sawada said she'd join only if she were on Hori's team.

Miyamura was still exhausted from his earlier run with Sengoku and choose to stay behind to watch their bags, trying to rid himself of this enervation.

Yanagi wasn't up to exerting himself just yet and choose to stay with Miyamura for a time.

So, without a second thought, the others went off to the side where a space was large enough for them and began tossing the ball into the air to one another.

This gave Miyamura and Yanagi a rare chance to talk one on one, where they asked how the other were doing at college now.

Although Miyamura wasn't as smart as Hori, he had miraculously managed to get into the same college as her. It was all down to Hori tutoring him... along with the added incentive.

Hori had wanted the both of them to get into the same college and Miyamura wanted that too, so Hori went as far as threating him that if he didn't work hard then they wouldn't have sex again until they were married.

This did the trick and Miyamura worked his butt off to get through the entrance exams.

In the end it had all paid off and Miyamura had no regrets.

"Hey."

Miyamura opened his eyes from looking back on all the hard work he put in to get into college to find two young women staring at him and Yanagi. They were clearly college girls or possibly a bit older, with long flowing black hair and figures you'd find in magazines. One wore a thin white bikini and the other a black bikini with a flower on one side. They looked nothing like the women they knew.

"You guys alone?" Asked the woman in the black bikini.

"Uhh, no we're with our friends actually." Yanagi replied, a little nervous.

"Your so cute." The one in white said flicking her hand down. "How about you two come and hang out with us instead?"

"Ah, well, we can't really leave them." Miyamura said almost choking his words. He wasn't used to being picked up by woman. Looking over, it seemed it was the same for Yanagi too.

"Come on, we don't bite. Unless you want us too." The black one said, helping herself to seat at the end of Miyamura's sunbed.

Feeling more uncomfortable, Miyamura tried to inch himself away slightly.

"I like your tattoos. So badass. I've got one too, wanna see?"

"Uhh, no thanks, I'm good... And I have a girlfriend." Miyamura confessed.

"Doesn't matter. What she doesn't know won't..." The woman started to reach out her hand towards Miyamura's leg.

"No, I'm not interested alright?" Miyamura said more forcibly. But it seemed the woman didn't listen, rather her grin widened.

"Oh, that's what I like." The woman said licking her tongue around her lips.

Suddenly a ball came flying over hitting her right in the back of the head.

The woman became mad and turned around, rubbing the back of her head.

"Hey, was that on purpose!" The woman asked seeing another woman standing close by with her arms folded across her chest glaring back.

"You bet it was. Now, what business are you trying to convince my boyfriend into?" Hori said.

The two women stood up and approached Hori, with the intention to intimidate her. But Hori was unfazed, her eyes just continuously glared at the two women.

"I was asking him if he'd prefer a more suitable partner. One who can show him a good time." The woman said proudly.

Hori's face scrunched up, trying to hold back her frustration.

"If he did, he would have gone the moment he looked at you. Clearly, you're the one who's lacking." Hori poked.

"Why you little..."

Hori braced herself, ready as the woman pulled her arm back. When she swung her arm round Hori would grab her and toss her away.

However, that didn't happen.

Instead, Miyamura appeared, stepping between the two of them and grabbing the woman's wrist in mid-swing.

"Look, I'm not interested in you, so please, get lost." Miyamura said. There was a look in his eyes that forced the two women to back up when he let her go and the two began to leave.

"That could have-" Hori started but stopped as Miyamura's gaze turned on her. The look in his eyes did something to her. It made her heart skip, and her lips curled in a smile. But he looked angry. It was a weird kink Hori had. Liking when Miyamura got angry enough to shout or even hit her.

"What were you thinking? Provoking her like that!" Miyamura shouted, mad at Hori for doing something stupid. Although, he was the stupid one. He should have handled it better. Been more forceful in sending them away at the start, rather than wait for Hori to show up.

Signing, Miyamura resigned that maybe they both could have handled it better and eased up. He was about to apologise to Hori for shouting at her, but when he looked at her again, she was strangely in a delighted mood, looking as if she wanted him to shout at her more.

This weird kink Hori had always made Miyamura feel somewhat uncomfortable. She looked so cute and adorable, like a kitten wanting to play more. But he didn't really like shouting at Hori, or even hitting her. Yet even he couldn't stop her persuasions and would give in on rare occasions.

"You're so troublesome." Miyamura said, raising a hand he tapped Hori on the top of her head.

This action somewhat pleased her.

Then Hori looked past Miyamura surprised.

Curious, Miyamura turned back around to a starling sight.

Yanagi was surrounded by women all trying to get him to come along with them.

"Uhh, guys... A little help please." Yanagi pleaded when he saw Miyamura and Hori look in his direction.

It was difficult to pick him out of the bunch gathered. Regardless they rushed forward to help their friend.

"Remi's happy you came along Sawada." Remi said as she and Sawada were walking along the beach, back towards the group. The pair had gone to get ice cream from the nearby hut.

"Tha... Thanks for inviting me." Sawada braved trying to hide her blushing cheeks behind her ice cream.

"Remi wants to know how school is going? Are you getting along with... With?" Remi looked up, trying to recall the name.

"Maya." Sawada offered.

"Right, Maya-chan. How is she? A shame she couldn't come along. Remi would have liked to meet her."

Sawada turned away, mostly from embarrassment but she was also happy that Miyamura and the others had reached out and invited her along. They even insisted she bring her friend Maya along. But Maya had to go visit her grandparents and meet up with the rest of her family, so she couldn't make it. But still, the fact that they asked was more than enough and it pleased Sawada greatly.

"Yea...yeah. Next time were all free, how about... About we all meet up?" Sawada said unable to stop her mouth from grinning.

"Remi would really like that." Remi said happily taking a lick of her strawberry ice cream which matched her pink hair.

"You... You're so nice Ayasaki."

"Call Remi Remi okay?" Remi spun around so she was in front of Sawada and reached out one hand and held Sawada's free hand.

Sawada looked up to Remi, seeing her smiling face as if she were shining as brightly as the sun.

"And can Remi call you Honoka." Remi asked, dimming down her shine, nervous in case Sawada didn't feel like they were on first name bases just yet.

However.

"Yes, yes... Re... Remi." Sawada said her name and instantly turned away as her whole face turned red.

"Honoka's so cute." Remi giggled.

"We couldn't agree more."

Remi didn't recognise the voice and turned to find two young men standing before her. They looked attractive enough, and was about Remi's age, but they certainly weren't Remi's type. These type of guys only looked for one thing, and Remi really wasn't interested.

One had spikey hair with blonde highlights and the other had black hair which was combed down.

"You girls here with your parents?" Asked the blonde.

"I think it's nice, you, looking out for your sister." Added the black-haired guy glancing around.

"Sorry, we're not interested." Remi said bluntly, stepping to the side to hide Sawada who was already cowering behind her.

Sawada didn't do well with people, especially people she didn't know.

As the older one, Remi felt like she had to protect Sawada from these jerks.

"Aw come on. You're going to hurt my feelings. How about you two come hang with us for a little while. We promise we won't hurt you." The blonde took a step closer with a rather unsettling grin.

Remi began to get scared, but she kept herself still, she wasn't going to let these jerks see just how scared she was.

"No! We're leaving." Remi reached back, grabbed Sawada's hand and began walking around the guys.

However, the two men stepped to the side, blocking her way.

"Hey, don't be like that. I'm sure we can have some fun." The guy started to reach out with his hand.

"No!" Remi shouted, stepping back.

"That's enough!" A firm voice called out.

Remi opened her eyes and saw Sengoku standing there, just behind the two guys.

"Hey there's no trouble, she's my girlfriend." The blonde pronounced. "We're just having a little tiff."

"The girls said no, so get lost." Sengoku interjected, trying to hold himself back even though he could feel a vile rage burning deep within him, threating to erupt as suddenly as a volcano if he lost his cool for even a moment.

"And who the hell are you?" The black-haired guy said looking mad that he had stopped them.

"I'm her boyfriend." Sengoku confessed furrowing his brow. He kept opening and closing his hands as the anger built up, but he was careful not to let the two guys see this action.

Remi's eyes lit up on seeing Sengoku like this. So adamant and determined, coming to her rescue. To her, he was like a shining knight in armour come to rescue the princess like in those stories. Her heart began to race faster as her admiration quickly became buried under her sickening worry for him.

"Kakeru?" Remi called out, almost on the verge of tears as the two guys stepped forward to size Sengoku up.

Yet Sengoku stayed firm. He wasn't afraid of such guys. For he knew there was something much more terrifying. He had experienced it plenty of times growing up and now here he was, at the beach with his tormentor. It was rather funny really. After everything, he and Hori could still be friends.

"How could such a pretty little thing like her be with a guy like you?" The blonde guy said, not trying to hide his frustration or keep up the act anymore.

"It doesn't matter how." Sengoku said. "What matters is that she's mine."

Sengoku's words flowed through Remi and her heart almost skipped a beat. Her eyes widened with her tears watering her eyes making them seem as if they were sparkling on gazing at Sengoku.

"Is there a problem here?" Iura said joining the group along with Miyamura and Ishikawa.

"I was just asking these gentlemen to leave." Sengoku reasoned.

The two guys looked around and decided it was too much hassle and left. Clicking their tongues as they went.

"Are you okay Sawada? That must have been scary." Miyamura said stepping over to Sawada who was filled with tears. Suddenly she burst out, launching at Miyamura, wrapping her arms around him and sobbing into his chest. She didn't say anything but nodded to his question.

Miyamura placed a hand on top of her head, gently patting her.

Sengoku looked over to Miyamura and Sawada, thanked Iura and Ishikawa for showing up and turned back to Remi.

"Are you okay Remi?" He asked gently.

All his forcefulness and firm demeanour were gone. He was back to being regular Sengoku. Her Sengoku.

"Remi was scared, but Remi is okay now." Remi confessed, looking away with her cheeks red, digging a small hole in the sand with the tops of her toes.

Then to her surprise, arms began to wrap around her. Sengoku's arms.

Remi again filled with tears as she embraced them. Feeling a warmth and comfort she hadn't felt before. This one action made her feel 100x better.

When Sengoku leaned back, letting her go, Remi offered him some of her ice cream, he took a lick and the two smiled and laughed together.

"Oh man, I should try that with Yoshikawa." Ishikawa said, trying to imagine how it would play out if he offered her some ice cream.

Iura burst into laughter. "She'd just take the whole thing." He added.

Kouno sat down on the sunbed Miyamura had recently vacated and sighed from exhaustion. Grabbing her towel from her bag by the beach umbrella post, she began dabbing the drops of sea water she had accumulated from her little swim. Looking out to the ocean, she could vaguely catch glimpses of Hori and Yoshikawa splashing around and laughing.

It was nice, watching others having fun. Although she could never see herself doing that.

She tried to picture her and Remi, just splashing about and laughing, but the picture didn't seem right. It just wasn't them.

Their scene, although Remi doesn't look the sort, was more relaxing in a park, reading a book on a clear day together.

Some would surely find that notion boring. But to her and Remi, those moments held so much importance.

So much could be said with not a single word passing between them, yet their feelings were clear to one another in those peaceful moments.

"Kouno, would you like some more sunscreen?" Yanagi offered from the sunbed next to her. He had just finished applying himself, after coming back from a swim too.

Kouno looked over to Yanagi and held her gaze, allowing her thoughts to wonder. The two of them, after spending some time together, found that they shared similar interested.

They read the same manga.

Saw themselves differently to how others perceive them.

For instance, Yanagi was handsome and attractive, yet he was kind and honest. Even cordial to a fault. Plus, he was clumsy if he forgot to put in his contacts. He would often disagree when someone told him just how attractive he really was. Humble. Would be a word to describe him. He didn't let his looks be his centre point, suppose he just didn't have the ego for it. And that was a good thing.

And Kouno. She would often say that she wasn't anything special. She wasn't attractive or cute like the others. Maybe she was too serious at times too. No matter how many times Remi would argue with her over the fact. It was difficult for Kouno to see herself any differently. Maybe it had been too long for her to change.

But she wanted to change. She had changed.

Thanks to Remi and Sengoku, her world had expanded greatly. And now here she was, sitting on the beach with her friends from high school. She'd never have imagined that back to even last summer. The notion that they'd all be here, together still, never crossed her mind. Regardless, Kouno was glad.

And their last similarity.

Both their crushes turned them down.

Well, not turned down per say. But neither of them received a genuine reply. Truthfully, Kouno didn't need one. But looking back, maybe that was her cowardice talking.

What was more frustrating is that now the two of them had gotten together after so long.

It was obvious how much Ishikawa and Yoshikawa cared for one another, and still it took them this long to realise it.

Of course, Kouno was happy for them. But a part in the back of her heart wished it was her instead. It was a strange feeling, one which couldn't even be given a name. Heartache didn't seem right, neither did sorrow or jealousy. It was merely there, whispering 'don't give up', 'try again'.

The heart was a strange thing.

Even after being shattered, smashed and utterly crushed. It was able to find love again. Suppose that's why they called them crushes in the first place, because you no doubtingly get crushed in the end.

Of course, finding love the first-time round was truly miraculous, able to spend a lifetime with one person. But realistically, that was a very rare occurrence. People love and fall out of love as easily as the leaves change over the seasons. It doesn't always stay, but it always seems to come back again. Just, for somebody else.

Kouno blinked, realising she had been staring at Yanagi for far too long and turned away going red, and not from the sun. She lifted a hand to her ear, stroking back her hair while also hiding her blushing cheek.

Yanagi merely tilted his head with a gentle grin. Waiting patiently, with no sense that there was a need to rush. He didn't seem annoyed or frustrated, he probably didn't even realise just how long she had been staring.

"Su... Sure."Kouno finally said, getting the courage needed to turn back to him and hand the bottle over.

She poured some of the cream onto her palm then held out her arm straight and began rubbing the cream along. During this process, she caught sight, just out of the corner of her eye someone watching her and turned just as Yanagi turned away. Much like she had done just.

Leaning forward, Kouno caught a glimpse of red around his ear.

"Yanagi? Keep still." Kouno said, lifting herself from the sunbed.

"Wha...what is it Kouno." Yanagi flustered yet he did what she asked.

"You look to have caught a bit of sun around your ears. So, keep still and I'll do it for you."

"What? No! I mean. It's fine, I can-"

"Shush." Kouno's gentle voice was enough to shut Yanagi up completely. "Just take this as my way as repaying you for driving us here." Kouno said.

Yanagi pushed himself further down the sunbed while Kouno positioned herself behind him, sitting on one leg while the other was off the edge of the sun bed. She put a bit of sunscreen on the tips of her fingers and began gentle rubbing it in around Yanagi's ears which seemed to only turn redder.

Yanagi stayed completely still, as if he had been turned to stone by Medusa. Feeling Kouno's gentle touch somehow was coursing a tsunami to foam inside of him. First everything was taken away like it had gone back out to sea, until it all came gushing back like a turret.

"Did you like it?" Kouno suddenly said.

Yanagi's eyes widened. "What do you mean?" He asked, not so sure if she meant her rubbing his ears or not.

"Earlier. When you were surrounded by all those beautiful women." Kouno asked yet there was something in her voice, a feeling. Perhaps... Sorrow.

Yanagi stared ahead, focusing on nothing in particular and although he wanted to turn around, he felt that would embarrass Kouno. So, he decided to be honest with her.

"That kind of thing happens from time to time. I don't like being surrounded all of a sudden. But having people pay attention to you... It can be, somewhat nerve wracking."

"I see." Kouno said lightly. She could understand to an extent. She didn't like people paying much attention to her either.

"But..." Yanagi paused, taking a breath, then turned slightly so he could see Kouno. "I don't mind... When you pay attention to me Kouno." Yanagi said blushing, unable to meet her eyes and so he turned back around, the turret inside of him turning now to a whirlpool of thoughts.

Should he have said that? Was that okay? Should he have phased it differently? And... Has she understood what I meant?

Yanagi, in his dread suddenly felt a shock through his body. But really, it was only Kouno's hand, gently touching his back. She leaned in, resting her forehead on the back of his neck.

"We both can be pretty stupid right?" She said.

"I guess so." Yanagi replied, relaxing his body. For some reason, this didn't bother him. In fact, he was happy.

"Then... Say what your meant to say. Don't act dumb. Don't fringe ignorance. You, more than most people, should know how that feels."

Kouno words held a massive weight over them, because she was right. He knew the pain, the sorrow, the heartache of wanting someone who just didn't want you back in the same way.

Yanagi turned his body fully round now, so that he and Kouno were face to face, their eyes finally meeting each other's and for the first time, able to see the real them.

"Kouno, when we get back after this trip, and the next time your free. Would you... Would you like to go on a date... With me?" Yanagi asked wanting to turn away, to hide his burning cheeks. But he couldn't.

His eyes couldn't be torn from Kouno. It was as if he only wanted to see her, and nothing else.

Startlingly, he could hear his heartbeat, pounding away so hard that it was threatening to leap either out his chest or up his throat.

And yet, he didn't care, just as long as he could continue to gaze on Kouno.

"Are... Are you sure?" Kouno said after a few moments. She was surprised even though she had told him to say what he meant. She didn't want there to be any misunderstandings. But still the same feelings kept swirling around inside of her.

She wasn't attractive or cute. She was serious and maybe even boring. Was she enough? Would she ever be enough? Enough for someone else? Enough... For him?

"I'm not attractive, or cute and I'm kind of bor-" Kouno was forced to stop as Yanagi pushed his hands against her cheeks gently.

Kouno eyes widened in surprise and before she had time to interject, Yanagi lowered his hands again.

"Sorry about that." He apologised. "But Kouno, never say you're not attractive or cute and especially boring. You are none of those things. You are beautiful. You are attractive. And you're so much fun to be around. Like just look. We're all here together. Including you. We all enjoy talking with you. No matter your faults, we all care for you Kouno. And I... I want to get to know you better. If... Your fine with such a clumsy guy as I am?" Yanagi said, smiling somewhat anxiously.

Kouno teared up, quickly wiping it away.

"I... I am." Kouno smiled too

The two moved their hands along the sunbed, interlocking their fingers together. Promising that when they get back after the trip, they'll go on a date. Just the two of them.

Meanwhile down by the shore, Hori and Yoshikawa had witnessed the whole thing. Their mouths agape and eyes wide staring. Although they couldn't hear what was being said, they saw Kouno get up, go over to Yanagi's sunbed, started stroking his ears and now the two were face to face, holding hands.

"Wow, I never imagined Kouno would have such womanly charms." Yoshikawa said through her hands which were made up like binoculars.

Hori was in a daze, staring.

"Kyouko, earth to Kyouko." Yoshikawa waved her hand in front of Hori, brining her out of her trance.

"Oh, hmm, what?" Hori blinked a few times looked around until finally resting on Yoshikawa.

"You looked to be deep in thought. Were you thinking of Miyamura again?"

Hori blushed slightly. "Yes." She confessed. No sense in hiding it. "What about you?"

Yoshikawa leaned back folding her arms as she thought. "Tooru and I only just started dating properly. But I guess... Maybe I could take a page out of Kouno's book.

"You go girl." Hori giggled nudging Yoshikawa.

Yoshikawa leap up, swung her arm around Hori. "We're not going to let her beat us!" Yoshikawa announced.

The two lifted their free arm up towards the sky and started laughing which began to morph into something more sinister. As if they were hatching a scheme.

While on the other side of the beach, Miyamura and Ishikawa stood, dumbfounded, staring at Yanagi and Kouno from afar.

"What just happened?" Ishikawa asked.

"I'm not sure, but it seems that... Akane and Kouno are... Close?" Miyamura repiled.

"Like, what the hell man. I would never have thought Akane was into girls like... You know." Ishikawa couldn't come up with the words to finish what he was saying.

Kouno was nice and pretty. Yet seeing this scene brought back a memory from their graduation, when Kouno confessed to him. Before he could give a reply, she quickly followed it up that he didn't need too.

Although that was what she said, Ishikawa still felt terrible that he couldn't give her a straight answer, and looking at it now, when he announced that he and Yoshikawa were officaly together. It must have hurt her and Akane.

Unable to take it, Ishikawa turned away in a slump.

Was it because he had hurt them, that the two were now finding solace in each other?

He felt bad, but what could he do. Should he go over and apologise? But what if what their showing now wasn't due to him. That in time the two had become close since leaving school.

It had happened to him.

Since starting college, unable to see and hang out with Yoshikawa as much made him realise just how much he cared for her.

"Right."

Miyamura spoke, bringing Ishikawa out of his thoughts.

"What's up?" Ishikawa asked looking perplexed.

"I'm not leaving it like this." Miyamura continued and strolled off down the beach.

"What the hell man?" Ishikawa mumbled.

"Where's he going?" Iura said, suddenly appearing by Ishikawa's side, with noodles hanging out of his mouth as he held a tray of yakisoba.

"No clue." Ishikawa said turning away again with his tormented thoughts.

"Kyouko!" Miyamura called out from the shoreline, waving when Hori noticed him further along the beach.

Hori turned to Yoshikawa, said something and then began to move towards Miyamura. For some reason he was wearing his jacket and had brought her's along also.

"What's up? Is everything alright Izumi?" Hori asked when she reached him as he handed over her lime coloured jacket.

"I just thought, maybe it'd be nice if you and I went for a walk together?" Miyamura suggested, turning his head to the side slightly to try and disguise his blushing cheeks with the rays of the sun which was starting to get low.

Hori, instead of putting her jacket on held it close, hugging into it, as if doing so would disguise how fast her heart was pondering.

She looked up, seeing Miyamura standing before her. He looked so cool, gazing off into the distance, with the sound of the waves muffling the voices all around them.

Hori smiled. "Sure." She replied, swinging her jacket around, putting it on with years of practice behind her. Then she reached forward, grabbed Miyamura's hand and the two began walking down the beach with smiling faces and the ocean on their left.

They walked, feeling the waves rush into and around their feet and then try to pull them back out again. But that didn't matter. Nothing seemed to matter as the two walked, mostly in silence and yet, they were completely happy.

To be with someone is truly an amazing feeling, yet to be with someone and not have to say even a single word to know what the other person is feeling. Well, that must be something miraculous, right?

Neither of them knew just how long, or how far they had walked. Lost in the presence of the other. They arrived at the end of the beach, approaching a high cliff.

Not wanting to end this enjoyment, Miyamura guided Hori around the cliff. The sea came up just before their waist when they spotted a rocky area up ahead.

Stepping up onto the rocks, Miyamura turned and assisted Hori who stopped and stared out at the many occurring rock pools littered around. But what had draw most of her attention was the giant lone rock sitting in the middle, as if it were a sentry or guardian to the rock pools and the wonders they held.

This place felt like they had stepped into a fantasy realm. For there was no one else in sight. They were alone, completely alone.

Hori, losing herself in the moment, rushed off and gazed down into a rock pool. She squinted her eyes, trying to identify if there were any living creatures below the water's surface which was as calm and steady as a pen balancing on the tip of your finger, in perfect harmony.

Unfortunately, all she could see was her own reflexion, as the sun was at the angle which reflected what the water saw. Then she found Miyamura, glancing over her shoulder curiously.

"Have you found something?" He asked, trying to peek in.

Hori grinned and turned around. She lifted her arms up and wrapped them around his neck tenderly.

"Yes." She said. "I found you." She added, leaning down on his shoulder while Miyamura put his hands on her hips.

Together, the pair began to sway, dancing to the rhythm of the waves, like this was their very own private stage.

"Kyouko." Miyamura said, his tone somewhat serious.

He distracted Hori from her bliss as she leaned back, meeting his gaze.

"I love you." Miyamura proclaimed without the slightest hint of embarrassment.

Hori felt her heartbeat just that little stronger on hearing his words and she could feel tears forming in the back of her eyes and a slight sting in her chest which coursed her pain, but it was the good kind of pain.

Moving her hands, Hori held them to the side of Miyamura's face, gently inching him closer to her.

"I love you too." She whispered just before their lips touched.

Miyamura could still taste the salt from when Hori swam in the ocean, but he didn't care. This, as much as anything, was a part of her, a part of what he loves most dearly.

Soon, the couple found themselves perched on the large rock, gazing out to the ocean. Hori was snuggled up between Miya's legs, his arms wrapped around her comfortingly as the two looked out to the vast ocean and beyond, to the changing colours in the sky, joyously, their smiles, expressing the happiness they felt inside.

Wanting to capture the moment, Hori pulled out Miyamura's phone from his jacket pocket. She entered his password, first taking a picture of the setting sun, blazing across the fiery sky.

It was a beautiful picture, which could easily be mistaken for a painting. The orange merged with the blue, splitting the yellows and the reds, with even a hint of purple streaking just under the few puffs of cloud.

Then she pressed a button and the camera reversed, the screen showing the two of them smiling happily together.

With her free hand, Hori raised her index and middle finger, giving a peace sign while Miyamura tightened his embrace around her.

The phone clicked, as their picture came up on screen.

Hori was immensely happy with how it turned out and couldn't stop from staring down at the screen. But it was then that she noticed the time and how late it was starting to get.

Looking up and seeing the sun almost touching the horizon, she should have realised.

The others would probably be wondering where they were too at this point.

"We should start heading back." Hori said, struggling to release herself from Miyamura's embrace, mostly due to reluctance. But then she noticed.

Inching closer to the edge, Hori looked down and her face began to fall.

"What is it?" Miyamura asked on seeing Hori just freeze.

He moved over to her and looked down also, and his expression mirrored hers.

They found that they were surrounded by water on all sides.

Due to the continuous waves crashing into the rocks below and lost in their own thoughts of each other, they had failed to notice the tide coming in.

"Oh no. What are we going to do?" Hori said looking around them.

They were out of sight of the beach, and maybe too far for anyone to hear them if they shouted.

"My phone." Miyamura asked holding out his hand.

Hori turned back to him puzzled for a second, before realising, handed him his phone back.

However, after Miyamura had pushed a few buttons, his expression only became more worrisome.

"What's wrong?" Hori asked nervous.

"No service." Miyamura told her worryingly.

It took Hori a second to register his words before pulling out her own phone.

There were no bars at the top of the screen, but regardless, she tried dialling anyway.

No answer or even a ring, just a steady constant beep.

"I guess, we have no other choice but to swim back." Miyamura suggested.

"What?" Hori shot him a dumbfounded look. "No!" She called out, grabbing his arm.

"Why not?" Miyamura asked looking perplexed.

"Our phones will get wet. Plus..." Hori looked down at the waves which seemed to be bashing against the rock with even more force than before. "Those waves look tough."

"Okay. Then, here." Miyamura handed his phone over to Hori who looked even more confused.

"What?"

"You stay here. I'm going to swim back to the beach and get some help."

"What?" Hori began to flare up. "Didn't you hear me! Those waves are tough! They could carry you out to sea or worst, smash you against the rocks! Don't you remember what this place looked like before. You could get seriously hurt." Hori voice was a mix of worry and rising frustration and anger.

"If we do nothing and stay here, then no one's going to find us!" Miyamura found his voice getting louder also, trying to match Hori's.

The two began to argue, shouting at one another of what would be the best course of action to take. If they stayed, then there was a chance no one would find them, and they'd have to wait it out till the next day when the tides go back out. Or Miyamura could risk it and try to reach the beach where he could get someone to come back for Hori.

But Hori didn't want him to go.

She was scared he might get hurt or worst. She had seen it often on the news. Young men and teenagers, just going for a swim, within a few short minutes, they wind up lost or dead.

The sea was merciless and ruthless, just as it was beautiful. It didn't care if you admired or feared it. It just was, a force that could never be stopped. If you were out in its waters, you were completely at its control. It decided whether to let you live or drag you down to its depths, never to be seen or heard from again.

The two began to grapple with each other, pulling on their jackets to keep the other in place.

In the end, it resulted in them facing away from each other. Mad and upset. They understood the other's feelings, knew the reason why.

But still...

Caring enough for someone could also be what hurts them the most.

And after some time of sitting in silence.

"Miyamura, this is all your fault!" Hori spat out, sniffing back the tears.

She and Miyamura would only call each other by their surnames now only if they were mad or upset with each other and on this occasion, Hori was both.

"My fault!" Miyamura blurted out. "How can this be my fault? It's not like I have any control over the ocean Hori!"

Miyamura was just as upset and angry as Hori was, and the two of them knew it as they turned away from each other.

No one knew the others feeling's better than they did.

And although they were angry and upset, they were still worried, scared for the other.

For love wasn't just a single feeling, it was made up of many intricate pieces, all coming together to make a whole. Like a yarn of string, a single line which comes together again and again to form something new, something strong and something wonderful.

Simultaneously they called out to each other and turned around.

They had felt so far apart for a moment and now they were merely inches away. They could see through the other's eyes just how worried and scared they were, how much they cared and loved each other and that together, they could do anything.

Even endure.

As long as they had each other.

Unable to keep away any longer, Miyamura and Hori kissed, making up and apologising for how they acted before.

Neither of them was at fault, but at times, their emotions got the better of them. But at the end, their love will always prevail. Because you have to take the good and the bad, the happiness with the sorrow to truly love another person, to understand and accept them for who they are.

Only when this is accomplished, can it truly be called love.

"Heyyy! Are you guys alright?"

Miyamura and Hori looked at each other, as if they thought they were going insane on hearing a familiar voice.

"Sengoku!" They called out and started looking around, catching a pedalo heading their way.

Inside, they could see Sengoku, panting for breath and sweating hard as if he had just come out of the water while Remi who was beside him, waved with a smile, showing no exertion whatsoever.

Once they reached the rock, Miyamura leapt on. The plastic boat swayed violently a few times before settling again, then Hori leapt on, with the boat not swaying as much this time.

At Sengoku's behest, Miyamura took over Remi's seat to help with the pedalling back. Remi looked downcast and apologised to Sengoku for not realising. Sengoku merely replied that it was fine.

On their way back Hori asked how they knew they were there.

Sengoku then began filling them in that they were starting to get worried, since no one in the group could reach either of them on their phones.

So, the group arranged to split up to look for Miyamura and Hori. Yoshikawa had said that she'd seen the two go off in this direction, towards the cliff.

After walking for so long, Remi had started to get tired and spotted the pedalo's. Wanting to give them a try she and Sengoku hired one to go out, hoping to spot the pair along the beach clearer. Luckily, they noticed this little rock in the distance with two people sitting atop.

"So it was a coincidence that you found us?" Hori said looking a little annoyed.

"I could have left you on the rock." Sengoku whispered under his breath.

"What was that?" Hori asked more irritated.

"Hey, at least they came to our rescue Kyouko." Miyamura laughed loudly, trying to distract the two from any further arguments, glad to have been saved and were heading back to shore.

"Remi's happy everyone's safe and back together." Remi cheered wrapping her arms around Hori and the two began to giggle.

Miyamura and Sengoku breathed a hefty sigh of relief, which wouldn't last as the two began to struggle pedalling against the waves.

The light door was pulled to the side forcibly as Hori stepped in first. She took a moment to enjoy the sight, the feel and the sensation of the large bath, although, due to the temperature, the room was filled with steam, heating your body the moment you stepped inside.

Gripping the top of the towel wrapped around herself, Hori strode in cheerily, followed by the other.

"Oh wow, Remi's never seen a bath so big before." Remi said with her usual twin tails tied back in a bun, done by Kouno.

"Remi, please keep it down. We don't want to bother the other customers." Kouno said, moving slowly into the room without her glasses, which would only get fogged up in the bath. Instead, Kouno reached out nervously, as if looking for something or someone.

Remi appeared, holding out her hands for Kouno and guiding her further into the room, as if the pair had done this before.

"Don't worry Sakura, Remi's got you." Remi puffed out her chest triumphantly as she guided Kouno.

It was a strange sight, like Kouno was being led away by her little sister who was trying to act like the big sister.

Meanwhile, Yoshikawa was looking around the bath. "There's no one else here." She informed the others who began to take note.

"Maybe there's something going on elsewhere." Sawada tried to reason.

"Who cares!" Hori said raising her voice. "Means we've got the whole place to ourselves."

Hori flung out her arms, this action loosened the towel coursing it to slide down her body.

Sawada almost passed out from the sight of Hori's naked body while the others paid her no mind and proceeded to wash themselves before stepping into the bath.

Meanwhile, the guys were stuck in the room, Miyamura looking rather more gloomy than usual was huddled up in a corner, his arms wrapped around his knees.

"I'm sorry you guys." Miyamura mumbled again. This was the sixth time he had apologies now, but who was counting.

"Urgh, we told you it's fine alright?" Sengoku said, banging his hand on the small table beside him.

The reason for this was that, although the owner, who is friends with Ishikawa's parents, had no trouble with Miyamura's tattoos, they had asked if the boys could take their baths at the latest possible time, as not to scare the other guests.

Unable to go to the baths, they took up residence in their spacious room, big enough for all five of them to lay down once they pulled out the futons from the storage cupboard, behind where Miyamura was currently wallowing.

"Hey!" Iura yelled out getting their attention turned on him as he rummaged through his bag. "Since we can't go to the baths yet, and the girls will probably take their time. How about we play a little game?" Iura suggested, pulling out what he had been searching for.

A deck of playing cards.

Meanwhile the girls were lined up against the edge of the bath, enjoying the blissful relief the hot water was seeping into them. After a long day at the beach, exposed to the sun and covered in salt water, this was a much needed and very thankful relaxation.

Being with the others only made it that much better to be here.

"A shame the boys can't enjoy this feeling just yet." Yoshikawa said quietly, but due to the tiles and the silence, her words sounded louder than what they appeared.

None of the others minded, lost in their own tranquil pleasure, until Yoshikawa spoke up, it took them another second for their brains to register the words.

"Well, it's his own stupid fault." Hori huffed, and for a moment, it seemed that her cheeks had turned redder than before.

When they arrived at the inn, the owner had greeted them warmly. But then had taken Miyamura and Ishikawa to the side to inform them oftheirbathing schedule.

It was kind of embarrassing, but Hori had to get to grips that that was just how things are. Although Japan was a modern society, it still held values and what certain things represent. Unfortunately, tattoos, although more common place, are still shunned in traditional environments such as this inn.

To some, the notion of just having a tattoo painted you out to be a bad guy.

Hori however had learnt from experience that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. That it is until you get to know someone can you truly decide who they really are.

Even then, people show different sides of themselves depending on who is around them. The way a person acts towards their family and friends are often different, and a person will only show you what they want to show.

If a person is enclosed, then it is that much harder to get to know them. But that doesn't mean they don't want to.

For some, getting close with others is a challenge, they worry and get scared just as anyone else. But if one person, just one person is willing to hold out a hand and show them towards the light, with genuine concerns and kindness, then often than not, that person will gladly follow.

Most want to leave the abyss they had made for themselves.

Even Hori was like that at one stage. Worrying more about her family, closing off her friends when she didn't have to be around them after school.

Her priorities were firm, but still. Thanks to Miyamura, she was able to leave that darkness she had round up in.

And now, it felt like she had made it out of the deep abyss, standing on the edge of a cliff bathing in the light, with her friends beside her, holding her tightly as not to let her fall back into that cavern of solitude.

"Anyway, let's talk about something else. Since it's just us girls." Hori smirked turning to Kouno who felt her eyes on her. "So, Sakura, what was going on between you and Akane earlier?" Hori asked inching closer.

"Ooooh, yes, I want to know." Yoshikawa joined in eagerly.

Remi smiled, but surprisingly remained silent, even when Kouno turned to her, Remi feigned ignorance. She had already suspected and had also caught sight of Kouno and Yanagi on the beach.

Kouno is her best friend, so Remi won't interject or add anything that Kouno had told her privately. Mainly that Kouno had been thinking of Yanagi more as of late and that the two had been messaging more regularly too.

Sawada on the other hand looked confused, narrowing her brows.

Kouno turned a deep red. She wanted to get out the bath, but that wouldn't do any good. They would just bring this conversation up again elsewhere and... If one of the guys overhears about it, then surely, they'd pass on what she'd said to Yanagi.

That would be even more embarrassing.

Instead, Kouno stayed put, lowering herself into the water just above her mouth. Although she couldn't see very well, she could feel their looks of anticipation on her. Strangely it was making her heart race, not in the usual way when she talked with Yanagi, but this was more of an excitement, where she wanted to talk to someone about it. She had talked with Remi, but she had kept most of it to herself.

Kouno thought that was just her way, keeping the important things close. That way they wouldn't go away as quickly. Keeping things to herself made it seem more real to her. Able to stay close, unchanging.

Unbeknownst, Kouno had dug herself into the abyss, the darkness swelling around her as she clutched tightly to the things she held most precious close to her chest. Fearing that they could be snatched away at any moment.

Slowly, she opened her eyes, taking a peek down. Seeing Remi's smiling face back at her, so bright and cheerful, always happy go lucky. Then came Sengoku, the calm, serious hard worker she knew him to be. He was so reliable and surprisingly a good fit for Remi. For a long time, it had just been the two of them. Her dearest friends.

But then more came along. Hori, Ishikawa, Miyamura, Yoshikawa, Iura, Sawada and finally, Yanagi. Each of them was so different and yet they made her feel happy, able to put a smile on her face from just saying hello.

Kouno began to wonder.

Did she want to stay here like this?

Did she want to keep everything that was so important and special to herself?

She was about to make some excuse, try and deny their accusations. But instead.

"I think I'm in love with Yanagi."Kouno confessed, sinking deeper into the bath, firmly closing her eyes, ready for the laughs from the others.

Her chest tightened just a bit, unable to take back the words she had said.

But the laughs never came, no one so much as giggled.

And when Kouno opened her eyes. She saw them all there in front of her, smiling.

Luckily, they were in the bath, because tears began to form in Kouno's eyes, mixing in with the steam and merging with her built up sweat from the heat. Yet the sentiment remained.

Inside, Kouno began to stand up, no longer wanting to keep things to herself. She wanted to share this joy and happiness with the others, and she knew, that by doing so she would also have to share the sorrows and pain. But that didn't matter right now.

Without a word the girls moved closer, putting their arms around one another.

Nothing needed to be said, because they knew, had felt it in some way or form.

Love was beautiful. There was nothing funny about it. It was pure.

Together they all smiled joyously.

Slowly they began to ask Kouno when she started to have feelings for Yanagi and Kouno asked in return, if they thought it would work between her and Yanagi?

Together they all yelled back.

"Of course, it will!" They screamed adamantly.

The night could be considered pleasing and calm, especially after coming out of the hot baths. Walking down the corridor on the smooth wooden floorboards, which had no doubt been recently cleaned, the large windows on the left overlooked the karesansui, visible by the light of the moon and the few lit torches scattered in key locations to give the garden a smooth, almost enchanting feel to it.

Hori grinned as she gazed out the windows as the group casually walked wearing yukatas. It was a nice sight and for a moment she imagined herself sitting on a long wooden porch, drinking tea while admiring the garden while beside Miyamura.

Then out of nowhere came a hysterical scream down the corridor freezing everyone in place.

"What in the-" Sawada had started.

But Hori was already sprinting down before Sawada even finished her sentence. A few times the group had to slow their pace as they slid across the floor because of how smooth it was.

But Hori didn't slow down.

She recognised that scream, the voice it belonged too, plus the direction it had come from, it meant it could only be one person.

Slamming the door to the side, Hori barged into the room assigned to the guys.

"What's going-" She began but instantly stopped on witnessing the sight.

"No stop!" Miyamura screamed while the others were surrounding him.

When Hori barged in, they all stopped and turned to her, fear-stricken waving on all their faces on realising that they might have gone too far.

For Miyamura was huddled in the centre of them, in nothing but his underwear, with Iura and Ishikawa grappling at the waistbands on either side.

"Hori?" Miyamura whimpered, tears stinging his eyes.

"Hori, this isn't what it looks like?" Sengoku tried to reason as the others appeared behind Hori glancing into the room.

Their expressions changed from puzzlement to sheer disgust on seeing what the guys were doing.

"Disgusting." Yoshikawa commented.

Kouno however turned red, hiding her face in her hands, yet her eyes stilled peeked out through her fingers.

"What are you doing to my boyfriend?" Hori folded her arms; a menacing look on her face.

"We were..." Ishikawa started but looked over to Iura who is turn.

"Just playing a game. Yeah, a game is all. Right?" Iura followed up and turned to Yanagi who had been smiling the whole time.

"I think it might have gotten a little out of hand." Yanagi confessed rubbing the back of his head yet while keeping his charming smile. Somehow in this situation, it made him seem somewhat creepy.

"Kakeru? Remi is disappointed." Remi said shaking her head.

"No, Remi, it's a misunderstanding." Sengoku lurched forward, crawling on the floor a few feet, reaching out for Remi who stepped back.

Hori stepped in front of him, and Sengoku looked up to the demon, fear descending throughout his body. This was it; this was how he died.

Soon the guys were all lined up, sitting on their knees, a large bump on each of their heads, even on Miyamura who had finally put some clothes back on.

Once the commotion had settled down, the guys went and apologised to the staff and proceeded in explaining themselves. They were playing blackjack, the punishment for the loser was to remove a piece of clothing. Unfortunately for Miyamura, he kept losing and was down to his last piece of clothing, his underwear. Unwilling to take it off himself, the guys pounced on him to forcibly remove them when Hori and the others suddenly barged in.

"Urr, guys are so disgusting." Yoshikawa said again, glaring towards Ishikawa who was sunken.

"Remi is so disappointed." Remi said shaking her head.

Sengoku apologised again to her.

Then Remi turned away, swaying as she glanced over her shoulder. "Isn't Remi enough?" Remi asked a hand at her mouth, her eyes blinking as if she was embarrassed.

Sengoku knew it was just an act, but it was an act that was working. She was soo cute, and he could feel his heartstrings being pulled apart.

"Come with me." Remi said proceeding to leave the room, she paused at the door waiting for Sengoku whose legs had fallen asleep, so it took him awhile before he got to her and the two went off.

Miyamura and the others had watched Sengoku leave and now Miyamura turned to Hori who noticed and huffed away verbally.

Having been with her now for a while, Miyamura got the sense that she wasn't as mad now, rather, it seemed to him that she was more annoyed than anything, maybe even a little jealous and upset.

"Yanagi." Kouno stepped up, her hands in front of her, her eyes not sure where to look. "Would you mind coming with me for a little while too?" Kouno asked, getting the courage to look down at him.

"Sure." Yanagi said getting to his feet. Out of all of them, he seemed to be the one who wasn't bothered in the least, but that was Yanagi, always smiling cheerfully.

Feeling a little lonely, Ishikawa turned to Yoshikawa, who stared at him fiercely.

It was a look that said if you say anything to me I'll hit you.

And he knew she meant it too.

Not wanting to have another bump to match the one already on his head he stayed quiet.

"Well, I'm going to the bath. Any of you like to join me?" Iura said getting to his feet and stretching out.

Ishikawa, knowing nothing more could be done here got up too. "I will." He said and the two turned to Miyamura who shook his head.

"I'm going to stay here a little longer." He said.

"Alright, suit yourself." Ishikawa said, then kneeled low placing a hand on Miyamura's shoulder. "Good luck man." Ishikawa added before saying to Yoshikawa that he'd be back in a while.

Now it was just the four left in the room, Miyamura, Hori, Yoshikawa and Sawada. But Hori didn't fancy staying put and so left the room with Sawada.

This left only Miyamura and Yoshikawa in the room.

Yoshikawa looked over to Miyamura. "You can get up now if you want." She told him. Not really bothered by the whole thing. After all, it was the guys idea to sit like that in the first place, no one had made them.

"No, I'm fine for the moment thank you."

Miyamura was in a state that he felt like punishing himself a bit longer. Maybe he should have spoken up to the guys before, been more forceful to protesting instead of letting it get so far that Hori had to see him in that state. It was embarrassing, especially since the other girls had seen him too.

Wanting to change the subject Miyamura looked over to Yoshikawa who was sitting at the small table on the other side of the room.

"How is everything going with you and Ishikawa?" He asked curious.

Yoshikawa's brow raised. "Me and Tooru? we're fine. Why? Did he say anything?" Yoshikawa raised her arm pointing towards Miyamura, although her hands were hidden by the long sleeves of her yukata which she let dangle down having gotten a larger yukata.

"What? No. No." Miyamura protested, raising his arms in defiance. "Its just, the way you two have been acting today... It's..." Miyamura couldn't think of the right words to say, plus he might be wrong with his assumption.

"Oh, well that's just me." Yoshikawa answered leaning down on the table as if deflated and exhausted. "I thought, with everyone else here I'd try and act like my normal self with him. But maybe I have been pushing him away a bit much. Is he mad do you think?" She asked her eyes resting on Miyamura.

Getting up and trembling slightly, Miyamura made his way over to the table and sat just round the corner from Yoshikawa.

"No, I'm sure he's not mad. But maybe he is a little lonely." Miyamura confess.

Yoshikawa paused, as if she was thinking. "Well, what do you know. You're in the cat bed mister." Yoshikawa lifted her head from the table and turned it around, so she was no longer facing towards Miyamura.

"Cat bed?... You mean dog house?" He questioned.

"No." Yoshikawa turned back to face him again. "Cat's are cuter. So your in the cat bed."

"So I'm a cat, or I'm cute?"

"Your asking the wrong one. You should be asking Kyouko right?"

"Kyouko, yeah. I think she is kind of mad at me though."

"I'd say she's more annoyed then mad."

"Yeah, anyway, when did you and Ishikawa get together?"

"Isn't this something you ask him instead of his girlfriend?"

"Aha, I guess so." Miyamura grinned, rubbing the back of his head somewhat nervously.

Yoshikawa smiled. "Well, I don't mind telling. Officially only about two weeks. But we went on our first proper date last month."

"Well, I'm happy for you both."

"I told Kyouko as soon as. I'm surprised neither she nor Tooru mentioned it to you. Didn't you and Toru meet up just last week?"

Now that she said it, that was true. Miyamura met up with Ishikawa just last week. Then why hadn't he told him that he was now with Yoshikawa? Could it be that he was shy about it?

In truth, Miyamura couldn't really complain. When he started to hang out with Hori, he had wanted to keep it a secret from everyone. He had wanted to keep her to himself. In a way, Ishikawa was probably doing that. Wanting to keep Yoshikawa to himself for just a while longer.

Miyamura smiled at Yoshikawa. "Anyway, if he does anything that upsets you. Just let me know, I'll be sure to give him a few whacks for you." Miyamura raised a fist in anticipation.

"Thanks, but I'd rather go to Kyouko. She can give him more a finishing blow. Hehehe."

Yoshikawa's smile turned somewhat sinister, freezing Miyamura up. He understood it well enough; you didn't want to be on Hori's bad side.

"I better go and see where Hori has gotten off to." Miyamura went to stand up.

"Whaaat? You're going to leave me all alone in this big empty room." Yoshikawa pouted, stretching her arms across the table.

Miyamura was at a lost, he wanted to go find Hori, but he didn't want to leave Yoshikawa alone either. If he did and Hori found out, she'd surely be mad at him again. And he was fast going over the threshold for her weekly tolerance.

So he sat back down.

Yoshikawa smiled and reached down under the table.

"How about we play a game?" She said showing the pack of playing cards.

"Just please, no stripping punishment."

The expression on Yoshikawa face changed from shock to disgust.

Miyamura only now realised what he had said and dug his head into his arms.

"Sorry I didn't mean-"

"Aha, you're such a dummy Miyamura." Yoshikawa grinned as she began dealing out the cards.

"Are you alright Hori?" Sawada asked as she and Hori made their way down the corridor to the reception area, stopping at the vending machine.

Hori pushed the button for black coffee and waited with a scowl as if she was irritated with the machine that it was taking it too long then she turned to Sawada answering her question.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just peachy." Hori said then signed, she looked back to Sawada and apologised. "I don't get why I get like this with him." Hori confessed rubbing her head. "Sometimes he just infuriates me and then I feel bad. Gosh."

The machine had dropped Hori's coffee and she leaned down to get it.

"It's good that the guys get on so well but still." Hori was having a difficult time processing her thoughts and feelings.

"Is it that you just want to spend time with him?" Sawada asked, stepping in front of the vending machine and choosing her drink, strawberry milk. "That you want to keep him all to yourself Hori?"

Hori turned away, taking a sip of her coffee.

That might be it. Hori concluded. She didn't want to be one of those girls to always keep track of their man, telling them what to do and say, always keeping tabs on their whereabouts. But when she sees Miyamura having fun with the guys, it makes her feel a little jealous.

Maybe, in the end, she just wants to join in with them.

Because she notices, she sees the way Miyamura acts around them compared to when their alone together. He acts differently.

And giving it some thought, Hori tried to imagine if she acts differently too?

Perhaps. She doesn't think so. But that's just her perception.

If she asked Miyamura, would he answer that he doesn't think he changes? Would anyone think that?

Everyone acts according to who is around them. That's just how people are. Ever changing.

"Your right Sawada. I need to try and get rid of this bad habit of mine." Hori said leaning against the wall, taking another sip of her coffee while Sawada poked a straw into her's.

"It's not necessarily a bad habit." Sawada said sucking on the straw. "I'm sure Miyamura would be happy to see that you pay so close attention to him. But he's an idiot. You shouldn't waste your time on him too much Hori. All men are the same. Give them a smile and they think your happy."

Hori laughed. "Yeah, your right there Sawada." Hori said smiling. She reached out her hand and patted the top of Sawada's head. "You've grown so much in such a short time. Keep it up."

Sawada's cheeks had turned red. She nodded furiously.

The two laughed heartily as they finished off their drinks.

Meanwhile, Sengoku was trailing behind Remi. Although he had called out to her, she wouldn't slow down, and when he caught up, she would just speed up again, almost short of a run through the halls, forcing him to slow his pace and let her be.

Eventually she paused, stepping out onto the engawa, looking out into the small dark garden ahead. The serene landscape covered in shadows, lit by only a few scattered torches.

Sengoku took a breath before stepping out to join her by her side, feeling the chill of the night air as the wind carried it along. He too looked out into the darkness, making out shapes here and there from the trees and rocks which he knew littered the garden. Then he turned to Remi and his eyes widened.

She held her head low, looking kind of sad. But still she was incredibly cute. Especially in that yukata.

The clouds above moved on due to the steady wind and slowly the moon began to appear from behind, illuminating everything underneath it's lunar gaze. Yet Sengoku's eyes were fixed on Remi alone as the light rose on her figure, illumining her in a dazzling radiance. A sharp pain shot through Sengoku's chest, and he clutched at it with his hand, as if trying to keep it in place.

Remi, on noticing the moonlight had come out, raised her eyes to look out at the garden. The light giving the dark shapes detail now. Revealing the beauty which was hidden in the darkness.

How peaceful and serene the scene was now, as light and darkness came forth. Neither looked to be fighting over the other or trying to force the other out of their space, instead the light and dark existed in peaceful harmony within the garden.

Remi was about to say something when alarmingly someone grabbed her. She was about to scream but realised whose arms they belonged too. Not from looking, but a sense, she didn't feel scared as they wrapped around her petit body, rather, she felt comfort in them.

Glancing up, she saw Sengoku, staring out ahead of him, as if he was trying to keep his gaze away from her. She could see how troubling it was for him, knowing his little quirk's.

Unable to help herself, Remi grinned, leaning into his embrace. For the moment, she was happy. Being able to stand here with him, just the two of them. Forgetting everything and everyone else. It was these little moment which made it all worth it.

It wasn't often that Sengoku had the courage to hug her. Usually, it was Remi initiating contact. But for tonight, it seems he wanted to hold her, which she didn't mind in the least.

"I'm sorry about earlier Remi. Seems it got a little out of hand." Sengoku said, apologizing as he tightened his grip around Remi, as if fearful she could come loose and escape any moment.

Remi felt the tension in his arms and thought that even if she tried, she might not be able to pull them away. But she wasn't scared. Because she was with her Sengoku. The man she could trust completely.

Sengoku wasn't like usual guys. He didn't leer or stare as Remi walked by, he didn't whisper to others about how cute he thought she was. He would come over and talk to her normally, just a regular conversation. No hidden agendas. Bonding over their love of books.

Although Remi doesn't look it. She likes to read. It was way better than studying, which she found hard. And Sengoku, he had a trove of stories he didn't mind leading to her. She would even go over and borrow a few. He and Sakura would help her study, no matter how much she complained or tried to skip out of it, they were always by her side.

"It's alright." Remi said, smiling as she listened to Sengoku's pounding heartbeat. "Remi was shocked at first, but that doesn't matter now."

"Right. Remi?" Sengoku eased his grip, making space between them enough so he could look down at Remi who was staring up curiously. "I love you." Sengoku confessed, looking her straight in the eyes, his words as unwavering as his stare.

Remi felt her cheeks burn, her heart thumping louder in her own chest. Usually, she didn't care much for guys staring at her, she's had it all her life. But when Sengoku looks at her, she can tell that he's looking at her and nothing else, nothing more behind his eyes, no ulterior motives or lewd thoughts. He only looks at her, in the way she wants him too. And it makes her happy.

"I love you too." Remi replied, her smile widening.

Then to her surprise Sengoku leaned down and kissed her. Remi's eye shot open, but she did not pull away instead, she slowly closed her eyes and leaned more into him, feeling his lips caressing her own.

When they parted, Sengoku turned away, his face all red and embarrassed. While Remi was smiling, staring up at him joyously.

Remi leaped up, wrapped her arms around his neck and hung on there as Sengoku panicked to hold her up.

"I love you Kakeru!" Remi yelled out snugging into his chest.

Sengoku looked to the side and then in the other direction, in case someone was there and then looked down to Remi smiling. He too was happy to be here with her.

"Goah, will you two get a room."

A voice called out startling them both.

Sengoku and Remi looked around panicking when they spotted Kouno and Yanagi down the corridor. Kouno was standing there with her arms folded while Yanagi poked his head round the corner, rubbing the back of his head apologizing.

"How... how long have you both been there?" Sengoku asked nervously.

"Oh since, 'I'm sorry about earlier Remi. Things got out of hand'." Kouno quoted.

So from the beginning. Sengoku gulped. Meaning that they had seen him act in such a manner. Grabbing Remi, the two confessing their feelings and finally... The kiss.

Sengoku turned red, unable to take it anymore he had started to walk away, but then stopped and turned back, he grabbed Remi's hand, standing his ground.

He realised he couldn't keep running away anymore. He had to man up, for himself and for her. There was nothing to be embarrassed about anyway, he needn't run or try to hide how he felt for his girlfriend. He was determined to be the kind of man Remi wants in her life, one who will be with her forever.

Kouno was surprised to see Sengoku having come back. It made her happy in a sense, that he was capable of staying put now. Able to stand by Remi's side. She glanced over to Yanagi, who had stepped from round the corner now and wondered, could she have what they do. There was no doubt that she deserved such a thing at this point. She and Yanagi had talked, discussing their feelings, how they saw the other and where they'd want to end up. In short, things had gone well, and they had sorted out the details for their date when they get home. But for right now, they should relax and enjoy themselves with their friends.

After all, who knew when the next time would be when they would be able to meet back up again and hang out like this. It could even be years before all of them are together again.

So Kouno wanted to enjoy this time, wanted to be a part of it as much as the others.

The temperature of the water was so relaxing that Ishikawa slumped on the back wall of the bath, risking nodding off and drowning, but if this was how he was meant to go, he'd be content with it.

Iura was by his side, enjoying the calming waters, had hardly said a word since they got in. Although the water was just too relaxing that talking would be a waste rather than just sitting back and enjoying it slip into your skin, erasing all your fatigue and smoothing the stress out of you.

And after a short while.

"I could die happy right now." Ishikawa broke the silence. But his words were soon followed by a deep sigh.

"Still thinking about Yoshikawa?" Iura asked glancing to the side.

Reluctantly Ishikawa gave in. "Yeah. I just don't get it. All day she's been acting weird..." Ishikawa paused, glanced over to Iura who raised his brow. "Okay, weirder than usual." He corrected. "Yesterday she was fine, she was excited about this trip and seeing everyone. But when I try to get close to her, she just bats me away, literally."

"Hm, well, I'm no expert. But she seemed to be having fun. Maybe have a little chat with her, make sure you're not misreading things. It's clear that the two of you care a lot about each other. But you've only just started dating right? I'd imagine it be quite difficult to go that next step after being friends for so long. I'm sure it takes time for these things to bloom, and you both find your footing. Where you can act like a couple instead of just good friends around others. But heck, what do I know. Haha." Iura laughed, splashing a bit of water up.

But Ishikawa was deep in thought. Iura wasn't wrong. Maybe he and Yoshikawa should have a little chat. Unless he told her, there was no way for her to know what he was thinking, and it was the same the other way around. Having been friends for so long, maybe it would take them some time to go to the next level, when they can actually be seen as a couple.

"Relationships are complicated." Ishikawa sighed out again.

"You got that right. But regardless, I hope it works out for you man. You're lucky to have Yoshikawa."

"You mean she's lucky to have me, right?"

"No, I was right the first time. What she sees in you is beyond me."

The two laughed together as Ishikawa nudged Iura playfully.

The pair returned to silence, staring ahead as the steam swirled around the room like a mist, threating to keep them there, hidden and lost and for this one moment, they were happy to oblige.

A while later, the group again conversed in the guy's room where they proceeded to play games, talk and joke, eat the junk food they had brought with them and just enjoy themselves with present company until it got late and the feelings of the heart began to emerge. Some began to tear up, realising that none of them knew when they could all meet up again like this, or if it would ever happen again. The bonds they had forged over the years were strong, but like in all things, time will pull them apart. There was no doubt, they'd still meet up now and again, just in smaller groups, not everyone able to have the time to make it, but they were sure to do what they could to keep this bond of friendship together, for as long as they could.

So much had changed since they first came together, so many challenges overcome. They weren't the same people they were back then in the beginning. Somehow, they had become more, better versions of themselves. And none of them, would have changed even the slightest thing.

The future was theirs to witness, theirs to hold onto. Through the laughs and joys, there will no doubt come tears and sorrows. But together they will get through it all, and together they will remember their love for one another. Which will only continue to grow.

As they grow up, learn more about the world, get married and soon, by the manifestation of their love, will come a child. For love is ever growing with no limits.

Although it was close to morning, the door slid open and Hori stepped out, wiping away a tear. The remnants of emotions from last night. She and the other girls had gone back to their assigned room, continued talking, holding onto each other as they're hearts ached in sweet sorrow. She walked down the corridor and paused to look out the window on noticing the first rays of dawn, beginning to seep over the trees and through the lush leaves. Although it was early, and the others were still fast asleep, Hori had wanted, felt, like taking a little walk. She didn't want things to end, but she had no power to stop them.

All she could do, was accept that this was how things go and carry on. She would endure and remember their friendship and the love they have forge in their time together.

She was adamant that she would hold on to these memories for the rest of her life, and even then, she'd pass them down as stories to her children, in hopes that they too, would forge bonds of friendship like she has.

Suddenly Hori felt she wasn't alone and turned to find Miyamura walking towards her with his warm, comforting smile which always seemed to put her heart at ease.

"Couldn't sleep?" He asked, joining her to gaze out at the rising sun.

"Yeah." Hori replied, stroking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"It was a tough night wasn't it." Miyamura continued, grinning, although there was also sadness behind his expression.

Hori thought that he too must be feeling sad, that soon they will all part ways. Unable to all come together as often. It was hard to imagine, not having everyone around. It will certainly be peaceful, but they will be missed. They all had their own lives to live, but no matter what. In some way, they will always be connected. Meeting up again and again no matter how far the distance or how long the time spent apart will be. Their friendship would continue.

But there was one thing that was certain. That she would be with Miyamura, hopefully for many, many years to come.

Miyamura stepped closer to Hori, reaching out his hand, holding hers and interlocking their fingers.

Hori leaned on his shoulder, feeling the warmth he gave her inside her heart. They would endure, togeher .

"Kyouko, I love you." Miyamura confessed, gazing down at Hori's beauty as her eyes gazed up to meet his.

"I love you too Izumi." Hori replied closing her eyes and pursing her lips.

They kissed in the light of the morning sun just as it appeared over the tops of the trees. The two leaned back smiling as they continued to gaze at each other. They still had so much to learn, so much time left with each other. It was so hard not to rush through life to be with this one person. But still, they would take their time, enjoy the happy moments and endure the painful ones.

In the end, all that matters is that they come together, able to work things out and continue to love. To love more.

The End