Subaru crashes against the sand. After getting his ass whipped by crashing waves, he decided that it was best to take a break from learning to surf.

"Man, who would have thought surfing would be this hard!"

Kenichi stands over his son, drinking a bottle of water. He downs the whole bottle and wipes his mouth, smiling at his son. "You were able to stand up, at least; just don't go expecting you can perform a proper bottom turn or a snap on your first lesson. But with enough practice, you will be catching air like the pros!"

Subaru snorts slightly, "Thanks for the encouragement, big kahuna. Also, when did you get so good at surfing? You've never mentioned it before."

Kenichi chuckles, "Well, I don't mean to brag, but sports come naturally to me." He flexes his bicep and winks, "Maybe later, your old man can teach you to skateboard, too!"

Subaru stretches and relaxes his hands behind his head, "Sure, Tony Hawk, if you want to, I don't mind."

Kenichi nods and glances at Ram, who is lying in a lounge chair. She is clearly not listening to either of them.

"What about you, Ram-chan? Care to learn an extreme sport?"

"No." She responds flatly.

Kenichi shrugs and turns to his wife.

"Well, my muse, my inspiration, my reason for living,"

Naoko giggles while Subaru rolls his eyes, and Ram cringes slightly.

"What's for lunch?" Kenichi asks, not caring about how Ram or Subaru perceive him.

"Just simple mayonnaise sandwiches."

Kenichi and Subaru collectively rub their stomachs. Ram sits up, "Naoko-san, when you say 'mayonnaise sandwiches,' do you mean just mayo?"

"Well, I have other things you can add. Like sliced chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles to go with the mayonnaise."

Ram stares and looks at Subaru.

"What did I do?"

Ram shakes her head, "Very well, if that's all there is." Ram lays back down.

"Oh! I also brought snacks. Like apple slices, grapes, and potato chips."

Ram sits back up, "Wait, potato chips? What exactly do you mean?"

Naoko produces the bag and hands it to her. Ram sticks her hand inside and pulls out a single chip. She holds the chip gingerly and turns it back and forth, inspecting it like a detective interrogating a clue.

Subaru looks at her with amusement. Ram doesn't give him the pleasure of a reply and places the chip in her mouth. She closes her eyes, exhaling while continuing to munch and crunch.

"That good, huh?" Subaru asks.

Ram nods, "Yes, Brausu. Naoko-san, Ram will keep this bag of chips and put them on her sandwich."

"Oh, feeling daring, are we?"

"Yes, Ram is living on the wild side."

With that, Ram lays back down and continues to pop potato chips into her mouth one after another.

'Wild side?' Subaru thinks,'Huh, I don't believe I've ever heard Ram use a phrase like that before.'

Subaru and Ram fail to realize his effect on him and just how much 'Subaruisms' have become commonplace in everyday Lugunican vernacular.

While Ram eats potato chips and lounges, Subaru stares at her and smiles to himself. Ram, sensing that Subaru hasn't taken his eyes off of her, peeks over her glasses, "What is it, Barusu? You keep smiling at Ram. It's ruining her snacking."

Subaru grins, "Nothing. Just watching you eating chips and relaxing on the beach is oddly fitting."

Ram stares at him momentarily and then lays back down, "Well, Ram fits into many scenarios, so what you are witnessing is perfectly natural. Now, please focus your attention elsewhere."

Subaru stretches and closes his eyes, "Sure, Nee-sama. If you say so."

Kenchi and Naoko glance at one another and smile, still elated that their son's previous sour mood has dissipated.

"Say Ram," Says Naoko, "How would you like to go into the water together?"

Ram looks over at her, and looks at the ocean. She watches the waves pull in and retract, before looking back at Naoko, "Okay, Ram admits she has been curious since she arrived."

"That's great!" Naoko stands and pulls Ram up from her lounge chair.

"W-wait, Ram didn't mean right at this moment!"

Naoko giggles. "There is no time like the present. If you lay around and wait, then opportunity might pass you by, Ram!"

Ram can do little to fight against Subaru's mother's grip, "Ram can't help but get the feeling that this giant body of water isn't going anywhere, so it shouldn't be a problem to wait-"

"Excuses, excuses!" Naoko gets behind Ram and starts shoving her toward the ocean. "Now, then—let's go!"

She squeaks slightly, and Naoko continues to shove her forward. After boasting how curious she had been of the ocean, she doesn't want to mention how apprehensive she is to get into a body of water as vast as it. Before, she had done all her swimming in streams, so to step foot into something more significant than a small creek leaves her feeling nervous.

Nearby Subaru laughs to himself, "No use fighting it, Ram!"

Ram looks at him and growls, "Easy for you to say, sitting there on dry land."

"Hey, I did my time out there getting my ass kicked, so it's only fair you share in the fun."

Ram sighs, "Very well. Touch my chips and your life is forfeit."

With threats out of the way, and reassurance that he wouldn't dream of coming between her and a bag of potato chips, Ram reluctantly walks toward the ocean.

The waves race toward the shore, and Ram instinctively steps back as the cool water tickles her toes. When the water retreats, she feels the ocean's current pulling sand along with it, leading her to take steps back for fear of being dragged along with it.

"Don't be scared, Ram," Calls Naoko, already up to her thighs in the water, "Just come stand beside me, okay?"

Naoko holds out her hand. Ram looks at her. Waves push up against her, but Naoko rolls with each wave, standing her ground and demonstrating that there is nothing to be worried about.

Ram gingerly places one foot before the other. She holds her hands up, to balance herself, and makes the short trek to Naoko.

Suddenly, a larger swell makes the journey to dry land, catches Naoko off guard, and goes up past her hips. She laughs as the ocean's water drenches her back. Ram, however, isn't so lucky. She sees the incoming wave and attempts to retreat, but she makes it two paces before being knocked over by the crashing wave.

Naoko, holding her sides and laughing, goes over to Ram, who sits on her butt, drenched from head to toe.

"That's one way to get in the water," Naoko giggles, "Are you alright?"

Ram, wide-eyed and blushing with embarrassment, quickly turns her head in the direction of Subaru, who sits with his head turned to the side. It's obvious he saw the whole thing occur, and he is doing all he can to not laugh at the poor girl's hilarious misfortune.

Ram narrows her eyes, almost daring Subaru to let out a snicker. She sighs, and takes Naoko's hand, who helps her to a standing position.

Getting her bearings, Ram steadies herself, and walks further into the ocean.

"Okay, Ram has made it. Now what?"

"Now we wait for waves to come in and try not to get knocked over."

Ram stares at Naoko in silence. "We what…?"

"Just like I was doing before you ended up on your hiney, we let the waves crash into us. It's a lot of fun!"

Ram scans the other parts of the beach. Sure enough, she spies several doing something similar to what Naoko had just suggested.

"We don't swim?"

Naoko shrugs, "Well, you can, but if you go too far out, you run the risk of getting caught up in the tide and pulled out further into the ocean."

Ram continues to stare while Naoko goes down a checklist of every worst possible scenario.

"Then you can't swim back, and sharks start to surround you, and then before you know it-"

Ram has no idea what Naoko is talking about, let alone what a shark is, but prefers to keep that way.

Slightly pale, Ram shakes her head, "Standing, letting waves hit you sounds good to Ram. How long will we do this?"

"Dunno? I guess until we get tired?"

"Would you hold it against Ram if she told you how exhausted she is?"

Naoko laughs some more, and smacks Ram's back, "You're such a joker, Ram! I can see why Subaru likes you so much."

Ram stabilizes herself, "Naoko-san, Ram is afraid you need glasses."

Naoko giggles, and moves with an incoming wave, while Ram shrieks from the sudden swell. She clasps her mouth, and looks at the beach again. Subaru is still looking away from her.

On the beach:

Kenichi walks up to his son, and stands next to him. He watches his wife and Ram in the water, seemingly having a good time.

"Those two have been getting along pretty well lately."

Subaru looks towards his mother and Ram, "Yeah, they're becoming as thick as thieves."

"Uh-huh." Kenichi concurs.

Subaru looks up at his dad, "So what's on the schedule for the rest of the day. It's not like you to come to the beach and not have something else planned."

Kenichi crosses his arms and looks down. He smiles, and his glasses start to glow. Subaru raises an eyebrow.

"Of course I got something planned, oh son of mine."

"Oh?"

Kenichi looks back at Subaru and grins from ear to ear, "As the sun starts to set, your old man is gonna barbecue."

"You say that like I should be amazed or something?"

Kenichi laughs at his son's ignorance, "Oh, ye of little faith. It's not just any barbecue. Oh no! Your manly role model is going to be grilling potatoes, and racks of ribs!"

Kenichi thumbs his chest, and smiles brightly. Subaru can swear his Dad's teeth sparkled just then from the sun's reflective rays.

"Asparagus, too." Kenichi declares, boastfully.

"Uh…wow, Dad." Subaru ignores the manly role model joke.

"Yep, you're old man knows how to party."

"I can tell. And after that?"

Kenichi scratches his head, "I don't know. Fireworks?"

Subaru stands, "Aw, c'mon! You sound so unsure, that I can't help but believe you made that last part up."

"Whoa, calm down. Of course I didn't!"

Kenichi turns and walks to where the beach camp supplies are, and grabs a plastic grocery bag.

He opens it, "Check it out."

Subaru looks in, and his mouth drops,"Huh!?These are just snakes and sparklers! Ram and I aren't kids! Where's the stuff that goesboom!"

Kenichi looks in the bag, and then at his son, "C'mon, Subaru. You know that this is a private beach, and there is a noise ordinance."

Subaru deflates, "Ugh, fine! Sparklers it is." Subaru sits back down.

Kenichi looks at his son and then smiles mischievously. He leans in close and says, "Listen, Subaru. Nothing spells romance like two lovers gazing at one another through sparkling lights."

Subaru looks up at his dad as if he has grown two heads and has started emitting a toxic gas.

"If Ram heard you say that, we would both be in trouble."

Kenichi stands to full height and laughs loudly.

"Perhaps you're right! But for a girl to get so defensive over simple teasing makes me wonder if there isn't something more buried beneath the surface?"

"Who knows? Maybe she hates the harassment."

Kenichi continues to laugh and steps away. Subaru sighs, and looks away from his father toward Ram and his mother.

He can't quite hear what they are saying to one another, but judging by Ram's fearful anticipation, it's something along the lines of, 'hang on, here it comes!'

Sure enough, a large wave crashes into them both, nearly putting Ram on her knees. She looks up to see if Subaru is looking at her, but he is quick to turn his head before their eyes can meet.

Ram narrows her eyes again. "Ram is onto you, Barusu." She says before standing back up.

Subaru sits back, and rubs his stomach. "MAN! I can't remember the last time I've eaten this many ribs!"

Ram, too, is quite stuffed, but rather than announce this to the world, she sits in meditative silence.

When she first learned of Kenichi's plans for dinner, she wasn't too interested in the mention of ribs, her primary focus being skewered potatoes. However, Ram ended up eating two racks of ribs, ignoring both Subaru and Kenichi who remarked how astonished someone as dainty as her could put away two helpings of ribs.

Now comfortably stuffed, she sips on a cup of green tea, which Naoko graciously offered to her.

She places the cup and saucer down, "Yes, Ram has to agree. The ribs and potatoes were delectable." She looks at Kenichi, "Ram had her doubts, but you certainly surprised her."

Kenichi smiles, "There was a compliment somewhere in that remark, and for that I'm grateful."

With that aside, Kenichi grabs the plastic bag he so proudly showed off to Subaru early, "Now then…who's ready for snakes and sparklers!"

Naoko raises a hand, "Ooh! I am! Right here!"

Subaru stares at her. "You two were made for one another." He glances at Ram, who sees him look her way out of the corner of her eye.

"What, Barusu?"

Subaru stares at her and then at his parents. "Dad, I think we'll take a raincheck." He looks back at Ram and says, "Ram, uh, would you care to take a walk with me?"

Kenichi and Naoko both go 'ooo.'

"Hey! Knock it off you two! This is strictly business!"

"Sure son, if you say so."

Naoko giggles to herself, "Yes, Subaru. Please go with your friend. Your dad and I will be here when you two return."

"Yeah," he says, turning to Ram. "Is that alright, or do you want to stay here and be entertained by snakes and sparklers?"

"You say that like Ram has an idea of what those two things are."

The two momentarily stare at one another, until Ram stands, "Very well. But don't try anything, or else you'll be taking a midnight dip, where sharks will surely devour you."

"I won't! And sharks? Really? Why the elaborate threat?"

"Who said Ram was threatening you?"

Suabru rolls his eyes, "Yeah, yeah, 'it's a promise,' I get it."

He turns to leave, "Well, Mom and Dad, we'll be back soon."

"Take your time, sweety!" Shouts Naoko as the two walk away together. She smiles at her son.

"Subaru's shoulders are broader, and he is taller too." She says to herself.

"Yeah, he definitely looks older to me. I guess he hit a growth spurt?"

"Perhaps…" Concurs Naoko.

Further down the beach:

Once they are out of sight of both Subaru's parents, Ram looks over at him.

"What was it you wanted to talk about, Barusu?"

Subaru stops, and looks out across the ocean. Ram stands along with him. Finally, he turns to look at her. "First, I wanted to apologize for what I said. I was an ass, and I had no right to doubt how you feel."

Ram considers him, and looks back across the ocean. Waves slowly roll in and out.

"Ram is…sorry too."

Subaru looks surprised, "Oh? I wasn't expecting an apology from Nee-sama."

Ram shoots him a glare. "Don't make it harder than it is, but—" she looks away. She has been unfair, too. She knows you are stressed out, too…"

Subaru looks taken aback, "Whoa, is this the start of a new Ram? You actually sound concerned about?"

Ram clicks her tongue. Subaru smiles, "Well, either way—thank you, Ram. It means a lot to hear you say that, but…"

Ram looks at him from the corner of her eye, "...but?"

Subaru takes a deep breath and slowly exhales, "There is something I need to say…"

He is silent now, while Ram continues to watch him from the corner of her eyes. Her pink irises watch every facial twitch, knowing that he is having trouble forming the right words. She can guess what he is going to say, but rather than finish the words for him, she gives him space and patiently waits for him to break the news to her.

Subaru finally speaks, "I…don't have a way home for us…"

Ram turns back to the ebb flow of the tide inching ever closer to the two who stand as solitary statues on the beach. She isn't surprised by his admission, but still hoped for the best.

She closes her eyes, "Ram…understands…"

"You do?" Subaru is surprised she didn't turn to shout, or yell her disappointment. Perhaps hurl an insult or two his way.

"She suspected for some time now. It's why you have been so irritable. You want to get us home, and Ram wants to return home, but it's not possible." She turns and looks at him, "But, you mentioned something…that night in the parking lot. Barusu-"

"That was nothing."

He turns to her and smiles, "I was being stupid, and saying whatever came to mind."

Ram stares at him with uncertainty, but it's obvious he wishes to avoid the topic. Seeing how pushing Subaru to speak of something he said would do little to help the situation, Ram sets it aside for now.

"Very well."

The two stare off into the endless distance of the ocean.

"So now what, Barusu?"

Subaru scratches his head, "As much as I hate to say it, I guess I have to actually go back to school and graduate, though I've been gone so long, I don't see how it would be possible for me just to show back up like nothing happened."

"Yes, Kenichi-san mentioned school. Ram doesn't see exactly how she can attend a school, and not be from this place."

Subaru looks surprised, "How perceptive, Ram. Yeah, I thought about that too, but didn't say anything."

"Barusu forgets Ram is an incredibly perceptive, cute person."

"I don't remember saying cute?"

"Ram's not cute?"

Subaru flinches, "Eh, I-I didn't mean to imply-"

Ram grins to herself. Subaru scratches his chin. His cheeks turn a shade of red.

He coughs, "Anyway…as I was saying, school might be tough for you, but that doesn't mean it isn't doable. We'll just have to talk to my Dad about signing you up with me. I don't know how we'll go about getting the necessary documentation, but maybe he can do something about that."

He turns to her and says, "In the meantime, I can teach you to read and write—just like you did for me!"

Ram stares at Subaru, "Barusu, if Ram remembers correctly, you already had a handle on reading and writing. She doesn't remember helping you at all."

"Huh? You don't?" Subaru searches his memory banks, landing on a past memory from when he first entered the mansion. "Oh, yeah! Of course you don't, haha, sorry, it must've been Rem, yeah her!"

Ram continues to stare at Subaru as he nervously attempts to create a false memory. She isn't aware of the lie, but can't help but wonder how Subaru arrived at the mansion already knowing the basics of reading and writing.

In the end, it doesn't matter to her, and she takes him up on his offer to teach her the fundamentals of reading, "Very well, if it will help Ram, she will let you teach her."

"You will!?" Subaru places a hand on his hips, "Alright! Just you wait Ram, because when I finish with you, you'll be reading Osamu Dazai like a pro!"

"Ram can hardly hide her excitement."

A warm breeze blows in and ruffles her bangs. Ram pushes her hair behind her head. Subaru watches this small gesture, and for a moment, his heart starts to race, and he feels as if Ram and he are the only two people in the universe.

Ram feels his persistent stare and turns to him. "What, Barusu?" She asks.

He quickly straightens up and faces away. "N-nothing, Ram." Subaru says, and focuses on the moon, "Just the moon looks…nice, is all."

Ram looks at Subaru, and then gazes at the moon.

"Yes, Ram supposes it does."