The van screeched to a halt in front of the glimmering shore. Blue stretched for miles, sunlight bouncing off the water like diamonds scattered across the sea.
"BEACH DAY!" Will Ethan yelled, leaping out of the passenger seat with both arms raised. "This is the start of our main-character summer arc!"
"Why are you yelling?" Kenji Suguru grumbled, climbing out behind him with sunglasses and a scowl.
"Because the ocean needs to hear my joy."
"I think it heard your delusion."
Rio Wilson stretched long and lazy, tugging off his shirt to reveal a tropical-print tank top. "This is exactly what I needed. Sun, salt, serotonin."
Ian Moore looked like he'd rather be in a war zone than in sandals. "We're going to burn alive."
"Not if you let me rub sunscreen on you~" Rio sang.
Ian turned red in 0.2 seconds. "I—I can do it myself."
"No fun in that," Rio whispered, winking.
Meanwhile, Yuuji Aikawa helped unload the cooler, while Ren Sakamoto was already halfway across the sand, barefoot and wide-eyed as he stared out at the sea.
"You going to swim without us?" Yuuji asked, catching up.
Ren turned, the breeze catching his hair. "I wanted to see if the ocean looks different today."
"Does it?"
Ren smiled. "Not really. But it feels more... permanent."
Yuuji paused. "Are we talking about the ocean or us?"
Ren looked back at him, a tiny grin tugging at his lips. "Both."
---
Later, on the beach...
The group had set up base: a large umbrella, beach towels, and a bluetooth speaker blasting a soft summer playlist.
Will and Kenji were building a sandcastle. Technically, Will was building, and Kenji was watching with arms crossed and a deadpan expression.
"You gave our castle a nose ring," Kenji said flatly.
"It's edgy."
"It's an abomination."
"Art is subjective."
Nearby, Ian was attempting to read a book, but Rio kept tossing seashells at him. "Every time you turn a page, you get a gift."
"I don't want gifts."
"Too bad. You're my seashell prince."
"Rio."
"Yes?"
"Shut up."
Rio smiled and leaned over Ian's shoulder, whispering, "You love it."
Ian sighed. "...I really do."
---
Water Fight: Initiated by Chaos Incarnate (aka Will)
With no warning, Will launched a sneak attack, throwing a bucket of seawater directly onto Kenji.
There was silence.
Kenji slowly removed his sunglasses, face expressionless, dripping.
"Run," Yuuji advised.
Will ran.
Screaming.
Kenji chased him across the beach with the wrath of Poseidon himself. Rio joined the chaos by tackling both into the shallow waves.
Ren laughed so hard he dropped his drink.
Yuuji raised a brow. "You're next."
Ren blinked. "What—"
SPLASH.
Yuuji dumped a bottle of water over Ren's head.
Ren gasped and launched himself at Yuuji, dragging them both into the ocean with a squeal and a splash.
Somewhere between salt and laughter, Yuuji caught Ren around the waist and leaned close.
"I love you, you know."
Ren blinked through wet bangs. "You said that like you've been holding it in for hours."
"I've been holding it in since library detention."
Ren smiled, soft and real. "Good. Because I love you too."
---
Later that Evening: Watching the Sunset
Six teens sat in damp clothes on a giant towel, watching the sun dip low across the horizon, turning the sky pink, orange, and gold.
Will leaned into Kenji's shoulder. "This is the kind of stuff you only see in movies."
Kenji looked down at him. "You're the one who made it happen."
"Do I get a prize?"
Kenji kissed the side of his head. "You already won."
Ian had his arms wrapped around Rio from behind, both of them quiet, swaying to the wind and the waves.
"I wish this moment could last forever," Rio whispered.
Ian pressed a kiss to his shoulder. "It will. In here." He tapped Rio's chest.
Ren rested his head against Yuuji's knee, hair still wet from the ocean. "When we're old and boring, remind me we were wild once."
"I will," Yuuji said. "But we'll never be boring."
"Speak for yourself. I'm aging into a cryptid."
Yuuji laughed softly. "Then I'll be the guy feeding you soup in your cave."
"Romantic."
"Always."
---
Final Shot:
The sun dipped below the sea. Six silhouettes remained on the sand — closer, warmer, and freer than they'd ever been.
Their futures stretched out wide, but tonight was about now — messy, salty, chaotic love.
And for once, they didn't need anything else
Volume 2.....