Izu Beach Resort — 12:41 PM

  The train rolled into the station, brakes hissing as the doors slid open. The group spilled out in a jumble of voices and luggage wheels, greeted immediately by the sticky, salt-heavy air of the coast.

  The streets leading to the resort were alive with motion — kids running with inflatable tubes, food stalls grilling squid skewers, couples wandering hand-in-hand with shaved ice cups dripping down their fingers. The sound of the waves bled into it all, constant and magnetic, drawing them toward the shoreline.

  When the resort finally came into view, it was impossible to miss. A sprawling complex of pale stone and glass stretched along the curve of the beach; its balconies stacked like watchtowers over the sand. The main pool glittered under the sun, crowded with guests splashing and laughing. Surfboards leaned against the rental shop, volleyball nets stood taut in the sand, and parasails floated above the horizon like bright fragments of fabric against the sky.

  “Whoa,” Hana breathed, tugging at the strap of her bag. “This place is packed.”

  Kazuki’s gaze scanned the beach, where music thumped faintly from a DJ booth near the boardwalk. His lips parted slightly, caught between awe and quiet disbelief.

  Ayame crossed her arms, smug as a queen surveying her domain. “Impressed? Naturally. I found the best deals myself. Premium location, all-inclusive perks, and—” she flicked her hair with mock pride “—just the right distance from the station.”

  “Bragging level: extreme,” Naomi muttered, though the corners of her mouth twitched.

  Ayame raised a finger, slipping into her usual monologue voice. “Remember — sunscreen every two hours, don’t wander too far at night, stay hydrated—”

  “Hydration’s covered!” Kenji shouted, though his voice was muffled — because his entire head was shoved halfway into a water fountain.

  Ayame stopped mid-sentence, pinching her temples. “…Unbelievable.”

  Resort Lobby — 1:12 PM

  The lobby smelled faintly of citrus; it’s cool marble floor a relief after the blistering heat outside. Guests streamed in and out, their chatter echoing beneath a chandelier that glittered with sunbeams.

  Ayame returned from the counter with a row of keycards, her smile terrifyingly efficient. “Rooms are ready. Two to three per room. And before anyone complains—” her eyes slid to Kenji “—it’s already decided.”

  Kenji groaned. “Nooo, I wanted to room with Kazuki.”

  “You are,” Ayame said flatly.

  Kenji blinked. “…Wait, really?”

  “Along with Shun.”

  Kenji fist pumped. “Dream team!”

  “Nightmare team,” Naomi corrected under her breath.

  Ayame read the rest: “Naomi, Hana, Aoi, and Mika in one room. I’ll be next door.”

  Hana nearly dropped her bag. “Wait—you’re sticking me with both Aoi and Mika?”

  Ayame didn’t even glance at her. “Problem?”

  “Lots of problems!” Hana protested.

  Naomi adjusted her glasses, her smile sly. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on you. Or rather… on your reactions.”

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  Hana flushed. “Wh-what reactions?!”

  Naomi hummed knowingly, brushing past with her suitcase.

  Girls’ Room — 1:42 PM

  The room smelled faintly of ocean breeze and fresh linen, sunlight spilling through the sliding doors that opened onto a small balcony. Aoi and Mika had already claimed the beds closest to the window, chatting while unpacking sundresses.

  Hana dumped her bag onto the farthest bed with a dramatic flop. “This is cruel and unusual punishment.”

  Naomi slid her suitcase neatly under her bed, arms crossed. “What’s the issue, exactly? Sharing space? Or sharing Kazuki’s attention?”

  Hana shot upright, face heating. “Wh-what attention?! He’s not even—”

  Naomi raised a brow, clearly unconvinced. “Right. Of course.”

  Hana groaned, burying her face into her pillow. “You’re the worst.”

  “And you’re obvious,” Naomi replied smoothly, settling down with her notes.

  Boys’ Room — 1:49 PM

  The boys’ room was already a mess — Kenji’s suitcase exploded onto the floor, Shun folded his hoodies into military precision, and Kazuki sat cross-legged by his bed, pulling out neatly packed clothes.

  Shun’s voice broke the quiet first. “Places like this… they’re my safe havens.”

  Kenji raised an eyebrow. “Bro, you go on vacation like five times a year. Your ‘safe haven’ is basically the airport.”

  Shun smirked faintly, shrugging.

  Kazuki glanced up. “I used to travel a lot too. My favourite trip was Hawaii.”

  Kenji perked up. “Hawaii?!”

  Kazuki nodded slowly, a rare softness in his expression. “I joined one of the local dances with the islanders. The drums, the fire, the sea breeze… it was the first time I felt music wasn’t just something to perform. It was… alive.”

  The room went quiet, the weight of the words sinking in.

  Then Kenji let out a wail. “That’s so unfair! All I get are family camping trips in mosquito land!”

  Kazuki smirked faintly. “Guess I’ll keep the rest of the stories to myself, then.”

  “Traitor,” Kenji groaned, flopping onto his bed.

  But after a beat, he leaned up, eyes narrowing mischievously. “So, Kazuki… what’s going on with you and Hana?”

  Kazuki froze mid-fold, ears going faintly red. “…Nothing.”

  Kenji grinned. “That’s not a denial, that’s a lie.”

  Shun’s mouth twitched into the faintest smile. “Obvious, too.”

  Kazuki scowled, grabbing a shirt. “You two are ridiculous.”

  “Oh, really?” Kazuki’s tone sharpened suddenly as he glanced at Shun. “What about you and Ayame?”

  Shun stiffened, colour rising in his cheeks. “That’s—different.”

  Kenji cackled. “Ohhh, he’s blushing! Finally, some progress.” He clapped Shun on the shoulder. “You’ve gotta tell her, man. Just say it. Be bold.”

  Shun buried his face in his hands, muffled. “I don’t… know how.”

  Kazuki’s smirk softened into something warmer. “Figure it out. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

  Before Shun could reply, the door slammed open.

  “Are you boys ready?”

  Ayame stood there, swimsuit under her loose cover-up, arms crossed.

  Kazuki and Kenji both yelped, leaping a foot in the air.

  Shun stared — then blurted, “That colour… it suits you.”

  Ayame blinked. Heat rose across her face before she spun on her heel. “J-just hurry up!” She slammed the door behind her, the echo rattling the walls.

  Kenji’s grin was instant. “Ohhh, Shun. Smooth.”

  Shun groaned into his hands again.

  Resort Beach — 2:31 PM

  The sand burned hot underfoot, the sunlight scattering across waves that glittered like broken glass. The beach was crowded — umbrellas clustered in bright colours, volleyball games in full swing, the smell of grilled corn mixing with the sharp tang of saltwater.

  Kazuki stretched his arms overhead, the afternoon light catching on his frame. Hana smirked, leaning just close enough to jab him with her elbow. “Didn’t think you had a body under all those hoodies. Not bad.”

  Kazuki blinked at her, then chuckled as he noticed women nearby sneaking glances. “Guess that gym work at home’s been paying off.”

  Hana narrowed her eyes at the staring women. Without warning, she shoved Kazuki backward into the sand.

  “Better this way,” she muttered, immediately piling sand over him.

  Naomi raised her head from under the umbrella. “Seriously?”

  The other girls noticed too, laughter spilling across the beach as Hana buried him up to his chest.

  Mika tilted her head innocently. “Oh! That looks fun.” Without hesitation, she knelt and started piling sand over Hana, who squawked.

  “Wait—what are you doing?!”

  Mika laughed. “Evening the odds.”

  And then, with a mischievous grin, she buried herself beside them.

  The chaos peaked when Kazuki yelped. “Ow! Something pinched me!”

  A crab scuttled away from the mound of sand as he tried to wriggle free.

  Naomi shook her head — and nearly jumped when Kenji appeared behind her.

  “Boo.”

  Naomi scowled. “Don’t sneak up on me.”

  Kenji grinned. “Relax, just keeping the energy up.” He tossed a handful of sand at her feet.

  Naomi’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “…Did you just—”

  Kenji bolted, laughing as Naomi leapt up to chase him down the beach.

  Under an umbrella nearby, Shun leaned back beside Ayame, watching the chaos unfold.

  “…They’re insane,” he muttered.

  Ayame sighed, though the faint smile on her lips betrayed her. “Yeah. But it’s… kind of nice.”

  The sound of laughter carried on the sea breeze, folding into the crash of the waves.

  Their summer had truly begun.