Chapter 37: — “Beach Chaos Chronicles: Part 2”

Mika bounced on the balls of her feet, eyes sparkling as she looked at the water. “HEY! I just got the best idea ever!” she shouted, spinning to face everyone. “Let’s play… um… a swimming tag game! Yeah, tag in the water! It’s gonna be awesome!”

Riku, standing with his hands in his pockets, raised an eyebrow. “Swimming tag?” he muttered, not entirely convinced. “Do you even know how that works?”

Mika waved him off with a dramatic flick of her hand. “Of course I do! It’s simple! One person’s ‘it’ and has to tag someone else. Then that person is ‘it’! And we can do twists and make it more fun!”

Kenji smirked, crossing his arms. “Twists, huh? Like what?”

“Oh!” Mika clapped her hands, excitement radiating off her. “We can have rules! Like… no touching below the waist, no unfair pushing, and if someone splashes too much, they have to do a funny dance!”

Akari groaned, already feeling slightly embarrassed in her bikini. “I don’t know if I want to be doing… whatever this is… in the water… with all of you splashing me.”

Mika pouted dramatically. “Come on, Akari! You’re my sister! You have to play! And you’ll be fine, I promise. Riku can’t save you forever!”

Riku muttered under his breath, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I’m not saving anyone, Mika. You’re on your own if she pushes me in…”

“OH COME ON!” Mika squealed, grabbing Riku by the arm and tugging him toward the shoreline. “You’ll have fun! I promise! And Kenji, you’re gonna be ‘it’ first!”

Kenji rolled his eyes, though his smirk didn’t fade. “Why me? I don’t even... fine, whatever. But you better not cheat, Mika.”

Mika spun around, pointing dramatically at him. “Cheating is MY specialty!” she teased, then laughed. “Just kidding! Totally kidding!”

The girls, Sakura and Miyuki, giggled behind her. “She’s going to cheat no matter what,” Sakura whispered.

“Obviously,” Miyuki replied, shaking her head. “But it’s funny, so I don’t mind.”

Riku stepped into the shallow water, crossing his arms. “Alright… so what’s the start signal?”

Mika’s eyes sparkled as she held up a stick she’d found in the sand like a baton. “The first one to get tagged loses! And… uh… let’s see… the signal is me yelling, ‘Go, go, go!’”

Kenji rolled his eyes again but stepped into the water, getting into a ready stance. “Fine. But if I’m ‘it,’ I’m not holding back.”

Mika bounced in place. “YAY! Okay… ready… set… GO, GO, GO!”

Immediately, Kenji lunged forward, splashing water in Riku’s direction. Riku yelped, stumbling back, his arms flailing. “HEY! Watch it!”

Mika giggled uncontrollably and darted toward the deeper water. “You’ll never catch me!” she yelled, her laughter carrying across the shore.

Akari rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her small smile, trying to keep up with Mika while staying just far enough back to avoid a direct splash. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered, though her tone lacked conviction.

Sakura and Miyuki were chasing each other nearby, occasionally ducking under small waves and throwing playful splashes at anyone close. “I’m winning this time!” Sakura yelled, narrowly dodging a splash from Miyuki.

“Not if I tag you first!” Miyuki countered, diving toward her friend.

Riku finally lunged at Kenji, trying to dodge the younger boy’s movements. “Okay, fine! You’re ‘it,’ now it’s my turn!”

Kenji smirked, trying to weave past Riku’s grab. “You’re slow, Riku! You’ll never catch me!”

Mika screeched in excitement and splashed water toward both of them. “TAG!” she shouted, narrowly avoiding Kenji as she sprinted past.

“HEY!” Kenji yelled, wiping water from his eyes. “I said no cheating!”

Mika just laughed, twirling in the water. “All fair in fun, Kenji! All fair in fun!”

Riku groaned, but a laugh escaped him despite himself. “I hate you, Mika…”

Mika grinned triumphantly. “And I love you for it!”

Akari groaned, splashing at Mika in a half-hearted attempt to slow her down. “This is why I didn’t want to come,” she muttered, though her cheeks had a faint pink tint from smiling.

Sakura dove into the water, coming up with water dripping from her hair. “Riku! Tag me! Tag me!”

Riku groaned again, trying to dodge her. “Fine… but don’t splash me too much!”

Miyuki launched a sneaky splash at him from behind. “Oops, too late!”

Everyone erupted in laughter, the water flying everywhere as they chased, dodged, and splashed around in the shallow waves. Mika darted between Akari and Riku, giggling every time she narrowly avoided a hand trying to tag her.

Kenji finally managed to tag Riku lightly on the shoulder, making him yelp and stumble forward. “YES! First tag!” Kenji shouted, pumping his fist.

Riku shook his head, laughing despite himself. “This isn’t over, Kenji! You’re gonna regret that!”

Mika squealed and lunged toward Riku, trying to tag him before Kenji could move. “I’m faster! Tag, tag, tag!”

Akari groaned, flailing slightly as she tried to keep up. “I can’t believe I’m doing this…”

“You’re doing great, Akari!” Mika cheered, though the tone was full of playful mischief.

Sakura and Miyuki joined in on the chaos, diving toward anyone standing still for too long. The shallow water churned with movement, laughter, and splashes.

Riku wiped water from his eyes, pretending to glare at Mika. “I swear… one of these days I’ll catch you…”

Mika only laughed louder. “Nope! Not today, Riku! Not today!”

Kenji smirked, sizing up his next target. “Okay… enough fun. Time to get serious.”

Riku groaned, gripping the sand beneath the water with his toes for balance. “Oh no… here we go…”

And just like that, the group continued chasing, tagging, and laughing, the sun beating down on the water and sand, waves splashing high as the chaos of the beach day carried on.

After nearly half an hour of chasing, splashing, and laughing, the group finally collapsed onto a nearby wooden bench, catching their breaths. The sun reflected off the water, making everyone’s hair damp and slightly messy, but they didn’t seem to mind.

Riku pulled a small cooler from the sand beside him and opened it with a flourish. “Alright, everyone, snack time. I brought some stuff for us to munch on,” he said, handing out individually wrapped sandwiches and some juice boxes.

Mika snatched a sandwich and grinned. “YES! Finally, a break! My legs are jelly from all that running and splashing!” She nibbled at her sandwich while still fidgeting excitedly.

Kenji popped open a juice box, smirking at Riku. “Not bad. Didn’t think you’d actually remember snacks.”

Riku shrugged, pretending to be modest. “I plan ahead. Someone’s gotta make sure you all survive these… uh… games.” He cast a pointed glance at Mika, who was still bouncing in her seat.

Akari shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “I can’t believe I’m actually enjoying this,” she muttered, taking a sip of her juice. “I said I wouldn’t get involved, but somehow… this is kind of fun.”

Mika rolled her eyes, dramatically clutching her sandwich. “Of course it’s fun! It’s the beach! It’s the water! And look at everyone! Everyone’s having fun!”

Sakura and Miyuki were quietly munching on their snacks, giggling every so often at Mika’s antics. “She’s non-stop,” Miyuki whispered to Sakura, “but it’s kind of contagious.”

Sakura nodded, taking a bite of her sandwich. “Yeah… you can’t help smiling around her.”

Riku, feeling slightly smug, leaned back on the bench, juice box in hand. “See? Told you a break was necessary. You’d all be collapsing if we kept going.”

Kenji snorted, leaning back with his arms crossed. “Don’t act all responsible. You just want a break from her energy too.”

Mika gasped, nearly choking on her sandwich. “EXCUSE ME? My energy is the best part! I’m the reason we’re having so much fun!” She waved her arms dramatically, nearly knocking over her juice box.

Akari gently tapped her shoulder. “Mika… maybe keep the arms down before you drown your drink.”

Mika stuck her tongue out and whispered loudly, “But you love it.”

Riku laughed softly, shaking his head. “She’s impossible.”

Mika grinned, taking another bite, then glanced at Riku. “So… next round? Who’s it? I call dibs on Kenji this time!”

Kenji groaned, pretending to shield himself. “No way. I’m not falling for that trap again.”

Riku shook his head, smiling faintly. “Alright, alright. Let’s rest a little longer before the next round. Don’t want anyone collapsing into the sand.”

Sakura’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned toward Mika. “Hey… you want to try something fun?”

Mika’s head shot up instantly, eyes wide. “FUN?! What is it? TELL ME NOW!”

Sakura smirked and whispered conspiratorially, “Miyuki was smart enough to bring a few nets… for jellyfishing.”

Mika froze for a moment, then her jaw practically hit the sand. “JELLYFISH?! Are you serious? THIS IS THE BEST IDEA EVER!” She jumped up from the bench, nearly tripping over her sandals in excitement.

Miyuki held up the small nets she’d carefully tucked away in her beach bag. “I brought three nets, just in case. I figured you, Sakura, and Mika would be the ones crazy enough to do this.” She winked, handing a net to each of them.

Sakura grinned. “Looks like Miyuki’s predictions were spot on. Ready to get your hands a little slimy, Mika?”

Mika squealed, practically vibrating with excitement. “YES! I’m ready! Let’s catch ALL the jellyfish!” She bounced in place, clutching her net like a sword.

Meanwhile, Riku, Kenji, and Akari stayed seated on the bench, munching on snacks and watching the girls scamper toward the shallow water.

Riku muttered, shaking his head with a small smile, “They’re insane… but kind of fun to watch.”

Kenji chuckled, taking a sip of his juice. “At least I don’t have to get wet for this chaos.”

Akari, quietly amused, added, “I thought I’d be the one being dragged into trouble today… guess I’m just the observer for now.” She leaned back on the bench, shading her eyes from the sun.

Mika spun around in the shallow water, readying her net like a warrior. “Alright, jellyfish! You’re going DOWN!”

Sakura laughed, lightly splashing water toward Mika. “Don’t scare them away too fast!”

Miyuki moved gracefully along the waterline, net in hand. “Focus… slow movements. They’re delicate.”

Mika, ignoring the advice, lunged forward dramatically, splashing water everywhere. “I DON’T CARE! THIS IS WAR!”

Riku groaned under his breath, muttering, “I swear… she’ll give herself a heart attack with that energy.”

Kenji just shook his head, smirking. “I give up. They’re having too much fun for me to intervene.”

Akari couldn’t help a small laugh as Mika tripped over a wave and almost fell face-first into the water. “Careful, Mika!”

Mika popped up, water dripping from her hair but grinning like a maniac. “I’M FINE! This is the best jellyfishing day ever!”

The girls continued their chaotic chase, laughter echoing across the quiet stretch of sand, while the boys and Akari watched, safe on the sidelines… for now.