Chapter 41: The "Peaceful" Beach Getaway

"I am so bored."

It's Saturday afternoon. I am melting onto my living room floor. My phone is silent.

Too silent.

Ever since the Daiki-saving-me-but-not-really incident (which I am still processing), everyone has been... weird.

Daiki is nice now. He texts me 'good morning' instead of '1v1 me, scrub'.

Fuji is extra silent. He just stares at me. More than usual.

And Hiroto... Hiroto sent me a 'Sorry For The Drama' gift basket full of bath bombs.

I am losing my mind. I need real peace.

BZZT.

My door explodes open. So much for peace.

"AOI-CHAN! I AM DYING! DYING OF BOREDOM!" Toujo wails, flopping onto my floor next to me.

"We know, Toujo," Rika sighs, walking in normally behind him. "You've said that five times."

"But I mean it this time! The sun is shining! My youth is wasting away! We have to do something!"

I grunt. "Go away."

"I HAVE IT!" Toujo leaps up, snapping his fingers. "The greatest idea in history! A beach trip! A picnic! Sun! Fun! Us!"

"A beach trip?" Rika repeats, her eyes lighting up. "Toujo, that's... actually a good idea."

"I know! And get this!" Toujo puffs his chest out. "I told Hiroto-san about my brilliant plan—" (He means he texted him in a panic) "—and he loved it! His agency is renting a private beach house anyway for 'research' on his new summer drama. And we get to be the 'research'! It's my idea, but his treat!"

"This is the worst," I groan. "It's sand. It gets everywhere."

"Oh! But wait!" Rika gasps. "We don't have new swimsuits! We haven't bought any this year!"

Oh, no.

"We have to go shopping! Right now!" Rika grabs my arm.

"No. Rika. No. I hate swimsuit shopping."

"Yes! You have to come, Aoi-chan!" Rika insists, pulling me up. "You're still wearing Daiki's hoodie. You smell like 'Sad Gamer'. You need sunlight and a new bikini!"

She has a point about the hoodie.

(It's comfortable. Shut up.)

...

Two hours later.

I really hate all of them.

After surviving the hell that is a weekend mall, we finally arrive at the beach house.

It is amazing. It's huge. Glass walls. Private ocean.

But it's not private.

"Angel-chan! You made it!" Hiroto waves, flashing a peace sign. He's wearing three zinc sticks on his face like war paint.

And he's not alone.

Sitting under an umbrella.

Reading a book.

Is Fuji Kenji.

"What are you doing here?" I snap.

"Fuji-kun volunteered!" Hiroto chirps. "He said he needed to 'monitor the situation' to 'prevent further property damage'! So responsible!"

Fuji looks up. His eyes land on me.

He nods.

My eye twitches.

"And me!"

A new voice.

Daiki Hanata stomps out of the house. He is also wearing a hoodie.

At the beach.

"If 'Sparkles' and 'Mr. Perfect' are here, I'm here," Daiki grunts. "Someone has to protect you from these jerks."

He's trying to be my 'hero' again.

It's... almost sweet. And very annoying.

"Great," I groan. "The whole idiot squad is assembled."

"Let's hit the water!" Toujo screams, sprinting past us.

Rika drags me to a changing room.

"Aoi-chan! Swimsuit! Now!"

Ten minutes later.

I hate my life.

I am wearing the new swimsuit.

Rika forced it on me.

It's not fancy. It's just a *plain, *black, sporty two-piece. Practical.

(I won the battle against the one with the stupid frills.)

I walk out onto the deck.

Silence.

Toujo stops mid-sprint.

Hiroto drops his camera.

Daiki chokes on his energy drink.

Fuji...

Fuji's book slides out of his hand.

I look down.

"What? Is there something on me?"

"Aoi-chan..." Rika whispers. "You look... wow."

I look around.

Even the lifeguard at the public beach next door is staring.

This is why I hate swimsuits.

"STOP STARING, YOU MORONS!" I roar. Full 'Bloody Twilight'.

It doesn't work.

"Angel..." Hiroto breathes, picking up his camera. "You are a GODDESS. A dark... water goddess!"

"Twilight," Daiki stammers, wiping his chin. "You... that's... wow."

Fuji just clears his throat. He turns bright red. And he frantically picks up his book.

He opens it.

Upside down.

I grab a towel.

"This day is canceled."