I love you, Yamada-kun

Futoshi and Haruto followed the voice. 

The voice was stern and sharp-tongued, almost as if it were a warrior ready for battle. 

But this was no battle, nor was the figure a warrior. 

"Seriously, what's taking you two so long?"

Although the voice didn't belong to a warrior, it was far too high-pitched for that. It had a hint of urgency to it as well. 

Turning the corner, Futoshi saw the girl fiddle with her pink bangs as she waited. 

They were unkempt, almost messy. Her hair flowed down to her shoulders. 

It was...

"Reina! Don't shout so loud."

Without a hint of hesitation, Reina grabbed the two boys by the arm, not stopping to elaborate. 

"Urgh, slow down, will you?"

Futoshi continued:

"And anyway, where are you taking us?"

Reina turned- still running. She didn't even have time to catch her breath. 

"It's..Aoi, she's confessing!"

Doesn't that mean we should leave them be? 

That was his first thought, although his body moved faster than his thoughts, so he didn't have time to second-guess

The air was strong. It pulled the three of them into its slipstream, carrying them to the beach.

Their legs had moved as fast as they could physically go. Going by what Reina said, Aoi was about to confess to Shuchin. 

They looked around, hoping to sneak a peek at the two. 

Stood in the distance was a slender figure, hiding behind some boulders, whom she peeked around. 

"Hey Rin, are they over there?!" 

Reina put a hand to her mouth, shouting out to Rin, who stood in the distance.

Rin pursed her lip, turning to the three of them. She had a finger covering her lip, like she was telling the group to be quiet. 

Looking at her closely was Haruto, who lowered his gaze. 

He gripped the ruff of his T-shirt. He grimaced. 

Seeing her must have made him have an odd sensation in his chest.

He breathed heavily, catching the fresh breeze in his lungs. He looked ready to confront her, to apologise.

Futoshi turned, his gaze catching Haruto's.

He looks...  content. I seriously hate heart-to-hearts, and the one I just had in there? Cringe.

A moment prior to this, Haruto had talked to Futoshi about how bad he felt, then, in the midst of it all, Haruto decided to ask about him and Reina. 

Nothing was going on between them, so for Haruto to ask something like that raised some eyebrows. 

"Cmon you two, stop daydreaming and get with it! And Futoshi, no leering at her when we find them."

It's honestly getting old. Will she ever drop that?

Futoshi and Haruto both nodded.

At that moment, Reina hauled the two down the bank where they had stood, meeting up with Rin. 

The summer air brushed up against their cheek, aiming beyond the boulder. 

"Wahh!" 

In the distance, a high-pitched voice rang out. It carried a nervous tone. 

The group now consists of Futoshi, Reina, Haruto, and Rin; all peeked around. 

They gazed beyond it, and a hat aligned itself in the distance, and stood there was-

"Yamada-kun!"

Aoi stood there, clenching her fists. 

The waves drifted along in a rhythmic tune, as the ocean breeze swished in the background, reflecting a bright tint from the hot sun that was in front of them. 

The view had a certain calming sensation to it, one that Futoshi found quite peaceful. 

The sand beneath their feet crumpled. 

Aoi took a step forward. 

"Can we talk?-"

"What's there to talk about? I'm a jerk, and I've ruined my friendship."

Aoi gritted her teeth.

"You don't get it, do you?"

Her voice sharpened. This was unlike anything the group had seen before. 

She lowered her head. Her bangs had covered her face.

Over the time she had been with the group, she had let her hair get to a length where it covered her eyes. 

In situations like this, it tended to prove quite helpful. She could glare at people all she wanted without letting on her intentions, something which made Futoshi jealous.

Shuchin was taken aback by her sharp tone, his eyes visibly crinkled.

"What don't I get?"

"You really haven't noticed?"

Aoi looked up, reaching for the sky. 

"You really are blind, Yamada-kun."

The sun beamed down on the two, casting a shadow where the others were hidden. 

Shuchin scratched the back of his head.

"Well, that's why they say I need contacts."

Aoi forced a sly laugh.

"You really wanna know why I called you here?"

She put her hands behind her back, taking a step forward. 

"Well, yeah, I-"

She kissed him. 

His eyes widened before pulling away. 

They both blushed, turning away from each other. 

"I-I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me-"

"It's fine really, it was quite the shock- yeah, a shock."

"..."

"..."

No words were spoken, just a little fidget here and there from both of them. Shuchin scratched a scar on his cheek. Aoi put her head in her hands. 

Never thought she had the guts to do that. I'm impressed. Where's the popcorn?

Reina, who was sitting idly behind the rock, attempted to peek her head further around, only to be caught by Futoshi. 

He covered her mouth with his hand.

"Not yet! Are you stupid? Wait, don't answer that the answers obvious."

She wrestled to break free.

"Reina! Do you wanna get us caught?"

"..."

She tried to speak, but was muffled by Futoshi. 

If she revealed they were there, who knew what'd they'd do. Get flustered? Scorn them for the rest of their lives for peeping? The thought of that sent shivers down their spines. 

  Then-

Reina got loose, shouting around. 

"Great, look what you've done now. Well done, genius."

She brushed herself off before averting her gaze. 

"I wouldn't have made a scene if you weren't being such an idiot!"

                                                                                          ***

With their backs turned, the group felt a presence above them. 

They felt two daggered gazes on them.

It was as if they had just been caught doing something wrong, like they were being judged for it. 

Slowly turning, Futoshi locked eyes with the creatures in front of him. 

Crap, we're screwed.

"W-what do... y-you think your doing behind there?"

There was a glint in her eye, one that could rival that of Yostsuya Kaiden.

Futoshi, Rin, and Haruto pointed at Reina. 

They said in sync:

"All her idea."