Vol. 2 Epilogue

The incessant buzz of the vibrating cell phone snaps me back to reality and I jump about a meter back. Ayame's still lying on the sand, staring at me with her mouth open.

What the hell was I about to do?!

She's like my sister, damn it!

Frantically, I start rummaging through my backpack. I turned my ringer on so I could hear if Kaede tried to contact me...I hope she's not in trouble...

My phone's screen is black, but the buzzing continues.

For the first time in what seems like ages, Ayame says something. "I think that's my phone..." Slowly, she pulls herself up to her feet and fishes around in the white tote bag that she brought with her. Sure enough, the buzzing gets louder and louder as she pulls her phone out. I didn't notice it had a blue and white case on it before. It matches her swimsuit.

"Hello? Mom?" she says hesitantly.

The tinny babble on the other end of the line is too faint for me to understand, but Ayame's expression slowly drops. She was shocked in a good way before, but now it's the other way around...

Why do I keep focusing on that?! Forget about it, Haruto, now! Push it all the way out of your brain! Never think of it ever again!

All Ayame says is "Yes," over and over again, and then her hand holding her phone falls limply to her side as she stares vacantly toward the sea, not saying a word.

An entire minute ticks by. Something's not right. She looks so lifeless.

I have to say something. "Is everything...alright?"

She slowly turns her head and looks at me with a glassy stare.

"It's Ryou."

"He got arrested."