Road Trip! Part 3

We ate ourselves into a food-coma the previous evening; my stomach had almost imploded. It was the most fun I’d had in probably my entire life. Hiroshi and Yuki challenged one another to a race around the neighborhood, and somehow, he’d lost his way finding the house. The evening was the three of us launching a rescue mission to find the lost soul. We found Hiroshi chatting up a woman by the park, professing his love to her. It obviously ended with him receiving a slap to the face. Yuta and I played some board games, in a challenge to see who the biggest loser of the group was. I’d lost to a literal child. Misako read some books outside as she basked in the moonlight. Her healing process was well under way, and I was elated.

“Ready?” Hiroshi asked us in the car.

“Yeah.” The three of us replied.

“To the beach we go!” Hiroshi yelled.

It was decided that on the last day of our mini vacation we would go to the beach. We were dressed up in our swimming gear already, not wanting to waste any precious sun-time there. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking at Misako, but I digress. Hiroshi’s swimming gear was a horror for the eyes; a speedo and swimming goggle with a swimming cap. I nearly regurgitated the previous night’s food seeing him dressed like that. We parked the car close to the beachfront, Yuki and Hiroshi unloaded the snacks and towels from the car while I approached Misako. Yuta had already run off to the beach.

“May I?” I asked Misako.

She was blushing profusely.

“What’s up with you?” I asked her again.

“D-don’t you remember?” She stuttered.

“Remember what, exactly?”

“The beach… I can’t use my wheelchair on it.”

I lifted my eyebrow, confused:

“I know. I’m going to carry you? Did you forget about what we spoke about some time ago?” I asked her.

She lifted her face, shocked at my response.

“You mean?” She trailed off.

“Yes, I will carry you. If you want to go for a dip in the water, then I’ll carry you too.” I responded.

She was lava hot in the face. And Misako nodded, giving me her hands. With a large hoist I lifted her up as per usual. Hiroshi and Yuki set a small spot for the chairs and umbrella, and I seated Misako down. I could see Hiroshi smile with devious intent.

“What a big strong man!” Hiroshi teased, fake blushing and yelling aloud.

“Ew.” Yuki added.

“Isn’t big sister heavy?” Yuta blurted.

“Yuta, shut up!” Misako retorted.

Yuta and the others laughed as they ran towards the sea. After some time passed as I bathed under the sunlight, I offered Misako my hand:

“Ready?” I asked her.

“Sure, let’s go.” She said.

I lifted her up, and we made our way into the water. She recoiled as we plunged inside:

“C-Cold! It’s cold!” She yelled.

Misako threw herself off me, falling into the seawater. Instantly, I grabbed her arms, and lifted her up, holding her by the waist. Her hair and face drenched after her quick dip under.

“You idiot! Don’t let go of me.” I scolded her.

“S-sorry.” She apologized.

Misako threw her arms around my neck as I stood inside the water. My head was steaming, and my ears were boiling hot.

“A-Are you fine, holding me like this?” I asked her.

“Just go deeper into the water.” She replied.

And I did what I was told. It was euphoric - the water. I could feel the waves toss out my old fears and anxieties. I could see the same for Misako. I held her close to me to ensure she wouldn’t be swept away.

“This is nice.” She stated as we swayed through the water.

“It really, really is.”

“Thank you, David. For keeping your promise. To take me to the beach.”

“Of course. I’d do anything for you.”

“I know.”

I pondered into her eyes, her violet, violet eyes. She looked like a swimsuit model, a big-time swimsuit model that I was in love with.

We edged our faces closer to one another.

And closer.

And-

“HEY! STOP FLIRTING IN FRONT OF US, YOU ALIENS.” Yuta interrupted.

“Who are you talking to like that, Yuta?” Misako said, angrily.

“Run, Yuta! The Aliens have grown in numbers!” Hiroshi and Yuki yelled.

I hoisted Misako on my back, and she gripped me tightly.

“Let’s exterminate those humans, my love.” I said to Misako in a manic voice.

“Yes, my lord.” Misako said in an alien-like tone.

“RUN!” The three troublemakers said, swimming away from us.