Chapter 7: Summer Days, Afterimages

♠♠♠

Touno, now my girlfriend, was the kind of girl who always wanted to be touching her boyfriend. It wasn’t about being clingy—she just seemed to feel secure when we were connected.

When we walk together, she holds my hand or tugs at my sleeve. When we watch movies or dramas in one of our rooms, she sits beside me, resting her head on my shoulder or using my lap as a pillow. On hot days, seeking air conditioning in Touno’s room, we’d sprawl on the floor, and she’d roll over to me, playfully tussling like a dog or cat.

We were perfectly harmonious lovers.

“Kirishima-san!”

Touno says with a carefree smile.

“I want to make tons and tons of fun memories with you!”

Once it’s like this, there’s no stopping.

Music starts playing in my head—a bright female vocal with soaring high notes.

We ride bikes to Kyoto’s famous landmarks. Exhausted, we return to one of our rooms, laughing forehead-to-forehead under the same futon before falling asleep. We go grocery shopping at the supermarket and make gyoza together in a tiny kitchen.

“They turned out kinda weirdly shaped, huh?”

“But they’re delicious!”

Touno eats, laughing.

I keep falling more and more for her.

I want her to always be smiling, to always be the lively Touno.

Touno loves trains, so we ride all sorts together—Keihan Railway, Hankyu Railway. We sit in the front car, watching the tracks speed by. We take the Kintetsu line to Nara, eat warabi mochi, and see the Great Buddha. Eventually, Touno buys a DSLR camera.

Memories pile up as photos, and Touno happily flips through them over and over.

I even join her for night runs.

“Kirishima-san, keep going!”

“B-but……”

“It’s fine! Sure, you look like a fish floating belly-up on the water, but humans don’t just die from running!”

Touno reaches out her hand, and when I grab it, we speed up together.

Everyone blesses our relationship.

“I’m happy you two are together.”

Fukuda-kun says, as usual, while we’re grilling fish on the private road.

“I’m not lying. Of course, it stung a little, but that happens with anyone. Being with someone, even a beloved friend, isn’t always fun. I don’t think friends have to be fun all the time. I think being friends means accepting the ups and downs together.”

So, this is fine as it is—

Fukuda-kun was remarkably positive.

“This time, I learned how wonderful love is. I get why those stories captivate everyone. I want to find a new love myself. And this time, I want to do it properly, without relying on you, Kirishima-kun.”

“Kirishima, I know you get this, but—”

Miyamae says.

“If you make Touno cry, I won’t forgive you.”

Daidouji-san keeps playing his morin khuur.

“Kirishima-san, we’re so happy, aren’t we?”

Touno grabs my hand, and I squeeze back. “Stop being so lovey-dovey!” Miyamae teases, and we all laugh, our five-person bond sparkling like a summer daydream.

We all go to the Lake Biwa fireworks festival. My second yukata of the season. Unlike at Yoiyama, Touno looks thrilled.

And the final event of this summer.

From morning, we pile into a rental van, heading for the Pacific coast.

“Summer’s all about the beach, right?”

Daidouji-san said, and we planned it together. A one-night, two-day trip, staying at a cheap minshuku.

Touno and I sit in the back row of the three-row van, Miyamae and Fukuda-kun in the middle, Daidouji-san driving, and Hamanami in the passenger seat.

Hamanami hesitated when we first invited her, but after explaining that Touno and I were officially together and everything was resolved, she said, “That’s nice. I like peaceful fun.” and joined us.

“Touno sure gave us a lot of trouble.”

In the car, Miyamae teases.

“She dragged me along for a whole day to pick out a swimsuit. ‘What kind does Kirishima-san like?’ she kept asking.”

“Is that so?”

When I ask, Touno says, “I don’t know” and turns away with a huff. From then on, she pouts, fiddling with her phone or staring out the window. But she never forgets to cling to my arm. I find this sulky Touno utterly adorable.

Eventually, the van exits the highway onto the coastal road.

Under a brilliant blue sky, the road stretches endlessly between sea and mountains.

We arrive at our destination just past noon.

Seeing the white sandy beach and endless blue sea, Touno and Miyamae squeal with excitement, sprinting toward the water the moment we park.

I step out, slip off my geta, and walk barefoot. The warm, soft sand feels nice.

“I’ll drop the luggage at the ryokan.”

Daidouji-san says, driving off to the inn.

“I’ll go buy some water.”

Fukuda-kun heads toward a beachside shop a little ways off.

I feel a strange calm settle over me.

Since dating Touno, life’s been fast-paced, but thinking about it, summer’s already halfway done.

The sea breeze carries a faint loneliness, like the passing of summer.

“Not bad, right?”

Hamanami, standing beside me, says.

“The Perfect Kyoto Plan seems like a success.”

“Maybe so.”

It’s completely different from the original plan, but the concept of everyone smiling feels achieved. The fact that I’m happy myself is a bit unexpected, but accepting my own happiness must be important too.

Many people fear being too lucky. I’m one of them, wondering if I deserve such blessings.

To have such amazing friends and a girlfriend.

Is it okay for someone like me?

But I can’t doubt it or push it away.

Everyone needs to allow themselves to be happy.

Hamanami and I gaze at the sea for a while.

Before we know it, Touno and Miyamae are in swimsuits—they must’ve worn them under their clothes. They’re splashing each other at the water’s edge.

We just watch them.

Daidouji-san returns, tucking a beach ball under his arm.

“Kirishima-san, you pulled it off. Not bad, Kirishima Erich. You’re making everyone happy. Sure, you can’t make literally everyone happy, but at least the people here, you can.”

“You’re right. And I’m happy too.”

“Why not let loose and have fun?”

“Yeah.”

Hamanami and I run toward the sea.

Stripping off our clothes, we’re in swimsuits underneath, of course.

At the water’s edge, we toss the beach ball around. As expected, Touno’s great at it, and Hamanami gets dragged into the sea as a penalty, spitting out seawater with a “That’s not fair!”

Touno and I lock eyes and chuckle.

Eventually, we tire of the ball game, and Daidouji-san inflates a banana boat. Hamanami and Miyamae ride it, with Daidouji-san pulling the rope.

Touno and I sit on the beach, watching.

White, cotton-candy clouds drift across the blue sky.

Touno’s joyful profile.

Summer’s almost over. Then autumn will come.

In autumn, we’ll go see the fall leaves together. Autumn food is delicious, so we could gorge ourselves.

Winter brings Christmas and New Year’s—tons to do. I can already picture Touno’s excited face. In Kyoto, there’s no shortage of shrines for our first visit of the year.

In spring, we’ll see cherry blossoms. Let’s walk the Philosopher’s Path when the sakura are in full bloom. Oh, and the Arashiyama trolley—train-loving Touno will love it.

When spring ends, the next summer will come. And so, the seasons with Touno will cycle on.

While I’m thinking this, Touno kicks sand at my feet.

“Still such a prankster.”

“That’s ‘cause you’re zoning out. What were you thinking about?”

“I was thinking about where we’ll go and what we’ll do next summer, together.”

When I say that, Touno’s face flushes. She says, shyly:

“Yeah…… we should plan lots and lots for next year, the year after, and beyond…… because we’ll be together forever……”

Hugging her knees, Touno scoots across the sand, inching closer to me. I can guess what she’s thinking, but I’m embarrassed too, so I half-dodge with:

“Fukuda-kun’s taking a while.”

“It’s fine. Unlike you, he’s reliable, Kirishima-san.”

Touno’s shoulder brushes mine.

Just that makes me feel warm inside.

Touno smiles happily with just a little contact. Usually, she’s much clingier, but on this trip, she’s keeping it to this.

A peaceful moment for me and Touno.

I thought this would go on forever.

Eventually, Daidouji-san and the others come back to shore.

“Since we’re here, let’s do something all five of us can play.”

Miyamae suggests, and we start discussing what to do.

That’s when it happens.

“Oh, Fukuda-kun’s back! Over here!”

Miyamae waves.

Even from a distance, Fukuda-kun looks fidgety, almost shy. When he gets close, he’s staring at the ground.

“I said I was going to buy water, but I completely forgot.”

“That’s a rare slip-up for you, Fukuda-kun.”

When I say that, he scratches his head, saying there’s a reason. Something exciting must’ve happened.

“What’s up?”

“I met a girl at the beach shop.”

Looking over, a girl in a swimsuit stands at a distance. According to Fukuda-kun, she goes to a local university.

“Fukuda-kun, don’t tell me—”

“Yeah.”

He says, visibly embarrassed:

“It’s love at first sight.”

He explained we’re from Kyoto and invited her to hang out.

“I’m really sorry, but I told her there’d be girls here too, to make her feel safe. I invited her without checking with you guys……”

“No problem at all! If that’s the case, we’ll help out! Right?”

Miyamae says, and Touno clenches her fist excitedly. But then she tilts her head. She must’ve wondered if Fukuda-kun, to get over his lingering feelings for her, is forcing himself to like someone else. She hesitates, unsure if it’s okay to look happy. But—

“It’s okay.”

Fukuda-kun says firmly.

“When I saw her, my heart really skipped. She was sitting, looking at the sea with sad eyes. I wanted to make her smile, to see her smile. From the bottom of my heart. I like her.”

“We know you’re not a frivolous guy, Fukuda.”

Daidouji-san says, stepping up to give support when it counts.

I nod too, of course.

This is how we grow up.

Touno and I will get so used to being lovers it feels natural, and Fukuda-kun will find new love and a partner.

“I’ll go get her.”

Fukuda-kun walks to the girl, talks, and brings her over. She’s reserved, very polite. She suits Fukuda-kun perfectly.

Miyamae will probably find a boyfriend someday too. Everyone’s moving forward.

We’re stabilizing, becoming calmer.

Daidouji-san will probably launch a rocket.

Ten years from now, we’ll go to Tanegashima and watch a rocket launch together. We might look back fondly on today.

What will we be doing as working adults?

I let my thoughts drift to the future.

Will Touno still be by my side?

Will everyone be happy?

Probably. I’m okay now.

I’ll stay with Touno forever, and everyone will be happy.

That’s the future I imagine.

But—

That vision is shattered by a shock.

“Everyone, let me introduce her.”

The girl Fukuda-kun brought.

I later heard she’s known around this beach as “The Girl by the Sea.”

Apparently, she comes to the shore every evening, staring at the sea. A beautiful girl with a melancholic air that evokes a sense of wistfulness, she’s something of a local celebrity.

“Her name is—”

I didn’t need to hear it. I already knew her.

She’s calmer, more mature now, but her appearance hasn’t changed much.

Shoulder-length hair.

A slightly troubled smile.

An afterimage of my youth.

A fragment of a shattered love.

It was Hayasaka-san.

♠♠♠

It was a strange sight.

Hayasaka-san playing with Touno and the others.

Miyamae splashes water with a mischievous grin, and Hayasaka-san puffs out her cheeks, splashing back. Touno hugs Hayasaka-san, and they collapse into the sea, laughing.

“It’s such a heartwarming scene, so why does my chest feel so unsettled?”

Hamanami says, and I reply, “It’s fine.”

“Nothing to worry about will happen.”

I don’t know what Hayasaka-san is thinking. But for now, she seems intent on pretending she doesn’t know me.

When Fukuda-kun brought her over, she froze for a moment when she saw me. Following her gaze, Miyamae said:

“Oh, this? Don’t mind it.”

Hayasaka-san was noticing the closeness between me and Touno. That’s what Miyamae seemed to think.

“We just started dating recently, so we’re like this. I have to deal with it every day.”

“I see……”

Hayasaka-san said with a perfectly natural smile.

“Congratulations. You two look great together.”

“Th-thank you!”

Touno was embarrassed. And just like that, the girls hit it off and started playing together. Watching them, Hamanami said:

“Pretending not to know you is out of consideration for Touno-san and the current you, Kirishima-senpai.”

“Probably.”

Hayasaka-san’s stance was easy to guess.

She didn’t want to get in the way of me and Touno, most likely.

Hayasaka-san kept a perfect distance while interacting with me. She was polite, smiled when appropriate, and responded when someone mentioned me in conversation. But—

“Oh, really? So Kirishima-kun’s good at fishing?”

“Yeah, I’ve gotten pretty good at filleting lately. I can do fried or salt-grilled, anything.”

“That’s impressive.”

There was no emotion in Hayasaka-san’s words. Just polite agreement. She treated me like a complete stranger, one of many. The special familiarity we once had was nowhere to be found.

Let’s just part ways without talking about anything.

That’s the message I got.

I know that’s for the best. I have Touno now, and Hayasaka-san has lived a life I don’t know, completely different from back then.

Hayasaka-san, so naturally acting like a stranger.

We were so close once, yet meeting again, we don’t even share a single nostalgic story.

It’s a little melancholic.

“Don’t do that.”

As I stared at Hayasaka-san, Hamanami said in a low voice.

“Touno-san is a wonderful person.”

I replied, “It’s fine.”

“I’m an adult now. And so is Hayasaka-san.”

If she were still the clumsy high school Hayasaka-san, she might’ve slipped up in front of Touno, saying something like, “Kirishima-kun, rap for us!” and Touno would’ve been like, “How do you know Kirishima-san can rap?” But the current Hayasaka-san didn’t have a trace of that careless vibe.

“You’re from Tokyo too, Kirishima-kun? Maybe we crossed paths somewhere.” “Oh, you’re studying that at university? That’s cool.” “Haha, you’re funny, Kirishima-kun.”

One superficial comment after another.

It was like talking to Hayasaka-san’s empty shell.

But this is probably fine. We’re living in the present, and we shouldn’t let past events ruin that.

It’s not just Touno. There’s Fukuda-kun too. He gave up on Touno. If he found out the girl he now likes was once deeply connected to me, our friendship might become irreparable this time.

So, we’ll part as strangers with Hayasaka-san.

No exchanging contact info.

No catching up on recent events.

This beach encounter is just a fleeting moment where our past selves happened to cross paths.

That’s all it is.

“Hayasaka-san’s something else, huh?”

Miyamae whispered.

This was while they were burying Hamanami in the sand. Only her face and feet were still visible.

“I thought I had something going, but……”

Miyamae’s gaze was fixed on Hayasaka-san’s chest. She was next to Touno, piling sand on Hamanami.

Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, their chests occasionally bumped, changing shape. They were about the same size.

“T-too erotic!”

Miyamae smacked the sand pile in front of her.

Hamanami groaned, “Gueeh……”

Hayasaka-san used to dislike being ogled by guys for her body. But now, she’s wearing a swimsuit of her own choice. She even rode the banana boat with Fukuda-kun, holding his shoulder tightly. From the shore, it looked like her chest was pressing against him.

When we weren’t around, some guys from another group approached her. For a moment, I thought I had to step in, like in high school, assuming Hayasaka-san would be overwhelmed.

But she smiled, chatted briefly, and parted with them amicably. She handled it smoothly.

This was the grown-up Hayasaka-san I didn’t know.

Then we split into two teams for beach volleyball. Initially, when we divided teams with rock-paper-scissors, Hayasaka-san and I were on the same side. But—

“Touno-san, you should be on Kirishima-kun’s team.”

Hayasaka-san said it so casually. So Touno and I ended up on the same team, while Hayasaka-san teamed up with Fukuda-kun, giving him a high-five.

When I flubbed a receive and fell, she called out from the other side of the net.

“You okay?”

Stereotypical kindness.

“If it hurts, don’t push yourself.”

A standard line to show concern.

I replied, “Thanks.” What an empty exchange.

I want to hear Hayasaka-san’s real words.

I want to know Hayasaka-san’s true feelings.

I want her to tell me about the time I don’t know.

That’s what I thought.

But what’s the point of that? What would it achieve?

Time has moved on, and the people around us have changed.

I tell myself rationally: There’s no meaning in rehashing things with Hayasaka-san now.

It would only hurt Touno and Fukuda-kun.

I say I want to know her true feelings, but maybe this is all Hayasaka-san feels for me now. She’s had her own experiences and moved forward.

“Well then—”

Hamanami said. This was after beach volleyball, when we were planning to fish for dinner.

“Looks like the Hamanami Police won’t need to step in, but I’ll at least handle traffic control!”

She briskly gave instructions.

Hayasaka-san and Fukuda-kun would fish for small fish at the tetrapods on the east side of the beach.

Hamanami, Miyamae, and Daidouji-san would cast fish from the center of the beach.

Touno and I would rock fish on the west side.

Hamanami’s “traffic control” meant exactly that. This way, Hayasaka-san and I would be apart, avoiding any accidents.

Yes, this is fine.

I grab my fishing gear and head to the deserted rocky area. Finding a good spot, I set up my tackle. That’s when—

“Um…… Kirishima-san.”

Touno speaks hesitantly.

“What do you think of my swimsuit……?”

Her expression is faintly anxious.

“Oh, sorry……”

I apologize reflexively.

That’s probably not what Touno really wants to say.

Touno’s noticed. She’s seen my eyes following Hayasaka-san. But she can’t say it directly, so she asks about her swimsuit instead.

I know why Touno feels insecure when I look at Hayasaka-san. It’s not that she’s aware of our past or anything like that.

It’s an issue we both carry.

We still can’t do the things couples normally do.

We’ve tried a few times. But my body just wouldn’t respond. I always apologized. It’s not Touno’s fault.

“It’s okay.”

Each time, Touno would say gently.

“I’m so happy just being held by you, Kirishima-san.”

Of course, the problem is entirely mine. Maybe it’s mental, from past events, or a side effect of years of asceticism. Either way, I’d told her there was a chance I couldn’t do it because of these issues.

Touno isn’t at fault.

But no matter how much she understands that logically, the fear lingers that her boyfriend might not feel that way about her body.

As we repeated nights of just holding each other and sleeping, I could sense Touno’s anxiety growing. Her clinginess, no matter how you look at it, was a reflection of that insecurity.

Touno is wearing a swimsuit she spent ages choosing. The pattern is cute, but it’s quite revealing, a bold design that doesn’t quite suit her. She’s trying so hard to make me feel that way.

Yet I was distracted by Hayasaka-san. Following my gaze, Touno’s faint worry that she might not be attractive grew even larger.

“That’s not it.”

I think for a moment and say:

“I was just worried about whether things would work out for Fukuda-kun.”

Hearing that, Touno blushes.

“Oh, that’s what it was. Of course, that’s just like you, Kirishima-san, always thinking of your friends. I guess I misunderstood a little.”

Touno shrinks, giving an apologetic smile.

“Maybe I’m a bit of a possessive girlfriend.”

What Touno thought wasn’t a misunderstanding.

I was, in fact, preoccupied with Hayasaka-san.

What am I doing?

I have this adorable girlfriend, and because of me, we can’t do those things, and now I’m making her even more anxious.

What I need to do now is show Touno that I truly love her and find her attractive.

“Your swimsuit looks great.”

“……Being stared at so closely…… i-it’s embarrassing……”

Touno squirms.

But overcoming her shyness, she says in a playful, slightly sulky tone:

“We’ve been with everyone all day, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“Now it’s just us.”

“Yup.”

“There’s no one else here!”

Touno gives me a pointed look, so I set down my fishing rod and step closer. When I place my hands on her shoulders, she tilts her chin up and squeezes her eyes shut.

She’s still not used to this. But—

As our lips meet a few times, Touno’s body gradually relaxes. Her cheeks flush faintly, her expression dazed, lips parted, looking at me with needy eyes.

I slide my tongue into Touno’s mouth. She loves this. It’s probably a substitute act. When I explore her mouth, she melts, letting out soft, moist breaths. When I try to pull back, she sucks my tongue harder, as if begging for more.

As I move my tongue in and out while she sucks, Touno’s skin flushes deeper.

“Hold me…… please……”

I embrace Touno. Our sweaty skin presses together. She begs for another kiss, pushing her warm body against mine.

“Um…… Kirishima-san.”

Touno buries her face in my neck, her voice barely audible.

“I’m…… really happy just being touched by you…… And if we keep doing things like this, maybe you’ll…… be able to……”

Touno’s honest feelings slipped out.

“Or maybe I’m just not—”

I place my hand on Touno’s chest. It’s almost spilling out of her swimsuit, more than my hand can hold. A pleasant weight. When I lift and press gently, my fingers sink into its softness.

Touno clings to me, exhaling shakily.

I didn’t want to make Touno anxious. She’s not at fault. She’s incredibly attractive. Her chest is full, her waist toned from exercise. Even now, the curve from her back to her hips is provocative.

I wanted Touno to know.

I’m genuinely attracted to her, and I genuinely love her.

So I hold her waist, kissing her while firmly touching her chest. Touno starts to relax, her expression turning sweet and trusting. But—

A few seconds later, I grab Touno’s shoulders and pull away sharply.

“Huh, why—”

Touno looks confused and deeply hurt.

“Why did you stop? Is it because I’m—not—”

“No, that’s not it.”

My gaze was fixed ahead—

Hayasaka-san was there.

“S-sorry, Touno-san, you forgot this.”

It was a white hoodie to wear over her swimsuit.

“I thought you might not want to get sunburned, so I brought it, but I kinda interrupted……”

“N-no, it’s my fault, or rather, um……”

Touno’s face turns bright red, her eyes spinning.

“I’m gonna go cool off!”

She grabs the hoodie from Hayasaka-san and hurries toward the beach shop.

She must’ve been embarrassed to be seen in such a vulnerable moment.

And then—

I’m alone with Hayasaka-san.

We stand in silence for a moment, our eyes meeting.

Somehow, the air feels calm and quiet.

Suddenly, Hayasaka-san speaks.

“You can’t push her away like that.”

And with that troubled smile, she says:

“It’s not fair to Touno-san.”

With that, she walks off in the direction Touno went, probably to smooth over the awkward moment she witnessed.

I stand there, frozen.

Hayasaka-san’s smile and words replay in my mind. That smile I saw so many times in high school. And her words just now carried real emotion.

I have Touno. I love her deeply and want to cherish her. Above all, she’s the one who pulled me out of my darkness.

But—

Just a glimpse.

Of the same face Hayasaka-san used to show.

And my heart is thrown to the point of anguish.

♠♠♠

At night, we’re grilling the fish we caught on the beach.

Surprisingly, the biggest catch came from Hamanami, a beginner. She landed a flounder, of all things. According to Miyamae, Hamanami was all, “Uooo!” swinging her rod with gusto, casting the hook far out, and yelling, “Oryaa ryaaaa!” as she reeled in the flounder.

“You want some flounder? Well, I suppose I can share. I’m not a petty person, after all. I’ll share, I’ll share. But first, call me Hamanami-sama.”

Hamanami jokes around.

Everyone’s laughing.

The crackling of the charcoal fire scattering sparks and the sound of waves lapping the shore.

The sky is full of stars, and it feels like our voices could reach the cosmos.

“Hayasaka-san’s girl power is just too high……”

Miyamae says, clearly impressed.

“How are you so good at cooking?”

“Hmm……”

Hayasaka-san smiles quietly, pausing as if thinking, then says:

“Well, living alone makes cooking skills pretty handy.”

When we grill fish at Yamame-sou, it’s always just salt-grilled or fried.

But seeing the haul of fish, Hayasaka-san went home briefly and returned with olive oil, flour, and other seasonings. She turned the fillets Daidouji-san and I prepared into foil-baked dishes, butter-soy sauce sautés, and all sorts of recipes.

After eating, Daidouji-san tells us to gather driftwood.

I bring back an armful, and he skillfully starts a fire. We sit around the bonfire, drinking.

“Maybe I’ll have a little too.”

When Hayasaka-san reaches for a beer can, I stare at her hand. I have some complicated feelings about Hayasaka-san and beer.

She notices my gaze but doesn’t meet my eyes.

Kirishima-kun, you don’t know. You don’t understand anything.

That’s what it feels like she’s saying.

Hayasaka-san drinks the beer slowly, naturally. She’s calm now, able to handle it. Her cheeks are slightly flushed, maybe a bit tipsy, but she’s not overwhelmed by the alcohol.

Feeling lonely about that is awfully sentimental and selfish of me.

Across the bonfire, Hayasaka-san is talking with Fukuda-kun.

“If you’re up for it, want to hang out tomorrow too?”

Fukuda-kun is trying his hardest to invite her.

“Or…… would that be a bother?”

“No, not at all.”

Hayasaka-san smiles gently.

“Talking with you, Fukuda-kun, somehow feels calming.”

“I’m glad. I’m, uh, not really good at this stuff.”

“You’re a good person.”

They talk about her visiting Kyoto, saying she’s interested.

All I can do is watch from this side of the flickering flames.

Hayasaka-san is sociable, composed, can handle guys, and can even drink.

Simply put, she doesn’t need me.

That’s what she’s been trying to tell me all along.

She’s not looking for me to step in, cover for her, or cheer her up like in high school.

It’s not like that anymore.

That’s what she seems to be saying.

When we spoke earlier, I thought I saw a trace of the old Hayasaka-san, heard her real words and emotions.

But that might’ve been a deeply sentimental assumption.

I keep drinking, watching Hayasaka-san’s profile lit by the fire. No matter how much I drink, I can’t get drunk.

Eventually, the flames die out.

As we clean up and prepare to head back to the ryokan, I notice Hayasaka-san is gone.

Maybe she left already. We decide to wait a bit, but I choose to look for her alone, taking a walk.

After a short walk, I find Hayasaka-san sitting on the beach.

Under the white moonlight, still in her swimsuit, she gazes at the night sea.

She’s every bit “The Girl by the Sea.”

I stand beside her.

“What are you doing?”

Still looking at the sea, Hayasaka-san answers:

“Just sobering up a bit before heading back.”

I gaze at the night sea with her. There might’ve been words we should’ve exchanged, words I wanted to say. But they’ve all been swept away by the waves of time.

At one point, Hayasaka-san speaks.

“It’ll rain tomorrow.”

The forecast I saw this morning said sunny. But—

“I’ve been watching long enough to know.”

Hayasaka-san has spent a lot of time here. To her, I might be a stranger in this place.

I just stand beside her.

Her cool profile gives no hint of her emotions.

Then, Touno’s voice calls from a distance. She’s looking for me.

“Hayasaka-san, let’s head back.”

I say, and as she stands, she loses her balance. I catch her, holding her close.

For the first time in years, I touch Hayasaka-san’s body.

Time seems to stop.

In the quiet of the summer night, the sound of waves.

“…………You can’t.”

Hayasaka-san says.

A summer night by the sea, her warm skin, the beat of her heart.

But—

“……I have to go.”

Hayasaka-san gently pushes away, steps out of my arms, and walks toward where Touno and the others are. She doesn’t look back once.

And the next day—

Hayasaka-san doesn’t show up.

♠♠♠

In the evening, inside the van on the way back, I stare out the window.

Unlike the trip out, heavy rain obscures the view. Big drops pound the windshield, wipers moving frantically.

The news says a low-pressure system developed rapidly over the sea. Since morning, it’s been a storm of relentless rain.

Still, we managed to enjoy the day. Hayasaka-san had told Touno about indoor spots to visit beforehand. They were mostly eateries—ramen, kaisendon—but foodie Touno was thrilled. Maybe Hayasaka-san and Touno get along.

As for Hayasaka-san herself, she didn’t show up at the meeting spot. She left a message with the ryokan staff, saying an urgent matter came up. Apparently, she called the ryokan’s number early in the morning.

And no one exchanged contact info with her.

We didn’t ask where she lives or what university she attends.

What a lonely reunion.

Meeting again, without a “long time no see” or a “goodbye,” we go our separate ways.

But that’s how it is, I suppose.

Pain becomes memory, and we embrace the present.

The one I felt a bit sorry for was Fukuda-kun.

“If only I’d at least asked for her university……”

At a service area where Daidouji-san stopped for a driving break, Fukuda-kun sat on a bench, staring at the rainy scenery, dejected.

“But you were really proactive, Fukuda-kun. That was great.”

Miyamae encourages him.

“You seem…… kinda more mature than before the trip, maybe.”

“Oh, uh, thanks. Also, Miyamae-san, you’re kinda bad at cheering people up.”

Touno was at the ticket machine.

“It’s hard to choose……”

“What? After all that ramen and kaisendon? You’re gonna get fa—”

I shut up.

Touno struck a menacing bear pose.

“Well then, I’ll go with a frankfurter. Ever since I was a kid, my family always ate them at service areas when we traveled. For some reason, they taste twice as good on trips.”

Following Touno family tradition, the five of us lined up on a bench, eating frankfurters. Something about it was so funny, we burst out laughing.

“Let’s get a photo to commemorate eating together!”

Miyamae says excitedly.

“You can be so childish sometimes.”

“So what? It’s fine.”

Miyamae really loves being with the five of us. I feel the same. People need a place where they feel safe.

We asked a dad with his family to take our picture.

The five of us, chomping frankfurters with goofy faces, looked kinda pop and cool.

This is how I’ll live my days in Kyoto with Touno and the others, without Hayasaka-san. She’ll spend her time in that town between sea and mountains, a life I don’t know.

And each of us, in our own places, will find happiness.

“I sent the photo to you too, Kirishima.”

Miyamae says, and that’s when I realize.

“What’s wrong?”

“I forgot my phone. Probably when I bought souvenirs.”

“What? That was before we got on the highway, right?”

I call the shop, and sure enough, they have a lost phone and are holding it.

“That’s a problem. We’ve got a deadline to return the rental.”

Daidouji-san says, and I reply, “It’s fine.”

“Looks like I can get to a nearby station from here, so I’ll take the train. You guys go back first.”

The trains are infrequent and inconvenient, but I should make it back to Yamame-sou late at night.

“Got it. It’s windy, so be careful.”

Figuring a folding umbrella wouldn’t hold up, Daidouji-san lends me a sturdy ceramic one that’s wind-resistant.

I was about to head to the station with it when—

Touno slips under the umbrella and says:

“Um, Kirishima-san.”

“What?”

“I’ve been holding back from touching you all day.”

She’s reflecting on Hayasaka-san seeing us embrace.

“So…… um……”

Touno’s face turns so red it’s like steam might come out, and she says in a faint, barely audible voice:

“I’m really holding back…… so when you get back tonight…… come straight to my room. I want to do our usual…… cuddly stuff……”

With that, she darts out from under the umbrella and runs off.

After waiting about an hour at the station, a train arrives. It’s nearly empty. It’s a single track, and with strong winds forcing slow speeds, it doesn’t feel like we’re moving much.

By the time I reached the souvenir shop near the sea, it was completely dark. I thanked them, took my phone, and headed to the station.

Sitting on the lone bench, I wait for the return train. The rain grows heavier. Eventually, a station worker approaches and informs me the trains have stopped running.

I wait for service to resume, but after one hour, then two, there’s no sign of it.

I realize I need to give up on getting home and find a place to stay.

But this isn’t a city—there are no manga cafés or capsule hotels.

I call the ryokan we stayed at, but it’s fully booked. Apparently, other stranded tourists are calling every lodging around.

It looks like I won’t find a place to sleep.

I stand under the roof at the station entrance.

It’s summer, so I could spend the night here, or my phone shows a karaoke place about ten kilometers away on the highway, so I could walk there in the rain.

The problem is, there’s no guarantee the trains will run tomorrow morning.

As I ponder what to do, I see someone walking down the station road, holding a pretty-colored umbrella. She stops when she sees me.

It’s Hayasaka-san.

“Kirishima-kun, what are you doing here?”

“I forgot something and came back for it. Then the trains stopped, and there’s nowhere to stay.”

“I see.”

Hayasaka-san says emotionlessly, then starts walking again, passing by me.

But—

After a few steps, she turns back.

“……Idiot.”

She says in a small voice, then, with a face overflowing with emotion—crying or laughing—says again:

“You idiot, Kirishima-kun!”

She’s right. I’m a complete idiot.

No matter what, I shouldn’t have come back. I should’ve left it as a summer afterimage, without contact info, without knowing anything.

Because—

On the beach last night, when Hayasaka-san almost fell and I caught her, she pulled away from my arms quickly.

But for those few seconds before.

…………You can’t.

While saying that, Hayasaka-san had wrapped her arms around my back, holding me tightly. And I had held her back.

I’d concluded that I avoided new love to keep my past love special. That if I loved again, that old love would become just one of many, so I closed my eyes to my feelings and rejected love to prevent that.

But that wasn’t it.

My love with Hayasaka-san was truly special, and she was truly a special girl.

It was never going to be just one of many loves.

And maybe, for Hayasaka-san, it’s the same.

On Hayasaka-san’s left hand, holding the umbrella, was a ring.

It was—

The cheap ring I bought at a discount shop on Christmas Day.

The ring I gave her.