For students during summer vacation, there is no distinction between weekdays and weekends, but that’s not the case for most people. Perhaps because it’s a weekday, the beach was quiet, with few families around. Most of the visitors seemed to be young men and women, likely around the same age. Working at a restaurant made me think about these things right away. It must be a work-related habit.

Far off in the distance, a line had already formed at the beach houses, and young people holding floaties and parasols were walking happily around the area. I put my sandals in a bag and stepped onto the hot sand barefoot, feeling it burn the soles of my feet. It was a nostalgic sensation that made my heart race.

“Hey, we aren’t really gathering here, right?”

Souta muttered.

“I don’t think so. It looks like everyone is already having fun.”

Originally, a few men and women were probably supposed to gather to have a good time, but with things turning out like this, there would be no group date or date at all. The dreamy beach date Souta imagined had turned into a casual gathering of “let’s play at the same time in the same place.” It was up to each person whether they wanted to play in single-gender groups or mixed-gender groups; otherwise, they could do whatever they wanted.

“Souta, are you going to play with Shirataki-san?”

“Well, yeah. I’ll try to contact her.”

Souta rubbed his nose shyly. From what he’d said, it seemed like Shirataki-san might be interested in Tachibana-san, but it seemed unlikely she’d stay in contact with someone she wasn’t interested in for two months. If I thought about it that way, maybe she actually liked Souta. Well, it was something I shouldn’t worry about. After all, I didn’t understand anything about love.

“Summer is probably going to be spent with Tachibana-san, right?”

“I’m not sure. We didn’t make any specific plans.”

I wondered if she’d already arrived. Maybe I should contact her, too.

“There’s no way you’d split up with her, right? Just contact her already.”

Souta said that and started fiddling with his phone while walking. He’d probably join up with Shirataki-san. The other classmates were watching Souta’s back enviously, as he was trying to act like a man.

◆

With the idea that it would be good to have a resting place no matter what we did, I rented a leisure sheet and parasol from a beach house and set them up. That’s when I heard a cheer from behind me. Without even turning around, I knew it was Tachibana-san arriving, but I turned around anyway and saw her in the distance. The reason I could tell it was her even from afar was because she was wearing the swimsuit I had chosen. The women scattered across the beach instantly gathered around her.

“…I can’t possibly join that crowd.”

I decided to lie on the leisure sheet and watch the group of Suzakura girls. In no time, Tachibana-san was surrounded by a crowd, and her tall figure peeked above the sea of people.

It seemed like the girls didn’t realize that Tachibana-san had intentionally made her chest appear smaller, but I could feel a murmur from here, followed by cheers, which made me feel relieved. It was as though the Suzakura girls were fully acknowledging Tachibana-san’s “feminine” side, and I thought that in my mind.

The group of girls, including Tachibana-san, reached the water’s edge and waded into the sea up to their knees.

“Ah! It’s cold!”

Their excited chatter reached my ears. Then, it seemed like someone started playing some sort of ball game, and a strange new sport began. For a while, I watched the game, and people from Aotaka High School joined, while Suzakura High School students left and the crowd gradually thinned out. People began to rest under parasols, and I could finally keep track of Tachibana-san’s whereabouts.

Once freed from the crowd, Tachibana-san started walking along the beach, looking around. As I followed her with my eyes, our gazes suddenly met. Tachibana-san walked straight toward me and sat down next to my leisure sheet.

“Good morning, Natsuki. You were here after all.”

I couldn’t speak immediately. Her flawless white skin, which was usually hidden by a skirt, and her long legs, which were now exposed, were suddenly in front of me, and I didn’t know where to look. When I thought about it calmly, I realized that a swimsuit was basically like wearing underwear. Everywhere I looked was dazzling, so I quietly lowered my gaze to the sand.

“Good morning. You were still very popular, as usual.”

“I think it was more my chest that was popular. Everyone was surprised because it grew suddenly.”

“Well, that’s not too surprising.”

When I glanced sideways for just a second, I saw her chest, which had a solid presence, fitting perfectly under the black swimsuit. The sexy design of the swimsuit didn’t take away from her charm at all—in fact, it highlighted it. What kind of swimsuit had I picked out for her?

“Even though she’s the same sex, it was a little embarrassing to be the center of attention for my chest.”

I flinched and quickly looked away. I had made Tachibana-san uncomfortable. Nobody would feel good being stared at like that. It was obvious, but I still felt guilty.

“So, Natsuki, what do you think of my swimsuit? I’d really like to hear your thoughts.”

─ And so, when Tachibana-san made that statement, I was completely surprised.