Reflections in the Evening Calm 5
“Still, you need to keep that ambition. Having motivation is better than just making an aimless effort. It will change the outco in the future, like with university entrance exams for example.”
It’s a painful reminder, but I’ll rember it well.
“My motivation is your existence.”
“Stop joking around.”
“I’m serious.”
Looking at my face, she blinks repeatedly.
“I won’t let this be just a spur-of-the-mont promise. If Tenjō Reiyu desires it, I’ll take it seriously, whether it’s eternal love or anything. I am firmly resolved to faithfully love only one woman for life. So, please be assured.”
I could say these words frankly without any hesitation.
She covered her mouth with both hands, barely able to hide her bright red face.
***
“The al was delicious.”
Even after we finished eating, we continued to chat about this and that, and before we knew it, we had ordered dessert and spent about two hours just in the cafe.
The sun had lowered since we arrived, seemingly approaching dusk.
“It feels better now because the sunlight has cald down.”
“Hey, let’s go out to the beach. It’s a waste just to look at it.”
As the day waned, the number of people on the beach had significantly decreased.
We took off our shoes, rolled up our pants, and enjoyed the sensation of the cool sand under our bare feet as we approached the water’s edge.
“It’s a bit cold.”
“But it’s not so cold that you can’t stand it.”
We walked through the shallow water while playing with the incoming waves.
When the waves were weak, we ventured deeper into the sea, and when a strong wave ca, we would make a commotion as we hurried back to the shore.
Eventually, we started a sort of chicken race, seeing how long we could stay dry.
Before we knew it, not only our ankles but also our calves got wet.
“The one who gets wet above the knees first loses.”
She suggested.
“And what does the winner get?”
“The loser has to obey the winner’s command.”
“Can it include a naughty request?”
“Within reason!”
“In my mind, even dizzying pink acts are considered normal for lovers.”
“Don’t talk about your desires with a straight face!”
“The sense of freedom at the sea is wonderful.”
“It’s only wishes that can be fulfilled right here and now! The ga goes on non-stop until there’s a winner! Ready, set, go!”
With that, losing was not an option.
Both Rei-san and I took the challenge seriously, quickly judging the edge of getting wet or staying dry and moving swiftly.
As we went back and forth multiple tis, our lower bodies grew tired, and our stamina wore down.
This was as exhausting as doing shuttle runs or side-to-side jumps.
Gradually, the wet area on our legs increased, and the rolled-up hems of our pants got wet up to below the knees.
“You must be tired, right? You should take it easy.”
Rei-san taunted with her face glistening with sweat.
As expected of the swimming club advisor, her daily swimming keeps her fit.
“You’re welco to give up anyti.”
I stubbornly resist, but my knees start to give out.
No way, what’s the point of being a younger guy if she outlast in stamina.
“You’ll be completely drenched if you fall!”
Why is she so excited?
“Please go ahead and give up. Even if you get wet, I’ll buy you a swimsuit!”
However, my knees start to buckle, and I almost lose my balance as my strength drains.
The mont I manage to hold on, Rei-san pushes my shoulder, and I fall onto the beach.
I couldn’t avoid the wave that rcilessly approached imdiately after.
With a big splash, I’m completely drenched, even my pants soaked through with seawater.
“That’s cheating! I didn’t hear anything about interference being allowed!”
I protest as I wipe the salty water from my face.
“Competition is always ruthless.”
“Adults are so dirty!”
“Now, what kind of order should I give you?”
She smiles mischievously, so I impulsively throw seawater at her.
A big splash drenches her upper body in one hit.
“Yuunagi-kun, that’s a foul!”
“You were the first to break the rules!”
What follows is a splash fight, and we both end up soaking wet.
***
We get up on the beach, and as I wipe my body with a towel I brought, I collapse onto the leisure sheet.
“Why did it co to this?”
“Because Rei-san found it fun to challenge to a contest.”
“I won, and yet I have to get wet too! Ugh, my bra is totally soaked.”
She lightly lifts her arm to check inside her sleeveless shirt from the armpit.
The gesture seed strangely seductive.
“We both need to be careful not to catch a cold.”
“I’ll prioritize taking care of you if that happens.”
“We’re neighbors, so it should be equal.”
“There’s sothing called adult responsibility. Hey, could you go buy so coffee so we don’t cool down too much?”
“Understood. Do you have a preference, like a latte or sothing?”
“I’m in the mood for black right now. Now loser, go, that’s an order. Off you go!!”
“Understood!!”
I dash off and take out a black coffee from the cafe we visited earlier.
The vivid blue of the dayti sky fades away, turning into an orange hue that seems to urge us to head ho.
The sun will set soon.
It’s probably about ti to head back.
“I don’t want to go ho.”
Such feelings naturally well up inside .
If there were no school tomorrow, I’d want to stay overnight, not wanting to end this enjoyable day just yet.
A sense of reluctance grows as I think about returning to the beach.
“…”
From behind, her silhouette appeared sohow lonely as she gazed out at the sea.
Even though she was simply huddled under a bath towel draped over her shoulders, she gave off the impression of enduring the end of sothing.
Suddenly, I realized that I hadn’t taken a single photo today.
Every mont had been too enjoyable—I didn’t even get the chance to think about preserving it.
No, that’s not it.
——It’s because it’s important that I unconsciously avoided it.
If I captured it in a photo and soone else saw it, it would beco evidence corroborating our secret.
I always tried to prioritize those more important to than myself.
I thought that was fine.
For their sake, it didn’t matter if I put myself second.
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