The moment the private jet glided smoothly onto the runway and its doors opened, a different world seemed to breathe into their lungs.
Warm, salty air rushed inside first—soft, tropical, and filled with the distant song of waves. The sky stretched endlessly in shades of gold and blue, the sun glowing like a gentle promise instead of a scorching flame. Beyond the runway, the island unfolded like a dream painted in emerald and sapphire—towering palm trees swaying lazily, white sand glistening like scattered pearls, and the ocean stretching far into the horizon like an endless mirror of peace.
Beru stepped out first, her breath catching in her throat. "It's… so beautiful," she whispered, as if speaking louder might shatter the dream.
Haruto stood beside her, shielding his eyes from the sunlight as he took in the view. "This feels unreal… like we walked into a postcard."
Souta spun around with both arms wide open, nearly tripping over his own bag. "THIS is what I call summer vacation!" he laughed, already sprinting a few steps forward before Luna calmly tugged him back by the collar.
"Try not to embarrass yourself within the first five seconds," she said flatly, though the corners of her lips twitched.
Tadao observed everything quietly with wide eyes, while Aira and Ren stood frozen in awe. Aira clutched her phone, snapping pictures frantically. "My followers won't believe this is real…"
A sleek black car convoy awaited them beyond the private runway. Uniformed staff bowed as Luna stepped forward, their movements sharp and practiced.
"Welcome home, Lady Luna."
Her friends exchanged stunned looks.
"…Did they just call you Lady?" Ren whispered.
Luna sighed. "Please ignore that."
The drive was quiet at first—not from awkwardness, but from sheer amazement. The road curved along cliffs overlooking the ocean, waterfalls spilling like silver ribbons from the mountains, tropical flowers blooming in endless color. And then, as the final bend opened, it appeared.
The mansion.
No—castle.
Massive stone walls wrapped with ivy, tall arched windows gleaming under the sun, towers rising above like something torn straight from a fantasy novel. The gates opened slowly, revealing a grand courtyard with a marble fountain at its center, water dancing in delicate arcs.
Aira actually gasped. "Luna… are you secretly royalty?"
"I told you she was a hidden boss character," Souta muttered.
Luna covered her face with one hand. "This is exactly why I didn't want to make a big deal about coming here."
They were welcomed inside by a line of maids and butlers, each bowing in synchrony. The interior was even more breathtaking—polished floors reflecting sunlight, high ceilings painted with ancient murals, antique chandeliers glittering quietly above.
Lunch awaited them in a sprawling open hall overlooking the ocean. The table was overflowing—seafood platters, tropical fruit towers, golden rice dishes, delicate desserts, sparkling drinks.
Souta stared at the spread in silence for three seconds. Then—
"THIS IS A FEAST FOR CHAMPIONS!" he declared, lunging forward.
Laughter filled the hall as everyone settled in. Even Haruto found himself eating more than usual, the stress of the past weeks finally melting into the warmth of full stomachs and shared laughter. Beru watched him with a soft smile, her heart light in a way it hadn't been in a long time.
After lunch, they didn't even bother resting.
The beach waited.
The private sands stretched endlessly beside the mansion—untouched, pristine, waves rolling in with soft rhythmic whispers. Their shoes were abandoned in a messy pile as they ran barefoot onto the cool sand.
Souta was the first to dive into the water with a dramatic splash. "IT'S PERFECT!"
Haruto followed soon after, sprinting straight into a wave that immediately knocked him backward. Beru laughed so hard she nearly fell over.
Ren and Tadao joined a volleyball game with Aira and Souta, shouting and arguing over every point. Luna sat at the shoreline at first, watching with her hair fluttering in the breeze—until Souta suddenly splashed her with water.
She froze.
Slowly turned.
Souta paled. "I regret nothing—okay I regret everything."
A second later, Luna charged into the ocean.
War erupted.
Water splashed everywhere, laughter echoed through the shore, and even Tadao found himself laughing openly as Aira nearly knocked over the net while chasing the ball.
The watermelon game followed—blindfolded Souta spinning wildly and missing the fruit so badly that he struck the sand instead, face-planting to roaring laughter. Beru nearly collapsed beside Haruto from laughing too hard.
As the afternoon softened toward evening, the sky began to bleed into shades of pink and gold. Everyone slowed, exhaustion settling into bones—but it was the good kind of tired.
Beru and Haruto wandered a little away from the group, walking where the waves barely kissed their feet. Their fingers brushed once… twice… and then quietly intertwined.
Neither spoke for a while.
"I feel… happy," Beru finally whispered.
Haruto glanced at her. "Me too. Like everything heavy finally went quiet."
She smiled, leaning slightly closer to him. The wind played with her hair, and when a loose strand drifted across her face, Haruto gently tucked it behind her ear without thinking. Their eyes met—and for a brief moment, the world existed only in that space between them.
Night arrived slowly.
Fireworks were brought out. The first spark shot into the sky with a loud crack—and then exploded in vibrant colors above the ocean. Red. Gold. Purple. Blue. Reflections rippled across the waves like magic cast upon water.
Everyone gasped.
Souta cheered like a child at his first festival. Aira recorded everything gleefully. Luna watched quietly beside him, her eyes reflecting light like distant stars.
While the others were distracted, Beru felt Haruto gently tug her hand.
"Come with me."
They slipped silently behind the rocks where the shadows softened the world. The fireworks continued above, their glow occasionally illuminating their faces.
Beru's heart raced. "Haruto…"
He looked nervous—and for Haruto, that alone was rare. "I… today felt special. I didn't want it to pass without doing this."
He leaned in slowly this time, giving her every chance to pull away. She didn't.
Their lips met softly—no rush, no urgency, only warmth. The distant explosions of fireworks echoed like quiet blessings in the background.
When they parted, Beru rested her forehead against his chest, breath trembling.
"I love you," she whispered.
Haruto held her tighter. "Always."
They returned hand in hand, unnoticed by the others—except Luna, who spotted their joined fingers and smiled knowingly beneath the fading glow of the fireworks.
As the last light vanished into the sky and the ocean returned to quiet whispers, everyone sat in peaceful exhaustion on the sand.
For the first time in a long while, no danger loomed overhead.
No fear haunted their sleep.
Only waves.
Only warmth.
Only laughter.
And somewhere between the sound of the sea and the steady beating of their hearts, every hardship they had endured finally loosened its grip.
---
To be continued...