Morning arrived gently on Luna's island, sunlight spilling over the sea and climbing the ivory walls of the mansion like curious fingers. The sound of waves rolled endlessly in the distance, steady and calm, while seabirds cried out overhead, circling lazily in the clear blue sky.
Inside the mansion, the atmosphere was anything but calm.
"WHY DOES VACATION MAKE ME MORE TIRED THAN SCHOOL?" Souta groaned dramatically, face-down on the long dining table, one arm hanging lifelessly over the edge.
"Because you stayed up lighting fireworks at midnight like a child," Luna replied coolly, sipping her tea.
"I was celebrating life."
"You were screaming at the sky."
Haruto chuckled softly as he took his seat beside Beru. She smiled back, still wrapped in the peaceful warmth of island mornings. Across from them, Tadao sat straight-backed and composed, while Aira poked at her breakfast with wide eyes, clearly still overwhelmed by the mansion's luxury.
Ren leaned back in his chair, glancing around. "I still can't believe people actually live in places like this."
Breakfast itself was extravagant even by Luna's standards—fresh tropical fruits, warm bread, honeyed pastries, seafood omelets, and elegant tea sets that looked too valuable to touch. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, illuminating antique paintings and golden-framed mirrors that reflected generations of history.
Just as everyone began eating properly, Luna slowly stood up from her chair.
The room gradually quieted.
"I have an announcement," she said, her voice light but carrying excitement beneath it.
Souta immediately froze mid-bite. "That tone scares me."
Beru glanced up. "Is it another surprise?"
Luna smiled, eyes sparkling. "We're going to play a treasure hunt."
For a moment, silence hung in the air—then—
"TREASURE?!" Souta practically jumped out of his seat.
"A game?" Ren leaned forward instantly.
"Inside the mansion?" Aira asked, intrigued.
Haruto raised an eyebrow, interested but cautious.
Tadao tilted his head slightly, already thinking.
The butler cleared his throat politely and stepped forward.
"Lady Luna and I planned this last night," he explained. "The staff has already prepared everything."
Souta pointed dramatically. "I KNEW something was up when you smiled at breakfast."
Luna laughed softly. "The treasure hunt will take place entirely inside the mansion."
That made everyone even more curious.
The butler continued, "You will be divided into three teams. The game begins at ten in the morning and ends at ten at night."
"TWELVE HOURS?!" Ren exclaimed.
"That's serious," Haruto muttered.
The butler nodded. "Each team must use hint cards and solve puzzles scattered throughout the mansion. The team that finds the treasure first wins."
He gestured to the side as a maid brought forward a tray of neatly arranged cards.
"Team One," the butler said calmly, "Beru and Haruto."
Beru blinked, then smiled. Haruto gave a small nod. "Alright."
"Team Two," he continued, "Lady Luna and Souta."
Souta pumped his fist. "YES. Destiny."
Luna rolled her eyes fondly.
"And Team Three," the butler said, "Tadao, Aira, and Ren. You will receive two hint cards each instead of three, as you have one extra member."
Ren frowned. "That's unfair."
Tadao replied calmly, "It balances things out."
Aira nodded. "Exactly."
The butler smiled approvingly. "The winning team will be rewarded with an antique piece from the Ayame family collection."
That alone raised everyone's interest.
Breakfast ended quickly after that, excitement buzzing through the air. At exactly ten, the game began.
The mansion transformed from a place of leisure into a giant puzzle.
Hidden clues were tucked behind old portraits, beneath staircases, inside antique clocks, and within locked drawers that required riddles to open. Each hallway seemed to hold a secret, every room a challenge.
Team One moved carefully. Haruto read clues thoroughly, analyzing every word, while Beru handled the searching—lifting rugs, checking shelves, trusting her instincts.
Team Two was chaos incarnate.
Souta sprinted down corridors only to return minutes later yelling, "WRONG ROOM." Luna followed him with a mix of exasperation and laughter, solving puzzles while keeping him from breaking anything valuable.
Team Three, however, moved differently.
Tadao took the lead quietly, reading each clue with sharp attention. He noticed patterns others overlooked—symbols repeating across different rooms, subtle carvings on furniture, dates that aligned with the mansion's history.
Ren was the explorer, opening doors, peeking behind curtains, poking his head into places he probably shouldn't. Aira kept track of clues, organizing information so they didn't lose track.
"This symbol again," Tadao murmured at one point, tracing a star-shaped carving beneath a bookshelf.
Ren leaned closer. "So?"
"It's directional," Tadao replied calmly. "It's pointing us somewhere."
By late afternoon, tension filled the mansion. Everyone was tired, competitive, but determined.
And then—
While exploring a lesser-used wing of the mansion, Beru wandered slightly off course while Haruto worked on a locked puzzle nearby.
"This place feels different…" she muttered.
She pressed against an old wooden panel—and it shifted.
Her eyes widened.
Behind it was a narrow hidden passage.
Heart pounding, Beru stepped inside. The passage led to a small, sealed chamber. In the center sat a wooden box, old and worn, engraved with unfamiliar markings.
"This must be it," Beru whispered.
She didn't open it—something about it felt important.
Instead, she memorized the path and returned to the game.
By evening, Team Three emerged victorious.
Tadao placed the final clue piece into its slot, and a hidden compartment opened with a soft click.
Ren cheered loudly. "WE DID IT!"
Aira laughed in relief.
The butler applauded gently. "Congratulations."
They were presented with a beautifully preserved antique compass—delicate, elegant, filled with history.
As the game concluded and everyone gathered in the main hall, laughter and exhaustion blended together.
That's when Beru stepped forward.
"I found something," she said hesitantly.
She led them through the hidden passage and into the chamber. Carefully, she placed the box on the table.
The butler's expression changed instantly.
"This…" he whispered.
Luna's eyes widened as she examined it. "This was made by my great-grandfather."
They opened it together.
Inside was a detailed map.
A real treasure map.
Silence fell.
Ren broke it first. "You're kidding."
Souta stared, awestruck. "This… this isn't part of the game, is it?"
Luna shook her head slowly. "No."
Tadao studied the map carefully. "These markings… they correspond to the island's geography."
A spark ignited in everyone's eyes.
"This isn't just a game anymore," Haruto said quietly.
Luna looked at all of them, something bright and adventurous flickering in her gaze.
"Then," she said softly, "shall we find it?"
The island breeze swept through the courtyard, rustling trees and carrying the promise of something far greater than a simple game.
And just like that—
Their summer adventure truly began.
To be continued...