Nagashima Spa Land was alive in every sense of the word.
The air shimmered with color and noise — rollercoasters roaring like mechanical dragons, holographic banners drifting across the skies, and stalls selling everything from yakisoba to galaxy-shaped cotton candy.
The Otakufest Staff bus slowed to a stop near the resort gates, the brakes squealing as the door hissed open. The moment the tires kissed the pavement, the staff practically exploded with energy.
"Holy hell—this is insane!" one of the crew shouted, pressing his face against the window.
Hydro stepped down from the bus last, adjusting his glasses against the warm breeze. The salty air hit him, mixed with the scent of sunscreen and fried food. "This place… feels like another planet."
And in a way, it was.
Just ahead, a massive floating stadium hovered over the coast, shaped like some kind of glowing flower. Its petals shimmered with neon light, and its shadow stretched across the amusement park below.
To the right, Hydro noticed a group of people—well, not people, exactly. Some had candy-colored fur. Others were literal walking marshmallows. And one guy, no joke, looked like a LEGO brick in business attire.
Hydro squinted, mumbling under his breath, "This is what the Merge of Worlds did…?"
A staffer with a cat-ear hoodie gasped beside him. "Bro, look! That's an anthropomorphic coffee cup! It's moving! It's talking!"
The cup waved politely as it waddled past.
Hydro blinked. "...This can't be real."
"Everything's real now, apparently!" another shouted back, nearly tripping over a floating drone selling keychains.
Hydro tilted his head, scanning the crowd. "Wait—if this world merged with fiction, does that mean there's a Demon Slayer cast here somewhere? Or maybe—"
"Uhm, Ms. Aimi?" a young staffer interrupted.
Hydro stopped mid-thought as the girl turned toward the team leader — Aimi Takahara, a woman in a pastel jacket with an Otakufest lanyard swinging from her neck. She was scrolling through her phone, trying not to lose her mind in the chaos.
"Yeah?" she said without looking up.
"Should we, uh, like… get a room before our stuff melts?"
Aimi blinked, realizing half the staff were dragging luggage under the sun. "Oh crap—yeah, yeah, totally! Let's find a hotel before someone dies of heatstroke!"
Hydro chuckled under his breath as they marched toward the grand hotel entrance — a futuristic resort shaped like a seashell, its walls shifting between blue and violet hues like living coral.
As they entered, cool air washed over them. But what stopped everyone cold wasn't the temperature — it was the receptionist.
Behind the counter stood a jelly-like octopus, translucent blue, wearing a bowtie and multitasking like a pro — one tentacle was typing on a holographic keyboard, another handing towels to a customer, another stirring a cup of coffee.
"W-Whoa…" someone whispered.
The octopus noticed the group and waved three of its arms in greeting. "Welcome to Nagashima Coral Grand! Are you with the Otakufest organization?"
Aimi, still trying to act natural despite the fact she was talking to seafood, smiled brightly. "Uh—yes! Yes we are. We need, uh… staff accommodations. VIP if possible."
The octopus made a cheerful bubbling sound, its voice gentle and echo-like. "VIP rooms, of course! Always happy to serve the humans of culture!"
Hydro almost laughed. "Did he just—"
"—call us cultured? Yup," someone whispered behind him.
The octopus tapped the counter with a tentacle that glowed faintly purple. "Let's see… Sky-view suites, twin beds, complimentary room service. Perfect for hardworking festival staff, yes?"
"That's perfect!" Aimi said, already halfway melted from relief.
With a little squelching sound, the octopus reached under the desk and handed out glowing keycards, each imprinted with a golden seashell emblem.
"Oh, and!" it added, raising a tentacle dramatically. "Goro! Escort our guests to their chambers, please!"
From the hallway, a deep voice boomed, "Understood, sir!"
An anthropomorphic elephant, wearing a bellhop uniform two sizes too small, stomped into view. His trunk saluted first, then the rest of him followed. "Right this way, honored guests!"
The staff stared in awe. One girl whispered, "I think I just got saluted by Dumbo's uncle."
"Don't jinx it," Hydro muttered, adjusting his bag.
As the group followed the elephant through the lobby, Hydro glanced back toward the window. Outside, the neon reflection of the floating stadium shimmered against the ocean.
It looked unreal — like a dream he wasn't supposed to be in.
He sighed under his breath, murmuring to himself,
"All this… just to be a cosplay staff."
Then he smiled faintly. "Guess it's not so bad after all."
And with that, Hydro followed the team deeper into the resort, where a world both familiar and impossible awaited them beyond every door.
NAGASHIMA SPA LAND - OUTSIDE
The noon sun blasted down like a spotlight on paradise. The bright turquoise waves crashed softly against the beachside resort, and the air was thick with excitement, sunscreen, and way too many cosplay wigs.
The Nagashima Spa Land gates opened wide — and out came the Ohara Community squad, tickets in hand and pure chaos in spirit.
"Yo! Finally!" yelled Kai Tsuki, holding her ticket high like she'd just won the lottery.
Beside her, Bea Tsuki, her older sister, squinted at the massive theme park stretching beyond the horizon. "I swear, Kai, if you lose that ticket again, I'm not buying you another one."
Kai just grinned. "Girl, relax! This ticket's my new child."
Atlarus, scrolling through her phone, hummed, "Milky Way really came through for us. These tickets weren't cheap." Terry, slurping an energy drink and flipping her hair, added, "Yeah, five billion yen community or not, these things are premium."
Yurei, the quiet one with headphones around his neck, looked up and muttered, "Can we, like… go in already?"
Atlarus laughed, sending a quick message through her phone:
> Atlarus: We're here. Nagashima Spa Land. You better be around, Hydro.
But of course, she didn't expect a reply. Not from him. Not anymore.
The group handed their tickets to the jelly-like octopus receptionist, who was multitasking like a god — flipping keys, signing receipts, and talking on two phones at once.
When he saw their badges, though, his eight eyes practically sparkled.
"OHHH—! YOU'RE THE O'HARA COMMUNITY!!" he squeaked, waving his tentacles so fast he knocked over a stack of brochures.
Kai blinked. "Wait… you know us?"
"Of course I do! You all are LEGENDS in the cosplay scene!" the octopus boomed. "My daughter's room is plastered with your photos! Especially yours, Bea Tsuki! She says you're her aesthetic inspiration!"
Bea's face turned pink. "W-Wait, really?!"
"Oh absolutely. The way you recreated that celestial armor from AstraFate IX? Iconic!"
Kai nudged Bea's shoulder, whispering, "Look at you, Mom of the Year."
Atlarus giggled as the same Elephant Concierge walked over, wearing a vest two sizes too small.
"Alrighty folks," he said in a deep, booming voice, "VIP rooms are this way! Please follow my big... uh... metaphorical nose!"
The group laughed and followed him through the glistening marble halls.
Everything about the hotel screamed vibrant dreamworld — glowing walls, holographic koi swimming through the ceiling, and little robot cats rolling down the hallway delivering bottled water.
Kai ran ahead. "Bro this hotel's straight outta a JRPG!"
Bea sighed, dragging her luggage. "Can you not embarrass us for five minutes?"
Terry chimed in, "It's Kai. That's literally impossible."
When they reached their suite, the Elephant opened the door with a proud smile. "Here we are! The O'Hara VIP quarters. You even get a view of the beach... and the floating stadium. Pretty neat, huh?"
Atlarus whistled. "This is nuts... imagine doing a shoot here."
Meanwhile, Quinn quietly slipped to the back of the group, phone already in her hand. Her heart thumped as she typed, hesitating before hitting send:
> Quinn: Hey... Hydro. If you're here, I just wanna say... we made it. The team's all together again.
She tucked her phone away before anyone noticed.
Bea called out, "Quinn! You coming or nah?"
"Yeah—coming!" she said quickly, plastering on her usual smile.
As the others explored their massive suite, laughing, arguing over who gets the balcony bed, and taking selfies with the holographic dolphins in the pool below, Quinn stared quietly at her phone screen.
No reply.
Not yet.
But somehow… she felt like he was closer than anyone realized.
OUTSIDE NAGASHIMA SPA LAND - BUS PARKING
The sun over Nagashima shimmered like polished gold, heat dancing over the asphalt as another Ohara Community bus rolled into the parking bay. Its white-and-teal paint job glimmered under the light, the Ohara insignia plastered proudly on its side. The bus hissed as the brakes engaged, and the doors swung open with a creaky whoosh.
Kenji, the driver—broad-shouldered, slicked-back hair, and wearing aviator shades—stood up from his seat, stretching out his arms. "Finally, we're here," he muttered. Then he turned around, his eyes softening when he looked at the small girl sitting by herself near the window.
The little girl clutched her small backpack tight. The 5 Billion Dollar Girl—tiny frame, blank eyes that looked like they carried way too much for someone her age. She hesitated, glancing out at the bustling amusement park beyond the bus doors.
Kenji crouched slightly beside her. "Hey, kid… you made it safe. You should get goin' now." His voice was gentle but carried the tiredness of someone who'd seen too much.
The girl blinked up at him. "Is… this the place?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Nagashima Spa Land. You're safe here, promise. Whole buncha cosplay freaks and anime nerds. Nobody's gonna hurt you here." He gave her a soft chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, unless they challenge you to a karaoke battle."
Her lips twitched a little—almost a smile.
Kenji scratched his neck. "You got someone waitin' for you?"
The girl shook her head slowly. "…No. I just… needed somewhere safe."
Kenji sighed, then looked around. A small crowd of cosplayers was unloading from another bus nearby, vibrant outfits catching the sunlight like a rainbow storm. He waved at one of them—a girl dressed in a neon pink and purple jacket, with silver hair tied in two buns, holding a bubble tea.
"Hey! Miss Cosplayer!" Kenji called out.
The girl turned, blinking in surprise, straw still in her mouth. "Huh? Me?"
"Yeah, you," he said, motioning her over. "Can I ask you somethin'?"
She walked up with a bounce in her step, taking a sip of her drink. Her outfit had a colorful chaos to it—part streetwear, part cyber idol, and her smile had this kind of warmth that made people instantly relax.
"Sup?" she asked. "Need help or somethin', mister?"
Kenji rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh, yeah. This kid here's been travelin' alone. I don't feel right just leavin' her like this. Think you could… keep her company? Just 'til she's settled?"
The cosplayer's expression softened instantly. She crouched down to meet the girl's gaze.
"Hey, lil' one. You okay?"
The 5 Billion Dollar Girl looked at her, unsure at first. Then she gave a tiny nod.
"I… I just needed somewhere safe."
The cosplayer smiled, eyes full of kindness. "Then you came to the right world. Name's Kristine! But everyone calls me Galala Bing!" she said, winking like she was introducing herself in a cartoon intro. "What's your name?"
The girl hesitated, clutching her backpack tighter. "…They just call me Mina."
Kristine tilted her head. "Mina, huh? Pretty name. Like a flower." She gently patted the girl's shoulder. "Well, Mina, you're with me now. Don't worry, I'm not some weirdo creeper or anything—unless bubble tea addiction counts."
Kenji chuckled. "You got that right. She's a good one, kid."
Kristine looked up at him. "Don't worry, I'll keep her safe. You can head out."
Kenji nodded, letting out a relieved sigh. "Appreciate it. You two take care, alright? There's a lotta strange stuff goin' on lately."
He gave Iris one last look—something almost fatherly in his expression. "Stay strong, okay, kid?"
Mina gave a small, honest nod. "…Thank you, Mr. Kenji."
Kenji smiled faintly, then turned, getting back in the bus. The door closed behind him, and soon the sound of the engine faded into the distance.
Now it was just Kristine and Mina standing by the park entrance. People in cosplays walked past—some dressed as knights, others as superheroes or even walking noodles. The air buzzed with music, laughter, and a weird mix of food smells.
Kristine stretched her arms wide. "Alright, Mina! Step one of surviving a con weekend: food! Step two: don't pass out. Step three: get lost only once per day."
Mina blinked. "That… sounds like bad advice."
Kristine burst out laughing. "You're already funny! I like you." She reached into her tote bag and pulled out a drink. "Here, try this—peach soda. It's like happiness in a can."
Mina took it hesitantly, then sipped. Her eyes widened a little. "It's… good."
Kristine smiled. "See? Told ya."
They started walking together toward the ticket gates, the massive sign reading "WELCOME TO NAGASHIMA SPA LAND — BIGGER AND BETTER!"
Mina looked around, amazed by the weird fusion of universes—there were elves selling cotton candy, Pokémon plush vendors yelling about limited editions, and even a mini floating castle in the distance.
She whispered, "It's… beautiful."
Kristine looked down at her, smiling softly. "Yeah. Kinda feels like a dream, huh? You know, sometimes the world breaks so it can rebuild itself into something better. I think you showed up right when you needed to."
Mina glanced up. "Do you really think so?"
Kristine chuckled, flicking her silver hair. "Oh, totally. The universe doesn't make mistakes. It just gets creative sometimes."
They walked together, passing through the gates, the air filled with the sound of laughter and far-off music. Kristine took Iris's hand, holding it loosely but protectively.
"C'mon, kiddo. Let's get you some takoyaki before I go all dramatic and cry about destiny."
Mina smiled, genuinely this time. "You're weird."
Kristine grinned. "And proud of it."
The two disappeared into the crowd—one a lost child who carried a mystery worth billions, the other a cosplayer who'd just unknowingly met someone who would change her fate forever.
The park's energy swirled around them, vibrant and alive, as if the world itself was watching… waiting.
Something big was coming. But for now, in this small moment—
it was just laughter, bubble tea, and a quiet sense of safety.
NAGASHIMA BEACH - NAGASHIMA SPA LAND - AFTERNOON
The sun was at its mellow peak, sitting high above the blue and white horizon like a proud flame, reflecting off the waters of Nagashima Spa Land's largest beach. The air smelled of salt, coconut lotion, and grilled food from the far-off snack stalls. Hydro was standing on the warm sand, sleeves rolled up, his hands gripping a box of booth panels that easily outweighed any normal human's strength. But this was Hydro — the so-called "immortal staff," as the others jokingly called him.
"Hey! Careful with that stand, dude!" yelled Aimi, the lead organizer, from behind the caution tape. "That thing almost fell earlier!"
Hydro tilted his head, squinting through his tinted glasses. "Almost? That's like saying my immortality almost ran out."
Aimi smirked, wiping the sweat off her forehead with her wristband. "You sound like you've done this a million times already."
"Maybe in another lifetime," Hydro replied, chuckling faintly as he steadied the booth structure.
The other staff members were hammering signs, adjusting tarpaulins, and carefully painting the Otakufest 2035 logo across the wooden frames. Every sound — the thump of hammers, the rattle of screws, the hiss of spray paint — blended into a chaotic symphony of creation.
"Yo, Hydro!" shouted another staffer, a young guy wearing a One Piece bandana. "You're seriously built for this job, man! You lift those boxes like they're full of feathers."
Hydro laughed under his breath. "It's called experience. Or trauma. Maybe both."
The guy laughed back, "Ha! I feel that."
By now, the afternoon heat was getting heavier. The crew was moving slower, sweat glistening off their skin, laughter fading into tired sighs. Aimi finally raised her clipboard and yelled, "Alright! Let's wrap it up for today, guys! Booth prep is barely halfway done, but I don't want y'all collapsing before the event even starts!"
Everyone cheered tiredly — that kind of cheer that came from exhaustion but also satisfaction. Some dropped their tools immediately, others slumped onto the sand. Hydro stretched his neck, looking at the half-constructed maze of tents and colorful banners.
"Hydro, you can take a break too, you know," said Aimi, noticing he was still standing near the booth.
Hydro shrugged. "If I stop now, I might never start again."
Aimi chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You're such an old soul for someone who looks sixteen."
Hydro gave her a small smirk. "Old enough to know when to stop pretending I'm fine."
Then he finally set the box down and dusted off his pants. The ocean breeze brushed through his hair, cooling the heat from his face. He looked out toward the endless shoreline, hearing laughter and splashes echo across the water.
As he wandered down the beach, the scene changed — on the left were bars, stores, and neon-lit road signs advertising shaved ice, ramen bowls, and glow-in-the-dark drinks. To the right, the sea stretched into eternity, glimmering like glass under the sunlight.
Then — thud.
A volleyball bounced off his shoulder.
Hydro blinked, staring at the ball that had landed next to his foot.
"Oops!" yelled a girl from the group of players nearby. "Sorry! You okay?"
Hydro bent down, picked up the ball, and examined it as if it were some fragile artifact. "Yeah, yeah… I'm immortal," he muttered with a faint grin before tossing it back.
The group caught it with awkward smiles. "We didn't mean to hit you, mister!"
Hydro waved off their guilt. "You're fine. Just… maybe keep it a bit lower next time, yeah? Try to play it safe."
They laughed, confused but charmed by his tone. "Thanks, uh… volleyball safety man?"
Hydro laughed under his breath. "I'll take that."
He turned and continued walking. The sand was soft, almost powder-like, each step sinking slightly before releasing him. The wind picked up, carrying the sounds of distant music and the gentle crash of waves.
Hydro stopped and gazed at the ocean — an endless, shimmering expanse of blue fire reflecting the sun. His reflection danced faintly in the wet sand below him.
He stared straight at the sun. Most people would squint or look away, but Hydro didn't. He didn't flinch, didn't blink. The heat didn't burn him anymore.
"All this," he murmured quietly, "just to become a cosplay staff… does it give me enjoyness? Why a I saying this so many times?"
His tone carried more wonder than sarcasm. For the first time in years, he didn't feel like a weapon, a curse, or an anomaly — just a guy standing under the sun with sand between his toes.
His eyes softened as he thought about the others — Quinn, Terry, Bea, Kai, Nate, Yurei. People who used to laugh with him before everything went dark. People who still remembered him.
Hydro let out a quiet sigh, smiling faintly. "Look at you, Hydro… a photographer and a cosplay staff. Luck's on my side, I guess."
He shoved his hands in his pockets and started walking again — the sun slowly sinking behind him, the golden sky painting his shadow across the endless beach.
And for once, it didn't feel like a burden. It felt like peace. The late afternoon sun was dripping gold across the sky, reflecting off the ocean like liquid fire. The air buzzed with life — music, laughter, waves crashing in rhythm. Hydro was sitting by the beach pathway, leaning against a small wooden post near the boardwalk, staring off into the horizon. He'd been working half the day setting up booths, and now his body — immortal or not — felt the weight of exhaustion.
Then, his phone started buzzing in his pocket. He glanced down.
[Incoming call: Atlarus Quinn]
Hydro blinked, then smiled faintly. "Well, speak of the devil…" he muttered, answering the call. "Yo, Quinn. Where are you? I thought we were supposed to meet here?"
Her voice came through the phone, light and teasing. "Oh, I'm nearby… super close, actually. You'll see me soon."
Hydro tilted his head, scanning the area — the sand, the trees, the vending stalls. "Nearby? How near are we talking? Like, 'across the beach' near, or 'you're hiding behind a tree' near?"
"Who says I'm hiding?" Quinn replied, holding in a giggle.
Meanwhile, behind one of the large palm trees just a few meters behind Hydro, Quinn crouched low, trying not to burst into laughter. Terry was right beside her, struggling to keep quiet, while Bea and Kai were peeking over the tree trunk with their hands over their mouths. Nate and Yurei stood behind them, trying to suppress snorts every time Hydro looked around suspiciously.
Hydro's brows furrowed. "Okay, this is weird. Either you're pranking me or you've gotten real good at stealth."
"Me? Pranking you? Never," Quinn said, smirking. Her voice was syrupy-sweet — too sweet. "I'm just… admiring the view."
Hydro chuckled softly. "Well, the view's good, I'll give you that. Japan's beach looks like a literal summer postcard. But really, where are you? I'm not tryna play hide and seek, Quinn."
Behind the tree, Kai whispered, "Oh my god, he has no clue."
"Shh!" Bea hissed. "You'll ruin it!"
Quinn put a finger over her lips, motioning everyone to stay still. "I'll be there soon," she said through the phone, trying not to laugh.
Hydro sighed, rubbing his forehead. "You and your suspense games, huh? Fine. I'll call back when you're 'here soon.'"
"Sure, sure~" Quinn replied, and before hanging up, she whispered in a playful tone, "See you in a bit, vampire boy."
Hydro froze for a second, his brow quirking. "Vampire boy? What—" click. The call ended.
Hydro blinked at his phone, confused. "...What?" He looked around, then leaned against the post again, staring at the waves. "Man, she's still as weird as ever," he muttered under his breath.
He didn't know that six pairs of eyes were sneaking up behind him through the sand. Quinn motioned for everyone to tiptoe quietly, one finger pressed to her lips. Terry crept forward, whispering, "He's literally right there."
"I know," Quinn whispered back. "And he still has no idea."
Hydro exhaled, letting the ocean breeze brush through his hair. "I swear if she jumps me, I'm gonna—"
"Boo!"
Hydro jolted violently, his body snapping upright. "Gah—!"
He spun around, almost tripping on the sand, and there she was — Atlarus Quinn, standing just a few feet away in a sunny yellow bikini top and white wrap skirt, her ocean-blue hair glinting in the sunlight. Behind her were Terry, Bea, Kai, Nate, and Yurei — all grinning like they just pulled the prank of the century.
"Surprise!" Quinn shouted.
Hydro blinked, still catching his breath. "You— you're—" he pointed a shaky finger at her, "—evil. Absolutely evil."
Quinn burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. "Oh my god, your face! You should've seen your face!"
Terry chimed in, "Man looked like he saw a ghost!"
Hydro grumbled, "You did join a community after a dead clan, didn't you? Fitting."
They all laughed. Bea and Kai high-fived, and even Yurei cracked a smile.
Hydro sighed, then his lips curved into a genuine grin. "You guys…"
Quinn finally calmed down and looked at him properly. "Wow… you really haven't changed at all, have you?"
Hydro blinked, scratching the back of his neck. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean literally!" Bea chimed in. "You still look sixteen! Dude, how? It's been, like, ten years!"
Kai leaned forward, squinting at his face. "Are you using anti-aging cream or something? Be honest."
Hydro chuckled nervously. "Uh— yeah, sure. Let's go with… skincare routine."
Nate crossed his arms. "Skincare doesn't freeze time, bro. You look like you walked straight outta 2025."
Hydro hesitated for a moment, then exhaled, looking slightly to the side. "Okay, look— let's just say I'm like that actor from Ant-Man who doesn't age. Y'know, Paul Rudd? Dude's like a vampire or something."
Quinn tilted her head, smirking. "So what you're saying is… you're Paul Rudd's future child?"
Hydro chuckled, "Yeah. Exactly that."
The group laughed again, the sound light and nostalgic — like echoes of their teenage years coming back to life. Then, without warning, Quinn stepped forward and hugged him.
It wasn't just a friendly hug — it was the kind of hug that spoke of years of distance, missed messages, and unanswered "where are you"s. Hydro froze for a second, but then, slowly, his arms came around her.
"I missed you, you idiot," she said softly against his shoulder.
Hydro's voice came out low, a bit shaky. "Yeah… I missed you too."
Then Terry jumped in. "Hey, group hug!"
Before Hydro could react, the rest of them swarmed him — Kai wrapping around his left arm, Bea and Terry from the right, Nate and Yurei clapping him on the back. They were all laughing, talking over each other, warmth flooding through the air.
Hydro couldn't help but smile — really smile. For once, it didn't feel forced.
When they finally pulled apart, Quinn poked his chest lightly. "Ten years, huh? You ghosted us without saying goodbye. I was about to file a missing persons report."
Hydro scratched his neck awkwardly. "I was… focusing on myself. Trying to fix things, y'know?"
Bea rolled her eyes but smiled. "Well, guess what? You're stuck with us again."
Hydro raised an eyebrow. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
Kai laughed. "Oh, it is a bad thing. We're chaos."
As they started walking along the beach, the sunset painted them all in shades of orange and pink. The group talked about old memories, cosplay events they'd joined, and how much the world had changed since the Merge. Hydro mostly listened, but every once in a while, he'd throw in a sarcastic comment that made them laugh harder.
Quinn nudged him as they walked. "You seem happier now, y'know."
Hydro glanced at her. "Maybe I am."
"You sure it's not just the beach view?"
He chuckled, kicking the sand. "Nah. It's the company."
Quinn smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Then stay this time, okay? Don't disappear again."
Hydro looked at her — really looked — and nodded. "Yeah… I'll try."
As the sun finally dipped below the horizon, their laughter mixed with the crashing of the waves. For once, Hydro didn't feel like an immortal outcast or a cursed fighter. He just felt… human again.
And that was enough. Later, the beach town was humming with life again — music bumping from food stalls, tourists walking around in neon sandals, and seagulls squawking like they owned the place. Hydro and the gang were chilling under a beach umbrella, sipping cold drinks and half-burying their legs in the sand.
Hydro is still clinged to his same costume — washed, clean, and his trademark glasses. He was trying to enjoy the moment, but he knew this talk was coming.
Atlarus Quinn leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "Alright, mister vampire boy," she started, raising an eyebrow. "Where have you been these past years, huh? You ghosted all of us without even a 'brb.'"
Bea added, "Yeah, we thought you got abducted or went monk mode in the mountains or something."
Kai snorted. "Or joined a secret cult."
Hydro laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Nah, nah. I didn't disappear that dramatically. It's just—"
He paused, glancing down at the waves rolling in and out like time itself. "Life kinda… hit me like a truck, y'know?"
The group quieted down, listening.
Hydro took a breath. "Senior high was brutal. Cramming, sleepless nights, too many projects to count. I was juggling everything — trying not to fail, trying to keep up with everyone else. I didn't even realize how much I was drifting away from people. Then college came around, and… I won't lie, it was chaos."
Terry tilted her head. "Chaos how?"
Hydro chuckled dryly. "Imagine your entire world collapsing and then someone handing you a camera and saying, 'Make art out of it.' That was me."
Quinn frowned slightly, her teasing expression softening.
Hydro continued, "I tried to get into photography around 2025. Thought maybe, y'know, pictures could help me make sense of things. But at first, I sucked. My shots were all over the place — no story, no heart, just… emptiness. I thought I'd never get it right."
Bea leaned back, listening closely. "So what changed?"
Hydro smiled faintly. "My boss. The guy who hired me — he didn't fire me even when I screwed up. Instead, he said something I'll never forget: 'Photography ain't about the lens, it's about what you feel when you're behind it.' He taught me how to capture life, not just take pictures of it. Every smile, every... thing, every damn thing that made people real."
He chuckled quietly, shaking his head. "That's when I realized… I wasn't running from you guys. I was just lost. And by the time I looked up, too much time had passed."
A small silence followed — not awkward, just… heavy with understanding.
Quinn broke it first, smiling softly. "You big idiot."
Hydro blinked. "Huh?"
She smacked his arm lightly. "You could've just told us, y'know. We'd have supported you. We're not strangers."
Terry nodded, "Exactly. You don't gotta carry everything alone. You're allowed to fall apart sometimes."
Hydro gave a sheepish grin. "Yeah… I know. I just didn't wanna drag anyone down. I wanted to look like I had it all figured out."
Kai rolled her eyes playfully. "Classic Hydro. The mysterious emo who's actually just bad at texting back."
The group burst out laughing. Even Hydro cracked up.
Then Quinn's eyes lit up suddenly. "Wait wait wait—speaking of events, Hydro!"
Hydro blinked. "What?"
"Did you buy your Otakufest 2035 tickets yet?!"
Hydro froze. For a solid three seconds, his brain glitched.
He remembered thr Mall of Globe vividly — the time he didn't manage to buy tickets, but somehow ended up working as a cosplay staff instead. That was the event that started his weird double life — part-timer by day, photographer by night.
His face twitched. "Uh… y-yeah! Of course I did!"
Quinn's eyes widened. "YOU DID?!" She grabbed his shoulders and shook him like a maraca. "Dude, no way! We're gonna go together this time!"
Hydro tried not to look too suspicious. "Heh… y-yeah… totally. Can't wait."
Kai squinted at him. "You're lying, aren't you?"
Hydro deadpanned, "No."
"Bro, your left eye twitched."
Hydro sighed dramatically. "Okay fine, I didn't. But maybe fate's gonna pull some weird stuff again, who knows?"
Quinn crossed her arms, pretending to pout. "You're lucky you're cute when you lie."
Hydro groaned. "I regret coming back."
They all laughed again. The air felt lighter — that kind of laughter you only get from people who've known you for years.
After a bit, Hydro leaned back and watched them chat. He couldn't help but notice how much everyone had grown — taller, louder, more confident. Bea, in particular, looked like the "tita" of the group now — towering, confident, rocking that adult aura.
"Yo," Hydro said, half-joking, "when did Bea turn into the cool aunt?"
Bea grinned smugly. "It's called puberty, golden boy."
Hydro squinted. "I'm guessing that's evolution."
Everyone cracked up again. Even Yurei, who barely laughed at anything, let out a snort.
As the afternoon sun began dipping lower, Quinn suddenly stood up, brushing sand off her skirt. "Alright, team! Dan's hosting a party nearby!"
Terry's eyes widened. "Dan? As in Dan Le Fish?"
Quinn nodded excitedly. "Yup! He's throwing a summer bash tonight!"
Hydro blinked. "...Dan Le what now?"
Kai grinned. "It's his gamer tag, don't question it."
Hydro tilted his head. "That's… actually kinda iconic."
The group started packing up, chattering about the party, while Hydro lingered behind. His gaze drifted toward them — a mix of fondness and quiet worry.
Because while his friends saw laughter and sunsets… Hydro saw shadows that didn't belong. Something had been stirring in the background since the Merge — subtle, creeping, wrong.
He exhaled deeply and muttered, "Guess I better play it safe."
His shadow rippled on the sand. A black mist poured out from under him, swirling like smoke until ten figures emerged silently — humanoid silhouettes with glowing eyes.
Three towering High Orcs, armored and brutish.
Two elite Knights clad in fractured obsidian armor.
And five spider-like humanoids with long, elegant limbs — his personal scouts.
They knelt, heads bowed low.
One of the Orcs rumbled, "My lord… why have we been summoned?"
Hydro's voice shifted — calm, low, commanding. "Two reasons. Five of you will guard the Ohara Community — keep watch, unseen. The rest, guard the Otakufest staff when the event starts."
The knights nodded, blades glinting faintly under the setting sun.
Hydro glanced at them, his tone softening just a bit. "This isn't war. It's precaution. The world's been acting strange lately — and I'm not risking them getting caught in it."
The spider humanoids hissed quietly in understanding, dissolving back into the sand.
"Disperse," Hydro said. "Get into their shadows. Don't reveal yourselves unless necessary."
One by one, the shadows slithered away — into the forest, under the waves, beneath the footprints of his friends walking ahead. Within seconds, the beach looked normal again.
Hydro sighed, the tension fading. "There. That should keep things calm."
"Hydro!" Quinn's voice echoed from afar. "You coming or what?!"
Hydro blinked, then grinned faintly. "Yeah, yeah! I'm coming!"
He jogged up to them, hands in his pockets, blending back into the noise and laughter of the group.
But as they walked toward the party lights ahead, the beach behind them rippled for a moment — a faint tremor through the shadows.
Hydro didn't look back. He didn't need to.
Because for the first time in forever, he wasn't just guarding the world.
He was guarding his people.