On Saturday morning, the air still held a hint of coolness.
The area in front of the station ticket gate was crowded with people, students and office workers crossing paths.
Imaizumi Keita and Yanami Anna stood side by side at the agreed meeting spot, the latter taking small bites of a freshly bought Red Bean Bun, her face carrying a hint of morning drowsiness.
"I say, Yanami," Imaizumi Keita couldn't help but speak up, "you didn't stay up all night out of excitement, did you?"
"N-No way!" Yanami Anna's cheeks flushed slightly. "I was just seriously brainstorming my novel!"
"Yo, good morning, you two!"
President Tamaki Shintaro and Vice President Tsukinoki Koto arrived together.
Koma Chihana followed behind them, carrying a backpack large enough that Imaizumi Keita worried it might knock Koma over.
Tamaki Shintaro carried a huge travel bag on his back and held a bag filled with various equipment in his hand.
Tsukinoki Koto wore a small crossbody bag and pulled a suitcase containing most of the luggage with her right hand, a composed smile on her face.
"Good morning, Senior Tamaki, Senior Tsukinoki."
Imaizumi Keita and Yanami Anna replied politely.
"Everyone's on time."
Tsukinoki Koto nodded with satisfaction. She pulled an A4 sheet from her small bag and began announcing the schedule for this training camp.
"Alright, since Imaizumi-kun and Nanami-san are already here, we'll wait a bit longer for Shioyaki-san. I'll briefly go over the arrangements for now."
"We're taking the 9:10 train, transferring to a bus at 10:30, and we should arrive at Shiratani Beach around 11:00. The Youth House we booked is right next to the beach. We'll check in first, drop off our luggage, then head to the beach, and do some free writing in the evening."
She paused and flipped the paper over.
"The room assignments are: Koma and I in one room, Yanami and Shioyaki in another, and the President and Imaizumi-kun in one. Any objections?"
"No problem here," Imaizumi Keita shrugged.
"Mm-hmm!" Yanami Anna also nodded vigorously. Being in a room with the seniors made her feel more at ease.
"As for the writing task," a mischievous smile appeared on Tsukinoki Koto's face, "the requirement is simple: before the training camp ends tomorrow, everyone must complete at least five thousand words of the main text. We'll pass them around for everyone to check then."
"F-Five thousand words?!"
"Aaaauuughh!"
Yanami Anna let out a short cry of despair, her expression collapsing instantly.
"Alright, that's all from me."
Tsukinoki Koto clapped her hands and turned her gaze to the silent Tamaki Shintaro. "President, is everything okay with the equipment and funds on your end?"
"Don't worry, I've checked everything."
Tamaki Shintaro patted his travel bag. "Toiletries and the public funds—not a cent is missing."
"That's good."
"By the way," Imaizumi Keita spoke up proactively, "I brought a camera and spare batteries. If we need to take group photos or record anything, you can leave it to me. Also, I prepared a simple first-aid kit just in case."
As soon as he finished speaking, not only Yanami Anna but even Tsukinoki and Tamaki looked surprised, and Koma looked over awkwardly.
"Wow, Imaizumi-kun, you're so well-prepared!"
Tsukinoki Koto's eyes lit up.
Yanami Anna also looked him over in surprise, a secret sense of pride inexplicably surfacing in her heart.
Honestly, this guy...
Usually he always acts indifferent, but he's unexpectedly reliable.
Just then, an energetic voice accompanied by hurried footsteps came from a distance.
"Sorry, sorry! I'm here!!"
Shioyaki Lemon rushed in front of everyone with a sports backpack and apologized.
"Sorry! I ran a bit longer during my morning workout and almost ended up late!"
"It's fine, it's still early."
Tamaki Shintaro smiled gently.
Shioyaki Lemon let out a long sigh of relief, slid the sports bag off her back, placed it by her feet, and naturally tucked her phone into the hand of the nearest person, Imaizumi Keita.
"Kin-chan, keep this for me for a bit."
As she spoke, she pulled a tissue from her pocket and wiped the thin sweat from her forehead and neck caused by the rush.
This movement was natural, full of the casual familiarity of an athletic girl.
However, Yanami Anna, standing next to Imaizumi Keita, narrowed her eyes slightly for a moment.
She quietly adjusted her position, inadvertently squeezing into the gap Shioyaki Lemon had left when she approached, separating Imaizumi and Shioyaki.
"Alright, since everyone's here," Tsukinoki Koto clapped her hands and announced, "let's get ready to enter the station! The Literature Club Summer Writing Training Camp officially begins!"
...
Arriving at Shiratani Beach, a sea breeze mixed with a salty scent blew against them.
Bright sunlight poured down, making the sand and the sea surface sparkle; the weather was perfectly clear.
"Wow! The weather is great!" Shioyaki Lemon took a deep breath of the sea-salt-scented air, a brilliant smile on her face, her wheat-colored skin looking even more vibrant in the sun.
"Exactly, summer is meant for the beach!"
Tsukinoki Koto was also full of joy. She looked around the wide beach and entered "commander mode."
"Alright, the Youth House is on the slope over there. Koma, Shioyaki, Yanami, and I will handle the check-in and luggage. President,"
She looked at Tamaki Shintaro, "you and Imaizumi-kun change into your swim trunks and set up the rest area for us to play."
This task distribution was reasonable, and Imaizumi Keita had no objections.
After changing, he walked straight toward the nearby rental shop.
"Is there anything you'd like to rent?"
"The largest waterproof mat, please. Thank you," Imaizumi Keita said succinctly.
Soon, he spread the blue waterproof mat on a spot not far from the shoreline.
"Ah! Imaizumi, you're really fast!"
Tamaki Shintaro walked over carrying a parasol and praised Imaizumi upon seeing he'd finished the task.
He propped up the parasol, sat down naturally next to Imaizumi Keita, and let out a long breath.
"Imaizumi, speaking of which, you've really done a great service."
"Huh? What are you talking about, President?"
"Yanami and Shioyaki—you actually managed to persuade two such cute girls to come along."
Tamaki Shintaro looked toward the changing room on the other side and added, "And they even came to the beach together..."
"I did invite them, but it's not like you need to be this excited, President..."
Imaizumi Keita was full of surprise. Why was Senior Tamaki so excited?!
That expression of yours could easily cause misunderstandings!
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