"…You're so old-fashioned."
Reiko pouted, her rosy cheeks puffing out like a disgruntled little pufferfish.
With a defiant flick of her wrist, she tossed the bikini onto the bed. But seeing the uncompromising look in her older brother's eyes, the little girl had no choice but to begrudgingly accept the conservative one-piece swimsuit he offered.
The suit was a soft, pale blue, adorned with a few delicate white flowers. It was, admittedly, a perfect fit for someone her age.
"Then at least let me wear this seashell necklace?" Reiko asked, refusing to give up entirely as she fished a shimmering piece of jewelry from her drawer.
Hayashi Shuichi let out a helpless sigh and reached over to ruffle his sister's hair. "Fine."
Reiko's face immediately brightened into a mischievous grin, looking very much like a kitten that had successfully stolen a fish. Without a second's delay, she looped the necklace around her neck.
Once the siblings had finished packing their things and made their way downstairs, it wasn't long before the rest of the group arrived with their luggage to join them.
Aside from Shuichi and Reiko, the group consisted of Kisaki Eri, Yukiko, Orikasa Midori, and Mouri Kogoro. Since this was an official outing for the izakaya, Koizumi Akane—who had been running a fortune-telling stall in front of the shop for the past few days and was practically part of the staff—naturally couldn't be left behind.
Her fortune-telling business was booming. Despite crying poverty to Shuichi only a few days ago, just two days of business had made her remarkably wealthy once again.
Today, Akane wore a long, Bohemian-style dress, the silver bracelets on her wrists shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight.
"Alright, everyone's here. We should—"
Before Shuichi could finish his sentence, the door to the izakaya swung open.
Tomizawa Chikage walked in, radiating an overwhelming aura as her high heels clicked against the floor, a suitcase trailing behind her. Behind her, Narumi peeked his head out timidly, his small backpack strapped tight.
"What are you two doing here…?" Shuichi raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Didn't you say you were going to the beach?" Chikage huffed, her red lips curving into a slight smirk. "What, are the two of us not allowed to come along?"
"No, it's just… what about the hospital?" Shuichi asked instinctively, his gaze drifting toward her midsection.
"I was discharged just moments ago," Chikage said, patting the area where she had previously taken a bullet wound. "My injury is completely healed. If you're worried, should I lift my shirt and let you see for yourself?"
She made a move to hike up the hem of her top, her eyes dancing with a spark of mischief.
Seeing that Chikage was actually serious about lifting her shirt, Shuichi quickly waved his hands. "Alright, alright, I get it. You've recovered. But what about Narumi? Is he physically up for this?"
"Don't worry, I've already consulted the doctor," Chikage laughed, reaching down to stroke Narumi's hair.
The young boy kept his head down shyly, his fingers tightly gripping the straps of his backpack.
"After the treatment, Narumi's condition has improved significantly. A trip to the beach won't be a problem at all. Right, Narumi?"
Chikage looked down at the boy by her side, only to see him suddenly freeze, his face turning a shade of pale white.
He was staring at Koizumi Akane with an expression of pure terror, his small body instinctively shrinking back behind Chikage.
Last week, in that hospital room, this red-haired "demon lady" had actually stuck out her tongue to "taste" Shuichi's scent and had even threatened to eat him alive. It had scared the poor boy half to death.
Narumi never expected to encounter this monster again here. He clutched Chikage's coat tightly, trembling.
On the other side, Akane's expression became somewhat forced upon seeing Narumi. She lowered her head slightly, a flicker of awkwardness crossing her eyes.
Hearing Chikage's question, Narumi hid further behind her, whispering in a trembling voice, "Sister Chikage… that red-haired lady… she's the one from before…"
The little guy whispered the reason for his fear, prompting Chikage to look Akane up and down.
She really is beautiful. No wonder she managed to hook up with that flirt, Hayashi Shuichi…
"It's alright, she probably just looks similar," Chikage said gently, patting the boy's head. "Look, she has a shadow. Usually, ghosts and monsters don't have shadows."
"Is that so?" Narumi asked skeptically. He poked half his head out from behind Chikage, stealing a cautious glance at Akane.
Even though Chikage had guaranteed that Akane wasn't a monster, Narumi still instinctively avoided the red-haired woman. Every time Akane's gaze swept in his direction, he would immediately duck behind the nearest person.
Since the two had already arrived, Shuichi naturally couldn't turn them away.
He looked around, confirming everyone was present, and clapped his hands. "Everyone is here. Let's head to the station. Furuya is already waiting for us there."
Since they were all going out to have fun, he couldn't leave behind his "cheap" apprentice, Furuya Rei. The kid was usually so solitary; this was a good chance to bring him along and liven things up.
At Beika Station, Furuya Rei's expression turned quite awkward the moment he saw Narumi.
After all, this was his "first love." Although Furuya had immediately abandoned those feelings the moment he learned Narumi was a boy, it wasn't so easy to just forget the emotions he had felt before.
He fidgeted with his backpack straps, his gaze shifting around restlessly.
Narumi, however, didn't seem to mind much. He trotted over to Furuya's side, his yellow backpack bouncing rhythmically against his back.
"Brother Rei!"
He tilted his face up, chattering away about the things he had seen on the way, his small hand naturally grabbing onto the corner of Furuya's shirt.
Before long, Furuya forgot his previous awkwardness and began laughing and talking with the boy.
Although Enoshima Beach wasn't particularly far from Tokyo, the group had set off so late that by the time they arrived, it was nearly eight o'clock in the evening.
Night had fully descended, and a blanket of stars began to twinkle across the dark canopy of the sky. The sound of the crashing waves grew louder as they approached, the salty, mist-laden breeze brushing against their faces.
"Ah, it's so refreshing!"
Yukiko abandoned her suitcase and ran toward the shore like a joyful fawn.
"Sister Yukiko, wait for me!" Reiko cheered, chasing after her. Her seashell necklace shimmered under the moonlight. Her small feet pressed into the soft sand, leaving a trail of happy footprints behind.
"Akane-senpai," Orikasa Midori called out, grabbing Akane's hand to follow them.
"Let's go too," Chikage said, glancing at Kisaki Eri. "We'll leave the luggage to the men."
With that, the two women also set off toward the beach.
"Narumi and I don't really count as 'men' yet…"
Furuya Rei tried to slip away as well, but Shuichi grabbed him firmly by the collar.
"Do your work. With this much luggage, how are Mouri and I supposed to get it all to the hotel without you?"
"Yes, sir…" Furuya replied dejectedly.
Narumi let out a muffled giggle, then obediently stepped forward to help carry a small suitcase.
"I wonder if Ruri has arrived yet?"
Mouri Kogoro was looking around absentmindedly, his fingers constantly adjusting his collar. He was clearly very concerned about his appearance today.
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