The resort shuttle hadn't even finished unloading their bags.
People were still gathering luggage. Still checking rooms. Still orienting themselves to the layout of the place.
Then—
a blur shot past the group.
Yuji blinked.
"…Was that—"
Hakari immediately pointed.
"…THAT'S HIM."
And there he was.
Takeru.
No shirt.
Just swim trunks.
Barefoot.
Sprinting full speed across the sand like gravity had been optional his entire life.
"…WOO HOO!!"
Maki froze mid-step.
"…He changed already?!"
Panda leaned slightly forward.
"…That was fast."
Kirara tilted their head.
"…He looks… unburdened."
Gojo, arms folded, smiled faintly.
"…That's what happens when you remove constraints."
Yuji watched him run.
"…Why is he running like that's the final boss of happiness?"
Hakari laughed.
"…BRO UNLOCKED BEACH DLC."
Takeru didn't slow down.
Didn't hesitate.
He hit the shoreline like it was a finish line in a race only he could see.
Then—
he splashed straight into the shallow waves.
"…WOO HOO!!"
Yuji grabbed his head.
"…He's actually just gone."
Maki sighed.
"…We lost him to the ocean in under five minutes."
Kirara checked their phone.
"…Room check-in is still pending."
Panda muttered.
"…He's already checked into the sea."
Gojo chuckled.
"…He's fine."
Hakari grinned.
"…He's in his natural habitat now."
And out in the water—
Takeru stood waist-deep in the ocean, arms slightly raised, grinning like none of the last few weeks had ever existed.
No missions.
No planning.
No pressure.
Just waves.
For the first time in a long time—
he wasn't calculating anything.
He was just there.