The beach had finally settled into that early-afternoon calm.
Sunlight shimmered across the water. Waves rolled in gently. The resort behind them buzzed faintly with distant tourists and staff.
Yuji stood at the shoreline with his hands on his hips.
"…Okay, where did he go this time?"
Hakari pointed out toward the water.
"…He's been out there a while."
Maki squinted.
"…That's not "a while" anymore."
And there he was.
Takeru.
Floating face-down in the water.
Completely still.
Silence.
Yuji blinked.
"…Is he… okay?"
Panda leaned forward slightly.
"…He's not moving."
Kirara frowned.
"…That's not normal floating posture."
Gojo, sitting casually under a shaded umbrella, glanced up.
"…He's fine."
Maki snapped her head toward him.
"…How do you know?"
Gojo shrugged.
"…Because I would've noticed if he died."
Yuji pointed.
"…THAT'S NOT COMFORTING!"
Hakari already had his phone out.
"…I'm timing this."
Maki narrowed her eyes.
"…Why are you timing it."
Hakari grinned.
"…Because I think he's holding his breath."
Yuji stared harder.
"…WHY WOULD HE DO THAT FOR SIX MINUTES?!"
Panda blinked.
"…Six minutes is humanly questionable."
Kirara muttered.
"…He's not exactly normal anymore."
And then—
just as Yuji was about to jump in—
Takeru suddenly lifted his head out of the water.
Gasping lightly.
Then—
he flipped over onto his back.
Floating now.
Completely relaxed.
"…Ah."
Yuji froze mid-step.
"…He's FINE?!"
Hakari laughed.
"…BRO WAS JUST CHILLING UNDERWATER."
Maki exhaled sharply.
"…Of course he was."
Takeru turned slightly in the water, looking toward them.
Calm.
A little proud.
"…Good breath control."
Yuji pointed.
"…YOU SCARED US FOR THAT?!"
Hakari wiped a tear from laughing.
"…He just did a personal achievement underwater."
Panda sighed.
"…At least he's safe."
Kirara nodded slowly.
"…And showing off, apparently."
Gojo smirked faintly.
"…Let him enjoy it."
Maki muttered:
"…He better not make this a habit."
And Takeru?
He just floated there in the ocean, sunlight catching on the surface around him, looking strangely peaceful.
For once—
no stats.
no plans.
just breathing, floating, and quietly enjoying the fact that his body felt strong enough to do things like that.