The sun sat high over the water now, heat pressing down just enough to make the ocean look even more inviting.
Waves rolled in steady.
Cool.
Endless.
Takeru stood at the edge of the sand again, hands on his hips, still riding that wave of energy.
He looked back at the group—
Grinning.
"…Alright."
A small pause.
"…Who is gonna join the ocean? Let's swim!"
Yuji immediately perked up.
"…FINALLY, SOMETHING NORMAL!"
Hakari cracked his neck.
"…Yeah, I'm in. Been waiting for this."
Panda nodded.
"…I suppose I can return to my natural role as flotation device."
Kirara gave a small smile.
"…I'll go. But I'm not getting dragged into chaos."
Hakari pointed.
"…You will be dragged into chaos."
Maki sighed, already walking forward.
"…If I don't go, you idiots are going to drown somehow."
Yuji laughed.
"…That's the spirit!"
Gojo stood up slowly, stretching.
"…Guess I'll supervise."
Maki shot him a look.
"…You're not supervising anything."
Gojo smiled.
"…Moral support, then."
Takeru turned back toward the ocean.
Then took a few steps forward—
before looking back again.
"…Last chance."
Yuji ran past him.
"…MOVE!"
SPLASH
Hakari followed right after.
"…RACE YOU!"
Panda walked in at a much calmer pace.
"…I will not be racing."
Kirara stepped in carefully.
"…If someone splashes me—"
Too late.
Yuji had already kicked up water.
"…SORRY—NOT SORRY!"
Kirara wiped their face.
"…You're done."
Maki walked straight in without hesitation.
No reaction.
Just immediate acceptance of the water.
"…It's fine."
Takeru watched all of it for a second.
Then smiled.
Not forced.
Not calculated.
Just real.
"…Yeah."
And with that—
he ran forward again—
diving into the ocean like it was the only place he wanted to be.
Gojo stayed back near the shore, watching the chaos unfold with a quiet smile.
Waves splashing.
Voices shouting.
Laughter echoing.
No missions.
No pressure.
Just a group of teenagers—
being exactly what they were supposed to be.