The sun had started to dip low, painting the sky in orange and gold.
The ocean calmed.
The chaos faded.
The group walked back toward the resort, towels around their shoulders, hair still damp, sand sticking to their feet.
Yuji stretched.
"…That was actually perfect."
Hakari grinned.
"…Best decision we've made so far."
Maki rolled her shoulders.
"…I'll admit it wasn't terrible."
Panda nodded.
"…I have fulfilled my role."
Takeru walked alongside them, quieter now, still smiling slightly.
"…Effective day."
Yuji laughed.
"…You're back to that?"
Takeru shrugged.
"…A little."
They reached the changing area—split paths for men and women.
Without hesitation—
Kirara walked straight toward the men's side.
Everyone froze.
Yuji blinked.
"…Wait."
Maki turned.
"…Hold on."
Panda tilted his head.
"…Did we just—"
Takeru looked over.
Paused.
"…Wait… you're a man?"
Kirara looked back at them, completely calm.
"…Yeah."
Silence.
Yuji's brain visibly stopped working.
"…WHAT?!"
Panda's eyes widened.
"…I—what—when—"
Maki blinked.
Then blinked again.
"…You're serious?"
Kirara shrugged.
"…I thought it was obvious."
Hakari, already halfway into the men's side, looked back like nothing happened.
"…It was."
Everyone turned to him.
"…YOU KNEW?!"
Hakari shrugged.
"…Yeah."
Yuji grabbed his head.
"…WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY ANYTHING?!"
Hakari smirked.
"…Wasn't my job."
Takeru was still staring, processing—
when suddenly—
A mouth formed on his cheek.
"…I told you that was a man when you first met him."
Silence.
Yuji froze.
Panda froze.
Takeru blinked.
Then—all at once—
"WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET CLOSE TO THEM AND TO DISCOVER THEIR TECHNIQUE!"
The three of them said it perfectly in sync.
A beat.
Maki slowly turned away.
"…That's somehow worse."
Kirara stared at them.
"…You were what?"
Hakari burst out laughing.
"…YOU GUYS SAID THAT OUT LOUD?!"
Yuji immediately panicked.
"…WAIT NO—THAT SOUNDS BAD—"
Panda waved his arms.
"…IT WAS STRATEGIC—"
Takeru added:
"…Investigation purposes only."
Kirara just blinked.
"…You're all weird."
The mouth on Takeru's cheek smirked.
"…Idiots."
Then it vanished.
Gojo, who had been watching the entire thing unfold, laughed quietly.
"…I'm glad I didn't interfere."
Maki sighed.
"…I need a break from all of you."
Hakari was still laughing.
"…Best reveal of the trip."
Yuji groaned.
"…This is so embarrassing."
Takeru stood there for a second longer.
Then nodded.
"…Information updated."
Panda looked at him.
"…That's your takeaway?"
Takeru shrugged.
"…Yes."
And as they finally split into the changing rooms—
the day ended not with peace—
but with absolute chaos one last time.