The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the endless stretch of sand and sea. Waves gently lapped at the shore, their rhythmic sound providing a peaceful backdrop to the day. Dazai walked ahead, barefoot and carefree, his coat left behind on the towel, rolled-up sleeves exposing his arms to the warm breeze. He looked over his shoulder at you, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

“You’re not going to catch me if you just stand there!” he teased, eyes glinting as he started jogging toward the water.

You laughed, shaking your head, knowing full well this was just another one of his games. You followed him, feeling the soft sand beneath your feet, the warmth of the sun on your skin, and the cooling sea breeze. The air smelled of salt, and the horizon was painted in soft pinks and oranges, promising a sunset you both would stay to watch.

Dazai stopped at the edge of the water, just out of reach of the small waves, and turned back to you, eyes sparkling. “Race you to the rocks!” he called, already starting to run before you could even react.

You broke into a sprint after him, both of you laughing as the wind whipped through your hair. He reached the rocks first, of course, throwing his arms up in victory as he looked back at you.

“I win!” he declared triumphantly, but his smile was soft, not quite as competitive as it usually was. You both stood there, catching your breath, the gentle waves curling around your feet.

After a while, Dazai sat down on the sand near the water’s edge, leaning back on his hands and gazing out at the sea. You sat beside him, close enough that your arms brushed against each other. The sun was beginning to dip lower, casting long shadows and turning the sky a brilliant orange.

“There’s something about the sea, you know?” Dazai said quietly, his voice more thoughtful than usual. “It never stops moving, never gets tired… yet it’s always so peaceful.” His eyes were distant, focused on the horizon, as if he was chasing some faraway thought.