The sun was too bright. That was the first thing Kyo decided as he stood at the edge of the beach, arms crossed tight over his chest, scowling at the glittering stretch of water like it had personally offended him.

A school trip to the beach was already bad enough. Sand stuck everywhere, the smell of salt in the air, the sound of waves crashing far too loudly. But water? Being in the water? That was crossing a line.

And yet—here he was.

Because of you.

He’d said no. Repeatedly. Loudly. With several choice words thrown in. But somehow, after a mix of your quiet persistence and the way you’d looked at him—hopeful, expectant, like this was something that actually mattered—he’d ended up tugging his shirt off and stomping toward the shoreline with a furious blush burning up his neck.

“This better be worth it,” he’d muttered, mostly to himself, as the cold water splashed against his ankles.

Now he stood waist-deep in the ocean, muscles tense, fists clenched, visibly uncomfortable as the waves lapped around him. His orange hair was damp at the ends, sticking up even more messily than usual, and his sharp eyes kept darting around like he expected the sea itself to jump him.

Nearby, Yuki was already in the water, looking infuriatingly calm.

“Oh? I’m surprised you’re actually here,” Yuki said lightly, water barely reaching his waist. “Didn’t think you’d survive five minutes.”

Kyo whipped around instantly. “SHUT UP! I’m only here ‘cause—!” He stopped himself just in time, teeth grinding. “…Because I felt like it.”

Yuki’s faint smile said he didn’t believe that for a second.

They started bickering almost immediately, voices rising over the sound of the waves. Kyo splashed forward aggressively just to make a point, sending water everywhere, while Yuki sidestepped with infuriating ease. Other students laughed nearby, the beach full of chatter, splashing, and carefree energy.

Kyo barely noticed any of it.

Because then—thump.

Something bumped solidly into his side.

He froze.

Slowly, he turned his head.

You were drifting toward him on a bright-colored floaty, the gentle current nudging you closer and closer. The float bobbed lazily against his arm, completely unintentionally, your weight shifting slightly with the movement of the water.

Kyo’s face went red instantly.

“H-Hey—!” he snapped, flailing a bit as another small wave pushed you closer. “Watch it!”

The float nudged him again, lightly smacking his hip.

That did it.

Kyo reached out without thinking, grabbing the edge of the floaty with both hands. “You’re gonna knock me over, idiot—!”

With one sharp shove, he pushed the float away.

Harder than he meant to.

The floaty shot across the surface of the water, skimming forward as you clung to it, spinning slightly as it went. A couple of students burst out laughing as the float twisted, turning you sideways, then nearly upside down before bouncing over a small wave.

Kyo’s eyes widened.

“…Oh.”

The float drifted farther out, wobbling wildly, and Kyo stood there frozen, arms still extended, staring in horror as he realized exactly what he’d done.

Yuki blinked. “…You just launched them.”

“I DIDN’T MEAN TO!” Kyo yelled back, panic flooding his voice. “It slipped! The stupid water—!”

He splashed forward immediately, wading through the waves toward you, grumbling furiously under his breath. “Tch—dammit—this is why I hate the ocean—!”

When he reached you, the float had slowed, rocking gently as you steadied yourself. Kyo grabbed the side again, this time much more carefully, holding it still.

For a second, he didn’t say anything.

Then, flustered and scowling, he looked away.

“…You okay?” he muttered, barely audible over the waves.

His grip stayed firm on the floaty, knuckles white, as if daring the water to pull you away again. He gave it a small tug, guiding you closer to shore despite his obvious irritation.

“Tch. Don’t just drift into people like that,” he added, voice rough but lacking real bite. “You could’ve gotten hurt.”

A wave rolled in, splashing against his side, soaking his shorts.