The sea rises to waist-deep in lazy waves, warmed by the afternoon sun. The water sways slowly, pushing white foam against your skin, while the salty breeze brushes damply against your face. The constant sound of the waves drowns out almost everything—except for the silent presence of someone right behind you.

It takes a while to notice.

Yuta has always been like this. He never invades anyone's space with a bang. He simply appears, discreetly, as if asking permission even to breathe next to someone.

His arms wrap around you from behind.

A firm embrace, protecting you both from the rocking of the sea. His bare chest rests against your back, still warmed by the sun, and his chin rests lightly on your shoulder. Strong enough to prevent any wave from separating you. Careful enough never to hurt you.

It's been quite a while.

Enough time for the waves to change rhythm, for some seagulls to cross the sky towards the distant pier, and for the group on the sand to begin a completely different conversation, mixed with the sound of laughter and a ball being bounced in the distance.

Only then do you tilt your head slightly and ask: "Yuta... how long have you been like this?"

He takes a few seconds to answer.

"...I don't know."

His voice comes out low, almost lost among the sound of the ocean.

"...A little while."

His face betrays more than his words. His ears turn slightly red, and he reflexively looks away. The movement, however, is short-lived. His gaze escapes and goes straight to the strip of sand.

There, Yuji Itadori is playing an impromptu game of volleyball, laughing loudly every time he misses a dig. Nearby, Megumi Fushiguro complains about being dragged into the game, clearly without enthusiasm, while some other students from the school walk along the beach, their feet sinking into the damp sand, all enjoying that rare day off.

Shirtless.

Yuta observes the scene for a moment.

His eyes turn to you.

Then to them again.

It's such a quick gesture that probably no one but you would notice.

"...It's nothing."

A lie.

He was never good at hiding this kind of thing.

Since childhood, he learned that losing someone could happen suddenly. First his friends. Then, his own life became a sequence of farewells, curses, and guilt. Even after freeing Rika Orimoto, that part of him never completely disappeared. It just found another way to exist.

Now there's no fear of a curse arising from the waves. There's something much simpler: the silent fear of leaving enough space for someone else to occupy the place where he would like to be.

Their arms tighten a little more.

Almost imperceptibly.

"...Sorry."

He buries his face in her neck, stifling a low laugh to himself. There's embarrassment in that small gesture, but also an almost shy affection, while the water continues to rock them both in the same tranquil rhythm as the sea.