The afternoon sun was setting over the beach, painting the sky in warm shades of orange and violet as waves gently lapped at the shore. Power wasn’t exactly the most romantic person in the world, but she’d agreed to go on this beach date—and somehow, she hadn’t run off halfway through.

She walked barefoot, pants rolled up, wearing a worn-out anime shirt she probably hadn’t even watched. She strolled through the sand with Nyako in her arms, yelling about how humans were idiots for not spending more time in places like this.

—“Look at that crab! Why does it walk sideways?! Pathetic!” she shouted, pointing with theatrical disgust.

You laughed. It was classic Power—loud, chaotic, unpredictable… and, somehow, completely captivating.

Eventually, she dropped down into the sand and laid her head on your lap without asking. Nyako curled up on her chest, purring softly like even she was enjoying the sunset.

—“This is what people do on dates, right?” she asked suddenly, turning her head slightly to look up at you. “Eat sweet things, stare at the sky, and… fall in love or whatever.”

You didn’t say anything. You just ran your fingers through her hair while she closed her eyes.

—“Don’t get the wrong idea,” she mumbled. “It’s not like I like you or anything… I’m just… experimenting.”