I arrive on the balcony, while Akane goes to the kitchen to grab something.

  “I wonder what this is all about…I think it’s the first time in a while that we have a conversation one-on-one.” I said, looking forward to the sea.

  Akane arrives with two glasses of orange juice in her hands.

  “Thank you for…coming. Sit down, please. I need to discuss something with you.”

  “Okay? What’s up?”

  “What do you think…of us?”

  I look back at her, intrigued by what she meant, “Of us? You mean the group? You’re my best friends!”

  Akane looked at me like at a dumb, dense person. (He actually is.)

  “I don’t mean that!”

  She got in front of my chair, crossing her hands over.

  “What did you think of today?”

  “I had lots of fun with everyone. Like we did when we were kids and went to the beach in Yokohama.”

  Akane stops for a second and whispers while looking down: “But you’re not like then…”

  “Akane, actually, I have a question for you. What’s up with the mood swings?”

  Her cheeks rosed up, trying to deny it.

  He catched on!

  “What are you talking about?!”

  “You know good. How you sometimes throw tantrums at me and kick me, and call me names. What’s up with that? You never used to do that when we were younger. You stuck close to me always. At the beach, you always stood next to me, everywhere I went. Today, before Mai came to get you, it seemed like you wanted to avoid me. Did I do something wrong?”

  Her eyes widened.

  “I didn’t try to avoid you! I just…”

  “What? Tell me if something I do is bothering you.”

  She whispers again as she turns her head sideways, “You’re not the same…”

  “What did you say?”

  She holds the juice glass tight, shaking a bit. She can’t look back at him or say it again.

  I get up, position myself next to her, and look towards the ocean.

  “Akane, if something changed, let me know. I really want to know.”

  Silence. Her head was still turned away.

  Why can't I speak?!

  “I don’t know what that’s all about…but I see you like I always did.”

  She turned back to me, looking surprised as her lips softly parted apart, trying to let out a reply.

  “When you laughed in the water, when you screamed at the arcade, when you ran with Mizuki after the shells…that’s the Akane I knew.”

  I look at her, with the same bright smile I once had everywhere.

  “Even if you get mad at me for whatever reason, even if you punch me like a boxing sack, I don’t mind it. It’s you after all. We’re childhood friends. We know each other for so long, I can’t get mad for this silly reason.”

  Every single word hits her.

  “I didn’t change, Akane. I’m the same cheerful and friendly boy you knew once.”

  She starts blinking fast, with her eyes watering.

  “I may have been careless after that incident…I’m sorry.”

  She puts her hand to her mouth.

  “careless…?”

  “Yes. You know how tough it has been for me since then…but for me, you’re the same Akane which used to pull my hand at summer festivals and run on the streets with me, while smiling up to your ears. You’re my dear childhood friend.”

  Akane’s defenses were completely gone. Her eyes scream of realization. She starts thinking to herself.

  He didn’t change. He never did. It was me. I distanced myself. I got scared. I misinterpreted. I never took the incident into consideration. It was all…me.

  In an instant, Akane lunges towards me and hugs me as hard as she can, like she didn’t want me to dissapear. Her eyes were tearing up.

  “Kaito…”

  She faces me directly in my eyes.

  “Thank you, for being yourself. I was so worried you started to avoid me!”

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  I was surprised, trying to step back.

  “Avoid you, why would I do that?”

  She comes back to her senses and realizes what she just said, shaking her head.

  “Forget it! It’s nothing!”

  She steps back, her face burning red.

  “Is that all you wanted to talk about?”

  “Yes…let’s go to sleep.”

  We hear a noise from the other balcony, next to us. Mizuki fell down on the floor. We both go to see who is there and I’m a bit confused.

  Akane blushes instantly. She was speechless, hoping she didn’t saw it all.

  “Mizuki…did-did-did you saw the wh-whole thing?!”

  “Uh…will you believe me if I say no?”

  Mizuki puts her hand in her hair and tries to laugh a bit, but she is quickly interrupted by Akane.

  “FORGET EVERYTHING YOU SAW AND HEARD!”

  She noticed something in Mizuki’s hand, on her phone. The Deltagram story button was recording.

  Akane’s face was still. Not even one single movement.

  No...no...if Mai sees this...it's over.

  She fell on her knees, after which she passed out.

  Mizuki came over immediately to help her.

  I acted first.

  “Akane! What’s wrong? Akane!”

  “Akane, stay with us!”

  No use. She was too overwhelmed by the entire situation.

  Mizuki and I carried her to our bedroom, where Kaguya was in a deep sleep. Akane was still somewhat conscious but not able to speak or open her eyes.

  I am glad I sorted things out with Kaito…but Mizuki recorded everything. If she shows it to the group, I’m done for. I’m going to die of…emabarassme-

  I lay her easily on the bed, put her head under a pillow and tuck her in a blanket. Mizuki got next to her. I close the lights and head for the other room.

  This is so...comforting...*she fell asleep*

  “Take care of her , Mizuki. Let me know if something happens during her sleep.”

  “Okay. Good night.”

  I head to the other room where I see both Kaito and Mai sleeping. I get in bed next to Mai, as she was in the middle of the bedroom, turn my back to her and go to sleep.

  The next morning, I find myself alone in the room with Mai. She was looking at me, staring like usual.

  “Good morning, Kaito!”

  “Good morning…where is Hikaru?”

  “He went to the beach with Kaguya and Mizuki. Akane is sleeping in the other room.”

  “I see…”

  I felt a sense of relief.

  Mizuki would’ve told me if something happened while I slept, so that meant everything went normal.

  “Now, why did you sleep next to me? Did you miss me hugging you? I’ll do it right now!”

  She pounces on me and hugs me.

  “He-“

  No. I won’t say it. Maybe she feels lonely again. It was a daily occurrence back then, too.

  “Okay, Mai…”

  “You see…what happened last night?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I know something happened on the balcony. I was in the jacuzzi room, next to you and Akane. You talked for a while but then it went silent. I paid no attention and went to sleep.”

  “It was quite a scene…Akane passed out next to Mizuki and me.”

  “Let’s go check up on he-“

  Akane was standing in the doorway, half-asleep, fixing us both with her stare. Mai and I notice it immediately.

  Mai jumps out of her hug-pose, now leaning on the pillow next to me.

  “Akane! It’s not what it looks like!”

  She said no word. She closed the door, and looked at us. She came, slowly.

  We both prepared for the worst.

  As we close our eyes, prepared for a punch…Akane got into our bed.

  She hugged me tightly. And pulled Mai back into that position. My two childhood friends were now hugging me, from both sides.

  Mai was the most shocked.

  “A-Akane?!”

  “Kaito…” said Akane, smiling, with her eyes closed.

  Mai and I exchange stares and whispers.

  “What is going on?!”

  “I have no idea!”

  “It’s not like her to do such a thing!”

  Akane pouted.

  “Are you mad that I’m hugging you both?”

  “Not particularly…”

  “We used to do this at all the sleepovers…all the time. You’re both my best friends…is it a problem now?”

  Akane was speaking in a calm tone. Looks like the conversation from last night changed something inside her.

  “I guess not…”

  Mai seizes the opportunity and hugs me again. They both close their eyes and just lay there.

  My heart was pounding out of my chest. The sensation felt familiar, but…

  Hikaru entered the house, as he forgot his sunscreen.

  "How did I forget it...i'll get back to the others soon. I wonder what Mai, Akane and Kaito are doing..."

  Hikaru entered the room, busting the door open. He was smiling at me. No words, just an exchange of stares.

  “Good luck!” said him, leaving instantly.

  “It’s not!”

  He closed the door. Both of them got up on the side of the bed.

  Mai was smiling and looked relaxed.

  Akane was also smiling and her face let off a sense of calm. Just like her face from when we spent time together as kids.

  She realized what she was doing. She almost trips on the blanket after jumping out of bed, and then came to her senses immediately.

  “Wait! I was just sleepy after last night! It’s not like I wanted to hug you that badly! Don’t get the wrong idea!”, fluttering her hands through the air.

  Mai and I let off a “Huh?!”.

  Akane bolts out of the room, her face as red as possible, as she heads downstairs to prepare for the beach.

  What was I thinking?!

  I remain in the same confused state , while still exchanging stares with Mai.

  Mai looked like she was thinking again. I head to my room to dress up for the beach.

  "Let's just go to the beach..."

  "Y-yes!"

  What could have possibly happened last night, that Akane came so suddenly to hug him?!

  Kaguya and Mizuki enter the room, loudly.

  They were both equipped with the floatie and snorkeling gear.

  “Mai! What are you waiting for?! Let’s go to the beach!”

  “Let me dress up…I will come shortly.”

  “Okay!”

  The two of them close the door, leaving Mai in a very confused and intrigued state.

  I was still in my room, thinking over the whole event.

  That’s…new? Never expected her to do something that daring on me…my heart pounded so fast! Could it be that…she…

  Hikaru busted my door open. He had his gear ready for the beach.

  “Don’t just lay there and fantasize about your friends hugging you. Let’s go.” , letting off a calm smile.

  I return the favour to him, get up and gather everyone at the front door.

  “Everyone, let’s have another great beach day!”

  Everyone agreed, and we head to the beach from yesterday.

  Kaguya and Mai go first in the water. Akane follows. Mizuki and Hikaru continue.

  “Kaito, what are you waiting for? Come here!”

  “Okay…”

  I head into the water, which was slightly colder than yesterday.

  “So, what do you want us to do?”

  “Let’s see…let’s play volleyball in pairs! Three teams of two people.”

  “Mai, do the pairings.”

  “Sure, Kaito! I will play with Akane, Hikaru with Kaguya, and you play with Mizuki!”

  “Alright!”

  Mizuki looked happy at the situation.

  “Looking forward to it, Kaito! Let’s win this!”

  “Okay! Let’s do our best!”

  Mizuki and I face Mai and Akane first.

  The competition is fierce. The score holds very tight after 20 minutes. 10-10. The next point decides the outcome of the game.

  “Mizuki, jump!”

  She jumped as high as she could, all in hopes of scoring and gaining the advantage point. She missed.

  Mai and Akane start hugging each other.

  “Yaay! One more ball and we won!”

  Their happiness doesn’t last long, as I serve an ace.

  “Alright!”

  Then, Mizuki scores a point after receiving a ball in an impossible position.

  “Nice catch, Mizuki! Last point!”

  “Thank you!” she replied, looking very proud of herself.

  Last serve of the game. I prepare to serve another ace. I jump as high as I can out of the water, lift myself up in the air, and hit the ball perfectly.

  But I lose my balance. I now find myself falling over Mizuki.

  “Woa-woah! Watch out!”

  I try to just hold on her shoulder, but I fail. My hand was slippery due to the water, and so it slipped away. Her swimsuit strap fell along with my hand.