Beachside Dream

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he salt in the air tasted like a promise that had already been broken.A few yards away, Rina, her blonde hair shimmering in a blue-and-white striped bikini, and Yu Sana, sharp-haired and bold in a red two-piece, were practically orbiting Haru. They were laughing, the sound carrying over the roar of the surf, their playful splashing sending droplets of crystal water dancing across Haru’s lean chest. Ushima watched them from the sanctuary of her lounge chair, her red eyes narrowing as her fluffy black tail gave a sharp, irritated flick against the plastic webbing. She muttered under her breath, a low growl vibrating in her throat, complaining that she’d expected way more fun from this trip than being a spectator to her own boyfriend\'s popularity.The heat of the sun was a heavy blanket on her tan skin, making the thin fabric of her black bikini feel like a second, tighter skin. She felt small—not just in height, but in presence—drowned out by the loud, neon energy of the resort. Just as she was about to stand up and storm over to reclaim her territory, a shadow eclipsed the sun. It wasn\'t Haru. A man stood over her, his build immense and muscular, his skin a golden hue that spoke of a thousand hours spent in the open air. He didn\'t lead with a greeting; he led with a look of genuine recognition, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips."Still the odd one out, huh?" he asked, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to vibrate in the sand beneath her chair. He didn\'t need to explain how he knew; they had crossed paths during the last beach season, a brief encounter where Ushima had been similarly sidelined, a forgotten satellite to someone else\'s gravity. He reached out a hand, not to touch her, but as an invitation to escape. "You look like you\'re about to bite someone\'s head off. Why waste the energy watching them? Come take a walk."