Time flies, and before I knew it, Wednesday had already arrived.
By the way, Amanatsu's messages were still coming in nonstop.
"Hatsukade-kun, do you still have a cold?"
"I really do trust you, Hatsukade-kun, but isn't that someone who looks a whole lot like you in the photo Sakura posted on social media???"
When I checked the attached image, sure enough, there I was in the far background behind Sakura's beach selfie, partially cut off at the edge of the frame.
How on earth did she even spot me when I was barely the size of a water flea?
For the time being, I brushed it off by claiming it was just someone who looked like me, but I had a bad feeling I was rapidly approaching my limit.
"Yo, Subaru. Good work today."
Since we had few reservations on Wednesday, business wrapped up early.
As I clocked out, Toshiie-san called out to me.
"Thanks, you too."
"You really saved our skins covering for Murata-chan. Seriously, if you weren't here, the whole operation would've collapsed. Well, if you weren't here, Murata-chan wouldn't have taken time off in the first place, but still."
That sounds awful when you put it like that.
Just what did I even do?
He was making it sound as if her sudden leave was entirely my fault.
"Oh right, looks like that typhoon's gonna make a direct hit this Friday. So we're canceling tomorrow's bookings, and everyone's gonna pitch in to prep for the storm."
From what he explained, it sounded like quite an ordeal.
Hauling the diving boats out of the water onto dry land.
Stowing away the chairs, parasols, and various other equipment outside the shop.
And contacting all the customers with reservations to notify them of the cancellations.
"If I remember right, you and Sakura were planning to help out through the weekend. Hate to break it to you, but the sea's gonna be rough, so we're shutting down for the rest of the week. In practice, tomorrow's your last day on the clock, Subaru."
Just one more day, huh.
I could feel our time here steadily drawing to a close.
After wrapping up my chat with Toshiie-san, I was lounging on the bench out front when Sakura suddenly appeared, wearing goggles and chomping down on a snorkel.
"Fuu, fuu, fuu!"
"What are you doing?"
"Fu!"
With a thud, she dumped a full set of snorkeling gear right into my lap.
"..."
◇
"Why am I even doing this...?"
Having changed into a wetsuit, fins, and snorkel set, I stood submerged up to my waist in the ocean.
"Come on, it'll be fun! Let's swim together! If we miss today, the typhoon's gonna ruin any other chance we have to get in the water."
Her hair pulled back into a ponytail, Sakura gave me a bright smile while splashing at the surface.
"You've done this tons of times already. Aren't you used to the view by now?"
"It's not about that—I want you to see it, Subaru. Because it's amazing."
With that, Sakura flashed a cheeky grin and pointed toward open water with her thumb.
"Heheh, there's a really great reef out there. I'll be your guide!"
Who talks like that, some two-bit pickup artist?
To be honest, I wasn't particularly thrilled about it, but after coming all this way, chickening out and turning back would just make the whole thing a waste of effort.
Resigning myself, I dove in headfirst.
I've always been a decent swimmer.
Once I started moving, my initial apprehension melted away so quickly that I couldn't help thinking, Is that all there is to it?
Sakura tapped me lightly on the shoulder.
She probably wanted me to follow her.
Letting her lead the way, we soon reached a point where my feet could no longer touch the bottom.
When I looked where Sakura was pointing, I saw a vibrant school of small fish swarming around a reef...
(Whoa...)
Some drifted by gracefully, while others poked their heads out from rocky crevices, swaying gently in the current.
In their own way, they were pretty charming.
Sakura tugged on my arm again.
Wondering what caught her eye this time, I turned around to spot a large black fish weaving its way along the seabed.
Ah, that's a black sea bream.
And that long creature poking only its head out of the rocks is a moray eel.
I recognized them from the illustrated fish guide back at Blue Note.
Before I even realized it, I was completely captivated by snorkeling.
The words of the customer who had bought me a canned coffee by the vending machine came rushing back.
There are sights you can only see once you leave dry land.
He was spot-on.
Only those willing to dive under can truly appreciate a view like this.
I've never been fond of the ocean.
Surrendering myself to an environment full of unpredictable variables fills me with nothing but anxiety. But if taking that single step forward was what it took to witness a sight like this... it wasn't half bad.
After a while, we climbed out of the water.
We sat down side by side along the tide line on the beach.
"Well? How was it?"
"...It was fun. I never thought I'd do something like this in my entire life, but I'm glad I did."
"See? Inviting you was definitely the right call!"
"Even so, what made you suddenly want to go snorkeling today?"
"Hmm? Well, I guess I just wanted to make one last memory."
"Last?"
My stint as her boyfriend was supposed to last through Sunday.
We should have had plenty of time left, so why "last"?
"Well, you know, if the typhoon stalls out, you won't be able to get home, Subaru. You've got school on Monday, and I'd feel bad keeping you away from your parents forever. So I thought it'd be best if you headed back once we finish up the work tomorrow."
"I've been keeping them updated, so you don't need to worry about that."
"I can't do that... I've already had more than enough fun. Besides..."
Sakura trailed off.
She looked at me hesitantly, her mouth opening and closing.
Slowly, she reached her hand toward mine... only to pull it back.
"...I want to keep our promise, too."
The incoming and outgoing tide whispered with a somber murmur.
An orange sun began sinking beneath the horizon.
Knowing today might be the last time I'd see this view, I felt a faint pang of reluctance—an uncharacteristic sentiment for me.
"Hatsukade, why don't you want to fall in love?"
Hatsukade.
She had cleanly, deliberately reverted what she called me.
"Come to think of it, I never told you, Sakura. Back in middle school, I had a crush on a childhood friend."
"Oh?"
"She hit me with a fake confession and made me the butt of a joke. Ever since then, I decided I didn't want anything to do with romance if it meant dealing with childish games."
"Wait... Then what I did..."
"Don't worry about it. I don't hold a grudge over that anymore, and I've already cleared the air with Amanatsu and Shinonome. Besides, you apologized to me right away, Sakura. I'm not angry."
"...Even so, let me apologize properly."
Sakura pushed herself up and bowed deeply.
"I'm so sorry! I had no idea you went through something like that, and I did the absolute worst thing to you....I really am the worst."
Standing up as well, I placed a hand on her shoulder to coax her upright.
"Then I officially forgive you right now. Deal?"
She shook her head.
"You can't just let me off the hook that easily."
"I told you, I really don't ca—"
"If I'm the reason you don't want to fall in love anymore, that's just too tragic."
"...Even without what happened with you guys, I never planned on dating anyone in high school."
Ever since the day my childhood friend pulled that stunt, that was simply how I chose to live.
Rather than wasting my time on pointless drama, I wanted to lead a more productive, fulfilling life...
"But you really did like your childhood friend, right?"
"..."
"If you'd met the right person, maybe you would've wanted to be with someone. But if our fake confession just locked that door tighter, that breaks my heart."
Sigh. Everyone's the same.
Why does everyone place so much weight on romance?
It's not as if life is impossible without it.
Sakura, who had been searching my face intently, softened into a gentle smile.
"Falling in love comes with a lot of pain, but that's not all there is to it. At least for me... every single day from the moment I met you until now has been pure happiness."
"..."
"S-So, you need to hurry up, find someone you actually like, and get a real girlfriend, Hatsukade! That way... I can finally give up for good..."
Romance brings happiness, huh...?
Those words hardly sounded convincing coming from someone forcing a smile while fighting back tears.
"S-Sorry, I'm super thirsty, so I'm gonna head on back!"
Clutching the snorkeling gear to her chest, Sakura took off running across the sand barefoot.
Letting out a heavy sigh, I sat back down on the beach.
"Romance... Right."
Why would anyone willingly dive headfirst into something that hands control of their life over to someone else?
As I rested my hand on the ground, my fingers brushed against something.
Picking it up, an exasperated sigh escaped me.
"She went and left her sandals behind."
She wasn't going to make it far once she hit the pavement.
She really is a handful.
I set off in the direction she had run, jogging to catch up.
Before long, I spotted Sakura cornered by a guy.
If I remembered correctly... wasn't that the same surfer who had tried hitting on her before?
Looks like he hadn't learned his lesson and was back for another shot.
"Come on, what's wrong? I'm a great listener, you know."
"Please get out of my way."
"I can't just walk away when you're crying your eyes out looking like that. Ah, don't tell me you and your darling broke up?"
"..."
"Figures! In that case, you definitely shouldn't be alone right now. Come grab a bite with me."
Though he wore a display of mock sympathy, his voice and body language practically vibrated with predatory delight.
If he liked Sakura enough to chase after her, the least he could do was show some genuine concern.
Stepping up behind her, I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
"Wh—?! H-Hatsukade?!"
"Whoa, what the?!"
The pickup artist's eyes went wide.
"Wh-Who the hell are you?!"
"I'm her darling."
"Huh?! But didn't you guys split up?!"
"We didn't. You're bothering her, so do you mind getting lost?"
His face twisted in bitter frustration.
"Tch. And here I thought she was finally single," he muttered, clicking his tongue before turning tail and running off.
"Wh-Why...?"
Her face burning bright crimson, Sakura managed only a trembling squeak.
"I wasn't lying, was I?"
"...Nngh."
When I turned and began walking, Sakura quietly fell into step behind me.
"Thank you... I don't think I've ever seen you look so furious, Hatsukade."
What was she talking about?
I wasn't angry in the slightest.
I had only put on a bit of an intimidating glare to make the guy back off, that was all...
And just like that, tomorrow would bring our final day in this seaside town.