Chapter 005 (Beach Showdown and Unseen Threats)

As the sun blazed overhead, the group gathered around the volleyball net on the pristine beach, their feet sinking into the warm, golden sand. The ocean breeze provided a brief respite from the heat, and laughter filled the air as everyone prepared for the match.

Lumina stretched with exaggerated enthusiasm, flashing a grin. "Alright, everyone! No quirks allowed. Otherwise, Raiden will turn this into his personal victory lap." She gave her brother a playful shove, her smirk widening.

Raiden rolled his eyes, leaning against the net with casual confidence. "Oh, come on, Lumina. My natural skills are enough to win. Quirks just make it too easy." He shot a glance at Aoi, his smile taking on a teasing edge. "Any game with me is a guaranteed win... for whoever's on my team, obviously."

Momo, adjusting her sunglasses, chuckled softly. "Quirk or no quirk, I'm betting Aoi's still the MVP. I don't even know what your quirk is, Raiden, but let's be real—you wouldn't last three seconds against her."

Raiden raised an eyebrow, a cocky grin creeping back. "Oh? Three seconds, huh? I wouldn't mind losing in one second if it's to someone as beautiful as Miss Aoi." His tone was playful, but his eyes lingered on her a little longer than usual.

Aoi, standing confidently in her purple bikini, smirked back, unfazed by his flirtation. "Momo, you're always too kind. No quirks, no problem. We're here to have fun, not win trophies," she said, brushing off the compliment with a flick of her hand, though her excitement was evident in her eyes.

Lumina clapped her hands together, her energy infectious. "Perfect! Let's do girls versus boys. Time to show them how it's done."

Raiden straightened, casting a mischievous glance at Aoi. "Girls versus boys, huh? Going up against my sister is one thing, but against you? I guess I'll have to bring my A-game." His grin widened. "Can't let you win that easily, can we, Shoto?"

Shoto, cool and composed as ever, shrugged slightly. "Winning's not my main concern," he said calmly, his eyes scanning the net with precision. "But I'll do my best."

"Alright, let's get this started!" Lumina called, already bouncing in place.

The game kicked off with Lumina serving the ball. It soared over the net, and Aoi leapt into action, spiking it back with precision. The pace was fast, each side playing without quirks but with plenty of intensity. Aoi darted across the court with effortless grace, her athleticism shining through, while Momo played strategically, positioning herself perfectly for each hit. Lumina was a burst of energy, diving for saves with relentless enthusiasm.

Raiden, however, wasn't holding back either. His competitive streak came alive, the cocky smile fading as his focus sharpened. His spikes were powerful, and he moved with surprising agility. Shoto, while quieter, played with pinpoint accuracy, placing the ball exactly where the girls least expected it.

"That's all you've got, Raiden?" Lumina teased, laughing after Aoi blocked one of his spikes. "I thought you said you were unbeatable."

Raiden shot her a mock glare. "You're really asking for it, Lumina," he replied, shaking his head before focusing back on Aoi. His expression shifted to one of playful determination. "Aoi, you better watch out. I'm not going easy on you."

Aoi smirked, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. "Good. I wouldn't want you to."

The banter flowed as the game intensified, both sides playing hard. Raiden and Shoto made a solid team, but the girls weren't backing down. After an intense rally, the girls finally scored the winning point, leaving Raiden groaning in exaggerated defeat.

Lumina high-fived Momo and Aoi, her grin wide. "Girls rule, boys drool! Aoi, you were incredible! I've never beaten Raiden before—he's ridiculously competitive. I didn't know you were such a beast on the court!"

Momo leaned closer to Lumina, lowering her voice with a playful smile. "Trust me, Aoi was holding back. If she'd gone all out, the boys wouldn't have lasted more than a few seconds on that court."

Lumina's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what? Seriously?"

Raiden, hands on his hips, let out a dramatic sigh. "Yeah, yeah, enjoy your victory while it lasts. I'll get you next time." He cast a quick glance at Aoi, his usual grin returning. "Looks like I'll need to step up my game. You definitely are keeping things interesting, miss Aoi."

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of games and laughter, until the group decided to head back to the resort for some shopping. Momo's eyes sparkled the moment they entered the luxury mall, immediately gravitating toward the high-end boutiques.

"This place is incredible," she exclaimed, already eyeing a display of designer handbags. "We have to check out every store."

Aoi chuckled, nodding. "They've got everything here, Momo. You'll love it."

Raiden, trailing behind, smirked and rolled his eyes. "Shopping, huh? Yeah, not really my thing," he muttered to Shoto, who gave a small, silent nod in agreement.

As they passed a display of island jewelry, Raiden slowed his pace, sidling up to Aoi. "Hey, miss," he started casually, his voice smoother than usual, "you ever think about modeling? You've definitely got the look for it."

Before Aoi could respond, Lumina swooped in with a laugh. "Raiden, seriously? You're trying a little too hard, don't you think? You're not that slick. haha"

Raiden groaned in mock frustration. "Can I have one conversation without you butting in?"

Aoi, clearly amused by the sibling banter, smiled. "Thanks, Raiden, but I'm more focused on becoming a hero and a businesswoman right now."

The shopping trip continued with Raiden making more attempts to strike up conversations, though Lumina never missed a chance to tease him. Eventually, the group found themselves in the resort's food court, where Raiden and Shoto eagerly dug into their meals.

"Finally," Raiden sighed between bites. "Thought we'd be in those stores forever."

Later that evening, they gathered in Aoi's luxury suite for an impromptu pajama party. The spacious balcony offered breathtaking views of the ocean, the stars twinkling overhead as the group lounged around, drinks and snacks within reach.

Aoi, seated comfortably in a cushioned chair, sipped her lemonade and gazed out at the horizon. "It's so peaceful here," she murmured softly, her voice carrying a hint of wistfulness.

Lumina, sprawled out on a beanbag, grinned. "Yeah, totally beats our last trip. Remember that disaster of a road trip, Raiden?"

Raiden chuckled, shaking his head. "Ugh, don't remind me. We got lost for hours, and the GPS was useless."

Momo, her curiosity piqued, leaned in. "What happened?"

Lumina laughed. "Raiden thought he could outsmart the GPS and took us on a 'shortcut' that ended up being a two-hour detour into nowhere."

Shoto smirked slightly. "Sounds like something my sister would do."

Just as the laughter faded, a sharp beep rang out from Aoi's phone. Her expression shifted instantly, the mood darkening as she glanced down at the screen.

"Guys… there's an emergency alert," Aoi said, her voice suddenly tense. "Villains have attacked nearby. They're advising everyone to stay indoors."

Shoto's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening. "How close?"

Aoi's fingers flew across her phone screen. "Natadola Bay… that's only ten minutes from here."

Momo stood up immediately, her expression serious. "We should stay alert. This could escalate quickly."

Aoi nodded, standing as well. "I'll go talk to the manager and the hotel defense team to make sure everything's secure. Everyone, stay in your rooms until we know more about what's happening."

The carefree atmosphere of their vacation had vanished in an instant, replaced by the tense reality that, even in paradise, danger was never far away.