Beach episode 1

Chapter 23.5 Beach episode 1

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the crystal-clear waters. Seagulls called overhead, and the scent of salt filled the air. The group had arrived at the beach for a well-earned day of relaxation.

Asuka stretched, letting the warm breeze tousle her hair. "This is perfect. I think I could just melt into the sand."

Kaelith smirked, adjusting her sunglasses. "Careful. If you melt too much, I'm not carrying you back."

Eris, already under a shaded umbrella with a drink in hand, scoffed. "How are you two so energetic? It's too hot to move."

Meanwhile, Luna was nowhere to be seen—until a wave suddenly crashed, and she emerged from the water, grinning. "You're missing out! The water's amazing!"

Asuka, eyes sparkling with mischief, turned to Kaelith. "Shall we?"

Kaelith barely had time to react before Asuka grabbed her wrist and dragged her toward the ocean. "W-Wait! Not like this—AH!"

With a loud splash, both went tumbling into the waves. Asuka resurfaced first, laughing. "See? Refreshing!"

Kaelith, now drenched, glared at her before smirking. "Oh, you're so paying for that."

Before Asuka could react, Kaelith lunged, dunking her under the water. "Not so funny now, huh?"

Asuka emerged, sputtering but laughing. "Alright, alright, you got me there." She wiped her face, sending water flying in all directions. "But now we're even."

Eris, watching from the shore with a bored expression, shook her head. "You two are ridiculous."

Luna, who had been floating on her back, rolled over to wave at Eris. "Come on, you can't spend all day under that umbrella!"

Eris groaned and adjusted her sunglasses. "Fine. But I'm not getting that wet." She grabbed a beach ball and tossed it in Luna's direction. "You two start the chaos, I'll supervise."

Luna caught the ball easily and grinned mischievously. "Supervise this!" She turned and lobbed the ball right at Eris's face.

"Wha—" Eris didn't even have time to react as the ball smacked her directly in the face. The force sent her stumbling back into the sand.

Luna burst into laughter. "Welcome to the ocean!"

Eris, blinking the water out of her eyes, wiped the ball from her face. "You realize this means war, right?"

Luna's grin faltered, realizing too late that she had really crossed a line. "Uh-oh."

Eris lunged with surprising speed, grabbing Luna by the shoulders and tossing her into the waves with a splash. "You wanted a fight, you've got it!"

Luna surfaced with a startled shout, sputtering as the water rushed around her. "You—! Oh, it's on!"

Asuka, her eyes glinting with competitive energy, turned to Kaelith. "Wanna join in the chaos?" she asked, cracking her knuckles.

Kaelith grinned. "What do you think?"

Before Asuka could even blink, Kaelith grabbed her and tossed her into the waves. "Your turn!"

"What—!" Asuka shrieked, but her voice was drowned out by the sound of crashing waves as she was pulled under.

When Asuka surfaced, she was laughing uncontrollably. "Okay, okay, that's it! All bets are off!" She dove toward Kaelith, ready to take her down.

Luna, who had gotten her bearings and was now on the offensive, joined the fray, slapping water in Eris's direction.

The waves became a battleground as splashes flew everywhere. Sand stuck to wet skin, and the salty spray coated their faces as the group's laughter and shouts echoed across the beach.

Kaelith and Asuka found themselves in an accidental tag-team, dunking Luna and Eris under the water with synchronized timing. It was a friendly, chaotic mess of fun, each of them egging the others on with teasing remarks and over-the-top antics.

"Alright," Luna finally gasped for breath, wiping water from her eyes. "I'm calling for a ceasefire! I'm gonna drown at this rate!"

The others slowly calmed down as well, all of them leaning against the cool sand, catching their breath.

Eris, still trying to dry off, muttered, "I knew you two were trouble."

Kaelith smirked, brushing her hair back and flopping onto the sand beside Asuka. "You guys just need to loosen up a bit."

Asuka shot her a playful glare. "Says the one who's been dunking everyone under the waves."

"I'm not the only one," Kaelith replied, nudging her playfully.

Luna, who had taken to building a new sandcastle by the shore, suddenly stood up, brushing off sand from her hands. "You know, I think it's time for round two. The real battle starts now."

"What?" Asuka raised an eyebrow.

Luna grinned and winked. "Sandcastle war. You two against me and Eris. May the best fortress stand!"

The challenge was accepted quickly—too quickly, it seemed. Eris, her usual aloof demeanor gone, had a mischievous glint in her eyes as she grabbed a bucket and shovel. "You're going down," she said to Kaelith.

Asuka, her energy renewed, grabbed her own tools and prepared for the incoming battle. "Get ready for the most glorious sandcastle you've ever seen."

The beach soon turned into a battleground once again, this time with sand flying in every direction as the two teams worked furiously to create their structures. Luna and Eris built quickly, their competitive energy running high, while Asuka and Kaelith took a slightly more artistic approach, making sure their castle had intricate details.

"Time's up!" Kaelith announced after what seemed like hours of back-and-forth construction. They all stood back, admiring their creations.

Luna's was large and imposing, with steep walls and towering spires, while Eris's additions included hidden moats and fortifications. Meanwhile, Asuka and Kaelith's sandcastle had delicate towers and intricate patterns carved into its walls, looking almost like a miniature city.

In the end, the result didn't matter. The four of them stood together, covered in sand, laughing under the fading sun as the last waves of the day lapped against the shore.

"Maybe this isn't so bad," Eris said with a grin, wiping a bit of sand off her cheek.

Luna winked. "Maybe you'll join in next time, huh?"

Kaelith chuckled. "Next time, we'll build an even bigger one."

"Yeah," Asuka agreed. "We'll take it all the way to the ocean."

The laughter continued as the sunset bathed the beach in golden hues, and for once, they could just enjoy the moment—no danger, no drama, just the peace of the waves.