Smile Under The Setting Sun

After calling home to report their safe arrival in Hawaii, the two followed the map to a Japanese restaurant. Since there were many Japanese people there, they could pay in Japanese yen, which was convenient as they didn't need to exchange money. Of course, they could also pay by card.

Hayato ordered a large portion of Hawaiian loco moco. This local specialty dish is made by placing a perfectly pan-fried, tender, and juicy hamburger patty on hot, freshly cooked white rice, drizzling it with a secret rich sauce, and topping it with a half-cooked fried egg.

The hamburger patty itself can be made from various ingredients. The portion Hayato ordered used ground beef.

The thick, juicy beef paired with the sweet and sour sauce was incredibly appetizing. Seeing the fried egg broken, its yolk flowed out, soaking into the sauce. The accompanying onions and mushrooms were also richly flavored.

Kiyoko, on the other hand, ordered fried chicken with sticky rice, served with macaroni.

The skin-on chicken thigh meat was marinated in a secret seasoning, coated in sticky rice flour, and deep-fried until golden brown, then sprinkled with white sesame seeds. One bite was full of juice, the tender chicken having a hint of sweetness.

However, because it was still very hot inside, Kiyoko ungracefully blew on it with her mouth to cool it down as she ate.

"Kiyoko-senpai, yours looks delicious too. Let me try a piece."

As Hayato spoke, he leaned his head over. They were sitting directly opposite each other, and the dining table wasn't very large, so he could reach it with a slight lean. Kiyoko picked up a piece of fried chicken with her chopsticks, supporting it from underneath with her hand. This intimate way of feeding wouldn't attract attention in this place, especially since they were surrounded by strangers, so Kiyoko felt more at ease.

After feeding Hayato, she also let him use his spoon to let her taste his order.

After satisfyingly finishing their specialty dishes, the two ordered an acai bowl and a small shaved ice topped with colorful syrup, ice cream, and red beans.

Acai berries are fruits from palm trees, similar in appearance to grapes, and are blackish-purple. They have a unique taste. However, only a small amount was used as a garnish in the bowl; the majority consisted of common fruits like bananas, strawberries, and pineapples.

The shaved ice was a tropical pineapple flavor.

After finishing their desserts, they rested in the restaurant for a while, paid the bill, and returned to their hotel room. Since they had come all this way, after eating, they naturally wanted to have fun at the beach.

They waited in the hotel until the intense midday sun subsided, and then the two went out in the afternoon.

Carrying swimsuits and a picnic blanket, they headed to the beach. Hayato spent some money to rent a beach umbrella. After changing into his swim trunks and rash guard in the changing room, he came out to wait for Kiyoko.

Even though he had seen her before, Hayato was still captivated by Kiyoko's charm when she appeared before him in her swimsuit again.

"Wow, Kiyoko-senpai, you look absolutely stunning in that swimsuit."

"You already said that the first time I wore it."

"It's worth saying it again."

Finding a spot to lay down the picnic blanket and set up the umbrella, Hayato prepared to take Kiyoko to the sea. Since they had already applied sunscreen at the hotel, there were no "beach benefits" to be had here.

"Hayato, come here and lie down."

Kiyoko took out sunscreen from her bag and patted the picnic blanket with her hand, signaling Hayato to come over. Yes, instead of the expected "beach benefits," it turned out Hayato was the one to have sunscreen applied.

"Uh, Kiyoko-senpai, I don't think I need it."

"You'll get sunburned if you don't apply it. The sun is still quite strong in the afternoon."

Unable to refuse Kiyoko, Hayato walked over and lay down on the picnic blanket. Hayato could apply sunscreen to other areas himself, so Kiyoko didn't bother with those. She squeezed the sunscreen into her palm, spread it evenly, and after reminding Hayato, placed her hands on his shoulder blades.

"It's a bit cold."

Even though he knew it was coming, Hayato shivered the moment the cool sunscreen touched his skin. The cold sunscreen quickly warmed up under the influence of Kiyoko's hands.

"Hayato, your back is so broad."

"Well, I have a large frame."

Kiyoko said with some emotion as she focused on applying the sunscreen, feeling Hayato's broad back. Due to his height and exercise, Hayato's back was not only broad but also had clearly defined muscles. Then, Kiyoko, feeling playful, mischievously poked Hayato's back with her fingertips.

"Um, Kiyoko-senpai, what are you doing?"

Kiyoko blushed when Hayato noticed her little action and then patted his lower back.

"Nothing, I was just curious about your back muscles. Alright, I'm done. You can finish the rest yourself."

Hayato got up, picked up the sunscreen beside him, squeezed some into his hand, and casually applied it.

"Be serious. The sun is really strong now. What if you get sunburned?"

Kiyoko flicked his forehead with her finger, scolding him in a tone of exasperation.

"Got it~~"

Hayato's drawn-out, childlike response made Kiyoko think that no matter how old he got, Hayato might always have this childish side to him.

Finally, after finishing applying sunscreen, Hayato, eager to go, pulled Kiyoko towards the sea. The water reached their calves, and it felt very comfortable.

On the crowded beach, attractive people like Hayato and Kiyoko were quite noticeable, especially Kiyoko with her Yamato Nadeshiko demeanor. However, with Hayato present, anyone who might have considered approaching Kiyoko was deterred. But the blonde, blue-eyed girls were not so hesitant.

A beach volleyball flew towards Hayato, and two voluptuous blondes with long hair walked over and, speaking in English, invited Hayato and his companion to join their game.

Hayato politely declined their invitation, stating in very standard English that he didn't play and also that he had to accompany his girlfriend.

The two long-haired blondes left very disappointed. One of them kept looking back at Hayato with a reluctant expression. Kiyoko, whose studies were also excellent, understood what Hayato had said. After the girls had walked away, she splashed water onto Hayato's chest.

"Someone said it wasn't possible yet, so how can I be his girlfriend? And you said you can't play, you smooth talker."

Laughing, Hayato dodged Kiyoko's continued attack and retaliated symbolically, of course, only splashing water onto her body.

"I will be in the future. It's just that they wouldn't have left if I hadn't said that. But Kiyoko-senpai, you've inspired me. What do you think about going to the beach for our next training camp? Beach volleyball really helps strengthen our team's lower body."

"It's a good idea, but our activity funds are limited, so I doubt it will happen."

With one arm crossed over her chest and the other supporting her chin, Kiyoko thought for a moment before shaking her head and rejecting Hayato's proposal.

Speaking of activity funds, Hayato remembered that their previous training camp in Tokyo was only possible through fundraising posters. He realized then that financial limitations were indeed a significant problem.

"That's true, our activity fund can't support the whole team going to the beach for training camp."

After ending that topic, the two played by the sea for a while longer. They bought two cold drinks and didn't pack up to go home until the sun began to set. Looking at the beautiful sunset before leaving, Kiyoko felt a pang of reluctance.

"If you like it here, Kiyoko-senpai, we can come again next time."

"You're just talking nonsense. If we hadn't won the grand prize, how could two high school students like us possibly have this much money to come here?"

"That's why! Once we're adults, we can come here then."

As Hayato spoke, Kiyoko fell into deep thought. Gazing at the orange clouds, she smiled and turned to look at Hayato.

"You're right, we'll come again if we have the chance in the future."

On the beach under the setting sun, Kiyoko stood with her hands behind her back, wearing a swimsuit. She leaned forward slightly, a brilliant smile on her face. It was as if she were a masterpiece from an art gallery, so beautiful that one couldn't look away.