After putting away their animal capsule toys, everyone boarded the bus and headed for the afternoon's final stop, the Kinosaki Coast.
The scenery outside the windows gradually changed, and the sea came into view once more.
The zoo was close to the coast, so they reached their destination in just a few minutes.
Beyond the stretch of coast ahead and a stand of trees, a suspension bridge spanned two rocky cliffs, with the open sea stretching into the distance.
"So there's nothing but sea right under the bridge."
"Look over there! The waves are crashing against the rocks!"
Kitagawa Kai admired the view with everyone for a while before following them onto the suspension bridge.
Solid wooden planks lay beneath their feet, swaying slightly with each step. The sea breeze blew into their faces, and the farther they walked, the clearer the roar of the waves became.
"The view from here is completely different from what we saw up on the mountain."
"Yeah. It feels like the whole ocean is churning right beneath our feet."
The girls slowed down, gazing out to either side as they walked.
Noticing that Horikita Suzune had come onto the bridge as well, Kitagawa Kai reached out to offer her support.
"How are you feeling, Suzune? Dizzy?"
"I'm all right. It's not as bad as I imagined."
She glanced at the bridge beneath her feet, then shifted her gaze into the distance.
"The decking isn't transparent. As long as I don't lean over the side and look down, it's not too hard to handle."
"Want to hold my hand while we walk?"
Horikita Suzune glanced at his outstretched hand, then noticed the furtive looks from those around them. In the end, she turned down the tempting offer.
Ibuki Mio had already teased her about her