Evening gradually fell. The dazzling sun of the day sank completely below the sea's horizon, and the orange-red sunset clouds faded into a hazy navy dusk as the stars and moon slowly climbed into the night sky.
The visitors along the shore gradually dispersed, and the bustling seaside fell completely quiet, leaving only the tides washing over the beach again and again.
Seeing how late it was, Suguru Geto suggested heading back to the hotel to rest, planning to sort through the seaside photos he had taken that day in his room.
After a whole day of sweets and fishing, Satoru Gojo had used up some of his energy too. He followed Geto with a yawn, but did not forget to turn back and tease them before leaving. "You two take your time. Don't catch a chill in the evening breeze."
The two turned and left the boardwalk one after the other. In the end, only Qingxiao and Shoko Ieiri remained on the empty beach.
Qingxiao turned toward the girl beside him and asked softly, keeping his voice very low for fear of disturbing the quiet seaside night. "Want to walk along the beach for a while?"
Shoko gave a slight nod without any unnecessary refusal. With one hand hanging naturally at her side, she took two slow steps forward over the soft, slightly cool sand.
The evening breeze lifted the short wisps of hair beside her ears. Looking out at the boundless, pitch-black sea, she answered, "Sure."
They walked slowly side by side, holding hands. The seawater washed over their toes again and again, cold water carrying fine sand over the tops of their feet before slowly receding with the tide, leaving smooth, damp traces in the sand.
They walked together quietly, neither deliberately searching for something to say,