"Why don't we pick them up and roast them?"
Kanae suggested.
Teiichi eyebrow. "Of course! But with our appetites, there probably won't be enough for us here!"
"It's alright, if we're still hungry, we can go back to the city to eat!" Kanae said with a smile.
Without further ado, the two got to work on the beach.
They kept picking until the sun had completely set.
The two stood facing each other, glanced down at the small pile of seafood at their feet, then looked up and smiled at each other.
Teiichi started tinkering with barbecue.
The haul was decent, enough for an ordinary person to eat their fill, but it paled in comparison to what the two of them had gained.
We'll have to eat again when we get back to the city tonight.
After the meal, Teiichi approached Kanae and raised one hand.
Despite some doubt, Kanae still put her hand on hers first.
"Where are we going?" Kanae asked softly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and anticipation.
"Let me take you to experience something fun!"
Teiichi led Kanae by the hand to the very edge of the wave, and then took a few more steps forward.
As if responding to their expectations, the waves surged in, carrying a crisp, slightly salty sea breeze that instantly submerged their ankles.
The moment the icy seawater touched her, Kanae's feet tensed instinctively.
He then relaxed after realizing there was no danger.
As the tide receded rapidly, Kanae seemed to sense something. She abruptly turned to look at Teiichi, her eyes sparkling with surprise, and excitedly exclaimed:
" Teiichi, the sand is slipping away beneath my feet!"
Teiichi nodded slightly and chuckled, "Yes! Was it fun?"
"Um!"
Kanae nodded vigorously, and then, seemingly infected by this joy, she let go of Teiichi's hand and began to hop around happily on the beach.
Teiichi stood quietly to the side, watching the figure dancing joyfully in the tide, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips.
If life could just continue like this, it wouldn't be so bad!
Swish!
Suddenly, a spray of water hit him, catching him completely off guard, Teiichi was instantly soaked.
Teiichi turned to look, Kanae's hands were slightly apart in mid-air, with drops of water dripping from her palms.
It was obvious that she was the one who splashed the water.
"You..."
He was interrupted by another splash of water before he could finish Teiichi.
"If you keep doing that, I'll fight back!" Teiichi shouted as he raised his hand to cover his face.
"Haha~ Come on!"
Kanae responded with a smile, her hands moving continuously, splashing water from her hands onto Teiichi.
Teiichi to be outdone, Teiichi withstood Kanae's "attack" and crouched down to quickly create an even bigger splash in his counterattack.
Silvery laughter echoed across the beach.
"Ah!"
Suddenly, Teiichi couldn't dodge in time, and a handful of water Teiichi squarely in the face.
After letting out a scream, Teiichi collapsed to the ground, covering his eyes with one hand.
Kanae was startled by the sight, thinking that the water she had just splashed had brought with it pebbles that had hit Teiichi. She quickly ran over and anxiously asked:
" Teiichi, are you alright? Did I accidentally..."
Teiichi's lips curled slightly, the pained expression on his face disappeared, and he raised the hand that had been covering his eyes to stand between the two of them.
As the five fingers parted, a shimmering necklace fell down.
The scene seemed to freeze at that moment.
At that moment, time seemed to stand still. A gentle breeze blew, moonlight spilled across the sea, and the waves shimmered with silver light. The necklace shone brightly under all of this.
"This..." Kanae opened her lips, unsure of what to say.
Do you like it?
"Mm!" Kanae nodded gently.
"I'll put it on you!"
Kanae nodded, raised her hand to loosen her collar, revealing her fair and beautiful neck, and then quietly turned around.
He gently and carefully put the necklace on her neck with Teiichi hands.
Kanae turned around and took two steps back.
Under the moonlight, the necklace's brilliance shone against Kanae's fair skin, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
"Is it pretty?" Kanae asked somewhat nervously.
Teiichi nodded slightly, "Beautiful! The necklace is beautiful! And you are even more beautiful!"
Kanae's cheeks flushed instantly, but she couldn't help but smile slightly.
The two stood quietly in the moonlight, their gazes meeting in the air.
The other person's appearance was clearly reflected in his pupils.
The two locked eyes, as if trying to imprint each other's images into their hearts.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
Suddenly, Teiichi gently raised his hand, his fingertips lightly gliding across Kanae's waist, before wrapping his arm around her.
The moment her palm touched her, Kanae's body trembled slightly, then quickly relaxed.
With a slight exertion of her arm, Kanae slowly leaned closer.
Finally, their lips gently touched, like two delicate flower petals swaying softly in a breeze.
As their lips met, Kanae felt as if she had been electrocuted, her body trembling uncontrollably, a tingling sensation spreading from deep within her.
It lasted for several seconds.
Unable to withstand the pressure any longer, Kanae gently separated the two by applying slight pressure to her hands, which were resting on Teiichi's shoulders.
"Whoosh--whoosh--"
Kanae gasped for breath.
On the other side, the sudden separation brought Teiichi back to her senses.
soft!
fragrant!
sweet!
Three words echoed in Teiichi's mind.
Looking towards Kanae, I saw that Kanae's eyes were brimming with tears, and she was breathing heavily, just like me.
Even though nothing was done, Kanae felt a shiver run through her body just from Teiichi's gaze.
"Whoosh--whoosh--"
Heavy breathing came from their mouths, constantly exhaling onto each other's faces.
The fleeting kiss made their breathing quicken.
Teiichi leaned closer again.
"Snort"
An electric shock-like sensation coursed through her body once more, Kanae involuntarily let out a nasal sound.
Teiichi controlled his lips to part, and his tongue explored them.
Sensing the arrival of a visitor, Kanae involuntarily opened her tightly closed eyes a crack.
A gentle spring-like light flowed in her eyes.
Flash.
Her eyes, which had only been open a crack, slowly closed again.
Her red lips parted slightly, and she met his gaze.
I don't know how much time passed.
Even the two, who were well-versed in Breathing Style, felt a bit breathless and that's when they separated.
The silver threads stretched and drooped as the two separated.
This is precisely what is meant by "the lotus root is broken but the threads still connect."
"Whoosh--whoosh--"
Heavy breathing continued to come from their mouths.
This time, both Teiichi and Kanae turned their heads away at the same time.
I was afraid of arousing the other party's interest again.
After her breathing calmed down a bit, Kanae leaned against Teiichi.
His head rested on Teiichi's chest.
Close your eyes and listen silently to the other person's beating heart.