The Siqelong District coastline stretched far to the edge of the world. A thick fog rolled down from the Pacific Ocean, enveloping the rugged coastline, resembling a vampire horror movie from the 70s or 80s. Waves crashed against sharp rocks, pushing the fog high into the air. The coastal area was a desolate, barren stretch of land, devoid of tourists and fishermen.

  Her tires screeched on a deserted gravel parking lot as Himeko's sedan came to a stop.

  She stepped out into the cool air, walked to the back and opened the trunk of her car. After several careful walks down a steep rocky slope, she unloaded her belongings onto a sandy patch, a rare flat area amidst the jagged rocks.

  Himeko neatly laid down a brightly coloured, oversized beach mat with a cartoon pineapple pattern, providing a dazzling splash of tropical color against the somber landscape. Next came a large sun umbrella. She stuck the pointed pole deep into a crevice between two large rocks, tilting her wide umbrella to one side. The fabric billowed in the cool breeze, shielding her small base from the mist blowing from the water's surface.

  She sat down on the mat, pulling a high-end insulated container into her lap. She opened the lid. Square Tupperware containers were neatly stacked, containing packaged salmon rice balls and sliced ??watermelon. Sat neatly in the corner was a stainless steel thermos of hot hojicha tea.

  Himeko reached into her bag and pulled out a tube of sunscreen. The sky above was still a thick layer of gray clouds, completely obscuring the sun. Even so, she squeezed a sufficient amount of cream into her palm and meticulously applied it to her bare arms and neck.

  She glanced at her phone screen showed the current time. 8:30 a.m., ten minutes after her appointment.

  Kevin was late.

  An uneasy feeling arose in her mind. The highway exit was easily missed in this thick fog. Perhaps he had driven straight through the district boundary, now wandering aimlessly on the coastal highway.

  A darker thought crossed her mind. Perhaps he had finally realized that spending time in a gloomy, cramped place with a girl who wasn't even friendly to him had led to him standing her up.

  Himeko lowered her phone, her gaze fixed on the beach.

  About ten meters away, lying isolated on the gray gravel, was a cast-iron BBQ grill. Fresh, unlit charcoal briquettes were neatly arranged in a pyramid inside the grill. A bag of wood chips rested on its metal legs.

  This particular cooking appliance certainly didn't belong to the Siqelong beach.

  The tension in her stomach gradually dissipated in the cool air. Himeko opened the thermos, poured herself a cup of hot tea, and then sat down on her brightly coloured pineapple-patterned mat to wait.

  Gulp.

  A sip of hot hojicha warmed Himeko's chest. She closed her eyes, letting the peaceful feeling soothe her soul.

  BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRT.

  A whistle ripped through the thick fog.

  Almost dropping her thermos, her eyes blown wide open.

  On the rippling water, a massive figure darted through the wall of fog. The dilapidated hull of a medium-sized fishing boat was clearly visible, swaying and rocking on the waves.

  Standing inside the driving cabin was a man. His long arms waved vigorously.

  "HIMEKOOOO!" A distant shout echoed across the water. Kevin Marvant stood there, looking like a notorious pirate who had sailed his battleship across to conquer the Seven Seas.

  The fishing boat's engine stalled, switching to idle mode, and the anchor was dropped.

  Kevin lifted a blue ice bucket from the deck. He tossed the bucket into the water ahead, water splashed, sending white foam flying into the air.

  Immediately afterward, Kevin leaped over the railing. He plunged headfirst into the sea.

  A head emerged beside the floating blue bucket. Kevin hooked his left arm tightly around the ice bucket. His right arm glided through the murky water.

  Kevin swam like a super-fast motorboat, tearing through the waves, dragging a load by his arm. White foam swirled behind his kicks.

  Reaching the shore, Kevin slowly emerged from his standing position.

  He trudged out of the water, pulling the ice box onto the dry rocks. Seawater trickled down his hair, creating glistening streaks on his cheeks and neck. His soaking wet swimsuit clung to his frame, accentuating the muscles of his broad shoulders, broad chest, and muscular arms.

  Himeko clutched her thermos. She tried to keep her face expressionless, as if unfazed by what had just happened, as well as by... Kevin's physique. Her eyes fixed on a seemingly interesting rock. She mustered all her strength to maintain a grimace, fiercely resisting the pull that drew her gaze to the muscular man who was now occupying her entire field of vision.

  Kevin hoisted the blue ice bucket onto the rocky shore, dropping it against the stones. He straightened up and shook his head vigorously, seawater splashing everywhere; he looked just like a giant golden retriever drying itself.

  "Sorry for being late!" Kevin called out, flashing a grin. "I had to get up before dawn to rent the boat. Want our lunch to be fresh."

  Himeko watched a drop roll down his collarbone.

  Himeko sighed slowly. "You're such an idiot."

  "Yeah, guess so, I am. So, forgive me, okay?" Kevin chuckled.

  "I suppose..."

  Kevin clapped his hands, his energy restored. He opened the lid of the blue ice chest. Inside, nestled in a layer of shaved ice, was a pile of fresh seafood. Sea bass, and a dozen enormous prawns as big as ocean bananas, and a glistening cluster of fresh squid.

  "Feast of the day, by the way."

  He hoisted the seafood to the cast iron BBQ grill. He grabbed a pair of metal tongs. He encouraged himself, taking a deep breath of the air, ready to conquer the grill.

  Then, he stopped.

  His hand hovered in mid-air. He began patting the wet pockets of his swimming trunks. He checked the empty plastic bags next to the charcoal. He patted his pockets again. The excitement vanished.

  Kevin turned to look at Himeko. His handsome face showed a pained realization. He had raw seafood, charcoal, and no seasoning.

  "Uhhh, I forgot to bring seasoning," Kevin said.

  On the pineapple-patterned mat, Himeko pinched the bridge of her nose. A sigh escaped her lips.

  Reaching into her bag, her fingers glided over the spare sunscreen and towel, finding a side compartment. She pulled out a small, waterproof travel pouch.

  She unzipped it, revealing a perfectly arranged array of spice jars. Small glass jars contained coarse sea salt and ground black pepper. A sealed jar held a garlic-flavored soy sauce. Neatly placed beside it was a brush for applying the sauce.

  Kevin's eyes were fixed on the pouch.

  "My perfect half," Kevin chuckled. "I grill, and you add the seasoning."

  Himeko's cheeks flushed. A bright pink spread across her face.

  She stood up, striding across the gravel. She shoved the entire packet of seasoning against his chest.

  "Master Griller," Himeko snapped. "Then season it yourself."

  She turned, walking to her mat, ignoring his "perfect match" remark.

  Kevin merely chuckled, taking the bag from her hands. He turned his attention back to the cast iron grill. The charcoal sizzled and crackled as he arranged the seafood on the fire. He brushed the prawns with garlic soy sauce, the liquid turning a caramel color.

  In just a few minutes, the wonderful, enticing aroma of the high-end grilled seafood rose, spreading a warm, rich breeze across the cool, foggy Siqelong beach.

  A few minutes later, smoke began to rise from the grill. Charcoal crackled.

  Himeko remained seated on the pineapple-shaped mat, watching him use the metal tongs. Leaning forward, she reached into the insulated container. Her fingers grasped a chilled aluminum can.

  Getting up from the ground, she followed the rough gravel path toward his temporary kitchen.

  She held out the can of soda in front of the master griller.

  "Wow! Lifesaver," Kevin grinned, putting down his cooking utensils to take the drink from her hand.

  He opened the can. A hiss of gas escaped. He took a gulp, looking refreshed.

  Then, together, they faced the ocean.

  There seemed to be some beam of light cracking through the thick fog, painting shimmering golden patches onto the turbulent waves miles offshore.

  "So," Kevin started, lowering the can. "How is the season panning out? Haven't checked the boards this week."

  Himeko watched the light dance on the water. "Just maintaining pace. Willow becomes more and more confident by the day. Everyone feels eager to step onto the court."

  A shadow crossed her expression. She shifted her weight on the rocks.

  "Though... me not being able to play cost us. We lost the match against Marchia in 3-1. Then a 3-1 loss to Dusom."

  Kevin turned his head. Softly chuckled.

  "Of course," he said, taking another sip. "Completely understand the fumble, everyone needs the Maiden. Two weeks without seeing you and I was ready to swim across the strait just to knock on the window."

  Himeko shot him a side-eye. This was his trademark ridiculousness, yet the delivery felt intimately targeted.

  "A phone call works just fine, Kevin. It's unneccesary to swim that far away."

  Her rebuttal sounded weak even to her own ears. The frosty edge she normally weaponized failed to materialize, leaving her words sounding more like a gentle suggestion.

  Standing there, Himeko allowed her mind to wander. Months ago, Kevin Marvant represented a nightmare - a walking distraction she swore to keep at a maximum distance. Getting away from him had been her only priority at Facility B.

  Did she still want him gone?

  Her gaze walked back to the grillmaster. Saltwater still clung to his skin, residue lines streaked down his neck and soaking into the collar of his shirt; messy white hair fell across his forehead. His magnetism was unexplainable to her, standing out against the dreary coastal backdrop; He looked... incredibly striking... handsome.

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  Kevin flipped a shrimp, his eyes darting up to catch her puzzled stare.

  Smiled warmly, Kevin's metal tongs tapped against the grill. "Hungry already?"

  Himeko blinked, snapping her attention to the sizzling seafood to cover her tracks. "Just observing."

  "Sure you are." He reached for a paper plate. Snagging a few charred shrimp and a generous cut of white fish, piling the meal high as he as he could when he handed the warm plate over to her.

  Himeko accepted the offering. She broke off a piece of the fish with a plastic fork, bringing it to her lips.

  The flavor blossomed. A perfect crust yielded to tender, flaky meat, infused with woodsmoke and ocean brine.

  "This is good," Himeko said, genuine surprise coloring her voice. "Quite impressive."

  Kevin waved the tongs, laughing off the praise. "Zero skill involved here. Pulling these guys out of the water an hour ago does all the heavy lifting. The freshness speaks for itself."

  Smoke curled up from the iron grill, vanishing into the fog as Kevin transferred the final pieces of squid onto paper plates, loading the seafood until the rims sagged under the weight.

  They walked the short distance back to base camp.

  Himeko settled onto her mat, crossing her ankles, then she smoothed out a wrinkle in the fabric, making herself comfortable under the umbrella.

  Kevin was standing nearby when he glanced at the colorful pattern of the mat, then looked down at his own wet feet. He lowered himself onto the sand just outside the boundary of her setup.

  Himeko frowned at the sight. Dirt and grit clung to his legs, which bothered her.

  "Come here," she said slowly, tapping the empty space beside her. "You don't have to sit on the sand, you know."

  Kevin shimmied forward without a second hesitation, invading her space.

  The distance shrank between them slowly, and in her mind, vanished. Himeko could feel his physical presence pressing against her personal bubble - heat rolled off his skin, his unbuttoned shirt revealing too much of the heavy musculature of his chest, still glistening with ocean water. He was so big and occupying so much space. Himeko couldn't imagine someone this much bigger than she was just casually sat beside her.

  "Finally in the Himeko's exclusive VIP zone huh? Gotta admit, I feel pretty hono-"

  A white triangle appeared right in front of his nose.

  Himeko pushed a somewhat-cooled onigiri toward his face, offering with a quiet earnestness - waiting for his reactions.

  She looked up at him. Her eyes gazed into his, undeniably genuine.

  "Here," she murmured.

  Flirty words caught in Kevin's throat... he took the rice ball in silence.

  He bit into the nori, and it just hit - salted salmon mixed with warm rice, on his tastebuds with a home-cooked feel.

  He chewed slowly, savoring the the snack she had prepared.

  ...

  The ocean crashed against the shoreline. They sat shoulder to shoulder, slowly chewing away the grilled sea bass and sharing slices of watermelon.

  Setting his empty plate down, Kevin's gaze drifted over her attire. The wide sun hat framed her face perfectly; her casual crop top layered under an open short-sleeve shirt offered an understated yet still rather suggestive look.

  "Your swimwear suits you," Kevin said, honestly.

  Himeko picked up her thermos, blowing on the tea, staring at the swirling steam. She let her eyes wander for a brief second, catching the floral pattern of his shirt.

  Warmth embraced her cheeks.

  "Thank you," she replied, softly. "You... look nice too."

  Kevin hands slipped against the fabric of the mat, almost falling down. In that awkward position, he stared at her who half returned his intense look, looking more flustered than her usual self. Kevin was completely out of words, mouth hanging slightly open as the sound of the waves filled the silence of the beach... and between them.

  The MVP, face of Voland's volleyball, looked hopelessly captivated by the girl beside him, she returned his gaze slowly. Yet, when they were locked on, she was unable to move away. The cool sea breeze ruffled her hair framing her flushed cheeks, and it was as if she could actually see the internal battle in his eyes as he fought the desperate urge to reach out and tuck a stray strand behind her ear. His gaze dropped to her lips for a fraction of a second before snapping back up to her eyes.

  ...

  Himeko broke first, snapping her gaze away.

  "Can't you stop staring so much," she mumbled, coming out like a shy whisper.

  Kevin jolted, snapping out of his trance. He coughed into his fist, suddenly intensely aware of the warmth of his own neck.

  "Mhmm. Right," he stammered, taking a bite of the squid to busy himself with something else.

  They settled back into eating silently... As they consumed the food peacefully... As the waves crashed serenely onto the shore... As the seagulls made the birdy nois- Ahhhh.

  Kevin, completely incapable of letting a peaceful moment go unbothered, leaned his head closer.

  "You know, if you wanted a private getaway just for the two of us, you could have just said so. I would have booked a whole resort."

  Himeko's eyes widened, as she tried to keep her eyes locked on the horizon. She blindly snatched a massive prawn from the paper plate and shoved it directly into his open mouth.

  "Mmph!"

  Kevin’s flirtation died instantly as he chewed the prawn that she just forcefed him.

  Five minutes later, he tried again. "Man the sea sure looks nice today, though doesn't look as good as-"

  Smack.

  A slice of watermelon hit his lips, silencing him mid-sentence. Himeko took a sip of her tea, ignoring his muffled laughter.

  Mid-noon crept up on the secluded shore. Himeko had managed two rice balls and a polite serving of grilled fish and seafood. However, Kevin become a vacumn bag, having demolished ninety-five percent of the entire feast. Tupperware containers, completely empty, thanks to his appetite. He leaned back against his elbow, patting a cartoonishly stretched belly. He groaned sleepily.

  Overhead, the thick curtain of morning fog burned away, dissolving under claymores of noon lights. The sky opened up into a brilliant, endless blue. The ocean sparkled, downright dreamy under the gentle rays.

  Himeko packed the empty containers away, casting a side-glance at his expanding midsection.

  "How do you manage to stay in shape eating that much?" she asked.

  Kevin chuckled, eyes half-closed against the bright sky.

  "I only go crazy when it's your food, Captain. Plus, sharing a meal together makes everything taste hundred times better." He patted his stomach. "I exercise way more than I consume on a daily basis. Getting a chance to completely let loose and go all-out like this feels amazing."

  He let out a long stretch, then pushed himself up from the sand. He brushed the grit off his swimming trunks.

  "Welp," Kevin grabbed the handles of the empty blue ice cooler. "I need to return the boat now."

  The words landed heavy in Himeko's chest. Blinking, she stared at the man who was about leave. But, she didn't want him to leave. The realization scared her a little bit, seeing how quickly the morning had melted away into nothingness.

  Kevin paused, leaving the cooler back onto the rocks. He pulled his waterproof phone from his pocket, turning back to face her.

  "Hey," he said, offering a warm smile. "Want to take a photo? Just something to remember the beach trip by."

  Absolutely not. Taking pictures meant solidifying a memory, creating digital evidence of her willingly hanging out with Kevin Marvant in a secluded location. She was so ready to open her mouth to shoot the idea down to the center of the earth.

  "Yes," she heard herself say. "But only one..."

  Himeko stepped off the pineapple mat, moving into the frame of the selfie camera. Standing beside him, for a fleeting second, her shoulder brushed against his shirt.

  Kevin felt the contact. He immediately shifted his weight, taking a polite half-step sideways to be respecful. He held the phone high and tilted his head, squeezing his eyes shut, flashing goofy grin to the camera.

  Himeko looked up at the small lens. The corners of her mouth twitched. She allowed her lips to curve upward a bit, for a tiny smile.

  Click.

  A second later, her own phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled the device out and opened the chat.

  The image loaded on her screen.

  The picture was honestly stunning - Kevin's high-end camera lens captured the midday sun in its full warmth which cast a golden glow over the rocky beach and the sparkling ocean behind them. And standing in the center... they looked cute together. The thought terrified her a little bit. The giant, grinning idiot standing next to the ever stoic captain offering a rare smile. Would one say this was a reference to "The Beauty and the Beast," yet the Beast in question is utterly handsome?

  She found her eyes lingering on the screen, lost in the pixels, secretly savoring the captured moment without even realizing she was doing it.

  A sudden 'thing' pressed against her side.

  Kevin had closed the distance again. He leaned in right over her shoulder, hoisting his phone high into the air for a second round.

  Himeko blinked, lifting her gaze to his glowing screen.

  Two round, yellow-and-blue volleyballs with their faces slapped on them stared back at her.

  The camera filter had completely swallowed their features, tracking their movements to turn their faces into dumb-looking volleyballs. The volleyball on Kevin's body bobbed up and down as he snickered.

  "Hey!" Himeko yelled.

  She threw her hand out, shoving him hard in the shoulder. Kevin lost his footing on the loose gravel, stumbling backward. He burst into a loud laughter, clutching his stomach as he fell down.

  The sound of his joy, the visual of Himeko's embarassment mixed with the crashing waves, echoing across the secluded beach.

  Eventually, he stopped. The sun began its slow descent toward the western horizon. Kevin grabbed the handles of the blue ice cooler once more, hauling it up against his hip.

  "Well, I guess this is it, that was fun," Kevin smiled. "See you later, Himeko."

  "Have a safe trip back," Himeko replied quietly, holding her phone tight.

  He turned and waded back into the surf. Himeko turned back to mat, gathered her stuff and prepared to head home.