The day finally arrived. The day of our departure to Okinawa.

  It’s early in the morning. Everyone is ready to go at the airport. Baggage ready, vacation mode turned on, reservations completed.

  As always, Mai opened up the morning.

  “Kaito! Are you guys ready?”

  “Yes, we will come downstairs immediately.”

  She left the room, but Hikaru remembered what I told him yesterday (the day after shopping).

  “Man…you’ve been through so much 2 days ago. I wish I could’ve been there for you, maybe it would’ve been less stressful.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m alright. And so are they.”

  I just hope for a safe and relaxed vacation. Unless it’s too much to ask for…

  We head downstairs where everyone was waiting.

  Kaguya had a casual outfit, with a big straw hat, Akane had a skirt with a white top and a Bucket Hat,

  Mai was dressed in shorts with a green t-shirt and black sunglasses, and Mizuki was dressed in a blue t-shirt with a white skirt. All of the outfits were nice.

  “Hey, Kaito, what do you think of our outfits?”

  Analyzing everyone carefully, I nod my head.

  “They all look great. Everything’s packed up?”

  “Sure is!”

  “Let’s go to the airport then!”

  Everyone leaves the house and head to the train station. I look up the details of our flight on my phone.

  “The flight’s at 10 A.M, we have about 2h and 30 minutes to get in the airplane. Haneda airport is close to us, anyway.”

  “Kaito, relax man. We’ll make it. Don’t stress up. Your brother is going to run with you if we are late there.”

  “Let’s hope we don’t achieve that scenario.”

  The girls were fantasizing about the scenery.

  I can’t wait to see the sun fade into the sea in those spectacular shades of orange and pink! (Mai)

  I can’t wait to have fun with everyone! (Mizuki)

  I can’t wait to swim! (Akane)

  I can’t wait to make memories with you guys! And enjoy seafood… (Kaguya)

  I exchange stares with Hikaru, sensing a hint of calmness in the air.

  “We’re going to have fun, man. A well deserved break.”

  The train arrived. We enter, and we head to the airport.

  In just half an hour, we get to Narita International Airport. There was not much of a queue in security check/luggage drop-off, so we pass by quickly, and arrive at the gate of our flight.

  With that being set, we sit down in the lobby area and wait for our flight. There was still 1 hour left until we were supposed to embark on the airplane.

  Kaguya left for some shops, and Mizuki came to me, holding her purse.

  “I’m going to the café with Kaguya and get something for the trip. Want anything?”

  “Not really. Mai, Akane, where are you going?”

  They turn back to me pointing to a shop.

  “To the duty-free shop, of course! We’re looking for that new perfume brand!”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Can you get me a bottle of water, please?”

  “Sure!”

  “Thank you.”

  The two of them leave, and now it’s just me and Hikaru.

  Half an hour passes and nobody returned. I start to worry, as to not lose the flight.

  “Hikaru…”

  He understood immediately.

  “Yes, we should probably go after them. I’m going to the café, you go to the duty-free. We meet here in 15 minutes.”

  I head to the shop, but no sight of Akane or Mai. Suddenly I see a familiar figure with the corner of my eye. Akane.

  “Akane! What are you doing?! It’s almost time for the flight!”

  “Don’t blame me! Mai went to the toilet and never came back!”

  “Take me there…”

  We rush to the toilets. There were 20 minutes left until the boarding gates closed.

  “Mai! Are you there?”

  “The door is stuck! I can’t get out, help me, Kaito!”

  I start kicking the door down as hard as I could. It was moving, but not enough. The situation was getting tense.

  “No! This can’t be happening…our vacation!”

  Mai was crying. Akane’s heart was dropping as we approached the deadline of the boarding gates.

  Hikaru, Kaguya and Mizuki were at our meeting place, wondering why we are not coming.

  “Where are they…”

  “I don’t know. Let’s head to the gates. They might make a last-minute appearance.”

  10 minutes left.

  I kept kicking. As hard as I possibly could.

  Akane resigned. “Damn toilet break!”

  “Not yet…”

  Akane noticed something.

  “Hold up…MAI, PULL THE DOOR!”

  And just like that, the door opened.

  We both turn our heads towards her, disappointed and angry.

  “Mai….really?”

  “I’m sorry! Let’s go, fast!”

  We rush through the airport towards the boarding gate.

  5 minutes left.

  “Last embarkations for flight JPA9541-0 with destination to Okinawa!”

  I pick both of them up and sprint to the gates.

  “W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

  “Not now, Akane! We need to make it! NOW!”

  “O-okay…”

  Mai was happy, gasping in the moment Kaito picked her up.

  He’s carrying me…yay!

  2 minutes left.

  “Gate will close in-“

  “WAIT! WE’RE HERE!”

  I was panting. Heavily. I was out of breath. I greatly overestimated my strength.

  We scan our tickets and hurry onto the airplane. The other 3 were constantly looking back for us from their seats, worried to their heart.

  “I guess they won’t make it-“

  “WE’RE HERE!”

  Kaguya and Mizuki looked relieved, Hikaru showing me a thumb up.

  “Thank goodness…”

  “I knew you’d make it, Kaito.”

  “Hikaru, we need to talk about something later. Educate someone about pull/push doors.”

  Mai tried to laugh it off but I was too stressed out.

  “Tee-hee.”

  The flight departs, and the next destination is Okinawa.

  After 3 hours, we arrive.

  Mai ran out first out of the airplane, seeing the beach not far away from us.

  “OKINAWA! DREAM CAME TRUE!”

  Kaguya was also impressed by the ambience.

  “Wow…so beautiful!”

  Akane was taking pictures for Instagram and Mizuki was doing a mini live-stream for her fans.

  “Hey, everyone! I’m here in Okinawa with my best friends!”

  “Hey, Mizuki, stop the broadcast…”

  “Okay…”

  *many negative comments came after Hikaru on that livestream from obsessed fans of Mizuki.*

  I get a chance to relax as we walk towards the bus station, everyone doing their own things.

  “Mizuki, show us the road to the villa.”

  “Sure! Follow me.”

  We all take a bus, and after 3 stops we reach the beach.

  “There! The big, white villa! That’s ours.”

  Mai and Akane were stunned. They hurried towards Mizuki to hug her.

  “WOOOW! IT’S HUGE! WE LOVE YOU MIZUKI!”

  “Guys…I can’t breathe, again…”

  Hikaru was also very impressed.

  “Man…it’s huge! I wonder how many rooms they have…”

  Mizuki looked funny, rubbing her neck and closing her eyes.

  “Well…you see…it only has 2 bedrooms, and 1 living room.”

  Everyone was…shocked? Disappointed?

  “How in the world can such a villa only have 3 rooms in which you can sleep?!”

  “Well, it has an arcade, 2 bathrooms, a jacuzzi room…”

  “Oh…WAIT, ARCADE?! AKANE, HIKARU, TIME FOR ROUND 2!” said Mai with eyes sparkling.

  “Yaaaay!”

  And the three of them sprint to the villa, then head straight to the arcade.

  I remain a bit behind with Kaguya and Mizuki.

  “Well, I for one am happy to see everyone like this. It really gives off that summer vibe, you know?”

  “I’ll agree with you on that one, Kaguya. I think it’s going to be a great vacation for everyone.”

  “I hope everyone enjoys this trip!”

  We get into the villa and drop our bags off. Heading to the arcade room, we see Akane pushing 5000 yen into the claw machine.

  “YOU DAMN RIGGED PIECE OF SH-“ said her angry, clenching her fist and preparing to make the machine go knock out.

  “Hey, no damaging the arcade. Or we’ll need to pay for it.” Informed Mizuki, holding her hands on her hips.

  “Fine!”

  “Leaving the arcade aside, shouldn’t we head to the beach?”

  But…what about room repartition?

  “Better yet, let’s talk about how we will sleep.”

  “Mizuki, you call it.” I said calmly.

  “Um, okay. In the first bedroom, Akane, Mai and Hikaru will sleep together…and in the second one, I, Kaguya and Kaito.”

  Akane started her scene yet again, jealous of the repartition.

  “HUH?! Why do YOU get to sleep with him?!”

  “Wish to change places?” Mizuki smiled, teasingly, knowing how her response will sound like.

  “N-no! Leave it like that!”

  My chance to bond with him is now lower…

  “Great, now let’s head to the beach, everyone!”

  The girls change into their swimsuits, and try to tease me.

  Kaguya picked up the swimsuit Kaito bought for her.

  His personal pick…yay!

  Akane was flushed. Mai was happy, telling herself in the mirror she looks great. Mizuki was just fixing her voice, prepared to ask a question.

  “What do you think Kaito?”

  I take a look at them before I turn my head sideways, avoiding eye contact.

  “I told you before, they all look great…”

  Everyone pouts, annoyed by my ignorance.

  “Maybe compliment us more! It was a great effort to pick some nice ones!”

  “What a pain.”

  “You’re so dense!”

  “Sure, sure, let’s head to the beach.”