The sun was barely up, casting a soft, golden glow over the sleepy beach town. Daiki groggily stretched on the couch, rubbing his eyes as he yawned. The house smelled of fresh coffee and ocean air. Arata, already awake, stood by the window, gazing out at the waves crashing against the shore. He glanced over at Daiki and gave a soft smile.
"Good morning," Arata said cheerfully. "Coffee's brewing."
Daiki, still half asleep, groaned as he stumbled toward the kitchen. "Coffee is life," he mumbled, slumping into a chair as Arata handed him a cup. Takashi and Kenji wandered in a few moments later, both still rubbing their eyes.
"So, what's the plan today? More sightseeing, or are we taking it easy?" Takashi asked, stretching his arms above his head.
Kenji, as always, was the quiet one, offering only a soft nod in agreement. "I'm up for anything."
After a relaxed breakfast, the group decided to venture into town again. They'd heard about a small diner, recommended by the kind woman from the general store the day before. Arata was hesitant at first, still sensitive to the strange looks they'd received in town, but Daiki reassured him, and soon they were on their way.
The bell above the diner's door jingled as they entered, the warmth of the inside greeting them immediately. The smell of sizzling bacon and fresh bread filled the air, mixing with the rich aroma of coffee. The diner was small and cozy, with retro booths and neon signs glowing in the background. It wasn't a bustling crowd, just a few locals scattered about, nursing their coffees or quietly talking to one another.
They slid into a booth toward the back, settling in with casual ease. Takashi was already leaning back in the booth, grinning.
"Same old, same old, huh?" he joked, crossing his arms behind his head as he reclined. "A simple breakfast to start the day."
Arata smiled but noticed the occasional glance from the other patrons. Some were friendly, others more distant, but a few stared outright, making him feel like an outsider. Daiki noticed immediately, his hand instinctively reaching for Arata's as he gave him a reassuring smile.
"Don't let it bother you," Daiki said quietly. "We're here to enjoy ourselves. No one can take that from us."
Takashi's voice cut through the tension, as usual, his exuberance a reminder that not everything had to feel heavy. "I'll take the biggest stack of pancakes you've got! And coffee—lots of it!"
Kenji, as usual, was the calm one. He glanced at the menu before looking up with his quiet smile. "I'll have the same, but with a side of fruit."
Arata ordered something simple—a sandwich with fries on the side. Daiki followed suit, though his portion was a little larger. The woman behind the counter nodded at their orders, then asked, "You folks aren't from around here, are you?"
Daiki gave a small smile, shrugging. "Just here for a vacation. We're from out of town, so I guess we stand out a little."
The woman's eyes softened, and she nodded. "Well, it's always nice to see fresh faces in town. I hope you all enjoy your stay."
As she walked away, Arata caught the eyes of the man sitting at a nearby booth. He had been watching them for a while, and his stare felt too focused for comfort. Arata shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but Daiki didn't let go of his hand, squeezing it gently.
The food arrived in front of them moments later, and the room felt quieter. The smell of freshly cooked meals was comforting, but the uneasy feeling Arata couldn't shake was still there. The occasional murmur from the nearby tables seemed to intensify the discomfort.
A loud voice suddenly broke through the calm, cutting into their conversation. "Out-of-towners, huh? Guess the town's gotta put up with all sorts now," the man at the nearby booth called out, his tone dismissive.
Takashi's eyes flashed with irritation, but he held himself back, not wanting to escalate things. Arata felt a rush of heat rise to his cheeks. He didn't want to be the center of attention, and certainly not like this.
Before Takashi could respond, the woman who had served them earlier appeared again, this time with a firmer expression. She placed their food in front of them with a smile, but there was something protective about her demeanor. "I'll make sure that doesn't happen again," she said, her voice firm yet warm. "You folks are welcome here."
The man looked like he was about to say something but stopped himself, opting for a grumble instead. Takashi was about to snap back, but Daiki placed a hand on his arm to stop him. Kenji, who had been silent up to that point, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. His fingers tapped the table lightly, a small but telling sign of his agitation.
Arata met the woman's eyes and gave her a small, grateful smile. "Thanks," he whispered.
She nodded and returned to the counter, but not before shooting a quick look toward the man, who seemed to be fuming but chose not to make a scene.
The rest of the meal was spent in relative quiet, with Takashi trying to lighten the mood by joking about how no one could seem to handle his charm. But even his usual antics didn't completely clear the air. Arata focused on his sandwich, his thoughts swirling. He couldn't ignore the way he felt like an outsider, no matter how much Daiki tried to reassure him.
As they finished their meal, the woman approached their table again, her smile softer now. "I just wanted to let you know," she said quietly, "you're always welcome here. Don't mind the others. They're set in their ways, but we're all just people."
Arata's throat tightened, but he managed to offer a small smile. "Thank you. That really means a lot."
Daiki reached over, gently squeezing Arata's hand. "See? You've got more support than you think."
They paid for their meal and headed out of the diner, the sun shining down on them as they stepped back onto the street. Arata felt the weight on his chest lighten just a little. The walk back to the beach house was peaceful, the sound of the waves soothing his nerves.
Takashi clapped Arata on the back as they strolled. "See? Told you we were going to be fine. This town's got its quirks, but we've got each other."
Kenji, ever the quiet one, looked over at them and gave a faint smile. "We're here for a good time," he said softly. "And we're making the most of it."
As they walked back, Daiki draped his arm over Arata's shoulders. "Exactly. Let's focus on enjoying ourselves and making memories. Nothing else matters."
Arata felt the warmth of his friends, the support they gave him, and the kindness from the woman at the diner. It wasn't perfect, but for the first time since they'd arrived, he felt like maybe they could truly find peace in this strange little town.