[???]
The beach stretched out in front of me, a vast expanse of sand glistening in the sunlight. The air was warm and salty, carrying the faint sound of crashing waves and the lively chatter of beachgoers. Seagulls swoop overhead, their calls blending with the distant hum of boats on the water.
Palm trees sway gently in the breeze, casting dappled shadows on the sand below. The sea sparkles in the sunlight, its waves lapping lazily against the shore. Small clusters of shells and seaweed litter the beach, creating a natural mosaic of textures and colors.
Umbrellas dot the sand, their brightly colored canopies providing shelter from the sun's rays. Beach chairs are scattered about, their loungers reclined as sunbathers soak up the warm rays. Children dart in and out of the water, their laughter mingling with the sound of crashing waves.
"Are you seriously wearing jeans and a hoodie at the beach?" I sighed as I heard an annoying voice. Turning my head to the side, I spotted my sister. Like most women on the beach, she was dressed in a skimpy black bikini.
"Does mom know you're prancing along with barely any clothes on?" I asked, and the little shit just rolled her eyes at me.
"It's called a bikini dipshit. Not everyone is so sociopathic to go to a beach fully dressed." She stated as I scoff.
"You calling me sociopathic? Aren't you the one who mutilated the old man's corpse?" I questioned.
"Eh, you got the killing blow." She shot back, and I sighed.
"Point taken." I admitted in defeat; there was no point in arguing with this little shit. "Anyway, where's mom?"
"She went to the bar to get a drink." She informed. "Honestly, she deserves a couple."
"Yeah." When the old fart known as our father died due to 'a robbery gone wrong', the police had hounded us for weeks. Looking to crack the old man's case, scummy as he was, he was still a very respected doctor.
"This is nice." Hinata suddenly uttered.
"What are you babbling about?"
"I don't think I've ever felt as free as I do now, you know." She stared up at the sky that held the endless blue sky with formless clouds. "We probably would've never even gotten the chance to step on a beach with that bastard around." I merely stared at my younger sister. Her eyes merely looked blank.
("That shithead may be gone, but there's still damage.") I thought to myself. Mom and Hinata were way more affected by him. I could take the beatings and the insults, but they...
I raised my hand and ruffled her hair.
"W-what the hell was that for!?" She demanded, and I just chuckled. "What the hell are you laughing for!?"
"Forget all about it, Hinata."
"Huh?" She just looked at me, confused.
"You're safe. You always will be." I stated that as she stared at me wide-eyed. "I'll always make sure of that. Even should it cost me my life." She stared at me some more, seemingly surprised by my declaration. Until...
"Pftttt! You dweeb-hahahahah!" She burst out with laughter.
"Oi, what the hell are you laughing for!?" It was now my turn to demand an answer.
"You read too much manga, hehe." She took a breath as her laughter quickly died down. "That probably sounded cooler in your head."
"Tch, shut the hell up. Last time, I try to cheer you up." I spat out as I turned away, missing the warm smile that crept onto my sister's face.
"How are my two munchkins doing? Bonding, I hope." Me and Hinata turned to spot our mother approaching us. Unlike this twerp, she at least saw fit to put on a bathing suit, though she still got leering gazes.
"This twerp is bullying me; give her time out." I immediately ratted her out.
"Nuh-huh! He's bullying me!" She defended.
"Mom will obviously pick my side; I'm her favorite." I stated it matter-of-factly.
"Fumu, the two of you are too much." My mother spoke with a chuckle.
"Just Hinata; I'm quite well behaved."
"I don't know about that." My mom merely sheepishly replied. "Maybe if you stop getting into fights at school."
Knock Knock
"Hah!" My sister triumphantly yelled.
"C'mon, I'm not that bad." I defended.
"You're that bad/You're that bad." Simultaneously, they replied.
"Oof. Attack on all sides." I joked.
Knock Knock
"We're just joking, dweeb; no need to cry." Hinata spoke with a smug smile.
"Now, quit teasing your brother." My mom came for the defense with a chuckle.
I smiled to myself; this was nice. Hinata was right; though I was no fan of beaches, at least it was nice. As long as I was with Mom and Hinata, everything was fine. It would be fine.
But nothing was fine. This was all a dream, after all.
KNOCK KNOCK
Mikoto's arm shot out as his fist collided with a wooden wall, sending splinters flying. He sat up from his bed as his tired, ruby eyes scanned his surroundings.
The walls were made of sturdy wooden planks, weathered and worn. The dim lighting cast a soft glow over the room.
The room was furnished with heirloom pieces, including a heavy oak table with ornately carved legs and a matching set of chairs with plush cushions. There was a large hearth in the corner, crackling with a warm fire and casting flickering shadows across the room.
A massive four-poster bed dominates one side of the room, draped in rich burgundy curtains and piled high with soft furs and cushions. The bed was adorned with intricate patterns of gold and silver thread, adding a touch of luxury to the otherwise rustic decor.
He recalled being in a cottage within the ship on his way to Verdantis.
Knock Knock
"Mikoto, are you there?" He heard the muffled voice of Fiona from beyond his cabin door. Mikoto sighed heavily as he ran a hand through his face, his rosy lips curling into a frown.
("What time is it?") He could not help but think as he moved off his bed and towards the cabin door. Opening it, he was met with the familiar sight of Fiona.
"As ever, you're a late sleeper." The wolf-eared girl spoke with a smile. "And you have bed hair,")
("So cute!")
"How late is it even?" Mikoto questioned as he let out a yawn, wiping the tears away. Fiona could not help but find it more cute.
"It's already late afternoon." She informed.
"Seriously?"
"Seriously." Fiona shook her head. "Honestly, Mikoto, I forgot how late you slept in. Furthermore, I'm surprised you could even sleep given how this ship is constantly rocking back and forth."
"I'm a deep sleeper." He muttered, "Though kinda hard to fall asleep with these damn rats scurrying about," He shuddered.
There was something deeply funny about Mikoto being scared of rats. Though given his dainty and delicate appearance, it fit. Fiona shook her head.
"Right, anyhow, get dressed and head to the deck. Professor Eugene will start briefing you all on what is expected of you once we dock in Verdantis." She informed him as Mikoto nodded his head.
"Roger, I'll be there in a sec. See you, Fiona." Giving the girl one last nod, Mikoto headed back to his bed and took a seat.
Humming to himself, he took the mask that rested on a desk. He could not help but feel a sense of comfort while staring at the eerie, grinning mask. Ironic, he used to dislike it.
But now...
In a way, it was a part of him in some weird way.
"My real face, huh?" Mikoto let his body fall back into the comfort of his bed as he stared at the dull wooden ceiling.His snow white hair spilled onto the bed, his petite frame still. He looked more like a beautiful masterful doll rather than a boy.
He did not know why, but he felt tired, not physically but mentally.
He did not know how much longer he would last in this world. It was ever hard not to think of home, especially when memories plaque him. He was getting restless; he was fighting towards a goal he did not even think would work.
He raised his right hand to his face, it was so small, dainty, pale. So weak and unfamiliar, but even so, he let the hand brush through his face.
"Honestly, what are the chances that the forbidden section has what I'm looking for? What if it does not? What is the backup plan?.....There is no plan; I'm betting everything on this."
"Damn, I really have to look into other avenues. But world-traveling magic is unheard of. Who could even help?"
The boy sighed.
"What a pain!"