Siesta Beach stretched out in a crescent of golden sand, the turquoise waves of the ocean lapping gently at the shore under a brilliant May sun.
The air was filled with the scent of saltwater and sunscreen, the laughter of tourists mingling with the calls of seabirds overhead.
Among the many visitors who had flocked to the volcanic resort city for a taste of paradise, three stood out: Howard, Ch'en, and Hoshiguma, taking a rare moment of respite after the chaos of their recent missions.
Hoshiguma lounged on a beach chair, a coconut milk drink in her hand, the straw tucked between her lips as she basked in the sun.
She wore sunglasses, their lenses reflecting the bright light, and a one-of-a-kind swimsuit that turned heads—a boob-covering shirt with a belt cinched underneath, leaving a small window that teased a bit along with her toned midriff.
The bottom was a strap-pant beach swimsuit, its dark green fabric complementing her Oni heritage, and a transparent jacket was tied around her hips, fluttering slightly in the breeze.
Her green hair was loose, cascading over her shoulders, her Oni horns catching the sunlight as she sighed in contentment, her yellow eyes half-closed.
"It's incredibly relaxing," she murmured, her voice a low rumble of satisfaction as she took another sip of her drink.
On the opposite side of their little setup, Howard and Ch'en were settled on a towel spread across the sand.
Howard, dressed in blue beach shorts and sunglasses, his dark hair tousled by the sea breeze, was massaging Ch'en's back with careful precision.
Ch'en lay face-down on the towel, her blue hair fanned out around her, wearing a swimsuit that mirrored Hoshiguma's boldness—small shorts that hugged her hips, their black fabric contrasting with her pale skin, and a matching top that left little to the imagination.
Her dragon tail curled lazily in the sand, a sign of her relaxed state, and her crimson eyes were half-lidded as she let out a dazed sigh.
"This… this is incredible, Howard," Ch'en said, her voice soft but filled with genuine amazement.
"I've never felt my muscles crack like this—it's like I'm being reborn."
Howard chuckled, his hands working over her shoulders with practiced ease, though inside, his mind was a storm of panic—code red, as he called it.
"It's nothing much," he said modestly, "just some tricks I picked up."
But internally, he was screaming.
Howard, like many others, was a man, but his harsh life as a corporate slave back on Earth had left him with little experience in relationships, let alone physical contact with others.
He'd developed multiple fears over the years, including a deep-seated fear of rejection, always too afraid to confront the opposing side, to take risks that might lead to connection.
This is too much, damn it!
Yet here he was, not long after arriving in the world of Terra, giving a massage to Ch'en—one of Lungmen's fiercest operators—in an outrageous outfit, while Hoshiguma lounged nearby in an equally striking ensemble.
He was grateful for his ability to control his cells.
Without it, he'd be completely embarrassed by what might have happened—his face would have been as red as his tie.
His composure shattered, and something else would have risen.
For now, though, he was relieved to focus on caring for Ch'en, to see her relax after all the insane missions they'd endured.
Working for this salary, he thought, was worthwhile if it meant moments like this.
When Howard finished, Ch'en sat up, stretching her arms with a satisfied groan before turning to watch the crowd around them.
Siesta was in full bloom, its beauty on display in the vibrant energy of the beach—families playing in the surf, vendors selling colorful shaved ice, and couples strolling hand-in-hand along the shore.
The volcanic backdrop loomed in the distance, a reminder of Siesta's unique charm.
They'd heard about the recent events in Columbia—political unrest and Originium-related incidents that had shaken the nation—but thankfully, Siesta had been largely unaffected, its status as a resort city keeping it insulated from the broader turmoil in Terra.
Ch'en adjusted her position on the towel, her dragon tail flicking slightly as she glanced at Howard, her crimson eyes curious.
"So, what's the plan next?" she asked, her voice lighter than it had been in weeks.
Howard sat back in the sand, counting off their activities on his fingers, his sunglasses glinting in the sun.
"We've got a lot to look forward to," he said with a grin.
"There's the upcoming concert tonight—some local Siestan band that's supposed to be amazing.
Then we'll play some games, maybe hit the arcade, or try some beach volleyball.
After that, we'll enjoy some fantastic food—Siesta's known for its seafood, and I heard there's a great spot nearby.
And of course, we can't miss touring the volcano—it's one of the main attractions here."
He stood, brushing the sand off his shorts, his enthusiasm infectious as he added,
"But for now, it's time to hit the sea!"
Ch'en and Hoshiguma exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of amusement and agreement.
Hoshiguma set her coconut drink down, standing up with a stretch, her transparent jacket fluttering as she adjusted her sunglasses.
Ch'en rose as well, her small shorts shifting slightly as she brushed sand off her legs, her dragon tail curling in anticipation.
The three of them headed toward the water, the waves calling them into the heart of Siesta's beauty, ready to make the most of their well-earned break.
***
Night had settled over Siesta, the vibrant energy of the beach giving way to a quieter, more intimate atmosphere.
Howard and Ch'en sat in the dining area of their hotel, a self-service establishment that allowed guests to help themselves to food and drinks.
Plates of grilled seafood—shrimp skewers, calamari rings, and Siestan-style fish tacos—were scattered across their table, alongside a bottle of sake and several empty cups.
The hotel's open layout, with its wooden beams and tropical decor, created a cozy ambiance, the sound of distant waves mixing with the soft hum of other guests enjoying their evening.
Howard, still in his beach attire of blue shorts and a loose white shirt, his sunglasses tucked into his collar, laughed as he recounted a ridiculous moment from earlier that day.
"And then Hoshiguma tried to spike the volleyball, but she hit it so hard it flew straight into the ocean! The lifeguard had to swim out to get it, and she just stood there, scratching her head like nothing happened!"
His red eyes sparkled with amusement, his laughter infectious.
Ch'en, her blue hair loose and slightly messy from the day's activities, giggled into her sake cup, her crimson eyes bright with mirth.
She wore a casual tank top and shorts, her dragon tail curled lazily around her chair.
"I can't believe she challenged those kids to a match in the first place," she said, her voice tinged with a playful slur as the sake took effect.
"She's twice their size—poor things didn't stand a chance!"
They both burst into laughter again, the tension of their past missions melting away in the warmth of the moment.
As their laughter died down and they finished their meal, Ch'en wiped a tear from her eye, still chuckling as she picked up another sake cup.
"Where's Hoshiguma, anyway?" She asked, her words slightly slurred as she glanced around the dining area.
Howard leaned back in his chair, his expression relaxed but attentive.
"She told me she was heading to the game section," he said, nodding toward the arcade area of the hotel.
"She said she wanted some exercise after all that buffet."
Ch'en nodded in understanding, downing the sake in one gulp, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol.
Howard raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing but concerned.
"Go easy on those, Ch'en. You've already had quite a few."
She waved him off with a hiccup, setting the cup down with a clumsy clink.
"I'm fine," she insisted, though her swaying posture suggested otherwise.
She paused for a moment, her crimson eyes softening as she looked at Howard.
"Hey… Can we go see the stars?"
Howard sighed, a fond smile tugging at his lips as he stood, offering her his hand.
"Sure, let's go."
They soon arrived at a quiet spot just outside the hotel, a grassy hill overlooking the beach where the night sky stretched out in a breathtaking display of shimmering stars.
The two moons were a bright band across the heavens, and the constellations of Terra sparkled like jewels against the inky blackness.
Howard and Ch'en sat down on the grass, the cool night air a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the day.
Ch'en leaned back on her hands, her gaze fixed on the sky, her voice filled with marvel.
"It's so beautiful," she whispered, her dragon tail curling slightly in the grass.
"I don't think I've ever seen the stars like this."
Howard nodded, his red eyes reflecting the starlight as he murmured, "They're truly pretty."
After a moment of quiet stargazing, Ch'en shifted closer, resting her head on Howard's shoulder with a soft sigh, a small hiccup escaping her lips.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible but heavy with emotion.
Howard noticed the flush on her cheeks, the slight slur in her words—she was clearly drunk, but he let her be, his expression softening as he listened.
She continued, her voice a mix of gratitude and vulnerability.
"My life has taken an odd but pleasant turn ever since I met you. I used to work alone, completely overwhelmed by cases, responsibilities, and so much more."
"I thought I might snap at any second. Others would not stand with me if I did not always stand up and be strong."
"I could not make Hoshiguma carry my burden; she was already doing more than enough."
Her voice trembled slightly, her crimson eyes glistening with unshed tears as she leaned closer, her words spilling out like a confession.
"I wished so hard for something—anything—to be there for me. Then, out of nowhere, you appear. I still recall our first case together and the incident at the bridge. We moved closer and closer. We even began living together."
"You took care of everything: cooking, laundry, and housekeeping. For once, I could relax and feel as if I did not have to bear the weight of the world."
She paused, a small smile tugging at her lips as she continued.
"At work, your quick ability to solve cases has been a game changer. You are now the pillar I have long desired. I am... I'm happy to be with you."
Howard's heart swelled at her words, a mix of warmth and embarrassment surging through him as he gently patted her hair, his touch careful and comforting.
"I'm grateful too, Ch'en," he said, his voice soft but sincere.
"I took this break to be with you, not just to have a break."
The words slipped out before he could stop them, and a surge of embarrassment hit him like a tidal wave.
Had he just semi-confessed to wanting to date her?
His face flushed beneath the starlight, but as he glanced down at Ch'en, he realized she hadn't heard the last part—she was already fast asleep on his shoulder, her breathing soft and steady, her dragon tail limp in the grass.
Howard let out a quiet sigh, a mix of relief and amusement washing over him as he carefully shifted, scooping her up in his arms and lifting her onto his back.
"Today was a long night," he murmured to himself, her weight a comforting presence as he carried her back toward the hotel.
When he reached the hotel, he set out to find Hoshiguma, hoping she'd have the key to the room she and Ch'en were sharing.
He found her in the game section, her green hair slightly disheveled, her Oni horns catching the neon lights of the arcade.
She was leaning against a claw machine, a half-empty bottle of beer in her hand, her yellow eyes glazed with the telltale signs of drunkenness.
Howard approached, Ch'en still asleep on his back, and asked, "Hoshiguma, do you have your room key? You and Ch'en are sharing, right?"
Hoshiguma blinked at him, her expression hazy as she patted her transparent jacket, then shook her head with a sloppy grin.
"I… I don't remember," she slurred, her voice a low rumble as she shrugged.
"Might've left it somewhere…"
Howard gulped, a wave of disbelief washing over him.
This meant only one thing: all three of them would have to share his room for the night.
He sighed, resigned to the absurdity of the situation, and motioned for Hoshiguma to follow him.
"Come on, let's get you both to bed," he said, his tone a mix of exasperation and amusement.
It seemed his vacation in Siesta was going to be full of unexpected twists, even in the quiet moments.