Even during the scorching heat of summer vacation, the ocean could offer people only a fleeting bit of coolness amidst the oppressive temperatures.
But the moment Uika heard the girl's almost chilling voice, she couldn't help but shiver involuntarily.
After returning a brief greeting, the girl unabashedly sized up Uika from head to toe. Then, without further reaction, her gaze returned to the boundless sea ahead, watching aimlessly as the waves rhythmically rose and fell.
Perhaps I should leave.
Yet, as if possessed by some strange impulse, Uika took another step closer, cautiously addressing the girl who radiated a clear "Keep away" aura.
"What are you doing here?"
"Watching the sea," came the girl's indifferent reply, devoid of any discernible emotion. She was merely stating a fact. Uika wasn't even sure if the girl found her interruption bothersome.
Why is she alone? Uika refrained from voicing this question, feeling she'd likely just receive another cold response, something along the lines of "I prefer it."
I should've left earlier. I might have disturbed her.
Yet, history repeated itself. As Uika made to turn away, the girl spoke again.
"What about you?" In Uika's eyes, although the girl didn't even turn her head, it seemed as though she had eyes on the back of her head. Twice now, she'd timed her words perfectly to catch Uika mid-step, forcing her into awkward stops—this second time nearly causing her to stumble into the water.
And there was more:
"You're here alone, clearly troubled. So, what are you planning?"
The girl's tone lacked any inquisitiveness; it was more like she was offering a simple justification for her earlier reply, without any actual interest in the answer.
Yet, her casual remark stirred unexpected ripples within Uika's heart.
"Is it… that obvious?" Uika asked uneasily. She didn't particularly mind someone younger noticing her troubles. Moreover, this girl seemed like a tourist from outside the island. Had she been a local, Uika might have worried about word getting back to her parents prematurely.
"To me, it's quite obvious."
The girl turned toward Uika again, lips curling briefly into a faint "heh." It was subtle, but Uika was certain she'd seen it.
Was that… a scoff? Perhaps not exactly. Regardless of its meaning, at least this smile made the girl seem somewhat human—not the automatic-response robot she'd initially appeared to be.
"The speed and rhythm of your footsteps, your gaze, the movement of your hands when speaking to others, and even your voice…"
The girl continued, her words becoming increasingly unfathomable. Clearly, she had no interest in elaborating further.
"In short, I concluded that you have something on your mind."
She spoke as effortlessly as the top student in class, who, after a brief glance at a problem, would casually jot down "Thus, it's obvious…" and confidently mark down the conclusion.
Are all city people this incredible?
Uika was genuinely stunned. Was this any different from the mind-reading tricks performed by magicians on TV?
The fleeting smile vanished quickly, and the girl returned to staring quietly out to sea.
"…Can I sit beside you?"
Facing this cold and seemingly mind-reading girl, Uika suddenly felt a faint hope—maybe I can ask her for advice.
People who hesitated were always willing to seek a second opinion.
"Go ahead," the girl agreed—or rather, didn't seem to care either way.
Uika carefully moved closer, feet sinking into wet sand, occasionally brushed by the cool waves. That subtle chill eased not only her body's warmth but also some of the restless anxiety in her heart.
As she sat down slowly, she finally got a clear view of the girl's profile.
She looks younger than me.
Though Uika was aware she herself matured quickly, the girl's features appeared even more youthful. Uika knew exactly how much she'd changed in appearance over the past year—how even slight differences in facial features could greatly enhance attractiveness. She couldn't help but imagine how this already-pretty girl might look when older.
Carefully adjusting her position to sit shoulder-to-shoulder, Uika noticed that her legs were slightly longer than the girl's.
Still, the girl didn't look short-legged by any means. Her proportions were remarkably balanced—any deviation might disrupt that appealing harmony.
The girl glanced briefly at Uika without comment, yet that brief look startled Uika enough to make her freeze in place.
Only then did she remember she still hadn't answered the girl's earlier question.
"I really did come here to clear my mind," Uika began hesitantly. Seeing the girl wasn't paying much attention ironically made her feel more at ease. Finally, she decided to express the turmoil she'd kept bottled up inside.
...
Once Uika poured out all her thoughts and worries to the girl, she felt an undeniable sense of relief—a feeling she'd long missed.
As for how the girl might respond, Uika didn't particularly mind anymore. She hadn't expected any truly helpful advice from the start.
And indeed, the girl offered no immediate reaction. From beginning to end, she hadn't even shifted her seated position on the sand.
She really is somewhat robotic, Uika thought helplessly with a slight smile.
After a long pause, when Uika had finished completely, the girl finally spoke again. "Are your parents unkind to you?"
"Eh? No, my mom and dad are both wonderful people…" Uika was puzzled, uncertain why she'd asked that.
"I see," the girl interrupted decisively. "Then you're just running away."
"…"
For the third time, the girl looked directly at Uika. This time, Uika clearly saw the girl's eyes.
They were blue—but utterly emotionless. They simply fulfilled their duty, reflecting external light accurately back to their owner.
The girl herself was much the same. Although she labeled Uika's actions as running away, there was no judgment or accusation in her tone.
She simply stated the cold, uncompromising truth plainly, placing it right before Uika who had tried to overlook it.