Butterfly Effect

#6: Endless Circle

Early in the morning, they all woke up to gather sea shells. Mayu still clung unto Ren's arms as they walk on the sand. "Ichirou-nisan, there are fishes!!!", Aimi pointed at the fishes. "Is it your first time to see fish?", Mayu sighed. "Yeah, its also my first time to really enjoy the beach", Aimi answered. Kumiko hugged Aimi's back. "You'll be coming here as often as you can", Kumiko pushed Aimi at the waters. Shou yawned while walking at the dry sand. "Come closer, Shou", Ichirou called him. "I dont want to get wet", Shou sighed. After shell picking, they went at the hotel to have their breakfast. "We'll do island hoping later", Ichirou informed the group.

Everyone looked at Shou. "I'll be going. It would be boring to stay here", he said irritatingly. "Takuma is really the group's baby", Aimi laughed. "Shou is really important cause he's really fragile", Mayu informed. "Fragile?", Aimi asked. "Ahh, I remembered Shou locking himself in his room because we forgot to greet him during his 10th birthday", Hayato opened. "Oh, after that, I accidentally broke one of his favorite brush. Ever since, he never lended me a paintbrush", Kumiko added. "Ohhh. Remember when we were at Granpa's place. He was so scared to approach Grandpa that he excused that he had a stomache", Mayu added to the story. Aimi covered her mouth and tried not to laugh. She looked at Ren. "I dont remember anything", Ren said then looked at Shou. Everyone bursted into laughter except Shou who is melting in shyness. "Why do you have to remember those things now?", he bit his lips. "That's why Shou is really important to us because we also learn how to be strong for him", Hayato hanged his arms around Shou. Aimi's smile suddenly faded. Ren was able to catch that expression in her face. It was mix emotion.

After taking breakfast, they all prepared for island hopping. "Mayu, dont forget to bring a lot of water", Hayato reminded. They rode the boat and wore their life vest. "I'll just go diving", Hayato removed his life vest and wore a snorkel. Shou brought a waterproof camera and became the official photographer. "I'll also check the fishes", Kumiko did the same. "Want to try as well?", Ichirou asked. "I dont know how to swim", Aimi scratched the back of her head. "You can wear the life vest", Ren said then pushed Aimi out of the boat. The boat driver stopped his engine. "There's a lot of fishes here", he informed. Everyone soaked on the water except of Shou taking photos. Aimi wore the snorkel and just bent her head to see what's inside. She was amazed by the corals and also fishes. Due to her excitement, she went further from the group. Ren followed her and pulled her by her life vest. "You dont know how to swim thats why dont be careless", he warned and they went near the boat. "Thanks, Tanaka", Aimi smiled at him. The guy dove inside to hide his blushing face. Ichirou removed his shirt. "Hayato!!! Let's see who's body is most attractive now", Ichirou challenged. Hayato removed and showed his abs. "You are still no matched with my brother", Kumiko compared. Aimi covered her eyes and focused on the fishes. "You need some glasses, Kumiko-chan", Hayato sighed. Aimi looked at Hayato. He used honorifics with Kumiko? "Why? Are you also interested with my abs?", Hayato teased. "No thanks...pfft", Aimi puffed. "Shall we move to one island?", Shou called them out. They rode the boat and landed on one island. Shou set up a huge umbrella and lied down. "What a lazy fellow", Aimi commented. Ichirou carried a cooler and dropped it in front of Shou. "Want some drinks?", Ichirou passes some sodas. Aimi grabbed Shou's hand and pushed him in the waters. "I hate salty things", Shou tried to remove Aimi's grip on him. "Guys, help me here!!!", Aimi called them out. Kumiko rushed to help Aimi then Ichirou also came. "You are going to pay for this!!!", Shou shouted.

"Let's bury you in the sand", Mayu looked at Ren. "Spare me from this", Ren sweatdroped. "You always get this ritual", Hayato grabbed Ren and let him lie down. Two groups are enjoying their torture for Ren and Shou. After a while, Aimi went to drink water. She saw Ren buried on the sand. "Woah, you look like a sushi", Aimi commented. "Help me here", Ren tried to escape. "Mayu will kill me if I do", Aimi pouted. "Then, give me something to drink", Ren shyly said. Aimi grabbed a bottle of water and opened it. "You cant move your hand?", she asked. Ren sighed. Aimi placed the tip of the bottle on Ren's lips. His lips are like cherry. What am I thinking? Aimi shook her head and looked at the sea. "You seems to be enjoying the vacation", Ren noticed. "Its my first time to have this kind of vacation", Aimi informed. "What do you usually do during vacation?", Ren asked. "Dont you judge me!", Aimi glared Ren. "I spend my vacation waiting", Aimi answered. "Waiting?", Ren asked. Aimi slapped herself. "Ahh. What am I saying? Then, I'll be joining them", Aimi ran towards the group. Who were you waiting?

Shou finally escaped the torture and slept beside Ren. "Hey, are you still alive?", Ren asked. "Are you also used with your yearly ritual? Being buried in the sand?", Shou asked. "Shou, you didnt protest a lot this trip. Is there something bothering you?", Ren asked. "Dont laugh at me", Shou pulled Ren's hair. "That hurts", Ren winced. "It seems like my heart started to beat irregularly", Shou informed. "Is that so?", Ren asked with a bored tone. "Do you get what I'm saying?", Shou asked and looked at Ren who is already looking at him. "I clearly understand", Ren gave a smile. "Can you keep it as a secret for now?", Shou motioned Ren to keep quiet.

They moved into an island and ate their lunch. "Mayu, did you wear sunblock?", Hayato reminded. Mayu nodded and offered food to Ren. "This is my peace offering", Mayu tried to feed Ren. "Takuma, you can have my mochi (japanese rice cake)", Aimi placed the mochi on Shou's lunch box. Everyone watched the two have a lovey dovey moment. Ichirou took Ren's mochi. Ren glared at him. "Why? You dont like sweet things, dont you?", Ichirou teased. Mayu stuffed food on Ren's mouth. "I cant let them take the momentum!!!", Mayu burned in passion. Kumiko and Hayato sighed in unison. "Ah, are... you.. .tired?", Hayato stuttered. "I'm fine", Kumiko smiled. Once again, Aimi sensed something different from Hayato and Kumiko. "The hotel will be holding a fireworks display tonight", Ichirou informed. Everyone cheered except Kumiko and Hayato.

They went back at the hotel that afternoon. "Kumi, can I talk to you?", Aimi asked. Kumiko and Aimi walked heading to the view deck. "It was fun today", Kumiko stretched and leaned on the railings. "Be careful", Aimi warned. "What is it that you want to talk about? ", Kumiko asked. "Kumi, you said you wanted to become my friend. Being friends means being able to trust each other, isnt it?", Aimi opened. "What are you trying to say?", Kumi faked a smile. "I noticed you and Hayato this day. He uses honorifics on you. He also stutters", Aimi noticed. Kumiko gulped and hugged Aimi. "What should I do, Aimi?", Kumiko asked.

Kumiko told Aimi about their story. "Hayato and I were really good friends. Our family are closely tied thats why we often meet. One summer night, after the fireworks display... Hayato confessed his feelings to me. I'm a bit relieved that no one in the group knows about that. How were you able to notice it?" Kumiko looked at Aimi. "Thats why... I'm struggling how I will treat him this time. I am.doing my best not to hurt him further. He confessed 2 years ago but I dont know why I still get the feeling that he's still looking at me", Kumiko explained. "Its not just a feeling Kumi. He is really looking at you", Aimi informed. "Then, why dont you like him?", Aimi asked straightforwardly. "Hayato is like a brother to me. I dont want to taint that", Kumiko answered. "Is that all?", Aimi asked. "Because there is someone I also like", Kumiko held Aimi's hand. "It's Ren", she said with hesitation on her voice.

But he never looked at me that way.

Author's Note:

Hayato likes Kumiko.

Kumiko likes Ren.

Ren seems to like Aimi.

Aimi likes everyone...

Thanks for reading :)