The post-midterm vacation had finally arrived, and with it, the promise of relaxation and fun. However, for the first few days, boredom quickly set in. The heat of summer made it hard to find motivation for anything too strenuous, and soon, Aizen, Violet, Ryuen, and Kei found themselves feeling the lethargy that often accompanies the long days of summer.
Aizen and Violet had taken to going on walks together, a routine they had fallen into ever since Aizen moved into the apartment next to hers. The cool evening air was a welcome escape from the oppressive daytime heat, and their quiet strolls through the neighbourhood or nearby park offered a sense of peace that both of them appreciated.
Despite the soothing walks, Aizen couldn't help but feel that something was missing. The vacation, while relaxing, lacked the excitement they had grown accustomed to during the school year. He knew Kei and Ryuen felt the same—whenever they talked on the phone or messaged in their group chat, it was clear that they were itching for something more exciting to do.
One particularly hot afternoon, Aizen and Ryuen were hanging out in Aizen's apartment, taking refuge from the heat with the air conditioning on full blast. They had been playing games for hours, the only distraction from the summer boredom.
Ryuen, eyes glued to the screen as he rapidly pressed the buttons on his controller, suddenly paused the game and turned to Aizen. "Man, we need to do something. This vacation is killing me. We've got all this free time, and we're just sitting around like this?"
Aizen nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's getting kind of dull. We should do something different."
Ryuen leaned back on the couch, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "How about we hit the beach? It's perfect weather for it, and we could use some sun."
Aizen considered it for a moment, then smiled. "That sounds like a great idea. We could get Kei and Violet to come too. It'd be fun."
Ryuen grinned. "I'm in. Let's message them and see what they think."
Within minutes, the group chat buzzed with excitement as Kei and Violet responded. Kei was all for it, thrilled at the idea of getting out of the house. Violet, on the other hand, was a bit more hesitant. While she liked the idea of spending time with her friends, the thought of buying and wearing a swimsuit made her nervous. She wasn't used to such situations, and the idea of exposing herself in front of others, even friends, made her feel self-conscious.
As the group finalized their plans, Violet found herself quietly debating whether she could muster the courage to go along with the beach trip. She knew she wanted to be there with her friends, but the embarrassment of buying a swimsuit loomed large in her mind.
Meanwhile, back at Aizen's apartment, the boys were still gaming, but their conversation drifted back to the upcoming beach trip.
"You think Violet will be okay with this?" Aizen asked, his tone a little concerned. He knew Violet was shy and didn't want her to feel uncomfortable.
Ryuen shrugged, still focused on the game. "She'll be fine. We'll make sure she feels comfortable. Besides, once we're there, I'm sure she'll have fun."
Aizen nodded, hoping Ryuen was right. "Yeah, I guess you're right. It'll be good for all of us to get out and do something together."
With the plans set, the group looked forward to their beach day. For Violet, the challenge wasn't just about stepping out of her comfort zone but also about trusting her friends to make the experience enjoyable and stress-free.
As the day of the beach trip approached, each of them prepared in their own way. Aizen and Ryuen stocked up on snacks and sunscreen, Kei dug out her favorite summer outfits, and Violet—after much internal debate—finally gathered the courage to go shopping for a swimsuit.
When the day finally arrived, they all met at the station, ready for a day of fun in the sun. The beach was a welcome change from the boredom of summer vacation, and as they boarded the train, the excitement in the air was palpable.
Violet, still a little nervous, was glad she had decided to come. The thought of spending the day with her friends made her smile, and as she glanced at Aizen, who was busy talking to Ryuen, she felt a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the summer heat.
This vacation might have started off slow, but with the beach on the horizon and her friends by her side, Violet knew it was going to be a memorable one.