The atmosphere had lightened slightly since Hikaru's confession the night
before. The morning sun stretched across the beach, casting a golden hue
over the waves. Though the tension from the previous night lingered, there
was an unspoken understanding among them now. Hikaru had opened up,
and in doing so, strengthened his bond with the group, especially Tadashi.
But, of course, peace never lasted too long with this group.
"Alright, listen up, you simpletons!" Haruto declared, standing on a rock
like a commander addressing his troops.
"Today, we face an ultimate challenge, who is the supreme mind among us? And by 'us,' I obviously
mean myself and this unfortunate fool over here."
He gestured at Hikaru, who raised an eyebrow.
"Huh? When did I sign up for this?"
Hikaru asked, adjusting his glasses.
"The moment you thought you could compete with my intellect, obviously,"
Haruto smirked.
Hikaru's expression changed.
"For once you start being confident and THIS is the first thing you say?"
He begins to smile in a sarcastic manner, radiating rage.
Nao sighed, brushing sand off her dress.
"Here we go..."
Tadashi chuckled, watching as Haruto and Hikaru stared each other down.
It had started with an innocent conversation about technology, but
somehow, the two had gone from discussing theories to challenging each
other's intelligence in a matter of minutes.
"Alright, alright," Kei interrupted, throwing an arm over both their
shoulders. "Let's make this fun. A proper contest of brains, but with a little
beach twist."
"What's a 'beach twist'?" Daiki asked suspiciously.
Rin grinned.
"It means we get to mess with them while they compete."
Hikaru adjusted his glasses.
"Fine. Let's settle this. What's the challenge?"
Kei rubbed his chin.
"Since you both love science and tech, you'll have to
build something using whatever you can find around here. Whoever makes
the best invention wins."
Nao crossed her arms.
"Define 'best.'"
Kei grinned.
"We'll be the judges."
Haruto and Hikaru exchanged glances, then smirked.
"You're on," they said in unison.
The contest was absolute chaos.
Haruto worked with the intensity of a mad scientist, mumbling equations
under his breath as he constructed something using driftwood, seaweed, and
some wires from a broken radio he had somehow found. Hikaru, on the
other hand, remained calm and methodical, crafting his project with
precision. Occasionally, Rin would 'accidentally' knock over something
near them, much to their frustration.
"Oops," Rin said, not looking sorry at all as she nearly stepped on Haruto's
blueprint.
"Can you NOT?!" Haruto groaned, snatching it away.
Meanwhile, Tadashi and Nao watched from the sidelines, Tadashi
occasionally sneaking glances at her. She looked different today, not in a
dramatic way, but softer, more relaxed. Maybe it was because she felt more
at ease with the group now. Or maybe, just maybe, it was because she was
getting used to being around him.
Nao caught him staring.
"What?"
Tadashi coughed.
"Nothing."
She raised an eyebrow but let it slide, a small smile playing on her lips.
After an hour, both contestants were ready.
Haruto presented a makeshift pulley system, claiming it could help lift
heavy objects using minimal effort.
"It's efficient, practical, and revolutionary!"
Hikaru unveiled a solar-powered water filtration device, which he had
managed to construct using materials from the beach.
"It provides clean drinking water in emergencies."
The group stared.
Kei scratched his head.
"Okay, not gonna lie, I expected something way less impressive."
Daiki nodded.
"Yeah, I was betting they'd just make sand castles with extra
steps."
Rin shrugged.
"I was hoping for explosions."
Nao sighed.
"That was genuinely impressive. I hate to admit it."
Tadashi chuckled.
"Alright, judges. Who wins?"
They huddled for a moment, whispering back and forth. Finally, Kei turned
back to them.
"It's a tie."
Haruto and Hikaru blinked.
"A tie?!"
"Yep," Rin confirmed. "Because now we know for sure...you're both
nerds."
The group burst into laughter as Haruto and Hikaru groaned in frustration.
But even as they complained, a small smirk tugged at Hikaru's lips.
Maybe, just maybe, this new rivalry wasn't so bad after all.