The next morning arrived quietly.
The beach looked like the aftermath of a festival.
Pizza boxes were stacked near the tables.
Beach chairs were scattered everywhere.
A few pieces of glitter were still stuck in the sand.
People slowly woke up and started moving around.
Takeru stepped outside.
He stretched.
"Morning."
Yuji yawned.
"Morning…"
Takeru looked up.
He paused.
Something about the sky looked…
wrong.
The clouds were arranged strangely.
Not stormy.
Not dark.
Just…
unnatural.
Like something was slightly out of place.
Takeru stared for several seconds.
"…Huh."
Yuji looked up.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Nobody else seemed particularly concerned.
People were already eating breakfast.
Some were talking.
Others were heading toward the water.
Takeru shrugged.
"Probably nothing."
He walked toward the ocean.
"Come on, Yuji."
Yuji followed.
"Where?"
"Water."
Takeru walked into the waves.
Yuji followed him.
A few seconds later—
Both Gojo's joined them.
One of them smiled.
"Morning swim?"
Takeru nodded.
"Yep."
The four of them walked farther into the ocean.
The water reached their waists.
Yuji splashed Takeru.
"Wake up!"
Takeru stared at him.
"…You wanna start this again?"
Yuji grinned.
"Maybe."
Takeru splashed him back.
SPLASH!
Yuji laughed.
One of the Gojo's shook his head.
"You two are children."
Takeru pointed at him.
"You're one to talk."
The other Gojo laughed.
"Fair."
They continued farther out.
But above them…
the strange pattern in the sky remained.
Still.
Silent.
Unnoticed.
Or perhaps…
waiting.
Takeru looked up once more.
For just a moment—
his smile faded.
Then Yuji splashed him again.
"HEY!"
Takeru immediately forgot about the sky.
"YOU'RE DONE!"
He chased Yuji through the water while both Gojo's laughed.
Far above them…
something shifted.