“Well, well. Looks like my job here is done.”

I hope I didn’t make a bitter face there?

Leaving Elliot ♂ and Aria behind, I walked back to the pier. I rinsed off the water from my sandals at the tap before stepping onto the planked boulevard. The grainy texture of the sand between my toes is the worst.

“Freedom.”

I muttered.

For the remainder of the time, we were free to do whatever we wish. As long as we kept ourselves safe and sound, we could even sleep in our room all day. I was planning to take a look around the stalls when…

“Huh? Elliot?”

“Leon?”

“You’re alone?”

“You too?”

His six-packs were showing and they sure are hella sexy today. I wasn’t sure if it was because he noticed me staring, he suddenly looked away when our eyes met again.

“Where are you going after this…?”

He asked awkwardly.

“No idea. You?”

“Same.”

“Aren’t you going to the sea? Where are the rest of your friends?”

“They’re busy with their own stuff, so I’m quite literally alone. I was planning to just walk around when I bumped into you.”

“Okay then, enjoy.”

“Wait—are you going to go back?”

“No, I’m going to walk around the pier.”

“Then I’ll accompany you.”

My senior is damn great.

“Okay… where should we go first?”

“Before that, are you wearing sunscreen?”

“Uh-huh?”

“You should really look at yourself in the mirror.”

Leon suddenly took a photo of my face with his phone and showed it to me.

“What the fuck?”

Why did no one say shit about this? Fuck you Elliot ♂!

“Yeah, I think you should wash it off. You look like a clown.”

“Thanks.”

And so I did. At the open sink, I washed my face and reapplied the sunscreen, this time more sparingly.

“How about we take a look there? The stalls.”

Leon suggested.

“That was my initial plan.”

“I heard the coconut ice cream here is a must-try.”

Ugh…

Delectable coconut ice cream? I’m on my fucking period man.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

Leon, the track team ace and I explored the beachside stalls. We got ourselves coconut ice cream along the way. It was the first time actually eating ice cream put in a coconut shell, and I’d say the taste was not bad.

“Accessories. I think Elliot would want to have a look at these.”

I snapped a photo and sent it to him.

‘These look pretty good. I think you can get one for Aria here.’

He replied almost immediately.

‘Where are you?’

‘At the pier eating coconut ice cream. Just walk around the place, you’ll find it eventually.’

“Do you want one?”

Just as I pressed send on the text, Leon asked.

“Ah, no. I was telling Elliot about it, since he told me he wanted to get one.”

Leon looked at me oddly.

“And it’s for someone else?”

“Yeah?”

Leon looked at the hair accessories again. He muttered something but I didn’t hear it clearly. I didn’t bother to ask.

“Where to next?”

“How about that? It looks suspicious.”

I pointed to a tent with a bunch of crystals and beads hanging around. It quite literally screamed fortune-telling.

“Fortune telling? Those are scams.”

“Scam? What if the person inside actually has a fate-type blessing?”

“Normally those people wouldn’t use their ability like this right…?”

“Scam or whatever, I want to try my luck. It’s up to you to follow.”

“Whatever you say…”

It was rather cool inside compared to the sweltering heat outside. We were the only clients when we entered.

“A spatial blessing…?”

Leon muttered.

Outwardly, the tent looked like it could barely fit a teacher’s desk. Inside… it was tall enough that Leon could stand up straight with room to spare.

Sitting beyond the dimly lit counter was a black-haired belle holding a crystal ball. A young mature lady with curly black hair. Her clothes were shamanic, adorned with random teeth, gold pieces, crystals and jade.

I expected a witch wearing a dark hood. This was something else.

“I see you’ve come to have your fate read?”

Her voice was also pretty attractive. Violet-coloured eyes stared our way, possessing a majestic glow to them. Her smile was mysterious and ominous.

“How much would it cost?”

I asked. Depending on the price, I might have to forfeit.

“Since I’m only doing it for fun, ten dollars a reading I suppose.”

“Seriously?”

Ten bucks only? Take my money.

“How about you sir?”

“Um…”

Leon was hesitant.

“I’ll pay for his.”

“No, you don’t need too—”

“Too late. Okay miss, you can read both our fortunes thank you.”

Stolen story; please report.

I shoved the money inside the box which said ‘donation’ for some reason.

“Very well.”

Her smile was pretty.

“My name is Liberia. Your’s?”

“Elliot. Elliot Amaryllis.”

“And you?”

“Leon Wright.”

I sat down on the cushion provided, Leon did the same.

“So what exactly will you be talking about?”

“After the reading, I’ll leave you with a phrase.”

“A phrase?”

“Yes, one enough to alter your path of life for the better. Do you trust me?”

She smiled.

“Yes.”

I answered promptly.

“Your hand please.”

I held out my hand.

She held out hers.

She closed her eyes and gently felt the curves of my palm.

To describe the experience… ticklish. A full thirty seconds passed, her expression changed many times. Finally, she said something.

“Quite an interesting path you have.”

“Path?”

“Learning to love yourself is your blessing’s most important change. Do that and you’ll lead an enthralling life.”

Her words struck me as succinct and… vague.

“What do you mean by ‘yourself’?”

‘Yourself’ was a word that could imply something completely unique in my situation.

“Well, what outcome you truly seek depends on how you interpret it.”

She said with a sincere smile.

“What I truly seek huh?”

“I won’t be accepting any more questions. It won’t do good if saying too much destroys the good fortune awaiting you. Your turn next, Sir Leon.”

“R-Right.”

Thirty seconds felt like a long time as the one having the reading. But as the one sitting and observing, it felt way longer.

“Mn. Quite unfortunate.”

Leon’s expression hardened. Her impression of our readings was completely different.

“If life thou raft and your purpose seeketh an island. Stop paddling and let the currents carry you.”

“W-What is that supposed to mean…?”

“Hard work is a good virtue to have, but please remember life is something to be experienced. You’re overthinking things.”

Leon opened his mouth, then silently closed it. He then lowered his head. Frustration… I could sense it seething from him.

I didn’t know a thing about the troubles he was going through, but seeing how her words moved him made me speechless. Looks like she managed to hit where it hurt most for both of us.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

Leon and I left the fortune teller after the short reading.

“Where to next?”

I asked.

He opened his lips, closed it and shook his head. Then smiled.

“I’ll get some more ice cream.”

He looked like a changed man.

As for myself, well… frankly I feel the same. Maybe a little more enlightened, that’s all.

He grabbed another coconut shell of ice cream. I decided to get coconut water instead. We headed to the umbrella bench overlooking the sea.

There were white boats out in the distance.

“I’ve always wanted to step onboard on one of those.”

Leon said.

“Which one? The skis or the yacht?”

“The yacht.”

“Why?”

“What why? It’s just a wish of mine.”

“There should be websites where you can rent one for a few days. When you grow up of course.”

“I didn’t consider that.”

“Now you can.”

I wonder why Leon is telling me all this?

We started off silently into the blue horizon. The coconut desserts in our hands very quickly disappeared. With the sun reaching its Zenith, Leon, he…

“Elliot.”

“Yeah?”

“…”

His silence carried with it a tense anticipation—my heart started pounding…

“It’s damn hot.”

I said, fanning my clothes.

“Uh-huh?”

“Let’s head back in.”

“Right…”

Total rip-off. I thought he was going to confess there. We made our way out of the shade and…

“Tomorrow, after the bonfire, meet me here again.”

“…”

“I have something I want to tell you.”

Something you want to tell me huh?

“Alright.”

I said with a nod. Leon’s expression looked rather clumsy. I wonder if he would like that everyday from today onwards. That’d be…

“Elliot!”

Hm?

I turned around to find a panting Aria. Sweat covered her face, her hair clung to her skin stickily.

“We’ve been trying to find you.”

“What? Didn’t I tell Elliot where I was?”

“You weren’t there obviously.”

She looked rather relieved.

“Um, can you follow me somewhere? And Leon, thank you for accompanying Elliot.”

“Oh, okay?”

“Come here, I need to talk to you.”

Me? Aria had something to tell me?

“Can’t you just say it here?”

“Just follow me please.”

Aria grabbed my wrist and tugged.

“Hey!”

I was surprised by her forcefulness.

Leaving pitiful Leon behind, our shadows were short under the bludgeoned sun. Even with sunscreen on, I felt like salmon being cooked in an oven.

Aria brought me to a shady gazebo with a cool wind blowing. Only then did she finally let go of my hand and turned to me.

“Sorry.”

“Sorry?”

“I don’t think we’ve had a proper conversation, so I’d like to take the chance to tell you how I feel.”

For real?

“Did Elliot plan this?”

“He doesn’t know.”

She shook her head.

“This is between us.”

I don’t see what she’s trying to achieve? Is she going to suddenly say she’s actually bisexual and likes both me and Elliot?

Or the other way around where she confessed that the one she likes is actually me, and the only reason why she’s close to the other me was because she was afraid to confront her love?

“I like Elliot.”

“Yeah, and?”

“I’m sorry.”

I already knew from last night.

No.

I knew from the very start.

“I’m sorry it hurts you.”

“Aria.”

She was making an expression I’ve never seen before.

Remorse…

“I’m just jealous, it’s a natural outcome of the relationship. Don’t let me be the reason why you decide to end your relationship with the other me. I’m fine. Even if not now, I will in the future.”

I said.

“Still. I’m… sorry. I…”

The world in my eyes seemed to change at her next words.

“…I’ll make sure to do my best to love you too.”

And exhale.

I was unperturbed by those words.

It didn’t hurt.

I was… completely fine?

So it wasn’t from… Aria?

It didn’t hurt when she gave me her reply.

I clenched my teeth.

No.

“No need.”

I shook my head.

There’s no way.

“I think I’d be much happier by myself.”

Learning to love yourself is your blessing’s most important change. Do that and you’ll lead an enthralling life.

I must be overthinking things.

The one I should value most. The one who deserved my love most.

It was ‘myself’.

It was ‘me’.

But…

Which one… should I be referring to?

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

“Damn it! It hurts aaahhh!”

“That’s why you should always put on sunscreen when you come to the beach.”

There was a red patch on Ellis’ neck and upper right arm. It wasn’t big, but certainly painful enough to torment her into complete regret.

“Here, some ice.”

Elliot ♀ procured some from the resort staff. We made a make-shift cool pack.

“Oliver, you didn’t apply any sunscreen, right? Why didn’t you get any sunburns?”

Ellis complained.

“No idea?”

“Oh, because I applied some.”

So it was Willow’s doing.

Oliver looked at her, stunned.

“You did? When?”

“I spread sunscreen on your hand and face before we jumped into the ocean right?

“Oh, so that’s what it was.”

“Yup.”

“But doesn’t it come right off after soaking in the water for so long?”

“…Well.”

Willow did apply sunscreen for Oliver, he just didn’t recognize it back then.

“Ugh…”

Ellis groaned.

Certainly, watching them act like the dumb couple they were was a sore scene for the eyes.

When the clock hit 6, we proceeded to the resort hall.

Tonight we’ll be having a big multi-course class dinner. There would be performances by both the light music club and the all-dance club, followed by a simple game with prizes. In part of the dinner, a speech would be given by the student council president, announcing her official retirement, and the new face of the student council head.

Prizes for the games were snacks and candy among other things. So unless we were still children, I don’t see any value in being a try-hard here.

I glanced at Elliot ♀.

“Aria, is she alright?”

She didn’t tell me, but I sensed a change. They must’ve come to terms with themselves.

“She’s fine.”

Elliot ♀ was smiling, Aria looked downcast.

“…She said she’s fine.”

I didn’t know what to make of the situation.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

It was night.

Everyone had fallen asleep.

Hopefully.

I sat up.

And stared into the dark.

Because I couldn’t sleep.

My mind was…

Occupied.

Worried.

What was going on with me?

Me? Or ‘Me’?

“Elliot.”

I muttered.

Reaching over to grab my phone, I opened messages.

The reply was left at: I’m here, where are you?

Right now it was 1 am, the message was sent back at 11am yesterday when I tried searching for her.

Aria and I eventually found the hairpin stall she told me about. The problem was that Elliot ♀ left off somewhere else by the time we got there.

Aria and I split up after that. And then thirty minutes later she came back with Elliot ♀ who looked completely dead.

“Oh right…”

Because of Elliot, I never really got to hand in the phone we found at sea to the authorities. I kept it randomly on the table over there. Oliver noticed, but he said to send it to the concierge counter tomorrow since it was quite late.

“Well, might as well.”

I grabbed the phone still wrapped in the pouch and headed out.

Fortunately, there was a staff member at the lobby.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes?”

“I found this offshore today. I don’t know whose this is, but can I leave it to you to hand it back to its owner?”

“Thank you, I’ll let the team know. ”

The staff expressed her sincere thanks despite her languid appearance.

With that, I left the main lobby.

The empty hall which was bright and radiant during the morning, was dim and ominous at night. I stopped just before one of the glass sliding doors and gazed out at the scenery.

The view of the sea, waves forming foam on shore, and the beautiful moon.

“Hm?”

There was someone outside. The silhouette looked familiar.

“Elliot.”

“Huuhhh…?”

The response was a slurred mutter. I only thought to check, who knew that it really was her.

She turned to me lazily.

“You’re still awake so late?”

“I couldn’t sleep. You’re still awake too?”

“I found a phone in the sea and handed it to the resort staff.”

“What the fuck? Shouldn’t a phone like that already be broken beyond repair?”

“It was inside a pouch. You know, the ones people hang around their necks?”

“Heehh… sit, sit. You can’t sleep and I can’t either so let’s waste ourselves away.”

“Did you drink alcohol…? You sound drunk.”

“Drink? No way… I’m just sleepy.”

Sleepy huh?

I took a seat beside Elliot ♀.We stared towards the moon; the waving motion of coconut leaves swaying in the wind.

“So… what happened?”

I asked.

“Leon is going to confess to me tomorrow.”

“…What?”

I asked without context and you give me this shit?

“I found my answer.”

Elliot ♀ continued.

“Answer?”

“Yeah.”

Elliot ♀ said sounding happy.

“I don’t mind if you confess to Aria.”

“…”

She didn’t sound like she was joking.

And I didn’t understand. It felt as if she was… trying to run away from reality. If I were Elliot ♀, would I say ‘yes’ to Leon?

No way. Then was she forcing herself?

“Elliot, what if I decided not to.”

“To?”

“Not choose Aria, but instead…”

Choose you?

I couldn’t bring myself to say those last two words. I’d be crazy if I did.

She looked at me bewildered.

“Why would you?”

Yeah. Why the hell would I not choose Aria?

“It’s Aria you know?”

“Yeah but…”

“You shouldn’t make her sad.”

Her expression changed again. Do I normally act this way?

Too quick. Too expressive.

“I… don’t know.”

I really don’t know. Why do I feel conflicted?

Even though I know that it was best for me…

Even though I know that it won’t be such a big deal in time…

Even though I know that I won’t hate myself for choosing this…

“I don’t know why…”

“Looks like we still have things we don’t understand about ourselves huh? Quite the funny paradox.”

Elliot ♀ laughed.

I couldn’t hide my wry smile.

“You’re right.”

The person we understood the most was also the least understood.