"But it looks perfectly fine from the outside," Reiko muttered, her fingers restlessly tapping against the glass guardrail in a silent protest.
Catching the flash of displeasure on her brother's face, she quickly stuck her tongue out playfully and took two obedient steps back.
Narumi cautiously leaned half of his body forward, his small hands gripping the edge of the railing with white-knuckled intensity. When he caught a glimpse of the terrifying sight dozens of meters below—waves crashing violently against the jagged reefs—he recoiled instantly as if he had touched an electric fence.
"That's... that's scary..."
"There's nothing to be afraid of. Even if you fell, you'd probably be fine," Furuya Rei offered as a bit of comfort to his companion. "It looks to be only about twenty or thirty meters. There's water at the bottom, so as long as you know how to swim, there's no real danger."
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Hayashi Shuichi rapped his disciple over the head.
"Someone with professional diving experience might be okay, but for an ordinary person, if you don't hit the water with the right posture, the impact alone could knock you unconscious. After that, you'd just drown."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over everyone to ensure they were taking the warning seriously.
"According to the tourist map, they're planning to build a lighthouse here," Eri Kisaki noted, flipping through the brochure in her hand. "They're also going to install a dedicated observation deck on the lighthouse itself. The view then will definitely be even better than it is now."
"It's a pity our timing is off," Chikage Tomizawa sighed softly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "They say if you stand here at dusk, you can see the 'Diamond Fuji'—that rare phenomenon where the setting sun aligns perfectly with the peak of Mount Fuji."
Her eyes held a hint of longing as she gazed into the distance, though her tone couldn't hide her disappointment. "We won't be able to see it today."
After chatting for a bit longer, the group dispersed to enjoy their own activities.
Yukiko struck several cute poses, insisting that Reiko take photos of her; her bright, hearty laughter rang out clearly against the sea breeze.
Chikage Tomizawa stood by the railing, quietly taking in the ocean view. The wind tousled her long hair, creating a scene as beautiful as an oil painting.
Midori Orizasa and Akane Koizumi huddled together, whispering about something unknown.
Mouri Kogoro and Ruri stood in a corner of the deck, their fingers intertwined as they leaned affectionately against one another. Ruri rested her head on Mouri's shoulder, a contented smile gracing her face. Mouri would occasionally lean down to whisper in her ear, causing her to break into soft giggles.
Eri Kisaki, catching a glimpse of her friend's happiness, looked at Shuichi beside her. Her heart began to race uncontrollably. She subtly lifted her arm, intending to loop it through Shuichi's, wanting to mirror the intimacy of Ruri and Mouri.
However, at that exact moment, Yukiko waved her arms and shouted, "Shuichi! Come over and help us take a photo!"
Shuichi stepped away immediately, completely failing to notice Eri's arm frozen in mid-air or the way her expression instantly darkened.
That meddling fox! Eri gritted her teeth inwardly, her nails digging into her palms.
Shuichi took the camera. Through the viewfinder, he saw Yukiko affectionately draping an arm around Reiko's shoulders. Both girls were beaming radiantly. He pressed the shutter, capturing the perfect moment.
"Narumi, come join the photo!"
Yukiko suddenly ran over and grabbed Narumi's hand without giving him a chance to object. The little guy was caught off guard and dragged in front of the lens, looking as startled and wide-eyed as a frightened rabbit.
"I... I'd rather not..." Narumi stammered, trying to decline.
"Come on, give us a smile!" Yukiko teased, gently pinching Narumi's cheek. "It would be a waste not to take a photo of such a pretty face!"
Narumi's face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple, and he stood there fidgeting, unsure of what to do with his hands. Shuichi watched the scene with a helpless shake of his head, but he still pressed the shutter to record the amusing memory.
"Shuichi, it's our turn!"
Yukiko tossed the camera to Reiko and then, without a word, grabbed Shuichi's arm. She pressed her body close to his, signaling for the young girl to take a photo of the two of them.
"I want one too!"
Reiko looked left and right, then shoved the camera into Chikage Tomizawa's hands before grabbing Shuichi's other arm.
"Hey," Yukiko pouted, her cheeks puffing out with dissatisfaction. "Let me take one with Shuichi first." She applied a bit of hidden strength, trying to tug Shuichi toward her side.
"Why can't I go first with Onii-chan?" Reiko countered, refusing to back down as she clung tightly to her brother's arm.
Feeling the tension from both sides and catching the predatory, watchful gaze of Eri Kisaki nearby, Shuichi quickly raised both hands in a gesture of surrender. "How about we just take a group photo together?"
"Huh?"
Both Yukiko and Reiko let out a disappointed sigh in unison, their shoulders slumping simultaneously. They glanced at each other and then looked away, acting like two bickering children.
Under Shuichi's coordination, the eleven of them stood together for the group shot. There was a fair bit of jostling and repositioning as everyone searched for the best spot, creating a mix of laughter and playful complaints.
However, the question of who would actually take the photo became an issue. Since they were just out for a casual trip, Yukiko hadn't brought a tripod.
"I can help you," the young man with glasses from the Suzuki group offered, stepping forward proactively.
"Much appreciated," Shuichi nodded, handing over the camera.
"Alright, everyone look this way," the bespectacled youth called out, raising the camera and aiming it at the group.
"Cheese—!" everyone shouted in unison.
Just as the shutter clicked, a massive wave crashed against the cliffside, sending up a spectacular spray of water. The flying droplets caught the sunlight, creating miniature rainbows right behind the group. This unexpected piece of natural beauty was perfectly captured in the frame.
"It looks like I got a very good shot," the young man remarked, lowering the camera with a sense of satisfaction. It was a shame that in the era of film cameras, they couldn't review the photo immediately.
Using the favor as a bridge, the two groups naturally began to converse.
Shuichi soon learned that this gentle, refined young man was named Shiro Suzuki. Their group consisted of members from the Tokyo University tennis club. Shiro was the oldest among them and had already graduated; he was essentially taking his juniors out for a trip.
"I suspect the reason isn't quite that simple, is it?"
Mouri Kogoro nudged Shiro with a mischievous wink, lowering his voice. "As the young master of the Suzuki Financial Group, aren't you actually here to pursue that haughty young lady?" He tilted his head toward Tomoko.
Shiro Suzuki's ears turned red instantly, and his eyes darted nervously behind his lenses.
"Tomoko only looks haughty..." his voice grew smaller and smaller. "Her personality is actually quite nice once you get to know her."
"Is that so?" Mouri Kogoro glanced over at Tomoko, who was admiring the view with her friends. She happened to catch his gaze and shot him a look of pure annoyance. "I'm failing to see the 'nice' part of that personality."
"Well..." Shiro Suzuki let out a helpless, bitter laugh. "Actually, she and I aren't that close yet. We only met once before... at a matchmaking session."
"No way," Mouri Kogoro's eyes widened in shock. "You're the heir to the Suzuki family. With all that money, you still have to go through arranged matchmaking?"
"Matchmaking has nothing to do with wealth," Shiro replied with a resigned push of his glasses. "In fact, because of the family's status, I have almost no control over my own marriage. It's entirely up to the elders to decide..."
(End of Chapter)
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