Saturday arrives with the smell of salt already drifting through the windows and the low, rhythmic crashing of waves in the distance. Okinawa is alive with summer.
I close the door to my room, lock it twice—just in case—and pull out the swimsuit I bought last weekend with Nanami.
A dark navy two-piece. Simple, modest enough, but… fitted. I wasn't even sure why I picked it. Something about it made me feel more like me. More like the version of myself that didn't run from Kaito's smile.
I slip it on and check the mirror.
Not bad.
But then I spot it.
Just under the strap on my shoulder—the faint bruise where he bit me.
My eyes widen. "Seriously?!"
It's not red, not anymore. But it's still there. A soft, purple shadow, right where his teeth pressed down.
I stare at it, mortified. "He left a mark?"
I grab a towel and throw it over my shoulder, heart pounding. I don't even have time to think before—
SLIDE.
The door opens.
"Kaito—!" I yelp, spinning around.
Too late.
He's already inside, leaning casually against the doorframe. His damp hair is pushed back from a quick rinse, a loose shirt hanging half open over his swim shorts. His dark eyes flick over me—slowly.
He shuts the door behind him.
"I knocked," he says, his voice low and playful. "You didn't answer."
"You didn't wait!"
"I never do." He grins.
I clutch the towel to my chest, glaring. "Out."
But he doesn't move.
His eyes lower to my shoulder.
He sees it.
That stupid bruise.
"That's still there?" he murmurs, stepping closer. "Didn't think I bit that hard."
"You did."
He stops just in front of me, voice dropping even more. "It looked good on you, though."
I take a step back, but my knees bump the edge of the bed. "Y-You're being weird."
"I'm always weird," he says, tilting his head. "But today... I'm in a beach mood."
His hand reaches out—slow, deliberate—and brushes the towel off my shoulder.
I freeze.
His thumb lightly grazes the bruise, and his voice is almost a whisper. "Should I leave another one?"
"K-Kaito—"
He smirks.
Dangerous.
Teasing.
And then—
"AYUMI! Are you two ready?! We're leaving in ten!" Mom's voice shouts from downstairs.
I practically jump a foot in the air. Kaito laughs, stepping back just in time to dodge the pillow I throw at his face.
"See you downstairs, Neko-chan," he says, slipping out the door with a wink.
I collapse onto my bed, face burning, heart exploding.
Today is going to be either really good, or really bad.