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Despite the early hour, the sun was already high in a blue sky strewn with clouds, and heated with fervour the sand bordering the village with a light beach.
The sea was leisurely gliding along the smooth surface, soaking the earth to the bone, and the foam adorned it nicely, fading as quickly as it appeared. A few boats remained at their fishing spots in the distance ; soon, they would go back to the port. Only a few animals were enjoying the neighbouring tranquility, when they weren’t chased away by seagulls that had elected domicile there.
“Hey, go away !“
Two birds that were gliding a few meters above the ground soared in the sky, squawking, away from their prey towards which a silhouette was rushing, making large gestures to scare them.
The figure stopped and crouched down. When it straightened up, it was holding a small creature in its hands.
“Akaashi, look. They almost killed it.“
The silhouette had approached a second, similar figure that accompanied it. The latter observed the little, golden crab that was making its claws clack to appear intimidating.
“You know, it’s normal, they do that to survive,“ Akaashi remarked. “Put it back in the water, it will be better there.“
While his friend jogged towards the water, Akaashi put a bag on the ground. He took the parasol he was holding under his arm in his hands.
He sticked it in the sand, and drew from his bag two beach towels which he laid out on both sides of the parasol. He threw on them some sunscreen, glasses and a deck of cards he had remembered to bring.
Meanwhile, Bokuto was trying to put the crab back into the water, unsuccessfully : each time, the waves would push the small crustacean towards the earth, sometimes making it land on its back, from which he couldn’t move then.
The young man pondered on tactics to have it stay in the water. He took the creature back in his hands and observed the waves coming and going, his look focused. There ! He knew what to do.
He stared at the tide and took a few steps back to gain momentum. He waited, standing opposite to the waves tirelessly approaching and departing.
When the water was at its highest level, he ran towards it. As he was moving forward, the water was parting to give him room, and as a new wave was getting prepared to bring the water back, higher on the shore, he dropped the crab on the ground in a hurry and fled in the opposite direction. He felt the foam tickle his feet, and doubled his speed to escape the water. The wave receded again : victory.
Bokuto came back at the level of his friend who was waiting for him.
“All good !“
“Great. Here, put this on,“ Akaashi said.
Bokuto frowned as he saw the tube of sunscreen in his hand.
“Nooo, you know I don’t like it ! It makes the sand stick to the skin !“ he complained, yet taking the sunscreen.
“It’s your choice,“ Akaashi retorted, grabbing the hem of his T-shirt. “Between that and sunburns, I know what I’m choosing.“
The young man took off his top, storing it in his bag. He did the same with his pants, leaving his swimming shorts his only layer of clothing. Bokuto looked away.
“You’re no fun…“ he muttered while taking his tank top off.
“I just want to spare you a skin cancer.“
“Right, okay, you won. But I won’t do it twice !“
Bokuto reluctantly opened the tube of sunscreen, pouring some of it in his palms. He spread it on his arms and his chest, not forgetting his shoulders, and rubbed until the product didn’t leave white stains on his skin anymore.
“Your face too, especially the nose“ Akaashi said.
Bokuto grumbled but applied the sunscreen as indicated. The product was sticky and the feeling of it on his cheeks made his face pucker.
He handed the product to his friend, who made sure to cover every inch of his skin with sunscreen, under the watchful eye of the taller man. Bokuto thought that he must be insensitive not to hate such a weird feeling.
The young man quickly lowered his gaze when he met Akaashi’s. He felt an intense heat on his cheeks as he heard his friend’s laughter. He lifted his head, embarrassed, but Akaashi smiled at him.
“You’ve never seen me in shorts or what ? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,“ the younger sneered.
“I’ve seen nothing, you’re making fun of me,“ Bokuto retorted, a tad offended. It wasn’t his fault if he always was this beautiful in every circumstances.
Akaashi shrugged his shoulders. He finished applying sunscreen on his face and neck. Only his back was left to protect from the uv.
“Do you need some hel-“ Bokuto started.
Akaashi contorted his arm in such way that it reached the area between his shoulder blades with ease. Bokuto’s eyes widened, and he observed his friend manage on his own, without the slightest difficulty.
Akaashi turned around to face Bokuto who stared at him. The younger furrowed his eyebrows, perplexed.
“Are you alright ? You get by with your back, or-“
“It’s okay !“ Bokuto interrupted him, snatching the sunscreen.
It wasn’t. He wasn’t able to execute such a move, so much that he only succeeded putting sunscreen on his lower back and left stains of product right in the middle of his back. Akaashi rolled his eyes, and gave a tiny smile.
“To the water !“ Bokuto exclaimed, heading out to sea with a determined step. Akaashi followed him a few steps behind, admiring the massacre he had accomplished with the sunscreen. The young man adjusted his straw hat on his head.
They put their feet in the water, testing its temperature which was relatively warm for the starting of the day. It wasn't too difficult for them to submerge up to their shoulders, moving forward in the water until they were standing on tiptoes.
Bokuo dipped his head in the water, and pulled it back out, throwing drops at his friend. Akaashi shielded his head with his hands from the water.
“Go ahead, it’s refreshing !“ Bokuto exclaimed.
“Thanks, but no, I’ve washed my hair yesterday,“ Akaashi muttered.
“Heeeeh, really ? You can wash them again tonight, it doesn’t take long !“
Bokuto moved closer to his friend, his smile mischievous. Akaashi shook his head and repeated, “Don’t, I don’t want to,“ then stepped back as the taller kept drawing nearer. He took another step back, forced by his friend, who was being very insistent, and-
“AH !“ Akaashi yelled.
Bokuto had no time to react that his friend had already thrown himself forward, clinging to him, and was staring at a dark shape under the water.
“What is this, what is this, oh my, it’s disgusting,“ Akaashi said.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, are you o-“
“No.“
Bokuto sneered, barely disappointed that he didn’t got his joke. He fell silent as his friend clung to him tighter and tighter, his hands on his shoulders, his legs folded so he wouldn’t touch the ground. Goodness, what force of nature was so rudely testing his high-school heart...
“Let’s find out what frightens Akaashi this much,“ Bokuto laughed, slipping an arm around his friend’s waist. He walked towards the form in the water.
“No, absolutely not, it’s disgusting, aah !“ the younger exclaimed.
He slid a hand behind the boy’s back and struggled to stay away from the cause of his fear, pressing himself ever closer to his friend. Bokuto straightened up, his hand full of an unknown and horrible-looking substance.
“Put that thing away from me,“ Akaashi ordered. Bokuto brought his hand to his face. The younger grabbed his wrist and moved his arm away from his vision field. “It’s awful.“
“It’s seaweed.“
“Yes.“
“…“
“…“
“I didn’t think plants could scare you.“
“Well sorry for having a survival instinct !“
“Seaweeds, ‘Kaashi !“
“It’s disgusting, okay ?“
Bokutowas seized with a frank laugh. Akaashi had an annoyed look, but his peony cheek betrayed his embarrassment and made the scene funnier than it already was. Seing how his friend wasn’t stopping laughing, he ended up walking away, fulminating, and was soon caught by Bokuto, who swam as he walked.
“Self-derision, ‘Kaashi, that’s important !“ he chuckled.
“This has nothing to do with self-derision, this is mockery,“ the younger retorted.
“Sorry, it was funny at the moment. Hey, you’re not getting out of the water, right ?!“ Bokuto got alarmed.
Akaashi didn’t turn to face him. He only responded, his voice less bitter :
“I’ll go and get the ball.“
Stars sparkled in Bokuto’s eyes.
“Yeah ! Please make some tosses to me !“
✻
Noon came very quickly, with so much swimming and tossing in the fine sand. Heat was becoming more and more oppressive and drained all energy of every being who dared venture outside. Nothing too surprising if the beach was empty of people, apart from the two students. Villagers had retreated in their cool, shady houses.
The two friends, who were starting to feel hunger from exerting themselves, went back to their spot in the middle of the beach and settled under the parasol, sheltered from the sun.
Akaashi rummaged through his bag and took out two sandwiches wrapped in plastic film. He handed one to his friend, and also pulled an isothermal bottle, as well as two reusable glasses from the bag. He buried the containers halfway in the sand, so that they wouldn't tip over at the slightest movement, and filled them with water that had been kept cool.
“There’s not a soul,“ Bokuto commented.
“No,“ Akaashi answered. He removed the plastic that protected his lunch. “The only people here are seniors, they’re not interested in going to the beach at such an hour. It’s too hot.“
“What a shame ! Well, at least we've got the beach to ourselves,“ he exclaimed. “Your grandparents aren't going out either ?“
“They’re the type who goes out late in the evening, or at dawn. They often go around six, but since we’re asleep at that time we don’t see them.“
“Six ?! That means they’ve been at least up for three hours when I wake up, and I can’t even imagine for you !“
“That’s what it’s like to be retired, they don’t have anything else to do,“ Akaashi said. He took a bite of his sandwich. “That’s why they’re always delighted to get some visit.“
The two students had in fact arrived in the village just three days earlier. Akaashi’s grandparents, who lived far from the capital, had generously welcomed the boy and his friend for around ten days. The old couple, geographically distant from the rest of the family, always offered the latter to come visit them during school breaks. Akaashi truly liked his grandparents, and he was their most frequent visitor. His grandparents’ house reminded him of his childhood, it had a something relaxing, a resting bubble by the water. And if he appreciated the quietness of the place and the time spent with his grandparents, who were as calm and attentive as him, he had eventually brought his friend there with him, for if there had been anything better than spending a holiday in a place he cherished for the memories it gave him, it was creating new ones with his best friend by his side.
A hand passed into Akaashi's field of vision and he snapped out of his trance. Bokuto laughed.
“What's with the melancholy look ? You're thinking about your grandparents and your old holidays here, aren't you? “
Akaashi chewed on his sandwich, not trying to confront his friend’s gaze. There was no way he would tell him that he had guessed right. He had the right to be nostalgic, didn’t he ?
“Ahhhh, if only it were summer all year round !“ Bokuto exclaimed, falling back on his beach towel. “We could go swim here every day, and it would never be cold.“
“Spring and autumn are best. It is neither hot nor cold.“
“Nooo, it always rains in autumn ! But spring is great ! With all the flowers, and trees that turn green again, it’s so pretty !“
Bokuto straightened up, leaning on his elbows. Akaashi tried his best to ignore the tiny voice in his head that implored him to gaze at his friend’s chest, to keep an image of it for ever in his mind. He swallowed.
“Well, for now it's a question of making the most of the current season.“
“Yup ! Want to go back to the water ?“ Bokuto asked.
“Not right now, we’ve just eaten,“ Akaashi declined.
“Okay, then… we could make sandcastles !“
“Isn’t it a bit complicated ? We don’t have anything to do that.“
“I have an idea, look !“ Bokuto exclaimed.
He grabbed one of the glasses in the sand and emptied it in one go. He stood up and walked to the sea. Akaashi got to his feet and followed him.
Bokuto crouched down and dug in the sand with the glass, where the waves flooded the ground with no respite. He filled the container to the brim.
“Admire the genius,“ Bokuto boasted.
He retraced his steps where the sand was still dry, turned the glass upside down and placed it on the floor. He removed the container.
What should have looked like a tower collapsed the second it was made, to form a dripping body of sand. Bokuto furrowed his eyebrows and had an upset look.
“Superb, indeed,“ Akaashi said ironically.
“Don’t laugh, it was a great idea !“
“I think it would be better to drop the idea of making a sandcastle. Would you like to draw instead ?“
Bokuto opened his eyes wide.
“In the sand ?“
“No, the water…“
“Ha, really funny,“ Bokuto mumbled. “Why not ! Time to digest, and then back for a swim! It really is too hot...“
The two students set out to find an area smooth enough to serve as a canvas for their work. Once this was done, they crouched down to gain access to the sand.
“Do you know what to draw ?“ Akaashi asked.
“A turtle !“ Bokuto exclaimed.
He traced the shell of the animal in the sand. Akaashi smiled.
The turtle was quick to take form. With its flippers of different sizes and the asymmetrical patterns on its shell, it didn't look very good, but the two students were delighted with it. If there was any particular reason for this, you only had to wonder who was next to each of them in the creation of their work.
“The waves !“ Bokuto shouted without warning.
Akaashi turned to the sea and looked at his feet, for the water had risen to their level.
“The tide is rising… Perhaps we should have drawn it somewhere else,“ he said.
“Noooo, our work of art !“ Bokuto whined.
He tried to build a barrier around the drawing, determined to protect their work : a futile attempt, as the waves effortlessly broke through and destroyed the low wall.
“Unless the tide miraculously stops rising, I’m afraid that we’ll have to say goodbye to it,“ Akaashi declared.
Bokuto looked at the drawing, his gaze sad.
“We’ll make another one tomorrow and we’ll take a picture of it, if you want.“
Bokuto lifted his head.
“Can we take your camera ?“
“We’ll need to be careful with the sand. Otherwise, my grandmother has a Polaroid camera.“
Bokuto nodded. He cleaned his hands that were full of wet sand in the water and straightened up.
And so, standing on either side of the drawing, they observed the tide taking the turtle back in its waters.
“Poor turtle, though…“
Akaashi rolled his eyes. His friend could really get attached to nothing.
“Tell yourself that the sea has accepted our turtle as a gift.“
“Hey, that’s super poetic,“ Bokuto commented. “You’re able to find beauty in everything.“
“Ah.“
“You could react differently when someone compliments you !“
That was a compliment ? Akaashi held his hands and fiddled with them.
“Um, thanks,“ he stammered.
“There you go !“ Bokuto exclaimed, satisfied. “Now let’s go back to the parasol !“
The taller boy ran away, insensitive to the crushing heat that would have robbed an ordinary person of all energy. Akaashi watched him struggle through the sand, which slowed his pace.
He ran a hand over his face that burned with embarrassment, his eyes closed.
You’re able to find beauty in everything. A compliment, uh…
✻
Bokuto sighed. He was bored stiff.
The afternoon was already well advanced. The young man had gone swimming several times, without his friend though. Akaashi had preferred to stay by the parasol and lay there, his head covered by his hat, the rest of his body exposed to the sun's rays — a decision that had necessitated precautions, of course ; he had put sun cream back on, unlike his friend.
Bokuto, abandoned by his friend, had found something to occupy himself for a while. He had time to search the entire beach for shells for his brothers and sisters, and also his cousins, who had asked him for some.
Now, he was absent-mindedly playing with a wooden stick stuck in the sand while sitting on a corner of his towel, mostly covered with seashells of all kinds.
Bokuto glanced at Akaashi’s direction, who wasn’t moving an inch. At this point, he must have fallen asleep.
The young man leaned towards his friend without a sound. He gently lifted the edge of Akaashi’s straw hat and saw his closed eyelids as well as his serene expression underneath. Yup, he was asleep.
Bokuto dropped the hat and rested his head in his hand, thinking of what he could do while he was gazing at his peacefully dozing friend. For the three days he had been here, his skin had slightly tanned. He was so lucky that his tan was this beautiful — Bokuto glanced at the red stains on his own legs. Much less aesthetically pleasing.
Perhaps sunscreen wasn’t that bad, after all.
Bokuto stretched out, without taking his eyes off Akashi. It was impressive, how he wasn’t making a single move. He could almost have believed that he had stopped breathing, had he not stared at his stomach to ensure otherwise.
Well... How much longer was he going to sleep ? Bokuto started to run out of ideas to distract himself while waiting for his waking.
Actually, an idea came to his mind, which could bring that waiting to an end. The boy smiled.
Bokuto stood up and walked to the sea. The water lapped at his feet, not failing to cool him instantly.
He bent forward and collectd some of the water in his hands. He turned back.
He slowly drew close to the only parasol adorning the beach — on this subject, a dog and his owner had passed by and crossed the beach, a bit earlier ; some people were still getting out, despite the sweltering heat.
Akaashi remained still on his beach towel. Again, a mischievous smile made his way to the boy’s lips.
Bokuto stopped and stood in front of Akaashi, before kneeling down next to him. He put his hands above Akaashi's stomach.
He spilled all the water they were holding on the younger, who gasped in surprise.
Akaashi quickly took off his hat from is head to see Bokuto, who was staring at him with a sly look.
“Are you awake now ?“ Bokuto asked.
Akaashi took a deep breath and ran a hand over his stomach, which had been spitefully attacked.
“You scared me…“ he muttered.
He sat up, rubbing his eyes that were full of sleep. He yawned as he said :
“How long have I been asleep for ?“
“I picked one hundred and fifty seven seashells,“ Bokuto answered.
“I see…“ Akaashi said.
“Akaashi, you abandoned me ! I was bored to death without you !“ Bokuto whined.
Akaashi blinked several times.
“Sorry, I didn’t think I would fall asleep,“ he apologized.
Bokuto made a face.
“’t was long, I didn’t know if I should wake you or not. Argh, I'd had enough, that's it. Sorry, that was a bit violent.“
“That’s a good thing if you realise…“
Bokuto got back on his feet and rested his hands on his hips. They stared at each other in silence. Akaashi detailed Bokuto’s face which the summer’s heat had colored. Bokuto was losing himself in his friend’s blue, sleepy look.
Akaashi extended a hand that Bokuto took in his and he pulled him out of the shade of the parasol.
“Shall we play again ?“ the younger proposed, gesturing towards the volleyball.
Bokuto smiled.
“You can't refuse an offer like this.“
✻
The day was, slowly but surely, coming to an end. A fresh breeze had risen and cooled the afternoon’s scorching temperatures down. The tide had receded, revealing the area where a turtle had come to life, engraved in the sand.
“Wow…“ Bokuto whispered.
The sun was declining and painting the landscape in a thousand colours, taking the ocean as its canvas. Before him lay a painting made of water and sand, of air and earth. The sea sparkled and seemed to embrace the sun as it began to draw nearer.
Bokuto turned to his friend, standing newt to him. Akaashi had cast the same fascinated gaze over the sea, and the fading light reflected in his eyes, mixing a myriad of blazing hues to their deep blue.
“Akaashi,“ Bokuto said.
The boy teared himself away from his contemplation.
“Yes ?“ he asked, setting his eyes on his friend.
“Shall we go swimming again ?“
Bokuto grinned as he nodded. He took Akaashi’s wrist and pulled him to the water.
They merged into the picture up to their waists, surrounded by water of many colours. Akaashi observed Bokuto who dived again.
The taller boy returned to his friend’s level and exclaimed :
“I know it's a silly thing to say, but it's a moment I won't forget.“
A smile spread across Akaashi’s lips.
“I won’t forget it either,“ he said, contemplating the scene. He wouldn't soon forget the image of Bokuto in the middle of such a dazzling setting. Beauty within beauty.
Akaashi submerged up to his shoulders. Bokuto planted himself in front of him.
“What are you thinking about ?“ heasked.
Akaashi looked at him.
“Beauty,“ he answered truthfully, admiring the sun that merged with the sea.
Bokuto floated on his back. The first stars were appearing in the darkening sky.
“This day is almost perfect,“ he declared.
“Almost ?“
“I know that nothing can actually be perfect. But I know it could be close to perfection, on one condition.“
“Which condition ?“ Akaashi asked, intrigued.
Bokuto placed himself on the same level as his friend and plunged his gaze into his. Akaashi felt his breath shorten as he gazed into irises he would have mistaken for the star dancing for them in the sky just behind. In the midst of this picture that, to his eyes, bordered on perfection, Bokuto's smile was a vision that was only for him, that he offered only to himself. Bokuto kept that tender expression on his face.
And splashed water in his face.
“That you wet your hair.“
Akaashi wiped the water drops on his eyelashes. It was too late to try avoiding the ineluctable : his hair was soaked.
And so Akaashi decided it was time to take revenge.
He in turn sprayed water in the direction of Bokuto, who easily avoided it. They exchanged attacks, laughing and running in the water to dodge the enemy’s attempts. After a while, Akaashi managed to create a small wave that splashed his friend and deprived him from his sight for an instant. The younger paused, highlighting his victory.
Bokuto, who was struggling to clear the salt water from his eyes, suddenly lunged at Akaashi, grabbing him around the waist and plunging him underwater. Akaashi wasted no time and freed from his grip. He poked his head out of the water to be attacked again by a wave. Bokuto sneered. Akaashi had a coughing fit and spat out the water he'd ended up drinking.
“Giving up already ?“ Bokuto provoked him.
Akaashi casted him a glare, lauching himself in his direction. But Bokuto was faster, and the younger man ended up with his head under water again.
So he changed tactics. As he closed his eyes to protect them from salt, he felt around and slipped his arms around Bokuto’s legs, pulling with all his might. The taller boy lost his balance and sank to the bottom of the sea with his friend.
They returned to the surface, breathing in deeply to recover from their respective apneas. Bokuto bursted into laughter.
“You’re gonna regret this,“ he threatened him.
He advanced dangerously towards Akaashi, determined to take his revenge. The younger man rushed in the opposite direction to escape. Unfortunately for him, or at least for his pride, he felt himself being stopped in his tracks as familiar arms once again encircled his waist.
Bokuto pulled a struggling Akaashi towards him.
“Let go of me !“ he laughed, struggling to break free.
“Never !“ thetaller responded, tightening his hold on him.
All Akaashi’s greatest efforts only effect was for him to turn around until he was facing his friend. Akaashi kept resisting, leaning on Bokuto's chest to try and get away from him, but to no avail. Ending exhausted, he stopped in his place, trapped for good.
“Are you done ?“ a voice laughed.
“If only you didn’t have so much strength,“ Akaashi panted.
Bokuto grinned, proud of himself.
Since Bokuto didn't seem to want to let him go, Akaashi resolved to stay against Bokuto, who was holding his body against his, his hands resting on his lower back, and he took the opportunity to contemplate his friend. With his hair plastered to his forehead, his shoulders red from the sun, soaked to the skin and with a sparkling smile, he formed an image in which Akaashi could see an infinite beauty. The young man placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.
“I told you to put sunscreen on,“ he smile, pressing on his shoulder so it left a mark of his palm on his skin that uv had bitten. Bokuto shook his head.
“It’s nothing !“ he persisted.
“Nothing but cells that were destroyed by sun rays all the afternoon,“ Akaashi said.
“I did tell you I would only put it on once ! I can’t stand the feeling of it,“ the taller muttered.
Akaashi felt that he was gently brought to the ground, so he moved away from Bokuto.
“Should we go back ?“ the latter invited him. “Look, the sun is nearly gone. Your grandparents are going to worry !“
Akaashi looked over Bokuto’s shoulder. He was right, the light had dimmed dangerously.
The boy shared a look and a smile with his friend.
“Let’s go,“ he said.
As they left the beach, after a day of resting and entertainment, the sun in its turn retreated to light other people’s days, at the other side of the world. People who too would admire around them the beauty its rays could reveal.