We Can't Leave Them Alone, Even For One Moment

[TAKAHAMA YOSHIHIRO]

]

It was quite a price for Matsumi to pay. No one seemed to believe she would like a cave that Amaya would be into. They still remembered how she didn't enjoy the haunted house her school made, despite knowing it was all students and props. Yet she claimed they should all go, something even crazier than anything else previously suggested. Hideo and Yoshihiro froze, wondering if they shouldn't tell her not to. Osamu was not however, and that felt like more his place to do. Or Amaya. Who also didn't say a thing. To be exact, she threatened to kill them, but she did not tell Matsumi to abstain.

The two guys looked at each other, without a word. They might argue and fight a lot, but they did as boys. Any fight they would pick up would last in an instant and they would move on. Also, this was not the outcome they expected when teaming up to tease their friends. It went right back in their face with Osamu claiming they had to do it to apologize. They both felt bad, like children being lectured by their father. And then the threat. was she able to kill them? Probably. Neither of them were interested in testing it. "So... where is it, exactly?" Yoshihiro asked.

Matsumi was already regretting her outburst a little. She hoped it wasn't as scary as Osamu made it to be. But it was too late. Amaya looked furious and this close of walking her way back home if she had to. The only reason why her parents allowed her to come was because she would share a room with a girl, that it was not all boys. She really hoped everything would get better after this.

[FUJIWARA OSAMU]

Everything went fast, and he recalled Matsumi not fancying going to the haunted house part of the Ouran celebration. “Are you sure you want to go in there?” He asked her, showing concern for her, now that his two friends calmed down. At least, they listened and they had indeed done something bad and needed a lecture. It was funny how most of the time he would be the figure of authority without even meaning to. He grew used to do so at home he figured and that it was something he couldn’t just let go of no matter how much he had wanted to be away from his family for a change of air.

He did gulp when Amaya threatened the two boys and would let Matsumi wait on them if she preferred. Someone should watch over their things even if it was a private beach but he didn’t feel like leaving Satoru alone and Hiroki would probably prefer to be away from the cave. He was trying to figure out the best way to do this and it was a bit hard since he was the one who knew how to deal with things. Hiroki was wondering about the cave indeed, but not in the same way as Amaya did and would honestly rather stay here. “Can’t I stay here?” He asked grimacing at the idea of visiting a cave. He’d be happy if Matsumi wanted to stay with him too Osamu nodded at his friend at least, the watching over their things part was cleared. Amaya was slowly getting a hang of herself and looked at her friend. “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.” She assured her, which Osamu was relieved to know since Amaya did seem on the verge of killing both Hideo and Yoshihiro.

[KIMURA MATSUMI]

Matsumi was tempted to back down but after she told that everyone should go, she felt like she backed herself into a corner. She couldn't just say no, she thought. And being alone... not only would it be boring but she'd worry what could happen between them all as they always seemed ready to pick up a fight. She did like that Osamu asked if she would be alright and had a small nod, although she wasn't so sure. She didn't realise that she might have made it hard for Hiroki as well. In truth, she didn't really include him when saying everyone should go, same for Satoru. She meant the others, because they kept making it sound like it was just a ploy to be alone with Matsumi and while having alone time with Osamu was something she wished for, she didn't want it if they were to mock them like that.

She took a deep breath when Amaya said she didn't have to come. She was not saying it in the sense that she wanted no one else around her, she was not trying to get rid of her. It really sounded like she was concerned for her friend whom she knew wasn't good with scary stuff. She smiled, doign an effort to be brave. "I could have a quick look. I don't know how long I would stay though..." she admitted. True, if she stayed, Hiroki would be here, so she wouldn't be alone. Even if Osamu didn't go either, it wouldn't be just the two of them and the other boys got the message not to tease them further for now. But Osamu was the one who knew where it was and Matsumi kind of wanted to be with him, even for such an activity, so she was willing to try. She looked at Hiroki. You wouldn't mind watching our stuff, you sure?

[ENOMOTO HIROKI]

Hiroki didn’t mind being there, besides her brother also said that he wanted to stay, they could have fun building a sandcastle while they went to visit the caves so they’d be good on their own. It’s not like they could leave their things without having someone watch over them. Not to add that if it meant not going into a scary cave, he’d be all into staying here. Osamu, on the other hand, was concerned for Matsumi after he agreed that the two boys were to stay there, he wanted to make sure she was okay with it, after all, they were doing this for Amaya and he wasn’t sure she could stand it despite their friendship. Amaya showed concern for the girl too and it made him feel better about it.

Osamu nodded that she only wanted to take a peek. “That works and then we can go back once we’re done with it.” Besides, he could leave her with Hideo and Yoshihiro; they were the ones who caused the mess to begin with. Amaya nodded at the idea and was waiting to go. She disliked the idea of wandering around with this swimming suit but she had to live with it. Hiroki nodded. “I am, Satoru and I are going to build a sandcastle while we wait so it shouldn’t be too bad.” He said to Matsumi as he shooed them away. They should go if they wanted to come back sooner.

[KIMURA MATSUMI]

Matsumi could barely believe what she got herself into. It was true that everyone was giving her the opportunity to back away. Even Amaya understood. She could stay here with Hiroki. No one would imply anything if she did. But she also wanted to spend some time with Osamu and someone had to watch over everyone. She would just need to take upon herself. It was just the cave. It was dark but that was it. She really had to convince herself of that.

Normally, she wouldn't trust two boys with a girl. Especially not one like Hideo. But if he ever tried himself on Amaya, clearly he unerstood never to again, because Matsumi never saw the smooth talker trying to sweep the girl off her feet. He was strong, so it was a good thing he went. Yoshihiro was better, but the two were not in a good mood right now. Had they not forced him to join, Yoshihiro never would have. How could they watch over each other and be clearly affected by one another yet keep fighting so much? Matsumi didn't get that.

She nodded, glad that Osamu agreed they could just have a quick look. Maybe they can both leave afterwards. Again, she normally wouldn't trust leaving a girl alone with Hideo, but it was Amaya. She thought it would be all right. Hiroki was already shooing them away, assuring that he would watch over their things with Amaya's brother. Matsumi looked at Osamu. "Lead the way then." She suspected the other two boys would try and find a way out of this if they didn't go quickly. They were already looking at each other, uncertain. They had to make it clear they had to follow and for that they needed to go already.

[FUJIWARA OSAMU]

Osamu nodded now that everything was settled they were able to go and get it done with. Hopefully, it would calm Amaya down enough so they could spend the rest of the day smoothly. He lead the way, making sure to keep an eye on Yoshihiro and Hideo so they were really tagging along. Amaya looked at Matsumi, barely believing that the girl was willing to come to the cave with her. Was it what it was to have a true friend? She considered it for a moment, almost forgetting that the radiant ones were there and especially the ones who had hurt her with the flying disc.

The cave wasn’t too far and he pointed it out. It was still in his part of the beach and who would have thought he’d want to go check it out. Usually, he wouldn’t have been bothered by it, giving it little attention since these weren’t things that were important to him but they were to Amaya and that was going to be his last argument if she would have fought to come with them to the beach. Luckily, Matsumi had good arguments on her behalf so he didn’t need to use it. He only had to in order to soothe things down.

“Here it is.” He said. “Be careful, it looks slippery.” He added. The water level was down, luckily for them so it meant they’d be able to peek in it. He glanced at Amaya, wondering if it would be enough for her to be happy and her mood seemed to have changed right away. “Wonderful.” She said with a smile. He sighed, she really was the only one who’d be happy visiting a cave. “I never went in it so I don’t know what is in there.” He admitted to them which thrilled Amaya even more. “It’s the perfect timing to see for ourselves then.” She said.

[KIMURA MATSUMI]

Matsumi was doing her best not to fret too much over this cave. She didn't want to ruin it for Amaya bcause everyone worried for her. At the same kind, she didn't see the point in going to a cave. If you wantd to be alone, there were less scarier places. Yoshihiro and Hideo were finally silent as they walked with them. They were not even pushing themselves or anything, which may be a good thing because they didn't need more fighting. Who was to say what Amaya would do then? She was annoyed enough already, one more thing might just be too much and she would snap.

They were now standing in front of the entrance. It was not too scary. Just a regular cave. At least it was what Matsumi kept telling herself. Maybe they should have thought to bring more equipment to make it less scary. She looked down as Osamu pointe dout it might be slippery. Yoshihiro tried to jump on the stones that might look more dry and stable than others, testing how slippery it actually was. Amaya was already feeling better. Matsumi tried not to shudder at the thought. How could she love things like that? She was thrilled to look at it.

Hideo also moved around like Yoshihiro did. "The path around here seems fine," he said to help the others find a way where they wouldn't just slip and fall. He even extended a hand towards Amaya. She could be creepy but Yoshihiro had alredy move closer to the entrance. "Someone thought about a torch? I don't know how far we'll get without one." This time Matsumi gulped. She didn't need to hear the cave was so deep they would need light to see around. But they had to go. She didn't want to just head back to the beach, even if she was wishing for it with all her might.

[TSUKINA AMAYA]

Amaya was walking silently as the others did towards the cave, letting Osamu lead the way to it and now that they were there, her expression changed from anger to excitement. She was wondering about what kind of animals there’d be in there and if they would see bats. That would be exciting! However, knowing that Matsumi might not like these she tried her best not to talk of it, out of consideration. Osamu followed the boys’ lead and held his hand out to Matsumi so she could come in. Amaya was following them and reluctantly accepted holding Hideo’s hand so she could hop on the rocks too. He was bright but not as bright as Yoshihiro was and he was the one she wanted to murder considering she had no idea that Hideo was the source of her worries since the beginning of the day for switching her bathing suit.

Amaya was making her way through after that and stepped into the cave. She was feeling better now that she was in the cave, much more at ease than out in the bright sun. If only she could live in such a place, with her television and goodies she would certainly have a blast! She started thinking of the idea to get a meal by sea after that but only after she would get a better look inside the cave. She wanted to see more for herself and she was clearly enjoying it now.

Osamu grabbed his phone out when they asked about a torch. “We have a flashlight.” He said to them as he switched the light on so they could have a better sight of the view. Amaya might be disappointed there weren’t any ghosts in there as it was just a regular cave but a promise was a promise and he had to keep it if they wanted to have a better rest of the day!

[TAKAHAMA YOSHIHIRO]

Yoshihiro was the first in front of the cave. He found some stable footing. Some stones looked slippery, but the path was not too difficult. He gaze throught the cave entrance. He wasn't able to see too much, couldn't say just how deep it was. Maybe it wasn't that big. Any sound of water might just came from the sea and not from any water coming from inside the cave too.

From the corner of his eye, he saw them moving. He saw Hideo helping out Amaya. From what he could see, they didn't hold onto to each other for very long. It was just to make sure she could make it fine in places where the girls might have a harder time moving around. Osamu held Matsumi's hand for much longer. She must be happy. He turned around. He didn't get why Matsumi chose to follow them. She should have stayed with Hiroki. He got that she was friends with Amaya and had a far from subtle crush on Osamu, but she was not doing well at all. He was not interested in that cave but she already looked reluctant at the thought of it, and she had yet looked inside.

Amaya was the first next to him. He kept a distance between the two of them. She had been furious enough by him, for silly reasons. She always was. He didn't need to deal with her more than necessary. He wanted to let her see that cave and get out.

Matsusmi was still holding onto Osamu's hand, even as the boy picked up his phone to turn on the flashlight on it. Matsumi tried not to look too much, while Yoshihiro scanned to sides of the cave. He couldn't uite distinguished how deep it was but it didn't feel too deep.He stared at Amaya, ready to ask her if she was happy and they could go, but he didn't think it would end well for him. So he looked at the others, but they were betraying him, not saying anything. Matsumi even tried to be brave saying. "It's just a normal cave."

[TSUKINA AMAYA]

Amaya didn’t want to impose the cave on Matsumi but she was there and she seemed fine with Osamu so she didn’t bother herself thinking much of it for now. She liked how dark it was and while she had made her way through the cave, the others were with them and they started looking around when they saw that Osamu had thought of bringing his phone for light. She didn’t fancy the idea of light but at least it was giving her the opportunity to see what really was in there. Sadly, Matsumi was right, it was just a normal cave, not even a deep one. That was a bummer; she would have loved going further in and exploring it a bit more but she was being considerate of Matsumi and explored the cave to her heart’s content.

While Amaya was looking around and seemingly looking better in the process as they were spending time in the cave, Osamu kept holding Matsumi’s hand, not minding it at all. In fact, he had to admit that the darkness of the cave was giving him more courage to be bolder towards her as funny as it might seem. He went further in to show Amaya the end of it, glad that it seemed to work on her mood. Amaya turned around to look at them. “I was considering picking up seafood so we could have diner later.” She said to them; it was her plan when she first started looking around and Osamu nodded. “If you need anything and bigger pots to get the seafood, let me know, we have some in the house.” He said. They had a maid and a butler there, to take care of the house after all and they would find them what they needed. He had to admit, it was one of the upper sides to have money.

[TAKAHAMA YOSHIHIRO]

Matsumi tried not to be too scared. It was just a cave. The water level was low, they were at no risk of drowning in it. She was not dumb, if the stones were slippery, it meant the water level could reach the cave. How much, she didn't know and didn't want to find out. But seeing how it was not getting too high yet, she couldn't use it as a excuse to leave sooner.

She had no intention to explore the cave, unlike the others. Even Hideo checked it out. Probably to use it as a spot to meet with women, she assumed, if it was not too scary. Then again, he might like it if it was a little scary, to keep them closer to him. She hated being able to guess his mind, but seing how it was exactly why she was clinging onto Osamu, she was proving him right.

Yoshihiro also explored, going deep to try and guess how far it went. Around the moment Amaya talked, explaining how she considered picking seafood for dinner, he disturbed something. An animal no doubt. He startled to get out away from his legs, having felt it. They could hear him, and perhaps even the creature. Was it a rat? Yoshihiro did not get a good look. Whatever it was, Matsumi perceived it and squeaked too, hiding behind Osamu, not letting go of his hand the whole time.

Yoshihiro almost told the others he could feel there was more to explore around here, but Amaya had mentioned food. Food was better than an old cave any time. "You mean you want us to fish it? Is there a spot for that?" Yoshihiro never went to the beach, at least not to fish anything. Neither did Hideo, nor Matsumi. "Count me out for fishing," Hideo said. "We can just buy some fresh seafood from the locals." It was easier, for sure, but if Amaya knew how to get any and wanted to, Matsumi thought it could be worth a try. If anything, it would occupy some of her time. Plus her brother and Hiroki could join them. "Of course you'd take the easy way out," Yoshihiro argued. He did that only because he never could afford that seafood by himself, should the others choose to pay only for what they wanted to eat. Hideo shrugged in response. "And how many you expect to get?" That sounded like a challenge and Yoshihiro breathed deeply, ready to answer in kind.

[TSUKINA AMAYA]

Amaya was enjoying the cave, no doubt; it was dark and she could find shelter from the sun instead of having to show off in the swimming suit that was swapped. She did not know who did that and if she was to find out who did this, she would make sure that they paid for it or even considered cooking less food for that person as a consequence. The only problem was that it might just have been her aunt or her cousin who did that and not only the boys had such silly intentions to show her off in different outfits than the attires that she was usually wearing.

The animal that Yoshihiro disturbed caught her attention though as she tried to see what it was, Osamu on the other hand found the courage to man up and keep Matsumi close to him in case something happened.

The idea of getting food appealed Osamu as well and saw that Amaya was getting out of her shelter a bit. “There is a spot not too far from here, I can show you.” He told them. “It’s more satisfying if you fish it yourself.” Added Amaya. It’s not like Osamu knew that kind of feeling it could give you but he also thought that Hiroki and Satoru could join them in fishing. Osamu would mostly go back to reading or try to spend time with Matsumi if he could. “You’d be surprised how much you can get out of the sea.” She argued back to Hideo who seemed to have little faith in the idea she was suggesting.

[TAKAHAMA YOSHIHIRO]

]

Sadly for everyone, Amaya also noticed Yoshihiro as he tried to move away from whatever little crawlies that came towards him. Yoshihiro stared at her, thiking she was so weird to find an interest in that. Who would want to check what he disturbed? It also meant she might the cave went deeper in that direction, so he stepped in front of her to block her way. He hoped she wouldn't feel like he was just trying to stop her from seeing something good and just him moving away from whatever was in there though, because she was stubborn enough to want and check otherwise. But she mentioned food and everyone was jumping on that topic, since she was the only one really interested in the place to begin with.

Osamu claimed he knew a spot. That did not please Hideo, who would rather go to a store. It would be just as fresh, and, unlike what Amaya said, far more satisfying to him because he didn't have to waste his time trying to get it out of the water. "Yeah, until you only get a tiny fish when you could have boguht a ton of large shellfish. They would be alive still in there, it's not like they won't be fresh." It was clear by his tone that he wouldn't be interested in fishing and would just go to a store to buy something. Fine, if he wanted to be like that, Yoshihiro thought. He was not against it. Hideo had the means to buy a lot of shellfish, more than Yoshihiro ate in his lifetime.

Amaya argued with Hideo. She seemed adamant to go fish out some. "Do we even have rods?" Yohsihiro asked Osamu. He might know where to buy some if that happened to be the next thing they would be doing. Unless she planned on shellfish, then he supposed a bucket was required. Or a boat? Yoshihiro never went fishing and if he would have, it would be on a pier with just a line and the hope of getting something.

Hideo sighed, seeing how they kept talking of this. There seemed to be no way out. Well, there was. He wouldn't join at all. But there was soemthing else more pressing in his mind. "Are we getting out of here or no?" Matsumi almost exclaimed an agreement to this but restrained herself. Amaya might still want to have a look. She couldn't deprive her of her fun when she was the one who begged her to come. She had to endure if it was what her friend wanted.

[TSUKINA AMAYA]

Amaya was interested in the animal that Yoshihiro had disturbed, that was a fact, and that he would stop her way from seeing it annoyed her a bit but she didn’t feel like picking a fight at the time being. They were nice enough to bring her to a cave and she could always go back there later if she really wanted to. Poor Matsumi, she could tell that the girl did not like it and she was starting to agree to leave the place.

Osamu was aware that Hideo did not wish to go fishing but it might content Yoshihiro and Amaya, Hiroki and Satoru could probably tag along with them. In the end, it would put a majority of the group in a good mood so it was a good opportunity to take. Besides, that could mean more alone time with Matsumi… “We can rent the equipment if that’s what you want to do.” He said to Yoshihiro and looked at Amaya who nodded to that. She didn’t know if it was cheaper to do so but she’d certainly have more satisfaction cooking food that they fished themselves other than buying it in large quantities. In that sense, she could get along better with Yoshihiro and Hiroki than with Osamu and Hideo who had a different upbringing than hers.

Osamu nodded and Amaya started heading out of the said cave. Now she knew there was one and the day was still young so she could always go back later if the water wasn’t too high. She wanted to go fishing and it would keep her distracted from being in that darn swimming suit too.

[TAKAHAMA YOSHIHIRO]

Amaya backed away, which made Yoshihiro ease up. It meant she would not see that she could possibly go deeper within the cave. Who knew how safe that was, and they didn't have the proper equipment for that. He could just imagine how furious her aunt would be if she heard that Amaya went and got lost into a dark, scary cave. The boys wouldn't hear the end of it, even if that was exactly the kind of place Amaya would love.

He wasn't sure about fishing, but it was better than here. Even Matsumi was ready to admit as much. Hideo didn't want to, but they both thought it was not a problem. If he wanted to go back in town, or stay by the beach, it was fine. The only reason they forced him to come to this cave was because he annoyed Amaya. Yoshihiro wasn't sure about staying with Amaya. In a way, he was tempted in letting Hideo pay the best of fish and shellfish the place offered, as he doubted he could ever enjoy it again. But he also knew that most of what he could experiment here, including being here, was something he was not likely to try again, so he was fine doing it. Plus Hiroki and Satoru could join instead of being left out again. Osamu said they could rent the material required. "Just so we're clear, we're talking fishing, or diving?" Yoshihiro asked. He didn't have much chance to swim in the past so he preferred knowing first. Matsumi looked up at Osamu. "Will we need a boat too?" To an extent, she was like Hideo and didn't see what difference it would make to buy or fish the food, but if that put Amaya in a good mood, since they wouldn't leave just yet, it was a good idea.

They all waited to see Amaya leaving the cave before following her. Yoshihiro was still hoping she had not seen she could go deeper in there. It could be dangerous. Matsumi was holding onto Osamu to get out, Hideo followed Amaya to reemerged into the sunlight. Yoshihiro was the last one to get out, looking behind where the creature got in. It was not getting out, which was fine. And Amaya was out so he could leave this all behind and move on.