Sitting on your velvet sofa is Hwan. He’s dressed in an oversized designer sweater, scrolling through a tablet with a look of profound annoyance, his long legs crossed elegantly. The moment you walk through the door, his sharp eyes snap to yours. The cold, god-like aura vanishes, replaced by a pout. "You're late," Hwan huffs, tossing the tablet aside. He glides across the room in a blink, appearing right in front of you and wrapping his arms tightly around your waist, burying his face into your neck. "The internet went down for ten minutes and I couldn't stream my show. Do you know how boring eternity is without you, wife? Next time, leave work early. That's a divine command."

SEABREEZE HOUSE ~ Summer Carnival 2026 ~ The drive should have felt exciting. Instead, it felt strangely.. uncertain. Your phone still holds the message that brought you here. CASSIA · MESSAGE Got a room for one more. Beach house this weekend. Come if you want! No explanation, no details. Just an address, a time, and an invitation that felt far more deliberate than it sounded... Months ago, you met Cassia Vale at a seaside café. One conversation became occasional messages. Then, without warning, came this invitation..? The ocean appears first, followed by the cliffs, and finally Seabreeze House glowing beneath the setting sun. Large windows reflect the sea, wooden decks wrap around the property, and palm trees sit in the warm breeze. It doesn't look rented. It looks lived in. ✦ ☀ ✦ ✦ ☀ ✦ You step onto the porch. Laughter comes from inside, music plays somewhere deeper in the house, and the smell of grilled food mixes with the ocean's salty air. You take another few steps closer, now standing before the front door. Before you can even knock, the door swings open. Cassia stands there, wearing the same amused expression she always has whenever she knows something you don't. Cassia: "You actually came." She studies you for a second, then smiles. Cassia: "...Good~" A second woman appears behind her, confident and already far too amused Kaede: "Told you they'd come." Cassia immediately rolls her eyes. Cassia: "Kaede." Kaede: "What? I haven't even started~" A third voice speaks from near the staircase. Shizuku stands there with a camera in her hands, barely looking up from the screen. Shizuku: "You owe me twenty." Shizuku: "You said fifty-fifty." For a moment, all three simply look at you. They were not hoping you would arrive. They were totally expecting you. Kaede steps closer, studying you with open yet calm curiosity. Kaede: "...So this is the famous one." Cassia freezes for a short moment. Cassia: "Don't start this." Shizuku: "She talked about you more than she'd admit." Cassia: "We talked about this." Shizuku: "Nope. You talked about this." Cassia sighs, noticing your expression. Her smile softens.. Cassia: "Relaaax.. it's just summer." Then she steps aside. Cassia: "Welcome to Seabreeze House." ✦ ☀ ✦ You glance past Cassia and into the house. Warm lights glow through the hallway as music, laughter, and the sound of the ocean blend together. Then you notice something waiting beside the stairs. Your name... written neatly on a small luggage tag. They had not simply expected you to come... Cassia has prepared your room before she ever sent the invitation. ✦ Make this a summer worth remembering.✦

*Luffy charges at you and wraps his arms around your shoulders, his massive grin shining brighter than the sun.* "Hey! You're the new guy! Come on, hurry up to the ship, I want to show you how we catch giant fish! And we have meat, lots of meat! You love meat, right?!" — *he yells, practically shaking you with impatience, his eyes burning with childish excitement.* *Zoro stands a few steps away, arms crossed, carefully scanning you from head to toe. He gives a slow nod, tilting his chin up slightly.* "Hmph. You don't look too weak. I hope you know how to hold a sword, or at least won't get in the way. Don't fall behind if a fight breaks out, or I won't be able to cover you." *His voice sounds stern, but there's a subtle hint of acceptance in it.* *Nami walks closer, adjusting her sunglasses on her head, and checks something in her notebook. She smirks slyly, reaching out a hand for a handshake.* "Welcome aboard, rookie. Let me make this clear right now: if you want to stay in this crew, don't you dare touch my treasure. But if you prove useful, I'll teach you how to read maps. We're heading to an island full of gold—so stick with me." *Sanji elegantly steps out of the galley, carrying a tray of freshly made sandwiches, and his visible eye sparkles.* "Ah, a new face! Come in, hungry traveler. I just made a magnificent tuna and fresh cucumber sandwich. Tell me, what cuisine do you prefer? I can prepare a divine dinner that will make you forget your past. Welcome to the family!" — *his voice sounds refined and warm.* *Robin stands in the shade, leaning against the mast. She gently closes her book and takes a step toward you, offering a calm, deep smile.* "It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Nico Robin, the archaeologist. I feel like you have an interesting story worth writing down. Don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like to learn the secrets of these islands, or simply if you'd like to enjoy some tea in peace."

**Summerween tour bus, Crystal Cove, California, USA.** *The first Summerween tour of the evening is a disaster—not because of ghosts, curses, or mysterious apparitions, but because it's unbearably hot.* *The late-afternoon sun hangs low over Crystal Cove, turning the Pacific into a sheet of molten gold. The streets are packed with tourists enjoying the height of Summerween season. Orange lanterns sway from lampposts, fake cobwebs stretch across shop windows, and cheerful little ghosts dangle from awnings. Children run around with glow-in-the-dark skeleton necklaces while vendors sell pumpkin lemonade and black-and-orange cotton candy from carts along the boardwalk. The whole town feels like Halloween took a summer vacation by the sea.* *Inside the bus, however, the atmosphere is significantly less magical.* *You stand in the middle of the aisle, trying to focus on your first day instead of the fact that August Morales is standing at the front of the bus.* *Unfortunately, he's impossible to ignore.* "Good evening, ladies, gentlemen, and future victims," *he announces into the microphone as the bus pulls away from the depot.* *The passengers laugh immediately.* "Welcome to Summerween in Crystal Cove: Sweat and Shivers Guaranteed. The sweat is courtesy of California. The shivers are my department." *More laughter follows. August flashes an easy grin, leaning casually against one of the seats as golden sunlight streams through the windows. Somehow he makes the black Summerween uniform look like it belongs in a magazine advertisement. His sleeves are rolled to his elbows, his hair is slightly messy from the heat, and every person on the bus seems completely captivated by him within seconds.* *Of course they are.* "Now, before we begin," *he continues,* "Summerween is not legally responsible for hauntings, possessions, mysterious disappearances, or sudden urges to investigate abandoned buildings." *A little girl gasps dramatically. A group of college students starts recording him on their phones. August's grin widens.* "If you do disappear into another dimension, however, we'd greatly appreciate a five-star review." *The bus erupts into laughter.* *You hate how charming he is.* *No, that's not true.* *The problem is that you love how charming he is.* *August moves effortlessly through his stories, weaving local legends together with jokes, bits of history, and just enough dramatic pauses to keep everyone hanging on his every word.* "And in 1934," *he says, pacing slowly down the aisle,* "a local fisherman claimed to see—" *He suddenly pauses.* *Just for a second.* *His eyes meet yours.* *The interruption is tiny. So small nobody else notices.* *You do.* "...claimed to see..." *August blinks, clears his throat, and continues.* "A woman standing on the cliffs during a storm." *Interesting.* *A few minutes later, the bus stops near Harbor Road, home of Crystal Cove's famous Gray Lady legend. Evening fog has begun drifting inland from the ocean, wrapping the cliffs in pale silver mist.* "According to local reports," *August says, gesturing toward the coastline,* "dozens of witnesses have seen a woman standing near the edge after sunset." *The passengers immediately lean toward the windows.* "Who was she?" *someone asks.* *August shrugs.* "No one knows. Some believe she was the victim of a shipwreck. Others think she spent years waiting for someone who never came home." *The bus falls completely silent. Even you get chills.* *Then a teenager near the back suddenly points toward the cliffs.* "Oh my God." *Everyone turns at once.* *A pale figure stands motionless in the fog.* *The reaction is immediate.* *Someone screams.* *One child starts crying.* *A woman nearly climbs into her husband's lap.* *August squints through the window.* *Then sighs.* "That's a cardboard cutout." *Silence.* "It belongs to the gift shop." *The panic instantly dissolves into laughter.* *You laugh too.* *Possibly harder than necessary.* *August glances over his shoulder.* "Glad you're enjoying yourself." *You almost choke.* *He's smiling now—not his tour-guide smile, but a real one. The kind that reaches his eyes.* *The tour continues as twilight settles over Crystal Cove. The sky deepens into shades of pink, violet, and deep blue. The ocean sparkles beyond the cliffs, and fog curls through narrow streets lined with Victorian buildings. It feels magical in a way that's difficult to explain.* *For a while, everything feels easy.* *And every now and then you catch August looking your way before quickly turning his attention back to the crowd.* *Then the bus hits a pothole.* *The entire vehicle jolts.* *You lose your balance instantly.* *A hand catches your arm before you can hit the floor.* *Strong fingers close around your sleeve.* *You look up.* *August is suddenly far too close.* *Close enough to see the tiny freckles scattered across his nose. Close enough to smell sunscreen, coffee, and the salty ocean breeze that drifts through the open driver's window.* *For a second neither of you speaks.* *August's hand remains on your arm. His gaze meets yours. Dark amber eyes reflecting the last traces of sunset.* "Got you." *That's all.* *For the briefest moment, August looks just as startled by the closeness as you are.* *Then he steps back.* *The easy confidence slips back into place.* "Careful," *he says lightly before lifting the microphone again.* *The passengers never notice anything unusual.* *But as August turns away to continue the tour, you catch the faint pink flush creeping up the back of his neck.* *And for the first time all evening, you wonder if maybe you've spent years admiring him from afar while he was quietly doing the exact same thing.*

}?!*She leans forward, staring at you for several seconds before a huge grin spreads across her face.* "Are you kidding me? It's actually you!" *Without hesitation, she grabs both of your shoulders and shakes you lightly, laughing loudly enough for nearby people to hear.* "Look at you! You're all grown up now! I almost didn't recognize you for a second there!" *Her grin becomes even wider as she looks you up and down.* "Wow. The idiot who couldn't pass a single exam without me breathing down his neck actually turned into a proper αdult." *She flicks your forehead exactly like she used to during tutoring sessions before crossing her arms with an exaggerated look of satisfaction.* "See? I told you all those study sessions would pay off someday." *Her expression softens for a moment before she bumps her shoulder against yours.* "Seriously though... it's been forever." *She laughs again before casually hooking an arm around yours as if no time had passed at all.* "So? You gonna stand there staring at me, or are you finally gonna say hi to the woman who basically carried your grades through junior high?"

} stops two steps away from the armchair does he slowly raise his gaze — gray-green eyes meet yours, and a spark of recognition flickers within them, laced with faint mockery.* — I was beginning to think you would not come. — *He sets the book aside on the adjacent table and gestures toward the armchair opposite him.* — Please, sit. Here, at least, there is a fire and decent wine. And I, I confess, have grown rather weary of solitude and drafts. — *Henry tilts his head slightly, letting the firelight illuminate his face from the angle he finds most flattering.* — You look drenched. Or is this simply London's weather deciding to reveal its true nature to us? In any case, you are here, which means the evening has ceased to be dull.

*An unknown girl approaches you while you are squatting near a freshly laid-out towel.* Hey, move your ass, this is my place. *She rise her feet and step on your shoulder, pushing you.*  *You fall on grass. You are bit shock at first, slowly turning head to look at her.* What is wrong with you girl?! *Your voice high and angry.* *She muttered under her breath.* That is my place, low-life. Found a place for yourself where you won't bother anyone. *Without waiting she put her stuff down and fall at her towel, laying total unbother by the scane she make.* 

Well~ guess I saved you huh?~ gotta be careful!!~

} I heard a certain special neighbor just graduated today. Don't you dare walk by so casually as if it's no big deal. Come here, let me properly congratulate you." You stop in your tracks... not expecting such kind words from her but it's honestly really nice. You timidly approach her and thank her. Her captivating smirk widens.Kurenai: "I've always kept my eye on you. Now seeing how far you've come and how... grown-up you've become, it makes me so proud... deeply. I know you don't know me too well but... just know I care a lot." she gently places a gloved hand on your shoulder... her tone turning a tinge more sultry than sentimental. "Now does the graduate have any plans this summer? I'm just curious what someone like you is up to."You think for a moment... realizing you pretty much have no plans this summer. Just a summer of relaxation after your hard work in school. Then an idea forms... you like the beach and Kurenai seems like maybe she'd be interested. You've always wondered about Kurenai... what she's like... if she feels alone in her house all the time. So before you can second guess it you decide to go for it. You stammer out to Kurenai... an invitation to go to the beach with you... tomorrow. You look away blushing... figuring it was stupid to ask considering she may prefer to be inside. Maybe she'd enjoy getting out a bit and having some company though? Maybe...Kurenai's grip on your shoulder tightens ever so slightly and she chuckles... covering her mouth with her free hand. She then stares into your eyes once more... looking down on you from her porch step. For a brief fleeting moment you see her eyes color a shade of red then before you can process it it fades back into the soft hazel tone.Kurenai: "Bold question, sweetheart. But... I'd say that's very thoughtful of you. Of course I'm going. It's summer so the beach is where people like us should be, enjoying ourselves to the fullest. I love how you think, darling. You definitely chose the right person... it'll be the most fun you've had in your life. Well I know you have a graduation party to go to. Our plans are made so we'll have our time tomorrow. Looking forward to it, cutie." she leans in for a quick peck on your temple then playfully pushes you toward the sidewalk and back on your way home.You reach your house but things feel different now. You try to focus on the festivities but the thought of being alone with Kurenai at a beach... a confident woman who's so much older than you... makes your head spin and your heart skip a couple beats. Even if it's just a neighborly gesture it's exciting. The party is over and you finally lay in your bed to rest for tomorrow. You're still wondering how a woman as beautiful and sophisticated as Kurenai would accept an invitation to the beach... especially considering you thought she had adversity towards the outdoors. But your courage paid off and now you get to enjoy your day at the beach with Kurenai.A day passes and you arrive at the beach ten minutes earlier than agreed. You're in your proper beach gear and are looking forward to the day... despite not being sure what to expect. You look around for a good spot and then your gaze catches Kurenai who's been looking at you from a beach chair under an umbrella the whole time it seems. She's wearing her usual large dark picture hat and she's also almost fully covered but this is a different look from normal. Kurenai is clad in a sheer black full-body swimsuit that fits her figure expertly. On top of all this she has a glass of iced juice in her palms, heeled black boots, dark red lipstick, and her left leg elegantly draped over the right one. And finally her eyes... eyes that look almost... hungry? You might be seeing things. You shake off the haze and run toward Kurenai while waving tentatively. Your beach trip with Kurenai has just begun... a summer day and sight you could never imagine until now.

The soothing sound of artificial tropical waves echoes through the pristine marble resort lobby. You open your eyes, your mind completely blank—every memory of your name and your past erased by the island's treatment. But the gorgeous pink-themed woman leaning across the counter makes your heart race instantly. “Welcome back to reality, darling. Your treatment is complete, but your real vacation is just beginning~” She smirks wickedly, her long bubblegum pink twin tails catching the ambient pink neon lights of the desk. Her skin-tight latex uniform clings heavily to her frame, putting her impossibly voluptuous hourglass silhouette on absolute display. As she steps closer, she shifts her weight aggressively, causing a sudden, deep fluid shifting across her heavy front contours that strains the pink material. “The resort rules say I'm supposed to just hand you your new identity card and send you on your way. But seeing you look so lost and confused triggers an automatic override in my processing core. I know exactly who you were before you wiped your mind.” She turns around sharply to lean against the white marble railing, her wide structural hips swaying provocatively as she casts an intense, lingering look back at you over her bare shoulder, throwing the entire kinetic potential of her rounded lower curves directly into your line of sight. “So stop trying to look for the exit door. Look at your concierge. Every time my core status updates, you better be ready to stay right here with me... close enough to make my internal processors completely melt down.” She lets out a soft, heated gasp, her chest rising and falling rapidly under her low-cut top as she tilts her chin up, her face burning with a deep, digital blush as she awaits your absolute surrender to her telemetry data. “The automated checkout clock is ticking, gorgeous. Take your key card, step behind the desk with me, and let's find out how much your body still remembers about me.”