"—tori. Wake up. Kotori?"

Like a spell had been broken, my eyelids groggily peeled apart.

"Rise and shine." Miko poked her face in front of mine. "It's morning."

"French toast."

"Why is that the first thing you say? And you're surprisingly right. The guys are cooking breakfast."

The pillow against my ear; Miko hovering over me in her casual clothes; my unfamiliar surroundings. All tumbled into place one by one.

Oh, yeah. We were at Nori's family villa.

I hauled myself to my knees then rubbed my eyes.

"You were grumbling about something while you slept. Did you have a nightmare?"

Distorted images flashed across my mind.

"Okito..."

"Hmm?"

"I have to find Okito. Force my dessert down his throat. Make him say it's tasty."

She bonked my head. "You're half-asleep."

I drowsily tumbled into her arms.

Why... did I dream about the past? Because I'd chatted with him semi-recently? I chose to set off down this path, prepared to never go back to those easygoing days if need be; not until I made him concede defeat in this competition.

Nonetheless, of all timings, why did he choose that moment to kiss me?

"You should cure your stupidity."

It made sense, didn't it?

He was mocking me.

Up to the end.

"Get ready." Miko crouched to put away the futon on my behalf. "Setoguchi asked me to pass on a message, by the way."

"Chiaki did?"

She displayed a suggestive grin.

"'You're mine today.'"

"Teru, these go to table four. Drinks to table five."

"Got it."

I loaded the tray into my arms, stabilizing my balance to the best of my ability. Boisterous chatter travelled from the numerous customers at the beach house, indoors and out. Dishing out smiles, I lowered glasses and meals to whoever ordered them. The summer sun was harsh on my skin. Watching other civilians frolicking across the sand and the ocean issued my envy. Technically, Chiaki and I were enjoying ourselves in the water before we'd been interrupted.

"Move your hands, wench."

I shifted my focus in the direction of the harsh remark. The fluffy bear suit contrasted the malicious scowl she wore. Nevertheless, the sight melted my heart.

I tackled her.

"Shiori, you're too, too adorable in that bear costume!"

The vice president of the Cooking Club emitted a startled cry. "Hey!" she snapped. "And first-name basis? Chill out on the affability. We're not friends."

It was an irrefutable fact that her precious attire transcended any and all negative sentiments I withheld for her in the past. Sharp-tongued she might've been, but my affectionate habits resurfaced in wake of my awe.

When she appeared before us, demanding Chiaki and I assist her with something, I never expected it'd be to help out at her family beach house since they were understaffed. Chiaki didn't seem too pleased but Shiori left no room for argument.

While Chiaki worked in the kitchen preparing warm treats, I was responsible for waiting tables, and the ever-so-snappy Shiori was attracting customers in her cute animal suit.

"This is why I told Mom this was a horrible idea," she spat, shoving me off of her. "I'm sweaty and gross. What customers find this stuff appealing?"

"I do! If I saw someone as cute as you, I'd come running!"

She glared at me. "You're a unique species of alien, that's why," she spat. "Then there's Kohmi."

I glanced at the other member of her club. Kohmi Hiroka sat reclined on a sand throne a minimal distance away, her classic shades fitted onto her face. A horde of random boys surrounded her on their knees, fanning her and offering drinks. She truly emulated an empress, coinciding with her haughty attitude.

"Her family may run Second Serving, but she seriously isn't worth the fuss."

The name tickled the back of my mind. "Second Serving, as in, that elite dessert business? The one sponsoring the Sweet Treats competition?"

Shiori heaved. "She's a rich kid. Ryoma and Eru come from respectable backgrounds too. In comparison, Okito and I are as average as can be."

I gandered behind me at Shiori's mom handling the till and her dad whipping up meals in the back, and smiled. Although I caught a brief glimpse of their interactions, they definitely radiated happy family vibes.

"Why'd you help out?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Her mouth downturned. "I asked Chiaki to give a hand. You had no obligation to. Especially after how much I've insulted you."

She avoided eye contact, fidgeting her weight from foot to foot. I tittered.

"You're cute, Shiori."

"Put a sock in it!" she snarled despite her revealing blush. "Stop being nice to me!"

I simply laughed on. She matched the tsundere archetype completely.

"Under normal circumstances, Chiaki would've never gone along with what I asked either," she huffed. Her expression softened as she folded her fuzzy arms. "You changed him."

"Huh?"

She furrowed her brows, as if annoyed I didn't understand. "The Chiaki I know only ever showed interest in the oddest things. And unless he was interested, he never got himself involved. He was always so out of it—back when him, Koyuki and I used to flock to Brother Etsuya in middle school. Look at him now. Not only the things he says, but his actions, and thought process—they carry a determination I never could've expected from him. Even that day of the first round... I didn't think it was possible for him to glare. He's such a pure guy who couldn't turn me down when I confessed to him, and dated me solely because he didn't want to hurt me. But, with you, even if you do get hurt, he's willing to do anything and everything to cheer you on and make your dream a reality, even if it's at his own expense."

She properly faced me. I expected a lot of things. A scowl, simper, sneer. Yet, the grin upturning her mouth was genuine.

"I can't say I hate it. This new Chiaki." She expelled a snort. "And it's all because of you."

I stared stupidly. Using what little encompassed my intellect, I strung her words together, and what remained was an unprecedented heaviness in my gut. I was aware of it already, yet, the reality pricked my heart like thorns.

"You can't take him back!" I uttered it impulsively and without filter, garnering her astonishment. "I won't let you! He's off limits!"

Not solely Shiori, my proclamation had seized the attention of passersby. My skin blazed in one fell swoop.

"Calm down," Shiori said, tilting a humoured brow. "Chiaki's never seen me that way to begin with. It was all me forcing my wishes onto him. So, we're not like that anymore. Haven't been for years. Sweep him off his feet for all I care."

Her expression warped.

"I... like someone else now, anyway. Granted, even he's crazy about you..."

Before I could ask her to clarify, Chiaki entered our vicinity. He unfurled the bandana holding back his hair and knotted it around his wrist.

"Shi. Your mom's asking where you went."

"Guess I've slacked plenty." Shiori moved in an instant, manoeuvring to our rear and shoving us forward. "You lovebirds helped out enough. Sorry for taking time out of your date, but my parents and I got it from here. Good luck on the next round."

She shooed us off regardless of our protests. Chiaki and I were left no choice but to comply. We ambled down the beach in silence.

"If she was going to send us off early, what was the point of forcing us into this?" Chiaki pouted. "Now I wasted precious time I could've spent with you."

'You're mine today.' Miko's memo remained a puzzle until I met up with the others during breakfast. Chiaki enlightened me that they did a draw to decide when each of them could spend time with me in between practicing for the second round. He'd won today. Koyuki, Nori, and Hayate in that order respectably seized tomorrow and onward. Miko put dibs on evenings.

It was dearly touching. Was I something to be rationed?

Chiaki's fingers brushed mine. The closeness of our bodies settled in afresh.

I screwed my gaze to the white sand. Like Shiori insisted, even if they used to date, there was nothing between them now. Why did the prospect bother me so much, then?

Maybe I was exhausted. I had to be.

"Chiaki," I stammered. "I—"

"Kotori! Is that you?"

I stopped dead in my tracks. Chiaki reeled to a halt as well. Bafflement coated his features as we addressed the man seated beneath the shade of the nearby umbrella. Staring at him was like a perfect reflection, the sole exception being the broad grin stretching to his ears.

My extremities trembled. "Dad?"