Two weeks had passed in a blur of preparation and anticipation.

Now Reinhard walked through the Academy's corridors, bags slung over his shoulder and arms, with a light white shirt and comfortable black shorts. Which felt almost foreign after months of the standard uniform.

His footsteps echoed against the polished floors as he made his way toward the entrance, knowing the others would already be waiting.

The main entrance came into view, and immediately Marie's excited wave caught his attention. He smiled at her and then glanced over to the others, who had turned the hall a sea of summer colors and excited voices.

Lloyd stood with Bruno, Kyle, Jessie, and Suzy, the Cup team clustered together with bags at their feet. Nearby, Resa was already adjusting the strap of her bag while Irene gestured animatedly to Alger, Kite, and Jake, the Dream Interpretation Club in full attendance.

Further back, Scáth's purple hair caught the light as she stood with Gran, Roana, and Nikki, who were relaxing. And bouncing between groups were Anasha, Anna, and Klein, their excited energy infectious.

Marie stood at the center of it all, white shorts sitting snug at her hips, sandals on her feet, and a black crop top that displayed her midriff. Golden sunglasses were tucked into her platinum hair like a crown.

Joseph stood beside her with Janus nervously shifting while Brunhilde maintained her composed elegance even in casual summer wear.

Then Reinhard blinked as someone he wasn't expecting. Vanna stood slightly apart from the main groups, long silver hair catching the morning light, her typical professional demeanor softened by the casual clothing she wore.

Marie must have somehow convinced her to come along. The thought made him inwardly chuckle; only Marie could manage that.

Everyone had embraced the summer atmosphere.

Shorts sat snug at various hips, held by woven belts with slightly frayed hems. Crop-tops revealed varying amounts of skin, while some wore light jackets that stopped at the waist or fell to the knees. Some had sunglasses nestled in their hair, t-shirts in bright colors mixed with flowing fabric, and slippers and sandals replaced polished boots.

Every face wore a smile, bags packed and ready.

Jake's nervous chatter, Kite's lazy drawl, and Resa's well-intentioned attempts to herd and order clashed amiably with the Cup team's boisterous inside jokes and energy. Bruno's voice carried above the rest, animatedly recounting a mission. At the same time, Kyle reenacted critical moments with wild gestures that threatened to topple nearby suitcases.

Jessie and Suzy made a game of rating every passing outfit, holding up invisible scorecards and giggling behind their hands. Klein glances at everyone as if trying to memorize all at once the names, features, and quirks of his soon-to-be companions.

The connections and introductions unfolded with the unpredictable rhythm of fireworks. The Dream Club was meeting the Cups for the first time, and Irene's eyes were flickering between the Cup team and Four of Hearts, who hovered nearby.

Reinhard watched Roana, the unofficial diplomat of the Hearts, as she sized up the new arrivals with a faint smile. Before she offered a measured handshake to Resa, who responded with a smile of her own. Then the two immediately fell into a discussion of summer reading lists, oblivious to the chaos around them.

Meanwhile, the Cups were completely taken by Klein, Anna, and Anasha.

Suzy knelt to Anna's level, her bright green hair falling like a curtain around the two of them, and whispered something that made the little girl cover her mouth, eyes round with delighted mischief.

Anasha hummed, but when Kyle challenged her to a game of "toughest handshake," she blinked before her eyes lit up. Klein, trailing behind his sisters, was accosted by Jessie, who immediately began quizzing him on his favorite ice cream flavors. Then, it launches into a mandatory ranking of every dessert available in the city.

Far from being overwhelmed, Klein held his own. The shy reserve Reinhard remembered so vividly now replaced by a willingness to both tease and be teased.

In the midst of all this, Marie floated seamlessly from group to group, making introductions, smoothing over awkwardness, and occasionally directing a pointed look at anyone whose enthusiasm threatened to spiral into chaos.

Reinhard reached the edge of the group, and Marie's attention snapped to him immediately. She clapped her hands together, the sound cutting through the various conversations.

"Alright, since everyone is here, let's go!" She pointed dramatically toward the Academy gates where several carriages waited.

The group moved as one chaotic mass toward the gates.

Four five-person carriages stood ready, horses stamping impatiently. The logistics sorted themselves naturally, people gravitating toward friends and making room for others.

Reinhard found himself climbing into a carriage with Anna, Anasha, Klein, and Marie. The interior smelled of leather and summer air.

Marie immediately claimed the window seat, and Anna and Anasha pressed close beside her, all three pairs of eyes already wide with anticipation.

The carriage lurched into motion.

Other carriages fell into formation, leading it to be a small convoy heading toward Juno Beach. Through the window, Memento Mori Academy's familiar architecture began giving way to open countryside.

Marie pointed out the window at passing farmland. "Look, look! Sheep!"

Anna pressed her nose against the glass. "So many!"

Anasha's blue hair fell forward as she leaned over. "And there's a windmill! It's huge!"

The three of them chattered continuously, voices overlapping with wonder at sights both mundane and extraordinary. Marie matched their energy perfectly, always genuinely excited about whatever caught their attention.

Klein had settled against Reinhard's side, head resting on his lap. The boy's eyes were half-closed, content and peaceful. Reinhard ran his fingers through Klein's short brown hair slowly, rhythmically.

No curse twisted beneath the skin anymore, just a healthy, happy boy finally able to rest without pain.

Reinhard watched the trio at the window, a faint smile playing at his lips. Marie's platinum hair swayed as she turned to point at something new, while Anna's curly black hair bounced with each excited movement. Anasha was twisting and turning as she gazed out the window with a massive grin.

Their voices created a melody of happiness that filled the carriage space.

Reinhard smiled faintly as he let himself simply exist in the moment, as no missions or battles were looming on the horizon.

Just Klein's steady breathing, the girl's laughter, the gentle rocking of the carriage, and the summer sun warming everything it touched.

Time passed in comfortable contentment until the carriage slowed before they fully arrived. And then everyone emerged from the carriage under the brilliant sunshine. The heat hit immediately, which was very much welcome after staying in the carriage for so long.

Everyone stretched their arms with some joints popping before grins spread across faces as the ocean's salt-scent filled lungs.

Brunhilde's voice carried over the excited murmurs. "Alright, go check into the villa before going out to have fun."

Groans mixed with chuckles, but nobody argued. Brunhilde wasn't someone anyone wanted to anger, and besides, the instruction made sense.

The group made their way to Juno Town's check-in office, a charming beige colored building. Narrow proportions, tall windows with iron railings, carved details around doorframes. The clerk handed over keys with a knowing smile, clearly accustomed to large Academy groups.

The villa sat on an isolated stretch of beach, away from the main tourist areas. Three stories of navy blue and charcoal gray stone, tall windows catching ocean light, wooden frames, and brass fixtures gleaming. Narrow but spacious inside, with enough rooms for everyone if some shared, but nobody minded.

The door swung open, and everyone scattered immediately.

Footsteps thundered up the stairs with doors opening and closing. Bags landed on beds with soft thuds.

Then came the rapid change into swimwear for a couple of minutes before the doors opened again as people emerged transformed.

The girls wore a stunning variety.

Irene was in a vibrant orange and yellow bikini that matched her twin-tails' fade. Resa was in an elegant emerald green swimsuit that complemented her red hair, and Jessie was in a simple but flattering navy blue two-piece. Suzy was in a cheerful coral bikini with a flowing sarong, while Marie was in pure white that made her platinum hair seem to glow. Roana was in sophisticated grey that matched her eyes. Scáth in deep purple that echoed her hair.

Nikki was in crimson that matched everything about her. Vanna is surprisingly in silver with a flowing kaftan. Anna and Anasha are in adorable matching styles of black with white accents and blue with white frills, respectively. Brunhilde wore an azure blue, a flowing dress styled like elegant beachwear with light frills and regal accessories.

The men kept it simpler, such as various colored shorts, with some wearing shirts and others not.

Lloyd's brown hair already looked windswept, Bruno's grin had only grown wider, Kyle's violet eyes reflected the ocean, Gran kept his glasses on despite the glare, and Joseph stretched his arm out to the window.

Reinhard pulled on black shorts, sandals, and a white jacket with no shirt beneath. Sunglasses completed the look, tucked into his untamed black hair.

They left the villa as one excited mass, arms full of towels and bags. The beach stretched before them with golden sand, rolling waves, and an endless blue sky.

A perfect spot presented itself, and they spread out their belongings, claiming territory.

Then, without any signal needed, everyone rushed toward the water. Laughter exploded across the beach as summer vacation truly began.

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