Then after a bit, some of them rushed back into the water to play another game.

"Marco!" Marie's voice rang out suddenly, her eyes squeezed shut, hands reaching blindly.

"Polo!" Multiple voices answered from different directions.

She spun toward the sounds, stumbling slightly in the shifting sand beneath her feet. Her hands grasped empty air as Joseph ducked beneath the surface, swimming away silently. Klein giggled from somewhere to her left, immediately giving away his position.

But Janus quickly pulled him away while grinning.

"Polo!" Anna called out, then immediately slapped both hands over her mouth, eyes wide with the realization she'd betrayed herself.

Marie lunged toward the sound. Anna shrieked and tried to run through the waist-high water, but the resistance slowed her down. Marie's fingers tagged her shoulder.

"Got you! You're it!"

Anna squeezed her eyes shut dutifully, counting to ten while everyone scattered. Reinhard moved smoothly through the water, barely making a sound, putting distance between himself and the new seeker.

Around him, others ducked low, trying to minimize their splashing.

"Marco!"

"Polo!" The voices came from all directions now, some near, some far.

The game continued until everyone was breathless and laughing, the ocean echoing with their calls.

Not everyone was interested in building castles or playing in the games.

Irene and Resa set up a makeshift spa nearby, lying back with sunglasses and cucumber slices and loudly rating each other's "relaxation techniques" out of ten.

Jake and Kite, for lack of a better idea, buried Joseph up to the neck in sand while he endured, only occasionally raising an eyebrow as they debated the optimal method for constructing sand "armor."

Bruno alternated between sunbathing and playfully pestering Vanna, who eventually gave up on reading her book and retaliated by flipping his towel over his face.

Brunhilde took up a post at a small picnic table shaded by a striped umbrella, quietly reading a thick book. She seemed perfectly at home there, occasionally looking up to observe the chaos with a satisfied air.

Scáth, having won the underwater challenge, now presided over the snack table, distributing watermelon slices and lemonade to anyone who passed by.

The afternoon drifted on, the world shrinking to the rectangle of golden sand, blue water, and bright sky.

Everything else such as the Academy, the city, and the expeditions felt far away. Reinhard stretched out on a towel, Klein curled beside him, both watching the slow, lazy motion of distant clouds.

Anna wandered over, wrapped in an oversized towel, and lay down on his other side before snuggling next to him. Then Anasha came over and lay on him with her resting on his chest.

Time lost meaning, measured only by the movement of shadows and the gradual drying of saltwater on skin.

Later, back on the beach, someone produced a volleyball.

The net went up quickly with Gran and Joseph working together to secure the poles while Roana supervised.

Two teams formed quickly with about even numbers.

Scáth served first.

The ball rocketed over the net with startling force. Lloyd dove for it, managing to bump it upward where Bruno was already moving. His set was perfect as it went high while Jessie jumped, her ponytail whipping as she spiked the ball down.

Nikki threw herself sideways, red hair flying, and somehow got under it.

The ball popped up weakly.

Alger scrambled, setting it toward Irene who leaped with surprising height, her twin-tails streaming behind her.

The ball just barely cleared the net.

Kyle was there, bumping it to Suzy who set for Bruno's powerful spike. The ball slammed into the sand on the other side.

"Point!" Bruno pumped his fist in the air.

The game grew increasingly competitive. Roana grey hair whipped through the air as she made impossible saves while Gran called plays with tactical precision. Marie threw her entire body into every movement, diving for balls that seemed out of reach.

Joseph remained steady and reliable, always in position.

The little ones cheered from the sidelines, shouting encouragement to everyone. Klein's voice rose above the others, "Get it, Reinhard!"

Reinhard jumped for a block, hands reaching above the net as Scáth spiked directly at him. Their hands met the ball simultaneously, his pressing down, and hers driving up. For a moment, time suspended while she grinned and he faintly smiled.

Then the ball ricocheted sideways, landing out of bounds.

Scáth laughed and said. "Not bad."

The game ended in a contested final point Bruno's spike versus Roana's desperate dig.

The ball hit sand just inside the line.

Arguments erupted good-naturedly about whether it was in or out until Brunhilde calmly declared it in, ending all debate.

Sweaty and sandy, the group migrated up the beach toward the food vendors. The smells of grilled fish, fried dough, sweet fruit, spiced meat all hit them. Colorful stalls lined the boardwalk, each competing for attention with bright awnings and shouted advertisements.

Klein tugged on Reinhard's hand, pointing at a stall selling spiral-cut potatoes on sticks. "Can we get those?"

"We're getting everything." Marie declared, already moving toward the first vendor.

And they did as hands exchanged coins for paper boats filled with golden fried fish, flesh flaking perfectly. Wooden skewers held chunks of grilled meat brushed with savory glaze.

Sweet pastries dusted with sugar melted on tongues. Fresh fruit cut into stars and flowers disappeared rapidly while cups of orange and grape juice were passed out.

They claimed a couple of tables, spreading out their feast. Klein sat between Reinhard and Anna, systematically working through his food with grease shining on his fingers and a massive smile on his face.

Anasha and Marie debated which vendor had the best pastries, their discussion growing increasingly detailed.

Joseph bit into a fish sandwich, nodding appreciatively. Bruno had somehow acquired the largest skewer of meat available, while Suzy delicately picked at fresh fruit. Irene and Resa discussed the historical origins of various dishes between bites.

Alger made exaggerated sounds of pleasure with each taste, making Jake laugh so hard he nearly choked on his juice.

Vanna ate slowly, but her usually stern expression had softened. Roana and Gran shared a basket of fried vegetables, occasionally offering pieces to others. Nikki had collected samples from nearly every stall, her plate overflowing with variety. Scáth devoured her food before quickly finishing everything rapidly and eyeing other people's portions speculatively.

Brunhilde was eating grilled fish wrapped in leaves with aromatic herbs. She also brought one for Reinhard and both of them were eating while watching the others with a faint smile.

The sun had started its descent toward the horizon, painting everything golden. Music drifted from somewhere, a local band setting up near one of the larger stalls. The melody was infectious, drums keeping a steady rhythm while strings added flourishes.

Marie's eyes lit up before grabbing Joseph's hand without warning, pulling him toward the impromptu dance floor forming on the sand. Others followed such as Suzy dragging Lloyd, who went willingly with a sigh and Jessie pulled Kyle.

Alger bowed dramatically before Irene who laughed but accepted.

The dancing started formally or attempted to. Within minutes, the structured steps dissolved into something more chaotic and joyful.

Bruno spun Resa in wild circles that made her red hair fly. Kite and Jake performed increasingly ridiculous moves, trying to one-up each other. Nikki danced with abandon, her crimson hair catching the golden light.

Klein tugged on Anna's hand, and they joined. Anasha grabbed Brunhilde, who allowed herself to be pulled into the festivities.

Scáth also went to dance as well, pulling Gran in despite his protests, and forcing him to move. Roana swayed more subtly and even Vanna, after significant encouragement from multiple people, joined the edge of the group. Marie pushed Janus into Vanna before cheering for them to dance together while Joseph laughed.

Reinhard watched from the tables, content to observe as he sipped his water. Marie caught his eye from the dance floor, platinum hair glowing in the sunset light, and beckoned him with exaggerated gestures.

He shook his head, smiling.

She danced her way over, breathless and grinning, and extended her hand. "Come on! You can't just watch!"

Marie cupped his face before turning it to let him see the others. Around them he saw their friends and his siblings moved together in joyful chaos. The day's warmth lingered on skin despite the approaching evening.

"You won't stop asking, will you?"

"Of course not! I want to make fun memories, how can it be complete without you?"

Reinhard laughed as he nodded. Leading Marie to grinned as held out a hand and he took it, letting himself be pulled into the celebration. His white jacket flowed behind him as joined the floor, dancing with Marie, both moving as a duo.

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