[KaoMika] infinite blue and gold

[anakiddwrites]

 Mika's first time on the beach, courtesy of his reliable senpai Kaoru.

prompt: sea & breeze | #kaomikaweek24
 

“Wait, have you never been to the beach in your life?”

The question came out from Kaoru’s mouth faster than his brain could parse it, making the odd-eyed boy in front of him blink a few times in surprise.

“... nnnhgga… yanno…” Mika shrugged, trying to find the right words for the sudden inquiry. “It was far away from our orphanage, and it was a lotta work here’n there since I met Oshi-san… he ain’t a beach type too, so I’ve never thought ta much of it…” He scratched his own hair, looking away from the direct stare of the blond senpai. “... Is it weird..?”

“... ah.” Kaoru tilted his head, realizing he could have delivered the question in an uncomfortable tone. “N-no, no! Sorry if I came across weird, really! I was just surprised… but I guess that’s the experience of many people…! My older brother is also not… a beach guy, you know ~” He smiled softly, doing his best to match Mika’s flow and energy, including the wording in his answer. That’s one of his strong points, after all, and the last thing he wants to see is a kouhai feeling out of place because didn’t think before talking. He knows it’s not a good feeling at all.

“... ehe.. ~ yer just really love the beach, right, Hakaze-senpai…? I think I get it… I think if someone told me they never had a favorite plushie, I’d be surprised and run my mouth too, wheheh…” Mika showed his fanged smile, already soothed with Kaoru’s calming and carefree tone. The senpai was really easy to talk to and had helped him more than once, so there was no reason to feel intimidated and self-conscious around him.

“... y-yeah…! You’re right, Kagehira-kun… haha… sorry, sorry!” Kaoru scratched his head with an embarrassed smile, but he deserved the slight call out about running his mouth. It was one of his bad habits, after all. The important thing is that Mika understood his intention beyond any wonky wording, something he deeply appreciated about the Valkyrie member. Probably it’s a skill you can hone living around Itsuki Shu, therefore a talent Mika mastered like no one else.

And he was absolutely correct, after all. Kaoru truly loved the beach.

“Oh well… since we are here, I have an idea! The weather is warming up ~ so what if I take you to the beach?” It was another sudden statement, but completely genuine this time so Kaoru didn’t second guess himself after letting the words out. 

“W-wah….? U-us…? I-is it really oke, Hakaze-senpai..? I dun’ wanna bother, yer always helpin’ me and all…”  Still, that surprised Mika even more than the question from before, staring at his senpai’s soft smile with fully wide eyes. 

Somehow, the image of a scared cat instantly popped in Kaoru’s mind. 

“It’s not a bother at all!! I’m always up to go there, you know? ♪” He kept a chirping smile, holding up his offer with earnest excitement. “It’s near here so it wouldn’t take too long or hinder work… if you want, of course, haha…!”

After the initial shock, Mika pondered with his sleeves and looked down for a moment, contemplating the idea. His mind was still brimming with hesitations - the sea was so huge and scary, what if he embarrassed himself in front of a senpai… to not mention how new and out of his element the plan sounded, almost like an adventure.

But at the same time, Kaoru’s energy and tone made it look like the most welcoming place to be, contrasting with his inner worries.

And as a human and artist, new experiences are welcome, right? For sure Oshi-san would be proud of him for branching out on his own accord.

“... if it ain’t a bother, thank ya kindly… tomorrow mornin’ I’m free, do that work fer ya..?” 

“Neat! Yes, the beach in the morning is amazing, that’s great timing, Kagehira-kun! Don’t forget to wear sunscreen though, hm? Taking care of your skin is very important!” Kaoru winked, overjoyed with Mika’s smile and calmer expression, very thankful his sudden offer didn’t end up in an awkward situation. He was itching to go to the beach again as soon as the weather started warming up, and the chance of bringing someone to see it for themselves for the first time made it particularly exciting.

His old self would probably be shocked and think of it as a waste of time when it wasn’t a date with a girl, but… somehow, that attitude echoed more and more like a caricature compared to the sincerity of his new, changed ways, like a detour meant to be left behind from the start. 

“Oke, oke ~ see you tomorrow, Kagehira-kun ~ ♪” Kaoru waved goodbye, taking his way to the dorm room with a smile and humming to himself.

“O-okie… see ya tomorrow…” Mika waved back, finding himself alone in the hallway and frowning a little. “Hm… do I even have sunscreen..? Ah, I kno! Ritsu-kun must have it, right? I’ll ask him fer some ~ ♪”

The next morning found Kaoru and Mika on their way to the beach near Ensemble Square after breakfast, just a quick bus trip from Ensemble Square. Mika had brought his sketchbook just in case inspiration hit, but scribbling it was helping to keep his anxiety at bay for the time being.

“S-so… what do ya do at the beach? I didn’t bring any swimsuit...”

“A-ah? You don’t need to worry about it…! You don’t need to get into the sea or anything, especially for the first time..! We can just walk barefoot in the sand, watch the waves, pick up seashells… this kinda thing, nothing complicated, really!”

“Seashells…?” The mention caught Mika’s interest, his eyes lighting up a bit. “Right, we can find some…! I watched it in a movie… Ehe ~ so it’s a real thin’! I’m happy, these are pretty… I can make somethin’ nice with it… the shapes are fun too ~”

“Right, definitely it can give you some artistic inspiration! That’s really common in movies, that’s true ~ well, basically everything you watched is a real thing about the beach ~”

“Ehe, hopefully the flyin’ sharks aren’t.” Mika nodded with a calm smile, leaning on his seat.

“... the what?”

The bus audio system announced they had just arrived at the final destination.

“Ah, here we are…! It’s just a five minute walk now, are you ready?” Kaoru asked with a smile, guiding Mika through the small path separating the bus stop and the beach entrance. 

“... I… I’mma bit nervous ta be honest, but… there’s nothing ta be afraid of, right…! That’s also somethin’ humans do…”

“... yea..? Y-yea, nothing to be afraid of, no! This beach is totally safe for visits and at this time it won’t be crowded, so we can enjoy it in peace ~” Kaoru didn’t understand well the comment about humans that Mika seemed to think aloud more than anything, but in any case he could understand being nervous. Still, he was sure the sea breeze and the atmosphere would help to ease the kouhai’s heart just like always did to him and many others. 

It’s one of the special powers of the ocean, Kaoru believes from the bottom of his heart.

“Ah, this familiar breeze… here we are, what do you think, Kagehira…kun?”

Kaoru brushed some hair out of his face, looking at Mika and finding him standing still, wide eyes staring intensely at the ocean at sight. A moment that Kaoru knew very well, smiling to himself and waiting in silence for his kouhai to process his first meeting with the sea.

Mika stepped timidly in the sand, unable to take his eyes off the infinite blue ahead of him. For a few moments his mind went blank, just contemplating the gorgeous scenario of pure yellow sand transitioning to gentle waves into the horizon, making everything on land look pale and small in comparison.  Easy to realize that grandiose mass of water just needed to quietly exist to assert an inimaginable power before the flicky human existence.

At that moment, he understood that no movie could beat the majesty of nature in person, really. As an artist, it’s important to be humble and respectful, too.

“... I understand…” Mika whispered almost to himself, the smallest fanged smile coming to his lips.

“Hm…?” Kaoru blinked in curiosity, tilting head and standing next to him.

“I understand why Hakaze-senpai loves it here so much…”

“.... ah…”

When Mika looked back at him with such an angelic expression, Kaoru could swear the sun and the sea had found a way into his two-toned eyes.

“Thank ya kindly, really…! For takin’ me here…!”

Mika was still sorting his own thoughts and feelings to notice the effect he caused on his speechless senpai, who could only nod with a smile in return and unable to look away from Mika for a good solid minute.

It was always a delight to bring people to see the sea for the first time and he had seen many lovely and amazing reactions that filled his heart with joy. But that intense impression from Mika Kagehira wouldn’t leave him for a long time, for sure.

“.. no problem! Happy to see you calmer ~” He took a deep breath, lowkey forcing himself to talk and gather his thoughts again. “Now now, we can take off our shoes from hereon ~ feeling the sand is totally part of the experience ~”

“A-ah, sure thin’..! I almost forgot…!” Mika chirped, excitedly getting barefoot and giggling. “E-ehe.. ~ it kinda tickles…! But it ain’t bad… ~ soft sand…”

“Hmhm, exactly ~ ♪ Now, let’s get closer?” Kaoru took a step forward, more determined than ever to show Mika everything the beach could be. Well, almost, since they haven’t brought swimsuits this time. 

“Yeah..! A-ah, w-waaah…! ” 

With no experience on walking on the sand, Mika couldn’t avoid tripping already on his first step, fortunately having his hand held by Kaoru’s good reflexes in a second.

“O-ops! A-ah, sand can be tricky, so be extra careful Kagehira-kun…! A-are you okay..?” He asked without letting go of him yet, unconsciously squeezing his hand for safety.

“S-sorry… nnngghaaa, I’m being clumsy again….” Mika pouted, looking down completely embarrassed, but Kaoru helped him to stand up properly again.

“No problem…! This happens… a-ah… well…” He looked at their hands connected and looked way embarrassed too, suddenly self-conscious but still not moving.  “Hmm… I can help you with a f-few steps..? If you don’t mind, o-of course..!”

Mika blinked, his heart still pounding in anxiety, but Kaoru’s kind and supportive attitude even in the middle of an awkward moment was also soothing. Once again, he was reminded of how easy it was to be around him. 

“... okie… Thank ya kindly, Hakaze-senpai ~ ♪ I’ll be in yer hands today!”

Mika smiled with all his heart, gazing at him again with the sun and the sea in his eyes. He felt he had learned a little about his gentle senpai just from coming to the beach, and he was feeling he wanted to learn even more.

“Okay.. so we’re okay! S-so… ~ let’s go find some nice seashells, hm ~ ♪”

Good thing both of them were already thinking about bringing swimsuits next time.