"Mako."
Mako flinched when I suddenly called her name.
I wasn't planning anything bad, so her startled reaction didn't exactly hurt my feelings...
I understood why she was on edge after what had just happened with Harumi grabbing her so suddenly.
Even though we came here to enjoy the ocean, getting unexpectedly dunked without warning would surprise anyone.
"Oh, Kotone."
Realizing it was me who called her, Mako visibly relaxed. Seeing her sigh so obviously in relief—wouldn't that hurt Harumi's feelings?
"Harumi!!"
"Yuu, I'm sorry! I was wrong!"
...
Or maybe not?
Even while being chased by a furious Yuu, Harumi was laughing loudly. She didn't look scared or hurt at all. Maybe provoking these reactions from her friends was what she wanted all along.
"Haha..."
Watching the two of them, Mako laughed—half genuine amusement, half exhaustion in her voice.
Hmm.
Despite her expression, Mako had been enjoying the beach in her own way. You could tell just by looking at her swimsuit.
Japanese middle and high schools include swimming lessons in their curriculum. Naturally, we all owned school swimsuits, but none of us brought those here today. Even though Souta was the only boy among us, everyone had gathered to enjoy this occasion in their own way.
Even for swimsuits to show friends, everyone had put serious thought into their choices.
Especially for me and Koko, Kagami had selected our swimsuits with great care, even before summer vacation started. With a mother so passionate about photography, it was only natural her children would dress well. After all, it would break her heart to see her daughters looking like fashion disasters in every photo.
Why, isn't it common for dual-income parents to care more about how their children dress? They express their affection through quality rather than quantity of time. Though in my case, it's not just about being from a dual-income household.
"Your swimsuit looks pretty. It suits you."
"Huh? Oh, um, thanks."
At my comment, Mako blushed slightly and hugged her knees.
Unlike Kagami, I have a somewhat slender build. Of course, Kagami must have found my thinness concerning, because she put all her effort into cooking all kinds of dishes to feed me, which had some effect.
My chest didn't grow dramatically. Compared to my mother Kagami, it's rather disappointing. Well, at least it's noticeable—that's some consolation.
While the fat distribution in my upper body was unfortunate, I had gained enough weight below the waist to barely escape being called "too skinny." Sometimes I see girls around my height who are much thinner than me, but I wasn't quite that extreme.
So what about Mako?
I'm not sure what the female average is supposed to be, but Mako is slightly taller than me. We have similar builds, but hers is more obviously developed than mine, which is just barely noticeable. Still, probably not enough to be called "large."
Mako usually wears loose clothing, but in a form-fitting swimsuit like this frilly bikini that clings to her body, other kids our age would probably stare wide-eyed.
"Hahaha! How's that, my daughter!"
"Woah—! High, so high!"
Loud voices carried from further down the beach.
...Wait, isn't drinking before swimming dangerous?
Even if it's just one can of beer.
In the distance, Dad was standing waist-deep in the ocean, holding Koko by the waist and lifting her high above his head. It looked like some advanced ballet move.
Beside them, Kagami stood with her mouth wide open, fidgeting anxiously. She was probably worried that if she smacked Dad's back, he might drop Koko.
...That sight is nice.
Knowing Koko's true nature, she'd probably be fine even if she fell and her neck bent at a 90-degree angle.
Yet Kagami was still worried about Koko getting hurt, hovering nearby, unable to do anything but fret.
Looking again, I noticed Shii was also fidgeting anxiously beside them. Souta, who had joined them, was raising and lowering his hands as if ready to catch Koko if she fell. Nanami was watching with concern as well.
"Now, my other daughter too!"
"What do you think you're doing?!"
When Fukuda-san tried to put his hands on Harumi's waist, she shrieked and slapped them away. Poor Fukuda-san.
Yuu was watching Harumi with a serves-you-right expression.
Everyone was spending time in their own way.
"..."
Miura-san didn't come today. Adults don't get luxuries like vacation time. Besides, he was someone with complicated circumstances.
In Yuu's case, she couldn't come due to personal reasons, which made the situation feel even more bittersweet for Mako.
"Mako—"
"Kotone—"
We both spoke at the same time.
For a brief moment, we both closed our mouths waiting for the other to speak, creating a slightly awkward silence.
It's strange.
Harumi and Yuu were always my friends together. It's not that I never talked to them separately or felt awkward being alone with either of them, but somehow, it felt most natural when the two of them were together.
But Mako was different. Mako and I were friends... just the two of us. When we were close, we used to stick together just like Harumi and Yuu. It's not like we didn't have other friends at school.
Mako often visited my house. That house a bit removed from town, abandoned for years and considered haunted, which we kept fixing bit by bit but never quite managed to shake off its worn-down atmosphere.
In spring, we'd fall asleep together in the sunshine, and during vacations, we'd go to my room for no particular reason and read books or draw pictures without even talking. A quiet but enjoyable time completely different from city life.
But lately, whenever I'm alone with Mako, I feel a bit uncomfortable. It's not that I dislike her.
...Perhaps it's because we were too close.
"You go first."
I had only spoken to break the awkwardness, so I let Mako speak first.
It seemed Mako hadn't called me just to make small talk.
"Well... I know this isn't the right place for this conversation, but... I thought it might be difficult to find time otherwise."
If she wanted to talk one-on-one, there were many other ways.
Even just ten years ago, communication methods might have been limited, but it's already 2004. We all have cell phones.
She could email or call. There were ways to convey messages.
But Mako simply didn't want to speak that way.
And because of her attitude, I had a feeling I knew what she wanted to say.
"I think I can help with your... work too."
"..."
Somehow I thought this conversation was coming.
"Did you talk to your father about it?"
"...Yeah."
Her answer was somber.
That meant she hadn't received permission.
Then why did she think she "could" do such work?
"Because I've decided to receive training."
"Training?"
"Yes. They say I have talent too."
I blinked several times. Mako's face reddened for no reason.
"Who told you that?"
It's ironic coming from someone who lives in this world, but why, aren't there so many scammers out there? Some sell roughly drawn talismans with no power for millions of won.
If someone told her she had talent for exorcism, I wondered who that person might be.
"Well..."
Mako's gaze turned toward the ocean.
Kagami was hugging Koko and saying something to Dad. Koko was just giggling.
Beside them, Yuka was laughing as if she found the whole thing ridiculous.
I didn't think it was Mom. She wouldn't have had time. She was always with me and Koko.
Then, as I suspected.
"Did you go to Yuka's place?"
I meant Yuka's family home, that shrine. I doubted Yuka would react positively if Mako visited her apartment.
"...Yeah."
I wasn't angry.
If anything, I was secretly impressed by Mako's initiative.
So Mako was serious about helping me.
"I'm also willing to learn from Kagami-san, if possible."
"..."
"My dad said he got into his line of work because he has a bit of sensitivity in that area too..."
Mako looked at me with a somewhat uncertain expression, but with eyes that showed she absolutely wouldn't give up.
"Whether I can help or not. I just... don't want to just stand by and watch."
"...I see."
With Mako speaking so earnestly, I couldn't bring myself to tell her not to, and could only nod with an ambiguous expression.