We took the bullet train to the station near the beach.

Tachibana is sitting next to the window while looking out at the scenery outside.

It's sunny outside.

I've heard that there's a forecast that it would rain, but I'm glad that right now we still have sunny weather.

"I didn't eat breakfast so I'm hungry now."

"I see, if that's the case let's go to the beach house first when we arrive so that we can eat there."

"Oh! Look! There's a lot of airplanes."

"It's true..."

Tachibana seemed to be very excited.

"I wonder if the water here is great?"

"I guess we're okay since it's sunny today. I did some research before we came here and it looks like that we can see a lot of fish in the shallow water."

"Eh! Is that so? Then I'm looking forward to it."

While we were talking we arrived at the station near the beach.

After we got off the train we headed to the bus stop in front of the station.

This is our last stop before the beach.

At the bus stop there were a lot of people like us going to the beach.

After a while the bus arrives and we board it.

Tachibana and I sat down in the empty seats of the bus.

"I wonder if everyone is going to the beach, just like us?"

Tachibana asked.

Inside the bus there were a lot of couples and families going to the beach.

"It looks like it, see, some of them are even wearing flip-flops."

The bust then started to move.

The bus sways more than the train, and every time it shakes, Tachibana's shoulder is hitting the side of the bus.

"Does bus shakes this much?"

Has Tachibana ever been on a bus?

"Is this your first time riding a bus?"

"Yeah, this is really fun as it looks like a ride from an amusement park."

Tachibana squints her eyes as she laughs happily.

I'm so lucky that I can monopolize that smile of hers.

She is really innocent, even on the train, she's so happy when she saw those airplanes.

That's one thing that I like about her.

I'm sure that I'm sure we'll have a lot of fun together on the beach.

When I confessed to her I've said that I will make her smile more than anyone else, but it seems that the opposite is happening and she's the one who is making me smile very often.

"Hey look! It's the sea!"

...like right now.

We can now see the beach that we are going to.

"Looks like there's a café near the beach, why don't we go there first?"

Tachibana said that while pointing out the window.

I can see many stores lined up by the sea.

"I'm sure we will be tired after going to the beach, so why don't we go there now before we go to the beach?"

After a while, the bus finally arrives at the beach.

When we got off the bus, I saw the sea in front of me as the scent of the tide was spreading towards us.

It has been a long time since I had this feeling.

The cicadas are singing while the sun is shining down upon me.

I can also hear the rustling sound of the people walking in their flip-flops; the sound of the waves, and the sound of the people having fun at the beach.

The time is just before noon.

We then went to the place where the shops, are lined up by the beach that Tachibana saw earlier.

Right next to the beach are the shops and there's a large arch above the entrance ; beyond that there are a lot of buildings based on a white-like Mediterranean motif.

The road is exclusively for pedestrians only.

In the left and right sides of the road there's a lot of stylish cafes and general stores lined up.

"It's amazing! It feels like were in a different country!"

"It's so beautiful!"

There are a lot of people taking pictures everywhere.

"Let's take a picture as well."

Saying this, Tachibana took out her smartphone and she held it with one of her hands so that the building behind us can be seen in the photo.

"Hurry! Get closer to me!"

When she said that I stood beside Tachibana while I made a peace sign.

*Click* I felt like I had an awkward smile.

Tachibana then looks at the photo that she took and for some reason she's grinning.

"Why are you grinning?"

"It's because it's a precious memory and I'm really happy about it."

If I think about it carefully, this is the first time that Tachibana and I took a picture together.

Maybe that's why she's so happy.

"Send me a copy of that later."

"OK!"

We started walking down the street and I really feel like I'm in a foreign country and this isn't Japan.

It feels cool because we are surrounded by white buildings.

Tachibana wearing a straw hat, looks really beautiful in this foreign landscape.

Her slender legs coming out of her shorts are also beautiful.

"Let's go to the store here!"

Tachibana then pulls my arm and lead me inside the store.

After looking around, she finds a pair of bracelets at the general store that we entered.

It is made of leather, and it has a plate, on which if it is combined a heart shaped will be formed.

It's quite a simple design.

"I want this! Let's buy it together!"

"But it's embarrassing wearing this."

"What are you talking about? It's fine."

I was then forced to buy it.

Tachibana got the brown bracelet while I got the black one.

We decided to buy it and we put it on immediately.

Out of nowhere we are now holding hands.

A pair of bracelets were attached to our wrists.

Normally I will be embarrassed about this kind of thing but since I'm also drunk by the atmosphere so I'm fine with it.

"With this we'll be always together."

Tachibana said that while looking at me.

"... yeah, you're right."*

Perhaps because the sea is near, there are many cafes where you can have a cup of tea while looking at the sea.

We both bought a drink and sat on a bench with a parasol and drank it while looking at the ocean.

The sea was shining in the sun.

I wonder if the water is cold when we swim later.

"The sea is beautiful."

"Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it."

Tachibana is staring at the matching pair of bracelets she bought while touching them with her fingers.

"Are you are really that happy that you bought it?"

"Yeah, I will cherish this forever."

It was the first time I'd ever worn something that matched someone else.

In truth, the bracelets are not that expensive, but just because they are matching with Tachibana's, it makes them feel very important.

I will absolutely cherish it. Both this bracelet and Tachibana.



Note:
1. The exact word for this is 重いです which literally translates to it's heavy and judging by the context that sentence doesn't fit; I guess the author is trying to say that what Tachibana said is really serious and the MC is saying that's a really serious conjecture or something.
2. I will fix it later but for now when you click the previous chapter it will lead you to chapter 22.