Both Ellie and Norman stood frozen in place, staring at each other in disbelief. Of all the people they expected to see at the beach today, each other was the last.
"Why are you here?" Ellie asked, her voice a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
Norman scratched the back of his head. "I… just felt like going to the beach. Needed to clear my mind a bit. You?"
Ellie smiled faintly. "Same here. I just needed to get away from everything for a while."
An awkward silence followed. Neither of them knew what to say next. Then, like a switch flipping, both suddenly laughed. The realization that they'd come to the same random beach on the same day—both trying to escape life—was oddly comforting.
"Let's enjoy the beach, Norman," Ellie said, her eyes shining.
"Yeah," Norman replied, smiling back.
They ran toward the shoreline, joining the others who were already playing in the waves. For a little while, there were no worries about exams, future plans, or social expectations. Just the sea, the sky, and each other.
"Take this, Norman!" Ellie shouted playfully as she formed a ball of water using her energy manipulation skill and launched it at him.
Norman laughed and let the water hit him, exaggerating his reaction before gathering his own energy. "Let's see if you can dodge this!"
He summoned a much larger water sphere, hovering it high above Ellie's head. With a flick of his fingers, it splashed down, soaking her from head to toe.
"You...!" Ellie gasped, laughing. She was quick to retaliate, gathering more energy and forming an even bigger water ball.
The two of them kept playing, turning the beach into their own little battleground of splashes and laughter. Norman completely forgot about his "F-rank loser" reputation at school. The way he effortlessly manipulated water—well beyond what someone of his official level should be able to—slipped out in the heat of the moment.
But Ellie didn't seem to notice—or maybe she just didn't care.
For the next half hour, they played freely, washing away the stress that had been weighing them down for weeks.
Eventually, they collapsed onto the warm sand, breathless and smiling, staring out at the horizon.
---
The view before them was breathtaking.
The golden sunlight sparkled across the gentle waves. Seagulls cried overhead as they circled lazily in the open sky. Children's laughter mixed with the soothing rush of the ocean tide. The scent of salt and summer breeze filled the air. Off in the distance, sailboats bobbed slowly against the rhythm of the sea.
Norman and Ellie sat close, the warm air brushing against their skin. Without realizing it, their hands found each other. Fingers intertwined naturally, as if it had always been that way.
"Norman," Ellie said softly, breaking the silence, "what university are you planning to attend? Did you enroll in an academic one yet?"
There was a subtle sadness in her voice—like she was hoping their time together wouldn't end after high school.
Norman paused, thoughtful. "I've been thinking about applying to the local mana university here in Astralith. It'd be too much of a hassle to move to another city. But honestly, I don't think any mana university would accept someone with an F-rank..."
"What about you?"
Ellie hesitated. "I've received a few invitations… One of them is from Elementis University."
Norman's eyes widened slightly. "Elementis? That's huge."
Elementis University was one of the most prestigious mana institutions in the country, located far to the west in Elementis City. It specialized in energy manipulation—Ellie's core strength.
"I think you should go," Norman said sincerely. "It's the best place for someone like you."
Ellie looked away, her cheeks faintly red. "Maybe… I'm still thinking about it."
They sat in silence again, until Norman gently leaned closer.
In a moment born from youthful innocence, shared memories, and the warm magic of the beach air, their lips met. A soft kiss—tentative but full of feeling.
Neither of them spoke about it afterward. They just smiled, letting the moment linger in the space between them.
---
Since neither had brought a change of clothes, they walked to a nearby store and bought beach attire. Everything about today had been spontaneous, and that only made it more special.
They ate a late lunch at a coastal café nearby, chatting about childhood memories, teasing each other, and laughing about how awkward they used to be. Time flew.
Afterward, they visited several places around the city: the public park, the main mall, and even the arcade inside the entertainment zone. They played games, tried snacks, and shared silly moments like two kids on summer break.
As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, bathing the sky in hues of orange and violet, Ellie sighed.
"It's sad how fast today passed. I wish this moment could last forever," she said softly.
"Yeah," Norman replied, gazing up at the darkening sky. "Today was one of the best days I've had in a long time."
It was already 7 PM when they finished wandering through the mall. Norman suggested dinner at a cozy restaurant nearby, and Ellie agreed.
They ate slowly, both of them reluctant to finish—savoring not just the food, but the time they still had together.
"On Friday, April 10," Ellie said suddenly, "I'll be undergoing my energy manipulation breakthrough at school. I heard the school is requiring all senior students to watch… since it'll be the first student attempt."
"You'll do great," Norman replied. "After your core shatters, just imagine it like solving a puzzle when you rebuild it. Take your time. The teachers will guide you through it."
Ellie narrowed her eyes playfully. "How do you know that?"
"I, uh… read it in a book!" Norman blurted, waving his hands defensively.
Ellie giggled. "Sure you did."
Norman smiled, glad she didn't pry further. He still wasn't ready to let others know how far ahead he truly was.
"I'll be there to watch," he added. "I want to see it with my own eyes."
After dinner, the night drew to a close. The unspoken truth hung heavy between them—this might be their last free day together. Exams were coming, and after that… life would take them down different roads. Ellie would likely leave for Elementis City, and Norman would remain behind.
"Let's keep in touch, okay?" Ellie said, her voice quiet.
"I'll text you. A lot," Norman promised.
With one final, lingering glance, they said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.
But something unspoken had changed between them.
And neither of them would forget this day.