“Next time, I might not rescue you.”
He held her gaze.
“Next time, I might come looking for you.”
Fumi paused for just a second, then rolled her eyes dramatically.
“Please bring money if you are coming.”
And just like that, what started as an accident turned into a connection—unplanned, unexpected, and dangerously unforgettable.
Because neither of them knew yet that this moment on the sand would change everything.
The sun had softened. The waves, once dramatic and loud, now rolled in gently. And right there on the sand sat two people who had no business being comfortable with each other so quickly.
But somehow, they were.
Fumi stood with her hands on her waist, staring down at Henry as if she were still deciding whether to keep him or return him to the sea.
Henry, on the other hand, leaned back slightly, still recovering, but smiling.
Smiling too much.
Fumi narrowed her eyes.
“Why are you smiling like that?”
Henry blinked.
“Like what?”
“Like you enjoyed almost dying.”
He chuckled.
“I did not enjoy it.”
She folded her arms.
“Hm. Because the way you were smiling is suspicious.”
Henry laughed again. That laugh surprised even him. It came easily, naturally, like something he had not done properly in a very long time.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The breeze passed between them.
The sea shimmered.
And strangely, the silence did not feel empty.
It felt full.
Fumi broke it first.
“So, Henry,” she said, testing his name as if it were foreign currency, “what exactly do you do apart from falling into water?”
Henry smiled.
“I run businesses.”
She nodded slowly.
“Hm. Professional problem creator.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Excuse me?”
“All these business people,” she continued, waving her hand, “you people like stress. Meetings here, phone calls there. No peace.”
Henry leaned slightly closer.
“And what do you do?”
She pointed proudly at the sea.
“I catch fish.”
He nodded.
“That sounds peaceful.”
She scoffed loudly.
“Peaceful? Come and try it first. Fish will embarrass you publicly.”
Henry laughed again.
“I already believe you.”
Fumi sat down beside him, stretching her legs.
“You know what is funny?” she said suddenly.
“What?”
“You nearly died today, and the person who saved you is someone people here think is useless.”
Henry turned to her.
“Who said you are useless?”
She shrugged casually.
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