The beach energy only kept growing.
Music playing somewhere.
Volleyball games happening nonstop.
Cursed spirits relaxing in lawn chairs.
It had somehow become completely normal.
Out in the water—
Takeru was surfing with Fred.
Not badly either.
Actually incredibly well.
Yuji stared from shore.
"…WHY IS HE GOOD AT EVERYTHING."
Megumi watched Takeru smoothly cut across a wave while Fred tried desperately to copy him.
"…That's annoying."
Fred wobbled violently on the board.
"FREDDD!"
"I BELIEVE IN YOU!"
Fred somehow stabilized.
The curse raised both arms proudly.
Hakari immediately started cheering.
"…HE'S LEARNING!"
Kirara pointed at the curse.
"…Why are we emotionally invested in this."
Gojo grinned.
"…Because Fred has determination."
Then—
Fred lost balance immediately and vanished into the water.
Takeru burst out laughing before surfing back toward shore.
After a while—
he returned carrying surfboards under one arm like they weighed nothing.
Then he walked over toward Nanami and Higaruma.
Both were relaxing near the shade again.
Without even asking—
Takeru pulled the coffee machine halfway from the shadows.
Refilled their cups.
Refilled his own too.
Nanami accepted the cup peacefully.
"…Convenient."
Higaruma took his with a small nod.
"…You've created a dangerous system."
Takeru grinned.
"Portable happiness."
Then—
before anyone could respond—
he sprinted toward the ocean and dove in.
Huge splash.
And somehow—
he was insanely good at swimming too.
Fast.
Smooth.
Effortless.
Yuji looked offended now.
"…THAT'S NOT FAIR."
Megumi watched Takeru swim across the water like an Olympic athlete.
"…Of course he can swim."
Nobara crossed her arms.
"…There's no way he learned that normally."
Hakari laughed.
"…Bro moves like a sea creature."
Meanwhile—
the three girls were absolutely failing to act normal.
Reina kept glancing toward the water.
Aika kept trying not to stare.
Yorozu was attempting confidence and only partially succeeding.
And everybody noticed.
Everybody except Takeru.
Gojo looked toward them.
Then toward Takeru.
Then sighed dramatically.
"…Hopeless."
Geto nodded immediately.
"…Completely."
Yuji pointed.
"…Bro is NOT noticing anything."
Megumi sighed.
"…At all."
Even Nanami muttered quietly into his coffee:
"…Hopeless."
Higaruma nodded once.
"…Painfully oblivious."
Then—
even the cursed spirits started reacting.
Several shook their heads slowly.
One covered its face.
Another gave Takeru a thumbs down.
And finally—
Fred emerged from the water dramatically.
Pointed directly at Takeru.
And spoke with full disappointment:
"…Hopeless."
The entire beach exploded laughing.
Meanwhile—
Takeru just swam back confused.
"…Why is everyone laughing."
That only made it worse.