[N] Sun, Sand and Seawater (Green)

>You finally pull into the parking lot after a long drive.
>Stopping the car and turning it off, you open the door and step out.
>As soon as you do, a wave of heat hits you as you're coated in sunlight.
>You hear the passenger side door open and shut soon after.
>You walk around to the trunk and pop it open, reaching in for your beach supplies.
>Natsuki approaches from the other side of the car.
>You turn to her as you pull a folded parasol, a pair of empty dinghies and a bottle of sunscreen from the car.
>She lifts her sunglasses and props them on her head. Looking up at you, stars in her pink eyes.
>"It's been so long since I've been to the beach! I actually can't remember the last time my dad took me."
>"In fact, it was probably while my mom was still around, now that I think about it."
>You smile down at her before speaking.
"I'm just glad you agreed to go with me of all people."
>"Of course I did dummy! Who else am I going to go with?"
"What about the other girls?"
>"Well.. Yeah but, they aren't you, y'know?"
>Her comment catches you off guard, which she notices.
>I mean.. Not that you're any different or anything, don't get any weird ideas."
>An awkward moment is shared between the two of you.
"Anyway. Lift the rest of the stuff will you, I can't carry it all."
>"S-Sure."
>Natsuki reaches in and lifts two beach towels and a small pink handbag.
>She pulls out of the trunk, you shut it and begin walking towards the beach.
>An entire stretch of warm sand lies before you.
>The two of you scan the plains for an empty spot.
>Sure enough you see an area with very few people.
"That'll do. The less people the better."
>Before long you reach your destination.
>As Natsuki throws your towels onto the ground you stab the parasol into the ground and open it. Almost hitting the girl in the process.
>"Hey! Watch it jerk, you could have killed me!"
>You scoff at her comment and sit down on your towel, a move she follows.
>First thing is first. Sunscreen!

>As you open the bottle and give Natsuki a smug grin she snatches it out of your hand.
>"I know exactly what you're thinking, Anon."
>Damn, maybe next time.
>Natsuki squirts an ample amount of sunscreen onto her palm and goes about spreading it over her body.
>You take your shirt off and reach for the bottle.
>As you do, you can almost feel Natsuki's eyes tracing along your chest.
>Evident from the fact her movements have slowed. She's wearing sunglasses but you can still tell she's looking you over.
>She finishes up before you can even start.
>"Hey, could you do my back? I can't reach it."
"Sure, hang on."
>Using the dollop of cream that was already on your palm, you spread it an the girls back.
>She lets out a content sigh as your hands work across her back.
>In fact she almost zones out completely under your caring touch.
>Soon enough however she snaps out of it.
>"That's enough. Your turn."
>Before you can make another move she snatches the bottle again and orders you to turn.
>You oblige, and after another comedic sounding squirt of cream you feel Natsuki's tiny hands rubbing over your back.
>She's putting to much force into it though.
>She finishes quickly and hands you the bottle.
>In no time you've already worked the sunscreen over yourself.
>Now you're both ready!
>Natsuki picks up one of the dinghies and begins blowing into it.
>You do the same with the other, and soon enough you both close the air holes on a pair of full rubber rings.
>As you stand up, Natsuki boasts to you.
>"I bet I can beat you to the water!"
"You're on!"

>You sprint towards the shoreline, but Natsuki's size compliments her agility that little bit more as her foot plunges into the water first.
>She walks in more before turning to you just as you reach the water.
>"Told you so!"
>Her teasing comment is accompanied by her sticking her tongue out at you!
>The water is surprisingly cold, you approach Natsuki who has no thrown her ring down on the waters surface.
>Suddenly a devilish idea crosses your mind.
>Before the girl has the chance to jump into the middle of her ring you shove her to the side.
>She loses her balance and topples into the cold water, going under completely.
>As she surfaces you can see a glint of fire in her eyes.
>"You asshole!"
>She stands and swipes her hand through the surface of the water, forming a wave that splashes against your chest.
>She gives you a disgruntled "Hmph" as you laugh at her.
>You put your dinghy down and climb into it. Natsuki climbs into hers and the two of you lie back next to each other.
>The gentle waves raising and lowering both of you as they pass under your rings.
>With your hands behind your head and the sun's warmth on your skin, you can finally relax after a long drive.
>You hear Natsuki let out another content sigh.
>"Y'know Anon.."
"Hm?"
>I'm really glad you asked me to go to the beach with you in the first place."
>"I haven't been here in such a long time, but now that I'm actually here it's coming back to me."
>Seagulls pass overhead, their screeching calls piercing the serenity of the atmosphere.
>"I remember my parents bringing me here when I was little. We were such a happy family back then."
>"My dad would carry me on his shoulders way out into the water. Sometimes he'd fake losing his balance to scare the life out of me."
>"His booming laughter as I screamed in panic.."

>"Then he actually dropped me in one time. Oh boy you should have heard my mother's screams as he fished me out of the water."
>"'What have I told you about messing around you dolt! I warned you this would happen!'"
>She sighs again. This time sounding a bit more melancholic.
>You can tell she pines to go back to such a life. Where her mother is still here and her dad isn't.. Well.. What he is now.
>But it is what it is. There's not much really that can be done.
>You know she does her best to be strong on the outside.
>And you do your best to be there if she falters.
>"Hey, Anon..?"
"Yeah Natsuki?"
>"T-Thank you."
>"I really mean that."
"Don't mention it, Natsuki. It's the least I could do."
>"You didn't need to bring me out here though.
"Maybe not. But I definitely wanted to."
>Your words catch her off guard a little.
>"Well.. Thanks."
>The two of you sit in a peaceful silence, much similar to those you share when reading together.
>A good deal of time passes, the two of you exchange some more discussion about this, that and the other. Laughing at jokes and just generally having a good time.
>Finally you hear a splash as Natsuki gets out of her dinghy.
>"By the way, Anon."
"Yeah?"
>"Have some payback, jerk!"
>Before you can react Natsuki grabs your dinghy and tips it.
>With nothing to grip onto, you go under.
>As you gather your surroundings you can hear Natsuki burst into hysterics, muffled out by the water in your ears.
>You surface and gasp for air. As you do, you feel a familiar feeling creep upon you.

>You glance down at Natsuki and catch her eyeing your glistening, wet body.
>You smirk.
"Enjoying the view?"
>Her face instantly turns beet red as her head turns away from you.
>"I-I.. It's n-not like there's anything to look at anyway! You're as skinny as I am!"
"Am not!"
>"Are too!"
"Anyway, coming from someone like you that's a compliment."
>"Wait what!? What's that supposed to mean!"
>You flash her a cheeky grin before setting off towards the beach again.
"Oh nothing, nothing at all~"
>The two of you make it back to your spot and throw the dinghies down after deflating them.
>After relaxing some more the two of you decide it's time to head home.
>You gather your belongings and head back to the car.
>As you step into the parking lot again you nudge Natsuki.
>"What?"
>You point to an ice cream truck parked nearby.
>"Oh, of course!"
"Alright, take all the stuff to the car and put it in. I'll get us some ice creams."
>"Deal!"
>You hand the folded parasol and deflated dinghies to the girl. Your car keys should be in her bag.
>You approach the van and order two ice creams. One in blue bubble gum flavour and the second in strawberry.
>In no time the vendor hands you two cones after you pay up, giving you a weird glare as you take the blue one.
>You think nothing of it as you return to your car.
>Natsuki is at the front of the car, leaning against it and looking out over the ocean.
>You nudge her and hand her the strawberry cone.
>"Thanks."
>The two of you stand next to each other and eat your ice creams together.
>You finish quickly.
"Welp, let's go."
>"Wait.. Anon, one more thing."
>You straighten up and turn to Natsuki.
"Yea-

>You're cut off by shock as Natsuki wraps her arms around you and cuddles into your chest.
>"I really meant it when I said thank you."
>You slowly wrap your arms around her as well. Bringing a hand up to stroke her hair.
"It's nothing big Natsuki. Really."
>"To me it is.."
"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."
>"I really did."
>You hug for a short while, before Natsuki finally pulls away.
>"Let's go home."
>She gets into the car, as do you.
>The ride home is quiet save for the car's radio.