Miss Heir wasn't very kind to me.

Chapter 185, Section 26: "The sea of ​​memories, though it may drown you, still makes you want to drown in it."

"Phew—what a relief."

As I stepped out of the aquarium, my expression, which had been as serene as a thousand-year-old woman, relaxed, and the words she uttered slowly sank into the scorching air.

She tilted her head and looked at Masumi, saying sarcastically, "When you were being taken away just now, your girlfriends' eyes were really scary."

"It's not that exaggerated."

"Yes, there are." I smiled broadly as I looked at Gu Qiansui. "They are all incredibly beautiful women. Being with them makes me feel quite pressured."

"The comic book says that these beautiful female characters are usually the type who like to bully people."

"You're very beautiful too, senior," Masumi said casually.

"Oh dear, is she complaining that I'm a bad woman who plays with cute juniors?"

"That's it."

"That……"

She suddenly closed the distance between them, bringing her face close and whispering in Masumi's ear:

"How does Masumi want me to make it up to you?"

The gentle breath tickled Masumi's skin.

From her slightly parted lips, one could see the moist, pink tongue with a sticky sheen.

“…Senior.” Masumi couldn’t help but swallow.

"Ah~ Are you shy? How cute."

I, like a thousand-year-old ancient being, narrowed my eyes and let out a hearty laugh.

"Please stop messing with me, senior."

Masumi sighed helplessly at her own pathetic reaction, "About what happened before..."

"Don't rush to talk about these things."

She raised her index finger to her lips and gently shook her head.

"Masumi, please wait here for me for a moment."

"Oh, okay."

Without understanding what was going on, Masumi gave a casual reply and fixed her gaze on the world where her predecessor, Rugu, had left.

Miyako Island had already caught the setting sun, and the afterglow floating on the sea slowly retreated, as if looking back at the world that was about to depart.

After a while.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Masumi."

A voice more beautiful than any music called out Masumi's name.

Like the setting sun sinking into the sea, exposed senses are gradually blurred and indistinct by the dim sky.

Masumi squinted at her, watching her white motorcycle helmet, which seemed to have changed color as if the remnants of the sunset had been draped over it, and her black hair fluttering in the wind.

I, like a thousand-year-old woman, parked my motorcycle on the side of the road, revealing a beautiful face from under my helmet.

"Hey handsome, wanna hitch a ride to the beach?"

She spoke in a mocking manner, her lips forming a teasing smile.

"Senior...where did this come from?"

Masumi looked at the motorcycle she was riding, a Honda Civic, a classic motorcycle model.

Its pink exterior almost blends into the sunset.

"Of course I bought it myself, a Honda C110, isn't it great?" She put her hand on the steering wheel, looking very proud.

“Okinawa is different from the mainland; you can’t get by on the island without a car.”

"Alright, come on up."

Urged on by me, like a thousand-year-old, Masumi walked over and sat on the back of the motorcycle.

The engine hummed in my ears as the Honda Coupe started off slowly, then suddenly accelerated.

◇

"Senior, where are we?"

The Honda Coupe sped along the coastal road on Miyako Island.

The sunset on the horizon seemed to have settled down and remained still, pushing the island and its people forward.

"What--?"

I, like a thousand-year-old ancient being, asked loudly as if I hadn't heard clearly.

"I said, where are we going?" Masumi raised her voice.

"have no idea--"

Her voice, along with the air that brushed past her, turned into wind, blowing Masumi's bangs up.

"Huh?!" Masumi exclaimed in surprise.

"but--"

"If it's just the two of us, it doesn't matter where we go, right?"

The motorcycle's rearview mirror was stained crimson, blurring the smile of the beautiful senior.

I laughed heartily, as if I were a thousand years old.

Masumi paused for a moment, then unsurprisingly revealed a wry smile and a helpless expression, remarking:
"A man and a woman, a motorcycle, sunset at the beach, riding without a destination."

"What's this? A classic romantic scene from the end of the century?"

"What? Masumi doesn't like this type?"

"So—on the streets of Otaru on a white Christmas night, Masumi and I unexpectedly met. The moment our eyes met, the Christmas lights came on, and the department stores along the street started playing the beginning of a song by Kazumasa Oda... How about that?"

She said it in a teasing tone.

"That plot point is only a few years newer than the last one."

Before I could finish uttering that complaint, my body suddenly leaned back, and I, like an ancient thousand-year-old, twisted the accelerator, increasing the speed.

"Senior, the car is going too fast." Masumi straightened up and frowned.

"If you're worried about falling, you can hug me from behind."

"Let's skip something so embarrassing—um!"

Honda Koshou burst into speed, and Masumi reflexively reached out and grabbed her waist.

Touching the skin like this, you can see that my predecessor's waist is not only slender and soft, but also very strong.

I, like an ancient thousand-year-old, slightly curled the corners of my lips, "Since you're holding me tight, don't let go easily~"

"Senior, I feel like our roles are reversed."

"Ah~ I understand, I understand," she replied dismissively.

“In movies, it’s usually the girl who sits on the back and hugs the boy, right? So it’s fine to let Masumi ride the bike.”

“No, forget it, I don’t have a driver’s license.” Masumi refused without hesitation.

"What does it matter? I don't have any problems."

"Eh!?"

"Just kidding, I was just joking."

Her laughter, like that of someone who had successfully pulled off a prank, drifted on the wind.

The coastal highway was deserted, with only the faint light from motorcycle headlights seeping into the slightly damp pavement.

For some reason, Masumi felt an inexplicable surge of emotion.

The accumulated things, like a collapsing sandcastle, were shaken by the evening wind and scattered by the waves.

Lost in this extraordinary feeling, their shadows stretched longer and longer in the twilight.

As dusk seemed to be erased by the night, it slowly disappeared. Before the shadows were swallowed up, I, like a thousand-year-old ancient being, suddenly said:

"By the way, I've thought of a good destination."

"what?"

"Let's go chase the sunset."

My voice, like that of my predecessors, was crisp and clear, so much so that even the setting sun seemed to be moved.

◇

The Honda Civic was parked on the coastal road, with a deserted beach in front of it.

On Miyako Island, places like this are everywhere.

Following the setting sun, Masumi got off the motorcycle and walked side by side with my senior, Ruko, towards the seaside.

During the day, it appears as a patch of pure white sand, but under the cover of night, it becomes darker in color, and the soles of the shoes have a round, crisp feel to them.

Like an ancient thousand-year-old, I took off my sandals and felt the sandy beach barefoot.

"We've arrived at a place quite far from the aquarium."

She squinted her eyes from the sea breeze and sighed.

"I love them all..."

Masumi hesitated when she thought about the girls she had left at the aquarium.

"Don't worry about the hospitality. I've had my staff prepare a sumptuous dinner, including Kōkō Ryū's signature grilled sea eel."

"If you're worried, send them a message."

"Okay, I'll contact them on LINE."

Masumi responded, her fingers flying across the virtual keyboard. After editing and sending, she looked up and saw my beautiful face, which seemed to be smiling but not smiling.

"Masumi, aren't you going to introduce me to your girlfriends?"

“I told you she wasn’t my girlfriend.” Masumi sighed.

"Is that so? Putting everyone else aside, the way that Ms. Kurokawa looked at you was like stretchy cheese."

She patted Masumi's shoulder hard, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"You're really something, you actually managed to win over Tongpeng's unattainable beauty."

"Masumi, do you remember what I told you before?"

"What?" Masumi asked, puzzled.

"If you become a super philanderer, flirting with girls and surrounded by multiple girls—in that case, I'll take your nails off and use them as picks."

I put on a cruel expression, and murmured in a low voice as I took Masumi's right hand.

The hands that were clasped together were so hot; the warmth of the sun-baked sand emanated from their palms. Rather than hot... it was more like painful.

The senior's grip was so strong it felt like a vise clamping down, and just before Masumi could cry out in pain, her strength suddenly loosened.

"Oh dear, your nails are all cut short. Looks like you really aren't playing the guitar anymore."

"Weren't you the same as your senior?"

Masumi looked at the hand that was holding hers.

Her fingers were slender and long, and her nails were neatly trimmed and smooth, without any embellishment.

West High School's rules aren't strict, but they're far from lenient either; accessories like manicures are definitely not allowed.

Only members of music clubs can openly have manicures on the hand they use to play instruments and protect their nails, under the pretext of "playing instruments" and "protecting their nails".

As far as I can remember, my senior always liked to do his own blue nail art. Because he was very skilled, he was often asked for help by the female members of the Jazz Research Institute next door.

"Because cosmetics and nail polish are harmful to marine animals," she said matter-of-factly.

"However, the ones on the toes are still there."

"Oh."

I let go, and like a thousand-year-old, I stopped at just the right spot, sitting by the sea. Masumi sat down next to her, watching her stretch out her legs and wiggle her toes, so that her ten adorable toes reached eye level.

Her delicate toenails were painted a striking light blue and adorned with bright rhinestones, with ten tiny seas drawn on her toes.

"Masumi."

"Ok?"

Are you staring at my feet?

"No!"

It was a trap. I let out a soft, mocking laugh from my alluring lips, just like the ancient beauty.

"Masumi, you still like girls' feet so much."

"Senior, this awkward topic doesn't feel like a long-awaited reunion at all."

"What does it matter? We can only talk about these things because we're close." I chuckled happily, like a thousand-year-old girl.

"You still prefer blue nail polish."

“Miyako Blue, a color as beautiful as the sea around Miyako Island,” she replied.

I, like an ancient thousand-year-old, bent my knees and hugged my thighs, my feet leaving two thin trails on the sand.

When did Masumi arrive at Miyako Island?

"yesterday afternoon."

"I see. Then you must have fully appreciated the sea..."

"How is it? Isn't it beautiful?"

"Yes, it's beautiful, just like what I've heard from my seniors before."

After honestly expressing her thoughts, Masumi thought for a moment and added, "I also ate the snow salt ice cream and sea grapes that my senior always talks about."

"Huh? Have I told you about this before?"

"I have said that."

"Ah~ I remember now."

She nodded, seemingly without any particular meaning, and squinted slightly. "I did say something like that."

"Masumi remembers me very clearly."

"..."

What happened to the senior student who dropped out of the music university?

After a brief silence, Masumi asked directly.

Is your unwillingness to contact me also due to this relationship?

"Those are two different things."

I, like a thousand-year-old ancient being, shook my head.

"At first I was just thinking of taking a year off from school, but after spending the summer on the island, I thought I might as well drop out altogether."

"Is it because of this aquarium? I heard you introduce yourself earlier, and you're the curator here."

"Pretty much, this is my grandfather's aquarium."

She explained slowly, "He's too old to manage now, and his parents have no interest in it, so they handed the position of director over to me."

"You gave up music just for this reason?"

"What do you mean by 'only for this reason'?"

I, like an ancient thousand-year-old, squinted my eyes in dissatisfaction.

“This aquarium has been open since my grandfather’s generation. It is a collective memory of the people of Miyako Island.”

"I spent my childhood here before I went to study in Kobe, and it is a very precious place for me."

The senior seemed to have intended to say this in the same tone as usual, but it sounded somewhat sentimental.

"Feel sorry."

"It's okay, I wasn't really blaming you."

She smiled as if to reassure Masumi.

"And I haven't given up on music."

"She even cut her nails."

"Can't you play an electric guitar with a pick?"

As she spoke, she extended her left hand toward Masumi.

The pale, slender fingertips were different from my own fingertips, which had become soft; I could feel hard, thin calluses on them.

"I played the guitar at the festival in the shopping street this year during the Obon festival."

As I, like a thousand-year-old ancient figure, used my fingers to tidy up my bangs that had been ruffled by the sea breeze, a faint smile appearing on my lips.

"However, the elderly people on the island don't really appreciate it."

Masumi nodded. "Your musical style doesn't really suit this peaceful and tranquil island."

When I was in Tokyo, my senior, Ruko, was the guitarist in a visual kei-style all-female heavy metal band, and the instrument was a Japanese Fender with all-solid pickups.

“I think so too. For this little island that hasn’t changed much, the style is still a bit too avant-garde.” I smiled like a thousand-year-old man.

"However, the tourists who came to visit were quite surprised because there were no human voices, only instrumental music. Some people even mistakenly thought that this was the style of Miyako Island."

After making a small joke, she said seriously:
"Anyway, I just wanted to tell Masumi that I'm currently juggling my work at the aquarium with making music."

"Wouldn't that be too greedy?"

"It seems there is such a saying."

"But it's not a big problem. The only trouble is that the humidity on the island is too high. If the guitar is not stored in a humidity chamber, the strings will rust quickly and the wood will easily warp."

As if dissatisfied with her evasiveness, Masumi took a deep breath and said, "Isn't this just like playing house?"

“Begin, an Okinawan band from Ishigaki Island, also went to Tokyo and made music their career.”

Upon hearing his words, I felt a complex emotion on Gu Qiansui's lips, an emotion she rarely displayed. She then quickly regained her usual smile.

"Although I'm tired of saying this today, I still want to say it—Masumi, you haven't changed at all."

"Be extremely serious about everything, go all out, and leave yourself no way out."

"Because only in this way will we give it our all," Masumi replied calmly.

"Well, I don't deny that, but what is Masumi doing right now?"

My words, as sharp as a thousand-year-old ancient swordsman, cut straight to the heart of the matter, causing Masumi's throat to tremble slightly.

I haven't experienced that feeling of being completely drawn into the other person's rhythm and control in a long time, and I miss it very much, although as always, I still can't quite get it right.

Masumi quietly lowered her eyelashes.

"...You should already know about my band's disbandment, right?"

"Yeah, neither Spotify nor Bandcamp has updated their content in a long time."

"So you've been keeping an eye on this all along."

"Didn't I tell you? I've never given up on music."

Her words didn't take a roundabout way; they went straight to her.

"..."

After a long silence, Masumi spoke again: "One last question—"

"Why exactly does the senior not want to see me?"

Even when he interrogated me with a tone tinged with criticism, I, Ru Gu Qian Sui, remained calm and composed.

"Does Masumi remember the message I sent you?"

Masumi nodded and replied:
"I really liked the you from the past, so I don't want to be disappointed after meeting the you from now on," my senior sent me that message back then.

"I think this is the answer."

I gazed at the sea as if from ancient times, my tone calm.

“However, Masumi should be the one saying this to me.”

"Back then, Masumi was focused on making her debut. If I, as a senior member of the band, were to bring this up with you, it would definitely throw your mind into chaos."

“Masumi is absolutely right. When you’re moving forward, you have to give it your all. If you hesitate, you’ll stumble.”

"But isn't that a selfish thought?" Masumi asked instinctively.

Upon hearing his words, I, like a thousand-year-old ancient being, suddenly turned my face and quietly gazed at his expression.

It was impossible for Masumi not to waver at all under her direct gaze.

However, the dim light of night can certainly conceal the expression on one's face.

"You're right."

She said, "I have been reflecting on this. I thought I was doing this for the good of others, but it was just self-gratification. I didn't think about how the other person felt."

"So, I should apologize to Masumi."

Every word I spoke, like those of my predecessor, pierced straight into the softest corner of Masumi's heart, while unconsciously evoking the feelings he didn't want to face.

He turned his face away and said, "I won't accept such a perfunctory apology."

"Yes, of course."

Suddenly, I, Ru Gu Qian Sui, stood up from the beach.

Masumi's gaze returned to her.

"When are you going back to Kobe?" she asked.

"tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? That's so urgent."

"Because the coffee shop still needs to be open, I can't squeeze out that much time to play."

"I see."

I nodded like an ancient sage, and a smile immediately bloomed on my lips.

"It's a pity, you probably won't be able to leave."

"Eh? Why?"

"Because..."

She sniffed the moisture in the air with her small, delicate nose.

"It's going to rain from now on."

"Hmm? What do you mean by that, senpai..." Masumi's voice trailed off.

A dampness washed over her face, followed by the cool sensation of raindrops hitting her skin. Wait, could it be? Masumi looked up at the sky in astonishment.

As the sunset faded into the sky, a cumulonimbus cloud drifted in, motionless as if it had settled down, before rain began to fall.

Masumi was stunned. "Senpai, are you a 100% Rain Woman?"

Where there is a sunny woman, there must be a rain woman. Speaking of which, Ryukyu Shinto is different from Japanese Shinto, and it is mainly based on the belief in the Dragon Palace. Could it be that the senior has a natural spirit of the Dragon God lineage residing in him?
"What are you talking about?"

I, like a thousand-year-old ancient man, squinted my eyes as if amused, and curled up the corners of my lips with pleasure.

"When did Masumi become so superstitious? For the people of Okinawa, unpredictable weather is part of daily life."

As if in agreement with her statement, a deafening clap of thunder sounded in the sky. So that's it, Typhoon No. 6.

I, in high spirits, hummed a song. "Thunder God stirs slightly, piercing the clouds and bringing rain; will you stay?"
"Before the typhoon leaves, Masumi, and your close female friends..." she said softly, changing her form of address and lip movements.

"Please take good care of me."

(End of this chapter)