Classic soul swap, but a musical

She bit her lower lip, exerting a little force. "The design of the art museum is more interesting than the exhibits inside."

"Well, this place is indeed quite interesting. Do you want me to take pictures for you?" Aragaki Ai stretched out her hand and took Xiangzi's cell phone.

"No need." Her expression was a little conflicted, and her eyes drifted to the other side.

"Go quickly, don't waste time." Aragaki Ai urged her with a smile, patting her arm.

The girl stood in the middle of the corridor, facing the light, so her expression could not be seen clearly and only the outline of her body could be captured.

It seems that she hasn't waited for her summer yet.

The photo recorded this moment. When she returned the phone to Xiangzi, she had a blank expression on her face and did not say that Aragaki Ai's photography skills were too bad or too good.

As they walked down here, the view became wider. Aragaki Ai asked people nearby and then pulled Xiangzi towards a downhill road.

"They say there's a great viewpoint down this road where you can see the sea."

"Ah."

After walking down a distance, I could see the sea, and there was a large wooden platform around it.

There are trees within sight, and a little further away is the seaside.

The afternoon sky is azure blue, connecting with the equally blue sea, but with a clear dividing line.

Xiangzi stood very close to him, looking at the sea side by side. By slightly turning his head, he could see his profile.

She finally made up her mind.

Since no one knows them, it’s okay to be a little more unrestrained.

She held the boy's hand and felt his warmth.

Volume 1: Chapter 168: Blue

The wind blowing in my face carries the scent of the sea. Summer, afternoon, mountains and sea seem to be in perfect harmony at this moment.

The wind blew the girl's blue hair. Between the sea and the sky, it was her blue that occupied her entire eyes.

He felt the girl holding his hand. At first he thought it was an accidental touch, but then she never let go.

Ai Aragaki hesitated for a moment, but still did not shake him off, trying hard to avoid turning her head to look at the girl next to her.

The boundary between the sky and the sea was reflected in her amber pupils. She turned around and looked at the boy.

There was only the calm sea in his eyes, as if he really came to see the sea.

"Let's go to the next place."

"Yeah." Xiangzi nodded, turned around, let go of his hand, and slowly walked back to the art gallery with him.

"Why come to see the sea?"

"There's no real reason. Seeing the sea has been given so much meaning. The books I read often mention seeing the sea, and it becomes a romanticized symbol."

Aragaki Ai seemed to be discussing literature with her, slowing down her pace and walking side by side with Xiangzi.

“In fact, people born in island countries can easily see the sea. When something becomes too ordinary, it becomes less romantic.

So, whether it's romantic or not depends on who you go to see the sea with. I don't know what Xiaoxiang is thinking. Who have you gone to see the sea with before? This shouldn't be your first time to the beach, right?

“Well, you should know that my father and I often went to the island for vacation in the summer.

At that time, watching the sea was not a common thing. I preferred to run to the woods with Chuhua, catch rhinoceros beetles, and watch the stars together.

Xiaoxiang stopped and looked at the exhibits hanging on the wall, with an expression that was unclear.

“Thinking about it now, the sea I see in those days seems no different than the sea I see today, but…

I think the sea I saw today was probably for no reason. Someone said he wanted to see the sea, so I came with him.

"Yeah, that's good."

Ai Aragaki left the art museum with her. There was a board at the exit with a map drawn on it.

He took a quick look and after determining the direction, he led Xiaoxiang towards the shrine and the beach.

"This way."

"Okay." Xiangzi did not question it, but followed him and walked on the inside of the road.

It's two o'clock in the afternoon and the sun is very strong. If you don't walk in the shade of the trees, you will soon get heatstroke.

But the wind in my face was very cool.

They walked along the coast, on the other side of the road, in the shade of the trees.

I can clearly see the sea by turning my head, but most of the time, I only look at the asphalt road under my feet, the gravel that appears from time to time, the shadows of the trees, and the spots of light in the gaps.

The girl also wanted to turn her head anytime and anywhere to see him beside her, but just like this coast, he could only be seen at a specific time and in a specific place.

After walking for a while, my heels felt a little sore. The shoes I was wearing were not the same ones I had worn before, but cheap ones I had bought recently. They didn't fit my feet well.

The weather is getting a bit hot. I didn't notice it in the art museum, but when I was walking on the street, I felt hot. Although I didn't sweat profusely, I still felt hot. My clothes were sticking to my skin and it didn't feel comfortable.

She said nothing, and continued to follow the boy's steps towards the shrine.

Here, you can see the Torii.

Across the sea, you can see a lighthouse, all white. I don’t know if it is open to the public.

There are still many houses nearby, but it is not noisy at all, and you can occasionally hear birds singing.

When passing by a convenience store, Aragaki Ai stopped, looked at the grilled dumplings inside and asked.

"Do you want to eat?"

"No." Xiangzi thought for a moment.

"Then I want to eat it, you said you don't want to eat it." Aragaki Ai walked in alone, and when she came out, she was holding a skewer of grilled dumplings in her hand.

Looking at the expressionless girl, he couldn't help but smile and said softly.

"Blink."

"What for?" She didn't understand, but still listened to him and blinked.

The next second, he had not only a bunch of roasted dumplings in his hand, but also two bags of popsicles.

"Take it." Aragaki Ai stuffed the grilled dumplings and popsicles into her hands and ate the grilled dumplings herself.

It was very soft and a little hot when put in the mouth, and the salty and sweet taste was pretty good. Aragaki Ai felt that it was a bit too sweet. Fortunately, she bought popsicles, which would help to relieve the greasiness later.

He finished the grilled dumplings in two or three bites, threw the bamboo stick into the trash can at the door of the convenience store, turned around, and saw Xiangzi had just eaten the first dumpling.

"Is it delicious, Xiaoxiang?"

"Not bad." She bit the roasted dumpling, wrapped the front end of the bamboo skewer with a paper towel, placed it horizontally in front of her, split it into two halves, and ate it slowly. Compared with Aragaki Ai, he seemed to be eating more voraciously.

He had already put the popsicle in his mouth. When he felt it melt a little, he crushed it with his teeth and ate it, then slowly sucked on it to dissolve it.

At this time, Xiangzi had just finished eating the roasted dumplings, tore open the bag of popsicles, and slowly put the front part into his mouth. The coolness radiated from his lips and tongue to his whole body, soothing the summer heat.

Aragaki Ai used the wooden stick in his hand as a throwing stick and threw it far into the trash can.

Seeing his actions, Xiangzi showed a slightly surprised expression, stood up and threw all the garbage into the trash can.

"Let's go. If you wait for me to finish eating, it will waste too much time. I also want to go there early."

As he said this, Xiangzi finally smiled and extended his hand to Aragaki Ai.

This time, the positions of the two people seemed to be reversed.

The boy grabbed her wrist, but they didn't hold hands. Xiangzi hooked his little finger around hers.

Does this count as holding hands?

She didn't think about those things too much. Suddenly, looking at the road in front of her, she seemed to understand why Aragaki Ai suddenly ran over, why she suddenly wanted to see the sea, and why she bought that book.

No reason, just wanted to do it.

In order to verify his idea, Xiangzi asked him while walking on the road.

"Why go to the shrine?"

"Ah? Because it's on the map, so I thought I'd come over and take a look. Why, you don't like it? Then we can go somewhere else? We still have some time."

Aragaki Ai smiled and said, "I brought you here today just to make you happy. Of course, your opinion will be the priority."

Xiangzi felt that what he thought was indeed correct, and continued to ask him.

"Hey, Ai, what do you think about the past and the future? Do you think people who cling to the past are really stupid?"

"Xiao Xiang is indeed an idiot. You deserve to be fooled by me."

Ai Aragaki did not give a direct answer, but gave her a better answer.

Volume 1: Chapter 169: Shrine

The popsicle slowly melted in my mouth, and the sweetness spread to every corner. I felt a little hot just now, but under the influence of the popsicle, I felt comfortable.

"Liar." Xiangzi felt like he was being called a fool, and replied in a low voice, with a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, and his face was no longer cold.

Just focus on what's in front of you.

The boy told her so.

Until the end of today, on the beach where no one knows them, let's just assume that's the case.

She closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again and blinked. The world seemed to have a light blue filter.

Along the coastline, there is a cement road on the left that goes deep into the sea. There are many tourists on it, and some couples enjoying the breeze.

The asphalt road disappeared and we came to a cobblestone road. Looking up, we saw a stone gate as high as two people. We had arrived at the shrine.

Xiangzi felt that his shoes were rubbing his feet more and more. He felt a cold sensation just now, but he could barely bear the pain transmitted through his skin.

By the time we were walking, we had finished eating all the popsicles.

She looked around, trying to find a trash can, but instead of seeing one, she saw two foxes fighting inside the shrine.

"like?!"

"What's wrong?" The boy heard her voice, turned his head and saw two fat foxes fighting.

After being noticed by others, the two foxes started to run away. Due to their round bodies, the white fox even fell down. The funny scene made everyone around laugh.

Xiangzi smiled happily and trotted over, trying to pick up the white fox, but he was still a step too slow. The white fox turned around and disappeared in a flash.

"Ugh?"

"What? You feel like you can't touch it?" Aragaki Ai moved a little, "I'll catch it for you."

"That's not necessary."

Xiangzi quickly stopped him, "I'm just worried it might get broken. Seeing how fast it's running, it should be fine."

"OK then."

Aragaki Ai withdrew her gaze and walked into the shrine with Xiangzi. There were more people on the road.

He yawned and wandered around, looking at everything and touching everything with no reverence at all.

After looking for a while, I felt bored. The shrines and temples were all the same no matter where I went. It would be better to spend more time watching Xiangzi.

He squatted on the steps, looking at the very pious girl, making a wish and throwing coins into the box.

It seems...her movements are a little stiff, so she shouldn't be injured.

"Xiaoxiang, are you feeling unwell?"

"..." The girl who had just returned from making a wish paused, nodded, and said, "My shoes are a little rubbing against my feet, but it's no big deal, it's okay."

Ai Aragaki didn't blame her for not telling him earlier to show her concern.

He just stood up and recalled what he had seen along the way.

"Wait a moment, ten minutes."

"Huh? Where are you going?"