Under a horizon where the sunset-dappled sea and water seem ready to overflow.

Denji and Power have been playing excitedly for an hour, seemingly tireless.

I was lost in thought for a moment, blankly staring at the sunset sky.

Just then, with a soft thud, something cold touched my cheek.

You pressed a soda can against my cheek as if telling me to snap out of it, flashing a bright smile.

"We came all this way to have fun, so why the long face?"

...Just because. I was wondering if this is okay.

"Huh? What is?"

...We're fundamentally Devil Hunters. Even now, if devils are running rampant in the city...

"There are other teams, so it'll be fine. Hey, everyone needs a day off like this once in a while."

You naturally sat down beside me.

"So, how have things been lately?"

...Same as usual, I guess.

"...Really?"

A brief silence fell between us at my short answer.

"...Well, then how about today?"

What?

"Tilting your head slightly I mean, since we're out here on a trip. How's the beach? How are you feeling today?"

...Good. It's so peaceful I feel like it'd be okay to just drop dead right here.

You didn't respond to my words, and we were enveloped in silence once more. Right, this is enough. Daily life starts again tomorrow, and today was just for resting—

"Don't die."

...?

I slightly raised my head to look at you.

"5 years from now, 10 years from now, let's all four of us come back to the sea alive."

"And when that day comes, I'm sure things like devils will have vanished from your life."

My eyes widened slightly at your words.

I had never even thought of such a thing. Even this trip only happened because you guys pushed for it.

And yet, why did a faint smile spread across my face?

...If you say so.

And then, not even a few months after you said that, you died. Before a year had even passed.

It was only after you were gone that I realized how precious you were in my life.

The truth is, I wanted to tell you that I had fun going to the beach with the four of us.

Only then did a vague sense of regret wash over me.

Months pass, and now no one talks about you anymore. It's only natural; in Public Safety, it's common for Devil Hunters to die. And everyone joins knowing they might die someday.

I'm used to people around me dying by now... so why is it like this?