“Who wants to rent a bike!” Aki shouted with the enthusiasm of someone who just downed three energy drinks.

“I’m in!” Miko instantly raised her hand like she was answering a game show buzzer. Suzuka, however, looked like she just got told her favorite anime got canceled.

“I... I can’t ride a bike...” she said, her voice small and unsure.

“No problem!” Aki declared, patting her chest. “You can ride with me. Easy peasy.”

Suzuka immediately lit up like a puppy who just got adopted, nodding eagerly.

Ruka just smiled and waved off the invitation, obviously choosing her usual “calm observer” route.

Then came the international comedy show—Aki trying to communicate with the Hawaiian girls using broken English and wild hand gestures. “You want ride cycle? Me… you… sai-ku-ru?” she said while pretending to pedal in midair.

“Cycle?” Moana blinked before grinning and mimicking the same motion. “Ohhh! Sorry, but we can’t ride bikes.”

Aki gave a dramatic sigh. “Tragic,” she muttered like she just got rejected from her dream job.

I looked over at Keiko, raising an eyebrow to signal if she was in. She noticed and leaned a little closer. “You want? It sounds fun,” I whispered.

She hesitated. “It’s been a while since I rode one…”

I grinned. “Perfect. Then I’ll give you a ride.”

She blushed and gave the tiniest nod.

Victory.

“I’m in!” I announced to the group.

Aki pumped her fist in the air. “That’s what I need to hear! Let’s gooo!”

And just like that, we said goodbye to Ruka and the Hawaiian girls and made our way to the rental place.

“This is so exciting!” Miko squealed.

“My first time,” Suzuka added nervously.

Aki smirked. “You still got a long way to go, kiddo.”

We all burst out laughing. I added, “Listen to your grandma, Suzuka.”

“HEY!” Aki whined. “That’s not what I meant!”

Miko jumped in. “Make sure she doesn’t forget her cane.”

More laughter.

By the time we got to the rental spot, our stomachs hurt from giggling. We ended up renting three bikes: Aki paired with Suzuka, me with Keiko, and Miko, ever the lone wolf, got her own.

As Keiko stood by my side, Aki pointed dramatically. “Are you sure, miss? You know she’s got a huge crush on you. I heard she’s a total perv.”

Miko joined in, raising a suspicious brow. “Yeah, she might get handsy.”

I rolled my eyes. “Seriously?”

Keiko smiled coolly. “Really? I’ll be careful then.”

...She’s not helping.

“Just get on already,” I muttered, half-joking, waiting for Keiko to hop on the back. Aki, of course, couldn’t let it go.

“OHHH~ Cold Ryuko in action!”

Keiko gently climbed onto the back, arms awkwardly on her lap. I ignored them all and pedaled away like a boss. “Later, children.”

“HEY! WAIT!” they all screamed behind us.

I turned briefly to see Aki struggling to balance with Suzuka on the back. Miko looked unimpressed. Mission accomplished. I smirked.

The road was mostly smooth, though there were a few sharp turns and slight dips. Keiko held on to the back of my shirt timidly.

“Careful!” she warned at one curve. “Don’t go too fast!”

I came to a stop, raising an eyebrow. “Why are you acting so awkward?”

“What?” she blinked, confused.

I looked at her hand still gripping my shirt like I was about to fly off. I sighed and reached behind, gently grabbing her arms.

“H-Hey! What are you—”

I guided her arms around my waist, making her hug me properly. “This is how you hold on. Stop being shy. We’ve done way more intimate stuff than this.”

She went full tomato, her face heating up instantly. “I-I... you’re right. I’m sorry.”

I chuckled. “Didn’t mean to sound harsh either. Just... you don’t have to pretend. We’re not strangers.”

She leaned against me a little more comfortably now, whispering, “I know… I just overthink too much.”

I pedaled again, her arms now warm around my waist, and the ride suddenly felt lighter.

The path started weaving through some breathtaking scenery. Trees danced in the breeze, Mt. Fuji peeked from the clouds, and the sun cast golden hues over everything. We passed through flower-filled fields and quiet lakeside roads. Keiko gasped softly at one viewpoint, and we stopped to take photos—silly selfies, couple shots, nature backgrounds.

At one quiet, shaded corner near a stream, I leaned toward her and stole a quick kiss on her cheek. She turned to me wide-eyed. “You’re impossible,” she murmured with a tiny smile.

I winked. “You love it.”

We held hands whenever we weren’t pedaling, just silently soaking in the view—and each other.

Eventually, we circled back to the meeting point.

As expected, Aki was sweaty, Miko was irritated, and Suzuka was practically sleeping.

“You two!” Aki pointed dramatically. “You left us!”

“I almost fell three times!” Miko added, panting.

“My butt hurts,” Suzuka mumbled.

Keiko just smiled, hiding her laughter.

I shrugged. “You all looked like you were having plenty of fun.”

“You abandoned us!” Aki accused.

I grinned, not even trying to hide it.

Aki threw her hands up. “Next time, I’m chaining your bike to mine!”

“Good luck with that,” I replied, grabbing a bottle of water.

And as the sun dipped lower behind the mountain, casting a soft pink glow over the path, Keiko gently reached for my hand. Our fingers intertwined in silence, but the feeling said everything. No one noticed us lingering behind the group as we strolled slowly toward the hotel. The others were busy chatting ahead, laughing and talking about dinner plans.

In that peaceful moment, hidden in plain sight, it felt like the world shrank to just the two of us.