Prologue: Our Season T urns Once More

Golden hair, swaying in the sea breeze, is a striking sight against the backdrop of Shonan in July.

Everyone who catches a glimpse of her forgets to move.

However, the girl herself seems completely unaware of the countless love-at-first-sight moments she's causing ever since stepping off at Katase-Enoshima Station.

"Aoshi-kun, am I doing a good job with this date?"

"Yeah, I'd say you're doing pretty well."

I reply to the slightly anxious sapphire eyes looking at me.

Our reflections in the glass-walled café still look a little awkward, like a newly dating couple.

Yes, this half-Japanese, half-German beauty who causes a stir just by existing – Kisaragi Karen Emilia – is my girlfriend.

"I don't want 'pretty well.' Because right now, I'm Aoshi-kun's real girlfriend, after all."

"...That's right."

It was a slightly odd way of putting it, but I readily nodded in agreement.

This is a shared understanding between Karen and me—we're close like lovers right now, but who knows what tomorrow will bring.

"What should I do to act more like a real girlfriend?"

"If I were to be picky, I'd say the distance between us still feels a bit formal."

At my advice, she hesitantly bumps her delicate shoulder against mine.

My hand, hanging loosely, brushed against Karen's cool skin for just a moment—skin that felt like it belonged to a different season of summer.

Blue eyes, sending a gaze that seemed to conceal shyness with a forced strength, met mine.

"...How about now?"

"Yeah, now you look like a real couple."

After passing through the stylish street, the ocean spread out beyond the palm trees.

On Enoshima Island, connected by Benten Bridge, the Enoshima Sea Candle tower stood against the blue sky.

Again, I couldn't help but think how wonderful it would be if this were just a normal date.

"Still not used to this, Karen?"

"Honestly, it's not even about getting used to it or not."

Karen’s gaze hardened, and I followed her line of sight.

There, were cameras. Adults holding cameras.

And adults with microphones, adults holding cue cards that read, "Converse with natural smiles"—we were walking through a date spot surrounded by a crowd of staff.

Seeing the word "Bokusetu" printed on the staff's T-shirts brought a fleeting bitter feeling—

But I refocused my awareness on this not-so-normal date with Karen.