Mornings by the sea always carry a kind of light that makes everything clearer. The water looks more transparent. The sand glows brighter. And emotions no matter how carefully hidden refuse to stay concealed.

After breakfast, the resort prepares a small buggy to take Lena and Miu to a seaside bridal studio. It is a white wooden house perched on a gentle hill, coconut trees rising behind it, the endless blue horizon opening wide in front. The path leading up is paved with coral stone, sea grass growing freely on both sides, swaying softly in the wind.

Miu sits beside Lena, one hand gripping the seatbelt, legs swinging slightly like a child on the way to an amusement park. Her hair is tied up high, a few loose strands brushing her neck, sunlight catching her skin and making it glow.

"Lena," Miu turns to her, eyes sparkling, "if the dress looks bad, you're not allowed to laugh."

Lena rests her chin on her hand, studying her with calm certainty.

"There is no dress that could make you look bad."

Miu pouts.

"Don't exaggerate."

"I'm not." Lena reaches out, gently smoothing the strand of hair that has fallen across Miu's forehead.

"I'm just telling the truth."

The buggy comes to a stop. Studio staff greet them warmly and usher them inside.

⸻

The studio is flooded with natural light. White sheer curtains ripple gently in the sea breeze. On display racks hang wedding dresses as soft as clouds, lace delicate and intricate, layers of tulle so light they seem to breathe when the wind touches them.

Miu's mouth falls open.

"Oh wow... they're beautiful..."

Lena stands behind her, watching as if every dress is merely a backdrop for Miu.

A young stylist approaches with a bright smile.

"Which style would you like to try first, Miu?"

Miu spins toward the racks, eyes shining.

"That one! The soft one with lots of layers!"

The stylist nods.

"A-line, layered tulle. It'll suit your figure perfectly."

Miu turns to Lena, smug.

"Did you hear that? It suits me."

Lena shrugs lightly.

"Obviously."

Miu disappears into the fitting room. Lena sits outside, arms crossed, tension creeping into her posture despite herself.

The stylist notices and chuckles.

"Nervous?"

"No."

"Worried she'll choose the wrong dress?"

"No."

"Then what?"

Lena lowers her gaze to the glass of water on the table.

"...Worried I won't survive it."

The stylist blinks twice, then laughs quietly, deciding not to press further.

The fitting room door opens.

Miu steps out.

And the air in the room seems to stop.

The layered white gown falls softly over her waist, tracing gentle curves. The off-shoulder neckline reveals slender collarbones where sunlight rests like a pale ribbon. The tulle flows to her ankles, each step sending ripples through the fabric like small waves.

Her hair is loosely pinned up, wisps framing her neck. Her lips are naturally pink, her eyes bright.

But what steals Lena's breath is Miu's expression.

Joyful.
Unguarded.
Completely open.

Miu turns once, the skirt lifting lightly.

"Lena... how is it?"

Lena doesn't answer.

Miu stops, suddenly anxious.

"Is it bad?"

Lena stands.

Slowly.

One step at a time.

Until she's standing directly in front of her.

She lifts Miu's chin, meets her eyes, her voice low like the sea at night.

"It's so beautiful I want to close the doors and not let anyone else see you."

Miu flushes, lightly hitting her shoulder.

"What are you saying? It's a wedding dress!"

"I know."

"And we still have photos..."

"No photos for anyone else."

"Lena!"

The stylist turns away, laughing quietly.

Lena leans down and presses a soft kiss to Miu's bare shoulder.

"You wearing this is dangerous."

Miu shivers.

"Dangerous how..."

"Dangerous for my heart."

After a few test shots, the stylist suggests, "Let's step down to the beach. The light is perfect right now."

Miu agrees instantly.

Lena exhales not because of the breeze, but because of the thought:

Miu in a wedding dress, under the sea light. She isn't sure she can handle it.

⸻

The beach near the studio is quiet. The water is clear enough to see sand beneath the surface, the waves gentle as a caress.

Miu lifts her skirt and runs toward the shoreline, laughter ringing out as the dress catches the wind.

"Lena! Look!"

Lena looks.

And it feels as if every window inside her has been thrown open wind rushing in, sea rushing in, light flooding everything.

Miu spins, white fabric swirling like clouds.

"Isn't it beautiful?!"

Lena answers without hesitation.

"The most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Miu beams, eyes closing with her smile.

Then a sudden wave surges higher than before, splashing cold water against her legs.

"Ah! It's cold!"

She jumps back, but the long skirt tangles her steps.

Before she can fall Lena lunges forward, arms wrapping around her waist, lifting her clean off the sand.

"Lena!! What are you doing..."

"You'd fall if you stayed there."

"I wouldn't!"

"You would."

"I..."

"Stop."

Lena holds her close, seawater splashing against her own legs. Miu's tulle skirts flutter, dampened slightly, clinging to her thighs.

Miu's face burns red.

"Put me down..."

"No."

"People might see."

"Good."

"Lena!!"

Lena dips her head and captures Miu's lips in a brief but deep kiss, just long enough to steal her breath.

When they part, both are breathing unevenly.

Seawater drips from the hem of the dress, light scattering in tiny sparks around them.

Miu looks at Lena, eyes shining.

"You're making me so embarrassed..."

"No." Lena whispers, her voice rough.

"You're making the sea more beautiful."

Another wave brushes against their feet, cold but pleasant.

Miu takes a breath.

"...Lena."

"Hm?"

"If that day... at the hotel... our parents hadn't suggested the marriage..."

Lena looks at her, grip steady.

"...would you still have confessed?"

Without hesitation.

"Yes."

"Normally?"

"No."

"No?"

Lena leans close to her ear.

"I would've made you love me. No matter how."

Miu laughs, resting her forehead against Lena's shoulder.

"You're insane."

"Yes." Lena tightens her hold.

"Insane about you."

Waves roll softly at their feet.

The wind lifts the white gown like drifting clouds.

And in that moment Lena knows with absolute certainty:

If there is anything in this world she would kneel to hold with both hands, with every dark instinct she carries, and with every gentleness she has learned, it is the girl laughing in her arms.