((Collab Post between Letter Bee, AngelofOctober, and BeachDude7PH.))

Kei hadn’t spoken to many kids his age since he came to the Philippines, actually he had always taken the time to be by himself. This was sort of different though as an older boy was talking to him, not much older, but older. He had black hair and brown irises, he seemed the athletic type. Like Futomi and other boys back home who were starting to get bigger and stronger than wimps like him. He felt a little unease as he began to talk to him.

Kei fumbled with his paper. He recalls a boy from his other school, a Takahashi Shinobu, once black hair and brown irises. Can I see your artwork?

He squeezed his sketchbook for a little comfort, as if it were a protective shield from the older boy. 
“I…” his hands were shaking, if he didn’t give the boy his sketchbook than would he hit him instead?
Hunkering his head down he wondered if remaining small would make him go invisible and the other boy go away.

Near the spot where Kei is, Seven's taking his time with his swimming, as what he does daily for a workout. Time trials are important whether there's an incoming competition or not.

After making it on the other end, he stopped for a moment and took notice of the little kid artist on one of the poolside chairs. This suddenly reminded Seven of his time back in middle school being bullied: he was frail for his age and is a total nerd. Before he got out of the pool, he puts his hand over his face, thinking about that time.

[color=bc8dbf]"Hey, kid... You have great talent there."[/color]

He can't really stop the shaking in his hands, he nervously picks at a scab on the top of his hand. Why did he come back? Why does he still notice him? He could feel his heart racing and his chest tightening.
"I....thank....you," he mutters, maybe that's it. Maybe that's all the older boy wanted. Think smaller. Be smaller. You're just an ant. If you think you 're an ant then you'll shrink the size of an ant.

[color=bc8dbf]"It's no trouble, and you're welcome. What's your name? I'm Seven."[/color]
The 14-year old swimmer took care not to startle the little artist because of his improved frame right now compared to back then as he wore his bathrobe to cover up his jammers.

Would he come after him if he gave him his name? He looks Japanese. Is he on vacation too? It be silly to think that he goes to the same smaller town as him, but he's not sure. What's a name like Seven? Sounds like a pseudonym. 

"...Takashi....Shiro...." a name of one of his bullies, he didn't mean for the name to come out. Something reminded him of a scenario with him. But, he rather this older kid go after him than him. Oh that sounds as bad as Takashi Shiro. What should he do Mistah Furafu? 

[color=bc8dbf]"You all right there? My bad if that was sudden of me to ask, but... Little artist Taka-[i]kun[/i]... I hope you don't mind me telling you, that...there's something about you that reminded me of my past. I can tell by your weak tone of voice."[/color]

Weak tone of voice? The phrasing stood out to him. So, he was just hear to make fun of him. It always ended up that way. Didn't it? People pretended to be nice to your face, but the reality was that they just wanted to get close to hurt you. Grabbing Mistah Furafu he mumbled an excuse, "My...parents....will...be mad if I am.....out alone too long."

A young woman with long and glossy hair would look at the scene on her way to the pool. She had just showered and put on a one-piece pink swimsuit that accentuated her figure more than more 'revealing' pieces did. Against her will, she walked nearer the scene, though stopped before entering Seven and Kei's 'personal bubble'. Nevertheless, if Kei tried to run away, there was a chance he might bump into her. Oh, well, Carol Akechi liked convinient coincidences.

[color=bc8dbf]"Do you need help, kid? I can ask some staff here to help you out..."[/color]
Seven took care also not to give away the fact as the son of the beach resort's owners, as that would evoke a prideful impression.
 Pink. He was seeing a wave of pink in his eyes, as he tried to flee the situation with his hoodie on his head.

"Sorry," he mumbles.

A young man had collided with her, but Carol surprisingly wasn't angry, just shocked. Looking down at the ten year old kid with the sketchbook, the young woman blinked and said. "Apology accepted. Anyway, have you seen a young blond man with golden eyes, an American, in this resort? He got a ticket to come here as well..."

"No..." he whispers quietly, "I....have....n't....do.....you need help?"
Carol nods at that. "Are you lost, little boy? If so, we can look for your relatives and my...friend at the same time."

She doesn't notice Seven, or was pretending not to notice Seven. She knew the latter bore some resemblance to the resort owners, so it was probably the latter.

The time was now nearing lunch break, and instead of intervening, Seven proceeds to the Guests' Lounge. Surprisingly, Chiaki Matsuno returned, and only brought with him some shopping bags.
[color=bc8dbf]"Uh, what happened?"[/color]

"The shuttle had some engine problems, driver's navigation app was not working, and on top of that, some of the guests inside are experiencing communication errors of some sort."

[color=bc8dbf]"That didn't happen before. Anyway, get everyone back in the lobby. I'll let Mom and Dad know about this. And I'll get back to you later with what you got in those bags."[/color]

Kei shakes his head, "I am....not lost. My....grandparents are spending....time together." He nervously fidgets with his hands. Intertwining his fingers together to self sooth. His chest was tightening and he felt restless at this moment. 

A nod from Carol before she suggested, smiling, "Well, there's a storm coming, or so says the weather reports. Why don't you let me guide you inside the resort building?"
Kei tries to keep his head down and his heart rate steady, taking in deep breaths. It's been an odd morning.  He hasn't met a lot of people in his age group so suddenly and what felt, he dsidn't know strange. 

"I...was consider...draw...ing the storm," Kei mumbles.

Carol blinks, "Wouldn't that get you hurt? A storm is no laughing matter. Is this your first time expperiencing one?"
 
"I know....to get to high ground," Kei says, "Sometimes....though, there is beauty...in the chaos." 

He liked the grayness of the sky and the sound the ocean made when it raged with fury. Not saying that he wanted the place to drown in a tsunami, actually he'd prefer if that were not the case. He simply found inspiration in the world around him. Something most didn’t understand. 

A grin from Carol. “I like the way you think! Why don’t I watch the chaos with you, then? But if you don’t want to, you don’t want to. So I’ll leave you alone, then?”

He felt a flutter in his chest for a mere second. No one has offered to enjoy the activities he enjoyed. Well maybe she’s being polite. He feels a bit flustered at the offer. 

“Only….only….only if you want to,” he finds himself stammering. 

A smile; Carol was actually honest because Kei was not dangerous to her, “Then I want to! Let’s go!”

It’s the first time he probably felt a jolt of excitement. He found himself picking up his head slightly, “Your name? And we should go!”

She turned towards him as she began to follow Kei, “Carol, Akechi Carol.”

Akechi? He had assumed she was from Europe. He fidgets, “Himura...Kei.” he replies quietly.

“Happy to meet you for the first time, Kei-[i]kun[/i],” another note of sincerity as Carol walked to higher ground…

“Same Akechi-san, do you live in Europe?” Kei ask as he follows her. Not too closely, holding Mistah Furafu in his arm and his sketchbook close to his chest.

Carol shook her head, “I wish I did. I live in Japan but my Mother came from the Philippines - she has European blood, though.” A genuine frown. “Here’s a deal; don’t look down on me for being half-foreign, and I won’t look down on you. How’s that sound?”

Kei shakes his head, “I...never look down on someone. It’s mean and…” he trails off at first, “really hurts when someone does….that.” he pauses and holds Mistah Furafu closer, “....always thought it be nice to have a castle. Not like the ones we have in Japan. But in a magical world.”

A smile. “Well, my family owns a few Japanese Castles; they’re fairly nice on the outside.” Then a sigh. “I wish Magical Worlds were real..”