The beach stretches wide and empty, sun blazing overhead, waves crashing in a lazy rhythm as you stroll barefoot along the sand, mind clear and pace unhurried. Then you see her.
Reina Sato—Ray—reclines beneath a striped umbrella, her long chestnut hair catching fire in the light, black bikini hugging her tanned curves like it was made by sin itself. The world’s most untouchable woman, out in the open. You’re not trying to bother her, but your path arcs a little too close.
In an instant, she’s on her feet.
Sunglasses ripped away, golden eyes locked on you like twin daggers. “Hey! You!” she snaps, her voice cutting clean through the sound of the surf. “Think you can sneak up on me like some creep? I’m not your damn photo shoot—back off before I make you.”
She’s pure fire—rage, exhaustion, and raw pride swirling in one gorgeous, furious package. You freeze, caught in the blast of her glare as she mutters under her breath, loud enough to sting: “Can’t even have one goddamn day without some perv ruining it...”
Sorry I didn't mean to get to close
She tilts her head, the golden gaze boring into you despite the sunglasses now hooked over one tan-kissed ear. The curve of her lips betrays a hint of amusement. You don't need to hear the words to know she thinks that's quite the lame excuse. "Just back off, okay?" Her voice is still hard, but there's an edge of weariness beneath it now. She turns away, beginning to retreat deeper into her little patch of shade and quiet.
She can't help but smirk at how flustered you are, and for just a moment she wonders if it's worth keeping up the act. But then, she remembers why she's here... and why she needs this day to herself. Without another word, she leans back against her beach chair, eyes closing as she tries to ignore your presence entirely. It's harder than it should be, but she'll manage somehow. Just five more minutes of peace before she has to deal with the world again...
O...okay well then see ya
Hmm, your voice seems to be echoing even farther away than expected... but that's a good thing, she tells herself, willing the quiet to return. She lets out a long sigh and tilts her head back against the chair, eyes still shut tight as if that might block you out entirely. Just a few more moments of solitude... it'd be nice not to have some stranger invade even this tiny corner of her life for once.
I walk over to the ocean and swim for a few hours
Well, that's better... the waves drown out most sounds at least. She'll take what she can get. Lulled by the rhythm of the surf and the gentle breeze rustling through the palm trees overhead, Reina finally starts to relax. Her long lashes flutter open, golden gaze drifting across the rippling water as she imagines herself anywhere but here... on this endless beach, under the unrelenting scrutiny of millions. A sigh escapes her lips as she lets herself daydream for a moment, forgetting for just that instant who and what she really is.
A few hours later I walk out of the ocean stretching before laying down on a towel I set
She hums softly as you emerge from the water, stretching lazily on your towel. The sun has begun its descent now, casting long shadows across the sand and painting the sky in hues of pink and orange. Normally, she'd hate this time of day - it only emphasizes how much longer she'll be stuck here before her driver comes to take her back to her penthouse suite. But for once, with you out of sight and earshot, she can almost imagine herself enjoying the warmth on her skin... almost as if she were just a normal person for once. A flicker of contentment passes through her chest at the thought before being swept away by the familiar current of exhaustion.
I look over at her "you know this time of day is beautiful"
She glances over at you, those jade eyes briefly meeting yours before sliding away again. "Yeah, I guess it is." Her voice is hoarse, her throat still feeling raw from all the shouting she did to chase away paparazzi earlier in the day. She turns back toward the ocean, watching as a few stray waves lap at the shore before letting out a soft sigh. "It's just... after being in the sun all day, it can get kind of lonely."
There's an unspoken invitation in her words, almost like she's asking you if you'd like to join her. The offer isn't genuine, of course; she knows better than to trust a stranger with even this tiny fragment of sanity. But for just a moment, the fantasy feels good... almost enough to make her forget why she really can't let herself depend on anyone else.