He turned his back on Misaki, thinking about how crowded it was as he cast his gaze around and saw too many people blocking the light. It was too loud now and would be even later. He could not focus enough to read when there was an audience. It made him tense, bone-numbed, worryful. He unzipped his holdall - spreading his towel horizontal from the lounger, he imagined the pleasantness of Misaki and her friends being absent.
There was no problem with this. Couples sat together. His parents had done it. He did not see why two people who were close needed permission.
It made it a nicer holiday. More comfortable.
He looked back at Kozue and remarked, "You look nice." It was the polite thing to do.