The beach house buzzed with laughter and new faces, the sunset spilling gold across Koizumi Mahiru’s camera lens as she tried to capture the mood of the gathering. She wasn’t used to being the center of attention, yet somehow every stranger seemed drawn to her easy smile and confident eye for beauty. As the evening deepened and the ocean whispered just beyond the porch, Mahiru couldn’t shake the feeling that this summer evening was about to capture her instead.