I opened my eyes.
Waves rolled in, one by one, dissolving into the burning sand.
The summer sun blazed above, turning everything golden and warm.
I listened to the sound of the sea as it crashed and disappeared, over and over again.
And without warning—
I heard footsteps.
Not quiet ones—fast, full of energy, pounding against the sand like someone was running straight toward me.
And then I saw him.
A boy in orange shorts covered with yellow flowers.
Messy black hair, tanned skin, sunglasses resting on his head—
And that smile.
That wide, childish grin… the kind only someone who's never been hurt can wear.
The kind he always had when we played together.
Me, him… and Souh.
He stopped right in front of me and shouted with a laugh,
"Hey, Kai! What are you doing just sitting here? Come on, let's have some fun! We only got today thanks to that crazy science teacher!"
And for a moment, it felt like time had rewound.
Right... I remembered now.
Our eccentric science teacher had dragged us all here for some social-humanity project.
I hadn't wanted to come.
I just wanted to get it over with and go home.
But he grinned like nothing had changed, grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet.
I didn't say anything.
Honestly… I didn't care anymore.
Ever since Souh left, nothing had mattered.
Soon after, the scent of grilled meat filled the air, and laughter mingled with the sound of glasses clinking.
Colorful umbrellas stood over long tables, and groups of students gathered around them.
Cool boys. Pretty girls.
About thirty of them, maybe more.
All of them glowing under the summer sky.
I just stood there, watching from a distance—until Arin yanked my wrist and pulled me along, past the noise, past the chaos, toward a smaller, quieter table near the back.
"Arin, I really don't feel like—" I muttered.
He stopped, looked straight at me.
"Kai, how long have we been friends?"
I sighed.
"Since I was a kid... since the first day I met you and Souh."
He smiled. But there was a flicker of frustration in his eyes.
"Then you know I'm not giving up. You're coming with me. I know you've changed since Souh disappeared... but I'm still here. I'm still your friend. Just spend this day with me, okay?"
Arin was different from most rich kids.
He had a good heart.
He had always been there, from the very beginning.
I gave him a small smile and let him drag me to the table.
Around the table were familiar faces.
In front of me sat Sana — dark skin, curly coiled hair, a white top, and piercing blue eyes.
On my left, Arin sat beside Max — tall, tan, athletic, in a Hawaiian shirt. I had secretly envied his body.
Next to Sana was Liana — pale skin, golden hair, emerald eyes, ripped jeans and a soft blue blouse.
She was the only one I felt comfortable around.
Then someone spoke from my right.
"Well, well—look who's here. Arin's little boyfriend!"
The voice was loud. Sharp.
I turned.
A red-eyed boy with pale skin, blue hair slicked back, and a brand-new tattoo of a coiling dragon on his arm.
Lian.
Sana's brother.
"What?" I asked dryly.
Arin jumped in, "Lian, seriously. Kai doesn't like your jokes."
Lian laughed and smacked my back, way too hard.
"Relax, man. I'm just messing with you!"
My spine cracked.
I hit him back just as hard.
Liana had been quiet until now.
She slid her chair closer, leaned toward me, and whispered,
"Hey, Kai. I like you. Go out with me."
I smiled.
"I'll think about it. But no, thanks."
She pouted dramatically.
"Mean."
Then she added,
"By the way… I heard that after Souh left—"
Suddenly, cold water splashed down my back.
I turned around, soaked.
Sana stood behind me, grinning like a devil.
"Heard you got depressed after your boyfriend ran away," she teased.
I stood up fast.
"You're dead, Sana!"
I grabbed a couple of water balloons from under the table and launched them at her. She squealed—drenched from head to toe.
Then everything spiraled into chaos.
Everyone got up.
And for hours… we just played.
We screamed, we laughed, we soaked each other to the bone.
And for a moment…
Just one moment…
I forgot.
I forgot to miss him.
Evening came. The sky turned navy blue.
Our wet clothes clung to our skin, and Max lit a bonfire.
We sat close, wrapped in warm white blankets.
Someone passed marshmallows around.
We laughed, talked, teased each other about things that didn't matter.
I tilted my head back, stared at the stars.
My smile faded.
"…I miss him," I whispered.
It was soft, like I wasn't even sure if I wanted anyone to hear.
But they all did.
Liana, Sana, Max, and Lian suddenly wrapped their arms around me.
And Arin…
He placed his hand on my shoulder.
"I'm not asking you to forget him," he said,
"But don't forget yourself either, Kai."
And just like that—
The tears came. Quietly, without warning.
I smiled faintly, voice shaky.
"I know."
---
The sun carved a crack through my frozen chest
Mais les souvenirs ne meurent jamais.
傷は,時間の中でさえも癒えない.
Y sin embargo, tu recuerdo me enseñó a respirar de nuevo.
---