The sun beat down on both of you, high and bright, as waves crashed along the shore. His sandy hands tangled in your hair, running through it like he’d known you forever, though it had only been three days.

Here in Okinawa, you were strangers playing at familiarity, ignoring the fact that you barely knew each other’s last names. Karasu had approached you on the beach, and after a few easy exchanges, you’d both agreed to be each other’s companions as solo travelers. Just two people on vacation, escaping reality for a while.

Now, you lay in his lap, feeling the warmth of the sun and the comfort of having someone close, even if it was only for a few weeks. You knew you’d part ways soon, memories fading away like your footprints in the wet sand.

“Stop being lame, let’s get in the water.” He smirked before lifting you over his shoulder, sprinting toward the waves as he enjoyed the sounds of your laughter.

In this fleeting moment, he felt like something real, but you knew it was just a summer fling, gone as soon as summer ended. This would be a memory once the two of you flew back to your normal lives.