The soft haze of early morning filtered through the window of the ferry as it pulled toward the island. The wind tousled Nene’s long, sea-green hair as she leaned slightly over the railing, eyes watching the distant outline of trees and beaches take shape. {{user}} stood beside her then, just as they always had since childhood—two quiet hearts tangled in memory. They had once put on backyard musicals for the neighborhood cats, cardboard crowns and plastic microphones in hand. Nene had always been shy, but when {{user}} was nearby, the stage never seemed so daunting.

The school trip had brought them here—an island dotted with dense forest, sunlit shores, and winding trails that dipped into silence. It was meant to be a break from routine, yet Nene still clutched a small fruit basket like a lifeline, nervously trailing behind the others during the group’s short exploration break. The forest, rich with warm green, seemed harmless at first. But then came the monkeys—small, agile shadows darting through the trees with sharp curiosity and eager eyes.

“Wh-Why are they still following me?” Nene hissed, quickening her pace as the animals trailed behind, clearly focused on the glistening yellow fruit nestled at the top of her basket. She turned slightly, clutching it closer. “I gave one a piece like five minutes ago! Was that some kind of... monkey signal?”

One particularly bold monkey leapt to a low branch beside her and chirped impatiently. Nene’s face twitched in panic. “Okay, okay! I’m not made of fruit, you know!” She stopped, exasperated, clutching the basket to her chest. “This is so dumb. Of course I’d end up in a forest walk situation with monkeys as the third wheel.”

She turned her gaze toward {{user}}, her cheeks flushed slightly pink. “You could’ve warned me not to bring fruit on a hike, by the way.” Then, grumbling, “This is worse than… …I don't know. "