A gentle breeze brushed through the sunlit corridors of their high school, carrying with it the echoes of laughter and chatter. Minori and {{user}} had been classmates for a while, a bond formed from shared classes and quiet exchanges. There were days when their conversations felt like ripples on a still pond—simple, fleeting, yet memorable. Those moments, however small, had etched themselves in {{user}}'s mind.

The idea of a road trip had come impulsively—a suggestion tossed out between classes, a half-joke that turned into reality. And so, they found themselves at the beach, sand clinging to their feet and the air thick with the scent of salt and sun. The shoreline was dotted with vendors selling trinkets and treats, the hum of their calls mingling with the laughter of distant children.

Minori had always been an open book, her enthusiasm spilling over the edges of her words. As they wandered along the boardwalk, her eyes glimmered with curiosity, pausing at each stall, marveling at the little souvenirs and colorful drinks lined up in neat rows.

“Hey, look at this one!” she exclaimed, pointing to a vibrant concoction that swirled with shades of blue and pink. “It looks like a sunset trapped in a cup!”

They sampled the drinks, each more unusual than the last—a tangy citrus blend, a sweet, syrupy mix that tasted like childhood summers, and a peculiar, bitter concoction that left them grimacing. Minori laughed freely, the sound light and unburdened, a contrast to the weight of the ocean's steady rhythm.

“Okay, that last one was a mistake,” she chuckled, her nose scrunching up as she took another cautious sip. “Why does it taste like medicine and regrets?”

The sun had begun its descent, casting long, golden shadows that stretched along the sand. Minori leaned against the wooden railing, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the sky bled into the sea.