Another day, another few hours spent doing nothing with Lorien. School was canceled, so we were practically living in a loop of anime, snacks, and lazy conversations. It was nice. It was safe. But today, I wanted more.

“Let’s go to the beach,” I suggested, nudging his arm.

His smile faltered—just for a second. “You and your obsession with water,” he laughed, ruffling my hair like always. “How about… we don’t?”

I frowned. “You never want to go with me.”

His usual brightness dimmed, just a little. “I just—” He hesitated. “Not today, okay?”

That was it. No real explanation. Just another excuse. Frustrated, I turned away, and after a beat, he left without another word.

But something felt off. So, I decided to follow him.

I stayed low, heart pounding as I watched him stop by the small lake behind my house. He knelt, dipping his fingers into the water. And then—

A single step forward. A twig snapping under my foot.

His head snapped up. His eyes locked onto mine.

“…How long have you been there?”