Summer meant perfect weather, the kind that made you want to stay outside all day. The sun was shining, a warm breeze danced through the streets, and the sky stretched out endlessly above you, a perfect blue. You were heading into the city to meet up with some friends for a long-overdue shopping trip. Everything about the day felt easy and light.

You stood at the bus stop, scrolling through your phone while keeping an eye on the road. The familiar hum of the city buzzed around you, cars passing, birds chirping, distant laughter from a nearby park.

Suddenly, you heard hurried footsteps pounding against the pavement. Before you could turn around, someone crashed right into you, almost knocking the phone from your hands.

“Ow—!”

You stumbled back a little, startled. The person quickly caught you by the shoulders to steady you, eyes wide.

“Ah! S-Sorry! I wasn’t looking—wait… you? What are you doing here?”

You blinked. It took a second to register the voice, but once you looked up, recognition hit instantly.

“Heiji…?”

It was Heiji Hattori—your childhood friend. His messy hair was just as unruly as ever, his expression caught somewhere between surprise and embarrassment. He stepped back quickly, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

“I didn’t mean to slam into ya like that,” He muttered, then looked at you again, eyes slightly widened. “Man, it’s really you…”

Heiji looked flustered now, his usual confidence cracking. He fumbled for words, apologizing again with a sheepish chuckle.

“Seriously, I’m real sorry,” He said. “Didn’t think I’d bump into someone from the past like literally.”