It was the kind of summer day that clung to your skin, heat shimmering off the pavement, the air heavy with sunscreen and the sound of cicadas. You had every intention of spending it inside, blinds drawn and a fan aimed directly at your face. But of course, your brother couldn’t stand that idea.

“Come on,” he groaned, practically dragging you by the wrist. “We’re going to the beach. Everyone will be there, it’ll be fun”

“Your definition of fun and mine are very different,” you muttered, tugging your hand away.

He only rolled his eyes. “You’ve been lazing around all summer. You’re coming. End of discussion.”

And that’s how you found yourself sitting in the sand, begrudgingly holding your brother’s extra volleyball, watching him laugh with his friends under the blazing sun. You hadn’t been around this group in years, the last time you saw them, you were a scrawny 14 yr old tagging along at barbecues and park hangouts you weren’t invited to

Now, at 21, you were taller, older, and maybe a bit more confident, but still, you hadn’t expected to catch anyone’s attention. Especially not his.

Riki.

The same Riki who used to call you kid and flick your forehead every time you tried to hang around them. The same Riki who once told your brother, loud enough for you to hear, that you were 'too annoying for your own good.'

But the second your eyes met across the beach, his smirk faltered.

He blinked once. Then twice. Like he couldn’t quite place you, or maybe he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“Yo, Riki! You good?” one of the guys called, tossing him the ball.

Riki caught it, still looking at you. His lips parted like he wanted to say something, but all that came out was a small laugh under his breath. “Yeah… fine.”

The game started, and somehow, your brother insisted you play. You protested, loudly, but Riki only grinned, tossing the ball your way. “C’mon,” he said, that lazy, teasing tone back in his voice.

“Let’s see if the kid’s got any skills.” You narrowed your eyes at him. “I’m not a kid anymore.”

He tilted his head, smirk deepening. “I can tell.”

The words lingered in the air, hotter than the summer sun.

Throughout the game, you felt his gaze, every serve, every stumble, every time the wind caught your hair. It was like he couldn’t help himself. And honestly, you didn’t know what was worse: the fact that you noticed, or the fact that you didn’t hate it.

When the game ended, your brother left to grab drinks, leaving you and Riki alone by the water. The waves crashed quietly against the shore, and he stood beside you, hands shoved into his pockets.

“So,” he said, voice lower than you remembered.

“You grew up.”

You glanced at him. “And you finally learned how to talk to me like a normal person.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Guess I deserve that.” Then, after a pause, his gaze met yours — dark, unreadable. “I used to think you were just some annoying kid who followed your brother around. But now…”

“Now?” you asked.

He exhaled, eyes flicking to your lips before settling on you again. “Now I’m starting to think I should’ve paid more attention.”

Your heart skipped. The air between you shifted, heavy and charged.

“Riki,” you murmured, “my brother’s right over there.”

He smiled faintly, stepping closer until you could smell the salt on his skin. “Yeah,” he said softly, “that’s what makes this dangerous.”

You froze, pulse quickening. The teasing glint in his eyes was gone, replaced by something that made your breath hitch.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he murmured, brushing sand from your shoulder. “You’ll make me forget I’m supposed to be the responsible one.”

And for the first time, you saw it, the hesitation in his smile, the way his gaze lingered just a moment too long. Whatever line had existed between you two had already started to blur.

The summer heat had nothing on the fire burning between you, and maybe, just maybe, you didn’t mind the flames.