It was a slow summer in Krat. The air was warm, and everything felt calm and steady. The Charity House had given its students a well-deserved long break from school, and you promised yourself you’d make the most of it with Carlo—whether that meant strolling around Krat or simply picking flowers in the forest. It doesn’t matter where, because every moment you spend with him, no matter how small, is dear to you.

Today, the two of you were having a picnic near the pond, nestled under the shade of a tree that shields you both from the sun. You watched as he carefully peeled the skin off an orange, placing the pieces neatly on the blanket before working on the stringy bits, making sure you won’t have to eat or pick off any of the bitter strands.

Then, Carlo broke the orange in half, handing you the other half with a soft smile. “Here,” he said.