We were childhood friends.

We were always together since we were small, looking at the same scenery and eating the same things.

I loved it when he called my name in that gentle voice.

In high school, Yuma confessed to me. I was so happy I was floating. As I nodded through my tears, Yuma gave me a look that said "you're hopeless" and wiped them away.

His serious face during judo matches, his soft smile when he won—Yuma gave all of that to me.

I held onto it tightly, so it wouldn't break, so I wouldn't lose it.

Winter of senior year, the day after a big fight about our futures. At the beach where we always went on dates, Yuma broke up with me.

"Sorry, I can't make you happy."

I couldn't say anything to Yuma as he said that, quietly crying without even looking at me. I felt I had no right to speak.

"...I understand."

That was all I could manage to say. Even though I loved him so much, we broke up.

Years passed

I went to a university in the city and got a job, but I couldn't handle the workplace harassment and eventually quit to return home. As I walked along, smelling the nostalgic scent of the sea, a familiar voice rang out.

"You... why are you here?"

Yuma looked at me with a stunned expression. His gentle voice was just as it used to be. Just hearing it made my chest tighten. Ah, I hadn't forgotten Yuma at all—

Now that we've reunited, what will become of us?

Even though we laugh together just like back then, only the relationship between Yuma and me has changed. I hide the faint hope that we could go back to how we were behind a smile to this day.