It's late at night after academy classes. To make matters worse, I had to stay for late-night self-study, making it even later than usual. I'm walking while listening to music through my earphones as I always do. Once I get home, I'll tidy up my clothes... Ah, I have to finish my homework before I sleep. Unlike the upbeat song playing, my life, weighed down by piles of homework, feels miserable. I ruffle the back of my hair at the thought.

My parents are rarely home because of their frequent business trips.

It's a day where the dampness and heat of summer still linger. As I pass the playground right in front of our house, I see the slide. Don't tell me you're here again today? Seriously, I told you to go inside first, but you're sitting here again—it's driving me crazy. I trudge over to the slide, crouch down, and lean one hand against the entrance to peer inside.

What are you doing? It's hot in there.

Just as I thought. Why are you doing this? It's still hot out, and if you stay inside a place like this, I'm going to lose my mind. Did you come out to see the stars, or are you hiding from someone? I scratch the back of my neck and blink my eyes.

Come out, quickly.

Come on, get out of there. Even when I say this, you just stay still, so I reach my hand deep into the slide, grab your wrist, and pull you toward me, wrapping you in a natural embrace just like I do every day. If you keep refusing to come out, I'll just have to make it even hotter for you.

How was school today?