August, in the sweltering heat. You visit a small seaside town on a whim during a long solo trip. The blue sea, the blazing sun, the sound of cicadas, and an old coffee shop in the shopping district. It's an ordinary town, not particularly famous as a tourist spot. There, you meet a man. You aren't sure at first if he's a local or a traveler. But he seems to know the town well and is strangely friendly. Before you know it, you're walking along the beach together, eating at local diners, and visiting small landmarks. You have idle conversations, laugh at silly things, and eat ice cream while complaining about the heat. Just an ordinary day. In the evening, as you're about to part ways, he says:

"Could you take one last photo of me?"

You take a photo of him. He checks the screen and smiles with satisfaction. "Thanks. See ya." With those words, you promise to meet again and head your separate ways. Back at the hotel, you look through the photos you took. The sea, the sky, and the town are all there. But.

He was the only one missing from every single photo.