Morning came gently, with the sound of the river whispering through the valley.
The sky glowed pale gold, thin mist rising over the water. The village still slept, but the world felt wide awake.
I stepped outside the inn, yawning quietly. The air was cold enough to sting a little, but clean — like the first breath after rain.
Hana was already there, sitting by the wooden railing overlooking the stream. Her yukata had changed from last night's deep blue to a light peach one, decorated with faint maple leaves.
She turned, smiling softly.
"Morning, Kaito."
"Morning," I said, rubbing my eyes. "You're up early."
"I couldn't sleep," she admitted. "It's too peaceful. I wanted to see the sunrise."
"Guess I picked a good time to wander, then."
"Guess you did."
She laughed quietly, then handed me a small cup of tea. "Here. I brought an extra."
Steam rose from the cup, carrying the scent of roasted rice and warmth.
It felt nice — holding something hot while the cold air brushed against your face.
"Thanks," I said.
Hana took a sip from hers, then leaned on the railing again. "You know… last night felt like a dream."
I nodded. "Yeah. A loud, chaotic dream."
"That's what makes it nice."
The river flowed quietly below, leaves drifting like little boats across the surface.
For a while, we didn't say anything.
It wasn't an awkward silence — more like a calm one, the kind that made you want to breathe slower.
A sudden shout broke the moment.
"HEY! YOU GUYS ALREADY UP?!"
It was Akane — of course.
She came running down the path from the inn, her hair still messy, clutching a towel and a bucket.
"C'mon, let's go to the river! Mika said the water's super clear!"
"Wait, now?" I asked.
"Yeah, now! Before everyone else wakes up!"
Rei appeared right behind her, looking tired and unimpressed. " Akane, it's seven in the morning. Can't we have breakfast first?"
"Nope! Nature calls!"
"Nature should wait until after coffee," Rei muttered.
Naoko followed last, already carrying a small camera. "I thought it might be pretty for photos…"
And just like that, the morning peace was over.
Down by the River
The path to the river was lined with mossy stones and autumn leaves. When we arrived, sunlight had begun to peek through the trees, scattering gold over the rippling surface.
"Woooah~" Akane gasped, eyes sparkling. "It's even better than I imagined!"
"Wow," Hana murmured. "The reflection looks like a painting."
"Careful, the rocks are slippery," Rei warned. "Don't—"
SPLASH!
Akane had already slipped into the shallow part of the river.
Rei sighed. "—fall."
"Pfft—!" Mika burst out laughing. "You look like a wet tanuki!"
"Tanuki your face!" Inohana shouted, splashing water at her.
In seconds, Mika retaliated, and then Naoko shrieked as she got hit too.
"Eeeh?! My camera!"
"Put it away, quick!" Hana yelled between laughter.
Soon the entire group was knee-deep in the water, laughing, shouting, splashing — chaos incarnate.
I stood at the edge, arms crossed, trying not to get dragged in.
Then Hana smirked at me. "What's wrong, Kaito? Too cool to join?"
"I'm just observing."
"That's boring."
"Observation is science."
"Then here's an experiment," she said — and before I could react, she kicked water straight at me.
Cold. Very cold.
I blinked, droplets dripping from my bangs. "You did not just—"
"Oh, but I did," she grinned.
"Alright. You asked for it."
I stepped into the river. The chill bit instantly, but the laughter made it worth it. Within seconds, everyone was splashing each other again — a wild, noisy mess that echoed across the forest.
"Victory for Team Chaos!" Akane declared, raising her arm like a champion.
"Who made you captain?" Rei asked, wringing out her sleeve.
"Destiny!"
"More like delusion," Rei muttered, but she was smiling.
A Moment Beneath the Bridge
After half an hour, everyone collapsed on the stones to rest.
The sun had fully risen now, scattering sparkles over the surface of the water.
Naoko sat nearby, fiddling with her camera again. "I got some good shots," she said proudly. "Especially that one where Kaito was hit by the first splash."
"Delete that."
"Nope."
"Akane's idea?"
"Maybe," she grinned innocently.
Meanwhile, Hana was wringing out her hair.
Water droplets slid down her neck, catching the light. She looked up at me with a soft smile. "You look happy, you know?"
"Do I?"
"Yeah. Like… the ice is melting a little."
I froze for a second. "That obvious, huh?"
"Only to those who care."
She said it so casually, but it hit deep.
I wanted to say something — anything — but Akane's voice came again, ruining the moment:
"GUYS! I FOUND A FROG!"
Everyone turned.
Indeed, she was crouching by the riverbank, holding up a small frog like it was a trophy.
"Look at him! His name's… Mr. Green!"
"Put it back," Rei said instantly.
"But he's cute!"
"He's terrified."
Mika leaned in. "It's staring at you, Akane. Like, actually plotting your death."
Naoko took a photo. "For science."
"DELETE THAT TOO!" I groaned.
Lunch by the Water
By noon, the group had dried off and set up a small picnic near the river.
Mika unpacked rice balls and snacks, Naoko made tea, and Hana had somehow brought a small blanket.
Rei passed out hand towels. "I can't believe you all got soaked before breakfast."
"It builds character," Akane said, munching on an onigiri.
"It builds pneumonia," Rei replied.
The food tasted simple but perfect — maybe because everyone was laughing between bites.
At one point, Mika offered me a rice ball. "Here, try this one! It's got salmon!"
"Thanks," I said, taking it. "Did you make it?"
"Me? Nope! I bought it from the stall earlier!"
"Of course you did."
Naoko poured tea for everyone. The steam curled in the air, blending with the river mist.
"This is nice," Hana said softly. "Like we're in some kind of slow dream."
"It's reality," I replied.
"Same thing, isn't it?"
Her tone was light, but her words lingered — like she meant more than she said.
Romantic Chaos #1 – The Yukata Incident
After lunch, everyone decided to dip their feet again.
The rocks were warm now, and the sound of the river had turned rhythmic — almost sleepy.
I was helping Hana step across a slippery stone when—
RIP!
Her yukata sash got caught on a twig.
"Ah—!"
"Wait, don't move," I said quickly, kneeling to untangle it.
"Careful," she whispered, blushing slightly. "It's kinda… tight there."
I froze. "Right. Sorry."
Akane suddenly appeared out of nowhere. "Oho~ what do we have here?"
"Nothing!" we said in unison.
"Oh, sure," Akane grinned devilishly. "Totally nothing, right?"
Naoko and Mika peeked from behind a rock. "What's happening?"
"Romantic comedy episode," Akane whispered.
"Stop narrating it!" I yelled.
Rei, from the distance: "I'm not helping you this time."
Eventually, I freed the fabric. Hana sighed in relief. "Thanks, Kaito. You saved me from public embarrassment."
"You can thank me by stopping Inohana from posting that online."
"Too late!" Akane said, phone raised.
Romantic Chaos #2 – The Accidental Fall
Later, Naoko tried to take a group photo on the bridge.
"Alright, everyone — smile!"
"Wait, I'm not ready—"
"Too late!"
Click.
The camera slipped.
I tried to grab it — but ended up bumping into Hana. We both stumbled, and splash! straight into the shallow river again.
Cold water. Laughter. And a very close face.
We blinked at each other, both half-drenched.
For a moment, the world went quiet.
Then Akane screamed, "KYAAAA ROM-COM ALERT!"
I groaned. Hana just laughed — her cheeks pink, eyes bright.
"Guess you're cursed to fall into rivers, huh?" she teased.
"Guess so."
"What do you mean by that?" i ask her.
"It's nothing, there was a tanuki passing by."
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
Evening Calm
The sun began to lower again, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple.
We sat by the water, shoes drying on the rocks. The world was quiet now — only the soft murmur of the stream remained.
Naoko hummed a tune under her breath, a peaceful melody that matched the moment perfectly.
Mika leaned against A, half-asleep.
Rei was sketching the view in a small notebook.
Hana sat next to me, knees pulled to her chest. "Hey, Kaito," she said quietly.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think moments like this last forever?"
I thought for a second. "No. But maybe that's why they matter."
She smiled faintly. "That sounds like something you'd say."
"I guess I'm learning from you all."
The river shimmered beneath us, carrying away fallen leaves like fleeting memories.
"A moment is like water," Hana murmured, gazing at the flow.
"It touches everything, reflects everything — but it never stays.
You can't hold it. You can only feel it."
I looked at her, the glow of sunset on her face.
For a second, I wanted to freeze time — to stop the world right here.
But she was right.
The beauty of it was that it flowed.
And maybe… so did I.
Final Scene
As the light dimmed, the five of them walked ahead, their laughter fading into the path.
I stood behind for a moment, staring at the river.
The reflection rippled gently — five figures glowing in the fading light.
My chest felt warm.
Not heavy anymore.
I think... i just got a lesson from this moment.
"The river doesn't remember every leaf it carries," I thought,
"but maybe that's fine.
Because even if the current moves on,
the memory of warmth stays — somewhere inside."