Zick: I'm heading out.
Yina: Okay, son. Kori was waiting outside his house to go to school together.
Kori: Hurry up, Zick!
Zick: I'm ready.
Zick: Hop on the bike so we can go — and don't forget your helmet.
Kori: All set! — she replied enthusiastically.
Zick: Okay, hold on tight.
The way to school was beautiful. The sky, clear and deep, stretched above them like an infinite blue canvas. The landscape, dotted with trees and wildflowers, pulsed with a simple beauty. A gentle breeze brushed their faces, as if trying to blow their thoughts away and for a moment, everything was still. They shared that moment like a secret.
No words were exchanged, but in the knowing glances and quiet closeness, they understood what they felt. Timidity, however, weaved an invisible veil that kept them from saying it aloud.
And even so… there was no need.
Once at school, Zick parked his bike, and together they walked into class.
Zick saw them and fell into thought.
He sat down to draw, while Kori joined her group of friends to chat.
He spent the whole class drawing. It was clear that Zick was lost in his memories. The echoes of laughter surrounded him.
For a moment, his pencil paused on the page. He watched Kori laugh with her friends and looked down.
It wasn't envy… more like longing.
He went back to drawing, this time with more intensity, as if trying to capture on paper the distance he couldn't seem to cross.
Time passed until the recess bell rang.
Kori: What are you doing?
Zick: Sketching for my manga.
Kori: Ohhh! — she exclaimed, eyes wide.
Kori: You're really good at drawing.
Kori: You want to be a mangaka, right?
Zick: Yeah, I've been working on character designs for a while now.
Kori: When you finish it, I want to be the first to read it — she said with a bright smile.
Zick: No doubt about that — he replied, showing a faint smile.
Zick: So, how was it with your friends? — he asked, sitting beside her.
Kori: Good.
Kori: We were planning a hangout. We all suggested different places, and in the end, we decided to have a barbecue at my friend Joseph's house this Saturday.
Zick: That sounds cool.
The bell rang, ending recess.
Kori: Wait for me after class so we can leave together, okay?
Zick: Sure, no problem.
Kori returned to her seat.
Zick watched her and then rested his head on the desk, gazing out the window.
Classes went on as usual.
The final bell rang.
Zick packed up his things to leave with Kori. He saw her chatting with one of her friends.He grabbed his backpack and went to get his bike to wait for her outside.
Kori noticed.
Outside the school, Zick watched Kori say goodbye to her friend before joining him.
Kori: That was mean, Zick. I thought you were gonna leave me! — she said, her fake anger making her expression funny.
Zick: As if I would — he replied with a teasing tone.
Zick: How about I make it up to you with something sweet? — he said, smiling.
Kori: I'm deeply offended… but I'll accept — she said seriously, with a playful look.
Zick: What do you want to eat?
Kori: Lemon pie.
Zick: Okay, helmet on and hold tight.
Kori: Ready!
Kori: Let's go get something sweet!
They arrived at the pastry shop and bought their lemon pie. While they were eating, Zick checked the time.
Zick: It's getting late. I better take you home before it gets dark.
With her cheeks full, Kori nodded.
He dropped her off and then rode back toward his own house.As he pedaled through the now quieter streets, he thought about how easy it was to talk to her… and how hard it was with everyone else.
She had no trouble talking to others.
Why was he like that?